A Moment in Time

Soon after my divorce, in the fall of 1997, I fell in love with the most fantastic women in the world. I had vowed to never get married again, but my 'Lover' restored my faith in the sanctity of marriage, and the joys of being part of a family. She had one child, a son named Josh, who I have taken in as if he were my very own.

I remarried in June 2000. It was a bittersweet time as the morning after our return, we received an awful phone call. It was my mother-in-law calling to tell us that my new father-in-law had passed away. No warning, very sudden, and very heart wrenching. He was only 57.

My bride would hop on a plane that afternoon, to join her family. Josh was already there as he was planning on spending the Summer with his grandparents. His grandfather, 'PaPa' was the closest think he had to a stable father figure, and now he was gone.

Within a few days, I drove from the Twin Cities to Flint, MI to meet up with my wife and her family. I had spoke of my desire to go to Boston that Summer, but now, with the change in plans, we looked at a much broader opportunity. Josh and I had never spent an extended period of time together. With the difficult issues that needed to be dealt with during a sudden death, I offered to take Josh on a road trip. Him and I, alone, with an opportunity to be together, and learn more about each other.

Our travel goal was simple, a loop through the East, and stop when we can. Starting in Flint, sharing the front seat of a 1996 Grand Am, and a full cooler of sandwiches and beverages in the back, we traveled across Canada to Niagara Falls. We then B-lined to our first destination goal, Boston, MA. After spending the next morning at the Boston Art Museum (I wanted to see the over 30 original van Gogh's that were there. Simply awe inspiring!), we had lunch at the Bull and Finch (The original Cheer's bar) and then walked the Freedom trail.

Our next goal was The Big Apple. While I wanted to see the van Gogh's in Boston, Josh had his heart set on the 'Statue of Liberty'. We took the smart way in and totally bypassed NYC, choosing to come in through the back side and land in New Jersey. From there we worked our way to Liberty Park (I think) and rode the ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. We then hopped on another ferry for the trip to the financial district, and a subway ride to Times Square. During this ferry ride, I took what would become the most popular photo in our family, and one that I will always cherish. It is as powerful as it is poignant. I wanted to share it with all of you.

Here is a ten year old child, awed by the powers of mankind, as he looks off into the most powerful city in the world. Who would know what would happen just 13 months later.

Regardless of what is said on this blog regarding the 9/11 commission, the Bush White House, and the onslaught of rhetoric coming from both sides, I wanted you all to know, that I have my way of keeping things in perspective. This photo is one of them, the other, is the story of where I was on the morning of 9/11, and how it affected my life forever!

Flash

Here it is:

The Presidential Daily Briefing, 8/6/01

Pretty powerful stuff!

Flash

They do listen once in awhile

Looks like St. Paul, over at Fraters just might take my advice.

Clarke Says Rice’s Testimony Bolstered His Claims

In an interview with Peter Jennings after National Security Adviser Dr. Condoleezza Rice's testimony to the 9/11 Commission, Dr. Clarke states:

I think that Dr. Rice's testimony today, and she did a very good job, basically corroborates what I said. She said that the president received 40 warnings face to face from the director of central intelligence that a major al Qaeda attack was going to take place and she admitted that the president did not have a meeting on the subject, did not convene the Cabinet.

She admitted that she didn't convene the Cabinet. And as some of the commissioners pointed out, this was in marked contrast to the way the government operated in December of 1999, when it had similar information and it successfully thwarted attacks.

So I don't see that there are a lot of factual problems with what Dr. Rice said.

The complete transcript is here.

Flash

More on Condi

While we listen to Dr. Rice this AM, here are some tidbits that I found in the local rag this AM. Here are my favorites from the list of 20:

She's a fitness buff who likes to unwind by working out to music by heavy-metal legends Led Zeppelin, according to People magazine. She wakes up at 5 a.m. and hits the treadmill right away.

Cool, she's a Head banger!

She once had a Chevron oil tanker named after her when she served on the company's board of directors. After concerns that her name made the ship a more inviting terror target, the tanker was renamed Altair Voyager.

Funny how this all seems to come back to oil with this administration.

She was a Democrat until 1982.

Flip-flopper

She's a huge football fan and loves the Cleveland Browns. She's said her "dream job" would be NFL commissioner.

NOOOOooooooo!!

When she was 14, a guidance counselor told her that her standardized test scores showed she wasn't college material.

We never said there was much smarts in this White House!

In February 2001, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told reporters he was distracted the first time he met her. "I have to confess, it was hard for me to concentrate in the conversation with Condoleezza Rice because she has such nice legs."

Ahhhhh, NOW we know why they keep her aboard!

She says she can fall asleep just about anywhere - even once in a helicopter flying over the Gaza Strip.

And intelligence briefings by Richard Clarke!

In 1993, after Rice left the White House, where she worked for the current President's father, to join the Stanford faculty, she told the San Francisco Chronicle the advice she'd give to President Bill Clinton about Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein: "He is an outlaw, but I would be careful about trying to do anything to act to overthrow him."

I wonder if she shared the same advice with GW.

Read them all, while you watch the hearing!

Flash

CONFIRM Molnau!

Open Letter to the DFL Senate Caucus"

Certain issues that present themselves, especially in an election year, must be dealt with expeditiously. The appointment of Lt. Governor Carol Molnau for Transportation Commissioner is one of them. You choose to drag this confirmation process out into eternity. I think it is time to move on to other pressing issues in the state.

I, too, have concerns about this administration’s chosen path. This includes the borrow and spend right wing approach to governing and the leveraging of our state's future and placing that burden on the next generation. But love it or not, they are the elected body to carry out the will of the people. There are no legitimate reasons, or issues, that should cause the denial of Governor Pawlenty's appointment of Lt. Governor Molnau. Molnau will carry the bidding of Pawlenty to the Department. The Governor's softening on the Northstar rail, and other transportation issues, should ease the fears you may have. In fact, no matter who is running the department, the very issues that concern us, are those coming from the top, and denying Molnau will not prevent that.

Members, let them govern. Give them a chance to complete the task they were elected to do. Holding up Molnau will not change anything, and will cause animosity along the path.

There are legitimate appointments out there, that the Senate DFL should be concerned about, but this is not one of them.

Please approve Lt. Governor Carol Molnau for Transportation Commissioner.

==

This is also being sent to my local Senator and the entire Transportation committee.

Flash

The Two Seasons of Minnesota, . . .

. . . Winter and road construction. Sometimes I wonder which is worse here in the great north. Although we all wait for spring with kiddy anticipation, we start cursing for different reasons.

Yesterday, acting Transportation Commissioner (and Lt. Governor) Carol Malnau unveiled this years' grocery list of repairs.

The meatiest on the hit list:

MnDOT engineers picked six maintenance projects they expect to cause particular pain for drivers because there is no way around closing lanes:

o This month, the resurfacing of the Cayuga Bridge on Interstate Hwy. 35E north of downtown St. Paul will narrow the freeway from three lanes to two.

o In July, one lane of Hwy. 36 will be closed in each direction from I-35E to Hwy. 61 to paint four bridges in the Little Canada area.

o This month, Interstate Hwy. 94 through Washington County to the St. Croix River will be reduced from three to two lanes for pavement resurfacing.

o In July, Hwy. 169 will be narrowed from two lanes to one for bridge repairs at Crosstown Hwy. 62 and Minnetonka Blvd.

o During weekends in July, segments of I-394 will be closed to allow for repaving from Minnetonka to Minneapolis.

o In May, I-494 in the northwest will be reduced to single-lane traffic for four weeks northbound and two weeks southbound for bridge repairs.

Said engineer Mark Panek: "These are not real showy or pricey projects, but they will create some problems this summer."

Nothing on the list looks all that bad for me personally, but I am sure that will change the next time I am caught in traffic because of them. As long as the I-94 corridor into downtown Minneapolis is clear, I'll be fine. I would hate to be late for a tapping.

Flash

The Reality of the Right

Ole 'Shoot from the Hip Shot in the Dark' Berg, made a comment to my review of his newborn Northern Axis Radio show. He said I was 'killing him' when I said: "Their farfetched, twisted, and mostly inaccurate take on reality is good for chuckles once in awhile."He followed up with:

you may not LIKE the reality we discuss, but there's nothing farfetched or twisted about it. It's the indisputable truth in every way, as no other show in the Twin Cities can do.

Hmmmmmm, "Indisputable truth in every way" Would this be the real truth, or the truth according to George. I don't know if we dare get into a list of the fallacies and misleading information being spewed from this administration, but I can be sure of one thing. ANYTHING said by Rove and the boys is presented as the 'Gospel according to George"

Don't get me wrong, I don't give the Shrub in waiting that much credit to have a thought of his own that he can stick to. His waffling of late is enough to make stock in Aunt Jemima skyrocket with all the syrup needed to digest his weebeling!

