Today on Fox News -- I was watching while writing about Kofi Bonner -- John McCain attacked Senator Barack Obama for taking earmarks, even though Obama has reported his earmarks.
But in the process, McCain claimed that he has never asked for one and has stated "And I’m proud to tell you, Chris, in 24 years as a member of Congress, I have never asked for nor received a single earmark or pork barrel project for my state and I guarantee you I’ll veto those bills. I’ll ask for the line item veto and I’ll veto them and I’ll make the authors of them famous."
Well, McCain should start by making himself famous.
According to Think Progress.org , McCain asked for and got them twice. Think Progress writes that...
"McCain’s claim is false. In 2006, the senator teamed up with fellow Arizona senator Jon Kyl (R) to funnel $10 million toward the University of Arizona for an academic center named after the late Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist. Even Arizona lawmaker, Rep. Jeff Flake (R), said he was planning to “lean against the measure.” The National Taxpayers Union, another traditional McCain ally, questioned why the senator was making federal taxpayers foot the bill for the center.
In 2003, McCain also slipped $14.3 million into a defense appropriations bill to
create a buffer zone around Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. As Roll Call reported in 2003, this project violated McCain’s own anti-pork rhetoric:
The only problem is the project to acquire more land near the base was not requested by President Bush or fully authorized by the Senate Armed Services Committee - two of McCain’s criteria for identifying so-called ‘pork.
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK), a notorious porker, was overjoyed that McCain had joined his side. “One man’s pork is another man’s alternate white meat,” said Stevens. “If he asked for it, we put it in.”"
Even a "correction" added by Roll Call to its 2003 report doesn't place McCain in the clear. He asked for money to be directed toward a project in his state, and he got it. That's an earmark.
Also, the Washington Post reports that in 1992 McCain asked for and got $5 million to be directed to a wastewater project in Arizona. The original request was rejected, causing McCain to go into action, approaching the EPA, and eventually President Bush I.
McCain should remember that people in glass houses should not throw stones.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Chad Johnson to Remain A Cincinnati Bengals Receiver - ESPN
Assuring that Chad Johnson will line up and roam free to catch passes at the enemy Cleveland Browns stadium built by Kofi Bonner , Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis has said that he has a great relationship with Johnson and he will stay in Cincinnati. Here's the rest from ESPN..
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis is standing firm: Chad Johnson is staying in Cincinnati.
Lewis said Wednesday that the team will not trade the disgruntled wide receiver and has never discussed it, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer and the team's Web site.
"They can stop the presses, quit killing trees and move on to other things," Lewis said, defending Johnson despite the wide receiver's critical comments about the team. "There is, at no point, anyone in the Bengals organization who has ever uttered anything about trading Chad Johnson. Nor will he be traded."
On Tuesday, The Washington Post reported that acquiring Johnson is the Washington Redskins' top offseason priority, as team owner Daniel Snyder wants an elite receiver.
The Post reported that according to two league sources, Johnson wants to land a big payday in Washington, and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has been quietly working behind the scenes to broker a deal.
But Lewis said that's simply not going to happen.
"There is no such thing as behind-the-door dealings in the NFL. That does not occur because the team in question [the Bengals] is not willing to trade their player, nor have they thought about trading their player or discussed trading their player, nor will they discuss trading their player. So I think that's pretty clear. Things can move on," he said.
In television and radio interviews over the past month, Johnson has criticized the Bengals and hinted that he would welcome a change of scenery.
Lewis said Wednesday that he has not spoken to Johnson since the team's final regular season game.
"People [in the building] talk to him," Lewis said, according to reports. "It's unfortunate for Chad that he is being cast in this light because it's not fair. So once again I will go on record in defense of him."
"We've had a great relationship," Lewis said of the Bengals and Johnson. "All I want to see is Chad continue to be a very, very productive NFL player and help us win a lot of football games. And that's not going to change."
The latest figures from the NFL Players Association show Johnson was the fourth-highest paid wide receiver in the NFL last season with total compensation of $7,165,379 million, according to the reports. Were the Bengals to trade or release him before June 1, they would take a salary cap hit of $8.03 million.
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis is standing firm: Chad Johnson is staying in Cincinnati.
Lewis said Wednesday that the team will not trade the disgruntled wide receiver and has never discussed it, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer and the team's Web site.
"They can stop the presses, quit killing trees and move on to other things," Lewis said, defending Johnson despite the wide receiver's critical comments about the team. "There is, at no point, anyone in the Bengals organization who has ever uttered anything about trading Chad Johnson. Nor will he be traded."
