Those Damned Republicons and Their New Hot Topic

The three Republicon drones sitting on Charlotte's Board of County Commissioners just couldn't stand to be left out. They had to jump on Preznut Bush's Illegal Immigration bandwagon. They do love to grandstand.

I mentioned this new hot topic and its use as a decoy to distract attention from the real issues at Americans Deserve The Truth. I find it very humorous that Bill James, Dan Bishop and Jim Puckett couldn't wait to climb on board the immigration shuttle. Their plan to help tackle illegal immigration locally is to discontinue doing county business with those companies hiring undocumented workers and refuse services for illegal immigrants. It might sound good, but it only takes a moment to realize how unrealistic and expensive this would be. It would have been nice if the terrible trio had spent a moment thinking this through.

Mike Drummond covers this new bit of grandstanding in today's Charlotte Observer. Everyone he interviewed pretty much shoots this plan down. It simply isn't realistic. Anyone with a wee bit of common sense can figure that out for themselves. So why make the proposal in the first place? It's all about having the appearance that they are on the same page as the Preznut.

Now that the national Republicon strategy is so transparent it is fun to watch them all tag along behind. As soon as the terrible little tyrant has decided to shift his focus to something new off they all trot. It is an election year for the board, after all and they want to be in line for any GOP payoffs...um...er...payouts.

More Bush Propaganda

It appears the Preznut does have a plan for victory in Iraq afterall. I'm still trying to breeze through it while keeping my breakfast down. I'll post more on it later, but for those who wish to read it here it is. A word of warning. It's a load of crap, so you'll need your waders.

Gilchrist to Serve One More Term

Peter Gilchrist has announced he will run for one more term as the District Attorney for Mecklenburg County. He has served since 1975 and will be 71 when he leaves office. Yes, I'm already marking up a win for Mr. Gilchrist.

I haven't followed the courts, but like Gilchrist, I'm a native Mecklenburger. I've lived here most of my life and for almost 3/4 of my life he has been the DA. In all this time I don't remember a scandal in his office. I may have a very bad memory, but I just can't recall anything that sullies his reputation. I certainly don't think there is a compelling reason for people to vote against Peter Gilchrist.

The Charlotte Observer reports that Mayor Pat McCrory and County Commissioner Bill James both want to see better funding in the DA's office. I think Mr. Gilchrist has earned the right to hang around to work under more favorable conditions.

Thank you Mr. Gilchrist for your many years of service and your willingness to hang around for another term. Also, thanks to all the ADAs who continue to serve our community under less than ideal circumstances.

Republicans Hiding from Real Issues

President Bush is to speak later today on issues surrounding illegal immigration. GOP members of the House have been proposing new legislation on illegal immigration over the past two years. You wanna know what the new Republican hot button is? I will give you one guess. Of course, it's illegal immigration.

Now, I'll give you one guess why. The Republicans want the 2006 elections to be about anything other than the war in Iraq, Libby, DeLay, Doolittle and Ney. They don't want it to be about security leaks or ethics. It needs to be about something that has the potential to distract critics from everything the White House and Congress are currently doing wrong. Hell, forget distracting critics. They need to distract their own base from everything they are doing wrong in Washington.

Is illegal immigration enough of a hot issue? It appears to be in North Carolina where illegals have had an easy time getting drivers licenses. Having an official I.D. makes it easier for illegals to get jobs, open bank accounts and apply for Federal benefits. They have flocked to NC for that reason.

Most people I know in my community(NC) have something to say about illegal immigrants and much of it is negative. Of course, I live in a red state, so they might just be parroting the leaders of their party. To be fair, though, I've heard the topic discussed long before it became a party issue. The funny thing is, my friends who are Democrats have been discussing it too.

Is this something the GOP will be able to claim as its own issue? I know that it's a very hot topic among the border states and a few others, but is it pressing enough throughout the rest of the country to get Republicans from other states behind the issue and make them feel the urgency? If past experience holds true it won't matter. Most Republicans adopt the GOP talking points and pencil them into their bibles. They become Gospel. If George Bush wants to make illegal immigration the hot issue for the GOP in 2006 then the GOP drones will be certain to follow suit.