During this election cycle, even the Right is willing to sacrifice their own morals and beliefs to perpetuate the misleading, unforgiving tripe of their fearful leader. I hear from them all the time 'off the record'. but you won't see them post it. This Tax and borrower is driving the economy into no man's land, but that is worth it, they say, because 'Steady Leadership' is needed in 'Times of change'

They are actually willing to toss the baby out with the bath water to hold on to the last hope their candidate has, and that is the war on terror.

The admitted and documented Republican, Richard Clarke, was even drawn and quartered by the attack dogs. To coin Berg, 'They eat their own'

Rather then grocery list let's just concentrate on the two main commercials that Rove has unleashed on the airwaves:

GAS TAXES: Kerry never voted for, nor sponsored legislation proposing such a hike. There was a single answer to a single question involving deficit reduction where Kerry mentioned he could see himself supporting the possibility. However, that wouldn't be the impression you would get from The Attack Dogs. They mislead you into thinking it is part of a broad-based tax plan. That would make as much sense as 'outing' GW's chief economic advisor, N. Gregory Mankiw.

Mankiw wrote in 1999, before climbing aboard BushCo, support for a 50-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax increase. Mankiw's article was in relations to an income tax cut proposal. Kerry, who did support a 4.6-cent increase in gas taxes, was for deficit reduction.

DEFENSE: Kerry is not weak on Defense, even Republican Senators McCain and Hagel have come to Kerry's defense on that. Even with the GOP thumbscrew brigade butchering every dissenter that breaths wrong, we STILL have member so their own party calling the kettle black. The Majority of the votes to reduce defense, which BushCo touts in their commercials, are relics of the post Cold War 'peace dividend" PROPOSED BY THE GOP ADMINSTRATION. Ironically, the current Veep, Cheney, who was then Defense Secretary, was the one who proposed most of them. Kerry supported this 1991 REPUBLICAN proposed defense appropriation bill, in a show of bipartisan 'Unite not Divide' force, and now the Repubs are using it against him. Cheney even laid into the Democratically controlled Congress for not cut more weapons systems. "Congress has let me cancel a few programs. But you've squabbled and sometimes bickered and horse-traded and ended up forcing me to spend money on weapons that don't fill a vital need in these times of tight budgets and new requirements. … You've directed me to buy more M-1s, F-14s, and F-16s—all great systems … but we have enough of them."

Also, the 1.5 billion-dollar cut in Intelligence spending was simply to regain control of already appropriated funds for a non-existent Spy Satellite. In a WaPo article from a few weeks ago, we have this:

The $1.5 billion cut Kerry proposed represented about the same amount Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), then chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, told the Senate that same day he wanted cut from the intelligence spending bill based on unspent, secret funds that had been accumulated by one intelligence agency "without informing the Pentagon, CIA or Congress." The NRO, which designs, builds and operates spy satellites, had accumulated that amount of excess funds.

. . . . and people wonder why it is so hard to get things down in Washington. Even when you do the right, proper, and correct thing, it gets used against you, many years later!

Sorry Mitch, and the rest of your tribe, I am surprised you folks can figure out who's on your side.

Flash

[UPDATE] I was pointed to this NYTimes article:

"Let us rid ourselves of the fiction that low oil prices are somehow good for the United States," Cheney, 1986

read it all for the context!

The Northern Axis Radio

I've spoken of The Northern Axis Alliance Radio Network before. It is actually a good idea. The premise is to take a group of bloggers with similar mindsets, in this case Righty Tighty, and place them in a Roundtable setting to hash through the latest political events in the news.

Now 'hacks' is probably too strong a word, but you can sure tell where some of them are getting their talking points. The first week or two had a level of novelty to it, and I was willing to give them a fair shake. Lately, however, their schtick has grown tiring.

The show runs three hours, and begins with a 'Week in Review". What it is in reality is a Kerry bashing session. In the first three weeks of the show, the first hour provided absolutely NOTHING in terms of true substance. It was simply a Kerry punching bag wrapped around the latest news, nestled in a bunch of lies that they know they don’t have to worry about defending.

The middle hour is generally the best hour of the show. They have had good guests set up and I have actually enjoyed this segment. The best guest to date was State Education Commissioner designee Yecke, whom was on the hot seat for a little bit, although most of the time, the Q's are pretty cream puffy. Anyone can sit on the phone and throw softballs. This certainly is one area which the 'boys' can improve on during their show.

Finally, we roll into the last hour, which again, is just more Kerry bashing. It amazes me that this groups of relatively intelligent adults can’t find anything good to say about GW other then 'Bush is better then Kerry'. To their credit, I guess in the third week, Mitch did claim to pump up Bush without being anti-Kerry, but I missed that segment. I had already grown tired.

Most recently, on this past Saturday’s show, they lit up their switchboard (for the first time I am sure) with callers furious of their damnation of the Lady Gopher's trip to the Final Four. This group of Baseball junkies, who talk all winter long about how they can’t wait for the Season opener, had the gall to say 'Women's Basketball is Boring". Well, so is watching grass grow, and at the Metrodome, you can't even do that. That tells you how exciting things can be in that sport.

So if you are a singer in the Republican Choir, tune in to hear more of the same you heard all week from the rest of the Right Wing spin machine, and if you are a lefty, tune in for the humor. Their farfetched, twisted, and mostly inaccurate take on reality is good for chuckles once in awhile.

Flash

Frist (R-Shameless)

From Atrios:

So after Frist's damning spiel on the senate floor last week:

I am troubled that someone would sell a book, trading on their service as a government insider with access to our nation's most valuable intelligence, in order to profit from the suffering that this nation endured on September 11, 2001.

It turns out he must have been talking about himself:

When Every Moment Counts: What You Need to Know About Bioterrorism from the Senate's Only Doctor; by Bill Frist

Where do I begin

I have a couple things brewing in my head. Although Spring break this week should give me ample time to kick out some good stuff, the Honey Do list is quite long. I do have two things I hope to touch on this week.

A) The Northern Axis Radio, and the group of Rush wannabes with their RNC talking points. I really was hoping for a more independent, objective look at the world's happenings. Instead, it is just a bunch of retreaded one-liners from a group of hacks! Sorry, Mitch, I guess my expectations were too high!

B) What are they afraid of. The White House and the attack dogs continue to dodge the facts, and the premise of the 9/11 commission. It is almost like they are trying to 'hide' something. Hmmmmm!

Hopefully, more later in the week

Flash

An Apology

"Your government failed you.  Those entrusted with protecting you failed you.  I failed you.  We tried hard, but we failed you...I ask for your understanding, and your forgiveness."

Richard Clarke, 3/24/04, as part of his opening statement to the 9/11 commission

Krugman editorial

Paul Krugman, at the New York Times, touched on some of the Clarke bashing I talked about yesterday. A couple things that jumped out at me:

It's important, when you read the inevitable attempts to impugn the character of the latest whistle-blower, to realize just how risky it is to reveal awkward truths about the Bush administration. When Gen. Eric Shinseki told Congress that postwar Iraq would require a large occupation force, that was the end of his military career. When Ambassador Joseph Wilson IV revealed that the 2003 State of the Union speech contained information known to be false, someone in the White House destroyed his wife's career by revealing that she was a C.I.A. operative. And we now know that Richard Foster, the Medicare system's chief actuary, was threatened with dismissal if he revealed to Congress the likely cost of the administration's prescription drug plan.

The latest insider to come forth, of course, is Richard Clarke

It takes more courage to speak against, then it does to just ride the wave. This week will be a long week for the GW administration. They can take their lumps and come clean, or continue the cat and mouse game. They can scratch their head all they want in trying to figure out why their once loyal aides are now doing a 180. But what they are really missing, is the reason, and Krugman points it out well:

So why did he (Clarke) write it? How about this: Maybe he just wanted the public to know the truth.

Who's next

Mitch over at Shot in the Dark is once again joining forces with the RNC to discredit another one of Bush's trusted aides who is coming out against the administration. Clarke has been with multiple administrations, voted for Bush, and now is as fed up as many of us about the 'They just don't want to get it' White House.

I won't belabor the story itself. You can read the various links here as provided by Bush Watch:

Bush Pressed For Iraq-9/11 Link: Advisor
Bush Ex-couterterrorism adviser says Bush doing 'terrible job' on terror
Bush Adviser says Bush ignored terror threats before 9/11
"Former anti-terrorism adviser Richard Clarke exposes White House's criminal negligence"
Bush has made US less safe: ex-aide
'Bush ignored the al-Qa'ida threat before 11 September'
Bush ignored terror threat, claims ex-aide

At some point, the Right is going to have to recognize that this administration has made grave mistakes in protecting this country and forging ahead with the war on terror. They will have to admit their mistakes, attempt to restore credibility in the world community, and begin taking the steps necessary to protect the people.

