JimEd Speaks Out

Despite positive tone, Kerry faces deficit

As John Kerry heads toward what looks to be a harmonious, feel-good Democratic convention in Boston, his campaign strategists are facing the hard, cold math of an Electoral College map that continues to favor President Bush.

Oh well.

Despite positive tone, Kerry faces deficit

As John Kerry heads toward what looks to be a harmonious, feel-good Democratic convention in Boston, his campaign strategists are facing the hard, cold math of an Electoral College map that continues to favor President Bush.

Of course, the networks are favoring Kerry.

Proposed marriage amendment headed to Arkansas ballot

Arkansas on Thursday certified a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage as having enough signatures to qualify for a spot on the November ballot.

At least eight other states, and possibly as many as 12, will have similar items on their ballots this summer and fall.

I still bet "full faith and credit" trump "public policy" by federal judges.

Hey, Sailors!

Stories from the front are often misreported: Not intentionally, but combat correspondents often apply the title "soldier" or even "Marine" loosely to those engaged in the fighting on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In fact, many of the combatants on the ground are neither soldiers nor Marines, but sailors who have been directly involved in some of the most bitter ground combat in the ongoing war on terror.

This is a good article.

Frist backs rule change on judges

Conservatives and members of the Senate Republican leadership say that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) is committed to using a controversial procedural tactic that would rewrite the chamber’s filibuster rule.

About a year later than it should have been.

U.S. admits receiving prisoner from vigilantes

The U.S. military acknowledged Thursday it held an Afghan man for a month after taking custody of him from a trio of American counterterror vigilantes who have since been arrested on charges of torturing prisoners at a private jail they ran in the Afghan capital.

These folks are criminals and belong in jail.

Democrats denounce allegations against Berger

Democrats assailed Republicans who suggested Wednesday that former White House national security adviser Sandy Berger sought to hide embarrassing materials when he removed classified documents related to the investigation of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The presidential campaign of Democratic Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts accused the Bush White House of disclosing the existence of a criminal investigation for political advantage. After news of the investigation surfaced, Berger, who served in the Clinton administration, quit as an informal adviser to the Kerry campaign Tuesday to limit the political fallout.

Talk about no shame. What is with these guys. Berger compromised top secret documents. And they want it to be a big deal that Republicans reported it. Sheesh!

Lesbians Sue for All States To Recognize Mass. Marriage

A lesbian couple from Florida who were married in Massachusetts sued the federal government Tuesday to have their union legally recognized in the rest of the country.

I think I mentioned, five or six time, this would be coming shortly.

Rubin's suit claims that the ban on gay marriage is a constitutional issue, which is why Ashcroft is named as a defendant.

Yep, that little "full faith and credit" clause that those folks opposed to a constitutional amendment pretended to forget. Or, maybe they are as stupid as they look. Of course when Dems start to defend states' rights, it is probably time to investigate.

Labor's front cracks as convention nears

Labor’s unified front showed signs of cracking when the Massachusetts labor board decided to send the conflict between the city and its police union to immediate arbitration just days before the start of the Democratic National Convention.

The prospect of delegates facing a picket line at convention events worried Democratic leaders. Those from California, Connecticut, Maine, Ohio and Tennessee said Monday they doubted delegates from their states would defy protesting union members.

I love it. I hope the delegates don't cross the picket line. Better yet, I hope they do.

Clinton aide investigated for taking classified memos

Former national security adviser Sandy Berger, the subject of a criminal investigation over the disappearance of terrorism-related documents, stepped aside Tuesday as an informal adviser to the Democratic presidential campaign of Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.

“I made an honest mistake. It is one that I deeply regret,” Berger told reporters Tuesday night, insisting that he fully supported “the work of the 9/11 commission, and any suggestion to the contrary is simply absolutely wrong.”

Honest mistake?? I'd be doing time in Leavenworth.

Basic Training Doesn't Guard Against Insurance Pitch to G.I.'s

About six weeks into his training - six weeks of combat drills and drummed-in lessons in Army ways - he tasted one of the less-honorable traditions of military life: a compulsory classroom briefing on personal finance that was a life insurance sales pitch in disguise.

