tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100020062011-12-18T17:12:40.632-05:00...but dammit, do I respect you.Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.comBlogger851100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1125939112328487852005-09-05T12:00:00.000-04:002005-09-05T12:54:20.123-04:00

I believe in government.I believe government can help citizens. Raise them up. Shore them up. Give them a firm groud to build their own ladder on.Other's don't believe government can. "Private sector." "Marketplace." "Big government is bad." They say.And now in charge, it would seem that they have created a government that can't, when in the past, government could.

EdContradictoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233195785044626660noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1125938816239084092005-09-05T10:00:00.000-04:002005-09-05T12:52:26.350-04:00

Before they even had a plan to help, the Bush Administration had a plan to blame. NY Times:Under the command of President Bush's two senior political advisers, the White House rolled out a plan this weekend to contain the political damage from the administration's response to Hurricane Katrina.It orchestrated visits by cabinet members to the region, leading up to an extraordinary return visit by

EdContradictoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233195785044626660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1125795687381839472005-09-03T20:00:00.000-04:002005-09-03T21:01:27.390-04:00

We were supposed to be planning on how to deal with something of this magnitude for the last four years. What if this had been a dirty bomb or multiple attacks on major cities or something even worse?The National Guard should have been mobilized BEFORE the storm and been in the city DAYS ago. And FEMA... Jesus, what the hell happened to FEMA?The government at ALL levels should be criticized for a

EdContradictoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233195785044626660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1121868396219027852005-07-20T10:05:00.000-04:002005-07-20T10:06:36.226-04:00

It's John G. Roberts, Jr.I'm still filtering through all the information. Maybe I'll actually put something, you know, smart, up. Later, though.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1121804982739273182005-07-19T16:24:00.000-04:002005-07-19T16:29:42.763-04:00

From Redstate via John ColeSomething has happened in the past ten minutes. I’ve had three five (they keep IM’ing) people from the media and conservative think tanks IM to say we’re on a wild goose chase—the conservative think tank people say its an intentional one. According to them, we should not be looking at Edith Clement, but at her cohort on the Fifth Circuit, Edith H. Jones a/k/a the Female

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1121781467249950552005-07-19T09:55:00.000-04:002005-07-19T09:57:47.256-04:00

What a load of crap. From the Albany Times Union A federal panel may recommend lifting the exemptions on some employer-provided benefits First published: Tuesday, July 19, 2005Talk about robbing Peter to pay Paul. Even as President Bush continues to push Congress to make permanent his 10-year, $1.2 trillion tax-cut plan, a federal task force is studying the possibility of taxing workers' health

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1121726855667780342005-07-18T18:44:00.000-04:002005-07-18T18:47:35.676-04:00

Got a present for you. Dean's been in the Western states, and being well recieved.In Montana with 450, converting the Democratic chairman:"We will promise you a balanced budget, and we will get government out of people's lives," Dean said."Republicans say that they are a party of small government, just small enough to fit inside Terri Schiavo's bedroom," Dean said. "Republicans say they're in

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1121442497797624342005-07-15T11:46:00.000-04:002005-07-15T11:48:17.803-04:00

Gone for the weekend (maybe something on Sunday, we'll see), but if you need something to read, check out Your Mom's Basement. Some good geekery over there. Got some comics stuff, got a good review of a Batali restaurant in NYC, and my midseason awards ceremony for MLB. Take a look.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1121442347443193962005-07-15T11:40:00.000-04:002005-07-15T11:45:47.450-04:00

So Duke Cunningham, a California Republican and member of the House Defense Appropriations subcommittee who was basically taking bribes from a defense contracter (see Josh Marshall's TPM for more), announced he won't be seeking reelection. Hopefully that won't stall any criminal investigation, because quite honestly, the guy should be in prison. But that's not what I want to talk about.What I

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1121395766813328182005-07-14T22:46:00.000-04:002005-07-14T22:49:26.820-04:00

Sweet christ, when it rains, it pours.GOP Action Alert from today! Don't know why I signed up for this crap, I guess a "know your enemy" type thing.Lincoln's Legacy - The history of the Republican Party and our record of civil rights achievements. Republican historian Michael Zak sets the record straight and tells the story of GOP outreach over the past 150 years.Is there an accepted way to