On Tuesday, The Washington Post reported that acquiring Johnson is the Washington Redskins' top offseason priority, as team owner Daniel Snyder wants an elite receiver.
The Post reported that according to two league sources, Johnson wants to land a big payday in Washington, and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has been quietly working behind the scenes to broker a deal.
But Lewis said that's simply not going to happen.
"There is no such thing as behind-the-door dealings in the NFL. That does not occur because the team in question [the Bengals] is not willing to trade their player, nor have they thought about trading their player or discussed trading their player, nor will they discuss trading their player. So I think that's pretty clear. Things can move on," he said.
In television and radio interviews over the past month, Johnson has criticized the Bengals and hinted that he would welcome a change of scenery.
Lewis said Wednesday that he has not spoken to Johnson since the team's final regular season game.
"People [in the building] talk to him," Lewis said, according to reports. "It's unfortunate for Chad that he is being cast in this light because it's not fair. So once again I will go on record in defense of him."
"We've had a great relationship," Lewis said of the Bengals and Johnson. "All I want to see is Chad continue to be a very, very productive NFL player and help us win a lot of football games. And that's not going to change."
The latest figures from the NFL Players Association show Johnson was the fourth-highest paid wide receiver in the NFL last season with total compensation of $7,165,379 million, according to the reports. Were the Bengals to trade or release him before June 1, they would take a salary cap hit of $8.03 million.
Indiana Jones Is Back, May 22nd | Indiana Jones and The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull
In a trailer that would get the attention of Kofi Bonner , Steven Speilberg and George Lucas have released the trailer for Indiana Jones and The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull. The trailer touches on the past and gives a look at the future, at a movie that is sure to delight fans of the series -- like myself -- as well as people who have not seen an Indiana Jones movie at all.
Here's the trailer:
Here's the trailer:
Clinton Is Democratic Nixon - Dick Morris On O'Reilly Factor
Boy, I've heard some really deep terms used to describe the Clintons and particularly Senator Clinton, but this one takes it. On Wednesday's "O'Reilly Factor" Dick Morris called Hillary Clinton the Democratic Nixon.
When I think of Nixon, I think of the term "Tricky Dick" so with Clinton I guess the word would be, well, I don't know...Really, I don't. But that's not the point, the main warning is that Clinton has the same trust issues that President Nixon had, and that's why he was called "Tricky Dick.
When I think of Nixon, I think of the term "Tricky Dick" so with Clinton I guess the word would be, well, I don't know...Really, I don't. But that's not the point, the main warning is that Clinton has the same trust issues that President Nixon had, and that's why he was called "Tricky Dick.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Hillary Clinton Breaks Obama Promise, Goes Negative In Desperate Wisconsin Ad
A few weeks ago, Senator Hillary Clinton said that she would not go negative against Senator Obama after a brusing period which saw Clinton accused of racism and working to destroy the Democratic Party.
Well, after eight-straight primary losses, Hillary Clinton has apparently changed her mind. In an obviously desparate attempt to change the course of the Democratic Presidential Race, Clinton is running a series of attack ads in Wisconsin, whining about Obama's refusal to give Clinton the debate schedule she requested.
I think Clinton would do better by making appearances in Wisconsin, rather than the negative ads, which did not work. Barack Obama is taking his case to the people of Wisconsin, with appearances at The University of Wisconsin, as this speech shows:
Well, after eight-straight primary losses, Hillary Clinton has apparently changed her mind. In an obviously desparate attempt to change the course of the Democratic Presidential Race, Clinton is running a series of attack ads in Wisconsin, whining about Obama's refusal to give Clinton the debate schedule she requested.
I think Clinton would do better by making appearances in Wisconsin, rather than the negative ads, which did not work. Barack Obama is taking his case to the people of Wisconsin, with appearances at The University of Wisconsin, as this speech shows:
Hillary Clinton Proves To Be A Sore Loser - CNN.com
It is more important for Senator Clinton to come away from this with an idea of what to say to her followers, expecially after the terrible trashing she took by Obama. Here's the CNN acount in full
EL PASO, Texas (CNN) – For the second election night in a row, Hillary Clinton failed to acknowledge or congratulate Barack Obama after he won the day in dominating fashion.
On Tuesday in El Paso, hours after Virginia had been called for Obama, she stuck to her “Texas campaign kickoff” message and did not stray from an energetic, Lone Star-themed stump speech. She did mention Obama by name, only to chide his health care plan.
On Saturday night in Richmond, Virginia, Clinton spoke to a crowd of thousands at the state’s annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner, but she ignored Obama’s quartet of blowout primary and caucus wins that day as well (Obama also won the Maine caucuses the next day).
