An Ol’ Broad’s Ramblings
Archive for July 2007
No Fraud?
Whose Ox Is Gored
After Bush’s victory, liberals shouted “Voter fraud!” Why have they changed their tune?
Just before the 2004 election, the influential blog DailyKos.com warned of a “nationwide” wave of voter fraud against John Kerry. After the election, liberal blogger Josh Marshall urged Mr. Kerry not to concede because the election had been “too marred with voter suppression, dirty tricks and other unspeakable antics not to press every last possibility” of changing the outcome. When Congress met in January 2005 to certify the election results, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D., Calif.) and Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D., Ohio) challenged Mr. Bush’s victory and forced Congress to debate the issue. Months later, Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean maintained that blacks had been the victims of “massive voter suppression” in Ohio.
But now liberals are accusing the Bush Justice Department of cooking up spurious claims of voter fraud in the 2006 elections and creating what the New York Times calls a “fantasy” that voter fraud is a problem. Last week Sen. Patrick Leahy, the Judiciary Committee chairman, claimed that the administration fired eight U.S. attorneys last year in order to pressure prosecutors “to bring cases of voter fraud to try to influence elections.” He said one replacement U.S. attorney in Kansas City, Mo., was a “partisan operative” sent “to file charges on the eve of an election in violation of Justice Department guidelines.” But the Kansas City prosecution was approved by career Justice lawyers, and the guidelines in question have since been rewritten by career lawyers in the Public Integrity section of Justice.
Rest the rest.
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Alert
I just heard on Steve Gill’s show that he has spoken to Fred’s bunch and Spencer Abraham is NOT going to be the campaign manager. Evidently, Abraham has some expertise in grass roots, so FDT is going to be picking his brain in that area.
Personally, if Abraham is such a polarizing figure, Fred might want to find someone else to get the ‘grass roots’ motivated. We shall see.
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Fred’s non-Campaign Campaign
WAITING FOR FRED
Steve Gill
Over the past several weeks the Fred Thompson non-campaign campaign for President has gained momentum with top flight advisors coming on board, impressive poll results in key primary states, and enthusiastic crowds in Alabama, Texas and California urging him on. Yet, an increasing number of political pundits, media types, and Thompson supporters (known sometimes as “Frednecks,†“Fredheads,†or “Frederalistsâ€) have questioned why Thompson is delaying his “official†entry into the race. Some have even speculated that he is having second thoughts about running at all. While other candidates clamor for attention, it seems that most eyes are turned expectantly toward Fred.
There were early news reports that his campaign would begin on July 4, but that date was never seriously under consideration by the Thompson “testing the waters†operation. In fact, many “delays†in the Thompson announcement have been based on erroneous dates tossed about by those who were not actually “in the know.†It now appears that Thompson’s campaign for President will officially get underway sometime the first week in September.
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Movie Review & Stuff
Short person and I spent the evening watching The Last Mimzy. All I can say is….. HUH? What a strange movie. The concept was interesting, but I seriously doubt Homeland Security would just let those kids take off in a big ol’ truck.  There was something offbeat about the whole movie. I’m not sure if it was the directing, acting, or editing, but something was just ….. off.
Naturally, a movie that takes less than two hours to watch ended up taking closer to four. Thank goodness the ‘pause’ button was invented! We had to go outside and look at the moon a couple of times, and check out the stars. “Why are the stars so bright?” Well, because there aren’t a lot of city lights to block the light. “Why?” Because we are out in the country. “Why are we in the country?” The questions continued in this vein until I pointed her back towards the door. sigh…. No, I didn’t smack her, but the temptation was strong.   
Then, there was the constant coaxing of Hootie to come down from the top of the cabinets. She’s been there all day. I finally had to put her food and water on top of the refrigerator. She just came down a few minutes ago to take a few swipes at Mr. Spot, and Mr. Spot being the kitten he still is, despite his size, just had to chase her under the bed, sit there and stare, and honestly, I swear I could hear him chuckling. Males!  
So, we finally got through the movie and I’m just as baffled as I was when it started. I found some of the references a tad odd, like the “universe speaking” and the Tibetan stuff. Oh well, it was entertaining, and kept short person semi entertained for a while. Maybe I should watch it again when there won’t be constant interruptions?
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Liberals Explained
This is as good an explanation as any.
