More news

I started to post earlier this week, but I got a little caught up in my day-to-day hustle. Since then, my mind has gone completely blank and I can't seem to form even a semi-logical thought. So, I thought I'd just report some more random news (though I'll admit: most of this stuff is pretty old):

Congresswoman: Walter Reed scandal is "overblown"

Sometimes I wonder if our elected officials are on the same planet as we are. When submitting her take about the ongoing Walter Reed Scandal, Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH) reported that the subpar conditions experienced by our wounded and maimed soliders was "overblown". So I guess that means that the US troops who actually stayed there and Washington Post reporters who exposed the story were just making things up.

Moron.

Louisiana no longer drawing "Blanc"s

According to this article, Louisiana Governor Blanco's out. Apparently, she has decided not to seek another term; likely because of the way she completely flopped during the Katrina disaster. Personally, I'm glad she's not running again. She doesn't deserve the office anymore.

Now if only we could only convince Gov. Granholm to do the same. Or maybe a good recall would be in order...

House issues subpoenas in Prosecutor controversy

Despite childish squabbling from your president, the House Judiciary subcommittee recently issued subpoenas for high ranking White House officials including Karl Rove and Alberto Gonzales for their role in firing eight federal prosecutors.

Lately, truth be told, I haven't been a fan of the Democrats. But I have to admit it, this time they're not messing around. I'm surprised that, even when the firings weren't illegal (I guess), the Democrats have stopped at nothing to get their subpoenas out.

Of course, Bush also refuses to budge on the issue; allowing his aides to speak "privately"; but not under oath. Hiding something are we?

Senior Aide pleads the fifth

Speaking of "hiding something", I found it interesting that Monica Goodling; senior counsel to Attorney General Gonzales has exercised her fifth amendment rights related to self-incrimination and has decided not to testify before Congress. Essentially she, like all the other key players in this scandal must have some things that they are not willing to expose.

Am I the only who thinks it's funny that the Bush Adminstration is finally starting to embrace the Bill of Rights?

Racism as a "house rule"

According to this report, black Americans are almost four times as likely to receive a high-cost, subprime mortgage when buying a home than their fellow white Americans; even if they earn higher wages and/or possess better credit scores. This surge in mortgage rates has been blamed, in part, for the alarmingly high foreclosures which are on the rise in black neighborhoods.

Keep that in mind the next time you declare that racism isn't as bad now as it once was.

CDC admits to arsenic in flouride

This article will make me think twice about the types of toothpaste I buy and how often I drink tap water. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), traces of arsenic poison can be found in flouride products and in drinking water.

This is bad news; especially considering the history of arsenic contaminations of groundwater we've experienced.

Senate passes Deadline bill

In a shocking turn of events, the Dems who I once called 'spineless' have just made me eat my words after passing a nonbinding bill requiring your president to start withdrawing troops as early as May, 2008.

Even though a presidential veto is likely to be issued against this bill (a veto which is not likely to get overturned by Congress), I have to say that this is a stunning and, frankly, unexpected blow dealt by the Dems.

What do you know? There's life on this planet after all.

Winter, 2007 hottest on record

I hope that I’m just being paranoid about this, but I believe that there is something seriously wrong with the environment. It's becoming increasingly clear that, although the Bush Adminstration and its wealthy corporate buddies have tried to interfere with research, global warming is a legitimate problem that needs to be address. These weather anomalies provide overpowering evidence that global climate shifts are in effect. After all, even the NOAA has reported that this winter was the hottest winter on record.

Here in Michigan, for example, it’s been much warmer than usual. Though there were some pretty brutal winter days this year, average temperatures have been modest and gentle. Last week, for example, we were experience disturbingly beautiful mid-70 degree temperatures as opposed to the lower 30's that would be expected for this time of year.

I wonder how things are in China, since they're getting pretty close to topping the US in global emissions.

Iraq and a hard place

A close friend of my sister and my best friend's brother have both been deployed to Iraq because of your president's mistakes. It's a pretty difficult time for us all right now. Please keep them; along with the hundreds of thousands of our troops, the Middle East, and even our enemies in your prayers. Peace!

- ACL