I personally don't think illegal immigration can overshadow the war in Iraq, Traitorgate and the scandals surrounding Ney, Doolittle, DeLay, Abramoff and Cunningham. Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC) tried to create some urgency in North Carolina by lying about Al Qaeda members being caught and arrested crossing the border from Mexico. She was called on her lie and claims it was an "honest mistake". Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) also lied in the same press conference claiming that at least one of the hijackers from 9/11 had a North Carolina drivers license. That simply wasn't true and when caught in that lie Pat McHenry continued to spin tales in an attempt to cover up.

It will be interesting to see if the President has better luck making this the hot button for the GOP in 2006. With the web of lies spun to create the need for war in Iraq you can bet fact checkers will be busy making sure the President and his faithful in Washington aren't as creative with illegal immigration.

More Guilty Republicans

This one snuck up on me. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, (R-CA) will plead guilty to tax evasion. The story is here. It just keeps getting better!

My husband won't have to worry about Christmas presents for me. The GOP is taking care of it for him! Ain't they GRAND?

Update - I just watched the press conference. I will hold my glee for another time. It's sad and I can't feel joy over this. If nothing else I have more than an ounce of respect for a man who admits and accepts his fault and offers no excuse or explanation. That's called personal responsibility. It's something sorely lacking in the GOP right now and it's refreshing. Greed is a terrible thing and an American hero fell prey to it. He isn't the first and he won't be the last.

Visit My New Blog

I started this blog hoping to provide news and information that the local Charlotte, NC newspapers conveniently ignored. I wanted to write about local politics. Quite obviously, my interests extend to national politics and I've spent quite a bit of space writing about topics that clutter this space.

To help declutter The Southern Dem and save the space for local politics, I've started Americans Deserve the Truth. I will sometimes post things in both blogs, but usually I will try to keep this space free for Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and North Carolina news.

My newest post there is in my Con men Liars and Thieves series. It's a timeline of the Abramoff scandals. Input is welcome. Here is my newest post.

Thanks again for visiting.

Giving Thanks

This year is the same as most that have passed before in that I have so much to be thankful for.

We are all basically healthy, happy and enjoying life. I am grateful for this.

There are a few things that do help set this year apart. Most importantly, we have a new member of our family, Lizzy. We saved her from a shelter. She came to us with a skin disease, intestinal disease and scars from having been attacked by a pit bull. I haven't yet said that Lizzy's a dog, because in two short months she has become so much more than a dog to each one of us.

Lizzy is an alarm clock for the girls each morning and for my husband on the weekends. She runs into their rooms starting with Em first and nuzzles whatever is exposed. The girls have learned to sleep facing the wall. She is their new playmate and they both love to take her into the yard to throw tennis balls or to just play chase. They never get angry with her even after she chewed the nose off of the panda that Gramma brought from China. The hamsters even love Lizzy and they aren't supposed to.

She is the official greeter for all entering our home, especially my husband when he returns from work. The girls used to run and greet him at the door and jump into his arms. I know, it sounds corny. When I was growing up the call, "Dad's home" was followed by each of us running to our rooms because you didn't want to be the first one he saw when he walked in the house. I didn't want that for my family, so from the time they were babies we greeted Daddy at the door with hugs and lots of excitement. As the girls have entered the tween years they greet Daddy with barely a nod when he gets home at night. Now, it's Lizzy's turn. She wags her entire body at the sight of his car pulling in the driveway. She jumps to greet him, her hind paws leaving the ground, as he walks through the door. It may not be quite the same as his sweet little girls running to him with their arms held wide, but it helps ease the sense of loss just a bit.

