I was watching c-span this morning and they were replaying a panel discussion from the Univeristy of Virginia on political humor. One of the editorial cartoonists on the panel was Ann Telnaes who has done some great work, I've linked some of my favorites below.

• US War Coverage


• $726 Billion Tax Cut


• Bush and Saddam


• Networks and War

Test du jour

Today's trip to the doctor involved me sitting in a big comfy recliner in a darkened room with headphones on and electrodes attached to my scalp. The test today was Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEP). I know that I am a bit strange but this exam was relaxing, I just sat there in a comfortable chair for an hour listening to clicking noises in one ear and then the other.

Ahh, the good old days...

This guy makes a lot of sense. Someone like him should run for president.

*Watch the video* (1:46:09)

Remember when we had a president who was a Rhodes Scholar, someone who knew history, economics, diplomacy.

Seriously, if you have an hour and a half watch and listen to a real leader, someone who knows what he is talking about. I know that nobody will watch the whole thing, but watch the beginning you might even learn something.

I'm going to bed.

US finds evidence of WMD at last - buried in a field near Maryland

Julian Borger in Washington
Wednesday May 28, 2003
The Guardian

The good news for the Pentagon yesterday was that its investigators had finally unearthed evidence of weapons of mass destruction, including 100 vials of anthrax and other dangerous bacteria.

The bad news was that the stash was found, not in Iraq, but fewer than 50 miles from Washington, near Fort Detrick in the Maryland countryside.

The anthrax was a non-virulent strain, and the discoveries are apparently remnants of an abandoned germ warfare programme. They merited only a local news item in the Washington Post. [full story]

A great day to be a millionaire in America...

...not so great for the rest of us. On April 24 Bush called the Senate's $350 billion tax-cut plan a "little-bitty tax-relief package." Today he is celebrating it as a victory as he signs the bill into law. The scene today in the East Room of the White House is a bit different from yesterday's annoucement that made it possible. Here is the entire statement:

On Tuesday, May 27, 2003, the President signed into law:

H.J.Res. 51, which increases the public debt limit from $6.4 trillion to $7.384 trillion.

Why didn't they fill a room with rich white folks and have a public ceremony yesterday to celebrate the largest debt ceiling in the country's history?

I heard a guy on the radio this morning say that he was going to use whatever little tax reduction that he gets to support a Democratic candidate for president. Someone else lauded the president for giving the money to people who would spend the money and not "just use it to pay bills." What should I do with my extra $1 per week? Any suggestions?

[Listening to: Bizet Habanera from Carmen - Maria Callas - Aria - A Passion for Opera (04:52)]

Cable blues...

My cable (and therefore my internet service) has been going off and on for the past two days. Grrrrrrrrrrr.

I will post this fast before it goes off again.

[Listening to: Dancing Barefoot - Patti Smith - Wave (04:16)]

A Message from President George W. Bush

I got this email today from Bush-Cheney '04 Inc.:

