#1
I don't really give a damn whether or not he pays, I had him on the "Ignore Hypocrite" list years ago.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
07/27/2010 11:52 Comments ||
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#2
He caved...
With his reputation on the rocks, Sen. John Kerry informed tax collectors today he will cough up some $500,000 in state and local taxes for his ultra-luxe yacht Isabel.
As weve said from the beginning, we have always complied with tax laws and we always will. ... The payment is being made promptly, Kerry said in a statement to the Herald today. Weve reached out to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and made clear that, whether owed or not, we intend to pay the equivalent taxes as if the boats home-port were currently in Massachusetts, Kerry added.
Don't worry, Jawnny. The Globe will put you in for a Profile in Courage award...
Autoedited by Rantburg At a campaign event over the weekend in Inglewood, California, Democratic Sen. Barbara (Call me Senator!) Boxer seemingly equated being a politician to serving in the military --- and an Iraq War veteran supporting Boxer's November opponent is calling on her to apologize.
"We know that if you have veterans in one place where they can befriend each other and talk to each other. You know when you've gone through similar things you need to share it. I don't care whether you are a policeman or a fireman or a veteran or by chance a member of Congress," the California senator said. "[Democratic Rep.] Maxine [Waters] and I could look at each other and roll our eyes. We know what we are up against. And it is hard for people who are not there to understand the pressure and the great things that go along with it and the tough things that go along with it."
"Barbara (Call me Senator!) Boxer's disrespectful comments underscore just how out of touch she has become after her 28 years in Washington," Veterans for Carly Coalition Co-Chairman Lt. Commander Paul Chabot said in a press release, in response to Boxer's comments. "Equating the experiences of members of Congress with those of brave soldiers who have fought to defend our country is just the latest example in a failed career marked by disrespect for our men and women in uniform."
Chabot added, "Barbara (Call me Senator!) Boxer owes an immediate apology to all members of America's armed forces."
Posted by: Fred ||
07/27/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
But, Barb, your pressure is to compromise us to defeat, a veteran's pressure is NO COMPROMISE and eliminate the threat (and we're better at it).
#2
Hoping you'll gain honor by osmosis by putting the two in the same sentence, Babs?
Lately, being a member of Congress doesn't even come close.
In fact, often they are polar opposites these days.
Military folks defend and build the country one life at a time.
Although many serve honorably, Reps and Senators all too often seem to be using their jobs as a tool for personal power and enrichment, and in the process destroy the country one bit at a time.
It seems that some of them think taxes are OK for the little people, but not for them. Or their nice new seven million dollar boats that they haven't paid taxes on yet because they just haven't gotten around to it. Uh huh.
If I were king, most members of Congress would be instantly bouncing down the stairs of Congress on their @$$es without their lifetime bennies that keep them and their decisions aloof from those mere peasants they graciously govern; and they would be replaced by farmers, military folks, and practical-thinking people who have to live their decisions. Congressfolks would have to lay in the bed they make afterwards. Without personal security forces. And their lifestyles would be watched for the rest of their lives to make sure they kept it above the table during their one term in office.
#5
I'm not too certain she meant that literally. She doesn't seem to be able to express her thoughts in a coherant manor so maybe it didn't come out right. It could be she meant that serving in Congress forms bonds similar to what Soldiers, Firefighters, and Police form. She seems to forget, however, that she and the other congrescritters aren't putting their lives on the line every day. She's still dumber than a bucket of hair, though.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
07/27/2010 7:46 Comments ||
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#6
Can't wait to see them implement the 'up or out' program with mandatory retirement dates for Congress.
So Barbs and company are going to follow the rules that the uniformed military have to?
1. Public Service is a public trust, requiring employees to place loyalty to the Constitution, the laws and ethical principles above private gain.
2. Employees shall not hold financial interests that conflict with the conscientious performance of duty.
3. Employees shall not engage in financial transactions using nonpublic Government information or allow the improper use of such information to further any private interest.
4. An employee shall not, except as [provided for by regulation], solicit or accept any gift or other item of monetary value from any person or entity seeking official action from, doing business with, or conducting activities regulated by the employee's agency, or whose interests may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the employee's duties.
5. Employees shall put forth honest effort in the performance of their duties.
6. Employees shall not knowingly make unauthorized commitments or promises of any kind purporting to bind the Government.
7. Employees shall not use public office for private gain.
8. Employees shall act impartially and not give preferential treatment to any private organization or individual.
9. Employees shall protect and conserve Federal property and shall not use it for other than authorized activities.
10. Employees shall not engage in outside employment or activities, including seeking or negotiating for employment, that conflict with official Government duties and responsibilities.
