The Senate voted 65-30 for the legislation late on Saturday that sets aside funds for a range of priorities including a presidential yacht, foreign aid and energy. It is one of the final pieces of work for the 108th Congress and they may return to finish a spy agency overhaul before the end of the year.Um...a Presidential Yacht is a "priority"?!
I think that we should be looking at improving WNY and NYS by fundamentally changing the way WNY and NYS do business. We ought to turn our backs on the cronyism, mismanagement, poor representation, and turf warfare of the past, and look forward to lurch WNY into the 21st century. We’re so obsessed around here about what _was_ (steel mills, industry, etc.) and no one has formed a cohesive, coherent group of politically motivated people to make some serious noise about what COULD BE. The name: Nickel City Coalition Coalition for Progress Excelsior Coalition The mission statement: To make Western New York a better place to live and work. I think this satisfactorily incorporates the desires of the people concerned about local issues, but it also should satisfy those who are passionate about national issues. After all, if we help the environment and advocate for the selection of non-radical-right wing judges, it’s good for the country and for WNY. The structure: 1. There should be an executive committee. 2. There should be action groups organized under “Action Groups - National” and “Action Groups - WNY.” There should be no more than 5-10 action groups under each heading. Each Action Group should have a coordinator, with a separate coordinator to head the lot of them under each heading. 3. Each Action Group should have its own mission statement. To the extent that the efforts are in any way duplicative of other groups, that should be acknowledged and addressed. i. What I would recommend is, for instance, that the action groups be somewhat broad-based and not single-issues. 1. For instance, there should be an action group for “Infrastructure”, which would include waterfront, peace bridge, road repair, rail expansion, anti-sprawl, etc. 2. Another should be “Political Outreach” to get people registered to vote, involve them in public hearings, to set up a questionnaire for candidates to answer, perhaps to formulate an annual voter’s guide. 3. Another should be “Albany Reform”. Another should be “Regional Government”. You get the picture. I’ll let someone else formulate what the national issue action groups should be, because I don’t really care what they’ll be, except one to look at ensuring that WNY and NYS get their fair share of tax revenue back for every dollar we pay.
Instead the administration plans to push major amendments that would shield interest, dividends and capitals gains from taxation, expand tax breaks for business investment and take other steps intended to simplify the system and encourage economic growth, according to several people who are advising the White House or are familiar with the deliberations. The changes are meant to be revenue-neutral. To pay for them, the administration is considering eliminating the deduction of state and local taxes on federal income tax returns and scrapping the business tax deduction for employer-provided health insurance, the advisers said.Atrios is justifiably horrified by the proposed abolition of the business tax deduction for employer-provided health insurance. I guess Bush & company's solution to the fact that 45 million Americans have no health insurance is to increase that number dramatically. As a New Yorker, what I'm equally horrified about is the proposed abolition of the personal deduction for state and local taxes. New Yorkers pay 72% more in taxes than the national average. A lot of us depend on that federal deduction to help ease the pain of those local taxes. Now Bush wants them repealed. What a bunch of scumbags. And all of this is to help whom, exactly? Corporations?
“ABC crossed the line by airing at least 20 ‘f’ words and 12 ‘s’ words during prime-time viewing hours!,” says the evangelical group American Family Association, which claims it has 2.3 million members and is one of the groups leading the revamped charge against “immorality”. “We believe ABC should have aired their salute to heroes without violating broadcast decency laws,” it said. Each TV station could face a fine of £18,000 if found to have aired “indecent” material. Under long-standing guide lines, profanity is banned from 6am to 10pm on America’s publicly owned broadcast channels, but not on cable channels. “It would clearly have been our preference to run the movie,” says Ray Cole, president of Citadel Communications, which owns three of the stations. “We think it is a patriotic, artistic tribute to our fighting forces.” Senator John McCain, a one-time POW in Vietnam, introduced Saving Private Ryan on Thursday. A maverick Republican and a former presidential candidate, he spent much of Thursday trying to stem the desertions. The film is nowhere near indecent, he says angrily. *** Another indication of the red culture scare is the action of one of the US’s newly elected politicians, Tom Coburn, a senator from Oklahoma, says Rich. As a state-elected politician, he attacked NBC in 1997 for encouraging “irresponsible sexual behaviour” and for taking “network TV to an all-time low with full-frontal nudity, violence and profanity”. His anger was prompted by the prime-time airing of another Spielberg film, Schindler’s List, about the Holocaust.