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1121380714032620782005-07-14T18:31:00.000-04:002005-07-14T18:38:34.036-04:00

Santorum (D for Douchebag) has been pissing and moaning about Boston being the source of all pedophilia, and Ted Kennedy called him on it today. Ricky's response?The abuse, Traynham said, "was particularly worse in Boston and the reason why, according to the senator, is because of some of the social institutions that call Boston home. When you take a look at Harvard University and some of the

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1121360334240569272005-07-14T12:55:00.000-04:002005-07-14T12:58:54.250-04:00

back again...Don't know why, but I've been getting the itch recently, and this is the tree I'm using to scratch it.Republicans Defend Karl Rove From Partisan AttacksFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Tracey Schmitt202-863-8614Senators And Congressman Rally Around RoveRepublican Senators Defend Karl Rove:NRSC Chairwoman Elizabeth Dole (R-NC): “The Partisan Attacks Against Karl Rove Are Out Of Control

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1113674215694297602005-04-16T13:55:00.000-04:002005-04-16T13:56:55.696-04:00

EdContradictoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233195785044626660noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1112747757531144542005-04-05T20:33:00.000-04:002005-04-05T20:35:57.533-04:00

Click the link above. You might not be able to read, but here's the big, important part.The vice president was careful to say that the American government does not want to pick the leaders of Iraq, a job he said should be left to the Iraqis. But in response to a question from the Sun about whether senior American diplomats in Baghdad should meet with Mr. Chalabi as they do with other Iraqi

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1112621479400483002005-04-04T09:24:00.000-04:002005-04-04T09:31:19.403-04:00

Despite my disagreements with some of the rulings handed down in recent years, and some minor theological differences, John Paul II was a very good man. He used the Church to do quite a bit of good, and his presence will certainly be missed.But the Catholic Church is sitting at a crossroads right now. There's 2 directions I can see it moving in. The first is to become more conservative and

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1112366093812180882005-04-01T09:08:00.000-05:002005-04-01T09:34:53.816-05:00

Thanks to eHow.com, and to the Daily Delay1. Hold the rope in your left hand and the end in your right hand.By a voice vote, and with a handful of lawmakers voicing opposition, the House Republican Conference decided that a party committee of several dozen members would review any felony indictment of a party leader and recommend at that time whether the leader should step aside.2. Form a loop,

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1111171928085313422005-03-18T13:49:00.000-05:002005-03-18T13:52:08.086-05:00

It actually involves NY State and the @#*#@(*#*$$% (intercourse) Post. Check out this lovely piece of work.March 16, 2005 -- ONCE the Legislature adopted a "temporary" personal-income-tax increase in 2003, it was only a matter of time before someone in Albany moved to make the tax hike permanent.Sure enough, the heavy-spending budget resolution approved by the state Assembly this week includes

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1111095940545191052005-03-17T16:44:00.000-05:002005-03-17T16:45:40.546-05:00

Pretty disappointed in UTEP, but it's far from over there. Everything else is as expected, except Montana, which is hanging around a bit--only down 11.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1111088182063380662005-03-17T14:35:00.000-05:002005-03-17T14:36:22.063-05:00

and about to go 2 for 2. UK over Eastern Kentucky, but a good game. UW Milwaukee's up 8 and they just put it away. Big 5-12 upset, and I called it.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1111084249737774962005-03-17T13:27:00.000-05:002005-03-17T13:34:46.536-05:00

Pacific is playing great. Shooting 75% from 3. And Pitt looks terrible. Unexpectedly, Niagra's hanging around on Oklahoma--down 3 at the half. UW Milwaukee's up 13 on Alabama, and surprisingly, Eastern Kentucky seems to be hanging around on Kentucky. I doubt they can pull it off, but they might be able to make it more exciting.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1111081937244374872005-03-17T12:50:00.000-05:002005-03-17T12:52:17.246-05:00

Maybe this is my year. Wisconsin-Milwaukee's up HUUUUUUUUUGE on Alabama, which I called. David, you want another dime?Also, Pitt looks awful. Taft's out with 2 fouls.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1111080871194436992005-03-17T12:32:00.000-05:002005-03-17T12:34:31.196-05:00

