"We Don't Do Politics in the Department of Homeland Security." TIME Magazine looks into how the alerts took the winds from the sails of the Kerry Campaign. (TIME)
Still not Scared Enough About a Terrorist Attack? The Homeland Security Department will get to you through your kids and your boss. There won’t be anywhere you can go without hearing the importance of being prepared. (USA Today)
It Happened in Spain. Could it happen here? MSNBC looks at how an attack could shape up – along with an interactive map with state-by-state stats on potential targets. (MSNBC)
Terrorists as Tourists. The New York Times reports that terrorists have eyed tourist helicopters as potential weapons. Security for helicopter operators are being tightened in NYC. (NYT)
Got a Question for President Bush? Try out “Ask the White House.” It’s an online chat forum held about five times a week. You can ask questions as tough as you want or find out the truth behind such things as whether there’s really a red phone on the President’s desk.
Iraq’s oil exports are nearing full capacity. So why is the US still paying the way for the country with the world’s second largest oil reserves? (CNN)
The US elections will be monitored by international observers. Thirteen Democratic members of the House of Representatives asked for observers from the UN. The House voted to bar federal funds from paying for anything like that. Now the State Department has invited the group of observers. Hey, they could get to spend the winter in Florida – if there’s a repeat of 2000. (CNN)
If "Pro-" is the Opposite of "Con-," What's the Opposite of "Progress?" Election year politics is slowing down Congress’ work. That’s nothing new, but some politicians say this may be the worst year they can remember. (Omaha World-Herald)
Through Washington’s Revolving Door. Can’t get Washington interested in the idea of raising coal dust levels and increasing the risk of black lung disease? Then get a job in government and do it yourself. It’s got coal miners all choked up. (NYT)
Yeah, But It’s Coming from Lawyers. A poll for the American Bar Association says 60% of Americans look forward to jury duty and nearly three quarters say people should not shirk the duty. No word if respondents were under oath when answering pollsters’ questions. (ABC News)
Monday, August 09, 2004
POLITICS -- All We Have To Fear Is The Next 84 Days
Political Playbook. The 9/11 Commission Report is perhaps the single most influential thing in shaping American politics in this election year.
Age Against the Political Machine. The average age of American poll workers is 72. That has some people wondering if age alone could be a problem in a close election this fall. (USAToday)
Preaching to the Choir. Conservative churches are serving as surrogate campaign organizations for the Bush/Cheney Campaign. I told you last week how Jerry Falwell was hosting seminars for pastors to get around tax rules while campaigning for President Bush's re-election. Guess they figure Kerry/Edwards don’t have a prayer. (NYT)
The Anti-Kerry Crew. Swift Boat Veterans for Truth claim to be nonpartisan. But they ain't too swift when it comes to covering their political tracks. It turns out that two of its three main backers are old deck hands at contributing to GOP causes and candidates. Texas homebuilder Bob Perry has given $100,000, and Dallas real estate executive Harlan Crow has given Republicans $25,000. (USA Today)
Frank Talk. The general who engineered American victories in Afghanistan and Iraq is standing up for Kerry’s military record. General Tommy Franks called the swift boat vets’ claims political hyperbole and says Kerry is “absolutely” qualified to be Commander –in-Chief. General Franks refuses to say if he'll endorse President Bush for re-election. (USA Today)
Kerry’s Gunning for NRA Votes. Even as the NRA takes aim at John Kerry’s campaign, Kerry’s TV ads in swing states show the Massachusetts Senator blasting everything that moves on a hunting trip. (WashPost)
Flip Flop. Rep Rodney Alexander (D-LA) or (R-LA) switched from Democrat to Republican Parties at the last minute before the ballot closed in Baton Rouge. You’d think a change of heart like that would be called a “flip-flop” by President Bush. But Bush rang him up to thank him. (USA Today)
Age Against the Political Machine. The average age of American poll workers is 72. That has some people wondering if age alone could be a problem in a close election this fall. (USAToday)
Preaching to the Choir. Conservative churches are serving as surrogate campaign organizations for the Bush/Cheney Campaign. I told you last week how Jerry Falwell was hosting seminars for pastors to get around tax rules while campaigning for President Bush's re-election. Guess they figure Kerry/Edwards don’t have a prayer. (NYT)
The Anti-Kerry Crew. Swift Boat Veterans for Truth claim to be nonpartisan. But they ain't too swift when it comes to covering their political tracks. It turns out that two of its three main backers are old deck hands at contributing to GOP causes and candidates. Texas homebuilder Bob Perry has given $100,000, and Dallas real estate executive Harlan Crow has given Republicans $25,000. (USA Today)
Frank Talk. The general who engineered American victories in Afghanistan and Iraq is standing up for Kerry’s military record. General Tommy Franks called the swift boat vets’ claims political hyperbole and says Kerry is “absolutely” qualified to be Commander –in-Chief. General Franks refuses to say if he'll endorse President Bush for re-election. (USA Today)
Kerry’s Gunning for NRA Votes. Even as the NRA takes aim at John Kerry’s campaign, Kerry’s TV ads in swing states show the Massachusetts Senator blasting everything that moves on a hunting trip. (WashPost)
Flip Flop. Rep Rodney Alexander (D-LA) or (R-LA) switched from Democrat to Republican Parties at the last minute before the ballot closed in Baton Rouge. You’d think a change of heart like that would be called a “flip-flop” by President Bush. But Bush rang him up to thank him. (USA Today)
Friday, August 06, 2004
The Sideshow -- August 6, 2004
Hijacking Anti-Terrorism Money. Estes Park, Colorado’s fire department got almost $100,000 in your tax money to prepare for homeland security. They spent it on a private gym for 37 volunteer firefighters. It’s part of $122 million in federal help for homeland security. But they’re keeping secret where the money went. KUSA in Denver tried to find out. So did the Denver Post. Around the country, local governments have been spending your federal tax dollars on thing like traffic cones, janitor bills, and a clock with a hidden camera for a bureaucrat’s office. (Al’s Morning Meeting)
Putting More Cops on the Streets...of Baghdad. Meanwhile, another state reports they’re shorthanded. Mississippi has lost 80 state troopers to National Guard and Reserve call ups. That’s leaving fewer people at home to be first responders in the event of a terrorist attack. Why would terrorists bother with Mississippi? Aside from major ports, it is home to the world’s largest nuclear plant.
