Fall from grace and glory

Federal District Judge Samuel B. Kent of Texas had to leave the bench, though not his salary behind.  He will be unable to preside in court because he has been in jail since last Monday, according to Ashley Southall of The New York Times: “serving 33 months in prison for lying to a judicial panel about his sexual assault of two female employees.”  The NYT editorialized a week ago that he did not deserve his salary, but needed to be impeached and so he was.  If the U.S. Senate trial of Judge Kent finds him guilty of the House’s recent impeachment charges, he will lose his $169,300 salary also.  Federal judges are appointed for life.  Judge Kent refused to resign before going to jail, claiming disability for bipolar disorder and depression, as well as alcoholism.  The judge will be “serving his sentence in a Massachusetts prison that specializes in alcohol and drug rehabilitation,” Southall reveals.

The House of Representatives, Southall reported,

approved four impeachment articles to remove Samuel B. Kent from the federal district court in Galveston, Tex.: two articles of sexual misconduct, one article of lying during a judicial inquiry, and one article of making material and false statements to federal investigators.

It was quite a journey  for him. As is so often the case it, was not the original offenses that put him away, but the lying about it.  The judge is a sexual offender.  He plead guilty “for lying to an investigative committee of judges about whether he had sexually harassed his secretary. . . In return, the government agreed to drop five charges that he had repeatedly groped his secretary and his case manager,” the New York Times reported back in May.  The investigative panel, who did not get the full story,  originally suspended Kent without pay for 4 months, reprimanded him and did not release the details of the abuse.  But then came the indictment and several months later, the guilty plea of lying about it to the original judicial panel.

I was curious to see how he descended so far. In addition to the current impeachment stories, a New York Times search turned up an August 1993 story that I remembered, though I had not made the Judge Kent connection.  Judge Kent, who is from Corpus Christi, Texas,  was appointed in 1991 by George H.W. Bush.  The story concerned a lawsuit brought by Northwest and Continental Airlines against American Airlines for predatory pricing.  American was based at the time in the DFW Metroplex where I live.  Judge Sam Kent presided, famed lawyer David Bois was one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys, and Robert Crandall was the colorful head of American Airlines. They clashed and Crandall won, as the jury, following Judge Kent’s instructions, turned in a quick verdict for the defendant American Airlines.  To quote:

After an intense four-week trial, jurors decided in less than four hours today that American Airlines did not try to drive weaker competitors out of business with “predatory” prices during the air fare war last summer.

Continental decided not to appeal the verdict, according to a follow-up NYT story.

“I think the fact that the jury came in so quickly and rejected their accusations out of hand probably has had some effect in their thinking,” said Andrew B. Steinberg, American Airlines’ senior attorney, referring to Continental’s decision not to appeal. “It was a clear vindication for American.”

Mr. Jamail and David Boies, Continental’s lead lawyer, said after the verdict that the only avenues they saw for appeal were Judge Samuel B. Kent’s instructions to the jury, which they thought were too specific, and certain rulings on evidence.

. . . Mr. Steinberg also said American Airlines plans early next week to send a bill of its court costs to Judge Kent. He said the costs range from $200,000 to $500,000, which American Airlines wants to recover since it did not bring the suit.

Judge Kent, who said Tuesday he was not inclined to reimburse the costs, told American Airlines lawyers he would take the request under advisement and make a decision next week.

I think of the contrasts in Judge Kent’s power and position between 1993 and 2009.  In 1993 Kent presided over a big corporate trial that garnered national coverage , just two years after he came to the federal bench.  After the trial was over he would have been the sole decider as to whether American Airlines would get the $200,000 to $500,000 it lost defending itself against its competitors.

Fast forward to last year and this year. Again it was power and position that came into play.  Sexual harrassment of paid employees is very often rooted in the power-over position of a superior over his subordinates.  I am not qualified to say what part Judge Kent’s claimed mental illness paid in the episode.  Perhaps he will get whatever treatment he needs.  But he does not need to continue to collect his salary at taxpayer expense.  Let us hope the Senate acts quickly to remedy this outrageous  and sordid saga.