For me, Lizzy has been a lifesaver. Just as my children were needing me less and less, I have a new furry friend who will always need me. She takes me on walks and reminds me to fix dinner. When I say she is a lifesaver, I mean it literally. Her needs interrupt my research and my writing. It requires that I push away from the computer and put on my shoes and take her outside to walk around the neighborhood. I have lost 8pounds without dieting....much. I have laughed and smiled a lot more often than I usually do. She's silly and, of course, very smart. She has the most beautiful brown eyes and a combination of fur that makes her breeds difficult to determine. She isn't my first dog, but she's been the first to transcend pet status.

We are all very grateful for Lizzy.

We are also thankful for Lizzy's new yard. My Republican husband loves me so much he finally bought me some trees to hug. While we rarely, if ever, talk politics he does know how I feel. How could he not? As a nod to my feelings about the environment (and possibly the 14 years of hearing me say how much I want land) he purchased me (hehe...OK...the family) 3 acres of deciduous forest. It is truly the most beautiful forest I've ever seen. We walk it every chance we get and we have searched and searched for the perfect spot to put our new home. I am grateful for my 3 acres that I can nourish and protect. I promise to take down as few trees as possible. My wonderful tree-hugging daughters wouldn't have it any other way.

Of course, I am grateful for my family and friends. I love you all.

DeLay Judge Delays Decision

hehe....sorry about that!

Senior Judge Pat Priest is delaying his decision for two weeks on whether the charges against Tom DeLay should be dismissed. He claims confusion.

For more on the story visit CNN.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

May 29, 1917 - November 22, 1963

Let the word go forth

From this time and place

To friend and foe alike

That the torch has been passed

To a new generation of Americans.

Let every nation know

Whether it wishes us well or ill

That we shall pay any price - bear any burden

Meet any hardship - support any friend

Oppose any foe to assure the survival

And the success of liberty

Now the trumpet summons us again

Not as a call to bear arms - though embattled we are

But a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle

A struggle against the common enemies of man

Tyranny - Poverty - Disease - and War itself

In the long history of the world

Only a few generations have been granted

The role of defending freedom

In the hour of maximum danger

I do not shrink from this responsibility

I welcome it

The Energy - the Faith - the Devotion

Which we bring to this endeavor

Will light our country

And all who serve it

And the glow from that fire

Can truly light the world

And so my fellow Americans

Ask not what your country can do for you

Ask what you can do for your country

My fellow citizens of the world - ask not

What America can do for you - but what together

We can do for the freedom of man

With a good conscience our only sure reward

With history the final judge of our deeds

Let us go forth to lead the land we love - asking

His blessing And his help - but knowing that here on earth

God's work must truly be our own.

Inaugural Address - January 20, 1961

Murtha is My Hero

I just watched John Murtha on CNN with Wolf Blitzer. He's taking the high road. There is nothing wimpy about this man. He puts McClellan, Rove, Cheney and Schmidt to shame. He makes their attempts to malign his character look even more despicable because he refuses to join the fray.

He says that Schmidt sent him a written apology and he accepted it and he notes that the President has softened his stance. He has kept his sense of humor.

Murtha says the American People are ahead of Congress and the President on this issue. He says 80% of the people contacting his office support him and he is getting standing ovations.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say his seat is safe in 2006.

Bushco: Hypocrisy at Its Best

I wonder if anyone in China is aware of just what a hypocrite George Dumbya Bush is? He's so worried about how dissidents are treated in China. Maybe he needs to be more worried about how dissidents are treated in the land of the free.

This New York Times article had me chuckling at one point. Please, don't get me wrong. I know that China has a long history of jailing, torturing and killing dissidents. I am not making light of the horrors that they have faced through the years. However, the article described that dissidents were confined to their homes and told not to use the phone while Bush was in the area. Just how different is that from how activists are treated in our country during any GOP or BushCo event?

It's pretty well known that Bush doesn't want any sign of protest anywhere near him. Before he travels anywhere for an event a Secret Service advance team goes ahead of him and determines a "free-speech zone". I may be naive, but I thought the entire United States was a free-speech zone. There are many stories of people being arrested who did nothing more than protest peacefully within view of George Bush.

