http://www.maconareaonline.com/news.asp?id=12067
"A stench of corruption" By: Tim GrieveWed Sept 28, 2005 9:18 PM ET
MACON,GA.(Salon.com)- Over the course of the summer, Howard Dean worked hard to get voters to associate the Republican Party with a "culture of corruption" in Washington. The message didn't get much traction then -- in part because Democrats in Congress didn't push it out of fear that it would come back to bite them, and in part because voters had bigger concerns about George W. Bush and the party he leads.
The message is getting through today.
Just after news of Tom DeLay's indictment broke this afternoon, White House press secretary Scott McClellan appeared for his daily press briefing, where a reporter asked him on live television if a "stench of corruption" now swirls around the president and his party. McClellan dismissed the question as relying on a "broad characterization" but acknowledged that there are "instances" and "individual situations" where "the legal process" will need to proceed.
Dean was on Nightline last night, and it was refreshing to hear someone tell it straight without mincing words.
Posted by Judith at September 29, 2005 04:59 AMHere's another instance of Bush programs that fuck things up:
public schools in their paying for Bush's No Child Left Behind and other budget problems, have been forced to give up full time nurse staff. It was really breathtaking to read about a kid with asthma whose 2 friends were dragging her thru an attack to the nurses office for her medication, to find it locked and unoccupied, a daily occurance apparently. Tax cuts at all costs, here's the result.
No School Nurses Left Behind
registration required but I think you can get a daily
Posted by Sharon at September 29, 2005 06:13 AMI don't want to give the guy the benefit of linking to his site but anyone looking for a laugh should go check out
"http://radioequalizer.blogspot.com/".
It's the site muckdog posted links to several weeks back regarding the infamous Air America Radio Network "scandal". The sites author has seemingly become completely obsessed with Al Franken. It's actually bordering on scary. All the hallmarks of the early stages of stalking.
It's good for an early morning look into the irrational rantings of wingnutia.
Cheers!
Posted by muckcat at September 29, 2005 06:34 AMListening to some of Bush's "Terrorists in Iraq" rant last night, I was reminded of a line from one of the Planet of the Apes films. Two of the Ruler Apes were talking about unease in the Human slave population. It went something like this, "as long as the humans continue to think, we are going to have problems". I believe that is the genesis of the Terrorists in Iraq pitch Bush gave. With focus on his Administrations blunders,corruption and lies coalescing with the Katrina screw-up, the "humans" had begun to think. And a thinking population is the last thing that Karl Rove wants.
Desperate, he sent George out to rekindle the Fear of Terror that has successfully kept the American public from "thinking" about the mess Bush has made. "Go out there George, and say Terror in every sentence and hopefully, we can put the humans back in their cage". With the GI death toll in Iraq climbing steadily towards 2000, we will have to wait and see if the Media will assist Mr. Rove in this plan, or not. We'll also have to see which Democrats assist him.
T2, it's like they think if we hear the word "terrorist" enough we'll forget the word "corruption."
Posted by ann at September 29, 2005 07:40 AMann, to be honest, it's worked for them for 4 years.....the question is: has the worm really turned, or are we so gullible as a public that we'll "git skeered" again and again by their rhetoric?
Posted by T2 at September 29, 2005 07:51 AMT2, I would hope everyone has learned we cannot live in fear. It truly has played itself out. I don't think the soccor moms, are that worried anymore. bu$hco can't protect us. They know who they have to fear...it's this inept administration!
Posted by bbtb at September 29, 2005 08:15 AMT2, you're bringing me down and killing my Tom DeLay indictment buzz.
I think for swing voters to get scared enough to vote Rep again, it'll take another terrorist attack on American soil. Given how long it took al-Qaeda to plan 9/11, I don't see that happening before midterms (crossing fingers against any further attacks.)
And since everyone has seen how ill-prepared this government is to respond to even a natural disaster in this country, I think they will lose some of those idiotic "security moms." Especially if the "security moms" realize that their precious cargo may have to go to Iraq sometime in the next ten years.
Posted by ann at September 29, 2005 08:25 AMJOHN ROBERTS IS CHIEF JUSTICE!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by hobo at September 29, 2005 08:40 AMEriposte had an interesting comment about 2006 Congressional races below. Even with the majority of Americans favoring Democrats, it'll be tough for Democrats to gain many seats.
One word answer: Gerrymandering. (Do a google search if you're not sure what that means.)
It's kind of unfortunate for voters, don't you think? I think it creates an atmosphere of indifference. Why vote when the winner has already been pre-determined? It's even difficult to take an interest in the process.
For example, I live in an area that's been gerrymandered to about 99.9% Republican and .1% Democrat (exaggerating a bit on the actual count, but close enough). I don't have to bother with voting at all. Some of you, it's the opposite: 99.9% democrat, .1% republican. Your decisions have been made for you. The only thing up for grabs are the propositions, but most of those will be thrown out in court if they disturb the status quo.
So, Eriposte makes a good point. I think it's difficult to get the change in Congress one way or another. A few seats here and there in states that have a more legitimate election process. But that's about it.
Posted by muckdog at September 29, 2005 09:47 AMMuckdog,
You should support programs like Reform Ohio Now. RON would change districting to nonpartisan. The GOP is very against RON. Perhaps you should vote for the other party once in a while.
roberts is confirmed
Posted by at September 29, 2005 10:34 AMSomewhere, a herd of Arabian horses is missing its attorney.
anon @ 10:34,
You might have missed it but Tom DeLay was indicted too!
Posted by snark at September 29, 2005 10:58 AM