Third Party & Independents:

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Recently there has been a lot of discussion about western Islamic groups denouncing terrorism. Like many of us I said 'Finally!' and started reading more about who was saying what. And, just as I was afraid, the media isn't looking close enough at the story to give it an accurate account. With the media, things aren't always what they seem.

A House Divided

I know, there are probably hundreds of articles written throughout the blogosphere with this title, but I wanted to take a look at the one thing that I think the current group of terrorists are right about. When Al Qaeda decides to attack an American, they don't care if that American is white, black, yellow, rich, poor, southern, etc. All they see is an American joined together by more common goals than separate us from each other. So why can't we see that same thing?

Reform Campaign Finance Reform

"Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first."

The free choice of private individuals and organizations to support candidates for public office is intrinsic to the very nature of representative democracy. Any private entity must be permitted to donate its time, labor and capital to the candidate of its choice. While no one who believes in democracy would advocate limiting the amount of time or effort private individuals or organizations may contribute to political candidates or their parties, well intentioned but erroneous reformers have made strenuous efforts to severely limit their monetary contributions.

Are You, or Have You Ever Been a Member of the Federalist Society?

Frustrated by the lack of embarrassing personal details and quotes that are outrageous when repeated out of context, the press has decided that the question of Supreme Court nominee John Roberts Federalist Society membership is incredibly important. The suggestion, of course, is that membership in the Society portends some extremists positions that are unacceptable for a Supreme Court justice. As president of the Georgetown Law Center Federalist Society, I can tell you that those who attempt to characterize the Society and its member with a broad, extremist brush show only their own ignorance and agenda.

This (Pharmacists) Madness Must Be Stopped

Several states allow pharmacists to decline to fill prescriptions based on their conscience. Other states are trying to require that pharmacists provide medicines that doctors have prescribed. Now federal lawmakers are holding hearings on so-called 'duty to fill' laws.

Bush's Cheap Talk of Freedom!

By giving to government officials our comings and goings and submitting to body and baggage checks, and failing to halt Congress on extending the Patriot Act for another decade, we are submitting to the 'cowering leadership' of this country which has a desperate craving for ever more information about us and foreigners alike. And their cravings will continue to grow with their fear. The American public is offering up its freedom and liberties in precisely the same manner the German people offered up theirs to Hitler and his henchman, in the name of patriotism and security.

The real threat John Roberts represents

I realize we have been discussing John Roberts often here, but tonight I learned something that had been overlooked in the reasons to not support John Roberts. There will be too many *gasp* Catholics on the bench. So I did what I always do, started doing some research on this "Catholic invasion" of the Supreme Court.

Judge Roberts: Tempest in a Teapot?

President Bush chose conservative appeals court judge John Roberts on Tuesday as his first nominee to the Supreme Court. Will this choice invoke a filibuster by the Democrats? Should it? Judge Roberts is a conservative. It is not like Bush was going to nominate Bill Clinton. I see no surprise here. I also see no reason for a filibuster given the reality of the situation.

The Goal of Terrorism and Victory Over It

The goal of terrorism is not military victory. That is the goal of armies and nations. The goal of terrorism is to win sympathizers for terrorist's cause and increase their following. But, how does terrorism accomplish that? Terrorists provoke such a heinous overreaction on the part of those terrorized and their leaders, that those terrorized become little better than terrorists, anarchists, and murderers themselves, causing dissent, civil strife, and chaos in the populations being terrorized. In other words, the goal of terrorists is to cause their enemy's leaders to fall upon their own swords, so to speak, in the eyes of the people.

The real silent epidemic among children

What is this silent epidemic? Hunger? Lack of educational abilities? Sexual or physical abuse? I was amazed to learn today that according to Senator Hillary Clinton, it is playing violent video games. Obviously, this is such a serious issue that we need to have a Federal investigation. While there are areas I do agree with Senator Clinton, on this one I disagree. The real solutions to this silent epidemic are very simple ones.