This is absolutely unforgiveable. Time for an investigation. The ghouls!

UN AND INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

Today the United Nations General Assembly is likely to vote to demand that Israel comply with the ruling of the International Court of Justice and dismantle its wall under construction in the West Bank. The court's opinion marks a milestone in the Palestinian struggle. Yet its greatest impact may not be on Israel or its occupation of Palestinian territory. By calling on nations around the world to enforce international human rights law when enforcement is vetoed by a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the court has essentially affirmed a power to "veto the veto."

So what does this have to do with the International Court of Justice or Israel's wall? The court said it had jurisdiction in part because the United States had frustrated the Security Council's work. Israel's actions constitute a "threat to international peace and security," according to the court, and in such instances, the Security Council must act. But the Security Council had been prevented from acting, the court said, by American vetoes.

It is WAY past time to get out of the UN. We should do it immediately and tell the International Court of Justice to stick a sock in it. We're not playing.

Companies brace for Windows upgrade

As a vice president at security software leader Symantec Corp., Matthew Moynahan applauds Microsoft Corp.’s effort to make its Windows operating system safer from attack.

But Moynahan is not so excited about the flood of help-desk calls almost certain to come when Microsoft releases a comprehensive security overhaul of Windows XP next month. His company’s Norton antivirus software runs on about 100 million desktop computers.

BOHICA

CIA director opposes a new national spy chief

A THOUGHT ON AGING

Aging is a disease.

I realize this every day when I feel

the additional weariness and extra body creaking.

The big problem with this disease is there is no remission.

# posted by JimEd @ 5:50 AM

Welcome to Arkansas 

Soldiers die in Autumn of life

In all, 10 soldiers age 50 or older have died in the Iraq war, some of medical ailments that might have excluded them from earlier conflicts, others under fire in the heat of battle. That is a small percentage of the nearly 900 American service members who have died since the Iraq war began, but it is 10 times the percentage of men in that age group who died in Vietnam. It is nearly as many as those of that age who died in the entire Korean War.

The deaths raise questions about why older men, many of them veterans and some in obviously questionable health, are deployed to a war zone.

Because they are soldiers. Duh.

African-Americans can play
decisive role in Pa., other key states

The distrust that black Democrats have of President Bush was on dramatic display in two venues Thursday, on the floor of the House of Representatives and at the meeting of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Philadelphia.

Unfortunately, blacks have no impact on elections. They will, as always, go 90% Dems; 10% Reps. Both parties can, and do, blow them off.

Stewart receives 5-month prison term
Celebrity homemaker also receives 5-months of home detention

Martha Stewart was sentenced Friday to five months in prison and five months of home confinement for lying about a stock sale.

No surprise here. I think it is a fair sentance. It is the low end of the setancing guidelines.

Labor Board Says Graduate Students at Private Universities Have No Right to Unionize

Hear the Rumor on Cheney? Capital Buzzes, Denials Aside

The newest theory - advanced privately by prominent Democrats, including members of Congress - holds that Mr. Cheney recently dismissed his personal doctor so that he could see a new one, who will conveniently tell him in August that his heart problems make him unfit to run with Mr. Bush. The dismissed physician, Dr. Gary Malakoff, who four years ago declared that Mr. Cheney was "up to the task of the most sensitive public office" despite a history of heart disease, was dropped from Mr. Cheney's medical team because of an addiction to prescription drugs.

I told ya not to be surprised.

'Doom 3' launch confirmed for early August

Video game publisher Activision Inc., ending weeks of speculation, Wednesday said "Doom 3" -- one of the most anticipated video games of all time -- would ship in the first week of August.

"Doom 3," which puts players in a research facility on Mars where experiments have opened the gates to the underworld, has been in development for years. Despite the pleas of fans, developer id Software has steadfastly offered only one answer when asked when the game would be out: "When it's done."

Super cool! I've been waiting for this for years.

