Posts

Midterm Elections * Liberal ChristiansIs Bush dragging the GOP down ? The much sought-after presidential coattail has lost its appeal for many GOP incumbents fighting to retain their seats. "VIRGINIA BEACH, May 19 -- When some of the country's top political handicappers drew up their charts of vulnerable House incumbents at the beginning of this year, Rep. Thelma D. Drake (R-Va.) was not among them. Now she is."President Bush carried her district with 58 percent of the vote in 2004, but strategists say his travails are part of the reason the freshman lawmaker now has a fight on her hands. He swooped into town briefly Friday for a closed-door fundraiser for Drake but made no public appearances.Some veterans of the 1994 GOP takeover of Congress see worrisome parallels between then and now, in the way once-safe districts are turning into potential problems. Incumbents' poll numbers have softened. Margins against their Democratic opponents have narrowed. Republican voters appear disenchanted. The Bush effect now amounts to a drag of five percentage points or more in many districts.Encouraging. If only the Democrats don't get carried away by the polls and lose a sense of balance. When it comes to grandstanding, the Democratic leadership isn't much different than those on the other side of the aisle.Christianity in America - Emergence of Religious LiberalsAccording to a report in the Post, liberals in the Christian community are making their presence felt. The conservative Christians found a champion in the White House. The president cynically courted them and together they subdued Christians who felt uncomfortable with what was taking place. "Long overshadowed by the Christian right, religious liberals across a wide swath of denominations are engaged today in their most intensive bout of political organizing and alliance-building since the civil rights and anti-Vietnam War movements of the 1960s, according to scholars, politicians and clergy members."In large part, the revival of the religious left is a reaction against conservatives' success in the 2004 elections in equating moral values with opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage.Religious liberals say their faith compels them to emphasize such issues as poverty, affordable health care and global warming. Disillusionment with the war in Iraq and opposition to Bush administration policies on secret prisons and torture have also fueled the movement.The winds, they are changing.

2454 and Counting * John Murtha * Homeless Veterans50 more soldiers have died in Iraq so far in the month of May; The total is 2454. Source: Iraq Coalition Casualties.What happened in Haditha,Iraq, on November 19,2005 ? Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) stated in a report that innocent women and children were killed in "cold blood" by marines. A criminal investigation is continuing. "WASHINGTON -- Military officials said Thursday that a criminal investigation into a firefight in western Iraq that left at least 15 civilians dead is not complete, but they did not dispute a congressman's charges that the attack by Marines was far worse than originally reported."Plight of the VeteransFrom a report by Daniel Trotta in Reuters-AlertnetOn any given night the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) helps 200 to 250 of them, and more go uncounted. They are among nearly 200,000 homeless veterans in America, largely from the Vietnam War.Advocates say the number of homeless veterans is certain to grow, just as it did in the years following the Vietnam and Gulf wars, as a consequence of the stresses of war and inadequate job training.Homeless veterans have remained in the shadows of the national debate about Iraq, although the issue may gain traction from the film "When I Came Home," which won an award the month for best New York-made documentary at the city's Tribeca Film Festival.The documentary tells the story of Iraq war veteran Herold Noel as he lived in his car. It will get a screening in June at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.U.S. Rep. Bob Filner, a California Democrat, calls it a "national disgrace" that homelessness among veterans has not been solved and held an informal hearing on Thursday to highlight the issue.