I love Jay Bilas, but I can't deal with Enberg. Eastern Kentucky just took the lead again, 11-10, and Enberg just said "Eastern Kentucky takes the lead for the first time." Yeah, Dick, except when they scored the first basket. God, get me to the Niagra-Oklahoma game.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1111080540726031442005-03-17T12:27:00.000-05:002005-03-17T12:29:00.726-05:00

Thank God they don't have him matched up with Dierdorf, like they do for football. Anyway, blogger's crapped the bed, so I lost a post on the baseball hearings before. We've got the first 10 minutes or so of Eastern Kentucky-Kentucky right now, and Dick Enberg has no idea what the score is. I guess this is going to be the theme of the day--between Jim "Spell senile! Great! Now spell senile!"

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1111073908226530282005-03-17T10:36:00.000-05:002005-03-17T10:38:28.226-05:00

and currently batshit crazy.Liveblogging day! Bunning is up, and he just accused McGwire of taking "Androids". I weep for human society if we're allowing artificial intelligence into out national pastime.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1110988324150602252005-03-16T10:41:00.000-05:002005-03-16T10:52:11.693-05:00

Kristof gets it exactly right today in the Times. Hillary's doing a very good job of rebranding herself as well as the party. And it's most certainly not a shift to the "middle", like some DLCers would like you to believe, that's helping her rebrand (though there are slight hints that she is shifting to the center--the violence in video games study can be perceived as such). It's the

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1110914043394782172005-03-15T14:13:00.000-05:002005-03-15T14:14:03.396-05:00

Don't let me forget.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1110812348845856352005-03-14T09:52:00.000-05:002005-03-14T09:59:08.846-05:00

UNC got jobbed. How are they the supposed #2 team in the country, and they end up with UConn, Kansas, Florida, a hot Villanova, and a tough UNC Charlotte in their bracket?You could see as many 4-13 upsets this year as 5-12 (meaning anywhere from 0 to 2--strong group of 5 seeds this year, though).That said, you could see as many 4 seeds getting into the final 4 as losing in the first round. (BC

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1110553064622094052005-03-11T09:42:00.000-05:002005-03-11T09:57:44.623-05:00

A few random things, none of which would normally be large enough for their own post. And I won't have the time to spread them out far enough to really increase our traffic, so postwhoring makes little sense at this point.1. "Does anyone actually WANT to go to the dance?"Heard that about 5 times last night on ESPN. Between Vandy's awful loss to Auburn, Maryland's season sweep at the hands of

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1110492410212987832005-03-10T17:02:00.000-05:002005-03-10T17:06:50.216-05:00

As promised, NCAA tournament news:I am a homer. I love my team. But in this case, when my team is ineligible for the postseason, my allegiance transfers to my conference, the Big East. As such, it warms my heart to see those backstabbing traitors from BC drop their first game and take themselves out of contention for a #1 seed, and possibly a #2.Also, I love Pittsnogle, and hope for that name

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1110465383379861872005-03-10T09:33:00.000-05:002005-03-10T09:36:23.380-05:00

Granted, if it comes down to her against any of the frequently named GOoPers in 08, I'll still vote for her (and I suspect this is her plan), but if this crap keeps up, let's just say I'll be doing a lot of work in the primary season.Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday sharply criticized the sex and violence in video games and other entertainment directed at children, calling the

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1110406305607491632005-03-09T17:05:00.000-05:002005-03-09T17:11:45.610-05:00

of the year!March is upon us, and with March comes a shift in my focus from anything else to college basketball. And despite the fact that my team (St. John's) is ineligible for the postseason, I am STILL a huge NCAA tourney-whore. So watch for more posts relating to the tournament, perhaps even a liveblogging of the first day of the tournament.Speaking of the first day of the tournament,

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1110231482853476302005-03-07T16:12:00.000-05:002005-03-07T16:38:02.856-05:00