In The Rocky Mountain News they report that the ACLU will represent two of three people who were forced to leave a Bush speech because there was a No Blood for Oil bumper sticker on their car. They did not wear anti Bush clothing and didn't carry signs. They didn't speak out against the President. They had tickets to the event. The event was paid for with tax dollars. In other words, they had every right to be there.

The newspaper also reported a brief accounting of what happened to Nicole and Jeffery Rank. This couple from Corpus Christi, Texas was arrested in Charleston, W.Va. at a rally after removing outer clothing to show anti Bush shirts. They were handcuffed and cited. The protestors were supposed to be in another area away from the rally. In other words they were not to be seen or heard.

In September of 2002 Bill Neel, 65, was arrested at a Labor Day Rally in Pennsylvania after he refused to move to the "free-speech zone". He was carrying a sign that said "The Bush family must surely love the poor. They've made so many of us." The FSZ was 1/3 of a mile away on a baseball field surrounded by chain link fencing. Neel was polite in his refusal to leave but was arrested by local police under the instruction of the Secret Service. For a brief accounting of this event go here.

On June 4, 2001 three people in Tampa, Florida were arrested for carrying signs that read "June is Gay Pride Month." They were attending an event at Legends Field where President Bush and his brother, the Governor of Florida would be speaking. They were arrested after refusing to put their signs down. They were forcefully removed and charges were later dismissed. Pro-Bush signs were, of course, allowed at the event.

This AP article from last year describes events that sound chillingly similar to how The Times article describes the treatment of dissidents in China. Before the Republican National Convention the FBI was out paying friendly visits to self proclaimed anarchists and other activists. They were trying to head off any show of dissent before it could happen.

Right or wrong, isn't this what the Chinese government was doing? We know there are people in China who disagree with their government. The Chinese government knows that we know. They just didn't want the protests against the government to be front and center during the President's visit. Sound familiar?

The Chinese who had freedoms curtailed aren't guaranteed these freedoms by law. American citizens are guaranteed freedoms under the constitution that our President sees fit to deny us. It appears that whether you're in a Communist State or a constitution-based Federal Republic, if your leader is paranoid it appears certain freedoms will be denied.

I noted something else interesting about the AP article. It also says the NYPD sent "scruffy-looking" police officers to organizational meetings of protest groups to infiltrate the groups and head off any violence they might have planned.

WAIT...So now we're scruffy-looking? I beg your pardon. I am anything but scruffy looking. I may be rumpled when I roll out of bed in the morning, but after about 6:00 a.m. I am NOT scruffy. I'm not perfectly coiffed, but I'm not scruffy.

I wonder if an undercover officer or agent who infiltrates a GOP activist group has to actually shove his head up his ass to fit in?

Republicans Under Pressure

Douglas Feith is now under investigation by the IG at the Pentagon. Just how many more Republicans are going to be investigated, indicted, arrested, tried, jailed (and then pardoned)?

I have started working on a timetable and listing of House Reps and Senators, White House Staff, GOP lobbyists, Bush appointees and others who have been mentioned in connection with any investigation. I am including Democrats in this as well.(Though I only have a couple on the list at this point.)

I have all of the obvious names from recent news, but would love input if you have any to add.

I am also collecting meaningless slogans that Bushco and the GOP use. My favorite is "When Iraq stands up, we'll stand down". How lame is this? It's a sound bite, not a withdrawal plan.

Remember, "I'll bring honesty and integrity back to the White House"? I remember that one. He's doing a great job, isn't he? If you have any to add that have been used in conjunction with legislation or Bush policy please send them in.

Sorry for the lack of posts over the weekend. My girls are sick and I was too busy just trying to keep up with Jane and Redd over at Firedoglake. They were working hard over the weekend. It's worth a visit.