Which Makes This Make Sense. Government regulators will no longer let you know when a nuclear plant experiences a safety lapse. They claim it would give useful information to terrorists. Of course, it was giving useful information to people who live near the plants. Somewhere, Homer Simpson is saying, “woo-hoo!”
If We Don’t Fix This, The Japanese Beetles Have Already Won. In addition to securing our borders from terrorists, the Homeland Security Department also guards us against bugs sneaking into the The Homeland Security Department is letting a lot more bugs sneak into the country since taking over that job from the Agriculture Department. The Homeland Security folks say they need 500 more inspectors to do the job right. (FOX News)
Pack Light. GOP Convention delegates have gotten a list of banned items for their get-together in New York City. Baby strollers and umbrellas pose a security threat. Baby strollers? Isn't this supposed to be the 'family values' party? (NYT)
Who’s Watching Out for the Watchdogs? Marc Nichols was the Inspector General for the Government Printing Office. An Inspector General is supposed to look for waste, fraud, and abuse in government agencies. Nichols claims he was fired for finding those things at the Printing Office. The head of the agency can fire Igs. Rep Jim Cooper (D-TN) has a bill before Congress that would guarantee Inspectors General a fixed seven-year term to fix problems. (WashPost)
It Ain't Free Speech if I Have to Pay for It on My Phone Bill. Taking a break from talking tough about talking dirty on radio and TV, the FCC moves to block something far more offensive to far more people – SPAM. The FCC has plans to ban it from cell phones and PDAs. (WashPost)
Putting More Cops on the Streets...of Baghdad. Meanwhile, another state reports they’re shorthanded. Mississippi has lost 80 state troopers to National Guard and Reserve call ups. That’s leaving fewer people at home to be first responders in the event of a terrorist attack. Why would terrorists bother with Mississippi? Aside from major ports, it is home to the world’s largest nuclear plant.
Which Makes This Make Sense. Government regulators will no longer let you know when a nuclear plant experiences a safety lapse. They claim it would give useful information to terrorists. Of course, it was giving useful information to people who live near the plants. Somewhere, Homer Simpson is saying, “woo-hoo!”
If We Don’t Fix This, The Japanese Beetles Have Already Won. In addition to securing our borders from terrorists, the Homeland Security Department also guards us against bugs sneaking into the The Homeland Security Department is letting a lot more bugs sneak into the country since taking over that job from the Agriculture Department. The Homeland Security folks say they need 500 more inspectors to do the job right. (FOX News)
Pack Light. GOP Convention delegates have gotten a list of banned items for their get-together in New York City. Baby strollers and umbrellas pose a security threat. Baby strollers? Isn't this supposed to be the 'family values' party? (NYT)
Who’s Watching Out for the Watchdogs? Marc Nichols was the Inspector General for the Government Printing Office. An Inspector General is supposed to look for waste, fraud, and abuse in government agencies. Nichols claims he was fired for finding those things at the Printing Office. The head of the agency can fire Igs. Rep Jim Cooper (D-TN) has a bill before Congress that would guarantee Inspectors General a fixed seven-year term to fix problems. (WashPost)
It Ain't Free Speech if I Have to Pay for It on My Phone Bill. Taking a break from talking tough about talking dirty on radio and TV, the FCC moves to block something far more offensive to far more people – SPAM. The FCC has plans to ban it from cell phones and PDAs. (WashPost)
POLITICS -- All We Have to Fear is the Next 87 Days
From Our "I Was Never Hurt by Anything I Didn't Say" Department. “Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we,” Bush said. “They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.” -- President George W. Bush, signing the Defense Authorization Act, August 5, 2004
Whatever Floats Your Swift Boat. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) is blasting the swift boat veterans who are blasting John Kerry in a new TV ad. But now one of that anti-Kerry crew is retreating from his criticism and argues that Kerry deserved the Silver Star. None of the Swift boat veterans featured in the ad served on Kerry’s boat in Vietnam.
The Candidate from the Shallow End of the Gene Pool. James Hart, the Eugenics Candidate who’s running unopposed for the Republican Congressional nomination in Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District, has a website allowing you to chime in on his racial purity views.
Unanimous Thumbs Down. Michael Moore can still run ads for his movie Fahrenheit 911. The group Citizens United complained that ads for the movie amounted to campaign ads against President Bush and should be subject to campaign finance laws. The Federal Election Commission gave the group a bad review. (MSNBC)
That's Show Business. President Bill Clinton will appear on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart but he’s skipping SNL.
Whatever Floats Your Swift Boat. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) is blasting the swift boat veterans who are blasting John Kerry in a new TV ad. But now one of that anti-Kerry crew is retreating from his criticism and argues that Kerry deserved the Silver Star. None of the Swift boat veterans featured in the ad served on Kerry’s boat in Vietnam.
The Candidate from the Shallow End of the Gene Pool. James Hart, the Eugenics Candidate who’s running unopposed for the Republican Congressional nomination in Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District, has a website allowing you to chime in on his racial purity views.
Unanimous Thumbs Down. Michael Moore can still run ads for his movie Fahrenheit 911. The group Citizens United complained that ads for the movie amounted to campaign ads against President Bush and should be subject to campaign finance laws. The Federal Election Commission gave the group a bad review. (MSNBC)
That's Show Business. President Bill Clinton will appear on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart but he’s skipping SNL.
Thursday, August 05, 2004
Right on Schedule
Back before the Democratic National Convention started, the New Republic reported that the Bush Administration was pressuring Pakistan to deliver a HVT -- High Value Target -- during the convention.
Big news like that would take the steam out of John Kerry’s sails -- and bump him off the front pages of newspapers.