I got the chance to see an interesting panel discussion today. Jerry Nadler, Bernie Nussbaum, Tamera Luzzato (Hillary's chief of staff), Terence Samuel (Chief Congressional Correspondent, US News & World Report), Christine Varney (former FTC Commissioner) and Ben "Republican Talking Points Bot 247" Ginsburg, about the upcoming session of Congress. Very interesting, very worth getting up at 6

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1109867560662791802005-03-03T11:28:00.000-05:002005-03-03T15:34:28.586-05:00

Atrios, Armando from DKos, Jerome at MyDD, and hordes of others have all reported on this, a CNET interview with FEC Commissioner Brad Smith about a crackdown on internet political punditry.I'm not going to quote chunks of the article, nor will I launch into a large tirade against the FEC, or the 3 Democratic commissioners who seem to have forgotten on which side of the free-speech debate we fall

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1109688062211662272005-03-01T09:38:00.000-05:002005-03-01T09:41:02.213-05:00

For anyone who doesn't remember, Jose Padilla was the "enemy combatant" from Chicago who allegedly planned to set off a dirty bomb inside the country. He's been shuttled around from military brig to military brig until the Bush Administration could find a district/appeals court that they thought would be favorable to their side.They were wrong.WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 - A federal district judge in

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1109606023236565732005-02-28T10:43:00.000-05:002005-02-28T10:53:43.240-05:00

You know, for a group of warmongering crusaders, I've never seen a bigger group of whining, petulant, delusional sally-asses in my life."The ACLU should be executed for treason!""Well, what did they do?""They called me fat." [insert sad faced internet smilie]Seriously, people. You're supposed to be warmongers, not whimpering widdle bunnies, scared of the big, nasty government entitlement

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1109275247136281712005-02-24T14:35:00.001-05:002005-02-24T15:02:55.493-05:00

ShutTheHellUp.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1109262293643139432005-02-24T10:30:00.000-05:002005-02-24T11:24:53.646-05:00

CNN.com's lovely front page article made me damn near pop. Let me count the reasons why.1. The front page headline.Bush: Slovaks are example for freedomOkay, Mr. Headline Writer. First of all, they are an example OF freedom. Not an example FOR freedom. The abstract concept of FREEDOM should not follow the example of Slovakia. FREEDOM was not denied freedom by the communist government of the

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1109185614000438832005-02-23T14:03:00.000-05:002005-02-23T14:06:54.003-05:00

That fecal matter and lubricant on my penis after anal sex has got to go!Click for VideoCollege Republicans and Dick Santorum doing our jobs for us.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1109118695529708312005-02-22T18:19:00.000-05:002005-02-22T19:31:35.533-05:00

I was struck by a brainstorm whilst doing dishes before dinner tonight.Elections are ultimately all about trust. Not some abstract concept like "values" or "security". Because ultimately, the country is so geographically large and socially diverse, that "security" in Wyoming is a hell of a lot different from "security" in Red Hook. "Wealth" and "ownership" are a lot different in Seattle than

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1109091728998884692005-02-22T11:53:00.000-05:002005-02-22T16:19:59.356-05:00

This is the goddamn stupidest thing I've ever seen. All those jokes people have made about what a republican ad would look like if Jesus ran for the Democratic nomination for President? I guess we were right. I really hope their next ad is a 30 second tv spot like this.FADE INMedium Shot, panning around: Elderly woman sitting on her porch, knitting. The music is peaceful, soothing."Oh, hello

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1108994407224004922005-02-21T08:59:00.000-05:002005-02-21T09:00:07.226-05:00

Dear Mr. Editor:I continue to be confused by the lack of effort by our media to inform the American people about the Jeff Gannon scandal. Someone obviously helped Guckert gain access to the White House Press Room under a false name so that he could lob softball questions to the President and spread disinformation and lies.The more salacious parts of the story aside, this is a major security

EdContradictoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233195785044626660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1108487740872740662005-02-15T12:11:00.000-05:002005-02-15T12:15:40.876-05:00

This administration just loves letting them wash over. It's almost like they're daring people to take them down. This one involves quid pro quo and campaign donations. More commonly known as bribery. Really busy now, so not much discussion of it, but if you'd like, the AP is all over it.WASHINGTON - A big Republican donor goes to his governor and senator, saying he was told by President Bush