This Explains Liberalism
Today’s older liberals are the hippies from the 1960s. These people are the ones who protested the war in Vietnam, had love ins and smoked dope while adding little to the value of society. Attired in their tie dyed jeans and driving their VW Beetles, they caused social discord** everywhere they were. Those people had to eventually grow up (or older at least) and they had to get jobs to pay their way through life (those who did not live on welfare). They infested academia and became professors so that they could fill the mush brained youth entrusted to them with liberal pablum. They ran for office so that they could force their social policies and failed liberal ideology upon us.
No doubt there will be those who disagree, but hey, there are always are ‘dissenters’.
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Proud Marine
I’m a big supporter of the troops. I’ve had many “adopted” soldiers since our troops started the war against terror. I received this email this morning that I’d like to share: (emphasis added is mine)
Thank you for your support. It is very heart warming for me and my Marines to hear that we are supported in our actions to deter terrorism and ensure the freedom of the Iraqi people. I am sorry that I have not been able to respond back to you until now. I have been gainfully employed for the past couple of months. So please except my apology. To give you some information about my Marines and I and what we specifically do; I have about 44 Marines and Sailors, we are a counter IED and Security escort platoon. On most days we patrol down the road looking for IED’s so that we can dispose of them, this allows others to travel without worry of hitting one. We also provide security for convoys, ensuring they receive safe passage to and from their destination. When we are at our camp we live in what we call cans, they are kind trailer only smaller, it has A/C so I am happy. Our living conditions are good, nothing to complain about. It is starting to heat up around here 115 degrees and higher most days. The biggest message I want to send to everyone, is how brave my Marines are, and how amazing their accomplishments are. Most of my Marines are between the ages of 18 to 20. Most have just graduated high school, and joined well after the war had started. Yet they came forward and joined the Marines, a time when their service is most valuable. Unlike most of their peer group, they have chosen to spend their summers fighting to preserve freedom, liberty and justice for the Iraqi people. They are not at the beach, they missed spring break. They spend their Friday nights cleaning weapons and checking over gear. It is truly amazing to watch their determination. I don’t think that they truly think twice about it. They truly humble me. All we really need out here is the support that individuals such as yourself continue to provide. That is what motivates my Marines the most. By the way living out in the boonies is a good thing. Its quiet out there.
How can anyone in this country minimize the efforts made by men and women like this? Do we really want to hand them a defeat by politicians?
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They’ve Multiplied!
If you have been visiting for a while, you’ll be familiar with my continuous battle with alien critters (aka peacocks and goats). I was only gone for a week, yet come back to find the SOBs have multiplied. Ok, not severely, but where there were only six peacocks when I left, now there are seven. Seven full grown, mocking fowl! Quote from small child: That’s pretty cool, but they’re evil! Well, I couldn’t agree more.
I realize that the Lord made these beautiful birds for a darn good reason. That being said, I’m fairly sure it wasn’t so they could drive me completely and utterly insane, but for the life of me, I can’t figure it out at this point in time.
I didn’t manage to get any pictures because I was too busy trying to chase them off (yes, Fred, in my jammies).
The cat battle has been fairly interesting this morning. Tazz finally decided she’s not going to live on my desk, so she’s at least wandering around the house. She is still hissing and spitting when Mr. Spot moves in too close, but any progress getting them use to each other is a good thing. Hootie, on the other hand, would not even come down off the fridge for breakfast. I had to put her bowl up there. sigh…. I tried luring her down a little at a time, to the counter, then the floor, but the bottomless pit of felines, aka Mr. Spot, got to her food before she’d even made the effort.
This is going to be a long process.  I wonder if I’ll live long enough. 
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Morning Coffee 7/29/07
House Members Say They Will Try to Block Arms Sales to Saudis
The Bush administration’s plan to sell $20 billion in advanced weaponry to Saudi Arabia and five other Persian Gulf countries is running into congressional opposition and criticism from human rights and arms control groups.
Members of Congress vowed yesterday to oppose any deal to Saudi Arabia on grounds that the kingdom has been unhelpful in Iraq and unreliable at fighting terrorism. King Abdullah has called the U.S. military presence in Iraq an “illegitimate occupation,” and the Saudis have been either unable or unwilling to stop suicide bombers who have ended up in Iraq, congressional sources say.