Mr Clarke echoed the same things Paul O'Neil had expressed. This administration can not continue to bash every former administration official who wants to come clean on these vital issues. By doing so, the administration only puts into perspective their inability to choose quality people within their own administration

At some point, the judgment of GW will come into play, for at this point, it is a lose lose. Either he doesn't do a very good job of picking the people who surround him, or the people who surround him are doing a better job then he expected. He shouldn't just fire them when things don't go his way.

Oh . . . I'm sure there will be more on this.

Flash

UPDATE: Here is some biographical information.

Clarke had 30 years of public service, and did admit he "probably" shares some of the blame for 9/11.

This is from infosec.jmu.edu:
Mr. Richard A. Clarke  was appointed by President Clinton as the first National Coordinator for Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Counter-terrorism in May 1998.  As National Coordinator, he reports to the President through the National Security Advisor, and, when the NSC Principles Committee meets on security issues, he serves as a full member of that Cabinet-level committee.  Richard Clarke is a career member of the Senior Executive Service, having begun his federal service in 1973 in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as an analyst on nuclear weapons and European security issues.  He joined the State Department in 1979 as the senior analyst for the NATO decision to engage in theater nuclear arms control and to deploy nuclear cruise missiles in Europe.  In the Reagan Administration, Mr. Clarke was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence.  In the Bush Administration, he as the Assistant Secretary of State for Politico-Military Affairs.   In 1992, Mr. Clarke joined the National Security Council staff. 

The French fight back

This is an AP story bouncing around out there, Headline reads:

Bin Laden look-alike eludes French motorist

The lead:

A French artist allegedly traumatized by last week’s Spain bombings was convicted of trying to run over a pedestrian he mistook for Osama bin Laden and ordered to pay the man $615.

Ya gotta give them at least an 'E' for effort!

Is this for Real

This is too bizare. I wonder who thought 'they' were on Kerry's list.

You really have to read it in context, but here is the punch:

WE WANT BUSH TO WIN

The statement said it supported U.S. President George W. Bush in his reelection campaign, and would prefer him to win in November rather than the Democratic candidate John Kerry, as it was not possible to find a leader "more foolish than you (Bush), who deals with matters by force rather than with wisdom."

In comments addressed to Bush, the group said:

"Kerry will kill our nation while it sleeps because he and the Democrats have the cunning to embellish blasphemy and present it to the Arab and Muslim nation as civilisation."

"Because of this we desire you (Bush) to be elected."

Spain and the war on Terror

I have been conspicuously quiet over the last few days. I've been weighing the events in Europe with how they effect the future of our goals in Iraq.

What happened in Spain, to Spain, was awful and ruthless. The enormous amount of defiance shown afterwards was as much part of the story as the bombing itself. Millions and millions of Spaniards defiantly raising their collective middle fingers to the terrorists in a show of national unity.

And then they went to the polls. The current Conservative Party had been leading in the polls going in, even though 90% of the people weren't all that thrilled about involvement with the US and the war on terror. At the end of the day, the people switched, and elected the "Socialist" party.

Is this a victory for terrorists, I suppose one could score it that way. Are the terrorists foolish enough to believe that the same tactic would work here, on our soil, probably. But then Mitch posts this, specifically:

And Kerry is the fool's candidate. A vote for John Kerry is a vote for letting the terrorists control the place, time, and agenda of the war on terror.
Like last weekend's vote in Spain - it's a vote for surrender.

How preposterous. Why does the Right insist on turning every thing into a name calling party, bashing the other side? Why do they continue to go negative and avoid the issues? Why do they simply refuse to recognize that a vote for Kerry is clearly not a White Flag? Sorry, it is really annoying for them to think that their way is the only way.

The Bush policies have created a void in our foreign policy relations that has built a new front for the terrorists to fight. The fragile nature of the 'coalition of the willing' will be taken advantage of, and other countries are in jeopardy.

Sorry Mitch, the Cowboy has made grave errors in this battle, and through deception had built a week coalition of support. The coalition is crumbling because it was never that strong. The people around the world can not take America for their word anymore. The current administration blew it, and there is nothing they can do at this point to change that.

The only way America will be successful in this battle is to regain the credibility we once had, that has since been destroyed over the last few years.

The American people will vote for a change. They will look for someone to return international credibility to the White House and our foreign policy.

If the GOP wants to be in the game, they better start to scramble now looking for a nominee. A vote for GW will not be a vote for credibility, and all that will be left in his column is the base, which won't be enough.

One Termer!

Flash

[UPDATE] I was directed to this piece that shares their own take on the events in Spain, and the following electoral results. Of many qualifying statements in the article, was this observation:

The Aznar government dragged Spain into the war against Iraq and the subsequent occupation even though 91% of Spaniards opposed it. It is only logical that the voters would take the first opportunity to rebuke the Popular Party for ignoring popular opinion. Although it keeps being said that the conservatives were leading in the polls before the Madrid bombings, polls are notoriously unreliable. Polls once suggested Dewey would beat Truman, too. I think the conservatives were doomed all along, and the polling just wasn't showing how unhappy people were.

Catching Up

Tons of stuff going on in my real world lately. Sometimes you just need to put the ole Net on the back burner.

Refinancing the house again. I did it a couple years ago, at 6 3/8, which was a steal at the time. We almost did last fall when the rates were bottoming out, but we were so convinced we were going to move, that we let that opportunity slide. After some heavy sole searching, we have decided to stay put and research another refi to take advantage of the most recent dip in the rates.

At the time, I was offered 4 5/8, which was pretty darn good. When the jobs report came out later that day, with lower then expected results, I decided to hold off. Great move on my part. Rates have dropped another half point, so I pulled the trigger and locked at 4 3/8 on a 15 year fixed.

So. I'll be finishing up the document nightmare, and putting together the necessary paperwork. I am dealing with the same guy I did last time, so that is saving me some origination cost, and doc work, but it is still a hassle.

If you ever need a Refi Guy, this is the guy. Turnaround last time was 13 days (that is 13 calendar days) from Lock. I locked Tuesday of this week, and the Appraiser will be out this afternoon already.

I may even close by the end of next week. Let me know if you want me to put you in touch with him (anokaflash - at - yahoo.com )

Have a GREAT weekend

Flash

Wilson Redux

About a month ago, the staff I work with was informed of the impending demise of our Junior High program. The 10 schools Minneapolis wanted to close dwarfed the news.

Since then, Minneapolis has rescinded their threat, and is doing a full district evaluation, which will undoubtedly propose cuts the following year. The difference, is that NOW the decision will be based on best available information, and community input.

St. Paul, on the other hand, just provides lips service. All they talk about is how sorry they are, how unfortunate it is, and there is nothing we can do. The claimed here is no where else to cut.

And then this:

Members of the St. Paul school board on Tuesday considered a plan to expand bus service across the city for its 20 neighborhood schools, in effect making it possible for parents to choose a school for their children regardless of where they live.

The plan, sure to draw fire at a time when the school district has had to wrestle with shrinking budgets and dropping enrollments, has a preliminary estimate of $3.2 million to $3.4 million, said Kent Pekel, St. Paul schools executive director of strategic planning and implementation.

So 6 weeks ago, they WERE in a budget pickle, and had to go as far as close my school to save $500,000. NOW they are proposing a 3+++ Million-dollar expansion of the biggest money sucker in the district, Transportation.

For those of you who read my "Open Letter to the School Board" (You may have to scroll down), you'll see I went beyond typical liberal whining. I proposed solutions, reasonable and effective solutions:

Every school has their own busses, and if a neighborhood has students attending each of the schools of choice, that many busses will be driving down the street of that neighborhood.
How can we save money here;

1) Preserving Neighborhood schools: If more students were attending schools closer to their home, less busses. The Hamline/Midway community may now have another couple buses driving through our residential streets to transport our neighborhood kids to another community.

2) Hub System: A hub system could be developed that would significantly reduce the number of busses on the road. We could consider having Arlington and Central, for example, be designated transportation hubs. Each neighborhood would have only one bus driving through it, picking up students to bring them to the hub locations. At the hub, these same busses would now have a school designation, and student would transfer to the necessary bus to get them to their final destination. Sure, there are a multitude of logistical things to consider, but I can imagine the opposition to Magnet schools when the Transportation piece was being discussed and evaluated.

3) Regional Choice: Currently, there are 5 area Superintendents. Areas A, B, and C include the traditional schools that encompass the school district. Choice can still be provided, but the choices could be limited to the schools within your Area, be at A, B, or C. This would build community, limit transportation miles, and undoubtedly save money.

The School Board, however, seems to be heading in the opposite direction with no hope for Wilson in sight! This clearly leads me to believe the decision to close Wilson has nothing to do with money. However, that is the easiest excuse to feed the populace, and hope they have a short attention span.

This isn't over yet!

