crummy two cents

bush OK's CIA torture... again

2007-07-21T15:17:00.000-07:00

Bush might as well have said it flat out. Waterboarding is a-OKAY. Sleep deprivation is a-OKAY. General torture is a-OKAY.

It leaves me wondering, Mr. President, just what is "humane" to you? Maybe a bit more description on what "cruel, inhuman or degrading" is would be helpful. It seems to me this latest order is a complete thumbs up to the CIA and gives them legal protection to go on, without fear of the repercussions of justice, whatever mind-boggling torture they can think up.

If this executive order is supposed to quell the fears human rights groups have have been yakking about for the last five years, you've got a hell of a lot to learn about PR, Mr. President.

Tell me again why we need to keep these CIA techniques so classified and you can't describe any of them? And tell me again why you won't put down in writing the specific punishments you recommend in the case of violations? With this administration's record of playing word games, it doesn't take much wits to realize that is just yet another defeat for human rights.

You can read the precise language yourself of Bush's executive order: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/20/AR2007072001567.html?nav=rss_politics/administration

bush on health care

2007-07-19T22:49:00.000-07:00

President Bush opposed health care for children, much to the dismay of the bipartisan group in congress that wanted to make the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) up to $60 billion through the following five years and insuring 3.3 million more low-income children.

Bush refuses to accept anything more than half that amount.

Republican Senator Orrin Hatch said a week ago, "It's disappointing, even a little unbelievable, to hear talk about Administration officials wanting a veto of a legislative proposal they haven't even seen yet..."

top ten words of wisdom

2007-07-19T21:09:00.000-07:00

Top ten words of wisdom from our dear President Bush.

Bush on violence...

1. No question that the enemy has tried to spread sectarian violence. They use violence as a tool to do that.

Bush on history...

2. That's George Washington, the first president, of course. The interesting thing about him is that I read three -- three or four books about him last year. Isn't that interesting?

Bush's proudest moment in office...

3. I would say the best moment of all was when I caught a 7.5 pound largemouth bass in my lake.

Bush on America...

4. I've reminded the prime minister-the American people, Mr. Prime Minister, over the past months that it was not always a given that the United States and America would have a close relationship.

Bush on fighting terror...

5. The Patriot Act has increased the flow of information within our government and it has helped break up terrorist cells in the United States of America. And the United States Congress was right to renew the terrorist act -- the Patriot Act.

Bush on google...

6. One of the things I've used on the Google is to pull up maps. It's very interesting to see -- I've forgot the name of the program -- but you get the satellite, and you can -- like, I kinda like to look at the ranch. It remind me of where I wanna be sometimes.

Bush on war...

7. You know, when I campaigned here in 2000, I said, I want to be a war President. No President wants to be a war President, but I am one.

Bush on information...

8. Information is moving -- you know, nightly news is one way, of course, but it's also moving through the blogosphere and through the Internets

Bush on diversity...

9. I'm honored to be here with the eternal general of the United States, mi amigo Alberto Gonzales.

And of course, Bush on education...

10. Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?

youtube flavored apple

2007-07-19T04:50:00.000-07:00

The Apple TV box (comes in for roughly $300 for the 50-hours of video version and $400 for 200-hours of video version) now lets you watch all the YouTube videos like the Obama girl on your bigscreen wirelessly. YouTube is also one of the featured apps on the iPhones.

There were "only" about 10 thousand available at the end of June but all the YouTube videos will be around for you to drool over once fall comes, according to Apple. The videos honestly look pretty bad on a big HDTV, but it comes out perfect on the iPhone. Now if only this thing had a video camera... then there'd be one less thing for me to lug around.

Interesting question on USA Today about Apple stocks. Keep 'em or sell 'em? Read on: http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/columnist/krantz/2007-07-18-apple_N.htm

incredible airline deals

2007-07-16T09:09:00.000-07:00

When I recently started planning out my trip to East Asia, I realized you can find some incredible airline deals out there with just a little bit of searching.

Tons of computer savvy folks have turned to travel websites like www.expedia.com/ or www.travelocity.com/, and these websites certainly have their uses. But more often then not, these websites will NOT show you the lowest prices you can get on your plane ticket.

1) If you're a college student or faculty member, http://www.studentuniverse.com/ can give you discount rates well below normal. I found the price of a non-stop ticket to Tokyo that was literally about $500 less than normal with the same airline! This source is by far the absolute best I have ever found.

2) Regardless of whether you're using Expedia, StudentUniverse, a travel agent, or buying directly from the airline, you can cut back your costs if you play around even a bit with the departure and arrival dates. The difference here can be hundreds.

3) Also, though this service has been mentioned many times before, http://www.kayak.com/ can also find you some ridiculous deals, especially if you don't have the advantage of student discounts on your side.

