"Torture Tsar" May Be "Perp Walked" Soon

Hello Bloggers - I think we should be very happy today, since The Washington Post is reporting that the federal prosecutor appointed by Attorney General - the law is relative - Mukasey is about to take action.

Nora R. Dannehy was assigned the job of examining the "haphazard, arbitrary and unprofessional" conduct of Alberto - the torture tsar - Gonzales. She is now supposedly "meeting with defense lawyers, dispatching subpoenas and seeking information about the events, according to legal sources familiar with the case," the Washington Post reported this morning. Read more on The Raw Story.

This is fantastic news! He was one of Bush's WORST HENCHMEN. He supported torture and fired good people for political purposes. He's one of the worst of that horrible crowd - and that is saying something. He did Bush's bidding more than most.

So, it looks as though we might finally get some action. As I've said many times, I've been fighting for indictments and perp walks for over two years now. I don't know if the prosecutor is thinking he broke any big laws, but watching Gonzales suffer is enough for now.

Hopefully this is only the beginning of his long road into being tortured by life itself. I hope he is indicted and goes to jail, but I guess we'll have to wait and see. Keep your fingers crossed.

Wednesday's Political Rave #1 - Michael

Bush Spying and Telecom Immunity Goes to Court Again

Good Morning Bloggers - One of the greatest battles fought against the despicable Bush Administration and the Republicans over the past few years involved immunity for the telecoms.

Earlier this year the Bushies sought to immunize people and companies who broke the law. They were being sued by many groups because they willingly gave our private customer data to US intelligence agencies before and after 9/11 WITHOUT a warrant. My own AT&T was one of the worst corporate "snitches," but there were others. I was a big supporter of those lawsuits.

For those who weren't aware of the battle, it involved a heated Congress where many fought very hard to keep it from passing. The domestic spying bill that angered so many of us passed in July. In a bold and unprecedented move, Congress voted to kill the lawsuits and grant retroactive amnesty to any phone companies that helped with the surveillance.

American history will never the same in my opinion. It was one of Congress' darkest moments. It reminded me of the Alien and Sedition Acts before the Civil War. Unfortunately, in one his darker moments, President-elect Barack Obama was among those who voted for the law.

Other Senate Democratic TURNCOATS who made speeches in favor of the bill and Bush were Senator John D. Rockefeller (D-WV) and my own Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA). I wrote all of them over many months and none of them gave a good answer for domestic spying or why they believed the telecoms should receive immunity for breaking the law.

So, now the battle has one last test. David Kravitz of Wired is reporting that a federal judge today in San Francisco is deciding whether to hear a case to determine if the law is constitutional. It will affect the nearly four dozen lawsuits filed by civil liberties groups and class action attorneys against AT&T, Verizon, MCI, Sprint and other carriers - they claim the cooperation violated federal wiretapping laws and the Constitution.

I think we should all keep a close eye on this case if it proceeds. Congress trashed the Constitution, so it will be interesting to see if the courts help piece it back together. I believe that a Constitutional Amendment should have been necessary to make that kind of law.

They spied on Americans WITHOUT WARRANTS guaranteed by the Constitution BEFORE AND AFTER 9/11! That is a FACT! You Republicans can argue it all you want, but there is plenty of evidence supporting it. It's even accepted by the criminals at the Bush Administration.

We are supposed to be a nation of laws, not of whatever is convenient for a particular group in power at the time. Congress FAILED us, as usual. They should have voted against that law. Diane Feinstein FAILED me.

It should not be allowed to stand. We can't write any more letters to our Senators, for that time has come and gone. All we can do is HOPE that the courts do their job. All we can do is HOPE that sanity returns to those in power again.

Tuesday's Political Rant #1 - Michael

Outrageous Bush Administration Ignored Disaster Warnings AGAIN!

Good Morning Bloggers - I hope you had a good Thanksgiving and weekend. It was beautiful here in Southern California. I would like to talk about a new AP story this morning that is saying the Bush administration ignored plenty of warnings that the current economic MELTDOWN was on its way.

I know many of you Republicans out there like to say that 9/11 was not the Bush Administration's fault. Most historians disagree. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that the Bush national security team ignored plenty of warnings from the outgoing Clinton Administration and from intelligence agencies. Many historians blame them for the disaster. It happened ON THEIR WATCH.

Now there is evidence to suggest that the Bush economic team ignored warnings of the economic disaster. According to the AP, they "backed off proposed crackdowns on no-money-down, interest-only mortgages years before the economy collapsed, buckling to pressure from some of the same banks that have now failed." They supposedly "ignored remarkably prescient warnings that foretold the financial meltdown."

"The administration's blind eye to the impending crisis is emblematic of its governing philosophy, which trusted market forces and discounted the value of government intervention in the economy. Its belief ironically has ushered in the most massive government intervention since the 1930s."

If you go back to the very beginning of this blog, you can read some earlier posts where I give my own first-hand exposure to the type of mortgage sellers described in the AP story. I worked across the hall from one - it launched months after Bush won the office. It was obvious to anybody watching that it was a new kind of mortgage business - it was obviously predatory.

So, it appears that the Bush Administration is not only going to be known for one of the worst and most deceitful foreign policy blunders in American history, the Iraq War, but it will also be proven over time that it could have prevented TWO OF THE WORST DISASTERS EVER TO HIT THE NATION - 9/11 and the 2008 Economic Meltdown.

I hope you Republicans understand exactly how much damage you caused. You elected a MORON! I know that you never admit it, but it's true. You caused more damage in eight years than any foreign power could ever aspire to. Your success at installing that IDIOT was the worst thing to happen to this nation since the Civil War. You devastated us.