Flash

A Kos toke

The TRUE Waffle King was revealed this past Weekend on the dailyKos (Kos is pronounced with a long O sound, BTW).

Here is the list:

* Bush is against campaign finance reform; then he's for it.
* Bush is against a Homeland Security Department; then he's for it.
* Bush is against a 9/11 commission; then he's for it.
* Bush is against an Iraq WMD investigation; then he's for it.
* Bush is against nation building; then he's for it.
* Bush is against deficits; then he's for them.
* Bush is for free trade; then he's for tariffs on steel; then he's against them again.
* Bush is against the U.S. taking a role in the Israeli Palestinian conflict; then he pushes for a "road map" and a Palestinian State.
* Bush is for states right to decide on gay marriage, then he is for changing the constitution.
* Bush first says he'll provide money for first responders (fire, police, emergency), then he doesn't.
* Bush first says that 'help is on the way' to the military ... then he cuts benefits
* Bush-"The most important thing is for us to find Osama bin Laden. Bush-"I don't know where he is. I have no idea and I really don't care.
* Bush claims to be in favor of the environment and then secretly starts drilling on Padre Island.
* Bush talks about helping education and increases mandates while cutting funding.
* Bush first says the U.S. won't negotiate with North Korea. Now he will
* Bush goes to Bob Jones University. Then say's he shouldn't have.
* Bush said he would demand a U.N. Security Council vote on whether to sanction military action against Iraq. Later Bush announced he would not call for a vote
* Bush said the "mission accomplished" banner was put up by the sailors.  Bush later admits it was his advance team.
* Bush was for fingerprinting and photographing Mexicans who enter the US. Bush after meeting with Pres. Fox, he's against it.

Many added more. You should read the comments here. It is GREAT fodder!

Credibility Gap

This is not a Left or Right post, it isn't even a slam on the administration or a pining for the presumptive nominee. It is an observation of concern that the Right should be evaluating, or this election will be a walk for Kerry/Clark. This administration can not continue to play smoke and mirrors with the War and with the Economy, if it expects to win in November.

Jeff Fecke steered me to one of the best graphics relating to job loss. Each time the Administration pushed through tax cuts, they touted the job dividend in their February Economic report, and each time it failed miserably short. The first time could be considered an anomaly, the second just a freak of numbers, but the latest, and now month to month under estimates. WHY, why, would they continue to destroy their own credibility by continuing to present numbers, which are baseless and unattainable? At this rate, even if their numbers do come through for a month, they won’t be given the respect they probably deserve.

As with WMD, or lack there of, GW43 and the rest of his administration are losing steam and Quality Cred by grasping onto a blinded view of mainstream America. Like I mentioned to 'The Doctor' yesterday, the Left is not the enemy in this election, it is the RNC for continuing to think this election can be run like in the past.

I believe this years' electorate will be the most informed group of voters in history, and they will be able to read through the slime, and the mud, brutal attacks that will come from both sides. They will base their decision on the facts, and as longs as GW continues to misrepresent them, the populace will grow weary, and legitimately question his sincerity. That, will be the wooden spike, the silver bullet, the end . . . of GW43.

Up Next

It will be a weird week. I need to finish up inventory at school. Most of the 'stuff' we have has been bought from various programs; Title I, ELL, Grants, etc. Each one has their own ways and rules to transfer equipment following the demise of a program. Kind of like a bureaucracy within the bureaucracy.

Anywho, I have a few things up my sleave, most notably a piece on the credibility gap that Bushco is stumbling through this election with. At some point they will have to start being sincere with the American Populace, and when that happens, the perceived waffling of Kerry will become moot.

Stay tuned . . . .

Flash

Congratulations

Congrats to the Northern Alliance Radio Network for their inaugural effort on Saturday.

I caught most of the first hour, and a good chunk of the last hour. What they need is balance. Maybe I'll call next week.

Flash

It's GW's to lose

I continue to grow weary of the arrogance and blatant ignorance of this present administration. Most recently, listening to Karen Hughes try to defend the Warm Fuzzy ads that GW has started running today. The furor they have already created for using dead victims of 9/11 for political gain. I wouldn't be surprised if that particular ad is pulled. At this point, it is a lose - lose since leaving it up will continue to show the heartless inconsideration of this current administration, and by pulling it, will admit the heartless inconsideration of this current administration.

Do I think that 9/11 is fair game for GW. You bet! I expected a tie in. He performed admirably, as any President would have, during this awkward and difficult time. He has every right to use that moment to his advantage to display his claim of Strength and Leadership, but to show bodies being pulled out of the rubble in his Political Ads crossed the line. All this has shown is how insensitive he is, and how out of touch with the mainstream he can be.

The RNC keeps complaining that all the Dems have done over the primary season is shown a relentless hatred and anger for this current administration. They grasp that as a way to claim a 'lack of leadership and vision' for this country. Rather then spin it like that, I would think they would try to decipher WHY there is so much hatred and anger towards GW. If they do not even attempt to address the ISSUES, this election will be a run away, a run away from GW.

The best strategy for the DNC right now is to simply keep their mouths shut, for every time the Right steps up to the plate lately, they strike out. All one needs to win a game like that, is to walk in a batter.

I am not as confident as some that Kerry/Clark will WIN the presidency, but I am becoming more convinced, that GW will lose, and lose badly.

Flash

Off to the Prom

Kerry is it, only catastrophe will derail him now. Jeff Fecke at the Blog of the Moderate Left has been doing a great job blazing the primary trail. His final analysis is worthy of a read.

For the record, I cast my support behind Edwards, as well, but have no problem with Kerry. I still think a Kerry/Clark ticket is more likely then a Kerry/Edwards, but that is several weeks down the road.

Kerry will stay in the press as he creates a Veep search committee and defends himself from the Cherry Pickers. MoveOn.org will assist in putting out those fires.

On to Boston!!

Flash

Cherry Pickin'

A favorite game of politicians in battle is to parse votes that may cast a bad light on their opponent's candidacy. They also like to take decisions made years ago, and pull them out of the context of the time, and apply them to today. Here, let's try some examples:

After completing 20 planes for which we have begun procurement, we will shut down further production of the B-2 bomber. We will cancel the small ICBM program. We will cease production of new warheads for our sea-based ballistic missiles. We will stop all new production of the Peacekeeper [MX] missile. And we will not purchase any more advanced cruise missiles. … The reductions I have approved will save us an additional $50 billion over the next five years. By 1997 we will have cut defense by 30 percent since I took office.

Hmmmm . . would you believe that is George41 in his 1992 State of the Union Speech.

Oh, this one made me chuckle, too:

Congress has let me cancel a few programs. But you've squabbled and sometimes bickered and horse-traded and ended up forcing me to spend money on weapons that don't fill a vital need in these times of tight budgets and new requirements. … You've directed me to buy more M-1s, F-14s, and F-16s—all great systems … but we have enough of them.

You guessed it, Our current Vice President, then Defense Secretary whining about the Democratically controlled congress.

Even Dizzy Gillespie (Ooops, sorry, no name calling week) claimed that Kerry voted to cut 1.5 billion from the intelligence budget. Technically, correct, but in reality, it was rescinding the appropriation of money to operate a spy satellite that was never launched. Sounds more like fiscal responsibility to me, something this current administration could take a class or two on.

So be leery of the Cherry Pickers. The GOP will be marching out votes on defense cuts that THEY THEMSELVES proposed and supported. The DNC played dead on this tactic four years ago, they best not drop the ball again.

Although, the way things are going now, they wouldn't even have to run a campaign, GW is doing a fine job in raising the White Flag all on his own.

Read the whole article here, courtesy of Slate

It's time to Caucus

I am leaning Edwards, it is the best fit for me at this point. His biggest downfall is Foreign Policy. We have seen what lack of legitimate Defense and Foreign Policy experience can do when you look at the quagmire the current adminsitration has got us in to.

If you need guidance on the Process, the Secretary Of State offices have information here

No mas

It's the First annual No Name Calling Week

What is No Name-Calling Week?

The first annual No Name-Calling Week will take place March 1 – 5, 2004. No Name-Calling Week is an annual week of educational activities aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds and providing schools with the tools and inspiration to launch an on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate bullying in their communities.

At least for a week I may hear the Junior High bantor "Shut up", "No YOU shut up!", "No YOU shut up!", "No YOU shut up!", "No YOU shut up!" . . . a little less often.

So let's honor this week and make a pledge. Let's park, hamster, moonbat, wingnut, clueless, arrogant, inept, and all the other venom that can be spewed over this bandwidth. Let's stick to the issues, at least for a week.

Flash

First sign of Spring

I tapped my first keg of the year this weekend. I have a gutted out Fridge with the necessary tubing, tap, and regulator, so that a 16 g Keg slides right in. The freezer does a nice job of frostiing the mugs for me.

Long time resident, Jerry, 2nd generation in his home next door, stopped by. Also, Mitch helped innaugurate the season.