In fact, the New Republic reported in its July 19th edition that US government officials insisted that the HVT be delivered on one of three specific dates in July -- all falling during the convention.
The Bush White House was effectively accused of using the full resources of the federal government for the Bush Campaign.
As if that would ever happen.
The Pakistanis came through and actually captured a HVT, but it was before the convention. Not to worry. The US government insisted they not announce the capture until later on.
Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani was arrested on Sunday, July 25. He was wanted in the African embassy bombings.
He was captures the day before the convention began -- and a day before the New Republic predicted as the earliest the announcement would happen. But the announcement wasn't made until Thursday, July 29th.
Oddly, that was the very day John Kerry accepted the Democrat Nomination.
The New Republic suggested the administration pressured Pakistan to deliver a HVT on the first three days of the DNC.
There had been earlier reports that Abu Musab al Zarqawi, the badman du jour in Iraq was the actual prisoner. As if it was a trial balloon that caught no media wind, the name changed by Thursday.
Maybe we’ll hear about al Zarqawi’s arrest during the Republican Convention. Bin Laden could be safe until the night before the election.
It may depend on how much pressure the Pakistani Campaign Committee is under.
Nothing against rounding up terrorists. Just wish we'd seen more of this enthusiasm around 9/11 instead of leading up to election day three years later.
Big news like that would take the steam out of John Kerry’s sails -- and bump him off the front pages of newspapers.
In fact, the New Republic reported in its July 19th edition that US government officials insisted that the HVT be delivered on one of three specific dates in July -- all falling during the convention.
The Bush White House was effectively accused of using the full resources of the federal government for the Bush Campaign.
As if that would ever happen.
The Pakistanis came through and actually captured a HVT, but it was before the convention. Not to worry. The US government insisted they not announce the capture until later on.
Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani was arrested on Sunday, July 25. He was wanted in the African embassy bombings.
He was captures the day before the convention began -- and a day before the New Republic predicted as the earliest the announcement would happen. But the announcement wasn't made until Thursday, July 29th.
Oddly, that was the very day John Kerry accepted the Democrat Nomination.
The New Republic suggested the administration pressured Pakistan to deliver a HVT on the first three days of the DNC.
There had been earlier reports that Abu Musab al Zarqawi, the badman du jour in Iraq was the actual prisoner. As if it was a trial balloon that caught no media wind, the name changed by Thursday.
Maybe we’ll hear about al Zarqawi’s arrest during the Republican Convention. Bin Laden could be safe until the night before the election.
It may depend on how much pressure the Pakistani Campaign Committee is under.
Nothing against rounding up terrorists. Just wish we'd seen more of this enthusiasm around 9/11 instead of leading up to election day three years later.
The Sideshow -- August 5, 2004
Pssst! Wanna Know a Secret? The Washington Post reports that a FOX News reporter gave up his source on classified leaks to the media. The Post reports it was Sen Richard Shelby (R-AL) who leaked classified intercepted messages to reporters while he served on the Senate Intelligence Committee two years ago. The Post quotes unnamed sources in the investigation as leaking to them word that FOX News’ Carl Cameron identified Shelby as his source. FOX never aired the information. Shelby reportedly met with CNN’s Dana Bash shortly after talking with Cameron. CNN aired the story. (WashPost)
Sandy's Socks are Clean. Meanwhile, Clinton Administration National Security Advisor Sandy Berger has been cleared of charges he mishandled, or stole, or stuffed classified documents in his socks. Both the National Archives and the Justice Department say nothing’s missing after all.
Book Tour. The 9/11 Commission Report is a best seller. And commissioners are on something akin to a book tour. What does every successful author need? A public relations firm. The 9/11 Commission hired Edelman Public Relations Worldwide to handle their PR. (WashPost)
Mixed Message. A handful of buildings are on Orange Alert. The Citicorp Building in New York City is one of them. But if the Citicorp building is under such a great terrorist threat, why did President Bush send First Lady Laura Bush there?
Why Fly Coach, when You can Bill Taxpayers for the Upgrade? Big shots at USAID – the agency that hands out foreign aid – spent $2 million of your tax money to upgrade airline tickets from coach to business class over the last two years. Among the upgrades – a trip for two officials to Zurich that cost $1,770 to fly coach wound up costing you $13,000. (ABC News)
Minority Report. You’re knocked unconscious before the battle begins, are out as your comrades engage in a Silver Star worthy firefight, and are still immobilized when Special Forces troops retrieve you. So how is it YOU become the hero? It might help if you’re blond, blue-eyed, and the standard of beauty for the majority of the press who will cover your ordeal. A new survey shows only 10.5% of the Washington Press Corps are minorities. I must fall into that .5% -- since I’m part Cherokee. (AJR)
Sandy's Socks are Clean. Meanwhile, Clinton Administration National Security Advisor Sandy Berger has been cleared of charges he mishandled, or stole, or stuffed classified documents in his socks. Both the National Archives and the Justice Department say nothing’s missing after all.
Book Tour. The 9/11 Commission Report is a best seller. And commissioners are on something akin to a book tour. What does every successful author need? A public relations firm. The 9/11 Commission hired Edelman Public Relations Worldwide to handle their PR. (WashPost)
Mixed Message. A handful of buildings are on Orange Alert. The Citicorp Building in New York City is one of them. But if the Citicorp building is under such a great terrorist threat, why did President Bush send First Lady Laura Bush there?