Bush keeps saying in various recent interviews discussing his "legacy" that he never compromised his principles. He's like a broken record talking about his principles. SO THE HELL WHAT? Principles are important, but there's more to being a leader.

Why doesn't he regret his JUDGEMENT? He never regrets how he ignored relevant facts and made bad decisions. The man had/has NO INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY and HORRIBLE JUDGEMENT! I challenge any of you to defend the Bush Administration. Go ahead, I dare you. This is a blog, use it!

Incredibly, your support for McCain/Palin, two more bottom-of-their-class-bottom-dwellers, shows that you haven't learned your lesson. I only hope that you learn a thing or two about governance over the next four to eight years, and abandon that unbelievable willingness to elect fools as leaders.

Hopefully the majority of Americans, especially independents and fair-minded Republicans, will realize that voting based on fear, narrow moral views, or simple passion is not enough. We must always vote for the most qualified individual. We must always try to elect the person who understands the issues, subtleties and complexities of this very complicated world. I sincerely hope we never have to suffer through this again.

Monday's Political Rant #1 - Michael

Reuters Shares Hannity Rant with the World

Good Morning Bloggers - To be blunt, you really need to want to write a blog every day. It's something I do to share and/or debate opinions and ideas, and in some small way hopefully add to a larger discussion and quality of life. I think of it as both a hobby and a minor public service to promote political debate, education and development.

Anyway, it's especially wonderful when my work gets republished within a much larger forum. I was honored by national newspapers and magazines before, and now I feel especially honored to have my piece called Hannity's Paranoia is Getting Worse picked up by the great Reuters news service. They have a big worldwide audience. I must admit, I feel proud. Besides, I love that piece mocking Hannity - the man deserves it.

Saturday's News #1 - Michael

Bill O'Reilly is a Bully and is Despised by Those Who Work With Him

Hello Bloggers - I trust you all had a good Thanksgiving. I had a great one.

I thought we should acknowledge a wonderful piece of news this morning. The Raw Story and Politico are reporting how a new book describes how Rupert Murdoch "absolutely despises" the "bullying" Bill O'Reilly.

Not only that, the author says that Fox "News" Chief Roger Ailes supposedly "loathes" him. WOW! I guess they're smarter than most of their viewers.

The new book about media mogul Rupert Murdoch of News Corp and Fox "News" is to be released next week. Michael Wolff's The Man Who Owns the News says that "Murdoch is not only embarrassed at times by his ownership of Fox News, but that he "absolutely despises" O'Reilly, who is that network's top-rated personality."

"The embarrassment can no longer be missed," Wolff writes of Murdoch. "He barely pretends to hide the way he feels about Bill O’Reilly. And while it is not that he would give Fox up -- because the money is the money; success trumps all -- in the larger sense of who he is, he seems to want to hedge his bets."

"Wolff adds that Fox CEO Roger Ailes shares Murdoch's opinion. "It is not just Murdoch (and everybody else at News Corp.’s highest levels) who absolutely despises Bill O’Reilly, the bullying, mean-spirited, and hugely successful evening commentator, but Roger Ailes himself who loathes him. Success, however, has cemented everyone to each other.""

I think people who watch O'Reilly should begin to consider the source. If the man is despised by those who work with him, who know him well, why should you trust him? He sounds AWFUL! He's considered by many, even before this book came out, to be a terrible person and a brutal bully. Why would you want to support such a horrible individual?

Don't trust him. The man's a pig. He's not worth it. DUMP HIM!

Friday's Political News #1 - Michael

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Bloggers - We all celebrate harvest festivals worldwide, no matter what you call it, but welcome to the one we consider very American, and Native American.

The year has turned its circle, The seasons come and go. The harvest all is gathered in And chilly north winds blow. Orchards have shared their treasures, The fields, their yellow grain, So open wide the doorway Thanksgiving comes again!

Happy Thanksgiving to My Bloggers, My Friends, and to My Wonderful Family! Michael

Political Rave: Congress May Expose Possible Spitzer Witch Hunt

Hello Bloggers - After living in NYC for a while I admit that I'm a huge fan of Eliot Spitzer, but I also admit that a Governor should not be caught paying prostitutes - big time conflict of interest on many levels.

I also agree with many of the conspiracy theorists that he was a possible victim of a Bush Administration hit job.

I think they were trying to knock him out of power. I haven't been bothering to talk about it, but I am THRILLED to see the New York Times do a piece on it. It deserves to be investigated. The Times is reporting that a congressional panel will ask why an eight month federal investigation into a prostitution service led to the exposure of Spitzer, and then pretty much disintegrated. It looked like they were out to get Spitzer? Doesn't it?

The prosecutor has said that politics played no role in the pursuit of Spitzer, but that has not satisfied many of us. Spitzer spent his career pursuing Wall Street wrongdoing, and many of us believe that he created a few grudges. Many wanted him to fall.

Even though I believe there are many pressing issues related to Bush that should be investigated, I'm still happy to hear the House Financial Services Committee will be looking into it. They plan to hold hearings that could include testimony from the United States Treasury’s law enforcement unit, along with Spitzer’s bank, North Fork, and HSBC, a bank used by a company connected to the prostitution service. I've read a lot about the issues involve, and it sounds pretty good to me.

Of course, Republicans are screaming about how the Democrats are interested in political "retribution." What the hell are they talking about? What is wrong with exposing Bush Administration witch hunts? No government should be allowed to destroy good people over small issues (like Gingrich did to Clinton, which I still think was wrong) to wipe out their power.

What if Democrats, while in power, tried to expose Republicans who sleep around or hire prostitutes, just to destroy their power base? I think that would be wrong too. Law enforcement needs to expose those situations quietly. They don't need to destroy lives, careers, and families over something that amounts to rogue behavior, or a weak constitution. People make mistakes of the "heart." Do you feel comfortable casting the first stone?