House Republicans proposed changing their rules last night to allow members indicted by state grand juries to remain in a leadership post, a move that would benefit Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) in case he is charged by a Texas grand jury that has indicted three of his political associates, according to GOP leaders.It's about the rule of law?
"According to the Tax Foundation study, every one of the Red States gets as much or more than it pays, with the exception of Nevada. In other words, the 20 cents New Yorkers don't get back, the 43 cents our neighbors in New Jersey don't get back, the 22 cents Massachusetts taxpayers don't get back and all the money people living in Wisconsin, Washington, New Hampshire, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Connecticut and California don't get back goes to fund the thriving, God-fearing, gay-bashing, morally superior economies of the South and West. Shortchanged state and local governments in the Blue States are forced to make up the difference, which goes a long way toward explaining why our property, sales and income taxes are so high. Don't get me wrong. I don't mind when some cretinous Bill O'Reilly fan e-mails me with his thoughts regarding my race and sexuality, then closes by saying he prays for the deaths of my entire family. I just wish I wasn't paying for his Internet connection.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 - Senator Charles E. Schumer on Monday ruled out running for governor of New York in 2006, saying that he would instead help lead the Democratic Party's efforts to retake the Senate. Mr. Schumer's decision reshapes the political landscape in New York State and leaves the field open to Eliot Spitzer, the Democratic state attorney general, who has been gearing up for the campaign. Gov. George E. Pataki, a Republican in his third term, has not said whether he will seek re-election. Mr. Schumer, 53, who was just re-elected to a second term with a record 71 percent of the vote, made his decision to stay in Washington after seriously considering a jump to Albany, in part because of the diminished role of Democrats in the Senate. But top Democrats vigorously campaigned to keep him in Washington, promising him a spot on the powerful Finance Committee and persuading him to lead the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee through the midterm elections of 2006.
"There is no future for moderate and progressive Republicans in the Republican Party," said Jim Scarantino, president of the centrist GOP group Mainstream 2004. "The far right wing and the fanatics have seized control." Mr. Scarantino isn't sure where his brand of Republican politics fits into the GOP. Some Christian conservatives say it doesn't. "If they can't agree and support the president and the platform, then they ought to go over to the Democrats," said Jan LaRue, chief counsel for the conservative group Concerned Women for America. After President Bush's re-election, evangelicals were quickly branded the "it" political group. They have taken a two-week victory lap, appearing around the clock on cable news networks while touting a conservative social agenda. Out of the spotlight and largely overlooked, some moderates said they feel like politicians without a party. Issues such as gay marriage and abortion have exposed fissures in the majority party, as conservatives push for what they call "pro-family" policies and moderates urge renewed focus on fiscal conservatism. Evangelicals have been quick to seize on their moment in the spotlight, launching efforts to expand their influence and criticizing Republicans who don't toe the conservative line on social issues. The Rev. Jerry Falwell announced plans last week for an "evangelical revolution," forming the Faith and Values Coalition, which he described as a resurrection of the Moral Majority. And conservatives accused Sen. Arlen Specter of disloyalty when the Pennsylvania Republican suggested that the Senate might reject anti-abortion judicial nominees. Evangelical groups urged Mr. Specter's colleagues to reject his bid to become chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.To the Republican party of 2004, moderate Republicans are good for only one thing: window dressing. People like Giuliani and Schwarzenegger are trotted out at the convention every four years to appeal to centrists - to show that the GOP really isn't the party of evangelical bigotry it's become. Every four years, the Delays and Brownbacks get shunted to fringe events, while the moderates get play & lip service to the GOP's "big tent" is paid. Then, when the convention's over, the evil wingers come out to play, and the moderates are again marginalized, only to make headlines when, every so often, they defy the wingers. What a sad mockery of its former self the GOP has become. What's even scarier is that evangelical bigotry is winning elections.
This is sad, because his office was so emasculated by the Bush administration's DoD over the years, and because I shudder to think whom Bush will select to replace Powell.
