Rex Kickass

I saw that too. Damn!

You don't believe it because that's all the media reports: Lazy reporter: What makes her unique? Democrat candidate, backed by the party? That's not unique. Iraq war vet running? That's not unique. Qualified? Well, who cares about that anyway. Oh look, she has no legs - I got my lead!

It's not cause she's an amputee. It's cause she's a war vet. Who by the way has been fighting to ensure VA provides better technology for wounded soldiers to lead normal lives again.

I love me some Oratory! A lot of folks on this board complain about the ineffectiveness of our government. We aren't alone. Even Congressmen are getting pissed off about it. Congressman James McGovern (a Dem from Mass) is pissed too. Here's his speech on the house floor this weekend. Thought it was great.

Have you thought to contact the person who put either of the other sets that didn't get bid on which ended and ask if you could purchase it for your 30 dollar price?

QUOTE(CanOfCorn @ Dec 19, 2005 -> 01:16 PM) Any of you have any favorite Hanukah songs? /waiting to hear Rex's response Rupert Holmes - Escape (The Pina Colada Song)

From a Portland Oregon TV report on Tammy Duckworth From NPR on her background I love how the media focuses on her amputee status. She was recruited partially because she's a war vet. And partially because she's been a community leader with Rotary.

Kap, I can't tell if you're being sarcastic, serious, witty or all of the above. Nice job! The administration can get a warrant up to 72 hours after the fact and still have the eavesdropping be OK under law. Why the need to circumvent the law? And why get mad at the whistleblowers if you're proud of your action to begin with? The anger about being found out seems to portray something more sinister, I fear. And I think the point is that I thought we are fighting to protect freedom and the rule of law. If we flout both to save it, what are we fighting for to begin with?

So would that mean, if targeted assasinations of leaders were considered necessary in the President's mind, it would be legal? So what Gonzalez is saying is that those five words absolve the President of every blame possible? This is sounding worse, not better.

From the Sun-Times Quick Hits this morning.

That district has a strong Dem primary between Duckworth and someone else whose name I can't recall - but is also well liked by the base and moderates alike. Like Sherrod Brown and Paul Hackett in Ohio. I think in both cases, there will be a strong challenge to an incumbent because of it.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Dec 17, 2005 -> 04:52 AM) Just guessing here, but the per capita income of the states in the first list would probably be substantially lower than the pci of the states in list 2. Wouldn't the "poor" states be the ones that should receive the lion's share? Washington D.C. should receive the most per person. Because it doesn't have a state apparatus, most of its budget is controlled by the Federal Government. Plus I'm sure that 6 dollar figure also accounts for maintenance of all the special needs that having a capital has. Alaska actually has an average income higher than most states. Yet they receive more federal funding than the average state. Anybody read "What's The Matter with Kansas?" Great book and it talks about the fundamental disconnect between the populist movement in the midwest and its own interests. The people in the poorer states who get more money seem to bark the loudest about a government that's way too large - yet vote for their representatives who bring as much money back to their state as possible. I tend to think that the conservative movement feeds itself on hypocrisy. They use anger and resentment over government handouts to build their victory but only get re-elected thanks to government handouts (farm subsidies, ethanol programs, etc.) Apparently the personal responsibilty and independence that they talk about all the time doesn't apply to themselves. And the reason it works so well is that the conservative movement gets the unwashed and unmoneyed masses in the midwest to form an angry mob and fly the flag over the gated community shouting at the elites that they hate so, "We've come in anger to lower your taxes."

Bono may put out boring music but he does a lot of work for the underprivileged in this world.

Jermaine Stewart - "We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off"

Ah yes, the great debate. Bush is a prick/Democrats are pricks. Everyone knows where I stand with our President. I voted for other candidates in both elections, and worked actively to defeat him last year. I think that he has generally been a disaster. And before you tell me that I'm biased because I'm a democrat, I also think that JFK was a disaster. And that Bill Clinton sold me out in 1996. (I didn't vote for him either) But I will say this. The law is pretty damn clear and pretty damn accomodating to make sure that surveillance in absolute time of necessity is taken care of. You need to get a warrant within 72 hours from a secret court which almost always agrees to the warrant. I don't know why Bush decided to circumvent this seemingly easy process. I'd like to hear his justifications for it. I don't know why he'd need to circumvent this process. I will say this. Any president who apparently wipes his ass with the constitution like Bush may well have done for three years deserves to not have his job. Give me a legitimate reason for why he did what he did, and I'll give our President the benefit of the doubt. But, given that the law in this matter bends over backwards already - I don't know how I can. This is an inexcusable abuse of power, if what I understand about this story is true.

QUOTE(EvilMonkey @ Dec 17, 2005 -> 10:54 PM) When will the investigation on who leaked this info begin? Whoever it is won't get fired I'm sure, so whats the point? I believe - if I'm not mistaken - the NY Times sat on this article for a year at the request of the Bush administration.

I live to give.

Pay TV worked so well for the White Sox in 1980. All it would do is price more people out of the sport. Most people already can't afford to go to the games, if they can't afford to watch the games at home - why would you ever care?

Has anyone gotten a chance to listen to "This Bird Has Flown?" The 40th Anniv Rubber Soul tribute album. A lot of really good covers and a couple good stiffs. Highlights: The Donnas surprisingly faithful rendition of Drive My Car Sufjan Stevens does an amazing deconstruction of What Goes On. Rhett Miller's version of Girl. It's like the song was written for his voice. Disappointments: The Fiery Furnaces - Norwegian Wood (Arguably the absolute worst track on the CD.) Nellie McKay - If I Needed Someone. I don't know who she is and what she does, but after that track I hope I never hear of her again. Ted Leo - I'm Looking Through You. It's an alright track, but its just not great Ted Leo.

I hate Ted Rall too. And heads. Better?

I vote in every election I'm aware of. There was a schoolboard election in my town last week. I got a sample ballot three days before the special election - and the polls were open 4-7. I work 12-9. I didn't even know of the election and I am involved in local politics. I didn't vote in that particular one. But if I know about it, I vote on it.

I would have said something earlier, but I'm under severe holiday party influence so i am not as articulate as i usually am. But needless to say: Me likey votey. Happy day yeah!

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Dec 16, 2005 -> 05:18 PM) first off i was joking, but i'm not sure if it was funny. secondly, in the 80's most government growth was in foreign intelligence and military. thirdly, rex does not kickass. Government growth is still government growth. And think what you want about me. I do about you. Even though your name is Mr. Genius, I wouldn't exactly call you Mensa material.

Youre funny. The size of the federal government exploded during the 1980s.

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Dec 16, 2005 -> 04:16 PM) Nuke, do you really want the federal government to be as big as it has gotten and have this much power? Ronnie Reagan is rolling over in his grave. for shame Nuke, for shame. Ronnie Reagan never wanted small government.