The bigger question is whether the Bushies were trying to keep him from exposing larger crimes they were committing - in New York, on Wall Street? It sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

I'll be keeping an eye on this one. I think it will come out that the Bush Administration destroyed Spitzer to keep him from exposing their own wrongdoings in the financial sector. I wonder how many lives the Bushies destroyed over the past eight years to cover their tracks? I'm sure the number's very high. Hopefully it will eventually be revealed, and justice will prevail. Well, I can hope.

We pride ourselves on giving people second chances. He did so many good things to help New York and the nation. He deserves our respect, not our derision. Think about forgiving him this Thanksgiving, and let's try to bring him back.

Wednesday's Political Rave #1 - Michael

Political News: Listen to Rachel Maddow

Good Morning Bloggers - As many of you who read this blog know I'm a HUGE fan of Rachel Maddow.

I think she has a fantastic grip on politics, but unlike Chris Matthews, she approaches it from a more humane perspective. She thinks about how it affects people, or even individuals. Therefore, I guess you could say that I am also from the Rachel Maddow School of political thought.

She, like me, is worried that Democrats will let the Bush Administration off the hook for many of their worst crimes - or any of them for that matter. "Moving on" involving Bush felonies is unacceptable.

Only cold political types would agree with that approach in my opinion. The Bush Adminstration ruined lives and destroyed families. They need to be brought to justice. It should not be a debate.

Rachel is right, and I hope she continues to remind the nation. She mentions it in whole or part often on both Air America's and MSNBC's versions of her Rachel Maddow Show. Both are brilliant.

Here are her latest comments. I recommend listening. She is right. We need to care. We need to stay vigilant. We need to keep writing our representatives to make sure they don't get away with their crimes. Trust me, I write often. I suggest you do the same.

Wednesday's Political News #1 - Michael

Political News: More Bush Lies Exposed

Hello Bloggers - It's sad, but true. Bush lies!

I like to point out how they often change history for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes it's spontaneous, and sometimes it's to cover past lies. Either way, it's still pretty disgusting. Future Republicans might want to learn something from his mistakes.

Here's a New York Times article detailing some good examples of changing the facts about the Iraq War to sort out history Bush style. It would appear they added and subtracted coalition partners at will. The coalition, in effect, was whatever the Bush Administration wanted it to be. What a surprise!

Enjoy - Michael

Political Rave: It's Kinda Funny and Sad

Hello Bloggers - In what I could only describe as Leave It To Beaver meets Father Knows Best, something that resembles Republican naivety out of the fifties, a political action committee is thanking Governor Sarah Palin for her "conservative values and service to America" in ads timed for release around Thanksgiving.

I must admit, it has me laughing my ass off. It is kinda funny and sad. I wonder what's going to happen next? Are we all going to be asked to vote for Ike? I wonder why they didn't get Beaver or Wally to narrate? The whole thing is a joke. They think we're out of touch. My God!

The oh-so-comically named Our Country Deserves Better Committee, a political action committee that supported Palin during her vice presidential candidacy (and NOT McCain), will begin airing the ads today.

A male figure appears in front of a smiling image of Palin and says, "We thank you for your passionate, hopeful and articulate advocacy of common sense conservative values." The ad ends with a cheesy Republican chorus exclaiming: "Thank You, Sarah Palin!"

Okay, yea, thank you Sarah Palin, thank you for being moronic enough to LOSE THE ELECTION! This has to be one of the best examples of conservative evangelical BS I've seen in a long time.

Why are they are so enamored with this retard? She is wholly unqualified to run for national office! Why are they going out of their way to THANK HER for being a "service to America?" Why do you people really want this woman as a leader? What are you thinking?

I'm serious, please tell me here. I'm confused. Pray tell, what "service" are you talking about? I'm asking you people who think our country deserves better? (Btw, I agree with you, when you think about the past eight years.)

Was it how she wasted hundreds of thousands in Republican Party money? Was it the way she insisted on handling those national television interviews with little preparation, thus flubbing them and making a mockery of McCain's campaign?

Perhaps it was the way she insisted on taking spontaneous questions on camera answering in rambling sentences that would embarrass most politicians? Perhaps it was just the way she seemed like such a FOOL?

The woman was a political menace! She was a political JOKE! John McCain is too polite, or political, to admit it, but the woman needed be thrown back after the Republican Convention. She was a nightmare! She was a liability!

Oh well, if you guys want to look like fools, then who am I to dissuade you. Go right ahead! It kind of reminds me of the fool who screams at you despite your best efforts to help them. They are the fools screaming into the wind. They are the idiots who will always vote AGAINST THEIR OWN BEST INTERESTS. Sarah Palin in 2012!

You can call me elitist all you want, but that won't stop me from calling her a JOKE! Thank God she didn't win!

Tuesday's Political Rave #1 - Michael

PS- I know that my attitude will piss off some people. Believe it or not I'm not a "blue state elitist." I'm a VERY laid back, down-to-earth person. I'm just sick and tired of listening to, and being led by, those sorts of morons. I'm at my wits end with them. Instincts are not enough. Intelligence is also important. They need to let the adults run things for a while.

Political Rant: Taxpayers Need to Get Rid of Alberto Gonzales Once and For All

Good Morning Bloggers - In my quest to keep us mindful of the Bush crimes, The Raw Story and I continue to focus on certain Administration scum who continue to amaze us, or screw us, depending on your point of view.

Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and John Conyers (D-MI) are upset and demanding answers from Attorney General Michael - all law is relative - Mukasey because of new revelations that "taxpayers are paying up to $24,000 per month to foot former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales's legal bills," according to Raw Story.