(Cross posted at Southwest Progressive)

Sphere: Related Content

News Digest: Bush admin OLC memos released in early March

Related articles by Zemanta

• Obama releases internal Bush Justice Department memos (cnn.com)
• John ‘Torture’ Yoo now says he’ll be honest (crooksandliars.com)
• Inching toward the Truth (dailykos.com)
• Obama’s OLC nominee: ‘We must regain our ability to feel outrage whenever our government acts lawlessly.’ (thinkprogress.org)

Sphere: Related Content

Congress, Bush & the Environment — dirty little secrets

Today in Congress, to prevent the Bush administration from making recess appointments, there was only a pro forma session of the Senate scheduled. But things are bubbling beneath the surface, particularly on the oil/energy issue. Polls reveal that the people of the U.S. want something stronger done. And, predictably, Speaker Pelosi has reversed her position on the matter: CNN reports that Pelosi said on Larry King Live that she would be open to a vote on offshore drilling as part of a larger energy package. To quote:

On Monday night, Pelosi said the vote would need to be part of a larger discussion that would include investing in renewable energy resources and releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Those options would help bring both immediate and long-lasting solutions to the energy crisis, she said.

Fox to Watch the Hen House - Recess appointments may be out for our current president (OCP), but that has not stopped the administration to quietly gut the Endangered Species Ace via rule-making fiat while Congress’ back is turned. The Washington Post of August 12, 2008 has the story: “Endangered Species Act Changes Give Agencies More Say,” by Juliet Eilperin. To quote:

The Bush administration yesterday proposed a regulatory overhaul of the Endangered Species Act to allow federal agencies to decide whether protected species would be imperiled by agency projects, eliminating the independent scientific reviews that have been required for more than three decades.

The new rules, which will be subject to a 30-day per comment period, would use administrative powers to make broad changes in the law that Congress has resisted for years. Under current law, agencies must subject any plans that potentially affect endangered animals and plants to an independent review by the Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service. Under the proposed new rules, dam and highway construction and other federal projects could proceed without delay if the agency in charge decides they would not harm vulnerable species.

. . . “I am deeply troubled by this proposed rule, which gives federal agencies an unacceptable degree of discretion to decide whether or not to comply with the Endangered Species Act,” said Rep. Nick J. Rahall II (D-W.Va.), chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, who asked for a staff briefing before the proposal was announced but did not receive one. “Eleventh-hour rulemakings rarely, if ever, lead to good government — this is not the type of legacy this Interior Department should be leaving for future generations.”

. . . An aide to Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), who chairs the Environment and Public Works Committee, said she, like Rahal, had requested but not received a briefing. The panel is drafting a letter to Interior and will hold an oversight hearing, the aide said.

In a statement, Boxer called the rules change “another in a continuing stream of proposals to repeal our landmark environmental laws through the back door” and added: “I believe it is illegal, and if this proposed regulation had been in place, it would have undermined our ability to protect the bald eagle, the grizzly bear, and the gray whale.”

McCain to Senate: No vacations – But is this a reason to make McCain our new president? “Chutzpah Watch: McCain calls on lawmakers to spend more time on the job in Congress,” is by Steve Benen at The Carpetbagger Report (8/5/08). To quote:

. . . McCain told a biker rally, “Tell em’ to come back and get to work. When I’m president of the United States, I’m not going to let them go on vacation.”

This strikes me as amusing for two reasons: the hypocrisy and the misplaced priorities.

On the latter point, McCain hasn’t been “willing” to leave the campaign trail for anything, but all of a sudden, he’s ready to head back to his day job to tackle a coastal drilling bill that wouldn’t do any good anyway.

Hatch Act Violation? – “How Karl Rove’s Plan to Kill Salmon Led to a GOP Senator’s Reelection,” by Jason Leopold, The Public Record August 05, 2008, reveals that Karl Rove may have tried to influence employees of the Interior Department regarding electing an Oregon Republican. To quote from the story:

In January 2002, at a retreat in West Virginia, Karl Rove gave a PowerPoint presentation to at least 50 managers at the Department of the Interior to discuss polling data, and emphasized the importance of getting Oregon Senator Gordon Smith, a Republican, reelected that year.

The way to get Smith reelected to another term, Rove reportedly told the Interior Department officials, would come via the agency’s support of a highly controversial measure: diverting water from the Klamath River Basin to farms in the area that were experiencing unusually dry conditions, thereby supporting the GOP’s agricultural base.