Dear Rob, I am honored to be your President during this time of opportunity and challenge for our country. Our country has faced many tests and accomplished a great deal. But we still have so much to do to make our world more peaceful and America more compassionate that I intend to seek a second term as your President. Today, I authorized the creation of a campaign committee to build the grassroots team and collect the resources needed for victory. Will you let me know if you will be a part of my campaign in Pennsylvania? And will you help get my campaign off to a strong start by contributing $1,000 or $750 today at www.GeorgeWBush.com/Donate ? The new Federal election law allows donations of up to $2,000 a person or $4,000 a couple. It will be months before Democrats settle on a candidate, but the election could be close. The strength of our grassroots effort will determine the outcome. I need the help of friends now. My responsibilities as President will require me to focus primarily on our nation's business for most of the next year. I'll depend on friends and supporters like you to get my campaign organized and operating across our country. Abroad, we have a duty to protect America by working for peace, opportunity and stability. We have no more urgent and important duty than to wage and win the War on Terrorism. We must make use of the moment history has given us to extend liberty to others around the world, because in the long term, freedom and hope are the best weapons against terror. And, we have a unique opportunity to harness American ingenuity and compassion to save tens of thousands of lives by defeating the scourge of AIDS. At home, our most urgent mission is to strengthen our economy and create jobs. To provide economic security and opportunity to every American, we must improve health care, give senior citizens long-promised prescription drug benefits, provide a quality education for every child, and insist on safe neighborhoods and schools. My goal is to build an ownership society where American families own their own homes, their own health coverage, their own retirement accounts and, if they want, their own businesses. And we are working to change the culture from one that too often said, "if it feels good, do it," to a responsibility society where people know they are accountable for what they do, for the children they bring into the world, and for loving a neighbor like they'd like to be loved themselves. A great country strives for great objectives. The two big goals at the center of my agenda are expanding peace and freedom throughout the world, and helping our country become a more compassionate and prosperous nation where everyone has an opportunity to work and succeed and realize the promise of America. To achieve these goals, America must be united. I have worked to bring dignity and honor to the White House and to change the tone in Washington. I have asked Democrats and Republicans to join with me in achieving great purposes. One of the paintings I have selected for the Oval Office portrays a man on horseback, leading a charge up a steep hill. His face is full of purpose and determination, and it is clear he expects to get the job done. The painting is called "A Charge to Keep," based on a Methodist hymn that's a favorite of mine, "A Charge to Keep I Have." I love the painting because it speaks to serving a cause that is greater than yourself. The picture reminds me every day that my most important job is to unite our country and provide leadership to overcome America's toughest challenges. America's true strength is in our people and our values. Our country's greatest days are ahead of us, and I know that our nation and our people can achieve anything if we set our minds to the task. Serving as your President is a privilege and honor. I have worked hard to provide leadership you can be proud of, and I hope you agree with the great goals I have for our country. If I have support, I hope you will help my reelection campaign today. We can show the world that America is a strong and compassionate nation in which every person is able to achieve his or her dream. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your President. May God Bless America. Sincerely, George W. Bush P.S. Your early support with a contribution would be a strong vote of confidence in my leadership and would help get my campaign off to a good start. Please make a secure online donation to my campaign now at: www.GeorgeWBush.com/Donate

Surveys pointing to high civilian death toll in Iraq

Preliminary reports suggest casualties well above the Gulf War.

By Peter Ford | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

BAGHDAD – Evidence is mounting to suggest that between 5,000 and 10,000 Iraqi civilians may have died during the recent war, according to researchers involved in independent surveys of the country.

None of the local and foreign researchers were willing to speak for the record, however, until their tallies are complete.

Such a range would make the Iraq war the deadliest campaign for noncombatants that US forces have fought since Vietnam.
[read more]

Sleepy time and mini rant   

I was out of it all day yesterday. Did I miss anything? I tried to get something accomplished but I didn't. I was sound asleep by 9:30 last night.

Oh, I now have HDTV, only a few channels but it is pretty cool.

Speaking of TV, what the hell is happening at MSNBC? I saw Pat O'Brien doing an Access Hollywood segment on there today. I understand that the purpose of most organizations is to make money but losing all credibility in the process is disturbing. They now have racist Michael Savage hosting a show, Jesse Ventura will have a show, former Republican congressman Joe Scarborough has a daily show, and Keith Olbermann, who I enjoyed as a SportsCenter host, has one of the dumbest "news" shows that I have seen.

[Listening to: I'm Afraid of Americans - David Bowie and Sonic Youth - BBC Sessions (05:29)]

WMD still MIA

The Bush administration argued that we couldn't expect 108 UN inspectors to search a country the size of California and find the WMDs. Well, we sent hundreds of thousands of troops in there a couiple months ago and still no WMD. Was it all a lie? He seemed pretty certain during the State of the Union address.

From Bush's State of the Union Address on January 28, 2003:

The United Nations concluded in 1999 that Saddam Hussein had biological weapons sufficient to produce over 25,000 liters of anthrax -- enough doses to kill several million people. He hasn't accounted for that material. He's given no evidence that he has destroyed it.

The United Nations concluded that Saddam Hussein had materials sufficient to produce more than 38,000 liters of botulinum toxin -- enough to subject millions of people to death by respiratory failure. He hadn't accounted for that material. He's given no evidence that he has destroyed it.

Our intelligence officials estimate that Saddam Hussein had the materials to produce as much as 500 tons of sarin, mustard and VX nerve agent. In such quantities, these chemical agents could also kill untold thousands. He's not accounted for these materials. He has given no evidence that he has destroyed them.

U.S. intelligence indicates that Saddam Hussein had upwards of 30,000 munitions capable of delivering chemical agents. Inspectors recently turned up 16 of them -- despite Iraq's recent declaration denying their existence. Saddam Hussein has not accounted for the remaining 29,984 of these prohibited munitions. He's given no evidence that he has destroyed them

[Listening to: Where Is My Mind? - Pixies - Fight Club OST (03:47)]

Tax Cuts for the Wealthy - New Chart

Angry Bear made a spiffy new chart to show the average tax savings under the bill the Senate passed last week. Thanks to Mike at Left is Right, and as he put it: "If you're STILL confused about whose pockets are receiving nearly all of the Bush Tax Cuts, then please have one of your elementary school children interpret this graph for you."