Withdraw ALL House Republicans from Washington

Republicans want to withdraw the troops without giving the protection that the Murtha resolution would provide. It has Duncan Hunter's signature on it. He introduced it. What a jerk. He should be ashamed. It's a political stunt and is absolutely ridiculous.

The House Republicons are dishonest and are participating in a sham. I have never been more proud to be a Democrat. I feel myself leaning further and further to the left with every Republicon speaker who gets up and spouts lies and rhetoric.

Republicans are getting booed....Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) is getting booed. Go Dems Go! There's a tremendous amount of passion in the House right now. House Republicans participating in this game should be noted and sent packing next election.

Democrats must take control of the House. We have to work together to make it happen in 2006.

I can't watch this any longer. I have recorded it and will watch it after my blood pressure goes down a bit. What a sad day for our country.

McClellan Baffled....So What's New?

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan says they are baffled why John Murtha (D - Pennsylvania) would want to bring troops home at this time.

Congressman Murtha is a respected veteran and politician who has a record of supporting a strong America. So it is baffling that he is endorsing the policy positions of Michael Moore and the extreme liberal wing of the Democratic party. The eve of an historic democratic election in Iraq is not the time to surrender to the terrorists. After seeing his statement, we remain baffled -- nowhere does he explain how retreating from Iraq makes America safer.

At least McClellan didn't try to label Murtha a traitor. I just can't figure out where Michael Moore comes into the picture. I doubt Murtha has ever met Moore. Isn't this an amazing act of desperation. The Republicans don't call Murtha names the way they usually do when someone speaks out against the White House, but they mention his name in the same breath as Michael Moore in hopes that this act alone will dirty Murtha's reputation. What a stupid little man....McClellan...not Murtha. Murtha's a hero. Murtha's a bona fide hero.

I will leave this with Murtha's response to criticism by Dick Cheney. He says it best.

I like guys who've never been there that criticize us who've been there. I like that. I like guys who got five deferments and never been there and send people to war, and then don't like to hear suggestions about what needs to be done.

Libby Indicted on Perjury NOT Being the First to Leak

Scooter needs a new lawyer. The one he has hired doesn't seem to understand the charges against his client. Theodore V. Wells, Jr. seems to think that Scooter has been charged with being the FIRST to leak Valerie Plame's name to a reporter. Nope....Scooter was charged with lying, lying, lying. Let me repeat that. I. Lewis Libby (Scooter) was charged with LYING to the grand jury. He was under OATH and for you Republicons out there trying to spin this new revelation from Woodward, being under oath means you are supposed to tell the truth. According to the indictments Scooter Libby did not tell the truth. According to the indictments he did not tell the truth several times.

It doesn't matter if Scooter was the first, second or 10th person to leak Valerie Plame's name. He hasn't been charged with that. His (alleged) crime was lying under oath. I will repeat one more time. I. Lewis Scooter Libby was charged with lying repeatedly under oath.

Murtha Calling for Troops to be Withdrawn Immediately

John Murtha is calling for U.S. Troops to be withdrawn from Iraq immediately. His press conference is being shown on CNN. He's the Democratic Rep from Pennsylvania's 12th. Interesting. He says he believes that the withdrawal of our troops will provide incentives for the Iraqi forces to take control.

Woodward's Big Fat Lie

In my earlier post I said Bob Woodward had a credibility issue. Forget that. Woodward's actions are those of a coward and a liar. His lie of omission wasn't just a lie to his bosses and coworkers at the Washington Post it was a lie to the readers of the Washington Post as well.

I just watched Leonard Downie, Executive Editor Washington Post, circle the wagons around Woodward on CNN. I guess he is still a big old fat cash cow for the paper. It's too bad Downie doesn't recognize the damage that Woodward's dishonesty and ego will do to the paper's reputation and the credibility of the other reporters who work there.

Wolf Blitzer pushed Downie to explain why the WaPo didn't report Woodward's revelation back in October. The Post could have reported Woodward's involvement without releasing the names of sources. Downie did quite a bit of bobbing and weaving to avoid answering Blitzer's question. Can you say obfuscation?