One name that's been floated is Wolfowitz. What an unmitigated disaster that would be. It'd be like putting Capone in charge of the IRS.
Ashcroft says judges threaten national security by questioning Bush decisions WASHINGTON - Federal judges are jeopardizing national security by issuing rulings contradictory to President Bush's decisions on America's obligations under international treaties and agreements, Attorney General John Ashcroft said Friday. In his first remarks since his resignation was announced Tuesday, Ashcroft forcefully denounced what he called "a profoundly disturbing trend" among some judges to interfere in the president's constitutional authority to make decisions during war. "The danger I see here is that intrusive judicial oversight and second-guessing of presidential determinations in these critical areas can put at risk the very security of our nation in a time of war," Ashcroft said in a speech to the Federalist Society, a conservative lawyers' group. The Justice Department announced this week it would seek to overturn a ruling by U.S. District Judge James Robertson in the case of Salim Ahmed Hamdan, who the government contends was Osama bin Laden's driver. Robertson halted Hamdan's trial by military commission in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, rejecting the Bush administration's position that the Geneva Conventions governing prisoners of war do not apply to al-Qaida members because they are not soldiers of a true state and do not fight by international norms. Without mentioning that case specifically, Ashcroft criticized rulings he said found "expansive private rights in treaties where they never existed" that run counter to the broad discretionary powers given the president by the Constitution. "Courts are not equipped to execute the law. They are not accountable to the people," Ashcroft said. During his successful re-election campaign, Bush repeatedly promised to appoint judges who would adhere to strict interpretations of the Constitution. In addition to numerous lower courts, Bush is likely to appoint at least one and perhaps several justices to the Supreme Court during the next four years. The administration lost a crucial legal battle this year when a divided Supreme Court determined the president lacks the authority to hold terror suspects classified as enemy combatants indefinitely with no access to lawyers or the ability to challenge their detention. Ashcroft intends to remain as attorney general until his nominated successor, Alberto Gonzales, is confirmed by the Senate.
President George W. Bush The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: The media tells us that you have received the largest number of popular votes of any president in America's history. Congratulations! In your re-election, God has graciously granted America—though she doesn't deserve it—a reprieve from the agenda of paganism. You have been given a mandate. We the people expect your voice to be like the clear and certain sound of a trumpet. Because you seek the Lord daily, we who know the Lord will follow that kind of voice eagerly. Don't equivocate. Put your agenda on the front burner and let it boil. You owe the liberals nothing. They despise you because they despise your Christ. Honor the Lord, and He will honor you. Had your opponent won, I would have still given thanks, because the Bible says I must (I Thessalonians 5:18). It would have been hard, but because the Lord lifts up whom He will and pulls down whom He will, I would have done it. It is easy to rejoice today, because Christ has allowed you to be His servant in this nation for another presidential term. Undoubtedly, you will have opportunity to appoint many conservative judges and exercise forceful leadership with the Congress in passing legislation that is defined by biblical norm regarding the family, sexuality, sanctity of life, religious freedom, freedom of speech, and limited government. You have four years—a brief time only—to leave an imprint for righteousness upon this nation that brings with it the blessings of Almighty God. Christ said, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my father honour” (John 12:26). The student body, faculty, and staff at Bob Jones University commit ourselves to pray for you—that you would do right and honor the Savior. Pull out all the stops and make a difference. If you have weaklings around you who do not share your biblical values, shed yourself of them. Conservative Americans would love to see one president who doesn't care whether he is liked, but cares infinitely that he does right. Best wishes. Sincerely your friend, Bob Jones III President BJIII:lw PS: A few moments ago I read this letter to the students in Chapel. They applauded loudly their approval. When I told them that Tom Daschle was no longer the minority leader of the Senate, they cheered again. On occasion, Christians have not agreed with things you said during your first term. Nonetheless, we could not be more thankful that God has given you four more years to serve Him in the White House, never taking off your Christian faith and laying it aside as a man takes off a jacket, but living, speaking, and making decisions as one who knows the Bible to be eternally true.These guys are losing. They are not rising. For proof, look to the fact that Santorum, Brownback and the like were hidden away during the GOP convention, while McCain, Schwarzenegger, and Giuliani were keynotes.