11. Employees shall disclose waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption to appropriate authorities.
12. Employees shall satisfy in good faith their obligations as citizens, including all just financial obligations, especially those--such as Federal, State, or local taxes--that are imposed by law.
13. Employees shall adhere to all laws and regulations that provide equal opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or handicap.
14. Employees shall endeavor to avoid any actions creating the appearance that they are violating the law or ethical standards. Whether particular circumstances create an appearance that the law or these standards have been violated shall be determined from the perspective of a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts.
- JOINT ETHICS REGULATION, Created by DOD Dir. 5500.7, Standards of Conduct
#7
But if we bring back dueling for congress critters, then they can put their life on the line every day! Think of how exciting C-span would be if you don't like a bill being introduced, you just challenge the author and well, dead people can't author bills.
Heck, I'd pay cash money to watch and I'm sure lots of other people would as well. Imagine the revenue for deficit reduction! You could even sell tickets for watching live, behind nice solid armored glass.
#10
California, pullleasssseeeee get this idiot out of Congress! The military is a respected institution in our country. Congress comes in lower than whale dung. I don't see the analogy, please explain it Mad. Boxer.
#16
IIUC she recently wrote, or had ghost-written for her, a novel with a liberal woman pol as the hero warding off an conservative activist whose advances she'd spurned when they both were in college.
The woman's got the maturity and sense of your average fourteen year-old.
Increasingly impatient House Democratic leaders are prodding Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) to make a deal with the ethics committee before charges against him are unveiled Thursday, top Democratic officials told POLITICO.
Fellow Democrats told POLITICO that they believe he's dragging his feet in a futile effort at total vindication. Democrats worry that his stubbornness could add to their losses in November by helping Republicans, who have vowed to build a "culture of corruption" narrative using ads, mailings and talking points.
A senior Democratic aide said leaders will insist that Rangel resolve the accusations before the August break. The leaders calculate that the political consequences could be grave if the matter drags on and are considering going public with their demand if Rangel does not act on his own.
"Democrats don't want to give Republicans an opportunity this summer," the aide said. "Rangel is very well liked, but no one is willing to lose their seat or chairmanship over him."
Posted by: Fred ||
07/27/2010 00:00 ||
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Increasingly impatient House Democratic leaders are prodding Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) to make a deal with the ethics committee before charges against him are unveiled
You should be calling for him to resign in disgrace.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/27/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
A Kentucky Democrat running for U.S. Senate says former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is tarnishing his family legacy by appearing at a fundraiser on behalf of Republican Rand Paul.
Who is your target audience, Mr. Kentucky Democrat?
ARTIC = DR. ANATOLY SAGALEVICH of the RUSS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE claims that the underwater oil field is LEAKING OIL IN 18 DIFFERENT PLACES + IS IRREPARABLY DAMAGED, + that either the USA + UK nuke the DP hole or else the World must prepare for a GLOBAL ECOLOGICAL DISASTER OF NEVER-AFORE-SEEN-OR-BELIEVED CONSEQUENCES.
IOW, the BP DEEPWATER original Bore-Hole is actually an Artery or Sub-Artery to that Oil which is naturally produced deep inside the Earth itself. "CAPPING" ONE OR FEW LEAKS WILL ONLY PRODUCE NEW + MORE LEAKS ELSEWHERE BECUZ BP IS NOW FIGHTING THE NATURAL FORCES INSIDE THE EARTH.
Unless I've missed something, DR. SAGALEVICH has dmagaed his own Argument because the US, UK nuking the hole by definition won't effectively repair an already "irreparably damaged" oil field.
SUB-IOW, IIUC any "CAP" serves only to REDUCE = MINIMIZE THE LOSS RATE OF OIL, NOT TO ACTUALLY STOP THE LOSS OR OUTFLOW OF SAME.
* NEWS KERALA/TOPIX > ONE-QUARTER OF CHINA'S WATERS IS CONTAMINATED [Rivers + Lakes heavily polluted].
Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), addressing a convention of liberal bloggers and activists Saturday evening, implored the left to fight to stay in power in the midterm elections.
"If Republicans take back Congress they'll implement a truly dangerous agenda," Franken told the Netroots Nation gathering in Las Vegas. "Everything is on the table, from repealing healthcare reform to privatizing Social Security."
Posted by: Fred ||
07/27/2010 00:00 ||
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#10
Let's face it - even if the Republicans get a majority in 2010, health care reform takeover will not be repealed until at least 2013 after Obama is out of office. He will veto any legislation that attempts to undo his greatest "accomplishment".