Why Fly Coach, when You can Bill Taxpayers for the Upgrade? Big shots at USAID – the agency that hands out foreign aid – spent $2 million of your tax money to upgrade airline tickets from coach to business class over the last two years. Among the upgrades – a trip for two officials to Zurich that cost $1,770 to fly coach wound up costing you $13,000. (ABC News)
Minority Report. You’re knocked unconscious before the battle begins, are out as your comrades engage in a Silver Star worthy firefight, and are still immobilized when Special Forces troops retrieve you. So how is it YOU become the hero? It might help if you’re blond, blue-eyed, and the standard of beauty for the majority of the press who will cover your ordeal. A new survey shows only 10.5% of the Washington Press Corps are minorities. I must fall into that .5% -- since I’m part Cherokee. (AJR)
POLITICS -- All we Have to Fear is the Next 88 Days
It’s Where The Money Is. President Bush and Senator John Kerry both showed up in Davenport, Iowa at the same time. That stretched police thin. Thin enough to allow three bank robberies in about an hour. (Quad-Cities Times)
The Corn-fed Candidate. It’s got to Beat the Rubber Chicken Circuit. President Bush, trying to impress voters in the corn growing state of Iowa, ate some corn on the cob at a campaign event. He ate it raw. I thought in Texas, they call that ‘cattle feed.’ (Reuters)
Campaign Money-Go-Round. Soft money has been replaced by the power of “527 committees.” They get the name from the section of the tax code allowing them. Just 135 people and groups have contributed more than $50,000 to 527 committees this election year. But that adds up to $52 million. Most of that’s going to committees favorable to Democrat causes and candidates. The 50 biggest 527s are led by five liberal organizations. Both the Center for Public Integrity and the Center for Responsive Politics track these new groups. (Al’s Morning Meeting)
Free Advertising. John Kerry’s getting $6.5 million worth of TV ads in 20 key states, $2.5 million worth of ads in five battleground states, and $500,000 worth of TV ads in Spanish in 11 cities. But the Kerry Campaign isn’t spending a dime for any of it. Those 527s are working for him. (NYT)
View the Democratic Party’s ad: “Strength”
View John Kerry’s Campaign ads: Kerry/Edwards
View actor Will Ferrell playing President Bush shilling for “ACT-Americans Coming Together,” a 527 committee: “Straight Talk”
Ramsey Loses. John Ramsey, father of Jon Benet Ramsey, lost his bid for the Michigan legislator. Mr. Ramsey finished second in a field of six for the Republican nomination. (CNN)
The Eugenics Candidate. He shows up at your door wearing a bulletproof vest, totin’ a gun, and asking for your vote. James L. Hart is running for Congress in Tennessee supporting a return to ‘eugenics’ – the false science that was dreamed up to ‘purify the races.’ Think that’s scary? Since he has no opponents, he’ll likely win tomorrow’s Republican Primary. (AP)
Them Godless Democrats. The more you worship, the more likely you are to vote Republican. That’s what number crunchers found from exit polls. Seems if you vote Democrat, you don’t have a prayer. Not to say the Democrats are preying on the prayerful for their votes. The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life keep track of people in the pews going to voting booths. (Al’s Morning Meeting)
Preaching to the Choir. Meanwhile Jerry Falwell is sponsoring a seminar to let preachers learn how to work for politicians without losing their churches’ tax-exempt status. (FOX News)
The Letter of the Law. The W Hotel chain has fired off a nasty letter to folks cashing in on the President George W. Bush’s middle initial. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., has unchained the lawyers as they protect their trademark claim to the letter logo. Must be Friends of Bill. President Clinton’s staffer’s removed “W” keys from computer keyboards on their way out. No word on what the hoteliers are planning for “W” ketchup sold in Wal-Marts, (NY Post)
Driving a Stake Through Three Purple Hearts. Unfit for Command, a new book, claims that John Kerry stretched the truth about his Vietnam experiences. Meanwhile, Sword of Dracula, a comic book, highlights Kerry’s exploits battling Dracula and other Vampires during his stint in Southeast Asia. (Seattle Times)
The Corn-fed Candidate. It’s got to Beat the Rubber Chicken Circuit. President Bush, trying to impress voters in the corn growing state of Iowa, ate some corn on the cob at a campaign event. He ate it raw. I thought in Texas, they call that ‘cattle feed.’ (Reuters)
Campaign Money-Go-Round. Soft money has been replaced by the power of “527 committees.” They get the name from the section of the tax code allowing them. Just 135 people and groups have contributed more than $50,000 to 527 committees this election year. But that adds up to $52 million. Most of that’s going to committees favorable to Democrat causes and candidates. The 50 biggest 527s are led by five liberal organizations. Both the Center for Public Integrity and the Center for Responsive Politics track these new groups. (Al’s Morning Meeting)
Free Advertising. John Kerry’s getting $6.5 million worth of TV ads in 20 key states, $2.5 million worth of ads in five battleground states, and $500,000 worth of TV ads in Spanish in 11 cities. But the Kerry Campaign isn’t spending a dime for any of it. Those 527s are working for him. (NYT)
View the Democratic Party’s ad: “Strength”
View John Kerry’s Campaign ads: Kerry/Edwards
View actor Will Ferrell playing President Bush shilling for “ACT-Americans Coming Together,” a 527 committee: “Straight Talk”
Ramsey Loses. John Ramsey, father of Jon Benet Ramsey, lost his bid for the Michigan legislator. Mr. Ramsey finished second in a field of six for the Republican nomination. (CNN)
The Eugenics Candidate. He shows up at your door wearing a bulletproof vest, totin’ a gun, and asking for your vote. James L. Hart is running for Congress in Tennessee supporting a return to ‘eugenics’ – the false science that was dreamed up to ‘purify the races.’ Think that’s scary? Since he has no opponents, he’ll likely win tomorrow’s Republican Primary. (AP)
Them Godless Democrats. The more you worship, the more likely you are to vote Republican. That’s what number crunchers found from exit polls. Seems if you vote Democrat, you don’t have a prayer. Not to say the Democrats are preying on the prayerful for their votes. The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life keep track of people in the pews going to voting booths. (Al’s Morning Meeting)
Preaching to the Choir. Meanwhile Jerry Falwell is sponsoring a seminar to let preachers learn how to work for politicians without losing their churches’ tax-exempt status. (FOX News)
The Letter of the Law. The W Hotel chain has fired off a nasty letter to folks cashing in on the President George W. Bush’s middle initial. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., has unchained the lawyers as they protect their trademark claim to the letter logo. Must be Friends of Bill. President Clinton’s staffer’s removed “W” keys from computer keyboards on their way out. No word on what the hoteliers are planning for “W” ketchup sold in Wal-Marts, (NY Post)
Driving a Stake Through Three Purple Hearts. Unfit for Command, a new book, claims that John Kerry stretched the truth about his Vietnam experiences. Meanwhile, Sword of Dracula, a comic book, highlights Kerry’s exploits battling Dracula and other Vampires during his stint in Southeast Asia. (Seattle Times)
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
Taking Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is open again. It is one of our most cherished symbols. But there is new symbolism reflecting a changing world.
