U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker and General David Petraeus will testify in front of congress today. They are supposed to give the glowing reports of success we are supposed to be seeing in the conflict there. You know…the surge is working, we are in control of he Green Zone, we have had less casualties because of the surge. That kind of Bushieshit.
They probably wont talk about the 4023 US soldiers killed at first. I wonder if the 29,628 officially wounded soldiers will even be mentioned. Nobody there will have the balls to mention the stop-loss, flopping our troops back for another tour, travesty that is going on. I doubt the tragic loss of up to a million Iraqi lives and the displacement of over 4 million people will come up either. Just a lot of posing and puffing of the chest.
While both McCain and Clinton are on the Armed Forces Committee McCain is the one to give the opening speech. Lieberman and Graham are on that committee as well. The pundits are saying that the hearing there will just be a Bush Butt Buddy Blowout Bash. That Clinton’s late question will seem insignificant after all of the Repulicaspeak at the beginning of the session.
Then the warmongers will travel down the hall to the Foreign Relations Committee where Barack will be . I am in agreement with the news people that the questions asked there will be less party line and more about the realities of the war. Maybe the General and Ambassador will have to be more candid. Maybe they will show some truth in the testimony. I really don’t think they will be allowed to by the administration but maybe their lies will have more of a chance to be exposed. If the questions are being asked by non Bushies maybe they will slip and tell a real fact or two. I doubt that though.
I just hope it doesn’t turn into a campaigning debacle. There are so many risks to that. This question and answer period is about lives. It’s about bringing our troops home. It’s about the billions of dollars wasted. It’s about lies told and lies exposed.
It isn’t about partisan politics because when our soldiers are there all party lines go away. The men and women serving may feel their own political feelings but they are comrades and don’t need party division when their lives and safety are at stake.
Lets hope something positive comes from these meetings. Lets hope the answers they give don’t satisfy the American public and the demand for the immediate return of our men and women gets louder. Lets hope the liars are exposed and the McSame ideas get shot down.
Yeah, I know, I know. I just posted a Zappa vid or two just a couple of days ago but this montage along with Franks “Dumb All Over” just has to be done here.
Them Bright Eyes asks a lot of questions in “When The President Talks To God”.
After showing his ass before the Iowa and New Hampshire votes were cast President Bill Clinton quietened down for a bit. He has been appearing in public more lately after a brief hiatus. It seems he is becoming visible again in a much more subdued form. The dutiful husband form. The under the thumb form. The FORMER president form.
But the real Bill story is coming from Santa Fe it seems. The democratic front runners are courting the man who dropped from the race January 10. The man who can help them win. The one person who has the right experience in foreign relations. New Mexico’s Governor Bill Richardson.
Bill Richardson’s record on a local, national and international level is tremendous. He worked in the Bill Clinton administration as an Ambassador to the U.N. as well as 14 years as congressman. He was our Secretary of Energy under Clinton. While serving our country he visited many countries around the world promoting good relations with “troublesome” leaders. He did such a good job in the old days with leaders like Saddam Hussein that George W Bush sent him to North Korea last year to deal with Kim Jong il and the nuclear crisis. He came away with success. N. Korea agreed to stop producing weapons and invited the U N to send in inspectors.
In New Mexico he pushed for a medical marijuana law that was shot down 6 times before it passed on the 7th try. Although the Feds are giving growers and patients grief he is pushing for less federal involvement on the laws of our nation. Maybe if he had a position high in the federal government the D.E.A. and other cops would start leaving individuals alone. When asked how the MMJ laws would affect his presidential campaign he said it didn’t matter as “it was the right thing to do”.
He has made law here that gives incentives to homeowners and businesses that go with alternative energy to power their electrical needs. Passed bills requiring the big power companies to use solar or wind for a growing percentage of their output.
He has demanded an end to the US occupation of Iraq. The return of our troops from the face of danger is a high priority in his political opinion. With 3970 American soldiers killed there so far he strongly supports the troops by calling for their rapid return.
President Clinton watched the Super Bowl with the Governor a few weeks ago. Mrs. Clinton stays in close touch with him. Barack Obama calls him often, on the average of every 3 days. They both have told him that they need him. His endorsement would swing so many votes their way and they both know his support would make the candidacy, and the election, theirs.
Richardson has said he is not going to put the offer of possibly being a Vice Presidential running mate or a Secretary of State appointment aside. He is staying in touch with both Obama and Clinton during their campaigns and is remaining friendly and non-controversial. No endorsements yet and thats probably a good thing.
If he were to become the VP nominee for either he would bring a lot to their campaign. Obama’s campaign would benefit from the experience and maturity he would bring. Clinton’s organization would be better off with his diplomatic attitude diverting the publics attention from the silly stuff her husband spews. The nation would be much better off with him as our Vice President what with his “progressive” ideas and policies. As Secretary of State he would be an asset to help heal the broken and bruised image of America the rest of the world has.