If Rove and other White House officials discussed campaign strategy at federal office buildings, that would appear to be a violation of the Hatch Act. Recently, Congress launched an investigation into a briefing that J. Scott Jennings, the deputy director of political affairs, held at the General Services Administration. In the presentation, Jennings outlined polling data from the 2006 national elections and issued a list of the Republican Party’s electoral targets for 2008. Jennings’s presentation may violate a law known as the Hatch Act, which prohibits the use of government resources for political purposes.
That investigation is still ongoing.

Earlier dirty little secrets – A link from “betmo from CREW, Citizens for Responsibility Ethics in Washington: “Citizens diverting campaign funds to Kin,” Loophole in Ethics Rules Is One That the Senate Did Not Close Last Year. It always comes back to this, those dirty little violations of ethical campaigning.

(Cross-posted at The Reaction.)

My “creativity and dreaming” post today is at Making Good Mondays.

Technorati tags: news news and politics [politics congress environment energy mccain republicans scandal

Sphere: Related Content

Ten Post Round-Up: July 23, 2008

If this round-up were any juicier, you’d totally stick a fork in it…

1. It is long overdue to retire this policy. Gay soldiers should not be held to a higher standard than straight soldiers who are free to date who they like and not conceal their attractions. It is the gay soldier who is expected to keep their mouth shut and their pants zipped, for fear of losing their job. The military does not have room for discrimination, particularly if they hope to continue with war without end in the Middle East.

KOAA.com – Lawmakers reconsider military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy
Tauscher is convinced it’s time to allow gays in the military to be open about their sexuality, and she’s not alone. Three-fourths of those surveyed in a Washington Post-ABC News poll over the weekend said openly gay people should be allowed to serve. That’s up from 62 percent in early 2001 and 44 percent in 1993.

2. Even relying on some resource other than coal or oil to produce our energy needs is going to come with a very steep price tag.

CNN.com: Wind power: A reality check

One of the big challenges with using wind to replace natural gas is that, unlike the steady flame from natural gas, the wind doesn’t blow all the time.

To make sure enough power is available when the wind isn’t blowing, backup generators would be needed, said Paul Fremont, an electric-utility analyst at the investment bank Jefferies & Co.

That could mean maintaining those natural gas plants in case of emergency, or implementing even more novel ideas like systems in Europe that use excess wind electricity to pump water uphill when the wind is blowing, then release it through hydro dams when the wind stops.

Either way, any type of backup system comes with a price.

3. Sorry, guys. It won’t fit in your wallet. But, on the upside, it will be a perfect fit (that is, if it ever gets mass produced…).

Cool Hunting: Spray-On Condom
While most technologies advanced by leaps and bounds in recent decades, condom design has been relatively static for the last century or so. One visionary German scientist is working to change that. Jan Vinzenz Krause has spent recent years trying to make the world’s most common prophylactic available in spray-on form. The technology’s draw, according to Krause (pictured), is that conventional condoms often don’t fit penises of varying sizes (also pictured, sort of).

Read more

Sphere: Related Content

Ten Post Round-Up: July 22, 2008

This round-up includes spam, porn, and money talk. Oh, you know you wanna read it…

1. The quote that wouldn’t die…

Talking Points Memo: White House Still Trying to Explain Away Maliki
When a guy you more or less install in power and keep there on a very short leash starts going off the reservation, you first claim there was some sort of translation error. Then you claim that what he says is not what he means. When he continues to reiterate the point, you assert that he knows not of what he speaks.

2. Colorado offers the DNC a gas tax holiday for the convention…

LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF COLORADO BLOG: Planning a private party?…
In Colorado, consumers pay 40.4 cents in taxes on every gallon of gasoline. That includes the federal gasoline tax of 18.4 cents per gallon and the Colorado gasoline tax of 22 cents per gallon.

3. A win for adult-websites

Wired.com: Net Censorship Law Struck Down Again
The 3rd U.S. Circurt Court of Appeals upheld on Tuesday a 2007 lower-court decision that the Child Online Protection Act violated the First Amendment since it was not the most effective way to keep children from visiting adult websites.