For the record, I didn't tap till Mid March last year, but began the 2002 season on Feb 14.

$10,000 could be yours!!

Now THIS is funny!

Fear Factor (or Weapons of Math Instruction)


Let the games being. Bushco has begun the 'Fear Factor' campaign. It began with the Education Secretary, Rod Paige, calling the NEA a 'terrorist organization'.

Now, I don't put anything past this desperate administration, but TEACHERS. This went way too far!

Paige went on to spin off his comments with a written apology, which included the following:

"I also said, as I have repeatedly, that our nation's teachers, who have dedicated their lives to service in the classroom, are the real soldiers of democracy, whereas the NEA's high-priced Washington lobbyists have made no secret that they will fight against bringing real, rock-solid improvements in the way we educate all our children regardless of skin color, accent or where they live.

I couldn't help but think of the AARP and the medicare overhaul. If there ever was a high priced lobby out of touch with their constituents, AARP fits the bill. But that was OK, I guess, if you as the administration.

Later, GW himself climbed onto the stump as well. No plan, no program, just more fear, more scare, more intimidation.

He threatens of more taxes and increased bureaucracy, if Dems gain control. But it is GW who has created the bureaucracy on borrowed time, and borrowed money. He is the 'big spender' this year, and the Dems better not lose sight of that.

I am looking forward to the debates already. GW will struggle if he tries to throw out these many charges to his opponent directly. I really think that Bushco is so ignorant, that they have know clue how out of touch they really are.

I could just 'Ralph'

I am watching the arrogance and ignorance of Nader on 'Meet the Press'.

This is an ego run, and nothing else. This will be much different then 2000. He has an uphill battle to get on ballots. If lucky, he may find his way into 40 states, but it is the priniciple of it.

Hs just blew what little support he had, from an awful lot of people.

An open letter to the St. Paul School Board

I sent this E-mail to all members of the SPPS BoD last evening. I have already received a response from Tom Conlon (the only Republican on the board) sharing his sincere willingness to address these concerns, and include me in the process.

= = = =

Directors:

Thank you for taking the time out of your very busy schedules to visit with the Wilson community. I wanted to take an opportunity to clarify and expand on my comments from the meeting on Wednesday, February 18, at the Wilson Junior High School building.

The Saint Paul Public School district is facing difficult challenges. Minneapolis is facing even tougher decisions, and that is what may lie ahead for ISD #625. My comments last night, and in this correspondence may not change the inevitability of what will happen at Wilson. I have watched the systemic disassembling of this program over the last several years. I can not identify exactly when the mortal wound was inflicted, but the Wilson program has been hemorrhaging for some time. This has NOT been because of the internal staff and administration. I believe district administration is responsible for this due to the restrictions placed on the program over the years.

My understanding is that sometime during Kay Arndt's tenure at the building, the first attempts at designating an attendance area for Wilson began. This key opportunity would have provided a much-needed nucleus from which to build a successful program. A program that could have had ownership in the community. Now, those of us in the neighborhood, no longer have a neighborhood school. Our 'choice' has been restricted.

The district takes great pride in providing choice for all learners within it's boundaries. Saint Paul, I believe, was one of the first to provide an internal, open enrollment model. Now, for the Hamline/Midway community, a choice to attend a neighborhood Middle/Junior High School is no longer an option. I support choice, and broadbased opportunity within the district, but maybe we don't have that luxury anymore. If we are beginning to close our schools, maybe it is time for the district to re-evaluate how they deliver educational services.

One area of bulging waste in the district is transportation. To stand on a corner and count several busses driving down the street with only a few students in them is disheartening. Every school has their own busses, and if a neighborhood has students attending each of the schools of choice, that many busses will be driving down the street of that neighborhood.

How can we save money here;

1) Preserving Neighborhood schools: If more students were attending schools closer to their home, less busses. The Hamline/Midway community may now have another couple buses driving through our residential streets to transport our neighborhood kids to another community.

2) Hub System: A hub system could be developed that would significantly reduce the number of busses on the road. We could consider having Arlington and Central, for example, be designated transportation hubs. Each neighborhood would have only one bus driving through it, picking up students to bring them to the hub locations. At the hub, these same busses would now have a school designation, and student would transfer to the necessary bus to get them to their final destination. Sure, there are a multitude of logistical things to consider, but I can imagine the opposition to Magnet schools when the Transportation piece was being discussed and evaluated.

3) Regional Choice: Currently, there are 5 area Superintendents. Areas A, B, and C include the traditional schools that encompass the school district. Choice can still be provided, but the choices could be limited to the schools within your Area, be at A, B, or C. This would build community, limit transportation miles, and undoubtedly save money.

I certainly don't have all the answers. I also understand, and respect, that the decision to close Wilson is a virtual done deal. My concerns, however, go far beyond preserving the Wilson program. They are for providing for the students of St. Paul. They are for providing CHOICE for those students of St. Paul. Right now, there is a segment of the district's population that will be denied choice next year, the choice of attending a neighborhood school. This school district MUST re-evaluate the long-term educational delivery system of the entire district and make the tough decisions, with as much information as possible.

A buzz this campaign season regards being able to make the tough decisions, even though it may not seem popular at the time. The decision to close Wilson has been presented as the 'least disruptive' of the options available. Is that REALLY what should motivate our decisions? Shouldn't we be taking a much broader look at how this district operates if we are now facing school closures? Are we, as a district, going to continue to make decisions that close schools and dismantle programs based on knee jerk reactions and squeaky wheel opposition? I sure hope not. I recognize that this decision was one that had been considered for months, but to not involve the community, the staff, and the parents effected, was a grave error.

I appreciate the desire by the Board, and District administration to listen and reflect on the concerns by the neighborhood and the Wilson/LEAP community, but this should have happened last Spring, or even last Fall. However, during those times, when we would ask about the future viability of the Wilson program, we were told "Don't worry, that won't happen" or "We wouldn't be building you a new Gym and Library if that was even being considered." How times have changed, and how quickly.

There are other options, there are other choices. Wilson did NOT have to die! Which program(s) will be next?!?

Respectfully,

*snipped personal information including address, phone, and my three childrens' names with their Educational history within the district

It's more then just Parking

There was an open 'community' meeting at Wilson Junior High, last night. The closing of this program has taken not only a back seat, but a 'wait for the next bus' feel as it is being overshadowed by the 10 schools on the block in Minneapolis.

The Pioneer Press reported on the meeting and mostly talked about the parking nightmare created by an adult based prgram that will now take over the whole building.

But there was a mention at the end of the article, on how this could impact the community on a more important level.

Part of the problem, some staff said, is that Wilson is the only St. Paul middle school unable to draw students automatically from nearby neighborhoods.

Kurt Schiebel, who lives near the school and is also Wilson's technology coordinator, said Wilson could have been given an attendance zone and a chance to thrive as a neighborhood school.

"As a parent who has a son saying 'Why can't I go to Wilson,' I have a hard time explaining it to him," Schiebel said.

Yes, that was my first volley, and I didn't expect to get quoted in the paper, but I am not done. I am on page 3 of my letter to the Board, and will probably post the letter here.

But the reality is, my kids will now be bussed several miles to another school, instead of being able to walk, 4 blocks. I wonder how much the transportation cost is?!?

Barreiro Bails

WOW!, I wonder if we will get the real scoop on this one

Bottom line is:

" . . . Part of this has to do with philosophical differences with newspaper management. Much of it has to do with the desire to build on outstanding opportunities KFAN has given me."

I missed Bumper-to-Bumper tonight, but I'll be sure to tune in on Thursday.

Flashguy

Bush scared off by 'Centrisity' post

GW himself has Bushco spinning back off it 'Jobs, Glorious jobs' prognostication. Of course, it is not his fault:

The White House backed away Wednesday from its own prediction that the economy will add 2.6 million new jobs before the end of this year, saying the forecast was the work of number-crunchers and that President Bush was not a statistician.

GW's lip server, Scott McClellan, went on to say "The economy is moving in the right direction ... but there is more to do,"

I think what he meant to say was 'Right' direction, but I'll have to check the original transcript for that, assuming it hasn't been 'cleansed' already.

We can all add this to the Flip Flop list when they try to charge the Dems with the same.

Yellow cake anyone . . . .

You can read the rest here!

Who invented the Internet

Some are so blinded by the Right light, that they begin to forget what the truth is.

Mitch was touting the wonders of WiFi and the ability of his little lappy top to connect to the Net while sitting in a local establishment.

Now, I am not sure if he was actually on his own laptop, or if he was on one of the three terminals that are set-up within 'The Rock'. Those terminals have been there for several years, and were definately pre-Bush, but he goes on to make a further claim:

Just think; had Algore won the 2000 election, I'd probably be walking behind a mule pushing an iron plow right now.

