Keep Up the Good Work

According to the Office of Management and Budget, Congress approved 11,524 earmarks for the 2008 fiscal year, totaling $16,501,833,000. I will state it again: 11,524 earmarks worth $16,501,833,000! Of course, not all earmarks should be viewed as wasteful spending. However, let's put that eye popping figure in just one perspective: With $16,501,833,000, you could pay the first year's tuition at a four-year academic institution for 742,724 individuals. At the same time, with that $16.5+ billion, you would only be able to fund 48 days of the Iraq War (which is probably an extremely conservative estimate at that). If you aren't depressed by now, the following is a list of the worst earmarks in 2008:

10. The $700 billion economic bailout in October was reluctantly viewed as a necessary evil by numerous politicians (Democrats and Republicans alike). At the same time, an additional provision (http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h1424enr.txt.pdf) introduced by Rep. Melissa Bean (D-IL) and Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) was also an evil but certainly not necessary. Decreasing tariffs for U.S. manufacturers of wool fabrics which use imported yarn, the measure will reduce the tax liability for these companies by $148 million over five years.

9. Another product (http://banking.senate.gov/public/_files/latestversionAYO08C32_xml.pdf)
of this year’s financial bailout will renew an expired rebate against excise taxes imposed on rum imported from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands until the end of 2009. The $192 million in tax cuts will primarily assist those two territories in developing their economies and, in theory, reducing the need for future financial support.

8. Although Montana’s total amount of foreign exports is less than one third of a much smaller Delaware, Rep. Dennis Rehberg (R-MT) obtained $583,000 (http://earmarks.omb.gov/2008-earmarks/earmark_342974.html) for the Montana World Trade Center. Headquartered in Missoula (a city with a population of 64,000 residents), the center clearly has impressive ambitions: the web site can be read in five languages and the logo includes a stack of hundred dollar bills in front of a globe.

7. Congress spent more than $200 per resident of the tiny southern town of Boydton, VA in order to develop a historic walking tour. The $98,000 earmark (http://earmarks.omb.gov/2008-earmarks/earmark_289167.html) for a town less than one square mile in size is designated for the tour of, among other things, a 1790s tavern, a Greek Revival courthouse and a one-mile long oval race track. The appropriations were secured in a Department of Housing and Urban Development bill by Rep. Virgil Goode (R-VA). Goode is the same individual who declared last year that "Federal budget spending is too much overall and Congress members should set an example by not spending too much".

6. Despite the fact that Maine's lobster industry generated approximately $300 million in 2006, Rep. Thomas Allen (D-ME), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) were able to obtain $188,000 (http://earmarks.omb.gov/2008-earmarks/earmark_326992.html) from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to launch the Lobster Health Coalition at the University of Maine’s Lobster institute. By the way, the institute’s other accomplishments include developing a live Internet "Lobster Cam" and creating lobster treats for dogs called Bisque-its.

5. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Sen. Ronald Wyden (D-OR) championed another earmark on the financial bailout bill. In this earmark (http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:s3055is.txt.pdf), manufacturers (including the Oregon based Rose City Archery) of wooden arrows designed for children will receive an exemption from an excise tax and, in turn, save those companies up to $2 million over the next ten years.

4. As the individual behind the proposed “Bridge to Nowhere”, it should not be any surprise that Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) is included on this list. This year the "King of the Earmarks" requested more than $2.5 million (http://earmarks.omb.gov/2008-earmarks/earmark_352923.html) for the building of an airport on the remote Akutan Island. The airport would be used primarily by a large seafood company which has donated money to Stevens's election campaigns and political action committee funds.

3. Among the unexpected beneficiaries of the recent financial bailout are two tuna canneries in American Samoa. Tax credits, which had expired at the end of last year, were re-instated and backdated (http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h1424enr.txt.pdf), thereby reducing the canneries’ tax liability by $33 million over two years. I should point out that, even though the U.S. based Del Monte Corp. recently sold their StarKist tuna cannery in American Samoa to the South Korean company, Dong Won, the cannery will still qualify for the tax exemption because the operation is based in the U.S. territory.