Politicking on Marriage

It is heartening to see that the Republicans who had hoped to score political points today by holding a Senate vote on adding a ban on same-sex marriage to the Constitution have run into unexpectedly broad resistance across the ideological spectrum. Liberals and moderates opposed to writing bigotry into the Constitution are being joined by a growing number of conservatives who see nothing conservative about federalizing marriage law or turning America's most essential legal document into an election-year football. With support for the amendment now well below the necessary 67 senators, the calls to put it to a vote just before the Democratic National Convention are nothing more than divisive politics. The Senate should let the Federal Marriage Amendment die a quiet death.

The amendment didn't stand a chance. But this gives me an opportunity to repost reasons it may be necessary.

THE MARRIAGE AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION

George Bush has called for a constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman, and in doing so has lit off a firestorm.

Frankly, I could care less. 

But, if a definition of marriage is desired, it must be done via a
constitutional amendment. There is no choice. Both John Kerry and John Edwards say they are against gay marriage, but say an amendment isn't needed because this should be decided by the individual states. I don't remember Democrats being fans of states' rights.

Both Johns are either so disingenuous or so ignorant of the Constitution that neither are qualified for the White House. Even the most cursory study of the Constitution would show why it cannot be handled by the states.

Article IV, Section 1, Clause 2 of the constitution reads:

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof. 

If one state (say Massachusetts) issues a marriage license to a gay couple, all other states must recognize that license. Period. There is no way around it -- though it would flip around the courts for years, in the end, the Full Faith and Credit clause will prevail. And it would have to. What if West Virginia decided it did not recognize driver's licenses issued by Virginia or that New York decided not to recognize a professional license issue by California? Chaos. That's why the constitution was set up as it was.

Some arguing against the amendment say it is not necessary, because Congress merely needs to repass the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) adding a clause that the Supreme Court did not have review authority of the act. Actually, this provision exists and should be used more often to keep activist jurists out of the legislative arena. However, not in the case of DOMA.

Article III, Section 2 of the constitution reads:

Clause 2: In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.

Again, a total ignorance of the Constitution. The green highlighted portion is what these ignoramuses hang their hat on. Unfortunately, the red highlighted portion is what gives the Supremes original jurisdiction when states are involved. Quess who would be parties in any DOMA litigation.

The bottom line, if you are going to have a definition of marriage as  heterosexual, it takes an amendment.

The other stupid thing I hear said is that we shouldn't strap future generations with our current national mood. If the mood change the amendment can be repealed. Remember Prohibition?? It didn't take generations to get rid of that.

Damn, I wish people in high office would read the Constitution at least once in their lives.

A Welcome Vacancy

The worst way out of the crisis now facing the American intelligence services is to appoint a new director of central intelligence as soon as possible. With George Tenet's resignation, which became effective Sunday, some people argue that the times are too perilous for the C.I.A. to have only an acting director. In fact, there is no way to have anything but an acting director until after the election.

Members of the intelligence community are not going to change at the behest of a director of central intelligence whose tenure may be only three months. They will simply stall if they do not agree with the course the director sets. I speak from experience: they did it to me in the last several months of my tenure as director while they waited to see if President Jimmy Carter would be re-elected.

This is an interesting take from a former CIA director. I agree with Admiral Turner.

Mrs. Clinton Will Be in Boston, but Not at the Microphone

The Democratic National Committee released on Tuesday its lineup of the big-name politicians speaking at the convention this month, and it included every major Democratic star except one.

There were Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, near the top of the list. Al Gore was there, too, and so was Edward M. Kennedy. Even the wife of the Iowa governor made the cut. But Hillary Rodham Clinton, the junior senator from New York and one of the most prominent names in the party, was nowhere to be found.

OK. This is hilarious. I bet she is miffed. (An old fashion word I still like.)

Lemons in a Row

Slot machines are fast becoming America's preferred way to tax the poor. Politicians from a growing number of states have decided that slots can help pay education costs or stave off tax increases. But it's a fool's bargain. Slot machines, as any experienced gambler can tell you, are a sucker's game. While they are a harmless amusement for many, their increasing accessibility is draining money away from too many people who cannot afford it.

