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Daily Archives: May 12, 2006
Lott thinks civil liberties aren’t important?
May 12, 200612:48 p.m.
“Do we want security . . . or do we want to get in a twit about our civil libertarian rights?” Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., said Thursday, dismissing concerns about the National Security Agency’s database of the phone records of millions of Americans. Excuse me? Making sure the government isn’t violating the Constitution and is following federal law isn’t “a twit.” Neither is expecting the courts and Congress to properly oversee this spying.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Democrats playing into GOP hands
May 12, 200612:07 a.m.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., recently provided ammunition to GOP doomsday rhetoric by suggesting the Dems would ramp up congressional investigations into the Bush administration and might even entertain impeachment talk if they win back the House.
It wasn’t a smart message. While some investigations might be overdue, including into the newly revealed NSA phone record database, most Americans don’t want an agenda of blame-gaming and recriminations. That self-indulgent, punitive approach will probably motivate the GOP base more than Democrats.
Instead of playing to GOP stereotypes, the Democrats would be wise to offer a point-by-point positive agenda that addresses America’s real problems, such as how to get out of Iraq, reform immigration and control health care costs.
Voters are in a mood to reward substance and competence on national problems.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
If Iraqi troops stand up, Phelps will lose his target
May 12, 200612:05 a.m.
It is awkward that the state legislators of Kansas, the unfortunate home of Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church, didn’t pass a funeral picketing law this session because the House and Senate couldn’t agree on the terms. But senators had a point in standing against a too-strict House bill that would have drawn a constitutional challenge and perhaps even ended with the state paying Phelps’ legal costs. And maybe by next session, the situation in Iraq will have improved enough to allow a major drawdown of troops and slow the casualties that provide Phelps with his target.
In addition, the U.S. House this week voted 408-3 and sent to the Senate the “Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act,” which would apply to protests at military cemeteries. In a predictable response, Phelps described Congress as an “American Taliban” and said the nation “is rapidly reduced to having as much liberty as a frog in a snake’s belly.”
Posted by Rhonda Holman
How about bobble-head dolls?
May 12, 200612:03 a.m.
The Kansas Democratic Party is advertising this fake commemorative figurine recognizing state Sens. Kay O’Connor and Tim Huelskamp for their attempts to turn the luncheon discussion between Kansas Supreme Court Justice Lawton Nuss and two state senators into a conspiracy. The description says: “Celebrate the 2006 Legislative Session with this collectible souvenir for the low price of only $60,000, the cost to taxpayers for each day the Legislature is here.”
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Dubious, bogus and utterly phony headlines
May 12, 200612:01 a.m.
The following satirical headlines come from the Web site borowitzreport.com:
BRITNEY SPEARS REPRODUCING AT UNSUSTAINABLE RATE, SCIENTISTS FEAR; Husband’s Troubling Fertility Tops Agenda of Oslo Conference
GORE OFFERS HIMSELF AS ALTERNATIVE TO HILLARY, AMBIEN; Former Veep Offers Voters Quality Sleep With No Side Effects
BIDEN ADMITS COPYING STUMP SPEECH FROM YOUNG ADULT NOVEL; Calls 40 Similar Passages ‘An Honest Mistake’
ZARQAWI VOWS WAR OF BLOOPERS; Urges Followers to Join ‘Jihad of Outtakes’ Against West
WHITE HOUSE SAYS IT IS PREPARED TO BLAME OTHERS FOR BIRD FLU OUTBREAK; Hopes to ‘Hit the Ground Running’ in Blame Game
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