2. In the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2008, Rep. Harold Rogers (R-KY) secured two earmarks (http://earmarks.omb.gov/2008-earmarks/earmark_340582.html) totaling $3.6 million for Phoenix Products, Inc. Based in McKee, KY, Phoenix Products is a small company which manufactures aircraft accessories, including custom interiors. Rogers’ most recent earmarks for the company are allocated for the delivery of five hundred leak proof transmission drip pans for Black Hawks used by the United States Army and National Guard. However, Army officials have stated that they have yet to decide if the drip pans should even be purchased from Phoenix Products in the first place.

1. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) secured more than $1.9 million in special funding (http://earmarks.omb.gov/2008-earmarks/earmark_352821.html) for a planned $30 million academic center at the City College of New York. Not surprisingly, the new facility will be called the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service. When Rep. John Campbell (R-CA) objected to the situation, Rangel arrogantly responded: "I would have a problem if you did it because I don't think that you've been around long enough that having your name on something to inspire a building like this in a school. It might be that it would be in order for you to get publicity and to get re-elected. But since I've been here thirty-eight years and have not really had any opposition from the other side, it doesn't serve any function for me." It is important to note that, in September of this year, the House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into Rangel allegedly (1) using his congressional stationary to solicit donors for the center, (2) failing to report and pay taxes on $75,000 in rental income from his villa in the Dominican Republic and (3) living amongst four rent subsidized apartments in Harlem while still claiming his house in Washington, D.C. as his primary residence for tax purposes.

Worth Every Single Penny

As a parody to the popular children's book "Goodnight Moon", authors Erich Origen and Gan Golan created the priceless "Goodnight Bush". This book is a must have and should probably replace the Bible in the nightstands of hotels and motels. (The details in the illustrations are absolutely amazing.) Get your copy today: http://www.goodnightbush.com/.

Top 10 Quotes from Our President

The following is a list of the best quotes from President-elect Barack Obama in 2008:

Top 5 Inspirational

5. "I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington -- it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston." -- During his acceptance speech on election night in November

4. "It's been a long time coming but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America." -- During his acceptance speech in November

3. "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer." -- During his acceptance speech in November

2. "This is our moment. This is our time -- to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids, to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace, to reclaim the American dream and re-affirm that fundamental truth -- that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope and, where we are met with cynicism and doubt and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: 'Yes, We Can'." -- During his acceptance speech in November

1. "We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. We are the hope of those boys who have little, who've been told that they cannot have what they dream, that they cannot be what they imagine." -- In his speech following his successful Super Tuesday in February

Top 5 Critical/Humorous

5. "Now [John McCain] tells us that he’s the one who’s gonna take on the old boys' network. In the McCain campaign, that’s called a staff meeting." -- At a campaign stop in Nevada in September

4. "You can put lipstick on a pig but it’s still a pig." -- Referring to the policies of John McCain and Sarah Palin at a campaign stop in Virginia in September

3. "In just a few short months, the Republican Party will arrive in St. Paul with a very different agenda. They will come here to nominate John McCain, a man who has served this country heroically. I honor that service and I respect his many accomplishments, even if he chooses to deny mine." -- On the final night of Democratic primaries in June 2008

2. "You notice that people who’ve been in Washington too long, they don’t talk like ordinary folks. We had this debate in Las Vegas and somebody asked me, 'What are your weaknesses?'. So I said, 'Well, you know, I don’t keep track of paper that well, I’m always losing paper, my desk is a mess'. And then they asked the next two candidates. And one candidate says, 'Well, my biggest weakness is I’m just so passionate about helping poor people'. And then the other one says, 'I’m just so impatient to help the American people solve their problems'. So then I realize, well, I wish I’d gone last and then I would have known. I’m stupid that way -- I thought that when they asked what your biggest weakness was, they asked what your biggest weakness was. And now I know that my biggest weakness is I like to help old ladies across the street." -- At a campaign stop in South Carolina in January

1. "Americans have a big choice to make and, if anybody feels like they don't know me by now, let me try to give you some answers. Who is Barack Obama? Contrary to the rumors you have heard, I was not born in a manger. I was actually born on Krypton and sent here by my father Jorel to save the Planet Earth. Many of you -- many of you know that I got my name, Barack, from my father. What you may not know is Barack is actually Swahili for 'That One'. And I got my middle name from somebody who obviously didn't think I'd ever run for President." -- During his comedic speech at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in October