Once again, the worst type of intrusive paternalism. The assumption is the poor are stupid. The arragance of liberals always makes me sick.

Senate may take up marriage amendment vote as early as tomorrow.
Dems call it political.

Imagine politics in the US Senate. Unbelieveable. The Dems are right. The Republicans, even realizing they don't have the votes to pass the amendment, want everyone's vote "on the record." Will they use this as political ammunition in the general election? You bet. Especially in the South. But why not. If you have a stance, you should have the belly to let the voters know where you stand.

This will be tough for the Kerry-Edwards folks to flip-flop on. Too bad.

Terror suspects told of right to use U.S. courts

U.S. officials on Monday began notifying terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, that they may use American courts to contest their detention, the Pentagon said.

The 594 prisoners also were informed, in the same one-page document, that they would be allowed to appear before a military panel to challenge their status as “enemy combatants.” That designation, the Bush administration says, gives it the power to hold the detainees indefinitely without access to lawyers.

This has always been the right answer. If we don't provide basic rights to everyonje, the basic rights of Americans are in jeopardy.

Iraqi president offers amnesty, vows crackdown

Iraqi interim President Ghazi al-Yawer said Monday that the government would soon offer amnesty to insurgents, but he also vowed to use a “very sharp sword” against anyone threatening the security of the country.

Frankly, I think this is a Solomon class decision. It is the best chance to gain some stability and to gain a large source of intelligence.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LANA

Have a great day!!

Election Day Worries

American counterterrorism officials, citing what they call "alarming" intelligence about a possible Qaeda strike inside the United States this fall, are reviewing a proposal that could allow for the postponement of the November presidential election in the event of such an attack, NEWSWEEK has learned.

This shouldn't even be considered. Talk about giving the bad guys greater incentive. Bad idea.

Mr. Cheney's Troubled Doctor

The doctor who regularly vouched for Vice President Dick Cheney's good health had a secret debilitation of his own — a grievous addiction to prescription drugs that has recently been thoroughly aired in public. Unfortunately, we now know a lot about the medical history of Dr. Gary Malakoff but very little about that of his patient, the vice president.

Skimpy, upbeat generalizations have always been offered about Mr. Cheney, who has a history of heart ailments and complex ongoing treatment. In contrast, President Bush, by all accounts a picture of health, has released full details about his own checkups.

Don't be surprised when Dick Cheney drops out of the VP race due to "health reasons." Replacement candidate? My money is on McCain.

Iraq's Rebellion Develops Signs of Internal Rift

Tension appears to be rising between the homegrown Iraqi resistance and the foreign Islamist fighters who have entered the country to destroy the American military here. This is one reason, experts speculate, that Iraq has not had the kind of spectacular attack meant to spread terror and defy the American agenda for a long two weeks, even during the transfer of formal sovereignty back to the Iraqis.

Looks like the civil war may happen. I hope not.

Stars bring $7.5 million to Kerry-Edwards ticket

The Democratic presidential ticket of John Kerry and John Edwards — or “kid” as Whoopi Goldberg called the newest addition to the team — just got about $7.5 million richer, thanks to a little help from celebrities.

What this article forgets to mention is that Whoopi made several jokes referring to her genital using Gibbs last name.

But I've told you many times, liberals, by definition, are immature.

As a reminder:

BASIC LIBERAL PHILOSOPHY PROBLEM

The basic philosophical problem with liberalism is immaturity. The favorite word in the liberal lexicon is "fairness". The problem, as my grandmother explained to me, "is life isn't fair." As children, we'd call out, "No fair ? do over." That's fine when you're nine. It doesn't work when you are an adult. Unless you are a liberal.

Then there is no problem.

"Mr. Jones, you earned a college degree, got a good job and earn a good living. Mr. Smith is a high school drop out and a major drug user. He has never held a job for more than a few weeks and has no money. We'll just take half of your money. Mr. Jones, and give it to him.