Now Mitch is a pretty smart guy, when he chooses to be, but this is a preposterous statement, regardless of the tongue-and-cheek nature of it. More accurately, it is BECAUSE of Al Gore, that Mitch was able to rip the man.

Now don't get excited, I am not claiming Al Gore invented the Internet. In fact, Gore never claimed to have invented the Internet. "WHAT!", you say, "He never said that" Hmmmmmmmmm

So lets revisit this little tussle from years gone by, so that everyone is clear on the facts.

First, what did Al Gore ACTUALLY say, and when did he say it:

In an Interview with Wolf Blitzer, Vice President Al Gore stated, and I include the complete context:

BLITZER: I want to get to some of the substance of domestic and international issues in a minute, but let's just wrap up a little bit of the politics right now.

Why should Democrats, looking at the Democratic nomination process, support you instead of Bill Bradley, a friend of yours, a former colleague in the Senate? What do you have to bring to this that he doesn't necessarily bring to this process?

GORE: Well, I will be offering -- I'll be offering my vision when my campaign begins. And it will be comprehensive and sweeping. And I hope that it will be compelling enough to draw people toward it. I feel that it will be.

But it will emerge from my dialogue with the American people. I've traveled to every part of this country during the last six years. During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet. I took the initiative in moving forward a whole range of initiatives that have proven to be important to our country's economic growth and environmental protection, improvements in our educational system.

During a quarter century of public service, including most of it long before I came into my current job, I have worked to try to improve the quality of life in our country and in our world. And what I've seen during that experience is an emerging future that's very exciting, about which I'm very optimistic, and toward which I want to lead.

Vint Cerf, one of the the accepted 'Fathers of the Internet' had this to say, the meat of which:

VP Gore was the first or surely among the first of the members of Congress to become a strong supporter of advanced networking while he served as Senator. As far back as 1986, he was holding hearings on this subject (supercomputing, fiber networks...) and asking about their promise and what could be done to realize them.

Now that seems like 'initiative to create' to me, but then that is using the actual definition within the context of the statement, something the Right struggles with.

Even as recently as March 2003 and Apple press release touts:

As a member of the U.S. Congress 25 years ago, he popularized the term “Information Superhighway,” and was instrumental in fighting for federal funds to assist in building what later became the Internet. He has remained an active leader in technology—launching a public/private effort to wire every classroom and library in America to the Internet.

Mr. Gore serves as a Senior Advisor to Google, Inc. He is also a visiting professor at the University of California Los Angeles, Fisk University and Middle Tennessee State University.

So, ironically, it is more BECAUSE of Al Gore, that Mr. 'Shoot in the Dark' was able to pan on the guy, not instead of!

OH, not to leave you hanging, how did the actual statement get changed and twisted into something it wasn't . . well . . . ask Richard Armey, R-Texas.

So spin away my friends, but the only way to not give credit where credit is due, is to parse the words or twist the truth and lie about what the simple reality is. Al Gore played an integral role in allowing Mitch the vehicle to spread lies about him . . . again!

Thanks to the RNC

I am not sure how to read this. I certainly don't think the RNC would want the Primary season to be prolonged anymore then it has to be. As long as the Dems are engaged and hogging the news cycle, GW will continue to struggle in the polls.

So why then, are Moderates and Republicans, when given a chance, voting for Edwards. The obvious answer is that of the "anyone but Bush" class, Edwards is the more moderate of the two. But that would mean that these self proclaimed GOPers are seriously considering voting for someone other then GW.

Now, in an open primary like Wisconsin, were these voters just out to mess with the system? One may think, no. When you look at the other initiatives on the ballot, the polling indicates sincerity on their part.

In an AP story this morning, some of this is spelled out:

Edwards finished far better than pre-primary polls suggested he would, his surge fueled by the highest Republican turnout of the primary season and voters who made up their minds in the last week. His deepest support was in the GOP suburbs of Milwaukee.

"That's been happening in other primaries too," Edwards said in an interview. "Republicans who would consider voting Democratic and independents are the people we have to win over to win the general election. That's why I'm the best candidate to take on George Bush."

The strong GOP turnout was boosted by city government elections in Milwaukee and a controversial referendum on casino gambling by an Indian tribe.

Now, GW and the rest of Bushco, have already set their eyes on Kerry, and have begun their first shots in their negative attack dog style. With that in mind, you would think they would have their rank and file push for the Kerry nomination, that they would want him crowned as soon as possible. This would dilute the media over the next several months while creating a vacuum in the National campaign. One that the GOP could clearly take advantage of.

It was in their best interest for Kerry to kick ass in Wisconsin, relegating Edwards, Dean, et. al. to internal bickering and the official coronation of the presumptive nominee.

Instead, we had crossover voters supporting the #2 man, creating a tighter race, invigorating both base camps, and continuing the debate in the weeks to come.

Again, I thank you, GOP, for helping out!

Jobs, Glorious Jobs

With my pending trip to the beach, I have been following the job market and the glorious statement by GW to create 2.6 million jobs by the end of the year. Now, to think he can replace. in a few short months, the entire job loss throughout his entire term seems almost foolish to even suggest. Again, the exaggeration of this claim will only hurt the incumbent as the election draws near.

One of the articles that caught my eye, was this piece I stumbled across. See, GW and Greenspan are counting on a drop in productivity (the amount of work you get from an employee) integral in supporting a job creation boom.

Now, there are times I throw out the Job loss rate of the current administration, but Jobs is a lagging indicators, and for the most part, is a poor gauge for how the economy is currently performing.

Once again, however, the current administration chooses to throw gas on the fire. They are promoting a job growth expectation that can only come true if the productivity of the current work force drops. Now granted, the pace of productivity can't continue at it's present rate for long, but it, in itself, is a lagging component as well.

In order for the White House job forecast to come true at 2.7 productivity growth, the economy would need to grow 5.7 percent this year or faster, which would be the highest annual growth since 1984, and is far higher than any economists are forecasting.

"It's difficult to foresee a growth rate where we will find 320,000 jobs" each month, Chan said.

For me, it means that I may be underemployed, tucked away in a computer lab in the bowels of some inner city elementary school. For GW it means he has to count on the American Worker getting lazy.

He with so little faith . . .

Do you want fries with that

I woke up to This little fisking over at Shot in the Dark this morning. My point was how quick the left jumped on this, and still feel there is some credence to the comments.

This whole ANG things is, if nothing else, distracting the admin and putting them on the defensive. The late Friday Doc Dump had many chomping at the bit, presuming there would be some dirt there.

When I hear the defense of the Right on this issue, I can't help but think how hypocritical they can be. They need to use the Empathy Test more often. I am positive, if the shoe was on the other foot, they would be doing a much better job on offense, then they are on defense.

I am still hung up on GW when he made a statement that went something like this " I have been to war, and raised Twin daughters . . I'll tell you, I'ld rather go to war" Now, first, which war is he talking about going to, and also, I can already hear the chastisement from the Right if a lefty made that statement and would commment 'How DARE they trivialize war like that'.

The ANG issue will evolve into a debate on quality of service. Kerry will dilute the attempt of the Right to trump up GWs service. Oh, and when Clark is named VP, the military service issue will be one GW has to defend this time.

This election is for the Right to lose, and at the rate their going, they will probably do just that.

A little wager

Every Presidential election year, the Doctor and I agree to visit the respective DFL and GOP victory party with the understanding we will end up at the 'Winners' location by night's end. Last year, of course, dragged on infinitum, with both of us claiming victory at different points of the evening.

This year will be no different, but we have agreed to a little side bet. When the Dem candidate wins the presidency, Doc has agreed to preceed any mention of GW with the phrade 'One termer'. If the GOP pulls off another win, I have agreed to addess GW as a 'Two Termer'.

The Doctor has made it clear that 'Two Timer' is not acceptable.

The Wall comes down

This letter does more in resolving the GW service record fiasco then anything the White House has released.

Of course, Scrappleface couldn't let it go without showing proof of it's own.

[UPDATE] The Left took no time at all to fisk this letter of all it's credibility.

More on me . . .

Education: The greatest investment a country can make is in the continuing education of its citizens. The current administration has created a policy, behind a name that does the opposite of it's intent. The Leave the Children Behind Act is full of unfunded mandates that will turn our students into a bunch of test takers. There was know thought out process to look at the standardized tests currently being used, just an expectation that one more test wouldn’t matter. January has turned into Test Month at my school. First it is the Stanford 10 test for the state, then the basic skills test to graduate, then the federal test to show compliance. Three tests within a 4 week period all basically doing the same thing. Not a very good system to create a learning environment for our young people.