Jeb Bush * John McCain * Hillary Clinton * Italy's Romano Prodi George Will writes in the Post about the emergence of a new phrase in political campaigns. "Who Isn't A Value Voter". Just like moral values, which the GOP adopted, value voters is hollow and Will rightly takes it apart. "This phrase diminishes our understanding of politics. It also is arrogant on the part of social conservatives and insulting to everyone else because it implies that only social conservatives vote to advance their values and everyone else votes to . . . well, it is unclear what they supposedly think they are doing with their ballots." On Sunday a Los Angeles Times article on the possibility of a presidential run by Florida Gov. Jeb Bush reported: "The Family Research Council, an influential evangelical activist group, has invited Gov. Bush to appear at a fall conference of 'values voters.' " On Monday the Wall Street Journal quoted a pastor who is president of a Texas-based organization, Vision America, that mobilizes conservative pastors: "Values voters see their vote as a sacred trust." The phrase "values voters," which has become ubiquitous, subtracts from social comity by suggesting that one group has cornered the market on moral seriousness.Last Saturday, when John McCain delivered the commencement address at Jerry Falwell's Liberty University, he was said to be reaching out to values voters. Hillary Clinton, speaking recently at the annual U.S. Chamber of Commerce convention, scolded "kids," by which she evidently meant young adults, for thinking "work is a four-letter word." She was said to be courting values voters. If so, those voters must value slapdash rhetorical nonsense as well as work.Sacred trust, my foot. But we are going to hear and read more about value voters. Apparently, politicians and their handlers think there is capital to be made from them. Shame on the media for being ready and available to publicize such claptrap. *Romano Prodi does the Right Thing As expected, newly elected Prime Minister Romano Prodi of Italy came out against the occupation of Iraq. "Another U.S. ally in the war in Iraq distanced itself from the U.S.- led effort today when Italy's new prime minister, Romano Prodi, called the invasion and occupation a "grave error" and said he would propose a withdrawal of Italian troops.""We consider the war in Iraq and the occupation of the country a grave error," Prodi told the upper house of Parliament, wire services reported. "It has not resolved, but complicated the situation of security." Italy has about 3,000 troops in Iraq in peacekeeping roles. They are already due to be withdrawn in groups before the end of the year. Prodi did not set forth a timetable for withdrawal and it was unclear whether he would speed up the departure."

Not to be led astray by pictures of women in newspapers * Midterm elections and DemocratsIt would be funny if it were not for the seriousness with which such edicts by the monarch are taken by the people of Saudi Arabia. They have no choice. Obey or be punished, and punishment could be severe."In recent months, newspapers have published pictures of women — always wearing the traditional Muslim headscarf — to illustrate stories with increasing regularity. Usually the stories have had to do with women's issues. The papers have also started publishing a range of views on causes that are not generally accepted in Saudi Arabia — such as women having the right to drive and vote."RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - King Abdullah has told Saudi editors to stop publishing pictures of women as they could make young men go astray, newspapers reported Tuesday.The king told editors on Monday night that publishing a woman's picture for the world to see was inappropriate."The youth are driven by emotion ... and sometimes they can be lead astray. So, please, try to cut down on this," he said.Led astray by looking at pictures of women wearing headscarf.....and no doubt the rest of their bodies properly covered ! Pity the youth of Saudi Arabia. Raed, the Iraqi blogger would say "Ya Habibi". *Democrats - Success or failure, what lies ahead ?That is the heart of the matter. A headline in the Post reads "Confidence in GOP is at new low in poll". Heartening news indeed but what does it portend for Democrats ? "The second warning for Democrats is that their improved prospects for November appear driven primarily by dissatisfaction with Republicans rather than by positive impressions of their own party. Congressional Democrats are rating only slightly more favorably than congressional Republicans, and 52 percent of those surveyed said the Democrats have not offered a sharp contrast to Bush and the Republicans." There is no question that the Republicans are vulnerable. Among other things they have lost the American public's support for the war. According to a recent Washington Post-ABC News Poll 59% of those contacted felt it was a "Mistake"; 40% "It was the right thing"; and 1% had no opinion. There is clamor but not a single Democratic leader has emerged to offer clear and different alternatives about the war; health care; education; tax cuts; and women's right to choose. To their shame, they are playing politics. There is crying need for a man or woman to rise above the herd.