"IT'S ONLY FAIR!"

That's not fairness, it is communism.

I don't have any problem giving to the those in need. I have a real problem with the government stealing our money to do 'their good deed.' It probably makes millionaire (by inheritance) Ted Kennedy feel good to redistribute $30,000/year Joe Schmoe's to the poor. It doesn't do it for me. Even in the name of fairness. Making it even worse, I trust reputable charities to distribute my contributions more than I ever will the government.

So:

The "dirty" jokes at a public fund raiser are only re-enforcing proof.

Members of Other Services Eyed by Army for Recruiting

The Army is looking for a few good sailors and airmen. Actually, more than just a few.

In what some military experts see as another sign of how the Army's commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan have strained it, the service for the first time will soon begin aggressively recruiting thousands of sailors and airmen who are otherwise scheduled to leave the Navy and Air Force because of cutbacks.

This will be interesting to watch. Frankly, I don't think they would have got me.

Kerry picks Edwards as VP candidate

Sen. John Kerry has chosen former rival John Edwards as his running mate, NBC News reported on Tuesday.

No surprise here.

HAPPY

4th!!

Kerry cited in Catholic heresy case

This is great. I suggested this several weeks ago.

A Catholic lawyer has filed heresy charges against Sen. John Kerry with the Archdiocese of Boston, accusing the Democratic presidential candidate of bringing "most serious scandal to the American public" by receiving Holy Communion as a pro-choice Catholic.

The Rev. Arthur Espelage, executive coordinator for the Canon Law Society in Alexandria, said a Catholic layman can legitimately bring a case against another layman in a church court. The charges, known in church parlance as a "denunciation," are similar to a criminal complaint in secular law.

Moore's Public Service

Since it opened, "Fahrenheit 9/11" has been a hit in both blue and red America, even at theaters close to military bases. Last Saturday, Dale Earnhardt Jr. took his Nascar crew to see it. The film's appeal to working-class Americans, who are the true victims of George Bush's policies, should give pause to its critics, especially the nervous liberals rushing to disassociate themselves from Michael Moore.

I can't believe the apologists for this lame piuece of patchwork lies. The Dems have absolutely no shame.

Party Appeal to Churches for Help Raises Doubts

The Bush-Cheney campaign has laid out a brisk schedule for legions of Christian supporters to help enlist "conservative churches" and their members, including sending church directories to the campaign, according to a Bush campaign document.

The document, which was reported yesterday in The Washington Post and given to The New York Times by Americans Coming Together, a left-leaning group, underscores how heavily Mr. Bush is relying on conservative Christians.

The campaign is asking conservative churches and churchgoers to do everything they can to turn their churches into bases of support without violating campaign finance laws or jeopardizing their tax-exempt status.

Now what am I missing here? Hasn't every democratic candidate for president in my lifetime spent time campaigning in predominately bhlack churches? Good for goose, good for gander?

Army Report Criticizes Training and Practices at Prisons

A broad new Army report concludes that serious problems in training, organization and policy regarding military detention operations in Iraq and Afghanistan contributed to the abuses at Abu Ghraib prison, senior defense officials said Thursday.

Unfortunately, this is not a surprise after all we've heard.

The inquiry, by Lt. Gen. Paul T. Mikolashek, the Army inspector general, criticizes Army policy on detainee operations as a cold-war relic better suited to dealing with Soviet military prisoners on a European battlefield than with insurgents and Islamic jihadists fighting in Iraq, officials said. It cites inadequate training for military jailers and interrogators. And it describes poor leadership, overcrowded cells and poor medical care for Iraqi prisoners.

In court, Saddam says 'real criminal is Bush'

A defiant Saddam Hussein rejected charges of war crimes and genocide against him in a court appearance Thursday, telling a judge "this is all theater, the real criminal is Bush," according to a reporter in an official media pool.

He defended the invasion of Kuwait, saying he invaded it "for the Iraqi people” and calling the Kuwaitis “dogs.”

I could be wrong, but I don't think this will be a very effective defense.