Vouchers are nothing more then inverse bussing. They provide a family a small subsidy, generally equal to the amount of the aid formula a school would receive upon that particular students enrollment. Those who can afford a private school anyway, will take this 'tax cut for the rich', and have the extra money to build on to their mansion on the lake. No middle to lower income family would still be able to afford the difference between the cost of a private school even with the inclusion of this subsidy. What they get is an underfunded school and a lower quality education. Minneapolis schools are feeling the pinch of this reality with the influx of Charter schools, a taste of what is to come should vouchers pass. No more neighborhood school or feeling of community.

Homeland Security: I am concerned about certain aspects of the Patriot Act, specifically those that butt heads with the civil liberties of our citizens. Many on the Right share these same concerns. It just looked to me that this administration preyed on the fear of the populous to railroad a sweeping change while we were vulnerable. I think change was needed, and the Zacharias Mousoui case is one cited by most proponents as one which may have prevented the 9/11 hijackings if the Act was in place beforehand. So I answered 'moderately opposed' due to the civil liberty concerns, but agree change was needed, just that it may have gone to far.

I venture Right in my support of tighter immigration controls.

Iraq I strongly support the war and am totally opposed to an immediate withdrawal. SoDamn Who'sInsane is an evil man who brutalized his own people. His total disregard for the human rights of everyone on this planet marked the need to remove him from power. GW made a poor gamble by placing all of his eggs in the WMD basket. He was so damned confident that stockpiles of chemicals and the missiles to deliver them would be found, he proclaimed it as the only reason he needed to go to war. Grave mistake which may cost him a second term.

The UN is a necessary evil in this Global Political environment. In order to retain credibility within this community we need to respect its process. I don't think giving them more political authority is the answer, but some restraint on our part may be called for.

It would be irresponsible to even consider an immediate withdraw from Iraq at this time. There is know way Iraq could make it to democratic sovereignty on their own. The power vacuum created would suck in the evilest of terrorist organizations and create a middle east quagmire of the greatest proportions.

We must stay the course, assist in the creation of a democratic self government. If the June 04 goal is reached by the administration, and attacks on troops and local sympathizers dwindles, GW will be in good shape going into the elections.

Foreign Trade We can not deny the fact we are in a global economy. The trade boundaries extend far beyond the geopolitical borders we have recognized in the past. the Embargo in Cuba must be lifted and full support of NAFTA must be recognized. We can not be intimidated by this global positioning, we must embrace it as the future reality.

Some for of protections, however, needs to be in place. A carefully crafted proposal needs to be constructed to protect people and the environment. Standards must be developed to create a fair playing field.

A-Wall to climb Part Deaux

GW released his payroll records for his service in the Guard. They actually create more questions then answers. You can read the AP version here

Two quotes from the article stand out to me:

1) At the same time, White House officials were careful to stop short of claiming that the records proved definitively that Bush had shown up for all the Guard duties he was expected to.

and

2) . . . . the White House has not been able to produce fellow guardsmen who could testify that Bush attended meetings and drills. "Obviously we would have made people available" if they had been found, McClellan said.

Wouldn't you think, if he was there, there would be hordes of fellow servicemen who would jump at the chance for a photo op and trip to the White House to defend GW's service. Appearently not.

Reaching for the towel

This morning's local rags (Strib and PPress) lay out the reality of my school closing in St. Paul. They imply 'pending' and 'pondering', but being on the inside I can tell you it's official. There is no chance Wilson will survive till next year.

The open house to recruit students has been cancelled. The brand new technology upgrade and gym expansion project will sit for another program. There is an ALC program sharing the building with us. It is called LEAP and serves older kids and young adults making the transition to life in the US.

I hope if things are so fiscally bad that they are closing a school that they will at least consider a new transportation proposal. Seems Minneapolis Schools are looking at all the options, why not St. Paul.

See, St. Paul has an internal Magnet/Open enrollment policy. What that means, is as many as 4 or 5 busses drive through my neighborhood twice a day. Once for the elementary, and again for the secondary. These busses have just a handful of students in them. It only seems to make sense that one bus per neighborhood could drive by and pick up all the kids in each neighborhood. This bus would travel to a central Hub locations, where students would transfer to busses to take them to their respective schools.

Seems pretty basic to me.

Flash

As part of my intro to the Blogosphere, it is only appropriate that I spell out where I am coming from. Some of you, PJZ for instance, feel I have some sort of an obligation here to save the word. Well, I can't just shoot from the hip until you all know where I am at on the issues. As for bereft of ideas, I have plenty, and they will come out in time.

So now it is time to open myself up. I think I'll use the outline of the AOL Presidential Match to parse my views.

Abortion: I am personally pro-life, but politically pro-choice.

OK, cop-out you may say, but the reality is, the Right is so damned insistent about not meddling in people's personal decisions, yet they want control over the basic decisions every human being has, a choice between life and death. Now, I would make great efforts to convince anyone in my counsel to preserve life, both lives, at all costs, but will respect that the final decision needs to be up to the woman, and the final judge of her decision is God, not me, not the United States.

I was mixed on the survey questions, opposing the outlawing of abortions as a whole, but favoring the outlaw of partial birth abortions and supporting of the under 18 notifications. It is any parents right to be informed of their child's medical condition.

Gay Rights: Maybe the Righties can help me with this one. The GOP banter is all about leaving the government out of our personal lives. Small government dedicated to the security of the nation, and supporting an infrastructure that assists in economic growth. Why oh why oh why do they want to legislate morality. This is all about education and social acceptance. If anything, it is a state issue. If two people are happy together and can be productive members of our society, so be it.

I am a lefty on this issue, more so because I don't think it is the governments business who one chooses to sleep with.


Religion in Government: I lean Right here. It is noble to separate church and state, but the literal interpretation of the Constitution is causing more harm then good. I see no reason why prayer in school should be an issue, for the same reason I supported the 10 Commandment display. I mean, come on, 'In God we trust' , 'So Help Me, God', we could go on and on about the religious symbolism in the government, it is one of the strengths of our nation.

The context of the separation clause over 200 years ago was due to the religious persecution felt by the founders of this country, and why many of them came here to begin with. Religious persecution, or ANY persecution for that matter, should NOT be tolerated. THAT is where the efforts need to be invested.


Gun Control: I'll tread softly here, as Mitch may be listening. I support the right of all qualified individuals to 'keep and bear arms'. Do I think someone should be able to walk down the street packing heat, well, technically I guess I do, but I don't think it is necessary. I favor safety devices on guns, I mean who wouldn’t. What 'logical' reason would one NOT want to require them.

How about background checks. If we agree that violent felons shouldn't be packing heat, shouldn't we have a process to prevent it? Wouldn't point-of-sale be the best place to begin? Just seems simple to me. Oh, and safety courses, that's a no brainner.

There was a questions regarding suing the gun manufacturers. I believe our litigious society spends more time padding the pockets of overzealous attorney, then protecting the rights of it's citizens. If someone has a legitimate loss, they should have the right to pursue compensation. If that same person wants to sue Ford, because that is the make of the car the drunk driver was driving, well, that would be as foolish as suing Remmington. I am with GW on this one.


Death Penalty: My only reservation is the outside chance of an innocent being executed. What a horrific experience it must be for the 'dead man walking' knowing that they were wrongfully convicted. With that, do I favor the abolishment of the Death Penalty, No! However, it is only responsible to consider having a National Review of Death Penalty fairness . . . . GW disagrees

Tomorrow (maybe); Education, Homeland Security, Iraq, Foreign Trade, and Health Care

Cartman for President

I found this article a while ago. I think of it as more proof of the move to the right of the media, others may not.

South Park is one of those cartoons you would never let your kids watch, but watch yourself waiting to see what will happen next. It simply exagerates the political correctness of our society to the point you wonder 'are we going to far'

I've never been a big PC guy, which is why I find myself dancing in the middle quite often.

Flash

The beach beckons . . .

We had an all staff meeting this AM. The school i have been working at for about a dozen years is officially closing. Budget cuts, enrollment declines, and other factors have made it no longer possible to run the program here.

The way I look at it, over 200 kids will now be 'left behind', but that is another post.

As for me, I should be OK . . .

Flash

A-Wall for GW to Climb

All you need to know on this issue can be found on my educational link to the right, but Kerry asked an intriguing questions following the release of the interview.

Kerry disputed Bush's response. Appearing in Richmond, Va., he said receiving an honorable discharge did not resolve questions about Bush's service. "The issue here, as I have heard it raised, is was he present and active on duty in Alabama at the times he was supposed to be? I don't have the answer to that question," he said.

to that I offer this:


General William Turnipseed and Lt. Col. Kenneth Lott, who commanded the Montgomery, Alabama, base at the time said that Bush never appeared. "To my knowledge, he never showed up," Turnipseed said.

More later

Flash

Do they need a Drivers' License

Seems that carrier pigeons don't triangulate the sun and the moon and the stars to get where their going, they just follow the road!

I know, slow news day.

Flash

And the panel is in . . .

Here is the Make-up of the WMD/Inteligence panel co-chaired by former Sen. Charles Robb and retired federal judge Laurence.