Read more

Sphere: Related Content

Ten Post Round-Up: July 21, 2008

Some days, it sucks to read the news, because it’s a reminder that our country appears to be being run by a bunch of frat boys, out on a lark and hoping that a grown-up might come along and fix it (all the while forgiving and forgetting who was responsible for the bull$#!% in the first place)! Unfortunately, these hazy days are not ones that we will soon wake from and it will take many generations of grown-ups to fix.

1. Tazing a few sheep to tame the sheeple…

duckplops: Just When You Thought They Couldn’t Find More Helpless Victims

More and more it seems as though the cops have been told to use the tasers first and ask questions later, and have let them know there won’t be any repercussions, even if they kill the tasee.

2. “Toto, we’re not in Kansas, anymore…”

The Huffington Post: Court Confirms President’s Dictatorial Powers in Case of US “Enemy Combatant”
Wake up, America! On July 15, the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled by 5 votes to 4 in the case of Al-Marri v. Pucciarelli (PDF) that the President can arrest US citizens and legal residents inside the United States and imprison them indefinitely, without charge or trial, based solely on his assertion that they are “enemy combatants.” Have a little think about it, and you’ll see that the Fourth Circuit judges have just endorsed dictatorial powers.

3. Getting answers for the family of LaVena Johnsona is a step towards getting answers for every family who has lost a soldier to foul-play in Iraq.

Shakesville: ColorofChange.org launches LaVena petition
The online grassroots organization ColorofChange.org, a black advocacy group founded in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, has lent its support to the family of LaVena Johnson. The group has launched a new petition addressed to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and its chairman, Representative Henry Waxman.

Read more

Sphere: Related Content

Dizzy’s Ten Post Round-Up

These days it seems as if it’s a good time to invest in bicycles (to save gas money) and mattresses (to store your savings). At least, we can drown our sorrows in “hopsicles” and if we forget where we hid our money we can rely on our daily cuppa to refresh our memory. We may be a nation of whiners, but wouldn’t life be a lot simpler if the economy (and certain world leaders and/or those seeking the position) didn’t give us anything to whine about?

1. It’s true, you can’t please all the people all of the time. But, is it possible to abuse the privilege?

23/6 – News: Poll: Who’s Obama gonna piss off next?
With polls showing Obama losing his “glow,” every couple of days we’re finding out about another group who is getting a little pissed off at Barack.

2. Let it never be said that GWB didn’t leave behind a well-remembered presidency (not well-thought of but, definitely well-remembered).

Alternate Brain: Legacy of a Lunatic
From the beginning, Bush surrounded himself with incompetent cronies, yes-men, and sycophants with a lust for influence, and handed out positions of power to people whose blind loyalty was the only measure of their suitability. Qualities like honesty and strength of character were never assessed, and were in fact an obvious hindrance for those who aspired to the inner circle.

3. In other words, there is no end in sight for our already overburdened troops, regardless of who’s elected.

CommonDreams.org: Obama Promises 10,000 More Troops for Afghanistan
WASHINGTON – Barack Obama yesterday pledged to increase US troops in Afghanistan by a third if he becomes president, sending 10,000 more to reinforce the 33,000 already there.

Read more

Sphere: Related Content

Dizzy’s Ten Post Round-Up

Some days (particularly Mondays) require more than one cuppa. Today is one of those days.

1. Word for the day: transparency

BlackListed News: Kucinich Demands Congress Issue Subpoenas for Continuity of Government Plans
John Conyers has been issuing subpoenas on other issues, which may be important. However, what could be more important for Congress than determining whether or not the Constitution is still the controlling document for our country? What could be more important for Congress than determining whether COG planning documents strip Congress of its power, and give sole power to the executive branch?

2. If we add another battle front (cough-Iran-cough), we will need more “waivers” to fill the ranks…

Huffington Post: Greg Mitchell: Shocker: More than 1 in 10 Army Recruits Now Given “Moral Waivers”
In 2007, almost 10,000 recruits were granted waivers for past misdemeanors. over 2100 for “serious criminal misconduct” — over four times the 2003 rate – -and almost 1500 for drug or alcohol abuse.

3. Just another example of children being trained to be good little sheeple…thankfully, the appeals court did the right thing.

Joanne Jacobs: Strip search violated girl’s rights
To learn if Savana Redding was carrying over-the-counter pain pills such as Advil or Motrin, a school nurse told her to remove her clothes, including her bra, and shake her underwear. A classmate caught with ibuprofen had named Savana as her supplier. No pills were found.