Epitome of the Bush Administration

In August 2006, Mr. Bush conducted meetings with the family members of five Maine soldiers who died in either Iraq, Afghanistan or the September 11th attacks at the Pentagon. During her and her children's time with Mr. Bush, Hildi Halley tearfully described the impact that the death of her husband, Army National Guard Capt. Patrick Damon, had on their family. On the other hand, after her two children left the room, Halley's comments for Mr. Bush became more direct and critical. Now I obviously understand that Halley would be upset over the loss of her husband and that Mr. Bush has a specific job to perform as commander-in-chief (regardless of how poorly he has served in that particular role). With that being said, there are a couple of aspects of this story that are absolutely frustrating.

Building roads as an engineer in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom (whatever in the hell that means), Damon collapsed and died unexpectedly at the age of 41. Despite a lack of heart problems in either his or his family's medical history, the initial Army reports attributed Damon's death to a sudden heart attack. Halley was subsequently informed that there was no evidence that a heart attack killed her husband, leaving the cause of death as inconclusive. Based on the report from the State Medical Examiner, many of his family members believe that Damon died from an adverse reaction to some of the vaccines administered to him. The original conclusion from the Army clearly sounds like the U.S. military covering themselves once again.

With that being said, the most blood boiling part of all this is what occurred at the very end of Halley's meeting with Mr. Bush. Before then, Halley informed Mr. Bush that "I hold you responsible for my husband's death. You made a mistake and it's your responsibility as a Christian man to end this war.'' She also informed him that "As President, you're here to serve the people. And the people are not being served with this war." Bush responded with "I'm not going to have a philosophical debate over politics". By the time Mr. Bush rose to end the meeting, Halley was no longer able to control her anger: "[Patrick's] dead. For what? I've lost my soul mate.'' Not agreeing with Halley's view of the war, Mr. Bush declared that "We see things differently''. And, considering the situation, the dialogue between the two is completely understandable. However, what has amazed me about their meeting is that, during his parting exchange with Halley, Mr. Bush bothers to hand a souvenir presidential coin to the grieving widow. Seriously, a presidential coin? This woman's husband died while serving our country and you slip her a coin as you are walking out of the room? What do grieving mothers and fathers receive? A set of "presidential" steak knives that he took from the White House kitchen? Give me a break.

Strange Bedfellows

I will be the first to admit that I willingly and enthusiastically worship at the altar of Obama. I also openly praise his willingness to open his Cabinet to his opponents from the presidential race, including Hilary Clinton and Bill Richardson, and retain Robert Gates as his Secretary of Defense. However, I am somewhat bewildered by President-elect Barack Obama's decision to select Richard Warren to deliver the invocation at Obama's inauguration ceremony next month.

Author of "The Purpose Driven Life", Warren is also the founder and senior pastor of the Saddleback Church, an Evangelical Christian megachurch in Lake Forest, CA. The church's weekly attendance of more than 23,000 makes it the fourth largest church in the United States. And although Warren has taken a stance against torture and global warming and promoted AIDS awareness, there are some other areas in his background which make me scratch my head:

• On gay marriage: "I'm not opposed to [visiting rights] as much as I'm opposed to re-definition of a 5,000-year definition of marriage. I'm opposed to having a brother and sister being together and calling that marriage. I'm opposed to an older guy marrying a child and calling that marriage. I'm opposed to one guy having multiple wives and calling that marriage."
• On homosexuality: "The designer of sex has clearly and repeatedly said that he created sex exclusively for husbands and wives in marriage. Whenever God's parameters are violated, it causes broken hearts, broken families, emotional hurt and shame, painful memories and many other destructive consequences. There would be no STDs in our world if we all played by the rules."
• On Proposition 8: "For 5,000 years, every culture and every religion -- not just Christianity -- has defined marriage as a contract between men and women. There is no reason to change the universal, historical definition of marriage to appease two percent of our population."