Other members are:

-- Sen. John McCain, (R-Arizona) and Runner-up? to GW for the 2000 GOP nod
-- Lloyd Cutler, served as White House counsel to Carter and Clinton
-- Patricia Wald, a Democrat and Former appellate court judge
-- Rick Levin, president of Yale University, GW's alma mater
-- Ret. Adm. Bill Studeman, a former deputy director of CIA

The executive order stipulates that all departments of the administration assist the commission in its work and said that the committee would have access to the complete report of the Iraq Survey Group, the U.S. group leading the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

GW stated the panel would have up to nine, so look for a sitting Democratic and Republican congressional member to be added.

Flash

Awful, simply awful . . .

The first words out of my wife's mouth this AM were "They found Carlie's body this morning"

We have three young boys in the house (10, 11, and 14) and I took time this AM to talk to them about this case, and what to do if they found themselves in a compromising postion.

When you get home today, hug your kids, then tell them what to do to be safe. Here are some pointers!

My heart and prayers go out to the family and friends of Carlie Brucia . . . and lest not forget about Dru !!

Flash

It's the Economy, stupid . . .

"Two and a half years into this recovery, and the economy can only muster up 112,000 new jobs?" said Richard Yamarone, chief economist at Argus Research. "That's a bad number, not a good number."

*shaking head* Don't worry, the ineptitude of this current administration will find a way to spin this towards the positive. Bottom line, Millions are still out of work, and all GW is worried about is locking in his cash rewards to the wealthy . . .

The complete article is here.

Feckesking the WMDs

Jeff Fecke over at Blog of the Moderate Left does a nice job of bringing us back to reality on the whole WMD exageration/deception issue by this administration. It's a good read.

On a side note, i am encourged by the administrations appointment of John McCain to the new presidential commission investigating U.S. intelligence gathering, including the pre-war assessments of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. I look forward to the hearings and reading the report.

Shot from the hip . . .

Mitch Berg, over at Shot in the Dark, a Righty Tighty blog "made up" what he calls Berg's Law; "No liberal commentator can simultaneously attack more than one of the four justifications for the Liberation of Iraq; to do so, they'd invalidate their own case."

Seems Berg is confusing rationale for disarmament with justification to unilaterally invade a sovereign country.

Now, don't get me wrong, I have always called these reasons my justification for ending the terroristic regime of SoDamn Who'sInsane, but GW was so hung up on WMDs he couldn't see the forest for the trees.

See, in his 2003 State of the Union (SOTU) address, he banters about WMDs as his sole reason for war and the only justification he needed. He talks of the other three items, UN Resolutions, Human Rights violations, and the uses of chemicals on his own people, as reasons to disarm him, not as a pretext to war.

So much for Berg's law . . . . although he does try to defend himself HERE

Flash --> For the war for the right reasons, NOT the Right reason

It's a set-up

The Medicare Bill . . . there are bigger fish to fry . . . lets let this one slide. We'll fix it when we have control next year.

Flash

Simple math

I know it's been a while, but I couldn't help it.

168 - 4

Or if you want to get pickey 29 - 4 on Circuit Court judges.

Real simple math, people!

Sheesh, the GOP wouldn't even let over 60 of Clinton's nominees out of committee. Talk about hijacking the system. I can't figure out why they just don't get it on this one!

Flash

Thinking Out Loud

I know this may sound kind of Forbish (Maybe Mitch will even like it) but here's an idea.

I know that not all states have a sales tax, but how about a federal rebate of state sales tax for American purchases. This would stimulate the American economy, save consumers money, therby encouraging spending. At the same time, it would be a State aid bill since it is the Fed who would rebate the sales tax, while the States still get the revenue. Some formula would have to be determined to equalize the varying (or lack of) Sales tax.

Now THAT would be true, immediate, economic stimulus while still providing State aid!

The Doctor is in . . .

The Doctor is really no doctor at all, just a great friend of mine who I have known for over 20 years. Most of us go through life, adjusting the hierarchy of our friendship list quite often. I have been fortunate enough to have had 'The Doctor' on the top of the list for quite some time. He is about as far right, as I am left, meaning we do huddle close to the center, and share many views on what some say are the responsible issues. Subsidizing the rich, is not one of them . . . .


So Doc states:
Rich Person gets a higher % of the relief....so.... They are the ones with the most working capitol at risk that invest in companies that create jobs, etc. etc.

I don't have a problem with 'incentives' to promote growth, but that is not what this does. It takes money away from those who can use it, and gives it to those who will jeopardize it!

So maybe if nothing else it simply corrects a long term problem of double taxation. Will it help the economy? I think to some degree yes.

But NOT stimulate. Stimulus implies a level of immediacy, put money into the economy! They shouldn't call the dog a cat. That is where their credibility is jeopardized. Again, the Right is notorious for calling something what people want to hear, but not having it do the job proposed.

One could argue there has been no significant immediate tax breaks to the "rich" yet. Most all the benefits were future benefits beginning in year 4 and gradually increasing through the ten year plan.

We are not talking about the 1-3 percent drop in the marginal tax brackets. We are talking about the immediate need to put money in the hands of consumers who will stimulate demand, therefore creating a need for supply, THIS is what creates jobs and improves the economy

Don't cry for the banks, they will be making lots of loans and as long as there is a good spread to the fed discount rate they will make money (unless they make bad loans) The market is risky and there is more than enough capitol for them to loan out.

If this goes through, I will pull my money out of the banks and begin a more aggressive Stock portfolio. How many others will do this!!

It makes me cringe when I hear Democrates wanting to put money into the "right Hands", Code words for people who didn't earn it or pay for it but are entitled to it and will spend it... Lower taxes, Lower spending are the only answers and of course letting the cycle of the Bear market run it's course

I clarified my disdain for putting money into the hands of those who did not contribute. My definition of 'right hands' is putting money into the gloves of those who will do with it what you intend them to do. A $100.00 in my hands will be spent, thereby stimulating the economy. That same $100 in the hands of the rich will be placed in the stock market craps table and POOF . . . . Possibly gone, like it never existed.

Flash

Oooooo . . . The big tax relief plan

2003 - - 2004/2005 - - 2006/2010
38.6 - - - - 37.6 - - - - - - 35.0 %
35 - - - - - 34 - - - - - - - - 33 %
30 - - - - - 29 - - - - - - - - 28 %
27 - - - - - 26 - - - - - - - - 25 %
15 - - - - Same - - - - - - - Same
10 - - - - Same - - - - - - - Same

Ya know, it is one thing to hear the buzzwords and wonder why, but then to see the actual numbers. atta boys to the wealthy, with NO relief to the middle class. The Bush tax Relief act provides NO relief to almost HALF of those who filed tax returns

Marriage Penalty relief. Just in case you didn't know, Bush's proposal for this relief doesn't effect anyone that itemizes deductions. The Head of Household deduction would still be a better filing status even under Bush's plan. He simply wants the standard deduction for marrieds to be double that of a single, Those of us that itemize, would not be effected by that at all. Also, only the amount of income taxed at 15 percent for married couples would increase to twice the amount of income taxed at 15 percent for single filers. The rest would remain relatively unchanged. My point is it is peanuts, not Gold, and the buzz to eliminate a marriage tax is merely political, because even Bush won't address the REAL marriage penalty. Classic Right Wing Spin, call it what people want to hear, but have it NOT do what they think it is doing.

The only problem with the Left is they are to damned honest.

Tax Pawlenty

Now he says he will withhold and cut State monies to Counties and Cities requiring them to increase Property taxes just to make up the difference. Sorry, Tim 'No new taxes' Pawlenty will be raising my taxes as predicted . . . 'If it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck . . . . .

Flash

Help me again try to support a tax cut that predominantly gives money back to the wealthy who will only dabble in the market with it and NOT create jobs or invest in their businesses like they have NOT done in the past 2 years..

Dividends reported on tax returns breakdowns like this ( I don't know why the 200,000 - 1,000,000 figure is missing, but you can see the obvious trend)

under $50,000 (15.2 Million returns, $26.9 billion)

50 - 100,000, (10 million, $27.1 billion)

100-200,000 (4.8 million, 23.8 Billion)

Over 1,000,000 (200,000 filers, 25.4 Billion)

So what will this do, certainly not stimulate purchases and the economy. In Fact, this could seriously damage the banking industry and effect long term loan rates and the ability for small and medium sized business to obtain money. The money supply will, in effect, tighten as middle class investors pull their money out of banks to invest in the volatile stock market. Investment in the stock market does NOT do anything for the economy. Putting money in the hands of those that will spend it stimulates economy.

The quicker and broader stimulus offered by the Democrats is at least an attempt to put the money in the right hands. I dissagree, however, with putting money into the hands of those who never put anything in. That is the other extreme, and is just as rediculous as giving money back to those who don't miss it.