Read more

Sphere: Related Content

Dizzy’s Ten Post Round-Up

Thanks to Phil Gramm for reminding me of something I forgot, being a member of a “nation of whiners”, I tooks some time to do just that (thanks to those wonderful people who took the time to listen). Truthfully, though, I prefer to do my whining via blogging, so what better place to do that than through today’s Ten Post Round-Up (cue the “wah-mbulance”).

1. “The answer to speech you don’t like is always more speech.”

AlterNet: Why Obscenity Laws Must Be Fought
What’s defined as healthy sexuality in this country is narrowly defined and schizophrenic — and the government should not have final say.

2. Just imagine the sales in munchies, alone!

duckplops – Bottles ‘N Boo

“Relax It And Tax It

That’s the motto behind a new cannabis initiative that would allow Oregon’s state-controlled liquor stores to legally sell marijuana to adults.Initiative backers said their plan would send 90 percent of the proceeds from the state’s sale of marijuana to Oregon’s General Fund, which could lower Oregonians’ state tax burden.

3. Not. Holding. My. Breath.

The Huffington Post: Pelosi: House Judiciary Committee May Hold Impeachment Hearings
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said this morning that the House Judiciary Committee may hold hearings on an impeachment resolution offered by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio).

Read more

Sphere: Related Content

Dizzy’s Ten Post Round-Up

Going through some life changes around here and adapting to a new schedule and still finding time to slack off for my mental health (needed some extra time, yesterday, after the FISA bill passed the Senate), so I have been shirking my Round-Up duties. But, I don’t want to get out of practice (being a slacker is a temporary occupation if I have anything to say about it), so I couldn’t help but offer up today’s Ten Post Round-Up.

1. If you think Obama’s potential First Lady has issues, you should check out the other candidate’s ol’ lady…

23/6 – News: Yoo-hoo, Fox News! We have a juicy story about a potential First Lady for you!
Brave New Films has compiled all of Fox News’ trangressions against Michelle Obama into one horrific video. And while the clips are old, the shock from their sheer volume is new.

2. Just like with drugs, keeping it illegal is not making it go away. But, it does keep people who are hurt by it from coming forward when really bad things happen.

Alternet: Jamaican Health Officials Call for the Legalization of Prostitution
As with most hidden acts, in particular those of a sexual nature, attempts to bring them to light are met with vehement opposition from moralists, who fear the impact that such exposures will have on already “decaying” societies.

3. Something that keeps Dizzy up at night with SSG Dizzy being so close to the likely aftermath of such a thing.

Bring It On!: Here’s Something to Truly Fear
What Gary North and I fear most anymore isn’t terrorists, it isn’t Peak OIl, it isn’t even my own government (though they are high up on the list), it is an Israeli attack on Iran.

Read more

Sphere: Related Content

Dizzy’s Ten Post Round-Up

I admit it. I was playing a bit of hooky, yesterday, and I was too busy (having fun) to put up a post. But, I kinda like you guys, so I decided that it would be kinda fun to put up today’s Ten Post Round-Up.

Gasp! Shocking news: The government and the media lie to the people…again!

1. Alternate Brain: Lies, kidnapping and a mysterious laptop

I don’t pretend to understand the dynamics of inter- and intra-national South American politics, but one thing I do understand is that our government, and in particular Repuglican administrations, will lie, cheat, and kill, whatever it takes to get oil and the profit therefrom.

Hey! If it walks like a duck, why bother looking to see if it’s actually a duck?

2. BlondeSense: The secret mission to Montreal does not vindicate the bushistas

You probably read in the last few days about the secret mission to deliver uranium from Iraq to Montreal being successful. The yellowcake uranium was not weapons grade, nor could it make a dirty bomb. It will be used to make electricity in Canada. The uranium was accounted for by the IAEA and the UN before we invaded Iraq and was legally controlled, therefore this material did not vindicate the bushistas for their lies.

Oh, my! Stimulate your brain while getting it bashed in. What’s not to love?

3. BuzzFeed: Chess Boxing

This is officially the most awesome sport ever: Five rounds of boxing are interspersed between 6 rounds of chess.