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1108408572655052652005-02-14T14:02:00.000-05:002005-02-14T14:16:12.656-05:00

I make no secret of my opinion regarding Bush's second term. Namely, that he won't last all 4 years. He will, in my opinion, be removed from office.Now, there are those of you out there who say "Look at the Congress! Look at how they cover for him! Look at how blindly partisan they are!"Yes. I am fully aware of this. And yet, I still expect it to happen. Why? Because of the blatant

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1108405207766961202005-02-14T13:18:00.000-05:002005-02-14T13:20:07.766-05:00

==MISSILE DEFENSE: An Economists Allied for Arms Reduction and Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation study led by Nobel Laureate Kenneth Arrow reveals that plans for a layered national missile shield could cost $500 billion over next 13 years and as much as $1.2 trillion by the year 2035.Hmm.Feb. 14, 2005 | Washington -- A test of the national missile defense system failed Monday when

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1108152984223658132005-02-11T15:06:00.000-05:002005-02-11T15:16:24.223-05:00

Holy crap.So apparently Haliburton lost some nuclear materials.In October.And they just got around to telling us.Remind me why we continue to do business with them? I mean, for god's sake, how many times do they have to show their blazing incompetence?

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1108144511860117172005-02-11T12:54:00.000-05:002005-02-11T12:55:11.863-05:00

I have catblogged.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1108053424347016072005-02-10T11:20:00.000-05:002005-02-10T11:37:04.346-05:00

George W. Bush hates veterans. George W. Bush hates trains. George W. Bush hates real questions. George W. Bush hates the CIA. George W. Bush hates children. George W. Bush hates the poor. George W. Bush hates minorities. George W. Bush hates making sense. George W. Bush hates math. George W. Bush hates reality. George W. Bush hates the constitution. George W. Bush hates keeping

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1108046662075604672005-02-10T09:39:00.000-05:002005-02-10T09:44:22.076-05:00

And in a REPUBLICAN! NYT: "My budget contains some tax increases," Mrs. Rell told lawmakers gathered in the House chamber. "Not revenue enhancements or technical adjustment devices as some would like to call them. I'm telling you the truth, straight out." "I did my best to cut spending," the governor continued. "I really did. And I did cut deep. And there will be some who will predict the

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1107890062140237772005-02-08T14:11:00.000-05:002005-02-08T14:14:22.140-05:00

A friend and I were having an argument the other day about Social Security, and part of his argument hinged on the fact that the money we pay in now, if we die on our 65th birthday, we don't get it back. Well, watch this: Roger and Mary Natal. Roger and Mary get married the day after high school graduation, on Roger's 18th birthday. Roger was born in 1974. Roger, due to his supreme intelligence

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1107880891933843912005-02-08T11:39:00.000-05:002005-02-09T10:12:54.936-05:00

Yeah, I thought it had something to do with Laura and Xanax, too, but it's still good. From 2 Political Junkies

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1107879795106965562005-02-08T11:20:00.000-05:002005-02-08T11:23:15.106-05:00

I'M PAUL KRUGMAN, BITCH! All of this explains why it's foolish to imagine some sort of widely acceptable compromise with Mr. Bush about Social Security. Moderates and liberals want to preserve the America F.D.R. built. Mr. Bush and the ideological movement he leads, although they may use F.D.R.'s image in ads, want to destroy it.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1107873324102022652005-02-08T09:31:00.000-05:002005-02-08T09:36:48.706-05:00

The Albany Times-Union has an op-ed today on why anti-terror laws, as passed in New York, aren't quite working out the way we had hoped. The accused, Edgar Morales, belongs to a gang known as the St. James Boys, according to authorities. Besides filing a list of charges that are directly related to alleged street crimes -- including murder, attempted murder and assault -- Mr. Johnson has taken

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1107798877210904792005-02-07T13:28:00.000-05:002005-02-07T12:54:37.210-05:00

I swore I'd have something on Monday, and now I bring you...something. Year after year, Americans are burdened by an archaic, incoherent federal tax code. I have appointed a bipartisan panel to examine the tax code from top to bottom. And when their recommendations are delivered, you and I will work together to give this nation a tax code that is pro-growth, easy to understand, and fair to all.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1107624011960827352005-02-05T13:15:00.000-05:002005-02-05T12:20:11.960-05:00

