Minnesota's Governor Tim Pawlenty -- at the top of many wagger's lists of potential McCain VP choices -- slammed Barack Obama's energy policy in Madison, Wisconsin yesterday. One can only guess if this is a "turn around and let me see the back" trial or simply the RNC host's attempt to keep things lively in the weeks approaching the Grand Old party.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, often mentioned as a potential running mate for Sen. John McCain, promoted the presumptive Republican presidential nominee's energy policy and critiqued his rival's as he campaigned across Wisconsin on Monday.
Pawlenty said Democratic Sen. Barack Obama would "slam the door shut" on additional nuclear power and offshore drilling if elected president because of his conditional support for those options.
McCain's plans to open more U.S. coastal waters to exploration for oil and gas and to add 45 nuclear power plants by 2030 would do more reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil, Pawlenty said
I like Pawlenty, mostly because he is a pretty likable guy. He grew up in South St. Paul, an older Twin Cities suburb that is closer to downtown than many parts of the capital city itself. Tim is a product of public schools, and a fellow alumnus of the University of Minnesota. So I suppose it's slightly awkward for him to be a small government Republican.
Pawlenty is not, however, the ideal ticket partner for John McCain. First of all, he lacks the smooth authority similarly missing in McCain. And while McCain makes up his occasionally wooden presentation with his war hero resume, Pawlenty is locally known as the guy who gave up his 2002 senatorial ambitions at Dick Cheney's request in favor of a former Democrat (until 1996) and long-haired, pot-smoking hippie from New York City named Norm Coleman.
Clearly, Pawlenty lacks the same stuff of the Hanoi Hilton's most famous guest. Sure, the GOP owes him. And yes, Pawlenty is conservative on the issues. But is he rabid enough to get the Republican base out? Probably not -- Minnesota is a socially very liberal state that is sick of it's high taxes. So sick of them that we first elected former pot-smoking professional wrestler Jesse Ventura to the seat that now is expected to spring Tim Pawlenty to within a heartbeat of becoming the leader of the free world.
I guess it's pretty shallow of me to say that my own governor isn't suave enough to McCain's ticket partner, but he isn't. Tim Pawlenty isn't a guy made for the national stage. And if McCain picks him, I think you'll see why when they stand together in front of thousands of cheering delegates at the Xcel Energy Center next month.
I am pissed at Bill and felt myself agreeing with the dismissive sentiments of the Powell camp. Why? Because when I heard that he might speak at the Democrat Convention in Denver, I called my dad (who everyone mistook for Colin Powell during the Gulf War; "was that your dad on television, Aaron??" was a phrase I heard for months at Mannheim Middle School...but I digress) and fumed at how disloyal Colin was being to the party. He is a military man but he was also a Pentagon official and, therefore, a politician as well. He was the first black Secretary of State, an honor entrusted to him by this current administration. I was so upset.
ABC News' Teddy Davis and David Chalian Report: Gen. Colin Powell told ABC News on Wednesday that he will not be going to the Democratic National Convention, disputing a suggestion made earlier in the day on the Fox News Channel by Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol.
"I do not have time to waste on Bill Kristol's musings,” Powell told ABC News. “I am not going to the convention. I have made this clear."
FNC should have asked around before letting Kristol on with this conjecture. But that is the business of trying to be the first with a story. FNC may be succumbing to MSM's bad habits.
It's like signing up for a daily joke or something. This from Noah T. Whiner, er, Winer:
It's a stark choice: we can invest in solar panels on our roofs. Wind farms powering our homes. Plug-in hybrids that use barely any gas. New, green jobs revitalizing our communities. Or we can follow John McCain's plan, and keep giving billions of our tax dollars to oil companies.
Yes, the choice is quite stark. We can invest in the fairy tale wishes of home heated with hope and cars running on love. WIND FARMS??? Solar Panels? And of course, they never ask where the electricity is going to come from to charge the battery for their electric cars (coal, natural gas or oil).
What idiots! Oil is energy. Nuclear is energy. Natural Gas is energy.
Nina from Moveon.org: If It Doesn’t Involve a Doctor, than It’s Not Abortion!!!
Dear Nina:
Thank you so much for getting the word out on this insanity. But we need to stand firm in our support for aborting as many fetuses as possible in America. Removing a fetus from the womb is abortion. There is no redefinition. If we are supporting abortion rights, then we need to support abortion rights. The morning after pill means, the morning after I got pregnant…let’s not get too Orwellian like the rightwing.