The senators are supposedly demanding to know the details of the arrangement, which are being kept confidential. I tell you, Mukasey is a crook and a pig. I know many of you felt pity for him when he fainted the other day. I think of myself as pretty sensitive, but to be honest I could care less when a criminal of his caliber faints. The man could go into a coma and I wouldn't care. He's a lying crook who helps Bush and his band get away with God knows what!

Btw, I begged and pleaded with my Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) to vote against Mukasey's installment. She didn't have good reasons to believe him at the time, and has expressed many regrets since. So, Senator, I hope you know that you SCREWED UP BIG TIME! Everybody saw what he was during those hearings except you and Schumer(D-NY). You guys risked our nation on your foolish beliefs and we paid the price over the past two years. I lost a LOT of respect for you that day.

Anyway, I digress, so back to the story about Gonzales. This is one more area where internal Justice Department findings showed that Gonzales allegedly "politicized the department" and is personally liable for his actions. He broke the rules. So, the Senators are wondering why, with good reason, the Justice Department is paying to defend Gonzalez? He is being sued, so he should be forced to pay himself.

It doesn't make sense. Then again, when has anything related to the Bush Administration made any sense. The MAN IS SCUM. He should be forced TO PAY BACK THAT MONEY.

This is just one more example of how the Bush crime family is raping America and stealing from us. This needs to stop. I'm writing my representatives as well as Leahy and Conyers and I hope you do the same. It's easy, just search for their names using Google and you will find their websites.

Now that Obama is elected, it's tempting to think only about what is good. Unfortunately, we need to remain vigilant and demand justice for all the injustice over the past eight years. Please, help me keep demanding investigations, indictments, perp walks, and jail terms. They deserve it.

Tuesday's Political Rant #1 - Michael

Political Rant: No Pity for Bush

Good Morning Bloggers - The Raw Story is reporting this morning about an interview George - I'll never forgive the dumbass - Bush gave to a Japanese television network where he reportedly said that the Iraq war "was a success" and the he is "very pleased" with what is happening there.

Aside from his usual Saddam Hussein was a threat crap, Bush said that "people have been able to take their troops out of Iraq because Iraq is becoming successful. I'm very pleased with what is taking place there now."

I don't know about you guys, but I've shocked by the lack of Iraq coverage in this country. I watch the BBC News, and it has at least one story a day on the war and most of it is pretty bad. The lack of coverage in this country borders on the criminal. The American people are fed a bunch of lies that Iraq is doing just fine. We don't even get to see the frequent protests where THOUSANDS of Iraqis burn Bush in effigy and march for us to LEAVE THEIR COUNTRY!

The truth is much more complicated. THERE IS STILL PLENTY OF VIOLENCE! It's just happening between the Iraqis more, as they become more capable of killing each other. In general, based on all those reports I watch and read, is that the government of Iraq is refusing to hire the same Sunni forces that we've been paying, which means that after we withdraw there will probably be a civil war.

The other problems involve the Mahdi [sic] army, which is holding its cease fire until we leave. Nobody knows what will happen after we go. There are still suicide bombs every week killing dozens, warring factions targeting each other, Kurds interested in forming a new nation, and ex-Saddam loyalists who seek to reestablish a Sunni-led government.

They will all fight each other the minute we exit. What George - the war criminal Bush - isn't telling you is that there is no good solution. He's just trying to make it look like it's working. Obama is planning to pull us out because there are no other solutions, and George Bush and the Republican "truth squad" will try to make him look like the screw-up when that happens.

The whole thing is a bloody mess, and George - the lying sack - Bush is getting away with it. This is a MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM for us Democrats than it is for the Republicans. The Republicans have done a great job making Iraq look okay. Once the real news gets out, and we start pulling troops out, we will be taking the blame for a worsening situation - that WAS ALWAYS MESSED UP!

Why don't people seek out the truth? Why don't more people watch the real news, like the BBC News? Why don't more people read actual newspapers? WHY DON'T PEOPLE CARE MORE?

Oh well, that's enough yelling and ranting for one Monday morning. I blame you George Bush for being the evil fool that you are. A recent Wall Street Journal op-ed said that we, the American people, mistreat you. Really? I think you've gotten away with MURDER, especially since you are a psychotic murderer who feels nothing for the lives that you've destroyed.

I think you should be in jail. You are the WORST! I blame you and the Republicans who support you for driving this nation to the brink of oblivion - IRAQ was a big part of that trip. You're nothing more than a low-life, psychotic murderer. You sir slept while Rome burned. One day you will be forced to see the damage that you caused, learn about the lives that you destroyed, and hopefully pay the ultimate price for your crimes.

Monday's Political Rant #1 - Michael

Political News: GOP Dirty Trickster Has Regrets

Hello Bloggers - The Daily Beast's Benjamin Sarlin wrote a great piece on how GOP dirty trickster/consultant Roger Stone has regrets that he stormed the Miami-Dade Election Board in 2000 shutting down the recount that ultimately led to the famous Supreme Court decision giving us George - the nightmare - Bush.

I must admit, Republicans who regret electing Bush and his henchmen are few and far between, but I still LOVE IT when I learn that some do exist. I do wonder why there aren't more? We Democrats are more honest about our regrets, just look how Reagan Democrats hate the damage they caused. I would be in a monastery if I had voted for Bush.

Roger, why don't you make us all happy, and find a new career. At least try to make amends. You've done A LOT OF DAMAGE to our nation and the world. Actually, that goes for all you people who voted for those criminals and idiots!