Howard Kurtz of the Washington Post says that Woodward was trying to avoid a subpoena. Kurtz writes about it here. Kurtz quotes Woodward as saying that he didn't want to do anything that would attract the attention of Fitzgerald.

In other words Woodward didn't want to go to jail. To avoid jail Woodward lied. He lied on Larry King Live. He lied to his editors by failing to tell them about his involvement. Has he lied to his readers? Has he lied in his books? Where does he draw the line? Does he only lie when it keeps him out of jail?

Speaking of Howard Kurtz, he is on CNN now and he says that Woodward is missing the point when he says his (Woodward's) involvement is no big deal. It sounds like Woodward's lying to everyone, especially himself.

Woodward's Credibility Gap

Bob Woodward just couldn't stand being left out of the spotlight. It turns out that he had the leak on Plame before Novak and he didn't even tell his bosses at the Washington Post. I doubt the WaPo will rid itself of Woodward just yet, so he may not be joining Judy Miller on our list of PowerHo bloggers for a while.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote this little blurb on Bob Woodward's performance on Larry King Live the night before Libby's indictments were announced. My opinion of him has not improved.

Jane Hamsher has some great posts today expanding on Woodward's role in all of this. Armando at Daily Kos posted some interesting tidbits as well. The best article comes from the Washington Post's own Dan Froomkin.

At least one other person has claimed that Plame's identity was common knowledge and that he knew about it before it was leaked. That's Fred Barnes, the Republicon senator from Tennessee. Sure, Fred, of course you knew. Now why don't you tell Fitz who told you. Fred, don't you think that the only reason it was common knowledge was because someone in the White House wanted it to be common knowledge? Don't you find it more than a little bit funny that only Republicons knew Plame's identity? I do.

What is it Rumsfeld says? They lie consistently and it works. It seems the terrorists aren't the only group adept at this practice.

Rumsfeld on Lying

I caught Rumsfeld's press briefing clip on CNN where he responds to the accusations of abuse and torture as claimed in a law suit filed by several detainees.

It seems quite far-fetched. Uh people are obviously everything that everyone alleges is looked in to. But um you’ve got to keep in mind that the documents that were found I believe in Manchester uh trained people, terrorists to lie about their treatment and they do it consistently and it always works.

Hmmmm....sounds familiar! Bushco and the Republicon party have something in common with terrorists. They lie consistently and it always works.

A Contradiction Named Sue

Where exactly does Sue Myrick stand on immigration? While her stance of late has been consistent, she has spent her last five years in Congress undoing what she did her first five years. In her early years she consistently voted on bills and amendments that would promote the spread of illegal immigration and make it easier for illegal immigrants to survive in the United States.

In 2004 and 2005 Myrick cosponsored just about every bill on immigration in the House. None of these promoted the sprawl of illegal immigration or offered protection for illegal immigrants. A few of these represent the exact opposite of Myrick's stance in the late 1990s. I wonder whether she would admit that she was wrong during her first few years or whether she just didn't know what she was doing. It would be interesting to see how she justifies her 180 degree turn on these issues. She hasn't responded to my email.

In 1996 Myrick along with an overwhelming majority of house members voted for H.R. 2202, a bill intended to reduce illegal immigration. Myrick then voted to strip this bill of its punch. She voted to continue chain migration by supporting the Chrysler-Berman Amendment which passed. She voted for the Pondo Amendment, which would have allowed growers to bring in up to 250,000 foreign farm workers each year for a limited time. She voted for it even though there was no provision to ensure that the workers would leave the country after their term of service was up. This amendment did not pass. She voted for the Burr Amendment which was a guest nurse program. It also failed. She voted against a mandatory workplace verification program and for a voluntary verification program. Both bills failed. In 2005 Myrick cosponsored H.R. 98, a bill to increase workplace verification. This is the very concept she had opposed in 1996.