I would just like to comment on Warren's quote regarding gay marriage. I am utterly amazed by how, when conservatives speak about this topic, they ultimately end up comparing a perfectly harmless arrangement to incest, pedophilia, polygamy, bestiality, etc. However, while they continue to denigrate homosexuals with these associations, these same bigots never seem to complain when homosexuals put their lives in danger as firefighters, police officers or members of the military; treat the sick and dying as doctors and nurses and teach our nation's children as teachers and professors.

I'll Take the Crazy Guy from Illinois

Ever since last Tuesday, the right wing has been scrambling around in an attempt to connect President-elect Barack Obama with Rod Blagojevich, the highly shady Governor of Illinois. Although they are both from the state, it would be an utterly amazing feat since Blagojevich is heard calling Obama a "motherf----r" on the FBI tapes.

Over the last few days, the conservative nutjobs have acted as if they have been blind from the selfish and outrageous actions of the Republicans over the last eight years. In case anyone has forgotten the names, the following is only a short list of the individuals who have been indicted or investigated or entered guilty pleas:

• Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK): Previously under investigation for the illegal dismissal of a government employee
• Former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK): Indicted in July 2008
• Rep. Richard Renzi (R-AZ): Indicted in February 2008
• Former Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT): Previously under federal investigation for accepting illegal campaign contributions
• Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA): Currently under federal investigation for ethics violations regarding campaign contributions and personal financial benefits
• Rep. Donald Young (R-AK): Currently under federal investigation for accepting bribes, illegal gratuities and/or unreported gifts
• Gov. James Gibbons (R-NV): Has been under investigation for (1) granting no-bid contracts to a friend and campaign contributor, (2) a nepotism scandal surrounding the employment of his wife, (3) sexually assaulting a woman and (4) hiring an illegal immigrant
• Rep. Gary Miller (R-CA): Currently under federal investigation for illegal land transactions
• Former Rep. Robert Ney (R-OH): Pled guilty in October 2006
• Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA): Currently under federal investigation for his inappropriate connections to recipients of federal grants
• Rep. Kenneth Calvert (R-CA): Currently under federal investigation for using earmarks for personal gain and his inappropriate connections to a lobbying firm
• Jack Abramoff (lobbyist): Pled guilty in January 2006
• Former Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA): Previously under federal investigation for accepting illegal campaign contributions
• Former Rep. Randall Cunningham (R-CA): Pled guilty in November 2005
• Former Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX): Indicted in September 2005

It is extremely important to point out that, aside from Abramoff, the abridged list only contains a small number of governors and members of the United States Congress. The list does not include creepy politicians with sexual offenses, such as former Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) and former Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL), as well as numerous other lobbyists and Republican officials.

They Finally Got a Big One Right

On Monday, the United States Supreme Court intelligently decided against a further review the Leo Donofrio case which I discussed in my previous posting. (There are two other cases pending, including Philip Berg's.) In a response posted on his blog regarding the Supreme Court's decision, Donofrio makes no apologies for his ridiculous lawsuit. In fact, he actually states that President-elect Barack Obama should have been aware of the fact that, if he were elected President, "the dam would be broken and the waters of foreign influence would be forever capable of drowning our national sovereignty and placing our military in the hands of enemies from within". Being a little melodramatic, are we?

Despite Donofrio's absurd ramblings, I will say that I am delighted by the fact that Donofrio also named John McCain (as well as the candidate from the Socialist Workers Party) in his lawsuit. Why McCain? Well, McCain was born at the Coco Solo Naval Air Station in the Panama Canal Zone. And after "The New York Times" published a report in February of this year questioning McCain's status as a natural born citizen and, in turn, his eligibility to run for President, the United States Senate actually went out of its way and unanimously passed a bipartisan non-binding resolution in April which declared that McCain satisfied the qualifications for the presidency. The resolution was introduced by Tom Coburn (R-OK), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and was supported ironically by Obama, Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Jim Webb (D-VA).

With that being said, a subpoena was filed in U.S. District Court in April by Fred Hollander, requesting McCain's birth certificate. The Department of Homeland Security, which administers citizenship services, declined to provide copies of the document because supposedly the subpoena was improperly served. Curiously enough, no record exists of McCain's birth in the birth registers of the Health Department of the Panama Canal. In addition, a search of the "child born abroad" records of the U.S. consular service from August 1936 included numerous U.S. citizens born in the Panama Canal Zone but without any mention of McCain.