Here's why Bush's ideas about Tort reform are bull. First of all, there've been no objective studies (by either side of the debate) about the economic impact of "frivilous" lawsuits. And the idea of "excessive" judgements is very subjective. And while the public always hears about the extreme cases, they never then hear where the judge lowers that same judgement the next day. I suspect the

EdContradictoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233195785044626660noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1107614645296128792005-02-05T09:35:00.000-05:002005-02-05T09:44:05.296-05:00

Found out about this over at DailyKOS, but I think the legislation could be very useful in the next election, so I want to talk about the story in a different context, here. Remember how I've said that one of the biggest mistake Dems made was not putting referendums on the ballot to counter-act the ones that Republicans put out there? Here's the kind of thing that they should have on the ballot

EdContradictoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233195785044626660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1107561893465482072005-02-04T19:04:00.000-05:002005-02-04T19:04:53.466-05:00

It's not good. I'll get it all out there on Monday, but it's VEEEEEEERY not good, folks.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1107558805099102012005-02-04T18:08:00.000-05:002005-02-04T18:13:25.100-05:00

If you'll notice, on the right hand side is a link for the "PBU". We've joined the "Progressive Bloggers Union", pending approval from the other site managers. Unfortunately, I can't vouch for everything they link to, but I do like what I heard, and hopefully it'll increase the traffic for the site. Of course, we'll need to post more, but that shouldn't be a problem. There's a few more things

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1107544093837649182005-02-04T14:02:00.000-05:002005-02-04T14:08:13.836-05:00

WaPo reports: He and Mark B. McClellan -- head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which administers the federal component of both programs -- implied that the administration hopes to drastically loosen the requirement that states provide long-term care in nursing homes. Keeping the elderly out of nursing homes should result in better health and lower costs, they said. Indeed,

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1107478756985096662005-02-03T19:57:00.000-05:002005-02-03T19:59:16.986-05:00

I'm very proud of myself. The SOTU posts really taught me the ins and outs of eblogger. That's why I'm going to drink heavily this weekend. GO PATS! (the above endorsement is not the official opinion of TNE. the author is a rabid patriots fan, though he cannot think of a team he'd rather see the pats lose the super bowl to, if they have to lose, than Donovan McNabb's eagles)

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1107477355804576952005-02-03T18:48:00.000-05:002005-02-03T20:19:11.260-05:00

Still working off Kos' post of the full text: Personal retirement accounts should be familiar to federal employees, because you already have something similar, called the Thrift Savings Plan, which lets workers deposit a portion of their paychecks into any of five different broadly based investment funds. That, my friend, is a retirement account. Social security is not structured to work that

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1107474464002996912005-02-03T18:44:00.000-05:002005-02-03T18:47:44.003-05:00

Every Senate republican voted yes on gonzalez today. As well as Joementum, Nelson (both of them), Landrieu and Salazaar. I will never vote for any of them. For anything. That is particularly hard for me to say, since John McCain is one of my political idols. But it's crushing once you realize that someone isn't worthy of that level of respect. I couldn't be more disappointed. ">Rude Pundit

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1107457210593678462005-02-03T13:08:00.000-05:002005-02-03T20:26:58.983-05:00

Got it from Kos. Here we go! First, we must be good stewards of this economy, and renew the great institutions on which millions of our fellow citizens rely. That's RIGHT! That's why we should add $2 trillion in debt! We need high deficits because of THE CHILDREN! In the past four years, we have provided tax relief to every person who pays income taxes, But especially to "my base"

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1107441468741626822005-02-03T09:35:00.000-05:002005-02-03T09:44:03.316-05:00

Money shot: Social Security is not nearing bankruptcy. The program won't dip into deficit for 37 to 47 years. Modest tweaks in taxes and benefits could keep it solvent for decades more. And Bush avoided the dirty little secret of private accounts: that they will do nothing to help keep Social Security solvent. Benefits will have to be reduced and/or taxes increased, with private accounts or

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1107369542576563322005-02-02T13:34:00.000-05:002005-02-02T13:40:37.006-05:00