Read more

Sphere: Related Content

Dizzy’s Ten Post Round-Up

Hey, hey, it’s Independence Day and I just happen to be feeling a bit of that independence since this is actually the second regular work day that I have off from work. This is abnormal as I work weekends. I am at a loss for what to do with myself, so I decided to blog. It’s not fireworks, but it will have to do, folks!

Without further ado, here is today’s Ten Post Round-Up !

1. The Carpetbagger Report: Bush vows more troops for Afghanistan, but Mullen doesn’t have them

For the second consecutive month, more U.S. troops were killed in Afghanistan than in Iraq. Nearly seven years after the war in Afghanistan began, June was the deadliest month for U.S. troops, and our force levels in the country are now at their highest since the war began. All of this, tragically, comes a few years after the president assured Americans that the Taliban “no longer is in existence.”

**No end in sight in Iraq, more troops desperately needed in Afghanistan, and the administration eye-ballin’ Iran. Somebody get my jacket, it’s feeling a might drafty in here…

2. Electronic Frontier Foundation: Court Ruling Will Expose Viewing Habits of YouTube Users

The court’s order grants Viacom’s request and erroneously ignores the protections of the federal Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), and threatens to expose deeply private information about what videos are watched by YouTube users. The VPPA passed after a newspaper disclosed Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork’s video rental records. As Congress recognized, your selection of videos to watch is deeply personal and deserves the strongest protection.

**Hey, the government’s been invading your privacy since 9/11/2001, what’s one more?

3. Friendly Atheist: I Used to be Christian Before I Kissed a Girl

Here’s the fun twist: Katy Perry used to be Katy Hudson — a Christian singer and daughter of two preachers.

And Christians aren’t too pleased with her recent transition:

**(evil grin) Now I like the song even more now…Sassy!

4. Joanne Jacobs: Rich and rejected in Manhattan

Not a single student at Dalton, an elite Manhattan private school, was accepted at Harvard this year. For $31,200 in tuition a year, parents are peeved, reports the New York Post. Marymount, a private girls school also struck out on Harvard admissions.

**What’s that sound? Oh, excuse me. It’s me playing cry me a &%$@ river on the world’s smallest violin…

5. Just a Girl in short shorts talking about whatever: Shame of the Shrinking Dollar

I don’t mean to be professorial, but for those who do not know how this works, I will give a real oversimplified explanation. When you go to a bank to buy a house, they do not actually have that $200,000 in their vault. By regulation they have to have a small percentage of it, but not the whole thing. So when they cut the borrower a check, they have effectively created or printed money. And that is the way that most money is “printed.”

**It’s about to get ugly up in here… Read more

Sphere: Related Content

Dizzy’s Ten Post Round-Up

Cheeseburgers, tomatoes, and porn! What more could you want to read about in today’s Ten Post Round-Up?

1. Al Dente: Almost (In)Edible Photo: Krispy Kreme Bacon Cheeseburgers

From flickr, via…THE DEVIL. Either that, or it’s from a Google cafeteria in New York. Apparently they serve Krispy Kreme bacon cheeseburgers, a.k.a Luther Burgers.

Since something or everything is going to kill you eventually, you may as well go out with a smile on your face…

2. Crooks and Liars: Feds Use “Terrorist Liaison Officers” in Colorado

Hundreds of police, firefighters, paramedics and even utility workers have been trained and recently dispatched as “Terrorism Liaison Officers” in Colorado and a handful of other states to hunt for “suspicious activity” – and are reporting their findings into secret government databases.

Home, sweet, home…

3. duckplops – Nation Buys Porn With Bush “Stimulus” Money

Study shows plenty of inflation.

“An independent market-research firm, AIMRCo (Adult Internet Market Research Company), has discovered that many websites focused on adult or erotic material have experienced an upswing in sales in the recent weeks since checks have appeared in millions of Americans’ mailboxes across the country.

Proof that those checks are stimulating something…

4. Firedoglake:Turning Obama Into A Punchline: How Democrats Can Lose

Once upon a time there was a candidate who was 17 points ahead of his foe. The election, it seemed, was his.

His name was Dukakis, and he lost that election to George Bush, Sr.