Theodore Olson, the former Solicitor General under Mr. Bush, and Laurence Tribe, a professor of constitutional law at Harvard Law School, studied the case at the request of the McCain campaign. Olson and Tribe cited a 1986 Supreme Court ruling which stated that the United States exercised sovereignty (which certainly lacks absoluteness) over the Panama Canal Zone between 1904 and 1979. However, a policy manual from the Department of State clearly disagrees: "Despite widespread popular belief, U.S. military installations abroad and U.S. diplomatic or consular facilities are not part of the United States within the meaning of the 14th Amendment. A child born on the premises of such a facility is not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and does not acquire U.S. citizenship by reason of birth."

After re-reading the information above, it amazes me that Obama's background is being scrutinized to such an extent by individuals clearly not qualified to do so. But what is even more amazing is the fact that, since the presidential race has already been decided, McCain has not publicly come to Obama's defense. Considering the fact that Obama (and 4 other Democrats) supported that bulls--t resolution in February, it is obvious that McCain once again does not have the stones to be a real man. That shouldn't be a surprise to many because he has proven this fact during his military career, as a member of Congress and on the campaign trail.

Sore Losers of the Year

The United States Supreme Court quietly convened last Friday to determine the need to schedule oral arguments on whether or not President-elect Barack Obama is a natural born citizen and, in turn, eligible for the office of President of the United States. Initially the application for the case of Leo C. Donofrio v. Nina Mitchell Wells, New Jersey Secretary of State was denied by the more liberal voting Justice David Souter. However, the conference was prompted after conservative Justice Clarence Thomas refiled and submitted the application. Twenty other cases (including Philip J. Berg, Esq. v. Barack Hussein Obama) have been filed nationwide which dispute either (1) Obama's status as a natural born citizen or (2) the authenticity of his birth certificate from Hawaii.

This is an extremely confusing situation (primarily due to the morons filing the cases) so I will attempt to explain everything as fully and succinctly as possible.

Moron: Admitting that he believes Obama's certification of live birth from Hawaii is legitimate, Donofrio explains the basis for his argument: "My lawsuit challenges [Mr. Obama's] status as a 'natural born citizen' based upon the fact that his father was a British citizen/subject. Mr. Obama admits, at his own web site, that he was a British citizen/subject at birth. He was also a U.S. citizen 'at birth'. He does not have dual nationality now but the Constitution is concerned with the candidate’s status 'at birth', hence the word 'born' in the requirement."
The Harrowdown Hill: With that being said, the fact that his father was a British citizen has no effect on Obama's status as a natural born citizen of the United States. Section 1401 of Title 8 of the U.S. Code states that an individual born in this country is considered to be a national and a citizen of the United States at birth. And to use Donofrio's "logic" against him (which isn't difficult to do), if he truly believes Obama's certification of live birth to be authentic, the argument against Obama's status as a natural born citizen is null and void. He was born in Hawaii to a mother who was a U.S. citizen. Now if Donofrio is also attempting to claim that Obama's previous dual citizenship plays a role in this situation, then he is completely wrong in that aspect as well. According to the web site of the Department of State, an individual who is automatically granted another citizenship (association by birth, for example) does not risk losing his/her U.S. citizenship.

Moron: In a signed affidavit for WorldNetDaily (a conservative web site with a questionable past), Ron Polarik, a supposed Ph.D. in Instructional Media, addresses Obama's certification of live birth and the difference between that document and a birth certificate.
The Harrowdown Hill: The problem is Polarik insinuates that Obama could have been born anywhere in the world but his mother would have still possessed the ability to register the birth with the Hawaii State Department of Health. This irresponsible assumption places a completely incorrect spin on the situation. As a matter of fact, the web site for the Hawaii State Department of Health states that a certification of live birth registers "a person born in Hawaii who was one year old or older and whose birth had not been previously registered in Hawaii". Is it me or do the terms "born in Hawaii" and "born abroad" seem to be complete opposites? What is amazing (or maybe it isn't once you think about it) is that Polarik is actually a pseudonym. In other words, one of the individuals claiming that the birth certificate of the next President of the United States doesn't even have the stones to use his or her real name. You will have to excuse me if I seem a little suspicious.