I would also include a statement about trying to overturn the Born Alive Infants Protection Act that actually protects babies if they survive an abortion. Isn’t a woman’s right to choose still at play here? Shouldn’t the doctor be able to continue to pursue the woman’s wishes to terminate the life of the fetus, now baby, whether its in the womb or not?
That’s Barack’s position and if we support him, we need to go all the way!
Now, for all you leftists, do you see how stupid your logic sounds when it is repeated back to you? And of course, when you read the letter below, it even states that its not to ban contraceptives, but it would void state laws that require insurance companies to pay for contraceptives - which would bring down the cost of health care. Why do I need birth control pills?
From: Nita Chaudhary, MoveOn.org Political Action [mailto:moveon-help@list.moveon.org]
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 3:59 PM
To: Aaron Arnwine
Subject: Less access to birth control?
Click here to sign an emergency message to the Department of Health and Human Services:
"Contraception is NOT abortion. The Bush Administration's proposal to change the definition of abortion and reduce women's access to birth control must be stopped."
Can you imagine living in a place where birth control is considered an "abortion" and health insurers won't cover it? Where even rape victims are denied emergency contraception?
It seems unbelievable, but the Bush Administration is quietly trying to redefine "abortion" to include birth control. The Houston Chronicle says this could wipe out dozens of state laws that protect women's reproductive freedom and protect rape victims.1 And it's being pushed as a "rule change"—meaning, it doesn't need congressional approval.
Can you sign an emergency message to Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, whose department is considering this rule change right now? Tell him: "Contraception is NOT abortion. The Bush Administration's proposal to change the definition of abortion and reduce women's access to birth control must be stopped."
The best way to beat back this proposal is to show Secretary Leavitt massive public outrage—that's why today we're launching this petition jointly with Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Together, we'll deliver every signature to Leavitt. You can help add to our momentum by forwarding this message to friends.
Here's what some others are saying about this proposal:
The draft regulation would define birth control as abortion...it could deny access to critical family planning for women across the country.—Letter signed by Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and 26 other senators.
2 The draft rule could void laws in 27 states that require insurance companies to provide birth control coverage for women requesting it [and] laws in 14 states requiring that rape victims receive counseling and access to emergency, day-after contraceptives.—Houston Chronicle editorial
3[It's] a spectacular act of complicity with the religious right... —RH Reality Check, Information and Analysis for Reproductive Health4
The birth control pill, the IUD, and emergency contraception might all become unavailable—illegal—as a result.—Brigid Riley, executive director of a Minnesota teen pregnancy prevention organization5
Can you help send a loud message to Secretary Leavitt that birth control is NOT abortion? Clicking here will sign your name:
3. "Redefining abortion; Federal officials considering a rule allowing health care workers to refuse to provide contraceptives," Houston Chronicle editorial, August 10, 2008 http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/5935532.html
Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 3.2 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.
________________________________________
PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to Aaron Arnwine on August 13, 2008. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.
The RNC Guide contains information about taxi fares, what to expect when taking taxi's, RNC event locations, a complete map of the area with landmarks pinned, information about planned street closings, protests, links to important information (such as Metro Transit -- buses may be your best bet for travel to and from the Xcel Energy Center during the convention.
Of course, I'm also selling my own services -- custom itineraries drawn up by myself, a 20-year resident of the Twin Cities with ten years experience driving cab in both Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as out of and into the MSP airport and all surrounding suburbs. Yes, if you're going there, chances are good that already I've been there (and know the best route at every time of day)!
It appears that Aaron has secured credentials for me to attend the convention, so I'll be giving a local inside view to all the happenings during the convention too. Hope to see you there!
Ever try to figure out the fascination with bizarre and undecipherable science fiction series the British love so much? Red Dwarf? Dr. Who??? Blech.
I started watching this excellent show this weekend and made it to the season 1 finale Sunday night and BOY was there a shocking scene in this show that was so entrancing and captivating that it must be shared!
Torchwood is an MI5 type agency dealing with aliens and the paranormal. The leader and the computer geek get stuck in a time rift and are thrown back to 1941 where the leader Jack accidentally bumps into, well, Jack, the guy who dies the next day which allows the Jack of the future to steal his identity.
But there was more between them than just the name exchange and the impending sadness that this Jack of the 40's would die on a training exercise.
Comedian and Actor Bernie Mac Dies at Age 50, Bernie Mac, the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor and comedian who worked his way to Hollywood success from an impoverished upbringing on Chicago's South Side, died Saturday at age 50.
I am very sad at the loss of such a brilliant comedic mind. His show was the funniest black comedy since Cosby and In Living Color went off the air.