The courtesy of conceding a primary or caucus loss — and then congratulating your opponent — is by no means required. But it has become standard practice during campaign season.
Clinton congratulated Obama and John Edwards after their first and second place finishes in the Iowa caucuses. Obama returned the favor in New Hampshire, saying Clinton “did an outstanding job.” That courtesy continued through the early states.
But as the race has shifted to a delegate chase with dozens of states in play around the country, the notion of congratulating one’s opponent seems, for Clinton, to have fallen by the wayside.
– CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby
EL PASO, Texas (CNN) – For the second election night in a row, Hillary Clinton failed to acknowledge or congratulate Barack Obama after he won the day in dominating fashion.
On Tuesday in El Paso, hours after Virginia had been called for Obama, she stuck to her “Texas campaign kickoff” message and did not stray from an energetic, Lone Star-themed stump speech. She did mention Obama by name, only to chide his health care plan.
On Saturday night in Richmond, Virginia, Clinton spoke to a crowd of thousands at the state’s annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner, but she ignored Obama’s quartet of blowout primary and caucus wins that day as well (Obama also won the Maine caucuses the next day).
The courtesy of conceding a primary or caucus loss — and then congratulating your opponent — is by no means required. But it has become standard practice during campaign season.
Clinton congratulated Obama and John Edwards after their first and second place finishes in the Iowa caucuses. Obama returned the favor in New Hampshire, saying Clinton “did an outstanding job.” That courtesy continued through the early states.
But as the race has shifted to a delegate chase with dozens of states in play around the country, the notion of congratulating one’s opponent seems, for Clinton, to have fallen by the wayside.
– CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby
Barack Obama Wins 8th Straight Primary - Takes Delegate Lead
Wow. After being considered the underdog, Senator Barack Obama won primaries in Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland. Also, he won these presidential primaries with huge margins, on the average 60 percent and 74 percent in D.C.
These mark Obama's 8th straight primary win and at a time when some stated that Senator Hillary Clinton needed and would take at least one of these states, most likely Virginia -- but it did not happen.
Obama steamrollered Clinton.
What's even more interesting is to see the mood of CNN's anchors, the "Clinton News Network" which for months has tried to pave the way for Senator Clinton to be the president, and failed. I said it earlier this year, you can't prop-up a person the people don't want to be president, you just can't do it.
It's particularly nice to see CNN contributor Donna Brazile get angry regarding the Clinton campaign strategy, as she did this night. I was -- ok, am -- tired of her daily stomping for Clinton using CNN's airwaves. Now she's got to deal with the harsh reality of a total butt-kicking given by Obama for America.
These mark Obama's 8th straight primary win and at a time when some stated that Senator Hillary Clinton needed and would take at least one of these states, most likely Virginia -- but it did not happen.
Obama steamrollered Clinton.
What's even more interesting is to see the mood of CNN's anchors, the "Clinton News Network" which for months has tried to pave the way for Senator Clinton to be the president, and failed. I said it earlier this year, you can't prop-up a person the people don't want to be president, you just can't do it.
It's particularly nice to see CNN contributor Donna Brazile get angry regarding the Clinton campaign strategy, as she did this night. I was -- ok, am -- tired of her daily stomping for Clinton using CNN's airwaves. Now she's got to deal with the harsh reality of a total butt-kicking given by Obama for America.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Clinton's Campaign Manager Resigns
On the heels of today's important ''Potomac Primaries'', Hillary Clinton's deputy campaign manager Mike Henry has removed himself from the Presidential candidates staff.
"Mike Henry had done an outstanding job for the campaign and his expertise will be missed," said Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson.
Henry's move comes days after Patti Solis Doyle was demoted to the position of senior adviser.
"Mike Henry had done an outstanding job for the campaign and his expertise will be missed," said Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson.
Henry's move comes days after Patti Solis Doyle was demoted to the position of senior adviser.
Ron Paul Gives Up Without Giving Up - People.RonPaul.com
OK. Look at this message below from the Ron Paul website at People.RonPaul.com and tell me if you think Ron Paul's still trying to win the Republican nomination for President.
February 8, 2008
Whoa! What a year this has been. And what achievements we have had. If I may quote Trotsky, of all people, this Revolution is permanent. It will not end at the Republican convention. It will not end in November. It will not end until we have won the great battle on which we have embarked. Not because of me, but because of you. Millions of Americans — and friends in many other countries — have dedicated themselves to the principles of liberty: to free enterprise, limited government, sound money, no income tax, and peace. We will not falter so long as there is one restriction on our persons, our property, our civil liberties. How much I owe you. I can never possibly repay your generous donations, hard work, whole-hearted dedication and love of freedom. How blessed I am to be associated with you. Carol, of course, sends her love as well.