SUVs

Are SUV owners sending us a message? I have printed out several of these and plan to put them on windshields of SUVs taking up two or more parking spaces.

Printable pdf file - http://www.ihateyoursuv.com/suv2.pdf

Thanks to Yerac

HDTV!

My old television was built in 1988--the same year as some of my readers--so the time has come to get a new one. The old one would fade out once in a while but otherwise it has served me well for the past 15 years. Circuit City had a 36" flat-screen HD-ready Sony on sale with free 12-month financing and a free DVD player so I gave in. The picture is incredible, and I haven't even gotten my HD receiver yet - the cable guy is comiing tomorrow morning to hook me up.

TIA version 2.0

They changed the name of TIA - Total Terrorism Information Awareness. The Bu$h administration has learned that anytime they use the word "terror" the public will give them a pass. They scrapped the original logo and made one that looks less creepy and scary.

Living Legends on ESPN Wednesday Night Baseball

This week ESPN is starting a "Living Legends" series on Wednesday Night Baseball. Hall of Fame broadcaster Curt Gowdy will be in the booth this week during the Red Sox vs. Yankees game on ESPN2. Gowdy, a Peabody Award winner, was the voice of the Red Sox in the 50s and 60s. I remember him from the NBC Saturday Game of the Week in the 70s.

According to the promo spots on ESPN, the other living legends will include Marty Brenneman, Ernie Harwell, and Harry Kalas.

Tax Cuts for the Wealthy...

Jake is convinced that he will be a winner under the new tax plan. The winners will be people who get a large percentage of their income from corporate dividends (the Cheneys claimed over half of their nearly $1,000,000 income for 2002 as dividends) like current and former CEOs, former presidents and cabinet officials who serve on corporate boards, sons of rich men who live on trust funds, etc.

Duct Tape News

1. Son, 5, says mother duct-taped him
   By Kellie Patrick, Philadelphia Inquirer
   
   Colleen and Neil Broe are accused of wrapping their foster children, ages 1 and 2, in duct tape.
   
   His head barely visible above the witness stand, the 5-year-old boy told the court he believes in the Easter Bunny; he knows it's bad to tell a lie; and his mother once used tape to bind his thighs, arms and mouth.
   
   "She wanted me to be quiet," said the kindergartner, who was called to testify yesterday against his mother, Colleen Broe, at a preliminary hearing on child-abuse charges.
   [more]
   
2. Duct tape becoming thugs' latest weapon of choice
   By CATHERINE LUCEY, Philadelphia Daily News
   
   Sticky, silver duct tape covered the mouth of a murder victim found in Tacony Creek Park in the Northeast on Sunday.
   
   Last month an armless man washed up on the shore of the Schuylkill. His legs were bound in duct tape.
   [more]
   
3. Body bound in duct tape found in N. Phila.
   
   Police found a body bound in duct tape in a van parked on 18th Street near Berks in North Philadelphia last night.
   
   Police said the dead man had the tape around his eyes, in his mouth and around his wrists. He was on the floor of the van, a blue Plymouth Voyager, cops said.
   
   Police were called after neighbors saw blood leaking from the bottom of the van. The identity of the man wasn't released. Police didn't immediately know how he was killed.

Cause of the Day

Mothers Against Peeing Standing Up

via Dave Barry

Canadian Music Reccomendations

• Ashley MacIsaac, a Cape Breton fiddler, was on The Connection Friday. Not your typical fiddler.
  
  *listen to an mp3 clip*
  
  
• Tegan and Sara are 22 year old twins from Calgary who have pop sound with a bit of an edge. And they are just so damn cute.
  
  *Watch Monday Monday Monday Hi Lo

Penn State study: E-mail 'uncool', IM 'rulz'

University Park, Pa. -- A new generation of Internet users views e-mail as a relic of the past, preferring instant messaging (IM) for communication with their peers, according to a Penn State researcher.

“For the first time, a standard, everyday tool like e-mail is no longer being used by a specific youth culture,” says Steven L. Thorne, associate director of the Center for Language Acquisition in Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts.

These youths, roughly 18, 19 and 20 years old, are third-generation Internet users and to them, e-mail is akin to getting dressed up for a job interview, an uncomfortable formality to be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
[read full story]