Anyway, here's the POST. Enjoy! Michael

My Personal Memorial for Abraham Biggs

Good Morning Bloggers - I came across a pretty horrible story in the London Times this morning about a 19-year old boy who committed suicide while being watched by up to 1,500 viewers on a live Internet site.

I wrote once before on this blog about a gay teenager in Derby, UK, who jumped to his death from the roof of a building while being mocked and encouraged to jump by people on the ground. The story was shocking to say the least.

So now we have another teenager dying while being encouraged by others who were watching online. Yes, sadly, Abraham Biggs from Broward County, Florida, took an overdose of pills while broadcasting himself on Justin.tv, a live video streaming website.

He told those watching that he was going to commit suicide and went so far as to post a suicide note on another forum before taking the pills and turning on his webcam. Supposedly those watching knew very well was he was up to, yet they did not call the police.

The Times reports that the "19-year-old lay on his bed and only after several hours of no movement did others begin to take him seriously. With the video still running, forum members managed to contact the local police who eventually broke down the door, found the body and switched off the camera. Up to 1,500 people were viewing the feed, according to one report."

Many thought he was joking. Well, I hope they can live with themselves after they failed to take him seriously. Their irrational belief that he was joking led directly to his death. I hate to say it, but I think they're partly responsible. I know myself, and I know that I would have assumed the worst and tried to intervene.

The Times says that he apparently had threatened before to commit suicide. Who cares, the boy was obviously in need of HELP! Somebody should have done something. "On Wednesday he went to the bodybuilding.com forum and detailed the amount of drugs he was going to take. The moderators of the forum reportedly did not take him seriously because of his past threats and other forum members encouraged him to carry out his threat." WOW, what a bunch of assholes! The whole story makes me sick!

They supposedly continued to insult him as he lay motionless on the bed after taking the pills. "One forum member pleaded with other forum members to contact the police and tried to e-mail the Miami-Dade police. He borrowed his father's mobile and spoke to police who directed him to the Broward County Sheriff's Department. About an hour later, the authorities arrived at the teenager's house."

Incredibly, video clips have been posted on the net and copies of the suicide note can also be found. I don't know what to think about the world we live in today. I'm sure many right-wing Republicans who believe the world will fall apart without everybody embracing Jesus will blame it on corrupt morals caused by a lack of religion in our lives, or families without moral leadership. That is BS!

Society creates the conditions for acts of violence - on others or ourselves - at multiple levels. I think it has nothing to do with religious oversight; it as to do with a lack of societal and personal responsibility. We seem to live in a world where people don't take their own actions, much less those of others, very seriously. It's crazy.

Remember, we are all our brothers keeper. We are all responsible. People need to STOP ACTING LIKE IDIOTS and take more responsibility. We should never assume that people are pretending to drown, or choke, or commit suicide. They are nothing to joke about. ALWAYS ASSUME THE WORST! Always try to HELP and to hell with the consequences. If it turns out to be a joke, well then, shrug it off. It's a poor reflection on them, not us.

So, I never knew you Abraham, but I would like to say that you deserved better. People should have helped you. I would have helped you. People should have cared more. I regret that you had to die because we live in a society that does too little, too late. My personal memorial to you Abraham is to promise to act if I ever see anybody hurting like you did. I promise to do something. No matter what, I promise to take them seriously.

Rest in peace Abraham.

Personal Memorial for Abraham Biggs - Michael

Breaking News: Waxman Will Lead to Cleaner Air and Better Health

Good Morning Bloggers - The most amazing BREAKING NEWS this morning is that one of the greatest men in Congress, my Congressman Representative Henry Waxman (D-Beverly Hills), has OUSTED the chairmanship of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee from veteran Representative John Dingell. This is excellent news! Dingell has been the puppet of the auto industry and has halted hundreds of reforms over the years. It was time for him to go. This was a critical vote, and we the people WON AGAIN!

Henry Waxman, a man who I've met and support, is an avid environmentalist and extremely well qualified to help Barack Obama with his health and energy reforms. The Democratic Party member vote of 137-122 ended a bitter fight within the party since the presidential election. Dingell has held the position for 28 years and has been too slow to address environmental issues like global warming.

I think it's brilliant! It's not enough to elect Obama, it's also important to get the right people into the right positions so that he can accomplish his goals. I'm more encouraged than ever that we might pull off real change. This is GREAT NEWS! Henry Waxman is a very good, intelligent, capable man. He's perfect to help Obama tackle these critical issues.

Thursday's Political RAVE #1 - Michael

Political News: Naomi Klein Interview Talks About Illegal Heist

Hello Bloggers - For those who are fans of The Shock Doctrine's Naomi Klein like me should read this article on The Raw Story. It's a great interview of Klein talking about the Bush/Paulson "bailout" heist. Enjoy!

Political Rave: The Sweet Taste of Justice

Hello Bloggers - I think those who know me will know that I AM THRILLED by the news that VP Dick - Darth Vadur - Cheney and the former Attorney General Alberto - Torture, Torture, Torture - Gonzales have been indicted on charges involving federal prisons in a South Texas county. Isn't that INCREDIBLE! Texas no less! WOW!

I've been writing my elected representatives for years asking for more investigations, indictments, and perp walks. I've been let down the whole time. I've been especially angry about the Karl Rove Congressional subpoena debacle related to the Justice Department and Don Siegelman, but that's a rant for another day. What's incredible is that an indictment has come out of left field, or at least left Texas. Strange, I thought that was Bush country. I guess all Texans don't speak Bush BS.

The judge still needs to sign the indictment, but let's keep faith. There are seven indictments in South Texas' Willacy County naming Cheney, Gonzales along with a state senator and other public officials.