I'm lifting this in its entirety from a letter to Eric Alterman. It's too perfect to cut. Remember this when you watch these opportunistic cynics. Remember this when you watch the people who stood up today and yesterday to be counted as supporters of torture stand up and slap their purple hands together to be counted as supporters of Bush. Remember this when you see them cashing in on Iraqi

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1106964055482729512005-01-28T20:18:00.000-05:002005-01-28T21:44:37.806-05:00

I saw something that disturbed the living hell out of me today, and I've been thinking about how to address it, but I can't seem to make a line in my head with all my thoughts, so I'm just going to write. As many of you know, there was a news report of some of the abuses at Gitmo today. The most disturbing of which included smearing menstural blood on the faces of detainees. Beyond being

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1106838749737596412005-01-27T10:11:00.000-05:002005-01-27T10:12:29.736-05:00

Take a look at the link above. MyDD has an e-mail interview with Martin Frost up, and it's very interesting. My opposition to him is much less adamant now.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1106752389472888982005-01-26T10:10:00.000-05:002005-01-26T10:15:09.120-05:00

ALBANY -- New York may be forced to privatize some major roads, bridges or other transportation assets to help pay for much-needed improvements and overall maintenance, Transportation Commissioner Joseph Boardman said Tuesday. If the state takes that route, it would join a growing number of governments looking to private investors interested in running roads and bridges in exchange for the toll

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1106669425160698772005-01-25T11:00:00.000-05:002005-01-25T11:10:25.160-05:00

Robert Kennedy Won't Run for State Attorney General Mister Mayor, you owe me a handshake and a manly hug (with the pats).

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1106664157901106552005-01-25T09:38:00.000-05:002005-01-25T09:42:37.903-05:00

in that reform package. S. 20: Putting Prevention First. Democrats are committed to reducing unintended pregnancies by increasing access to family planning services and improving contraceptive coverage. We will increase funding for family planning and empower states to enable more women to take responsibility for their health. We will also improve contraceptive coverage by assuring equity in

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1106625436865587812005-01-24T22:49:00.000-05:002005-01-24T22:57:16.866-05:00

Oh yeah baby. We're pissed, and now we're channelling our anger into something constructive. Like this. Senate Democrats open the 109th Congress steadfastly committed to keeping the promise of America, the promise that all Americans who work hard can build a stronger and brighter future for their families. By embracing and affirming our core values of security, opportunity and responsibility

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1106592386039198432005-01-24T13:38:00.000-05:002005-01-24T13:46:26.040-05:00

The Eastern Regional Caucus is coming up on Saturday, and I'm debating whether or not I should go. It's looking like it's down to Rosenberg and Dean, and I must admit I'll be happy with either of them. With no candidates to shoot down, I don't really have a huge reason to go, and since I've liked everything I've heard so far from Dean and Rosenberg, I'm wondering if it'd be worth it. So 2

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1106180737600531962005-01-19T19:08:00.000-05:002005-01-19T19:25:37.600-05:00

I like Kerry. I do. I did. I want him to do great things in the next four years. I'd like him to reform our broken voting system in the next four years. But I also don't want him to be my party's nominee four years from now. He had his chance. He came damn close. But he lost and it should be someone new in 2008. Totally new (sorry, Mr. Edwards). There have been tons of explanations

EdContradictoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233195785044626660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1106080132394311742005-01-18T15:08:00.000-05:002005-01-19T06:52:18.310-05:00

Much to the chagrin of the other interested candidates, Robert Kennedy Jr., the son the late Senator Robert Kennedy has signaled his interest in running for New York State Attorney General. This announcement means big trouble for the other candidates in the race, especially Andrew Cuomo, who is RFKJR's brother in law. Other candidates rumored to have interest in this office are former NYC

votequimby2008http://www.blogger.com/profile/00706812254151747447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1105760932595817642005-01-14T22:46:00.000-05:002005-01-14T22:48:52.596-05:00

So deal with it. I have a 3 day weekend. You'll be lucky if I post before Tuesday.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1105707737851693962005-01-14T07:58:00.000-05:002005-01-14T08:02:17.850-05:00