"I think it shows the world that liberty cannot be intimidated," Craig Manson, the Assistant Interior Secretary, said about the reopening.
But Liberty was intimidated for nearly three years after the 9/11 attacks. And you still can't climb the stairs to the top and look out on New York -- first stop in the New World. It's just too unsafe, they tell us.
You can see the interior details of the Statue by looking up Lady Liberty's skirt -- through a glass cieling -- talk about symbolism.
You must walk through security checkpoints, be searched for explosives, and walk past the armed S.W.A.T. teams ready to repel a terrorist attack.
A spokeswoman told NPR it was a balance of 'security and liberty.'
As W.C. Fields said, "All things considered. I'd rather be in Philadelphia."
Philadelphia was Ben Franklin's stomping ground.
Remember him? The guy who said, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Never a good trade.
"I think it shows the world that liberty cannot be intimidated," Craig Manson, the Assistant Interior Secretary, said about the reopening.
But Liberty was intimidated for nearly three years after the 9/11 attacks. And you still can't climb the stairs to the top and look out on New York -- first stop in the New World. It's just too unsafe, they tell us.
You can see the interior details of the Statue by looking up Lady Liberty's skirt -- through a glass cieling -- talk about symbolism.
You must walk through security checkpoints, be searched for explosives, and walk past the armed S.W.A.T. teams ready to repel a terrorist attack.
A spokeswoman told NPR it was a balance of 'security and liberty.'
As W.C. Fields said, "All things considered. I'd rather be in Philadelphia."
Philadelphia was Ben Franklin's stomping ground.
Remember him? The guy who said, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Never a good trade.
The Side Show -- August 4, 2004
Credibility Gap. Because the White House left out an important fact, the Bush Campaign faces a credibility gap. The Administration went to great details to dramatize the latest terror threat when they announced it Sunday. But failed to mention their warning was based on three year old terrorist plans. The Washington Post's Glenn Kessler offers analysis. (WashPost)
How Smart is this Intelligence Reform? President Bush -- who opposed the creation of a 9/11 Commission, then resisted testifying before it -- is quickly embracing some of its recommendations. He's going along with a new National Intelligence Director to coordinate America's 15 intelligence agencies. But the President wants to deny the new guy the power to hire and fire people and keep him from having any control over budgets. People in Congress, like Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) claim that's just window dressing. (WashPost)
The Pricet of Eternal Vigilance. New Jersey is spending $16,000 a day in overtime to guard the Holland Tunnel in the latest terror alert. The Capitol Police will spend $3 million a month in overtime. Then there are the city police forces in Washington, Newark, and New York. The price of eternal vigilance is costing city governments dearly. (NYT)
Goosing Gas Prices. The terror alert is making some Nellies nervous in the oil futures business. That could send your gas prices back above $2.00 a gallon.
Plane Expensive. 9/11 has shone the light on how many politicians are flying around the country on taxpayer supported planes. The numbers were hard to pin down before. But since 9/11, you have to get a waiver to fly into Washington-Reagan National Airport outside Washington. The New Republic reports that since 9/11, politicians have been granted 244 waivers to fly in on a corporate, private, or chartered plane.
The magazine reports flights by a handful of prominent politicians:
- Governor Mark Warner (D-VA) -- 46 times
- Governor Sonny Perdue (R-GA) -- 26 times
- Governor George Pataki (R-NY) -- 24 times
- Governor Jeb Bush (R-FL) -- 16 times
- Senator John Kerry (D-MA) -- 14 times
Operating a private plane can cost $600 to $2,000 an hour. It just seems cheaper to politicians if taxpayers are buying the gas. (New Republic)
Long Lines, Cramped Seats, and the President's Daughters. Not much better for us if politicians get involved with commercial flights. US Airways admits it diverted a regularly scheduled flight between Boston and Washington to pick up some stranded passengers in Albany, NY. Among the stranded passengers just happened to be the Bush twins. You'd have thunk they could have waited in the airport bar. (WRAL.com)
The Skyrocketing Costs of Spaceflight. President Bush wants to return Americans to the moon. We may have a tough time just returning Americans to space. The Shuttle fleet's been grounded for well over a year -- ever since the Challenger crash. Now, NASA estimates it'll take $900 million to get them into orbit again. (Omaha World-Herald)
Halliburton in a Controversial Money Deal, That's a First! Iraq has the second largest oil reserves in the world. So why is it importing oil? A new audit shows the Coalition Provisional Authority took $1.6 billion (with a "B") from the Iraqi treasury to pay a Halliburton subsidiary for that and some other work. (MSNBC)
Gifts for Those Who Govern. Saudia Arabia's leader, Crown Prince Abdullah gave $128,000 worth of fine jewelry to President Bush, the Bush family, and the President's top aides last year. The State Department is out with its list of gifts to government officials. It's in the Federal Register, along with all the other pricey presents. Be sure to look for Argentine President Nestor Kirchner's gift -- 300 pounds of raw lamb. Yum! (WashPost Third Item)
POLITICS -- All We Have to Fear is the Next 89 Days
We'll All Sleep Easier Knowing This. "We don't do politics in the Department of Homeland Security," Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge declared Tuesday. The New York Times analyzes how little difference there is between security and politics this election year. (NYT)
Washington's Campaign Money-Go-Round. The Democratic National Party and 527 group "Media Fund" are buying a combined $8.5 million in campaign TV ads this week. That's double what he Bush/Cheney camp's spending. John Kerry accepted public funding for the fall campaign. So he can't spend any of the $37 million he had left over at the end of the Convention. But he can give it to the Democrat Party, which can spend it on ads for him, how is this supposed to clean up campaign financing again? (The Hill)
Buzz Words of the Moment. Lincoln gave us "of the people, by the people, and for the people." JFK gave us, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." Guess what the Democratic National Convention's most quoted line was? Don't want to guess? Then, shove it! Maybe the media have a fixation.