So with these thoughts, and others, in mind I am now going to make the Alien Trucker’s endorsement in this presidential race. I am saying, on the record, I am endorsing whoever Bill Richardson endorses. Especially if he is chosen as their running mate.
Does it really matter who I support? I don’t guess so but at least you know how I feel.
Campaigning must be hard. Long hours, early mornings to late night. Candidates wake early and stay up nights. Tough, kind of like a truck drivers job.
I have driven 14 hours looking forward to a nap at the receiver while they unloaded me only to be told I would have to put my fingerprints on every box while I was the one unloading the trailer. Then when it was unloaded have dispatch send me to a shipper 150 miles away to load before I could get some sleep.
I sympathize with their fatigue and really hope all of them stay somewhat healthy. What I don’t understand is how some pussy pampered politician could compare campaigning with torture.
Check this Huckabee quote out then see if you think he is making light of an illegal torture procedure. What a dweeb!
The street sweepers are washing the pavement in the alleys and streets of the French Quarter. New Orleans bar workers are mopping up the funk that comes from days of revelry while the bar owners are counting their riches. Catholic faithful are going to masses to have some ash smeared on their foreheads. Lent is here and in the next 40 days leading up to Easter the city will relax. Almost rest.
But Ash Wednesday in New Orleans is also the day of the Louisiana Primary. There will probably not be as big a cleanup as one might think. The election results from todays primaries and caucuses show McCain is the only candidate that cleaned up in the polls. The Democrats are still pretty much on the same level when it comes to their peoples support.
McCain’s overwhelming win of delegates is due to the “Huckabee Factor”. Mike has taken a lot of the “liberal” Republican vote from Mitt much to Romney’s chagrin. His whining today just alienated more of his would be supporters giving John McCain more of an advantage. That scares me.
With McCain the probable Republican candidate for president America is facing a strange future. His stance on the war in Iraq along with his hinting at future wars, Iran probably, could make or break him. Especially if his Democratic opposition remains weak on their demands to withdraw our troops from Iraq. If the Democrats can’t show strong we may be facing Johns proposed 100 years there.
New Orleans, and much of Louisiana, has a large black Democrat population. The strength of the black vote became clear in 1992 when Democrat Edwin Edwards, a known criminal and liar, was running against Republican racist David Duke for Governor. More black people registered and voted than any time in Louisiana history. The crook won in a landslide even though the Republican Duke got a huge turnout of white voters.
Obama and Clinton are running neck and neck. Clinton has only 100 more delegates then Obama. The primaries in the weeks to come can change that. There are more delegates yet to be chosen and Barak may overcome Hillary in the polls. With only 56 delegates at stake there Louisiana wont be a deciding factor in the final outcome but will probably bring the race closer. I think Obama will take the state today.
The really surprising state for Obama was Idaho. Such a huge amount of their votes going to him there shows me the race card is fading in this campaign. When I was a kid growing up in Idaho there was an underlying racism that welcomed many white supremacy groups to build compounds and enclaves all over the state. I was pleased to see that the old days are going away and people are starting to think clearer.
So as the post Carnival cleanup continues in The Big Easy the cleanup in the polls wont come. The democratic candidates will have to really duke it out. Lets hope the mudslinging doesn’t start too bad. Thats a mess that may cause McCain to clean up in November.
With a reported 52% of the votes over McCains 21% in the caucuses in Main this weekend It seems the Republican voters are flip flopping from state to state. One bunch says that McCain would be better. Then Romney says some soothing crap and the next state overwhelmingly votes for him. Ron Paul did almost as well as John in Maine with 19%of the vote going his way. Even Thompson, who dropped out of the race last month, brought in 4% of the votes.
With Super Tuesday coming tomorrow analysts are busy making predictions. According to Time Magazine Saturday, Fred Thompson is expected to do well in Tennesse.
On the Democratic side Hillary Clinton is expected to do well in the southern states as well. After all, the rednecks there see no value in a black man. How can an inferior being lead our country? At Denny’s the other morning a traveler from Alabama told me he would rather see a woman in there than a Negro. After living in the southland for so many years I know the “liberal” voters have those feelings and I think we will see that trend among the white voters there.
New Mexico, like Idaho and Kansas will hold Democrat only caucuses tomorrow. Racism will be a big factor here as well I think. The Hispanic population in New Mexico is pretty conservative and on a large scale believe the idea of a black president is not as appealing as a woman. Besides if her husband watches the Super Bowl with our Hispanic governor I guess she can’t be all that bad. I think the race card will be a major factor in all of the states tomorrow.
With Republicans like Susan Eisenhower, Dwight’s granddaughter, and (reportedly Republican) Bob Wier of the Grateful Dead joining the voice for Obama, conservative Democrats may actually be influenced. The stoner crowd may even get out to vote because the rest of the band endorses Barack. Maybe the racists will be outnumbered by those who choose to vote by other outside influences like endorsements.