Or, more accurately, he lost it to Lee Atwater, Rove’s mentor. By the time Atwater got through with him, Dukakis wasn’t even a respected politician anymore, he was a punchline.

Yes, this race is Obama’s to lose (that Republican mud has a tendency to be very sticky…)

5. InformationWeek: AOL Increasing Dial-Up Fees

Subscribers who are willing to give up phone support can keep the lower rate, but they must notify the company to opt out of a $2 monthly increase.

Ummm…there are still people using dial-up?!?! Read more

Sphere: Related Content

Dizzy’s Ten Post Round-Up

Just when you thought it was safe to go outside, so long as you got your sunblock, along comes bad news about sunscreen. On the upside, apparently, one of summer’s favorite, fruity, treats; the watermelon, turns out it’s got some very positive qualities most people never think about. Oh, yeah…there’s some other stuff in today’s Ten Post Round-Up , but it’s not nearly as interesting…

1. Clusterf**k Nation: Not Your Grandma’s Depression

The banks have been doing their death dance for an entire year now, pretending that their problems are those of mere “liquidity” (i.e. cash-on-hand) rather than insolvency (no cash either on hand or in the vault and nothing else to sell to raise cash except worthless “creative” securities that nobody would ever buy). But the destruction of money (resulting from loans not paid back) is now so intense that the game of pretend has reached its terminal point. The question for the moment is exactly who and what will be crushed as these institutions roll over and die.

In other words, it’s just about coming on time for the rest of us to bend over and kiss our…umm…assets, good-bye.

2. Free Market News Network: Iran War Resolution May Be Passed

Introduced less than a month ago, Resolution 362, also known as the Iran War Resolution, could be passed by the House as early as next week.

Umm…haven’t we seen this movie already?

3. Friendly Atheist: Barack Obama on Faith Based Initiatives

There are stories making the rounds about how Barack Obama is set to expand George W. Bush’s faith-based programs — and allow groups to hire/fire based on religion:

Personally, I think the program needs to go the way of the dinosaur…

4. The Huffington Post: Is Your Sunscreen Really Working?

ABC News is reporting a new study suggesting that many sunscreens are not actually doing that much screening of the sun.

Sur-prise, sur-prise, sur-prise… Read more

Sphere: Related Content

Dizzy’s Ten Post Round-Up

Some days you gotta laugh and I’m sure that by the end of today’s Ten Post Round-Up, you might find a thing or two to snicker about.

1. Acerbic Politics: Cash Buy’s Friends
On top of the illegal spying, the bill also allows US Telephone companies immunity from prosecution for their part in the illegal spying, should a court case ever be brought up. And now we find out WHY the Democrats are caving in favor of the bill…

Nobody really watching what goes on in Washington is really surprised to hear that Democrats benefited ($$$) from supporting FISA.

2. The Carpetbagger: Report–Note to the religious right: auto-replace is not your friend
Auto-correct can be a very helpful feature of any word-processing program. But when conservatives use it, they run the risk of embarrassing themselves.

Ah, Fundies! They can be an endless source of amusement when they are not out there trying to take away the rights of women, gays or other minorities.

3. Common Dreams: Bottled Water Industry Faces Growing Opposition
Across the country, opposition to bottled water is building, amid growing concerns about the industry’s environmental impact and rising fears about private control of public water supplies.

Of course, it doesn’t help the everybody realizes that “bottled” water is much cheaper if you DIY and, not to mention, probably not much better/worse than the expensive pre-packaged stuff.

4. Counterpunch: Sex Workers is Different from Sex Slavery
The true needs of sex workers are subverted by asinine “studies” full of social scientist babble said Willow, citing a recent, highly publicized report which “didn’t even interview sex workers, just occasional johns called ‘hobbyists.’ Hello?”

Especially ridiculous said Willow is a $1000 “john school” where arrested clients of sex workers are remanded in California to “learn how to not buy sex.”

“I’ll teach them that for $250.”

Despite the dangers, inherent in the illegality, for some people prostitution is a choice and not a matter of force.

5. duckplops: International Monetary Fund To Audit Federal Reserve
No Fed chief in US history has been forced to submit to the kind of humiliation that Ben Bernanke is facing.

How far the mighty US of A, has fallen (as if the war in Iraq was not enough to tarnish our image).

Read more

Sphere: Related Content

Next Page »