Maybe There's a Full Moon. Regardless of What You've Heard, Congress is Not a Cult. But the Rev. Sun Myung Moon -- leader of the "Moonies"--is trying to influence policy by Shanghaiing Congressmen, diplomats, and other government leaders to symposiums, conferences, and meetings. They'll be asking for your vote in the airports next. (The Hill)
They Pre-empted "Herbie the Love Bug." Fidel Castro broadcast Fahrenheit 9/11 on Cuban TV--without Michael Moore's permission. That could kill it's chances for a best documentary Oscar. At least we wouldn't have to listen to a repeat of last year's acceptance speech from Michael Moore.
Washington's Campaign Money-Go-Round. The Democratic National Party and 527 group "Media Fund" are buying a combined $8.5 million in campaign TV ads this week. That's double what he Bush/Cheney camp's spending. John Kerry accepted public funding for the fall campaign. So he can't spend any of the $37 million he had left over at the end of the Convention. But he can give it to the Democrat Party, which can spend it on ads for him, how is this supposed to clean up campaign financing again? (The Hill)
Buzz Words of the Moment. Lincoln gave us "of the people, by the people, and for the people." JFK gave us, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." Guess what the Democratic National Convention's most quoted line was? Don't want to guess? Then, shove it! Maybe the media have a fixation.
Maybe There's a Full Moon. Regardless of What You've Heard, Congress is Not a Cult. But the Rev. Sun Myung Moon -- leader of the "Moonies"--is trying to influence policy by Shanghaiing Congressmen, diplomats, and other government leaders to symposiums, conferences, and meetings. They'll be asking for your vote in the airports next. (The Hill)
They Pre-empted "Herbie the Love Bug." Fidel Castro broadcast Fahrenheit 9/11 on Cuban TV--without Michael Moore's permission. That could kill it's chances for a best documentary Oscar. At least we wouldn't have to listen to a repeat of last year's acceptance speech from Michael Moore.
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
America on "Orange" Alert -- Americans' B.S. Detectors on "Red" Alert
New York, Newark, and Washington are on Orange Alert. What that means is that we're no longer on Yellow Alert--whatever that meant.
After 'crying wolf' in the past, the Department of Homeland Security released an amazing amount of details to justify this cry.
But this latest cry of wolf turns out to be based on information that's three years old. The info that led the Department of Homeland Security to raise the color alert to Orange, or Mango, or Partridge Family School Bus Psychedelic, was actually compiled back BEFORE the September 11, 2001 attacks.
So is there really an imminent threat of attack -- as there was with Iraq?
Or is our government just getting around to something they should have been concerned about in August, 2001, instead of August, 2004?
A Healthy Dose of Skepticism?
You've gotta believe there's plenty of healthy skepticism about what is really behind Sunday's sudden announcement.
Do you know the first words out of Secretary Ridge's mouth after his customary greeting when he made the announcement? It wasn't "America faces a threat," or "Terrorists are planning attacks," it was "President Bush."
That should get your attention.
If it doesn't, less than halfway through his appearance, there in the middle of Ridge's scripted announcement, was the kind of blurb better suited to a campaign ad than for soothing Americans' minds:
The alert came on a slow news day, a Sunday.
Sundays are when newspapers are looking for anything to put in Monday's issue, when Good Morning America and Today are looking for guests after a weekend off, a day when anything big gets big media attention for two days.
It came immediately after the Democratic National Convention, at the beginning of the first full week of the fall election campaign.
The alert affects Washington, DC and New York City -- the two largest media centers in the nation, home to most network's broadcast centers or their largest bureaus, home to some of the most widely read newspapers ACROSS the country.
The traffic checkpoints, the tightened security at federal buildings, the machine gun totin' guards on the subways and street corners don't simply make life tougher for terrorists.
They also serve as a constant display to the reporters, editors, and photographers who work in those markets and may paint their impressions of coverage.
And how long will this subtle imagery be in front of journalists on their way to daily story meetings?
Both DC Police Chief Charles Ramsey and Capitol Police Chief Terrance Gainer say the alert will last through the election in November.
And if this turns out to be all just a show of the administration's resolve, you've just made a campaign contribution. Gainer figures it'll cost taxpayers $3 million a month in overtime every month until the terror alert color changes again.
The Spin Doctor is In
So is this alert a bad thing?
'Crying wolf' doesn't mean a wolf won't eventually show up. That's the way the story ends, remember.
But maybe the administration has something else in mind.
Sure, it makes people skeptical. Skepticism is healthy. And with 40 million Americans unable to afford health insurance, maybe this is the Administration's idea of a health care plan.
After 'crying wolf' in the past, the Department of Homeland Security released an amazing amount of details to justify this cry.
But this latest cry of wolf turns out to be based on information that's three years old. The info that led the Department of Homeland Security to raise the color alert to Orange, or Mango, or Partridge Family School Bus Psychedelic, was actually compiled back BEFORE the September 11, 2001 attacks.
So is there really an imminent threat of attack -- as there was with Iraq?
Or is our government just getting around to something they should have been concerned about in August, 2001, instead of August, 2004?
A Healthy Dose of Skepticism?
You've gotta believe there's plenty of healthy skepticism about what is really behind Sunday's sudden announcement.
Do you know the first words out of Secretary Ridge's mouth after his customary greeting when he made the announcement? It wasn't "America faces a threat," or "Terrorists are planning attacks," it was "President Bush."
That should get your attention.