In 1997 Myrick voted to extend section 245(i) which was a program that provided loopholes for certain illegals. Through this loophole they were able to pay a small fee to avoid being barred from reentry for 10 years. She voted to extend this program again in 2001. In 2002 Myrick voted to eliminate this loophole by voting against H.R. 365. This is another 180 change in her position.

In 1998 she voted to allow U.S. firms to layoff U.S. workers to make room for foreign workers in the high-tech arena. She then voted to nearly double H-1B foreign high-tech workers by voting for H.R. 3736. In 2003 Myrick once again reversed her position and cosponsored H.R. 2849, the USA Jobs Protection Act of 2003, that would have reformed visa programs aimed at preventing American high-tech workers from being displaced by foreign workers. This bill did not make it out of committee.

Sue Myrick first worked to expand illegal immigration and is now working at a feverish pitch to illiminate illegal immigration. Perhaps the events of September 11, 2001 sent her a message. More than likely, it's simply the approach of an election year and Sue has her sights on the Governor's mansion. The grandstanding and rhetoric have started.


On a personal note.........
I'm not arguing whether Sue's stance on this issue is right or wrong. This has been a difficult issue for me. I see too many different sides to it. If pressed this might be an issue where I lean a little to the protectionist side. I personally have never had a problem with an immigrant who is here illegally. We have quite a few up here in my section of the county. They aren't all gang members, drunks and murderers. They are mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, aunts, brothers and sisters all just trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. I understand that the current state of the world makes it essential that we protect ourselves from the potential threat some illegal immigrants hold for us. However, I look into the faces of the Mexican family that lives down the street and I don't see a threat. I see neighbors.

The Charlotte Observer FINALLY Gets the Story

On Thursday November 10th The Charlotte Observer reported the story that Sue Myrick and her cronies wanted it to report. Now, four days after I first pointed out Sue's big lie, Tim Funk has figured it out. He found another from Pat McHenry that I suspected, but didn't follow up.

It turns out that I was right. There were no Al Qaeda members arrested after crossing the border from Mexico a few weeks ago. As a matter of fact it has never happened. Myrick's spokesman, Andy Polk, says it was an honest mistake. Sorry. No way. Not for one second will I believe that Sue Myrick is that stupid and careless. This was an intentional act to mislead her constituents and prove the need for her legislation by appealing to their fear.

Patrick McHenry made an even bigger flub. He not only lied saying that one of the 9-11 hijackers had a NC driver's license, he tried to cover it up. Multiple times. He succeeded in making himself look exceptionally dumb. Then he succeeded in making himself look dumber.

Go here to see just how much fun Funk had with McHenry.

Out of curiosity I researched Myrick's votes on immigration issues while she's been in Washington. I'll post a little about that tomorrow.

Con men, Liars and Thieves

What are Republicans?

It's been a long weekend. I hosted a Harry Potter Movie Marathon for 9 girls between the ages of 10 and 12. We didn't discuss politics. There was very little giggling about boys and the consensus is Ron's hair is much too long. Yes, we already have our tickets for Friday evening!

Since I was too busy with my very important guests to finish my research on Sue Myrick's voting habits on illegal immigrants I thought I would leave a few links to my favorite blogs.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/ - Joshua Micah Marshall expressed his feelings after Dumbya's Veteran's Day speech and did so much better than I could have. I quit listening to the man so long ago. He's simply a moron. He also spends some time on Mehlman's lies. Larry Johnson does a great job on this site as well.

http://www.talkleft.com - Great site. I check it often.

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com - Steve is on the way back from Prague, so may not have a fresh post tomorrow.

http://www.dailykos.com - I can get lost here. So many entertaining voices.

http://www.politicalcompass.org/ - this is interesting. I'm -4.13, -4.00. Take the test. It's interesting. I'm happy to say I was closer to Gandhi than to Dumbya.

Happy Reading.