Rick Santorum; Poster Boy for Intolerance and Ignorance

Rick Sandorum (R) Pennsylvania could be the poster boy for the intolerance and ignorance that has infested the body politic of the Republican Party like a cancer unchecked by common sense and a firm grasp for the principles of freedom that are supposed to provide the foundation for our Republic. What hateful people those in Republicans Right are turning out to be.

Floodgates of Political Corruption About to Open

We as voters, are all consumers of government and its services. Our consumer voices are about to be drowned by legislation being prepared in the House of Representatives. A Bill is being prepared which will open the floodgates of bribe money from wealthy corporations into politician's hands. Public Citizen has this to report:

American Government's Embarassing Headlines

I took a look at headlines for the last month on political corruption and scandal. Below is one month's worth which made national media attention. There's more that didn't make national news. Embarassing is what it is. Damned embarassing. Anyone notice any patterns here?

Ky. Republican Party Chairman Indicted

Minn. Lawmakers End Government Shutdown

The Curse of the Second Term

I think we might want to seriously consider rescinding the Twenty Second Amendment.

Personally, I would support replacing this amendment with one that creates a single presidential term of six years. Why? Because second term presidents seem to have worse luck than the Chicago Cubs.

But isn't luck really just destiny for the superstitious?

Senate Hearing on CPB Funding

Republicans on the Committee, joined with Democrats in their remarks to support restoration of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Even Sen. Stevens from Alaska came out in full support for funding CPB. Patricia Harrison, the newly appointed Republican CEO of CPB, made it very clear CPB is necessary for our society and our democracy in the way it provides for an informed public consent, in a way no commercial TV and Radio can or will.

Wanted Political Savior

MWF Seeking M/F for a four year commitment, an additional four year extension is available depending on performance. The desired candidate will demonstrate the ability to unite a majority of over 50 family members. He or she will neither promote nor diminish religion, realizing that there are various faiths and beliefs within our family.

London: Dress Rehearsal for a Dirty Bomb?

Although the horrors and agonies endured by the victims of Thursday's bombings in London were tragically heart rending, the British should be thankful that al-Qaeda's butcher's bill wasn't bloodier. Al-Qaeda murdered thousands of innocent people on September 11th, more than 200 in Bali and nearly as many in Madrid. In Baghdad, a bomb attack that kills 50+ civilians and injure hundreds of others is just another bad day - front-page news, but below the fold.

So what's Osama up to? Is he getting soft in his old age? At the risk of being stigmatized as an alarmist, I don't think so.

Jail the Messenger, Forget the Message!

That is the message an abominable U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan delivered on Wednesday. Journalists who report wrongdoings by government officials are the best friend democratic voters in a free society could possibly have. Judge Hogan obviously does not think that is true. Apparent from his jailing of NY Times journalist, Judith Miller, Judge Hogan believes journalists with confidential sources are a threat to government.

Damn Fools: Democratic Party!

I have never heard anything so politically bereft of intelligence as some Democrats on the hill calling for a filibuster or Senatorial 'Custer's Last Stand' on the replacement for retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Does the Democratic Party have any clue as to how politics can be played to win for a change? I don't think so.

Supreme Court: Empty Seat Conundrum

Sandra Day O'Connor's empty seat, poses a real conundrum for President Bush and the nation. Conservative nominees differ widely depending on the topic. President Bush has not been, and is not now, an across the board conservative. He has been a social conservative but, his deficit spending, hard line on Enron and other corporate fraudsters and thieves, and heavy federalism tendencies are contrary to what could be termed economic, business, and constructionist conservative ideology.

Sandra Day O'Connor Retires

Sandra Day O'Connor announced her retirement from the Supreme Court today. O'Connor was appointed by Ronald Reagan as the first woman on the Supreme Court and has recently built a reputation of being the "swing" vote on many key Supreme Court decisions. Given that O'Connor was a key vote in support of upholding the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade jurisprudence, the fight over this replacement is sure to be an ugly one.