The AP is reporting that "Cheney is charged with engaging in an organized criminal activity related to the vice president's investment in the Vanguard Group, which holds financial interests in the private prison companies running the federal detention centers. It accuses Cheney of a conflict of interest and "at least misdemeanor assaults" on detainees because of his link to the prison companies."

Megan Mitchell, a spokeswoman for Cheney, declined to comment on Tuesday, saying that the vice president had not yet received a copy of the indictment. The indictment accuses Gonzales of using his position while in office to stop an investigation in 2006 into abuses at one of the privately-run prisons.

Gonzales' attorney, George Terwilliger III, said in a written statement, "This is obviously a bogus charge on its face, as any good prosecutor can recognize." He said he hoped Texas authorities would take steps to stop "this abuse of the criminal justice system."

Well, it's not a war crime, but it's something. I'll take whatever we can get. Besides, let's just call this the first step. Hopefully this will be the start of a whole bunch of indictments. The deceitful SCUM need to be flushed out of our system. We need JUSTICE! WE THE PEOPLE are finally taking action, and it will only get worse for them.

Wednesday's Political RAVE #1 - Michael

Political Rant: Many Now Believe Bush/Paulson Scammed Us, Stole Billions

Good Morning Bloggers - Raw Story today is pointing to a letter from CONSERVATIVE Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) where he tells his Senate colleagues that he "intends to push for immediate legislation that would require Congressional authorization for any further payouts" related to the recent bailout package.

According to my sources in DC, many in Congress are beginning to believe that Bush and Paulson bailed out their friends on Wall Street, with few conditions to lend the money out. Many now feel that's all they really wanted. There are rumors flying around DC that they needed to save specific institutions and markets before leaving office.

Since investing the money they have done very little to encourage lending, and they appear to be holding on to the rest of the funds just in case something else goes wrong - an emergency buddy fund I guess? They are supposed to be freeing up credit. They were supposed to be demanding that banks lend money. What the hell is going on?

The ultra-conservative Oklahoma Republican told the Tulsa World, "It is just outrageous that the American people don't know that Congress doesn't know how much money [Paulson] has given away to anyone. ... It could be to his friends. It could be to anybody else. We don't know. There is no way of knowing. ... He was able to get this authority from Congress predicated on what he was going to do, and then he didn't do it." I agree. I'm beginning to wonder if they know anything up there. What is wrong with them?

I never thought I would say this, but I think Inhofe is right! I, like so many others, came to believe that the government was trying to stop a disaster when they passed the legislation. Facts on the ground since are showing that things weren't as bad as suspected, and if anything it's beginning to look like Bush and Paulson created the panic based on very little data.

It's beginning to look like we might have been scammed again, just like with the Iraq War - another crisis that helped Bush and his buddies. What did Bush say, fool me once shame on me, or some perverted version of it? Maybe he's not the idiot we all took him for? Maybe he's just a much bigger CROOK! Then again, we're supposed to TRUST THE PRESIDENT when he warns us of a potential disaster. I don't know about you guys, but I feel sick!

Incredibly, our trustworthy Democrats in Congress - and center-right Republicans - didn't dig deep enough. I know they convinced many of us in the end, but aren't they supposed to know more than us? Then again, maybe they're not as smart as we think they are? Maybe we rely on a bunch of smooth-talking IDIOTS!

What in the hell is wrong with this government, especially our elected representatives? Nobody seems to know what they're doing. WE NEED ANSWERS NOW!

We need to FOCUS ON STOPPING THE BUSH CRIME SYNDICATE from plundering more. We need immediate investigations! We need action now! Unless something happens, this may be the first issue where I take a stand AGAINST OBAMA! Once in office, we need President-Elect Obama to support immediate investigations into possible Bush crimes, or we should take to the streets!

The American people voted for change, and we might not be able to wait until the inauguration. The Lame Duck Congress should act now! To protect our democracy for the future, we need to get to the bottom of what is happening to that money. I hope you agree.

Tuesday's Political RANT #1 - Michael

Political Rant: Hateful Republican Liars Blaming Everything On Obama

Good Morning Bloggers - I won't cite specifics here, because there are too many, but last week and over the weekend the overall amount of Republican BS already being thrown at President-Elect Obama would be laughable if it wasn't so tragic. The Republican truth assassins are hard at work and the man hasn't even been inaugurated yet.

Of course, the worst culprits are the usual suspects: Hannity, O'Reilly, Limbaugh, Beck, Savage and others. Not only are they claiming that the election was stolen, and being stolen in Minnesota and Alaska, but they are constantly blaming the stock market downturn and EVERYTHING about the current economic crisis on Obama. The "Obama Recession" was a joke at first, but I'm not laughing so much now. It's beginning to get me angry.

Why do I let those assholes get to me? Yes, I needed to say the word. They are assholes. Actually, they're worse, but I need to keep this PG. No matter how much I try to ignore them, they are getting to me. I guess it's the repetition. They're blaming Obama for everything they destroyed and we can't shut them up. Why? I want to shut them up!

Okay, cool down Michael. Let's evaluate the situation. So far, they're blaming us for:

• the credit crisis caused by their lack of oversight and regulation;
• the stock market collapse caused by their poor management of the economy and their record-breaking debt creation;
• a "secular revolt" because gay people are angry after religious conservative Republicans successfully funded and passed a proposition in California that over-turned rights for a large segment of society;
• election fraud because of ACORN, which has been involved in elections for decades and has never officially registered any voters because all it does is collect signature cards for state officials (not to mention there is evidence the Republicans stole over six million votes); and,
• basically EVERYTHING they've SCREWED UP on us.

I'm pretty sure that's only the beginning. Well, what can we say except GET REAL PEOPLE! Any Republicans who are believing their crap are delusional. I'm not a psychologist, but I think it's clear you people need help. IT IS NOTHING BUT REPUBLICAN PROPAGANDA!