Let me tell you my thoughts. With Romney gone, the chances of a brokered convention are nearly zero. But that does not affect my determination to fight on, in every caucus and primary remaining, and at the convention for our ideas, with just as many delegates as I can get. But with so many primaries and caucuses now over, we do not now need so big a national campaign staff, and so I am making it leaner and tighter. Of course, I am committed to fighting for our ideas within the Republican party, so there will be no third party run. I do not denigrate third parties — just the opposite, and I have long worked to remove the ballot-access restrictions on them. But I am a Republican, and I will remain a Republican.
I also have another priority. I have constituents in my home district that I must serve. I cannot and will not let them down. And I have another battle I must face here as well. If I were to lose the primary for my congressional seat, all our opponents would react with glee, and pretend it was a rejection of our ideas. I cannot and will not let that happen.
In the presidential race and the congressional race, I need your support, as always. And I have plans to continue fighting for our ideas in politics and education that I will share with you when I can, for I will need you at my side. In the meantime, onward and upward! The neocons, the warmongers, the socialists, the advocates of inflation will be hearing much from you and me.
Sincerely,
Ron
Hmm. That's what I thought you'd say.
February 8, 2008
Whoa! What a year this has been. And what achievements we have had. If I may quote Trotsky, of all people, this Revolution is permanent. It will not end at the Republican convention. It will not end in November. It will not end until we have won the great battle on which we have embarked. Not because of me, but because of you. Millions of Americans — and friends in many other countries — have dedicated themselves to the principles of liberty: to free enterprise, limited government, sound money, no income tax, and peace. We will not falter so long as there is one restriction on our persons, our property, our civil liberties. How much I owe you. I can never possibly repay your generous donations, hard work, whole-hearted dedication and love of freedom. How blessed I am to be associated with you. Carol, of course, sends her love as well.
Let me tell you my thoughts. With Romney gone, the chances of a brokered convention are nearly zero. But that does not affect my determination to fight on, in every caucus and primary remaining, and at the convention for our ideas, with just as many delegates as I can get. But with so many primaries and caucuses now over, we do not now need so big a national campaign staff, and so I am making it leaner and tighter. Of course, I am committed to fighting for our ideas within the Republican party, so there will be no third party run. I do not denigrate third parties — just the opposite, and I have long worked to remove the ballot-access restrictions on them. But I am a Republican, and I will remain a Republican.
I also have another priority. I have constituents in my home district that I must serve. I cannot and will not let them down. And I have another battle I must face here as well. If I were to lose the primary for my congressional seat, all our opponents would react with glee, and pretend it was a rejection of our ideas. I cannot and will not let that happen.
In the presidential race and the congressional race, I need your support, as always. And I have plans to continue fighting for our ideas in politics and education that I will share with you when I can, for I will need you at my side. In the meantime, onward and upward! The neocons, the warmongers, the socialists, the advocates of inflation will be hearing much from you and me.
Sincerely,
Ron
Hmm. That's what I thought you'd say.
TSA Blog Wants Your Complaints - Tell TSA What's Wrong
Wow. This could not have been more timely. A blog that allows me to write about the worst of my TSA experiences and boy have I got some, and I'll bet you do to. Click to check out the TSA complaint blog!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Hillary Clinton Disses African Americans and Activists After Obama Wins
In an uncharacteristic show of unfortunate speech, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, as reported by CNN , unleashed her anger over losing to Senator Barack Obama by targeting the reason for his wins to activists and African Americans.
Clinton told reporters who had gathered to watch her tour a General Motor plant here that "everybody knew, you all knew, what the likely outcome of these recent contests were."
Clinton: "These are caucus states by and large, or in the case of Louisiana, you know, a very strong and very proud African-American electorate, which I totally respect and understand."
Clinton has publicly dismissed the caucus voting system since before Super Tuesday, seeking to lower expectations heading into a series of contests that played to Obama's advantage. His campaign features what many consider to be a stronger and more dedicated grassroots organization than Clinton's.
Noting that "my husband never did well in caucus states either," Clinton argued that caucuses are "primarily dominated by activists" and that "they don't represent the electorate, we know that."
So let's take a time out from this and think. Senator Clinton has just said essentially that African American and activists in a caucus system are the reason she lost. Why say that at all? It's a total dis -- and she failed to congratulate Senator Obama, which means she's totally angry about the whole thing. But to say all of this is a totally terrible thing to do. Now, she's going to have to back-track on her statements -- again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)