Randall Tobias, the U.S. Director of Foreign Assistance for the Bush administration, recently resigned after being questioned by federal investigators regarding services he received from a Washington, D.C. escort service. (Along with his obviously outstanding morals, Tobias is married and has two children.)
The first irony is that, in his role as Director of Foreign Assistance, Tobias provided strategic direction and guidance to various foreign programs, including the promotion of sex education programs emphasizing abstinence. Second, when he previously served as the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, Tobias was responsible for managing all international HIV/AIDS funding and assistance provided by numerous agencies and departments of the U.S. government. In this position, he enforced a policy requiring all recipient countries to swear their opposition to prostitution and sex trafficking. (By the way, in an April 2004 speech, Tobias stated that "Statistics show that condoms really have not been very effective".) The fact that no conservatives are denouncing Tobias's behavior is a prime example of the hypocrisy common in the Republican Party. In fact, it is a perfect reminder of when Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) resigned after exchanging sexually explicit e-mails with former Congressional pages, even though Foley had served as the Chairman of the House Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
Comments on the Virginia Tech Tragedy
First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the students and faculty killed at Virginia Tech on April 16th. However, after listening to numerous discussions that have occurred since those horrible events, I do have a couple of comments:
1. Considering my somewhat close proximity to Blacksburg, I obviously saw and heard about the many ways that individuals were honoring the students and faculty. However, I was not one of those people who wore maroon and orange. Why not? Trust me, it was not to be difficult or in protest. I decided not to wear those colors because we as a nation don't decide to wear camouflage even once a month to honor the military personnel killed in the Middle East. (By the way, the Department of Defense has officially confirmed 3,323 U.S. casualties in Iraq to this point, not including the 9 soldiers killed today when a suicide car bomb struck near a patrol base in Diyala province.) Mr. Bush delivered multiple speeches regarding the events at Virginia Tech but will not even take the time to read the names of military casualties during his weekly radio address.
2. I have also listened to countless individuals insist that the country's restrictions on handguns should be relaxed, thereby hopefully reducing the amount of tragedies similar to the one at Virginia Tech. Really? Because when I reflect back to my college days, I can confidently state that I would not want the overwhelmingly majority of my fellow students, even with proper instruction, to be walking around with a handgun. Not only that, just think about what would happen if these now armed individuals are cut off on the highway, argue with a coworker or involved in a family dispute. How easy would it be now for those people to use that weapon in order to settle the conflict? Last but not least, Cho Seung-Hui was deeply troubled and intent on murdering innocent individuals last Monday at Virginia Tech. If faculty members or other students were permitted to carry handguns, then Seung-Hui would have used an automatic weapon. If faculty or students possessed automatic weapons, then he probably would have detonated a bomb.
1. Considering my somewhat close proximity to Blacksburg, I obviously saw and heard about the many ways that individuals were honoring the students and faculty. However, I was not one of those people who wore maroon and orange. Why not? Trust me, it was not to be difficult or in protest. I decided not to wear those colors because we as a nation don't decide to wear camouflage even once a month to honor the military personnel killed in the Middle East. (By the way, the Department of Defense has officially confirmed 3,323 U.S. casualties in Iraq to this point, not including the 9 soldiers killed today when a suicide car bomb struck near a patrol base in Diyala province.) Mr. Bush delivered multiple speeches regarding the events at Virginia Tech but will not even take the time to read the names of military casualties during his weekly radio address.
2. I have also listened to countless individuals insist that the country's restrictions on handguns should be relaxed, thereby hopefully reducing the amount of tragedies similar to the one at Virginia Tech. Really? Because when I reflect back to my college days, I can confidently state that I would not want the overwhelmingly majority of my fellow students, even with proper instruction, to be walking around with a handgun. Not only that, just think about what would happen if these now armed individuals are cut off on the highway, argue with a coworker or involved in a family dispute. How easy would it be now for those people to use that weapon in order to settle the conflict? Last but not least, Cho Seung-Hui was deeply troubled and intent on murdering innocent individuals last Monday at Virginia Tech. If faculty members or other students were permitted to carry handguns, then Seung-Hui would have used an automatic weapon. If faculty or students possessed automatic weapons, then he probably would have detonated a bomb.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Failed Cover-Up of the Week
Preparing to testify this week before the Senate Judiciary Committee concerning the recent dismissal of eight United States attorneys, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales stated today in The Washington Post: "I know that I did not--and would not--ask for the resignation of any U.S. attorney for an improper reason."
Of course, nothing was improper. Usually the Senate Judiciary Committee takes time out of their busy schedule to listen to testimony when nothing improper has occurred. First and foremost, it is important to point out that these terminations are not entirely politically motivated because six of the U.S. attorneys are Republicans. However, the Bush administration is clearly lying by stating that these dismissals are based on performance. In fact, when you examine the backgrounds of these attorneys, the water appears more than just a little cloudy.
