Archive for December, 2008

It looks like former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is going to write a book; yet another book that will have some gems about the Bush administration. Once more we’ll get to see the usual cycle: controversial book is written about the Bush administration by a former member, the press focuses on one or two things, writer does the talk show circuit, writer’s credibility and life and reputation called into question by administration’s mob, real problems addressed or brought up by the book go unanswered. This time it may be easier for the mob to discredit the information since Gonzales is already disgraced, still under investigation, and having trouble finding a new job.

He says he feels like a victim and wants to get the whole story out there, if only for his sons. I have mixed feelings about how this will end up. I normally feel bad for people like Paul O’Neill when the attack machine goes nuts, but in the case of Gonzales, I will sort of enjoy seeing him crushed by the same people he gave himself amnesia to protect. At any rate, the book may have some interesting nuggets that will ultimately be cast aside. What will be more fun is watching the circus it causes.

Here’s a link with some more information: Gonzales writing a book

Additional note: if you haven’t read The Price of Loyalty, you definitely should. It was written by Ron Suskind with the help of former Secretary of the Treasury Paul O’Neill. It will make you wonder why there wasn’t more coverage of it and more questions asked about its revelations. It will likely also make you mad.

Enjoy a merry New Year’s Eve.

Adam Feser

Blagojevich has appointed Roland Burris to the United States Senate. What a jerk. He simply will not quit. He felt he had to obey the law. Um… go ahead and make your own joke here. I’m sicking of reading and writing about this. Why won’t he just go away? Here’s a link with a video of the press conference and some notes:

Blagojevich at it again

Enjoy some Big Ten beat downs in bowl games.

Adam Feser

Here is a slideshow that goes through much of the history of African Americans in this country. It is amazing to look at. While on this continent, African-Americans have been enslaved longer than they have been free. This fact and other moments captured by the slide show helped me realize just how amazing Barack Obama’s victory is. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Enjoy the show.

Adam Feser

Everyone close to Blagojevich knows he is a fighter. He was a boxer and had several run-ins with various politicians. Maybe the reputation as a fighter worked as a sort of folksy image he could use to his advantage, but now it is simply annoying. “I just think that he is living in an alternate reality right now,” state Sen. Christine Radogno, a suburban Chicago Republican said earlier Friday. “I don’t think he’s being realistic, probably even with himself, with respect to how much trouble he’s in so he’s just carrying on with what’s worked for him before.”

One idea is that he is completely oblivious to how dire his circumstances are. Another is that he just will not relinquish any power. Blagojevich has issues 22 pardons. It’s not known who received them or for what crimes, but his message is clear: I am still in power and I will wield it.

The Illinois House voted 113 – 0 to for an impeachment committee. Impeachment must happen quickly. They need to finish the job before this cornered rattle snake… no… this rabid raccoon… no… this bull in a china shop… no… this stubborn ass can do any more damage. (I had trouble finding the right crazed animal metaphor.) They need to have a special election or take some other actions to ensure that he does not try to appoint the US Senator to replace Obama. He has proven he does not care about the good of his state, his party, or the country, and something needs to be done about it.

His lawyer, Ed Genson, has made it clear they will not stop until they find the loophole to sneak through (“The wiretaps were illegal”). Gensen has also complained that Illinois law is unclear on the grounds for impeachment and what evidence should be considered. Perfect. If it is unclear it should be easier to impeach him. Impeach him for his horrid hairstyle, just hurry up and impeach him for something.

If not, things will only get worse. As another of Blagojevich’s lawyers said, “He’ll worry about the criminal part, the governor will continue to govern.” Scary.

Here’s a link with much of the information I used an some more:

Blagojevich still governing for some reason

Enjoy some chex mix, a wonderful holiday treat.

Adam Feser

Apparently Ryan Seacrest is getting crushed by Miley Cyrus in a fight. I got a new one and I would like everyone’s participation. I have noticed that there are a lot more post views than there are poll votes, so we can kick it up a notch.

Enjoy new polls.

Adam Feser

The United States is not supporting a UN Declaration calling for the decriminalization of homosexuality worldwide. In some countries (70 members of the UN), it is a crime to be gay, even punishable by death in certain nations.

The US worries that the non-binding declaration would commit the federal government to act for areas that are under state jurisdiction. I repeat, non-binding declaration.  Many states allow landlords to discriminate based on sexual behavior. For some reason, we want this to be okay. The federal government also does not allow gays to openly serve in the military, even if they are gifted translators we desperately need.

Instead of siding with human rights leaders (which we claim to be), we are siding with those who would arrest, even kill, people who are gay. What kind of message does this send?

I guess we want to maintain the right to discriminate.

Here’s the link: US not on board

Enjoy everything homosexuals do for the country, as long as they don’t ask for equal rights, right?