If it doesn't, less than halfway through his appearance, there in the middle of Ridge's scripted announcement, was the kind of blurb better suited to a campaign ad than for soothing Americans' minds:
Timing is Everything"But we must understand that the kind of information available to us today is the result of the President's leadership in the war against terror. "
The alert came on a slow news day, a Sunday.
Sundays are when newspapers are looking for anything to put in Monday's issue, when Good Morning America and Today are looking for guests after a weekend off, a day when anything big gets big media attention for two days.
It came immediately after the Democratic National Convention, at the beginning of the first full week of the fall election campaign.
The alert affects Washington, DC and New York City -- the two largest media centers in the nation, home to most network's broadcast centers or their largest bureaus, home to some of the most widely read newspapers ACROSS the country.
The traffic checkpoints, the tightened security at federal buildings, the machine gun totin' guards on the subways and street corners don't simply make life tougher for terrorists.
They also serve as a constant display to the reporters, editors, and photographers who work in those markets and may paint their impressions of coverage.
And how long will this subtle imagery be in front of journalists on their way to daily story meetings?
Both DC Police Chief Charles Ramsey and Capitol Police Chief Terrance Gainer say the alert will last through the election in November.
And if this turns out to be all just a show of the administration's resolve, you've just made a campaign contribution. Gainer figures it'll cost taxpayers $3 million a month in overtime every month until the terror alert color changes again.
The Spin Doctor is In
So is this alert a bad thing?
'Crying wolf' doesn't mean a wolf won't eventually show up. That's the way the story ends, remember.
But maybe the administration has something else in mind.
Sure, it makes people skeptical. Skepticism is healthy. And with 40 million Americans unable to afford health insurance, maybe this is the Administration's idea of a health care plan.
The Sideshow -- August 3, 2004
Who will guard the Guardians? Washington has shelled out $24 million of your tax dollars to a private contractor who’s job it is to keep tabs on government spending on contractors. And it could make it harder--and more expensive--to find out how your money’s spent. The General Services Administration used to run the Federal Procurement Data System. Now a company called Global Computer Enterprises of Reston, Virginia is paid to do it.
It costs about $2,000 to download a year’s worth of contract data right now. Big newspapers, like the Washington Post would pay that price to have reporters look for shady deals. But there are reports the price could shoot up to tens of thousands of dollars -- enough to keep a lot of nosey watchdogs from nosing around.
Outta the Park! A subtle change in the corporate tax code Congress is considering could suddenly make professional sports franchises worth millions more on paper. It would allow them to write off a ton of taxes when the team sells. It could be worth up to $41 million dollars to the New York Yankees alone. Now, why in the world would Congress think about a special tax break for sports franchises? Could it be the more than $7 million dollars in campaign contributions since 2000?
Yeah, you’ll get a tax break. Florida lowered its gasoline tax by 8-cents on the gallon to ease pressure on overtaxed drivers. It was supposed to save drivers $60-million. Guess what. Many gas stations did NOT pass the savings along to the customers. They never lowered the price and pocketed the difference. The drivers still paid, the money didn’t go to repairing roads. It went to greedy people’s pockets.
Pity the Poor Oil Companies. Oil futures prices are up in record territory. Supply and demand? Oil companies only make pennies on the gallon, right? Then why are oil companies posting 20% to 50% increases in profits? Seems when times are bad for the rest of us, things are great for the oil companies.
Now Museum, Now You Don’t. This museum may have the greatest display of wasted tax money ever. Folks in Washington figured back in the 90s that folks would flock to a museum celebrating Washington, DC’s city history. They even presented Congress with a study showing 100,00 to 300,000 people would come in the first year. They went on about how attendance would hit 450,000 a year! So Congress shelled out $3.7 million to build it. But they didn’t come. A year after its opening, only 33,000 people have visited the museum.
It costs about $2,000 to download a year’s worth of contract data right now. Big newspapers, like the Washington Post would pay that price to have reporters look for shady deals. But there are reports the price could shoot up to tens of thousands of dollars -- enough to keep a lot of nosey watchdogs from nosing around.
Outta the Park! A subtle change in the corporate tax code Congress is considering could suddenly make professional sports franchises worth millions more on paper. It would allow them to write off a ton of taxes when the team sells. It could be worth up to $41 million dollars to the New York Yankees alone. Now, why in the world would Congress think about a special tax break for sports franchises? Could it be the more than $7 million dollars in campaign contributions since 2000?
Yeah, you’ll get a tax break. Florida lowered its gasoline tax by 8-cents on the gallon to ease pressure on overtaxed drivers. It was supposed to save drivers $60-million. Guess what. Many gas stations did NOT pass the savings along to the customers. They never lowered the price and pocketed the difference. The drivers still paid, the money didn’t go to repairing roads. It went to greedy people’s pockets.
Pity the Poor Oil Companies. Oil futures prices are up in record territory. Supply and demand? Oil companies only make pennies on the gallon, right? Then why are oil companies posting 20% to 50% increases in profits? Seems when times are bad for the rest of us, things are great for the oil companies.
Now Museum, Now You Don’t. This museum may have the greatest display of wasted tax money ever. Folks in Washington figured back in the 90s that folks would flock to a museum celebrating Washington, DC’s city history. They even presented Congress with a study showing 100,00 to 300,000 people would come in the first year. They went on about how attendance would hit 450,000 a year! So Congress shelled out $3.7 million to build it. But they didn’t come. A year after its opening, only 33,000 people have visited the museum.
Politics -- All we Have to Fear is the Next 90 Days
Playbook. Kerry/Edwards release a 250 page book outlining their plan for the next four years -- if they are elected.
Hey if you believe campaign promises, maybe you'll buy anything. Hackers set up a fake web page to take campaign contributions from Kerry/Edwards supporters. Voters were directed to the website with fake e-mails that appeared to come from the Kerry camp. It also allowed the hackers to steal people’s identities. That sort of thing’s called "phishing.’ MSNBC reports on studies indicating phishing has allowed hackers to steal nearly $2 billion in the last year.
