Still Alive...

Who will you choose?

Check out Glass Booth.Org and let me know who you're the closest match to!

I was closest to Kucinich, a bit surprised in my results...

Warmest January Ever

Once again, another record broken in the warmth of the earth. Read the story.So when will people realize and demand that action be taken? Are you doing your part???



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Star Witness?

Well, it looks like Cheney is going to have to testify in the Libby perjury case. So what could happen if Cheney says something under oath that defies the public record? We know that Fitzgerald will probably be ready to pounce on any inconsistencies. My true question is this: Fitzgerald interviewed Cheney during the CIA Leak Case, and Cheney was not required to be under oath. However, if he says anything under oath that contradicts what he stated in the interview, is that obstruction of justice? I’ve heard “mixed reviews” on this. That yes, it could be, and it is a felony. That Fitzgerald probably wouldn’t pursue it if it happened. Or would he?

And of course, the question above all else is this: if that does indeed happen, and Fitzgerald releases the interview with Cheney, will Congress be able to begin an investigation into Cheney, since the potential for a felony would squarely fall into a “high crime?”

If nothing else, any inconsistency, or the truth itself, could severely damage the White House beyond how damaged it already is. As things continue to deteriorate in Iraq, I believe that when Americans here even more about the false intelligence that led us into the war, their tolerance levels will plummet even further than they have. I think the nation is heading towards a fork in the road, and we, as Americans, have to now decide the course. We took the first steps in November. Now we must hold Congress accountable to us to do the right thing. And that right thing is a thorough, tough look at all that led us into Iraq in the first place, and to take steps to mitigate the damage to our military, our image, and most of all…to support our troops by NOT putting them needlessly in harm’s way.

Its been a long time…

I haven’t made an entry for quite some time, obviously.
I’ve been spending some time reevaluating my political views, and what I want to write about and share with the world. I feel I have a lot of knowledge and strong opinions to share, and to share them in a manner that is open and honest. By doing so, I believe I can contribute to the sharing in this country (and around the world) of ideas and theories, all of which may contribute to a better future for each and every one of us.
We spend so much time thinking about what it is we do not like, and not nearly enough time thinking about what it is that we want, why we want it, and focusing on the changes that are necessary to make those wants become haves.
I was just contemplating my irritation over the Senate closing debate on the Iraq Resolution. For them, it seems to still boil down to those famous ridiculous words “You’re either with us, or against us.” This mentality is getting us nowhere, as is evidenced by 4 years of slaughter in Iraq. The surge won’t work simply because it is not a viable solution to the issues that have created the endless violence in Iraq. So I offer up my theory on the only way to save Iraq, and may not bring about the desired results of the Bush Administration, or of many others.
Divide it. Iraq should become three autonomous nations. One for the Kurds, one for the Sunnis, and one for the Shiites. Baghdad would need to be decentralized, or become a divided city. The only reason Iraq held together after the British left was through pure tyranny. So unless we’re willing to live with Saddam II running Iraq, through tyranny to hold it together, the only other solution is division. Yes, it may bring about unwelcome influence by Iran and Syria, and most definitely will cause friction with Turkey over their opposition to an independent Kurdish state on their borders.
Let an honest debate begin. Only by setting aside that which we do not want can we focus on fixing this issue. Or we can look forward to 4 more years of disaster, destruction, and the hemorrhaging of America’s standing in the world. It is time to fix that standing before it becomes too late for all of us.

-Daniel
Madison, WI
February 6th, 2007

Election 2006

It’s finally here!
We’re all probably sick of the mudslinging, the negativity, and the deceptions that have pervaded the airways for the last several weeks.
The nastiest governor’s race I’ve ever seen is drawing to a close.
In Wisconsin, an amendment to the state constitution is on the table which would institute discrimination into a document that is supposed to be about our freedom and our pursuit of happiness. An advisory referendum is on the table to bring back the death penalty after Wisconsin has successfully survived without one for 153 years (Wisconsin banned the death penalty in 1853, just 5 years after it joined the Union).
In many other states, people get to make their choices for governors, for research that could save untold numbers of lives, and every state has congressional candidates up for election.

The most fundamental freedom we have as Americans is the right to vote. The right to choose who will lead us for the next 2, 4, or 6 years. The chance to express our views on subjects that matter the most to us—not the things that people tell us we should be concerned about. Since 2003, in Iraq alone, 2,875+ Americans have given their lives in service to that freedom, that choice, that constitutional right. Some 15,000+ will never walk again, never understand things correctly again, or never be able to hold their children or grandchildren again. All in the name of our freedom.

Yes, I’ve got strong convictions. But today is not about what I think. Today is about what you think.
Please, vote.
Express your right as an American.
Whether you’re change the course, stay the course, or somewhere in between, vote.
See you at the polls,
Daniel

Mark Foley on The Child Safety Act of 2005

Below is the text of what Mark Foley (R-FL, former) said during open debate on September 14th, 2005, during the introduction of H.R. 3132. Text from the Library of Congress. A shining example of hypocrisy.

Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley).

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Chairman, as co-chairman of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus and an original author of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification measure included in this bill, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3132, the Children's Safety Act of 2005.

Mr. Speaker, we have all heard the names: Jessica Lunsford, Jetseta Gage, Sarah Lunde, Megan Kanka, Jacob Wetterling, just to name a few. All beautiful children carrying with them the hopes and dreams of every young child in this country. All taken away from their parents and their futures, killed by sex offenders.

This is an important piece of legislation we are faced with today. It is probably one of the most tragic things any family will ever deal with. While Katrina, the hurricane, and Judge Roberts are much in the headlines, below the fold seems to be daily an occurrence of a violent act against our children. It is time we get tough.

I have said repeatedly that in this country we track library books better than we do sex offenders. This bill, thanks to the good efforts of the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and others, seeks to correct that.

This bill is not a knee-jerk reaction. We have worked over 1 year on this legislation with the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children, the U.S. Department of Justice, and other Federal agencies.

It is horrific that in this country we are experiencing these untold tragedies throughout our Nation; but we can do better, and in this bill we will do better.

I would like to thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and his staff, Mike Volkov, for working tirelessly to produce this comprehensive child protection legislation. This bill has indeed many fathers and mothers. It is for the children, though, that we work and we labor.

I have often said this bill is a labor of love. Yet it is a labor of shame that we have these kinds of incidents of violence and tragedies affecting our kids.

I would like to thank Bradley Schreiber, my legislative director, who has worked so many hours in trying to perfect and work alongside staff to make this legislation possible; Ernie Allen from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; John Walsh from America's Most Wanted, who has led a crusade for well over 20 years since the death of his beautiful son Adam in Florida. John Walsh has brought a scrutiny to child protection legislation unlike any other human being.

Finally, and most important, I want to recognize the victims' parents. It is their hard work and determination, their tears and their frustration, and their fears for their other children that has brought this bill to the floor so quickly. They took away from their own tragedies a chance to help fellow Americans protect other children; and for that we are entirely grateful.

Mr. Chairman, these are not petty criminals. These are sex offenders, and they must be dealt with accordingly.

Medicare Part D: Built to Fail?

An article in The Capital Times of Madison, Wisconsin suggests that the Medicare Part D Program was built to fail...to make the road to privatization easier to justify. And I agree. The great insight on this program is available here.

To me, it shows even more how the Republican majority (and even some Democrats) find a convenient use for senior citizens...knock them down to further their own goals and ambitions to live up to the campaign dollars contributed by major Pharmaceutical companies. Once again, another reason to change course on November 7th.