He suffered from sarcoidosis - a term heard in every episode of House as a possible diagnosis. I had no idea what it was, but this article helps explain the disease that leaves clumps of cells in the organs of your body.
He had a wonderful future lined up for him in the entertainment industry and was adored in the black community.
His stand-up in Kings of Comedy was legendary and will remain as a testament to him forever (after 5 min intro from Steve Harvey):
Part 2 where he explains how he took in his sisters kids because of her drug abuse; what a good man.
Part 3 on his extended family - BIG MAMA and his aunt with the infamous short bus joke - and the importance of the word "Muthafucka:"
Campy and Wonderful. So a friend's friend entered a contest with this video for the national tea federation or some-such interest group. I think it's great and hope you go and vote for it on you tube. I figure if everyone goes and watches it 20 times, we could add about 500 views and 100 stars...oh, wait, no one reads this site anymore! (joke)
Here is the plea:
OK Guys! Thanks so much for your support of my friend's video thus far. It really means a lot.
Now it's rally time! We really need 2,000 more hits before Monday's judging. So, if you could find it in your hearts, please please please please watch it again and again ON YOUTUBE. It only counts if you watch it there.
Show it to your friends, to your family, even Aunt Bessie (everyone from the midwest has an Aunt Bessie).
Thanks so much,
The Greggors
Here is the video. Will you hum it later? Yes. Is it as catchy as the freecreditreport.com jingle? Better! Remember...do not watch the video here. after it starts, click anywhere in the playing video to open it on the you tube site. If you have gmail, log in and vote.
Broswell’s Right - and Shows What Bodes for America under Democrat Party Rule
This is probably my favorite picture so far from the opening ceremonies. It's gorgeous how they can dress up what is essentially the position most of their people spend their lives in picking in the rice fields.
In four years, London shouldn't even try to compete with the spectacle that Beijing bestowed upon our wondering eyes in the Opening Ceremonies. No democracy can or should invest the money and manpower that went into this city-wide fireworks-spewing deification of national pride, athletic aspiration and Communist Party self-congratulation. Public money could never be justified for such an insanely exhilarating night. Only a People's Republic could squander so lavishly.
Boswell will not have to wait for years for if Barack the Merciful wins in November, you will see political spectacles in the trillions of dollars!
Two Black Labs Victims of Police Raid on Mayor’s House
This is an absolute tragedy; my mother called me this morning having received a call from one of her best friends all the way in Maine who hear about this. According to the victims in the Baltimore Sun, the dogs were needlessly shot.
I caution, however, that while we all love animals and these dogs were obviously innocent of DRUG TRAFFICKING(!), that it could also be true that the police officers were attacked. I noticed that the dogs did have muzzles on in one picture. However, if this was a couple of cops who just wanted to shoot something because they were taking out a "mayor" then the should be fired and fined.
Can you believe that this was all about mistaken identity??? Identity theft! A significant amount of drugs were involved and I do know that from watching Dallas SWAT and other police shows that when they enter a drug dealers house, they expect attack dogs and for the dealers to be armed. But this was no crack-house and these dogs were no pit bulls foaming at the mouth.
The Sun goes on to state that:
Yet neither county Police Chief Melvin C. High nor Sheriff Michael A. Jackson have apologized to him, his wife or her mother, Georgia Porter, for the raid that traumatized the family and killed their black Labrador retrievers, Payton and Chase.
Thursday, Calvo called on the U.S. Justice Department's civil rights division to investigate the raid and other similar actions by Prince George's law enforcement. He said officers burst into his house without knocking or announcing themselves, in violation of the warrant they had.
I only beg that Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and the Golden Child Obama don't say something stupid like "they shot the dogs because they were black."
HUNTSVILLE — An illegal immigrant from Honduras who claimed his treaty rights were violated when he was arrested for a robbery-murder near Dallas has been executed.
Ding Dong The Illegal's Dead!
A victory for sovereignty.
Two precious teenagers, one 16 and one 14 were raped, tortured and then murdered by strangulation (so hard the belt snapped) so they used shoe laces and then just took to jumping up and down on the girls throats until dead.
Adios, Amigo! Fuck the UN (and the White House) - Texas won for us all.
You come here and murder our precious babies and little girls with your evil and you will pay and justice will be done.
[yes, not all illegal immigrants are murdering, maniacal rapists of children; they are just all criminals for breaking the law and subsequently committing untold acts of identity theft and wire fraud].
It's funny how she takes Obama's plan: phantom future technologies and just a portion of the GOP plan then states her idea which is actually the GOP plan fully throated (pun intended).
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