Of course, nothing was improper. Usually the Senate Judiciary Committee takes time out of their busy schedule to listen to testimony when nothing improper has occurred. First and foremost, it is important to point out that these terminations are not entirely politically motivated because six of the U.S. attorneys are Republicans. However, the Bush administration is clearly lying by stating that these dismissals are based on performance. In fact, when you examine the backgrounds of these attorneys, the water appears more than just a little cloudy.
- Although he recently received a positive job review ("very competent and highly regarded") in 2006, Bud Cummins, a Republican, was investigating the accusation that Missouri Gov. Matthew Blunt, also a Republican, abused his power by creating a system of umbrella companies established through a Kansas City law firm to operate Missouri's licensing network.
- Described in her last review as "an effective manager and respected leader", Carol Lam successfully prosecuted former Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-CA) for corruption and indicted Kyle Fuggo (former Executive Director of the Central Intelligence Agency) for fraud and other offenses in regards to the Cunningham case, as well as indicting Brent Wilkes (a defense contractor and lobbyist) for his illegal involvement with Cunningham and other scandals. Lam was also investigating Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA), the former Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, for various improprieties.
- According to his recent review, David Iglesias, a Republican, was "respected by the judiciary, agencies and staff". In addition, he was previously praised by the Justice Department for his expertise in the area of voter fraud by the Justice Department. As a matter of fact, he was twice selected to train other federal prosecutors on pursuing election crimes.
- Seven months before he was forced to resign, John McKay, a Republican, received a glowing performance review from a team of 27 Justice Department officials, being called "an effective, well regarded and capable leader". McKay was also recognized for his successful prosecution of terrorist Ahmed Ressam and his promotion and management of a computer network used to coordinate numerous law enforcement agencies, for which he received the highest civilian honor from the United States Navy.
- Despite his most recent review being categorized as "very positive", Daniel Bogden investigated former Rep. James Gibbons (now Republican Governor of Nevada) for accepting unreported payments and gifts from a friend whose software company Gibbons aided in securing secret military contracts during his tenure in Congress.
- The office of Paul Charlton was honored with the Federal Service Award and recognized by the Justice Department as a "model program" regarding the protection of crime victims, along with ranking among the top 20 offices for drug prosecutions. Among the 93 U.S. attorneys, Charlton himself ranked last year in the top third in the highest amount of filed federal prosecutions (as well as convictions) and among the top 10 in the amount of weapons related prosecutions, while managing a district in the top five in the amount of immigration related prosecutions. Unfortunately for Charlton, a Republican, he had started a corruption investigation against Rep. Richard Renzi (R-AZ) and disagreed with the Bush administration on the death penalty and the recording of interviews and confessions on Native American reservations.
- In a 2006 review, Margaret Chiara, a Republican, was depicted as "classy, distinguished and well regarded". During her tenure, the jurisdiction witnessed a 15% increase in felony prosecutions and convictions. Chiara also developed an attorney training and mentoring program which now serves as a national model.
Conservatives with Short Term Memory Loss
I want to preface this particular posting by stating that I am in no way, shape or form a fan of Don Imus, even before he and his executive producer insulted the Rutgers University women's basketball team. In fact, I think he is nothing but a talentless and humorless moron. With that in mind, it is extremely interesting how all of the right wing pundits have been attacking Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton for their reactions to the situation, instead of admonishing Imus. Now notice that I said "interesting", not shocking. Why I am not shocked? Because the majority of those pundits have made recent comments just as inflammatory, if not worse. The following are only a few examples from the last 6+ months:
- Ann Coulter implied that Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards is a "faggot" at the 34th annual Conservative Political Action Conference.
- After Missouri pre-teen Shawn Hornbeck was found in January after being abducted more than four years ago by Michael Devlin, Bill O'Reilly of FOX News unfortunately decided to comment: "The situation here, for this kid, looks to me to be a lot more fun than what he had under his 'old' parents...And I think, when it all comes down, what's going to happen is there was an element here that this kid liked about his circumstance." (Yes, you did read that correctly. O'Reilly did say "old parents". I guess that, according to O'Reilly, Hornbeck's new father is also his kidnapper and sexual abuser.)
- "Do your duty. Make more babies." This plea came from John Gibson of FOX News after a recent report from the United States Census Bureau showed that 45% of all U.S. children under the age of five are either racial or ethnic minorities, with the percentage steadily increasing primarily due to the rapid growth of the Hispanic population.
- Prior to last November's congressional elections, actor Michael J. Fox taped a commercial for Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) regarding embryonic stem cell research. Apparently now a medical expert, Rush Limbaugh falsely claimed that "In this commercial, [Fox] is exaggerating the effects of [Parkinson's] disease. He is moving all around and shaking and it's purely an act. This is the only time I have ever seen Michael J. Fox portray any of the symptoms of the disease he has."
