The Liberal Doomsayer My blog deals primarily with national politics in the U.S. as well as, on occasion, local politics in Pennsylvania. From time to time, I may have something to say about sports and entertainment as well. I try to interpret information that shapes the news and provide context to current events. I am definitely left of center politically, but as far as I'm concerned, neither major party is perfect. Statistics Unique Visitors: Total Unique Visitors: Outgoing: Total Outgoing: 35 0 59 4457

Articles from The Liberal Doomsayer

"Biden" His Time Until He Departs 2007-08-24 14:13:00 Based on this column, it appears that the AP’s Matt Stearns has no idea as to why Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware “has no traction” among the contenders in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary.As Stearns tells us (with subtle digs aimed at Dems in general, by the way)…Of the 2008 presidential campaign’s storylines, that of Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr., D-Del., is among the strangest: Eminent senator, 34 years service, respected chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee during an era of international tumult. Retail politician of rare skill, with a bedazzling smile, a golden tongue and frequent hands-on touches of voters, as if to draw life-force from them. A compelling personal story of early success, horrific personal loss, professional humiliation and ultimate recovery. Even a new book, “Promises to Keep,” inching this week onto the New York Times best-seller list.…This even as the election turns on Biden’s specialty, national security.And leave it to Biden to come up w ...

The "Timoney Travails" Epic Continues 2007-08-24 12:06:00 This AP story tells us that Miami police chief John Timoney is in hot water for using an SUV gratis over the prior year; though he apparently broke no law in doing so, he admits that it creates the perception that he received “something for nothing.”The story also notes the following…An officers' union scheduled an unusual no-confidence vote next month in an effort to oust him. Timoney said he will formally ask the city manager, to whom he reports, and the city's ethics board to determine if he did anything wrong.And in case you were wondering, no, the no-confidence vote isn’t solely over what were apparently free rides in an SUV…The chief also said there were issues other than the SUV involved in the union decision to hold a no-confidence vote, which he labeled as politically motivated. (Union treasurer William) Scarola acknowledged that the SUV was "a catalyst" among officers who have chafed under rules they perceive as limiting their discretion and treating them as "guil ...

Thursday Videos 2007-08-23 22:09:00 Political stuff - the first is in response to the "Freedom Crock" campaign......and the second is some more "Back Talk" about the most important threat that we face, as opposed to the threat against overseas terrorism (the latter is important also, but it can't destroy the foundation of our government, and even former Reaganites see it, such as Bruce Fein and Paul Craig Roberts, of course). ...

Unhappy Holidays? 2007-08-23 17:40:00 Inspired (?) by this story...‘Twas some time before Christmas, and all through the houseLaura and Dubya were both getting sousedOnce-loyal Bushies were scarcely in sightWith only Darth Cheney out prowling at nightJenna was wearing a holiday glowAs soon-to-be-hubby enjoyed ho-ho-hoAnd Bar at a frat house drank “GTs” galoreAnd now found herself all passed out on the floorThe first flakes of winter now slowly appearedAs Dubya no longer sought comfort in beerAfter he stared at the new-falling snowHe opened his stash and went looking for “blow”When what to his wondering eyes should appearA Republican senator shaking with fear“Please Mr. President,” John Warner said“Help save our troops and don’t leave them for dead.”“How’d you get into my house?” Dubya cried“Had to – was freezing to death,” John repliedHe then pleaded on, “I have here a billI pray that you read it – it’s not one to killIt still shows support for the war in IraqBut our people will know t ...

Thursday Gun Nonsense 2007-08-23 15:49:00 The Philadelphia Inquirer reports today that Gov. Ed Rendell is shutting down PA’s instant background check system for gun purchases from Sept. 2nd to the 6th because of “much-needed computer upgrades.”OK, all you gun nuts, time to “lock n’ load”…"This is a slap in the face to the law-abiding citizens of the commonwealth who wish to purchase a gun during this time," Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati (R., Jefferson) said in a statement issued this week.(The story notes that the four-day stretch when the network will be down coincides with the start of hunting season, when doves and early Canada geese become fair game.)Scarnati continued with this utterly calm response – snark…"I am concerned that this is just another attempt by liberals from Philadelphia to limit the rights of gun owners and those who wish to become a gun owner."Scarnati did not return phone calls yesterday to elaborate.He is not the only one expressing concerns about the shutdown - though o ...