Has the man completely lost his mind?????????? Contrary to what he thinks, these people are NOT allies!
Giuliani and Romney rake in the River Oaks cash
In Houston’s prosperous River Oaks, campaign donations have been flowing to the presidential contenders, particularly Republicans Rudolph Giuliani and Mitt Romney.
Over in eclectic Montrose, however, Democratic Sen. Barack Obama is tops in raking in the contributions. And on the city’s working class east side, none of the national candidates is reaping big campaign checks.
Being familiar with both areas, I can tell ya exactly the type of folks who are doing the donating. River Oaks: that would be the folks who provide jobs for a good chunk of folks. Montrose: well, I’ll be polite, and just say artsy fartsy types.
Foreign policy is central in 2008 presidential races
It’s easy to tell the difference between the two parties on foreign policy in this presidential campaign. The Democrats all want to talk about getting out of Iraq, but not so much about Al Qaeda or terrorism. The Republicans all want to talk about terrorism, but not so much about Iraq.
The Dhimmis talk defeat, the Repubs talk about victory. Hmmm…..yeah, there’s a difference alright. But war is not the only thing people care about, and sadly the lefty media isn’t paying attention.
Japan’s ruling coalition heading for election defeat
Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe’s conservative ruling camp was headed for a devastating election defeat today that could well force the 52-year-old leader to resign, media exit polls showed.
The election for half the seats in parliament’s 242-member upper house is the first nationwide electoral test since Abe took over as prime minister 10 months ago, pledging to boost Japan’s global security profile, rewrite its pacifist constitution and nurture economic growth.
Pointing out my ignorance again: What is a ‘pacifist constitution’?
Waunakee man shot to death early today in Madison neighborhood
A Waunakee man was shot to death early today in a West Side Madison neighborhood.
Police said they were continuing to investigate the shooting of Kevin Cobbins, 26, according to the Dane County Coroner’s Office.
My prayers are with the family. (I thought the land of Oz was a ‘gun-free’ zone?)
Sex Suit Could Be Problem for Bloomberg
Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks his mind and that is a big part of his cachet in anything-goes New York. But a sexual harassment lawsuit he settled in 2000 and other racy comments over the years show how his blunt style could prove a liability if he runs for president as an independent.
Bloomberg might have had an R behind his name to ride Giuliani’s coattails into office, but he’s no conservative. Sex scandal or not, he is not right for this country!
War chronicled before it’s over
On a night four years ago, five soldiers back from three months in Iraq went drinking at a Hooters restaurant and a topless bar near Fort Benning, Ga.
Before the night was over, one of them, Spc. Richard R. Davis, was dead of at least 33 stab wounds, his body doused with lighter fluid and burned. Two of the group would eventually be convicted of the murder, another pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and the last confessed to concealing the crime.
Now some in Hollywood want moviegoers to decide if the incident is emblematic of a war gone bad, part of a new and perhaps risky willingness in the entertainment business to push even the touchiest debates about post-9/11 security, Iraq and the troops’ status from the confines of documentaries into the realm of mainstream political drama.
Hollyweird turning tragedy into profit and promoting it’s own agenda. What a shocker! (sarcasm)
Terrorist leader’s speech attacks Israel and the U.S.
Hezbollah’s leader said Saturday that the terrorist Islamic group’s war last summer with Israel has left the U.S. vision of a “new Middle East” in shambles and claimed the guerrilla group was ready to strike Israel again at any time.
The Middle East has it’s own vision….a world without Israel AND the U.S. I really think we should start paying attention to their words, and take them at face value.
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:-)
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The Meeting
We arrived in TN around 4;30. Since then, it’s been an interesting array of hissing and spitting. No, obviously, small child and I aren’t making the ruckus.
Hootie, the ‘old lady’ (11) isn’t all that thrilled being in a new place AND having a young male already in residence.
Tazz, the middle child (6), who has always been the baby, and thinks she’s Princess of the World, isn’t jumping for joy either.
So, since about 5:30, Hootie has found her perch…..
…and has only come down once….to hiss and spit and make all kinds of racket.
Tazz has been hiding in the office…..
….on my semi naked desk.
And Mr. Spot?
He just doesn’t give a happy crap! It’s his house, and if they don’t want to talk to him, then he’s not gonna stress it! 
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