Daily Archives: March 18, 2006

Politics before oversight?

March 18, 200612:05 a.m.

Helen Thomas, columnist for Hearst Newspapers, added to the pile of commentary assailing Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., for his responses to the White House’s warrantless wiretapping and use of prewar intelligence:
“The prospect of the Republican-controlled Congress carrying out its oversight role over the White House is far-fetched, especially with Roberts as ringmaster. Roberts, has made it clear when it comes to loyalty, the interests of party politics prevail over the country.”
Meanwhile, The New York Times’ editorial board took another swipe at Roberts Friday, complaining that he “continues to sit on” the prewar intelligence report and that he and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., can’t be trusted to investigate the wiretapping because they are “too busy trying to give legal cover to the president’s trampling on the law and the Constitution.” Ouch.
That chairmanship of the Senate Agriculture Committee, which was within Roberts’ grasp in 2004, has to be looking mighty appealing about now.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (35)

Even the president can’t score face time with Jessica Simpson

March 18, 200612:03 a.m.

Jessica Simpson turned down an invitation to meet with President Bush at a GOP fundraiser this week. The singer and actress told the press that she did not want to politicize her favorite nonpartisan charity, Operation Smile, which provides plastic surgery to disadvantaged children overseas with facial deformities. Her explanation did not satisfy some surprised Republicans. Simpson may be ditzy, but you have to wonder if the fact that Bush’s approval rating is tanking entered into her decision. Meanwhile, her manager father, trying to reassure Republicans, told Associated Press that “Jessica loves the heck out of him (Bush).”
Posted by Melissa Cooley

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (6)

Latest mad cow case shows U.S. beef is safe?

March 18, 200612:01 a.m.

It’s important to know that Japan has had more than 20 cases of mad cow disease, compared with the United States’ mere three cases. Yet Japan has been closed to U.S. beef for most of the past two years. Still, the spin on the latest U.S. case being offered by Kansas Sens. Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts seems a bit much. Brownback: “Catching this case in Alabama should solidify with the Japanese that our system is working in this country. The Japanese need to open the market.”
Posted by Rhonda Holman

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (30)