Two great resources to help clear the polluted air are BIG LIES by Joe Conason and/or Cracking the Code by Thom Hartmann. Both describe the Machiavellian/Rovian tactics of blaming the other side for your own mistakes. Muddy the water, lie, cheat and steal if you must. Win at all costs. The end justifies the means. It's all part of their world. It's sad, but true.

So, let's try to keep it all in perspective. They're going to try to pin EVERYTHING that's going wrong on us. They're going to try to BLAME US for their own failure. I guess we're just going to have to live with it and hope it doesn't work. I hate it, but there's not much we can do about it. I'll try to relax and let it go, and I hope you can do the same.

Monday's Political Rant #1 - Michael

Thanks to My Bloggers!

Thank You Fellow Bloggers - I just thought I would let you know that it's my rough three month review and so far I'm very happy with the success of Our Rants & Raves.

We're gradually growing in visitors each week, so as long as that traffic continues to increase I guess the work is basically rewarding and the blog is basically successful.

The blog gets about 100+ viewers a day on average, but its pretty unpredictable depending on whether it's featured on some blog promotion that day. We've had over 500 and never fallen below 30.

Two of the posts have been reprinted so far - my Obama endorsement was reprinted in the Chicago Sun Times on the Monday BEFORE the election. That was VERY cool. I'm very proud of that one. Overall, I would say that it's worth the effort so I'll keep at it.

I'll try to remember to review in another three months or so. Until then, THANKS for appreciating my work enough to keep coming back. PLEASE feel free to email me with any feedback that might help. PLEASE comment whenever possible - few do it, but it's great when it happens.

THANK YOU - Michael

PS - For those who don't know, I also contribute to other blogs. I often post my work on Papamoka Straight Talk daily, which reaches THOUSANDS! My thanks to Mat O'Keefe of Papamoka for helping us grow.

Political Rave: Miserable Republican Felon Ted Stevens Begs for His Job

Good Morning Bloggers - I have another RAVE this morning. Politico is reporting this morning that CONVICTED REPUBLICAN Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK), the "misery of the Senate" who is facing possible expulsion from the Republican Conference next week, is "contacting his Republican colleagues and urging them "to give him a chance" and hold off on any such vote until his legal appeal is resolved."

I don't know about you guys, but I LOVE IT when an old miserable bastard like Ted Stevens, a man who has done very little for his constituents or for mankind, is being forced to BEG his fellow senators to keep his job.

This came about after Republican Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) publicly declared that he will offer a motion next Tuesday to kick Stevens out of the Republican Conference, thus stripping him off his committee assignments. In response, Stevens has been calling his GOP leaders and other colleagues urging them to hold off.

Politico is reporting that "Stevens is assuring his fellow Republicans that he will step down if he loses his appeal, but in the meantime, he wants them to hold off on kicking him out of the Republican Conference." I say THROW THE OLD CANTANKEROUS CURMUDGEON OUT!

I remember him from my days working in the Senate. He was a miserable old bastard then, and from what I read he's worse now. He has been a thorn in the side of the Senate for decades, and it's time for him to GO!

The longest-serving Republican in Senate history was convicted last month on seven counts of failing to report more than $250,000 in improper gifts. I don't care if he maintains his innocence and refuses to resign from the Senate. Drug dealers act the same way. The man is a convicted FELON and should be forced OUT, unless you Republicans want to keep FELONS in your ranks.

Stevens BEGGING his colleagues makes me feel very happy. Let's hope this is only the beginning of many Republicans begging for their jobs, or freedom from jail. Hopefully we'll come to a day when George Bush, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove and Donald Rumsfeld are all BEGGING for their freedom. I look forward to that day.

Friday's Political RAVE #1 - Michael

Political Rave: Republican Governor Pawlenty Challenges Hannity for Proof

Hello Bloggers - Now for a RAVE! I love it when decent Republicans point out the BS spewed by the idiots in the party - the repetitive MONKEY Sean Hannity in this case. The Huffington Post is reporting (see the video) that Minnesota Governor Pawlenty defended his state AGAINST Hannity's INSANITY.

The monkey has been sounding VERY paranoid lately. His rants against ACORN, which most honest Republican Party observers have called delusional, have spread to him questioning the honesty and integrity of Minnesota's Secretary of State and the whole state vote recounting process.

It's all about the ongoing Minnesota Senate race between Al Franken and Norm Coleman. The repetitive MONKEY is saying that Secretary of State Mark Ritchie is "suspicious" and has "close ties to ACORN." He is even questioning why he attended the Democratic National Convention - you know, the convention HELD IN MINNESOTA!

He is also saying that Ritchie may have "radical connections." I see, kind of like Bill Ayers and Reverend Wright? WOW! I guess that's going to be their favorite new way to destroy people - talk about who they know.

What is going on with Hannity and O'Reilly these days? It seems their usual crazy is turning into put-them-away-now-so-they-don't-hurt-themselves CRAZY. They're PATHETIC!

Anyway, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty defended Ritchie and the process on Hannity & Colmes - or as I like to call it, Monkey Man & Witless. The governor did not just go along with Hannity's crazy talk. Instead, Pawlenty said that accusations "should be backed up with actual evidence," and refused to go along with the notion that his Secretary of State is some kind of cheat.

He said, "I want to be clear about this. I know Mark Ritchie. He is a partisan on the other side of the aisle as I am as governor. He is trying his best to conduct this fairly." Wow, that should shut Hannity up, but we all know it won't. Anyway, THANK YOU Governor Pawlenty. We needed it.