Prying into Politicians Personal Histories. Wanna find out what a candidate’s background includes? Has he served on a corporate board, was the company a defense contractor, did the company bilk taxpayers? Just some of the questions you can research thanks to links from Al Tompkins and the folks at the Poynter Institute. Tompkins has assembled a collection of links called "Places Journalists Should Go for Politics." More journalists should go there.
Hey if you believe campaign promises, maybe you'll buy anything. Hackers set up a fake web page to take campaign contributions from Kerry/Edwards supporters. Voters were directed to the website with fake e-mails that appeared to come from the Kerry camp. It also allowed the hackers to steal people’s identities. That sort of thing’s called "phishing.’ MSNBC reports on studies indicating phishing has allowed hackers to steal nearly $2 billion in the last year.
Prying into Politicians Personal Histories. Wanna find out what a candidate’s background includes? Has he served on a corporate board, was the company a defense contractor, did the company bilk taxpayers? Just some of the questions you can research thanks to links from Al Tompkins and the folks at the Poynter Institute. Tompkins has assembled a collection of links called "Places Journalists Should Go for Politics." More journalists should go there.
Monday, August 02, 2004
The Sideshow -- August 2, 2004
See How Things Work When We All Share? After repeated cries of "WOLF," Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge actually spelled out some details of a potential attack. The Washington Post reports the details were due to agencies sharing information--just like the 9/11 Commission suggested just a week before. But the New York Times reports FBI agents who blow the whistle on bureaucrats who ignore warnings become "pariahs."
Fueling Fear. The raised terror alert will hit you in the wallet even if terrorists don't hit a target. The alert has sent oil prices to a record high of $44 a barrel. That'll trickle down to the gas pumps in coming weeks.
Targeting your 401k for Attack. After a good week when the Dow was up 10.5 points and the NASDAQ was up 6-1/3, the latest terror threat has rattled your 401k. potential targets Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge specifically mentioned in his alert.
Video Features: Secretary Ridge's announcement analysis from the Washington Post. Report from WB 11 in New York City via feedroom.com
The Politicians Have Already Won. Think al Qaeda is scary? Investors are just as afraid of the close election.
Middle America Pays the Price. While New York and Washington are on high alerts, it's middle America paying the highest price lately for the Global War on Terror. Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO) has been keeping track of how many troops small towns are sending to the fight. He's found nearly half of all service members killed in Afghanistan and Iraq are from towns with fewer than 20,000 people.
Prescription for Failure. America has the highest prescription drug prices in the world. That's driven thousands of people to Mexico to buy cheaper versions of the same drugs. Problem is, what they drive home with are NOT the same drug. Americans are finding out they spent real money for counterfeit drugs in Mexican border towns.
Lost in Translation. Washington spent $1.2 million of your money and has nothing to show for it. The US Election Assistance Commission hired a company to translate voting material and put it online. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 requires that the federal government help citizens who don't speak English all that well to better understand their ballots.
Fueling Fear. The raised terror alert will hit you in the wallet even if terrorists don't hit a target. The alert has sent oil prices to a record high of $44 a barrel. That'll trickle down to the gas pumps in coming weeks.
Targeting your 401k for Attack. After a good week when the Dow was up 10.5 points and the NASDAQ was up 6-1/3, the latest terror threat has rattled your 401k. potential targets Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge specifically mentioned in his alert.
Video Features: Secretary Ridge's announcement analysis from the Washington Post. Report from WB 11 in New York City via feedroom.com
The Politicians Have Already Won. Think al Qaeda is scary? Investors are just as afraid of the close election.
Middle America Pays the Price. While New York and Washington are on high alerts, it's middle America paying the highest price lately for the Global War on Terror. Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO) has been keeping track of how many troops small towns are sending to the fight. He's found nearly half of all service members killed in Afghanistan and Iraq are from towns with fewer than 20,000 people.
Prescription for Failure. America has the highest prescription drug prices in the world. That's driven thousands of people to Mexico to buy cheaper versions of the same drugs. Problem is, what they drive home with are NOT the same drug. Americans are finding out they spent real money for counterfeit drugs in Mexican border towns.
Lost in Translation.
- It's been seven months since they hired someone to translate information.
- It's been nearly a year since the English version was finished and ready to translate.
- The election's just over 90 days away and the commission has nothing to show for their effort.
Politics -- August 2, 2004: All We Have to Fear is the Next 91 Days
Bush Leads! The latest USAToday/CNN poll shows President Bush leading Senator John Kerry. But the three-point lead, being within the margin of error, puts the two in a statistical dead heat. The poll says Senator Kerry received only a 1% bounce from the Democratic National Convention.
Kerry Leads! Meanwhile, a Zogby American poll taken during the DNC shows Senator Kerry with a 5-point lead over President Bush. That's an actual lead, since it's outside the poll's margin of error. It shows no Convention bounce, but the President losing three-points over the week of the DNC.
The Pollsters Lead! These guys will be in business until the polls close on November 2. The miniscule bump was not unexpected. Kerry's campaign predicted a 5% bump as the very maximum. Why? Bumps come in large part from undecided voters. As much as a quarter of undecided voters make up their minds during a party's convention. And undecided voters are in short supply this year. Wanna bet you see the same kind of numbers after the RNC in September?
Things that go "BUMP" in the Night. The Campaign Finance Institute links to an interesting academic paper on the dynamics behind convention bumps.
Kerry Leads! Meanwhile, a Zogby American poll taken during the DNC shows Senator Kerry with a 5-point lead over President Bush. That's an actual lead, since it's outside the poll's margin of error. It shows no Convention bounce, but the President losing three-points over the week of the DNC.
The Pollsters Lead! These guys will be in business until the polls close on November 2. The miniscule bump was not unexpected. Kerry's campaign predicted a 5% bump as the very maximum. Why? Bumps come in large part from undecided voters. As much as a quarter of undecided voters make up their minds during a party's convention. And undecided voters are in short supply this year. Wanna bet you see the same kind of numbers after the RNC in September?
Things that go "BUMP" in the Night. The Campaign Finance Institute links to an interesting academic paper on the dynamics behind convention bumps.
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