Myrick Grandstanding

I've spent the better part of the day searching every source I can to get more information on the 3 Al-Qaeda members Sue Myrick(R-NC) claims were arrested after having crossed the border from Mexico. She claims they were "holding them in the jail down there." I can't find any mention of this in government sources, major media sources, minor media sources or blogs.

Is this just another Republicon scare tactic? Is Myrick making this up? If she is and can't give reliable evidence to support her claim, she needs to be held accountable. You can go here to listen to the 14 minute press conference. I will try to get a transcript as soon as I can.

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of the scare tactics and lies that Republicons use when trying to gain public support. I thought Sue was above all this crap. I guess I was wrong. If anyone has been able to find any reliable sources to verify this information please let me know and I will apologize to Representative Myrick. Just stay away from the wingnut blogs. I've already found one that is quoting this as if it's the Lord's gospel.

More on the grandstanding later......

Talented Democrats don't all seek office

While I have lambasted a few of our elected Democrats it is much more difficult to find fault with a cast of very talented Dems who dedicate many unpaid hours to get other Democrats elected to office.

I can think of three recently who have worked tirelessly to either run campaigns or assist those who do run them. Pamela Bennett, Dan McCorkle and Tom Chumley have worked for many years on political campaigns. Why are these three so special? The most important thing is they keep it clean. I don't remember a dirty campaign linked to any of their names. Unlike others in the local campaign management business they can win without trying to damage the other candidate. Maybe they do a better job of picking their candidates. I think they just know how to succeed through plain hard work. Speaking of which, I guess they are back to their real jobs and won't have time to read this. My hat is off to these three and all the others who work so hard and are so dedicated to this process. Good job guys!

Dan, I still say she doesn't have it in her. I can taste that steak now!

Judy Gets Canned...Ummm...Retires

CNN is reporting that Judith Miller is retiring amid the controversy surrounding her involvment in the Plamegate investigation. There's always room for her in the blogging community. Just add her to your Powerho blog list.

Vote Vote Vote

Don't forget to vote. I'll be working the polls with my youngest daughter. I will post our victories as they are updated.

Dole Doesn't Think Rules Apply to Her

Liddy Dole is playing the victim. Oh, poor Liddy. She hired an assistant treasurer who had worked on her husband's campaigns. He was given sole authority over campaign contributions with no supervision at all. I would love to know who recommended this guy. He wasn't even supervised by the treasurer of the committee.

To be fair, the problem was found by DNCVC their own internal audit and was reported. But they are claiming that Hayward embezzled the money and the committee shouldn't be required to pay it back.

Hayward has reimbursed over $30,000 to the committee. To my knowledge none of this money has been used by the committee to start making the required refunds. Dole and her committee say they aren't responsible because they are the victims and it is entirely Hayward's fault. The FEC feels differently.

DNCVC chose to rely on one person's reputation and honesty rather than establishing a system where duties were segregated to provide checks and balances. That reliance allowed the embezzlement to occur and inaccurate disclosure reports to be filed.

For the full copy of the FEC audit and ruling you can go
here. This is a PDF file and is very easy to read and understand.
I'll report more on this later. I'm disgusted with Elizabeth Dole and Republicans in general.

Aaron Brown leaving CNN

I'm a little late on my goodbye to Mr. Brown. I rarely listen to CNN anymore, but will turn the volume up when I see that they are reporting breaking news. I absolutely do not enjoy Anderson Cooper's delivery and Wolf "If I yell they will think it's important" Blitzer is like fingernails on a chalk board to me.

There really is no reason to watch CNN now. Most bloggers have the news out before CNN. They were several minutes behind on the Fitzgerald announcements. Quite honestly, I think their attempts at killing their reporters by putting them out in hurricanes is no longer newsworthy and they need to just stop the pranks and tricks in an attempt to win viewers.

Aaron Brown has a smooth, calm delivery that is comforting even when he's delivering heart renching or terrifying news. I hope he lands somewhere that will value his talent. I look forward to his next broadcast.