The 8.6 Percent Non-Solution 2007-08-23 14:52:00 I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know much about California politics. And this story is good news in that Democratic State Assemblywoman Laura Richardson is going to Washington to fill the seat of the late Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald.But I’d like to note the following about her victory (which was anticipated, apparently)...As expected, turnout was low, at 8.6 percent. Tuesday's runoff was a bit anti-climactic after a bruising primary campaign in June between Richardson and state Sen. Jenny Oropeza.Now I have to admit that I know a thing or two about elections that, due to a one-party plurality, end up being mere formalities (we have such a case in Philadelphia with Democratic nominee and presumed-next-mayor Michael Nutter running against Republican Al Taubenberger – not to be a cynic, but the real election was the Democratic primary, which Nutter won against four other candidates).But 8.6 percent? That’s not low, that’s microscopic!Is it really necessary for me ...

All Terra, All The Time (updated) 2007-08-23 13:47:00 I think National Intelligence Director (an ironic job for this man if ever there was one) Mike (“Ooga Booga!”) McConnell must think we’re as dumb as he is.As noted by Editor and Publisher here…McConnell confirmed for the first time (in an interview with an El Paso, TX newspaper…gotta keep this away from the New York Times, I guess) that the private sector assisted with President Bush's warrantless surveillance program. AT&T, Verizon and other telecommunications companies are being sued for their cooperation. "Now if you play out the suits at the value they're claimed, it would bankrupt these companies," McConnell said, arguing that they deserve immunity for their help.Oh sure, act on a bogus lead from AT&T or Verizon phone records, break into the home of an elderly couple instead of an alleged “terrist,” either the man or woman is shocked into having a heart attack and dies for the screwup, and either one of the two companies ends up not being liable because they ha ...

Wednesday Videos 2007-08-22 22:40:00 Happy Birthday to Paul Doucette of Matchbox Twenty ("Push")......Happy Birthday also to Gary Lee Conner of Screaming Trees ("Nearly Lost You")......Happy Birthday also to Tori Amos ("Cornflake Girl"; pardon a bit of artsy self-indulgence - never would have thought to have a song-and-dance performed atop a used pickup truck, complete with Amos on "air piano")......and for a complete and total about-face, here is filmmaker Robert Greenwald's latest "Fox Attacks" video, this time concerning Iran (hate to break the news to these idiots on TV, but anyone who thinks our fine service people, already wiped out by Iraq, can take on this infinitely superior military power at this point must be jacking off in front of a photo of General George S. Patton or something, or possibly GWB; nice to shed their own blood in such a fool's errand, though I realize that's waaay too much to ask - just watch "24" instead, since I guess that's the only real "war on terra" in which they're willing to partic ...

Silvio’s Fishy New Protégé 2007-08-22 17:47:00 Gosh, it’s been just so darned long since I checked in with former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to find out what well-moneyed right-wing businessmen do with themselves to pass the time on “the continent” once they’ve fallen from power, I know.You remember Silvio, don’t you? He tried to abstain from sex until last April’s Italian general election (no word on whether or not he succeeded), he once referred to himself as “the Jesus of politics,” and he held out for a time on calling his successor Romano Prodi to concede (though Silvio eventually acted like a stand-up guy and did the right thing).Now, according to the Times of London here, he is promoting Michela Vittoria Brambilla as the head of something called the “Party of Freedom,” which I guess is supposed to a new conservative coalition or something. And as the Times also notes…Brambilla runs a fish import business specialising in salmon and seafood, and is head of the Italian young entrepreneurs ass ...

Dirk's Dirty Work 2007-08-22 17:33:00 This editorial appeared in the New York Times yesterday…Dirk Kempthorne’s arrival in Washington as secretary of the interior raised hope among conservationists that he would moderate the Bush administration’s aggressive search for oil and gas in some of the country’s most environmentally sensitive lands. This has not happened. The Bureau of Land Management, which issues drilling leases and permits, seems to moving as recklessly as it did under Mr. Kempthorne’s predecessor, Gale Norton, and even the administration’s natural allies have finally had enough.Last Friday, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership sued the Interior Department to protest the recent authorization of 2,000 new oil and gas wells, along with 1,000 miles of roads and another 1,000 miles of pipeline in a wildlife-rich area of south-central Wyoming known as the Atlantic Rim. The suit accuses the bureau of multiple violations of federal law, including the requirement that it fully assess less destruc ...

