Thursday, October 13, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
From Wired article by Spencer Ackerman http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/07/senators-ask-spy-chief-are-you-tracking-us-through-our-iphones/
In a letter that Sens. Mark Udall (D-Colorado) and Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) will send later on Thursday, obtained by Danger Room, the senators ask Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, “Do government agencies have the authority to collect the geolocation information of American citizens for intelligence purposes?”
Both senators are members of the panel overseeing the 16 intelligence agencies. In May, they sounded warnings that the Obama administration was secretly reinterpreting the Patriot Act to allow a broader amount of domestic surveillance than it had publicly disclosed.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Boehner's Budget Deal Poem/Song Maybe
you can never do enough and you always do too much
a raindrop in the ocean
what shoulda been a victory feels like defeat
congress is in a commotion
speaking privately in order to be candid
we're dismantling shelves for elvs
I think my leadership needs to probably sit down
and have a come-to-jesus with themselves
I can't criticize a basketball player
who faces two on one all night
This bill is not perfect, no cause for celebration
it's just baby steps to the right
Liberals likened it to getting stabbed in the heart
Conservatives just stubbed their toe
But the inability to unify the rank and file
is a wound that will grow and grow
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Cynical Political Rant #23
(Edited from NPR article contributed to by Todd Holzman)
Fresh from sweeping election victories, Republicans jockeyed with President Obama to claim the political high ground Wednesday, with both sides pledging bipartisanship but warning against a return to gridlock.
A conciliatory Obama called the vote "a shellacking" at a White House news conference. He promised to find areas where Democrats and Republicans could work together, but in a nod to his health care overhaul, said it is important "not to spend the next two years re-litigating the decisions of the last two years."
Republicans, meanwhile, wasted no time in declaring that Tuesday's capture of the House and gains in the Senate and key governorships was a de facto mandate to roll back what they see as the excesses of the Obama administration.
Rep. John Boehner, the man likely to be the next speaker of the house, said at a Wednesday news conference that he was humbled by the mandate the American people had given his party.
"We are ready to roll up our sleeves and go to work on the people's business," the Ohio Republican said. He was joined by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who headed the GOP campaign that grabbed 10 governorships for the party.
In line with the Pledge to America -- a campaign manifesto unveiled by Republicans only two months ago -- Boehner said the party's top priorities were to cut spending, foster job growth and reduce the size of the deficit.
Obama's health overhaul law was also in the crosshairs.
In earlier remarks, Boehner denounced the legislation passed earlier this year as a "monstrosity" that must be repealed and replaced by "common sense reforms."
Obama called Boehner late Tuesday to congratulate him and offer his hope that the two parties could work together.
"We discussed working together on the people's priorities -- cutting spending and creating jobs," Boehner said. "We hope he is willing to work with us on these priorities. But as I have said, our new majority will be the voice of the American people as they expressed it so clearly yesterday."
Boehner said Speaker Nancy Pelosi had tried to reach him by phone. "She left me a very nice voicemail," he said, adding that he felt confident there would be a smooth transition as Republicans take up the reins of power in the House.
McConnell called it "a happy day for the three of us."
But the Republican trio was short on specifics, which Boehner assured would be forthcoming in the months ahead.
Now watch as the Republicans play their role to continue the devastation to our national interests in favor of their collective special interests. This is the good cop/bad cop art of Global Capitalism folks. And pay close attention to Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a long time buddy to those international monetary vampires. He might be Mr. 2012. He is going to use the Bush play book it seems and say, "I don't want to be President. Why would I when I have the greatest job in America as the Governor of Texas(snicker,snicker)." This is by no means a defense of the Democrats. They suck to be sure. Obama and his crew in the legislature have done a terrible job listening to their constituents across the board on almost every issue they have tackled these past two years. One got the feeling that the Democratic majority forgot they were elected by the citizens of their districts. Their voting seemed to indicate an allegiance to party over the people. Don't be surprised when the GOP does exactly the same thing. Many of the players are the same from just 4 years ago when they did almost exactly the same. No GOP member of the house is going to do anything without the OK from the brass. They will not really take to heart the needs and wants of their citizens. Let's really see if spending goes down or if it just moves around to the interests that the GOP favor. Although, Obama could pull a Clinton and just go along, then take credit and win re-election. If you can't beat'em, join'em. Rand Paul might actually try to practice what he preaches. But if it is not sanctioned by the GOP leadership in their over-all strategy to maintain power, he will be marginalized. They like the Rick Perry types. No trouble makers allowed on Capitol Hill, eh? Unless they are homeless psychotics beating drums outside the gates and yelling at tourists, Haha. I do like that we have had such short turn over laced with strong rhetoric. We might actually get enough of us paying attention to call them all on their scams. Funny that term limitation is not an issue with any of these bums. I think it is an absolute necessity. And we need total transparency between contributions and legislation. Once and for all, let's have this be above board. Choose whatever political party you want, just insist that they not be whores.