Let's hope that more and more Republicans begin to counteract insane people like Hannity and O'Reilly. If that begins to happen, you'll see a LOT MORE COOPERATION between the parties. People like Hannity and O'Reilly need to be put down. We need to rid ourselves of their noise pollution.

Thursday's Political RAVE #1 - Michael

Political Rant: Bush is Stealing Trillions and Congress is Doing Nothing

Good Morning Bloggers - I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Bush Administration is pulling off one of the greatest heists in history disguised as a financial crisis bailout.

The Washington Post this morning is reporting that in the "six weeks since lawmakers approved the Treasury's massive bailout of financial firms, the government has poured money into the country's largest banks, recruited smaller banks into the program and repeatedly widened its scope to cover yet other types of businesses, from insurers to consumer lenders."

Incredibly, the Post is reporting that the lets-destroy-America-at-any-cost Bush administration has committed $290 billion of the $700 billion rescue package while paying little to no attention to the money's initial purpose - helping increase credit for small business and average Americans. According to most economists who wrote about Secretary Paulson's news conference yesterday, they are spending the money in ways that will NOT HELP middle-class Americans.

There are reports that Congress is getting very angry about it too. Even the House GOP is angry. That should scare some of you Republican readers. GOP House Leader Boehner is calling for immediate disclosure. I wonder if the Bush Administration is going to comply. I doubt it seriously. They're too busy investing in their family and friends to make sure their personal investments don't go too far south.

There is a Congressional Report required of Paulson, which shockingly hasn't showed up and the deadline has passed. "It's a mess," said Eric M. Thorson, the Treasury Department's inspector general, who has been working to oversee the bailout program until the newly created position of special inspector general is filled. "I don't think anyone understands right now how we're going to do proper oversight of this thing."

There are estimates that the Bush Administration has given away or loaned as much as $5 TRILLION of our money so far. If it's true, and the money hasn't gone towards reviving the economy to help most Americans, then we really are looking at one of the greatest financial heists and political debacles in our history, perhaps in world history.

There is also news - reported on few news programs except for my favorite The Rachel Maddow Show - that the Treasury Department eliminated a VERY IMPORTANT tax rule a few weeks ago WITHOUT CONSULTING CONGRESS. It could turn out to be illegal, but the rule prevented companies from investing in bad assets to avoid paying income tax. It was considered tax fraud.

Once released from the rule, companies made "stand-by" investments eliminating billions in federal tax debt overnight. The Bush Administration is allowing large companies to STEAL BILLIONS owed to the people of the United States. As I keep saying, this is one of the most corrupt and immoral administrations in American history.

I seriously CHALLENGE any of you Republicans reading this to defend their actions. Don't try and claim that taxes are wrong. That argument won't fly here. For most Americans, these actions look like fraud and theft.

In my personal opinion, the Bush crime syndicate orchestrated this whole financial crisis at the end of their last term to do exactly what they're doing. This HEIST has been planned all along. THEY ARE CRIMINALS! You Republicans should be angry too, because they seriously hurt your party - not to mention your wallets.

I do want to rave more than rant now that the election is over, but this is just too important to ignore. We need to stop theses thieves from robbing us blind. CONGRESS NEEDS TO DO MORE! I hope Barack Obama can do something to repair the incredible damage done.

Thursday's ANGRY Political RANT #1 - Michael

Political Rave: Siegelman Gets New Hearing, Congress Still Doing Nothing

Good Morning Bloggers - Local Montgomery, AL, news (WSFA) is reporting that former Alabama governor Don Siegelman - who wrongly went to prison due to Karl Rove and the Republicans - and former Health South CEO Richard Scrushy will have another day in court. Hopefully the new hearing will clear their name and this nightmare will end soon.

Oral arguments will be heard in an Atlanta courtroom before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday, December 9th. The two men claim the judge didn't give proper instructions to the jury and there was no proof of a "quid-pro-quo" which led to their 2006 convictions. The court could throw out the convictions, let them stand or order a new trial. Siegelman is expected to appear, but Scrushy remains in a Texas prison.

That is very good news. It is true that Rove continues to defy a congressional subpoena to learn more about the Siegelman affair, and the Democratic House continues to be pathetic about enforcing that subpoena, but I'm still happy that the Governor and Scrushy will get a new and better day in court. Hopefully they will drag Karl Rove into the courtroom and force him to testify. That would be fun to watch.

Btw, now that the election's over I hope to RAVE a lot more than RANT. It's better for my health.

Wednesday's Political Rave #1 - Michael

Political Rave/Video: Keith Olbermann is Right, It is About Love and Family

Hello Bloggers - Last night Keith Olbermann of MSNBC's Countdown amazed us again with one of his best and most heart-felt special comments yet.

He said it without being loud or angry, although, I liked it when he was angry during the worst of the Bush years. He just talked about love and understanding. It was wonderful, and impressive.

His special comments are always good, but this one was special. It was a straight man defending a gay person's right to happiness.

Like he said, it's a simple thing: "please don't get in the way." I agree with him. That is what I said in defense of those basic civil rights on this blog before the election.

No matter what my fellow voters of California said, the US Constitution guarantees equal rights, and our founding, cornerstone Declaration of Independence promised everyone a right to be happy.

We should not deny monogamous, consenting adults the right to be happy together. If marriage is necessary to guarantee that happiness, then we need to avail that civil and basic right to them.

Laws prevent polygamy and incest because they damage lives. If gay marriage doesn't hurt them, you, your children, or society, then Keith is right, get out of the way. Allow them to create families, love each other, and be happy. Building better families is always better for society.

Tuesday's Political Special Comment Rave and Video #1 - Michael

PS - I published the transcript under the Comments section here for those who, like me, like to read the words too.