Illegal Immigrants * Hitech, National Guards and the Elusive Trouts I was not among those who watched the telecast of the president's speech. Read the transcript. To no one's surprise he tried to appease people on both sides of this contentious issue and failed. Among other things he talked about the end of catch and release. "For many years, the government did not have enough space in our detention facilities to hold them while the legal process unfolded. So most were released back into our society and asked to return for a court date. When the date arrived, the vast majority did not show up. This practice, called "catch and release," is unacceptable. And we will end it." And he threw in a human interest item about a soldier named Guadalupe Denogean who served in Iraq. *Good try at making no enemies.Jim VandeHei and Jonathan Weisman "With the Senate set to debate the largest overhaul of immigration laws in decades, Bush did not specifically address what many Republican lawmakers consider the most politically explosive and intractable issue confronting the country: what to do with most of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States today."Would it sell in Peoria ?Dan Balz "Bush sought to reassure both sides with his speech last night, and in doing so he attempted to define the middle ground in a debate where consensus has been difficult. By ordering National Guard troops to the border, he was determined to show conservatives and House Republicans his belief that border security is a prerequisite to any legislative solution. But on the most contentious issue before Congress, Bush came closer to the approach now on the Senate floor, saying he favors a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants while rejecting either mass deportation or automatic amnesty for those now here illegally."Immigration-Bush-Politics-Musafir's Musings

"Widening Gyre" What goes up must come down. A rift developing between Republican senators and leaders of the House. It was sort of inevitable. Falling support and what it means for mid-term elections have them scrambling in different directions. The Post: "From immigration policy to energy to emergency spending, House Republican leaders are publicly breaking rank with their counterparts in the Senate, fearing that Senate efforts at compromise are jeopardizing the party's standing with conservative voters."The breach in congressional leadership has been especially stark in the past two weeks. As the Senate returns to the immigration issue this week, House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) said House Republicans will not agree to any plan granting illegal immigrants a path to citizenship that does not require them first to return to their home countries. House Majority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) dismissed Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's proposed $100 rebate for gasoline as "insulting" and "stupid." And House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) declared a Senate-passed, $109 billion bill to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, hurricane relief and a bevy of home-state pet projects "dead on arrival."Hastert even parted company with Frist (R-Tenn.) last week on President Bush's nomination of Gen. Michael V. Hayden to head the CIA. Hastert asserted, "I don't think a military guy should be head of CIA, frankly," even as Frist called him "the ideal man for the job."If the Democrats can keep their heads and make the best of the situation there is a strong chance of seeing a reversal of fortunes. In politics six months is a very long time. Consider how far the president's rating has dropped in the past six months. Don't blow it, Democrats. *Turning and turning in the widening gyreThe falcon cannot hear the falconer;Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhereThe ceremony of innocence is drowned;The best lack all conviction; while the worstAre full of passionate intensity. ---W.B. Yeats

A Day to Celebrate Women * Veterans tell their StoriesMother's Day is not only for mothers. It is for all women---to be celebrated, to be praised, to be remembered. *In Their Own Words,The Washington Post contains a great item---comments of 100 veterans who served in Iraq. They tell their stories--the good, the bad, and the ugly. Read them; think about those who are still out there; rejoice about those who returned whole. And don't forget the more than 30,000 Iraqi civilians who have died since President Bush began his war on March 20, 2003.How can you describe what that was like? Who would understand it?Nobody. So Reuter keeps his mouth shut. His army uniform is packed in a box in the garage. He hasn't looked at it in months. Instead, he kisses his baby boy every night. He gets on with his life, because that's what everyone else is doing.At home in Newnan, Ga., there is no war."It doesn't cross their minds," Reuter said. "To them, everything is fine."