- Following November's election of Keith Ellison (D-MN), a practicing Muslim, to the U.S. House of Representatives, CNN's Glenn Beck got off on the right foot during his conversation with Ellison by stating: "I have been nervous about this interview with you because what I feel like saying is 'Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies'."
- After singer Melissa Etheridge thanked her partner Tammy Lynn Michaels in her recent Academy Awards acceptance speech, talk radio host Michael Savage commented that "I don't like a woman married to a woman. It makes me want to puke. How's that? I want to vomit when I hear it. I think it's child abuse."
Saturday, April 7, 2007
3 Brainless Republicans with Foot in Mouth Disease
The House Armed Services Committee recently requested the removal of the phrase "global war on terror" from the 2008 federal budget because the term is too generic. Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) explained that this decision by the committee members was in response to the long standing efforts of the Republican Party "to tie together the misadventure in Iraq and the overall war against terrorists". Skelton and other Democrat leaders were immediately blasted by these three conservative nitwits:
1. During an airing of "Glenn Beck" on CNN Headline News, Mike Allen, the chief political correspondent for Politico.com, claimed that the "Democrats are trying to make Iraq the President's personal war". Allen continued by eloquently stating that "It's one big pot and, even if Harry Potter cannot name it, we're going to".
2. In the same interview, Beck suggested that, as a result of the actions of the House Armed Services Committee, he is starting to believe the Democrats want the United States to lose the Iraq War. Beck asked: "Why don't you do some real work instead of all of this political garbage? [The Democrats] have turned this into nothing but just trying to win the next election."
3. Last but not least, in an interview on "The Rush Limbaugh Show", Vice President Dick Cheney (one of the biggest nitwits of them all) proposed that Skelton was displaying "flawed thinking" by attempting to eliminate the phrase in the budget. In fact, Cheney declared that Skelton is "just dead wrong about this".
Way to go, gentlemen! Apparently these brain surgeons have not paid any attention to what their own side has been saying over the last two years. What do I mean by that?
1. On July 22, 2005, former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld described the country's efforts in the Iraq War as "the global struggle against the enemies of freedom, the enemies of civilization". More recently, in an interview with Cal Thomas (the most widely syndicated political columnist in the U.S.), Rumsfeld professed that "I don't think I would have called it the war on terror...Terror is a weapon of choice for extremists who are trying to destabilize regimes and, through a small group of clerics, impose their dark vision on all the people they can control. So 'war on terror' is a problem for me."
2. Two days after Rumsfeld's comments, General Richard Myers, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, informed the National Press Club that he "objected to the use of the term 'war on terrorism' before because, if you call it a war, then you think of people in uniform as being the solution".
3. On July 27, 2005, Stephen Hadley, the National Security Advisor to Mr. Bush, stated in a telephone interview: "It is more than just a military war on terror. It's broader than that. It's a global struggle against extremism. We need to dispute both the gloomy vision and offer a positive alternative."
1. During an airing of "Glenn Beck" on CNN Headline News, Mike Allen, the chief political correspondent for Politico.com, claimed that the "Democrats are trying to make Iraq the President's personal war". Allen continued by eloquently stating that "It's one big pot and, even if Harry Potter cannot name it, we're going to".
2. In the same interview, Beck suggested that, as a result of the actions of the House Armed Services Committee, he is starting to believe the Democrats want the United States to lose the Iraq War. Beck asked: "Why don't you do some real work instead of all of this political garbage? [The Democrats] have turned this into nothing but just trying to win the next election."
3. Last but not least, in an interview on "The Rush Limbaugh Show", Vice President Dick Cheney (one of the biggest nitwits of them all) proposed that Skelton was displaying "flawed thinking" by attempting to eliminate the phrase in the budget. In fact, Cheney declared that Skelton is "just dead wrong about this".
Way to go, gentlemen! Apparently these brain surgeons have not paid any attention to what their own side has been saying over the last two years. What do I mean by that?
1. On July 22, 2005, former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld described the country's efforts in the Iraq War as "the global struggle against the enemies of freedom, the enemies of civilization". More recently, in an interview with Cal Thomas (the most widely syndicated political columnist in the U.S.), Rumsfeld professed that "I don't think I would have called it the war on terror...Terror is a weapon of choice for extremists who are trying to destabilize regimes and, through a small group of clerics, impose their dark vision on all the people they can control. So 'war on terror' is a problem for me."
2. Two days after Rumsfeld's comments, General Richard Myers, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, informed the National Press Club that he "objected to the use of the term 'war on terrorism' before because, if you call it a war, then you think of people in uniform as being the solution".
3. On July 27, 2005, Stephen Hadley, the National Security Advisor to Mr. Bush, stated in a telephone interview: "It is more than just a military war on terror. It's broader than that. It's a global struggle against extremism. We need to dispute both the gloomy vision and offer a positive alternative."
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