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia ||
07/27/2010 17:36 Comments ||
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#11
Congress can refuse to fund his "health care" schemes, but as you may have noticed.... he's sitting on billions of dollars of unobligated TARP money. These next few years should be very interesting.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) on Monday said you could count him out of a 2012 White House run.
Christie, a Republican Party darling since winning the governorship of deep-blue New Jersey in 2009, was virtually Shermanesque in rejecting a challenge to President Obama in two years.
"We're not running for president, under any circumstances. No chance," Christie said during an appearance on "Imus in the Morning" on the Fox Business Network. "Mrs. Christie would kick me out of the house; it would be over."
Posted by: Fred ||
07/27/2010 00:00 ||
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Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich won backing for a potential presidential bid from an unlikely place Sunday the former head of the Democratic Party.
Howard Dean, speaking on Fox News Sunday, would not go so far as to endorse Gingrich but said the Republican politician would provide a sorely needed intellectual voice in his partys top tier.
I dont agree with very much that Newt Gingrich wants to do, but the biggest difference is Newt has a ton of ideas to move the country forward he did when he was speaker. There are no ideas in the Republican Party right now in the Congress. Theyre the party of no, said Dean, a former presidential candidate himself. They desperately need some intellectual leadership. Whatever you think of Newt Gingrich, he can supply intellectual leadership, so I hope he does run.
#1
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich won backing for a potential presidential bid from an unlikely place Sunday -- the former head of the Democratic Party.
#7
He does have one point. I like some of Newt's ideas and I have no idea what the other GOP candidates want to do.
Posted by: Formerly Dan ||
07/27/2010 14:58 Comments ||
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#8
I wasn't aware Newt was considered an 'Intellectual'.
A shrewd, devious, attack dog.
Possibly even a dirty bastard to his enemies.
But an 'Intellectual'?
I guess that word doesn't quite mean what it used to. Kind of like the word 'gay'.
#9
We had this thread the other day. Newt is brilliant as a plotter, planner, strategy, and ideas guy. As a person and a candidate? Poison. Dump this idea. Now
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/27/2010 21:50 Comments ||
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#10
Never repeat what your enemy praises you for doing.
Gingrich is a loser - amoral, opportunistic, symbolic of everything that's wrong the with GOP.
Remember his support of Dede Scozzofava? His commercial on the Couch with Pelosi, promoting Big Government solutions of Anthropogenic Global Warming?
And who could forget his cheating on his wife, and serving her with divorce paperwork when she was in the hospital fighting cancer.
Really class guy.
It doesnt matter how many good ideas you can throw out there, if you fail to execute any of them. Gingrich failed to complete the actions. By many measures, Gingrich is a failure, and a poisonous one to be associated with.
Sorry Newt, your time is over -- we're all stocked up on corrupt self centered opportunists in the GOP at the moment. Go away.
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced a major initiative to reduce the number of illegal knives on the streets of New York, following a large-scale investigation into the sale of illegal knives by local and national retailers doing business in New York.
Despite the significant decrease in violent crime over the last decade, illegal knives are an increasingly serious problem in New York City and across the state.
The DA's investigation found the widespread sale of knives which, with very limited exception, are illegal to sell, own or carry in the state, such as gravity knives and switchblades. District Attorney Vance's investigation led many of the sellers, including Home Depot, Eastern Mountain Sports, Paragon Sports, and four others, to enter into deferred prosecution agreements.
Home Depot sold switchblades?
The "switchblade" law was so broadly written it can be applied to almost any knife that can be opened with one hand. If you have a folding knife with a raised part on the blade that allows you to use your thumb to push the blade open, it counts as a switchblade.
The agreements require the companies to turn over all profits from the sale of such knives during the past 4-year period, totaling nearly $1.9 million to date, and to finance a campaign to educate the public about illegal knives. In addition, DA Vance announced the appointment of a District Attorney's Knife Sales Monitor, to ensure compliance of the seven companies with the terms of the deferred prosecution agreements.
"The District Attorney's Office has a responsibility to do everything it can to prevent crime in our streets and in our homes," said District Attorney Vance. "The agreements signed by these seven companies, each of whom has demonstrated good corporate citizenship by doing so, are only the beginning of an effort to ensure that illegal knives find no place in Manhattan."
Despite New York's drop in violent crime during the past decade, knife violence remains a serious problem in Manhattan. In 2009, there were 2,269 arrests involving the possession of illegal knives in Manhattan, and approximately 30 percent of that year's homicides for the borough involved a stabbing death. Last year the Office prosecuted more than 2,000 cases for possession of illegal knives. In addition, in even greater numbers, knives are used in non-fatal stabbings, in robberies and burglaries, in sexual assaults and other violent crime.