From the Gadflyer: Among wealthy countries, we have the highest infant mortality rate, the highest homicide rate, the highest teen birth rate, the highest child poverty rate, the highest child abuse rate, the highest child injury death rate and the greatest in-country gaps in mortality rates. Of the 25 wealthiest countries, according to the United Nation's Human Development Index, only two have

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1105670437402651442005-01-13T21:36:00.000-05:002005-01-13T21:40:37.403-05:00

Riiiiiiiiiiight. (CNN) -- A change in eligibility for Pell Grants to be announced Thursday by the Department of Education would cut some 90,000 students from the rolls of recipients and affect more than 1 million others, an education advocate says.I wonder which commentator they're going to pay to throw some lipstick on this pig. Big ups to Rob "Krispy" Kremer for the tip.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1105648337725365982005-01-13T15:27:00.000-05:002005-01-13T15:32:17.726-05:00

Saw it on Kos: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/1/13/13260/2764 They stole my idea. To make the House of Representatives more representative. By making it HUGE. 1300 people, roughly one for every 220k people, rather than what we have now. Which is a few people representing a lot. Something like one for every 675K. Read the links. Come back. Discuss.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1105633624943417602005-01-13T11:15:00.000-05:002005-01-13T11:27:04.943-05:00

Not Bib Fortuna. The goddess fortuna. She's knocking. Schwarzenegger's proposal could change all this. If his panel of retired judges actually drew congressional lines based on factors like contiguity and compactness, and tried to keep communities in the same district (something that rarely happens anymore), it could produce an explosion of contested House races. (If the panel actually made

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1105496330246807982005-01-11T21:17:00.000-05:002005-01-11T21:18:50.246-05:00

Go. Look. There's an article from the internet outreach person on Dean's campaign on the DNC, there's a roundup of the DNC southern meetings in Atl, and they call Anderson Williams "a crack in the matrix." Woah.

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1105410749138047402005-01-10T21:28:00.000-05:002005-01-10T21:32:29.136-05:00

I don't know why I went there. But I got this from the Freepers. McConnell on List for Supreme Court? NY Sun ^ | 1/10/05 | LUIZA Ch. SAVAGE Posted on 01/10/2005 6:13:22 PM PST by wagglebee WASHINGTON - With the news that Chief Justice Rehnquist will not return to the bench this week because of treatment for thyroid cancer, speculation has intensified that he may step down after

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1105381064142475402005-01-10T13:23:00.000-05:002005-01-10T13:17:44.143-05:00

You know, I figured the other sites had the "Fire the Consultants" article well covered, but then I uncovered that gem. That's from the gentleman who was a consultant on a total of at least 10 senate elections. Of those 10, only 3 won. His record of failure includes Cleeland, Bowles and Knowles. And yet, no other firm can match their unmatched record of success. Indeed, with his 30% success

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1105193258753113032005-01-08T09:06:00.000-05:002005-01-08T09:14:17.820-05:00

I am now here as well. I am now a cool, hip blogger. Frappuccinos for everyone!

EdContradictoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233195785044626660noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1105123800932403122005-01-07T13:55:00.000-05:002005-01-07T14:32:40.816-05:00

But where exactly is the beginning? For argument's sake, we'll start with the beginning of the blog. Meaning yesterday. Important day, yesterday was. 1. Gonzalez's confirmation hearing was yesterday. Maybe this was the "Shock and Awe" Bush was talking about when we started in Iraq. Took them a while, but I am both shocked and awed that they managed to find someone so mind-numbingly incompetent

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1105111137879718342005-01-07T10:12:00.000-05:002005-01-07T10:18:57.880-05:00

So the saying goes: The revolution will not be televised. Again, glad to be here.

votequimby2008http://www.blogger.com/profile/00706812254151747447noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10002006.post-1105066623129479662005-01-07T00:56:00.000-05:002005-01-06T21:57:03.130-05:00

Welcome to The Next Election! What we will be doing here, for as long as we are able to, is discussing how to get progressives elected in the next election. Doesn't matter when that is. We'll talk about campaign strategy, issues, themes, framing, message, anything we can think of that will win. More coming soon...

Jimmythinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542572049548221918noreply@blogger.com1