4) Once in a while it can be worth it to check with the airline's website since not all airlines post their prices on third-party sites (notable examples are JetBlue and Southwest).

5) Check with travel agencies. Some of them can offer you discounted rates because they buy airline seats in bulk. Also, check out the packages they offer if you're interested in getting a hotel at the destination you're headed toward anyways. This can shave off a bit on the plane ticket.

6) The most vital tip I can offer you is to start early and check many different sources. No one source has the lowest fares for every trip.

Good luck finding those coveted cheap plane tickets and enjoy that vacation hot spot you're after!

obama chokes bush

2007-07-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

I saw this in the local paper, but it barely had any coverage. How could so little be said about something so hilarious? Reporters have a bad sense of humor.

Brock Obama was arrested Wednesday afternoon after allegedly hitting and choking George Wallace Bush near a bar in Torrance.

Obama, 27, was charged with battery and simple assault. Witnesses say the two had a loud argument in which Obama accused Bush of damaging his vehicle.

Bush suffered several bruises to the neck and chest and was taken to the Torrance Memorial Medical Center.

fantasy... congress?

2007-07-11T04:59:00.000-07:00

That's right. Screw fantasy football. The NHL has got nothing on the U.S. Congress: http://www.fantasycongress.com/

You can pick and choose senators for your all star fantasy team and gain points depending on how well legislation they introduce does. I'm definitely signing up for this.

farewell mccain

2007-07-09T17:26:00.000-07:00

When it was pretty clear he was running back in February or so this year, I knew he'd run smack dab into difficulty. He was far too tangled in with the war. And his latest loss with immigration didn't do much to help either. While he's definitely still in the running, John McCain has a long ways to go if he's going survive.

For me, it's been a surprise to see how quickly McCain has slipped behind and Giuliani and Romney have established themselves. And did Fred Thompson come from? Who could have guessed that being on Law and Order could help your image so much.

The GOP primary is going to be a dogfight to the finish.

That's just my crummy two cents.

whatcha gonna do about iraq

2007-07-09T03:30:00.000-07:00

Flip on CSPAN today boys and girls: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_report/2007/07/09/2007-07-09_iraq_showdown_set_in_senate_.html

Things ain't pretty no matter where you are in the political mess hall.

britain vs. u.s.

2007-07-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

An interesting take on why Britain has been targeted more than the U.S.: http://www.miamiherald.com/578/story/163177.html

yet another setback

2007-07-06T04:42:00.000-07:00

And you thought Bush had enough of the beatdowns: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/06/washington/06cong.html

richest man on earth

2007-07-04T13:29:00.000-07:00

Looks like Bill Gate's hold on the title "Richest Man on Earth" is gone: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6269064.stm

The "recent interview" BBC mentions is actually from March 2006.

a word on libby

2007-07-03T20:32:00.000-07:00

There's been a lot of buzz lately about President Bush's decision to commute Libby's prison sentence. Like most Americans, I haven't been too happy with many of this administration's actions, including this one.

But cut me a break, some of the bull I've been reading makes it sound as if this is a historical low for our nation. This isn't the first time a president has made a questionable pardon (think Clinton's last day of office: Marc Rich anyone?). Rarely have presidents used the power to grant clemency and pardon as a tool to correct judicial errors. This event just yet again underscores a much larger problem with continual abuse of the power to pardon more than anything else, but some members of the media have been sensationalizing this like there's no tomorrow. Moving on...

As Matt Apuzzo of the AP points out:

Federal court records indicate that 382 people were convicted for obstruction of justice over the past two years. Three of four were sent to prison. The average prison term was 64 months, more than five years. The largest group of defendants drew prison terms ranging from 13 months to 31 months.

In spite of Bush's fluff, Libby's 30-month sentence was fairly standard when compared with previous cases. Clearing the table down to no sentence at all was indisputably excessive. Lightening it down to the probation's office recommended 15 to 21 months would have more sense, but Bush's decision just leaves folks scratching their heads about the seriousness of lying to federal agents and the equality in our justice system.

As even the President admits, there is ample evidence that Libby lied intentionally, no argument there. And the 30-month sentence Reggie Walton set down in light of the gravity of the situation was also pretty clear cut. It had less to do with Libby's position and more to do with the fact that he messed up, big time.

Libby was a political ally and Bush probably sympathizes with Libby and his family, which is understandable. But it is sad that the President let personal attachments and Republican pressure sway him away from the right decision.

That's just my crummy two cents.

crummy two cents

2007-07-03T00:49:00.000-07:00

This blog is dedicated to my rambles about life, politics, and the pasta stains on my shirt (well sometimes, but mainly it's just going to be another on a huge list of politics blogs). I figure it's about time I got myself a soapbox to yell my virtual lungs out to the world on. But do go easy on me folks, because remember that everything I write is just my crummy two cents.