Morons: In their respective cases, both Philip Berg and Alan Keyes allege that Obama wasn't even born in the United States but in his father's native Kenya. One of the "reasons" that they and other conservative nutjobs are making this claim is a revised statute which, in their eyes, allows a birth certificate from the State of Hawaii to be issued for children born abroad.
The Harrowdown Hill: The Revised Statute 338-17.8 actually provides the Director of Health with the ability to issue a birth certificate to the legal parents who, while at the time of the birth, were living outside of the state but "had declared the Territory or State of Hawaii as their legal residence for at least one year immediately preceding the birth" of the child. As you can see, the legislation, created twenty-one years after Obama was born, does not speak specifically to children born outside of the U.S. However, that doesn't stop the right wing from manipulating the words once again. What's amazing is that these idiots can't get their facts straight and refer to the number of the revised statute as "338-178" (and not 338-17.8) all over the Internet. At the same time, I haven't heard too much from those same individuals concerning the birth announcements that were published in two local newspapers after Obama was born (http://whatreallyhappened.com/IMAGES/ObamaBirthStarBulletin.jpg and http://whatreallyhappened.com/IMAGES/obama-1961-birth-announcement-from-honolulu-advertiser0000.gif).

While we're at it, let's take a quick look at some of the individuals mentioned in the paragraphs above:

1. Leo Donofrio: Donofrio left his career as a practicing attorney in order to become a professional poker player. I am sure the fact that Donofrio has only won just over $46,000 this year and is the member of a two-bit rock band has nothing to do with his case, which was sure to generate public attention.
2. Philip Berg: Berg is currently serving as an attorney but has been sanctioned and fined in the past for ethics violations against his own clients.
3. Alan Keyes: Among other actions, Keyes (1) disowned his own daughter after admitting she was a lesbian, (2) attempted to intervene in the Terry Schiavo case and (3) publicly supported Roy Moore, the former Chief Justice in Alabama, for Moore's refusal to remove the Ten Commandments from his courtroom.

With all of this information in mind, it is extremely important to note that, according to Article II, Section I of the United States Constitution, "No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President". Sound like anyone we know? Could his last name be Obama?

Both Hilarious and Poignant

This video is a hysterical response to California residents voting against Proposition 8: http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c0cf508ff8/prop-8-the-musical-starring-jack-black-john-c-reilly-and-many-more-from-fod-team-jack-black-craig-robinson-john-c-reilly-and-rashida-jones

Happy Holidays!

Laura Bush recently asked the members of the United States House of Representatives to select artists to showcase all 435 congressional districts by decorating ornaments for the Christmas tree at the White House. Of the approximately 370 submitted, the design by artist Deborah Lawrence from Seattle, WA was the only ornament rejected.

Chosen by Rep. Jim McDermott (R-WA), Lawrence created a nine-inch ornament which is covered with swirling red and white stripes and features a picture of McDermott. What's the big deal with all of that, you say? Well, since McDermott signed a resolution to initiate the impeachment of Mr. Bush, Lawrence glued text praising the resolution onto the ornament, including the phrase "Impeach Bush". Unfortunately McDermott and his office is now backing away from Lawrence by declaring that "We agree with the first lady's decision to remove it". Wonder what Laura Bush had to say about all of this? On Tuesday, Sally McDonough, Mrs. Bush's Press Secretary, stated: "I think it really is a shame and, quite frankly, not very much in the holiday spirit." However, the best quote from this whole situation is from Lawrence herself when she was asked about using a tree ornament as a medium to address political issues. Speaking at a White House event prior to her design being officially rejected, Lawrence had this to say: "I'm happy [Barack] Obama is going to be President but we have to hold Bush and [Mr.] Cheney responsible for heinous crimes. If Bush shows up to this event, I'll tell him that. If Laura Bush comes, I'll say, 'I bet you're glad the last eight years are almost over'." Bravo! Ironically, these ornaments are the only accomplishment in Mrs. Bush's eight long years in the White House.