Fresh from sweeping election victories, Republicans jockeyed with President Obama to claim the political high ground Wednesday, with both sides pledging bipartisanship but warning against a return to gridlock.
A conciliatory Obama called the vote "a shellacking" at a White House news conference. He promised to find areas where Democrats and Republicans could work together, but in a nod to his health care overhaul, said it is important "not to spend the next two years re-litigating the decisions of the last two years."
Republicans, meanwhile, wasted no time in declaring that Tuesday's capture of the House and gains in the Senate and key governorships was a de facto mandate to roll back what they see as the excesses of the Obama administration.
Rep. John Boehner, the man likely to be the next speaker of the house, said at a Wednesday news conference that he was humbled by the mandate the American people had given his party.
"We are ready to roll up our sleeves and go to work on the people's business," the Ohio Republican said. He was joined by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who headed the GOP campaign that grabbed 10 governorships for the party.
In line with the Pledge to America -- a campaign manifesto unveiled by Republicans only two months ago -- Boehner said the party's top priorities were to cut spending, foster job growth and reduce the size of the deficit.
Obama's health overhaul law was also in the crosshairs.
In earlier remarks, Boehner denounced the legislation passed earlier this year as a "monstrosity" that must be repealed and replaced by "common sense reforms."
Obama called Boehner late Tuesday to congratulate him and offer his hope that the two parties could work together.
"We discussed working together on the people's priorities -- cutting spending and creating jobs," Boehner said. "We hope he is willing to work with us on these priorities. But as I have said, our new majority will be the voice of the American people as they expressed it so clearly yesterday."
Boehner said Speaker Nancy Pelosi had tried to reach him by phone. "She left me a very nice voicemail," he said, adding that he felt confident there would be a smooth transition as Republicans take up the reins of power in the House.
McConnell called it "a happy day for the three of us."
But the Republican trio was short on specifics, which Boehner assured would be forthcoming in the months ahead.
Now watch as the Republicans play their role to continue the devastation to our national interests in favor of their collective special interests. This is the good cop/bad cop art of Global Capitalism folks. And pay close attention to Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a long time buddy to those international monetary vampires. He might be Mr. 2012. He is going to use the Bush play book it seems and say, "I don't want to be President. Why would I when I have the greatest job in America as the Governor of Texas(snicker,snicker)." This is by no means a defense of the Democrats. They suck to be sure. Obama and his crew in the legislature have done a terrible job listening to their constituents across the board on almost every issue they have tackled these past two years. One got the feeling that the Democratic majority forgot they were elected by the citizens of their districts. Their voting seemed to indicate an allegiance to party over the people. Don't be surprised when the GOP does exactly the same thing. Many of the players are the same from just 4 years ago when they did almost exactly the same. No GOP member of the house is going to do anything without the OK from the brass. They will not really take to heart the needs and wants of their citizens. Let's really see if spending goes down or if it just moves around to the interests that the GOP favor. Although, Obama could pull a Clinton and just go along, then take credit and win re-election. If you can't beat'em, join'em. Rand Paul might actually try to practice what he preaches. But if it is not sanctioned by the GOP leadership in their over-all strategy to maintain power, he will be marginalized. They like the Rick Perry types. No trouble makers allowed on Capitol Hill, eh? Unless they are homeless psychotics beating drums outside the gates and yelling at tourists, Haha. I do like that we have had such short turn over laced with strong rhetoric. We might actually get enough of us paying attention to call them all on their scams. Funny that term limitation is not an issue with any of these bums. I think it is an absolute necessity. And we need total transparency between contributions and legislation. Once and for all, let's have this be above board. Choose whatever political party you want, just insist that they not be whores.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Shinyribs Mixing Engineer Wins Grammy
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/6841882.html
This is a link to a story about Steve Christensen who just finished mixing my Shinyribs record, "Well After Awhile" before he went out to the promised land and got himself some hardware via Steve Earle's TVZ. George Reiff, who produced Well After Awhile brought Mr. Christensen in from Houston,TX. to do the mixing chores. Christensen works as the top engineer at Sugar Hill Studios in the H to the O the USTON. http://www.sugarhillstudios.com/history.html This is the recording studio where Sir Doug manager Huey Meaux http://www.laventure.net/tourist/sdq_meaux.htm made so much history, good and bad. But, that's a different story. Congrats to Steve O. Sometimes the good guys win.
This is a link to a story about Steve Christensen who just finished mixing my Shinyribs record, "Well After Awhile" before he went out to the promised land and got himself some hardware via Steve Earle's TVZ. George Reiff, who produced Well After Awhile brought Mr. Christensen in from Houston,TX. to do the mixing chores. Christensen works as the top engineer at Sugar Hill Studios in the H to the O the USTON. http://www.sugarhillstudios.com/history.html This is the recording studio where Sir Doug manager Huey Meaux http://www.laventure.net/tourist/sdq_meaux.htm made so much history, good and bad. But, that's a different story. Congrats to Steve O. Sometimes the good guys win.
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