#1
In other words, we are totally ignoring the progress made in the past and instead focusing on new ills with which to vex us with restrictive new laws.
#3
Strange times. Just the other day I noticed that the local hardware store was selling machetes, likely because many of the "local gardening subcontractors" see the machete as an essential gardening tool.
While not done here, in Guatemala I actually saw workers cutting lawn grass with machetes. Now that is sharp.
#4
My grandson recently bought a machete, it has a saw blade on the back, neat tool for heavy brush.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
07/27/2010 11:49 Comments ||
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#5
Despite New Yorks drop in violent crime during the past decade, knife violence remains a serious problem in Manhattan. In 2009, there were 2,269 arrests involving the possession of illegal knives in Manhattan, and approximately 30 percent of that years homicides for the borough involved a stabbing death. Last year the Office prosecuted more than 2,000 cases for possession of illegal knives. In addition, in even greater numbers, knives are used in non-fatal stabbings, in robberies and burglaries, in sexual assaults and other violent crime.
Gee Mr. DA, it sure is clever how youre able to conflate two related but dissimilar issues into sounding like theyre one and the same problem. Damn, the way you alternate back and forth between statements of knife violence and possession of illegal knives almost makes your successful extortion appear justified. But, out of curiosity, what percentage of those stabbing deaths and violent crimes actually involved illegal knives?
#6
The agreements require the companies to turn over all profits from the sale of such knives during the past 4-year period, totaling nearly $1.9 million to date, and to finance a campaign to educate the public about illegal knives. In addition, DA Vance announced the appointment of a District Attorney's Knife Sales Monitor, to ensure compliance of the seven companies with the terms of the deferred prosecution agreements.
Ah, I get it. A revenue generator and hack job creator.
You can kill somebody with a steak knife. When will there be a DA's Sharp Stick Sales Monitor position created?
#8
are they gonna allow kitchen knives? I'm pretty sure some of those homicides where carried out with a meat cleaver.
Posted by: chris ||
07/27/2010 13:59 Comments ||
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#9
We all need to tread very, very carefully here. Next thing you know, we'll be outlawing skillets, pots, pans, rolling pins, and any other "violent weapons". Before you know it, you won't be able to buy a grapefruit spoon.
#11
Sure buddy, just as soon as all the knives are out of prisons and Britain I'll take a look at that. In the meantime, New Yorkers should brandish their other hand-held weapon - the ballot. Y'all too good for salt nazis and knife nannies.
#12
When grapefruit spoons are outlawed, only outlaws will have grapefruit spoons.
Posted by: no mo uro ||
07/27/2010 19:01 Comments ||
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#13
Ultimately this leads to literally 'disarming' the people. Of course, then some double amputee will Gun Fu knee someone else and the result will be people literally rolling to work.
The juicy bits from the JournoList archive, exhumed and disseminated through the (conservative) Daily Caller website, show leading mainstream U.S. journalists discussing things like how to trash and smear Sarah Palin most effectively, in the moments after John McCain selected her as his running mate. Or, how to distract America from the scandal of Barack Obama's long and intimate affiliation with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, when that story hit the fan.
It is interesting that the major themes of mainstream journalistic reporting exactly repeated those thrashed out on JournoList, beforehand -- where it was taken for granted that the journalists' purpose was to get Obama elected, by performing services as an informal "detachment" of the Obama campaign. It looks for all the world like a carefully-organized conspiracy.
And yet it isn't. As Joe Klein, of Time magazine -- prominent both as journalist and on JournoList -- hath protested, he didn't need any strategy sessions in e-mail to decide how to attack Palin; he could "easily" have selected all the angles, by himself. And I do not doubt for a moment that he is telling the truth.
It was his word "easily" that I found most significant. I could myself, in advance, "easily" have guessed from which angles Joe Klein would attack Sarah Palin, and will, as he promises, continue to attack her. The dogs in Pavlov's experiment did not "conspire" to salivate.
No journalist can be perfectly "detached" from what he is covering; so that the pose of perfect detachment is a fraud. It is too much to ask of any human being, whether liberal or conservative. The best we can ask is for honesty and candour -- for some elementary sense of fair play -- and it is a shame we must search through private e-mails to find those qualities.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/27/2010 00:00 ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
At a campaign event over the weekend in Inglewood, California, Democratic Sen. Barbara (
Increasingly impatient House Democratic leaders are prodding Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) to make a deal with the ethics committee before charges against him are unveiled Thursday, top Democratic officials told POLITICO.
Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), addressing a convention of liberal bloggers and activists Saturday evening, implored the left to fight to stay in power in the midterm elections.