Thank You, President 25 Percent "Mandate"! 2007-08-22 16:18:00 This is an occasion where words pretty much fail me (well, not completely).In a year and a political climate where all of the foul Repug chickens, as it were, have come home to roost (Iraq, domestic spying, continued inaction on the climate crisis, obstructionism by Incurious George on all manner of legislation from the 110th Congress, the possible onset of a recession...for everyone, including the investor class...due to the subprime mortgage debacle - and note that legitimate Immigration reform, though important, isn’t on the list), reflected in the fact that they trail the Democrats in fundraising (and in congressional races also), you’ll never guess how they’re choosing to spend their money.By attacking each other! O happy, happy day!!As kos notes here…Former White House aides are joining Republican fundraisers in bankrolling a $15 million, five-week advertising campaign putting pressure on lawmakers whose backing of President Bush's Iraq war strategy may be wavering.The g ... President

More Bad Karma From Big Pharma 2007-08-22 15:08:00 This AP/Minnesota Public Radio story tells us of a law in that state that requires drugmakers to disclose how much money they spend on members of state advisory panels who select the drugs used in Medicaid programs, and what kind of revelations are discovered (hmm, can you smell just a whiff of collusion, boys and girls?).As noted…Those panels, most comprised of physicians, hold great sway over the $28 billion spent on drugs each year for Medicaid patients nationwide. But aside from Minnesota, only Vermont and Maine require drug companies to report payments to doctors for lectures, consulting, research and other services.An Associated Press review of records in Minnesota found that a doctor and a pharmacist on the eight-member state panel simultaneously got big checks - more than $350,000 to one - from pharmaceutical companies for speaking about their products.…The AP began looking at the records in mid-June. Soon after, the Minnesota Medicaid Drug Formulary Committee began conside ...

Hil Is A "Pill" On Iraq 2007-08-22 11:40:00 (She's not alone, though - I think U.S. House Rep. Jerry Mc Nerney needs a "manhood" test based on this, and I never thought I'd ever say this, but kudos to Ellen Tauscher.McNerney's wants to "see what is acceptable to Republicans"? Screw you! Way to repay Markos et al for their help.)So Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton is telling us that the surge is “working” in Al Anbar province, huh?Thanks loads, Senator.Yes, there have been some gains, as noted by David Bonior of the John Edwards campaign, but Bonior quite rightly says that "by cherry-picking one instance to validate a failed Bush strategy, it risks undermining the effort in the Congress to end this war.”(And by the way, we should leave Iraq if for no other reason that to show up Nouri al-Maliki for the monumental ingrate that he is; yes, Bushco has fracked up in endless ways, beginning with the original invasion of a country that was never a threat to us – even Rummy never took the threat of Iraqi nukes ...

Tuesday Videos 2007-08-21 22:57:00 The Presidents Of The United States of America ("Lump," nice to be understated, guys, and never forget that, when all is said and done, this is a song about a fish)......Happy Birthday to Kenny Rogers, and as a tribute, here are those OK Go guys and their damn treadmills again doing what they do best (?) to "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" from those swinging, psychedelic '60s bay-bee; the mind-blowing last few seconds are missing, but that's OK (Rogers sang this song with The First Edition, of course, 1967 or so I believe)......Happy Birthday also to Glenn Hughes of Black Sabbath ("War Pigs," with images of Iraq and elsewhere burned into our memory thanks to Bushco)......and before there was Clapton (yes, there was such a time), there was guitar god James Burton (played with Elvis), who celebrates a birthday today (picking the electric on Nick Lowe's "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding" which Lowe sings with Elvis Costello - I'll let ...

Bobby Jindal Is An Idiot 2007-08-21 21:00:00 (Sigh - here we go again...).I know there are many tolerant Catholics possessing common sense and compassion who are just living their lives, have no desire to try and cram our beliefs down anyone else's throat and wish for all of us to just get along (like me). But why oh why is it that many of the Catholics in public life are intolerant, loudmouthed morons?Rep. Bobby Jindal is a Republican (surprised?) running for governor of Louisiana. Aside from hoping and praying and doing what I can to help the people of Louisiana whose lives were turned completely upside down by Katrina to get back on their feet, I couldn't give a fig about what happens in that state, politically, culturally, or otherwise.However, the fact that Jindal passes himself off as someone who represents my faith (he most certainly does not, as far as I'm concerned) is repellent and abhorrent to me to the point where I believe I have to speak out against him.So here is the YouTube video and this link to the Daily Kos ...