Adam Feser

It looks like Franken has taken a slim lead. It is difficult to tell because the two candidates are within a handful of votes. There is a possibility that Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) will need to select a temporary Senate appointment because this race will not likely end soon. Any way you look at it, this thing will be interesting. Here is a link with some more details:
Franken takes lead

First of all, watch this video:

Apparently “The Truth” has changed teams. It is now aligned with Blajojevich. Also, who is possibly expressing their support for Blagojevich? The voices in his hair, um, head?

Let’s rehash some of his better caught on tape moments, shall we?

“I’m going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain. You hear what I’m saying. And if I don’t get what I want and I’m not satisfied with it, then I’ll just take the Senate seat myself.” Blagojevich described the Senate seat as “a (expletive) valuable thing, you just don’t give it away for nothing.”

During a two-hour telephone conversation with various people on Nov. 12, Blagojevich talked about securing high-paying jobs for him and his wife in exchange for the Senate seat. He said he is “struggling” financially and does “not want to be governor for the next two years.”

Blagojevich said advisers are telling him he has to “suck it up” for two years and give this (expletive) (Obama) his senator. (Expletive) him. For nothing? (Expletive) him.”

Blagojevich raised the idea of creating a nonprofit group for him to lead. On Nov. 11, he asked Adviser A if “they” (believed to be Obama and his associates) “can get Warren Buffett and others to put $10, $12 or $15 million into the organization.”

During a conversation with Harris on Nov. 11, Blagojevich said he knew Obama wanted Senate Candidate 1 for the open seat but “they’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation. (Expletive) them.”

On Dec. 4, Blagojevich told Adviser B he was going to give Senate Candidate 5 greater consideration for Obama’s seat because the person would raise money for Blagojevich if he ran for another term as governor.

In an earlier telephone conversation recorded on Oct. 31, Blagojevich described an approach by an associate of Senate Candidate 5 as ” ’pay to play.’ That, you know, he’d raise 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made him (Senate Candidate 5) a senator.”

Blagojevich told Fundraiser A on Dec. 4 that if Senate Candidate 5 wanted to be appointed to Obama’s seat, the candidate should follow through on promises to raise money for Blagojevich. “(S)ome of this stuff’s gotta start happening now … right now … and we gotta see it. You understand?” But Blagojevich told Fundraiser A that “you gotta be careful how you express that and assume everybody’s listening, the whole world is listening. You hear me?”

Editor’s note: Should have heeded his own advice, huh?

Blagojevich also allegedly conspired to demand the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members who had been critical of him, threatening to withhold state help with the sale of Wrigley Field, the Cubs stadium.

Editorials by the newspaper have called for Blagojevich to be recalled by voters or impeached by the General Assembly.

During a Nov. 3 telephone conversation, Blagojevich and Deputy Governor A discussed a Tribune editorial endorsing the creation of a legislative impeachment committee. The governor’s wife, Patti, can be heard in the background telling Blagojevich to tell Deputy Governor A “to hold up that (expletive) Cubs (expletive) … (expletive) them.”

“(S)omeone should say, ’Get rid of those people,’ ” Blagojevich told Deputy Governor A later in the same conversation.

On Oct. 8, Blagojevich discussed an $8 million construction grant for Children’s Memorial Hospital. “I want to get (the hospital’s chief executive officer) for 50,” Blagojevich told Individual A, referring to what is believed to be a $50,000 campaign contribution.

The quotes and descriptions in bold were obtained from the Boston Herald online.

Boy, sure feels like the truth is on this guys side. I know I like to support people that extort contributions form children’s hospitals. If he has some method of proving his innocence, what is he waiting for? Does he want everyone to assume he is guilty and hate him before he shows his innocence. I think it is much more likely he is hoping for some loophole to save his behind, which is why he needs to wait for his opportunity in the court of law. I know this much, it will take more than legal loopholes or Rudyard Kipling poems to get out of this one. What good is he doing anyone right now? What a joke.

Enjoy the beginnings of a white Christmas.

Adam Feser

This interview from a former American interrogator is great. I must have missed this episode, because it’s a few days old. But it is excellent. The interview is done under the name Matthew Alexander, which is not his real name. Somehow it is okay to be on TV, just under a fake name. To the point, the stories he tells are true and we should learn from them. There is no justification for torture. It does not work, it is below us as a country who claims the moral high ground, and it aids our enemies. There is no good argument for torture. This man even addresses the classic “ticking time bomb” argument. I can only hope that we stop engaging in an act that only serves to blur the lines between the good guys and bad guys for the rest of the world. Please check out this video:

Enjoy an additional blogger soon, hopefully.
Adam Feser

As more gets sorted out in Minnesota, it things are starting to look favorable for Al Franken. He has recently gained votes on challenged ballots and appears to have other areas he will gain in. Norm Coleman has been busy. He is being investigated by the FBI for ties to Nasser Kazeminy. There are also reports that Coleman got money from Kazeminy when he needed it for house renovation. Things are looking up for Franken.

Enjoy solid food.

Adam “Wisdom(teeth)less” Feser