Bush Snubs Spanish Leader Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who pulled his country's troops out of Iraq, has been having difficulty getting through to President Bush to congratulate him on his reelection, Reuters reports. White House spokesman Scott McClellan explains that "calls are scheduled at times that are mutually convenient. Some calls are able to be scheduled quicker than others." However, the president did have a "private meeting" with former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, a conservative, on Tuesday.Bush is still smarting that the Spanish voters had the audacity to elect an anti-war candidate in a democratic election that was held in a country that was a fascist dictatorship a mere 29 years ago. He's a baby. Waa waa. Poor baby.
Jesus speaks through the Republicans I hope the election of George W. Bush is seen as a wake-up call to all the liberal Democrats who oppose God's will. It is His doing that George W. Bush is still our president. Millions of born-again Christians helped win this election through our prayers and votes. Jesus speaks through the Republicans. The Democrats will not be able to win elections until they renounce their sinful ways and stop encouraging abortions, gayness, and trying to take away our guns. Earl Balboa Washington TownshipRed State values, comin' atcha.
You cannot make this stuff up, folks.
State: I have just returned from a couple of weeks in Europe, and was very surprised to hear diplomats complaining bitterly that they felt abandoned by Powell. 'Where is he?' they lamented, 'we supported him and he left us to fend entirely for ourselves.' The proper care of allies is right up near the top of a secretary of State's mission, and the allies don't give Colin Powell a passing grade. For that alone, he needs to go. There are other reasons, too, above all his weasely performance on Iran (every strong presidential statement was instantly followed by leaks from State undercutting the president's words; the secretary's deputy - and best friend - Richard Armitage called Iran 'a democracy,' which may be the great mal mot of this administration). Finally, there's Powell supine acceptance of Foggy Bottom's conventional wisdom on every subject, forgetting that the foreign service isn't supposed to make our foreign policy; it's supposed to carry out the president's policies. Who should replace him? Zell Miller.Hi. Welcome to Bizarro America.
I was shocked," says Lacey, 33, who was not able to get her prescription until the next day and missed taking one of her pills. "Their job is not to regulate what people take or do. It's just to fill the prescription that was ordered by my physician." Some pharmacists, however, disagree and refuse on moral grounds to fill prescriptions for contraceptives. And states from Rhode Island to Washington have proposed laws that would protect such decisions. Mississippi enacted a sweeping statute that went into effect in July that allows health care providers, including pharmacists, to not participate in procedures that go against their conscience. South Dakota and Arkansas already had laws that protect a pharmacist's right to refuse to dispense medicines. Ten other states considered similar bills this yearJust so you know, they're not just Christian/red state values anymore. Soon, they're going to be all of our values. Welcome to fucking goddamn conditioning. Paging Mr. Huxley.
Don't think that the same thing isn't coming to Canada and to the rest of Europe.Awkward sentence structure aside, I can't imagine Canada banning the provincial PQ or federal BQ, which are separatist. I also can't think of any other serious political party that calls for separatism. The funny thing is that national citizenship in Europe has become an anachronism. In the EU, any Flanders resident can move to Holland as easily as someone from New York can move to Connecticut. So what's the big hubbub?
I think the Medicaid problem is a very serious one, and needs to be addressed by Albany immediately. But here's a question:
The leader of FixAlbany, Tom Suozzi, is Nassau County's county legislator. He's held taxes steady, and Nassau County just saw its bond rating improve. He shares Erie County's Medicaid burden, and yet runs a fiscally tight ship.
The problem here? Patronage and stubbornness.
So, can someone explain to me why we need a county government at all? I mean, what are they good for? What does county government do that can't be done by Albany and the municipalities? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
County government is nothing but a graft machine. I would abolish everything except the County Clerk's office.
Each legislature we answer to exists to tax us. At least we get some servcies for our tax dollars. That's about to change. The fewer legislatures above us, the less we're getting taxed.
While we're at it, Albany itself needs some fundamental change so that it can become the democratic legislature we're taught about at school, rather than the triumverate we're stuck with now. Nice to see three downstate guys telling upstate what's good for it.
We all get pacified by visits from Pataki opening one thing or another. We need fundamental change, and they give us photo ops.
Giambra's a hack. Masiello's a hack. They're all hacks. This region and this state need to learn some new tricks before they tax us all out of the area.
