Podcast: Cuba Libre!

Pour yourself another rum and Coke. You'll need a drink after hearing how your tax dollars were spent.





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Today's Political News Video

Already Breaking a Campaign Promise

A key campaign promise from the Democratic Party is already getting scaled back. Democrats promised to implement all 41 reccomendations from the 9/11 Commission.

They're leaving one out. From the Washington Post:

"Democratic leaders have decided for now against implementing the one measure that would affect them most directly: a wholesale reorganization of Congress to improve oversight and funding of the nation's intelligence agencies. Instead, Democratic leaders may create a panel to look at the issue and produce recommendations, according to congressional aides and lawmakers."

The Commission wanted Congress to give more power to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees. They wanted the Committees to help shape the nation's intel policies.

But doing that would strip power from the Armed Services Committees and their ability to fund the military.

And it's hard to get a Congressman to give up power. (WaPo)

Jeb Bush Defends his Third Wolrd Country

Rep Tom Tancredo (R-CO) likes to brag about the wealth of the upscale Denver suburbs he represents in Congress. And you really can't build up your neighborhood without tearing down someone else's, now, can you?

Rep Tancredo is in the middle of a political shouting match with Gov Jeb Bush (R-FL) after the Congressman called Miami "a third world country." Gov Bush calls the Congressman "naive." (CBSNews)

Iraq Study Group: Draw Down the Troops

The bi-partisan Iraq Study Group issues it's report next Wednesday. The New York Times reports it will call for a gradual pullback of 15 US combat brigades -- roughly half the troop strength currently in Iraq.

The report comes as Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki suggested the US begin withdrawing troops in June, 2007. (NYT)

Bad North Korea, No More iPods for You!

In the latest US move to show it's displeasure with North Korea's missile and nuke programs, the Bush administration wants to ban the import of iPods, plasma screen TVs and Segway scooters to the country that doesn't have enough money to buy food.

This satelitte photo shows the lack of lights in North Korea -- suggesting that expensive electronics won't exactly be missed.

Other items on the list the Associated Press obtained:

• Conac
• Rolex watches
• Artwork
• Luxury cars
• Harley Davidson motorcycles
• Jet Skis

The idea is that the ban on shipping luxury items into North Korea would hurt leader Kim Jong Il's extravagant lifestyle because, lord knows, a rogue nation's despot hellbent on exporting missiles and building a atom bomb would never resort to smuggling his goodies in. (AP)

Wear and Tear Adding Up

Wear and tear on Army and Marine Corps equipment may lead to equipment shortages in the near future.

USA Today reports as much as $2 billion worth of equipment is wearing out or being destroyed every month in Iraq and Afghanistan. That's about a quarter of the $8 billion a month spent on the wars.

The newspaper quotes Leon Panetta -- former Clinton advisor now serving on the bi-partisan Iraq Study Group -- as saying the military needs $50-to-$60 billion just to re-equip and restore units returning from Iraq. (USAToday)

Them's Fightin' Words

Senator-elect Jim Webb (D-VA) says he was mad enough to punch the President. It came when the two met and over comments the President made referring to Mr Webb's son -- who's serving in Iraq. From the Washington Post:

"How's your boy?" Bush asked, referring to Webb's son, a Marine serving in Iraq.

"I'd like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President," Webb responded, echoing a campaign theme.

"That's not what I asked you," Bush said. "How's your boy?"

"That's between me and my boy, Mr. President," Webb said coldly, ending the conversation on the State Floor of the East Wing of the White House."

During the campaign, Mr Webb wore a pair of his son's combat boots at his appearances. (WaPo)

Podcast: Eliminating Hunger

Your government has eliminated hunger. Really pretty easy. They just quit using the word "hunger."


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This Stuff Only Happens in the Movies

Hollywood wants you to pay them fifty bucks to watch television in your home.

The movie industry lobbyists are pushing a bill to require you to register your television and stereo system as a "home theatre" -- or face a stiff fine if you want to see Biodome 3:

"The MPAA defines a home theater as any home with a television larger than 29" with stereo sound and at least two comfortable chairs, couch, or futon. Anyone with a home theater would need to pay a $50 registration fee with the MPAA or face fines up to $500,000 per movie shown."

Wanna play critic and send them your review? Here's the MPAA's contact info. (Slashdot)

Poll Position: Bush Bottoming Out

President Bush has hit his second lowest approval rating ever in the Harris Interactive Poll. Only 31% of those polled approve of his job.


The Wall Street Journal tracks six major polls (above) on President Bush's approval rating since taking office in 2001. Click on the graphic to see a larger version. (PoliticalWire.com)

Can't Be -- No One's Wearing Blue & Gray

With NBC now referring to the sectarian violence in Iraq as a "civil war," the White House publicly rejects the term.

National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley says it's simply a "new phase."

A "new phase." From the same people who replaced "hunger" with "very low food security." (TampaBay 10)

Watching the Watchers

The Justice Department Inspector General has launched an investigation into what the Department's been doing with information gleaned from the warrantless wiretapping program. (AP via Yahoo!)

$13.7 Million -- Will You Accept Change?

An Ohio judge has ordered GOP fundraiser Thomas Noe to repay $3 million spent to investigate and prosecute him.

That's part of the $13.7 million he has to repay taxpayers for his role in a rare-coin scandal that embezzled millions from state investments.

Backlash from "Coingate" led to political collapse in the Ohio GOP this year, as Democrats swept statewide races and won House seats and the US Senate seat from Republican incumbents. (NYT)

What would the Prince of Peace Do?

A Colorado homeowners association has joined the "War on Christmas" -- demanding that a peace symbol be taken down.

The association promises to fine Lisa Jensen $25 a day until she takes down a Christmas wreath shaped like a peace symbol.

An HOA committee ruled the wreath was acceptable, but the association's president fired them and ordered it removed anyway. (AP via Yahoo!)

UPDATE: The HOA has backed off the fines.

Podcast: Ain't Love Grand?

Arkansas' Governor may run for President. But he's got some ethical problems. Like getting around the gift law by setting up a wedding registry -- 32 years after he got married.


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Bush's Biggest Hits -- and Greatest Misses

President Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address on the back of an envelope. President Bush has pushed the envelope on mangling the English language. Honest Abe's word was credible. It's incredible just how much President Bush's words strain credibility.

"Bush's Biggest Hits" -- order your copy today:

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