I am not sure who I would vote for tomorrow if I could. (I’m not a registered Dem.) I have very mixed feelings about both Hillary and Obama. With Richardson and Kucinich out I don’t have a favorite. They both have the same strong feelings about the war in Iraq. I have seen nothing but continuing support of the occupation (at least for the next 4 years) from both of the Democratic frontrunners.
This is a single issue race for me for the most part. My draft age son doesn’t believe in this war and I feel that if the conflict continues and escalates the draft is imminent. I don’t want my son to be among those who are fighting if he doesn’t believe in the cause. I don’t want anyones child to be forced into service for such flawed reasons as the ones that led us into this war and occupation. Or the war McCain wants to start with Iran.
If your state is holding Super Tuesday elections tomorrow please get out and vote. Your voice can make a difference this time.
Reports have it that The Boys are coming together Monday to play a show for Obama. Wish I could be in The City to see this historic event.
When Jerry was alive They never made any political endorsements. If they had endorsed Kerry last time maybe they could have convinced the Deadheads to get up off of their stoned asses and vote, making things verrrrry different. Monkeyfister has the story.
The Clintons are in New Mexico for Super Bowl Sunday. Governor Bill Richardson is making sure his old boss President Bill Clinton enjoys the game. I’m sure all of the Presidents favorite football foods will be spread. Big cushy chairs for the Bill’s to hang out in. Big widescreen teevee with Hi Def. A few political buddies that also like the big game. All in all a good time for all.
Richardson says this is in no way to be mistaken as an endorsement for Hillary. He wants it to be a fun occasion with his old friend. Just hangin’ with the good ol’ boys, downin’ a few frosty beverages, chompin’ chips and shootin’ the breeze. Just like any other Super Bowl party in any other New Mexico home. It is after all Super Bowl Sunday. Not Super Tuesday.
Can this be the door opening to Ms. Clinton naming Richardson as her running mate? Maybe a post Super Tuesday endorsement? Or am I reading too much into it? Hoping that the most qualified candidate gets an important job if Hillary wins. Hoping against hope that Bill Richardson will be our next V.P..
The State Of The Union Address sounded like the last 6. Kinda like a KC and the Sunshine Band greatest hits album. The same old shit with new names. You know, like K-Tel’s offerings in the ’70’s and ’80’s TeeVee ads. Nothing thinking people want to hear. Just sappy drivel that may sell to the mentally challenged.
While babbling the reruns he tried to sell America that the State of the Union is strong. Issues addressed were tired old things like reforming Social Security, No Child Left behind and vouchers for schools. He called them “Pell Grants For Kids” but they are still just vouchers that will divert even more money from already underfunded public schools and giving the elite an upper hand.
Surprisingly he called for more support of clean energy and reducing dependancy on oil. I think this was just pandering to the green thinking populace and he really doesn’t care. Reducing the need for oil may hurt his income so I think it was just B.S..
Reforming “entitlement spending”, or social security, seemed to me to be about reducing benefits for those who have payed into this fund for life. Doesn’t sound at all like entitlement. Just getting back what you payed in.
Doubling federal border agents on the Mexican border and more fences were his solve all for immigration. He said we should take measures to make America unappealing. I wonder if that means lowering wages here so people wouldn’t want to come here to work.
When he started calling for more defense in Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Pakistan Speaker Nancy Pelosi started to read disinterestedly. Watching Cheney and nancy sitting behind Bush was more enlightening than any of the crap spewing from his mouth. She showed disdain by her reading and I thought Dick was going to have heart failure from all the standing and sitting he endured. If he would have died it would have saved him the shame of impeachment. Now to get on with that. I hope.
While sending 3200 Marines to Afghanistan he called the elections there a success. I noticed that congresspersons on both sides of the aisle applauding. It’s not their kids over there fighting so I guess they can praise this louder. The surge in Iraq is working, he said, so we are bringing 20,000 soldiers home in the next few months. He seemed proud of this like he actually was bringing our kids home. Even with 20 thousand coming back there will still be too many US troops staying.
After he renamed the Iraq conflict “Protective Overwatch Mission”, basically admitting a long occupation is planned, his threats to Iran weren’t a surprise. If we keep soldiers there it will be easier to attack Iran short range. The attacks threatened because America will defend our vital interests in the Persian Gulf.
We need to “defend America’ by monitoring the peoples communication, he said. We will be in “great danger” if congress doesn’t reapprove the spying on America crap that expires February first. Heckuva way to protect us.
He claimed a 95% increase in veteran benefits funding in the last four years. To “meet the needs of a new war” says they are planning a new conflict. Probably with Iran.
All in all it was just rehash of the crap we have heard since the Bushman took office. Old babble mixed with not so new rhetoric. alQaida on the run, Katrina hero’s from ‘05, 2005’s Iraq elections (2503 US soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the “freedom” came in those elections) and the rehashing of “stopping terrorist plots” in 2002/03.
Just a talking head spewing his “greatest hits”.
Hits that didn’t sell the first time.
Like KC and the Sunshine Band there was no substance.
Alien Trucker
April 8th, 2008 by Rocky 
No Comments »