Rove unraveling ? * The Fog around Kyle Foggo of CIA While not much can be found in mainstream media, the blogosphere is going wild with reports that the indictment of Karl Rove is about to take place. 'Turd Blossom' is reported to be one of the pet names the president used for his trusted aide Karl Rove. Made sense. If Rove is indicted he will be busy consulting attorneys and preparing a defense; his services will no longer be available to the president. Did Rove's recent re-assignment result from anticipation of the indictment ? Rove has appeared before the grand jury convened for the Valerie Plame investigation being conducted by Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald. Think of the possibilities---what if Rove testifies that he was asked by the president to smear Ambassador Joseph Wilson and leak his wife's name (Valerie Plame worked for the CIA as an undercover officer).The White House staffers must feel as though they are under siege. The shells keep coming and hitting where it hurts. Do they ever think about the arrogance and the contempt with which they treated anyone who questioned the administration's policies or lack thereof ? The members of God's Own Party must have displeased the almighty with their hypocrisy and excesses. Prayer breakfasts are not going to help them. *It was no less a person than Kyle "Dusty" Foggo, former executive director of the CIA, allegedly involved in a corruption enquiry, whose office and home were searched by Federal agents on May 12th. It would be interesting to follow the enquiry. It might net a few more big fish.Officials inside CIA headquarters saw agents hauling away items from Foggo's seventh-floor suite, and neighbors outside his rented house in the Oakdale Park section of Vienna said officers, some wearing plastic gloves, placed materials in vans parked at the front and rear of the split-level brick home.Aside from well-publicized espionage cases, veteran intelligence officers said they could not recall another time when FBI agents picked through offices at the CIA's Langley headquarters. * "The bigger they are, the harder they fall" (English proverb)

*Berry Creek Falls * Golden Cascade Falls * Silver FallsSpring is the time to visit the water falls at Big Basin State Park. During winter months the trails get too muddy and impassable at points because of damaged foot bridges, mud slides, and fallen trees. Once the rains and the storms are over work begins to repair the trails. JHL and I went there a few days back and saw trail crews working hard. But the Skyline to Sea Trail to Berry Creek Falls was open, and so was the mile-long trail from Berry Creek to Golden Cascade and Silver Falls.The Sunset Trail from Silver Falls makes it possible to do a loop instead of returning via Skyline to Sea Trail. The total distance for the loop--Park Headquarters to Berry Creek and returning via Sunset Trail is about 11.5 miles. There is a sign in the park that alerts visitors that it is a strenuous hike and time required is 6 hours.Berry Creek Falls©musafirGolden Cascade Falls©musafirSilver Falls©musafirIt was just the right time when Joanne and I did the hike. Sunny but not too warm, and the falls were at their best. Took us a little under 5 hours to do the loop. Although we had done it a few years back it was a rewarding experience to see Berry Creek Falls when it came into view as we turned a corner. Worth the time and effort. We sat on a bench facing the water falls and had a picnic lunch: chicken-apple sausage; potatoes and onions roasted with sage, rosemary and garlic; steamed spears of asparagus rolled in a vinaigrette dressing; an Australian wine (Penfolds Shiraz-Mouvedre); coffee, strawberries, and home made pound cake. All felt right with the world.As the days get warmer the flow of water will slow down. By mid-June the falls will lose their charm and warm temperature will make the hike more demanding. Time to visit is now.

John McCain * Further Loss of Support for Bush Vote for Hillary Clinton if she wins the nomination in 2008 ? Yes, I would but not because I think highly of her. The current stable of Republican candidates is pitiful. John McCain, the man I respected once has become just another politician, adept at expediency. McCain has been castigated by George Will for his position on campaign financing. In my book that is a plus for McCain. Among the Democrats there is Hillary Clinton, the enigma. Can she be trusted ? I have my doubts. Richard Cohen explores the Clinton candidacy in Who are You Hillary ? "But politics is not just about money -- not quite yet, anyway -- if only because ideology and principles are not yet "products." That being the case (I hope), then Hillary Clinton's vast lead in fundraising -- she now has more than $20 million in the bank -- will be offset by growing questions about her principles and ideology. In other words, who is this woman who wants to be the next president of the United States? Is she the wife of Bill Clinton, who we were once led to believe was more liberal than he was, or is she actually far more conservative? The answer, at the moment, is something I cannot provide." * How bad can it get for El Jefe ? The president's approval rating is continuing to slide and he is taking the Republican Congress down with him. Couldn't have happened to a more deserving lot. They are being deserted by their core support groups. "Bush and Congress have suffered a decline in support from almost every part of the conservative coalition over the past year, a trend that has accelerated with alarming implications for Bush's governing strategy."