This Should Be Interesting

The Scooter Libby trial begins.

Another Republican Bigot

From Virginia no less.

It Looks Like Sen. Obama is Running

I told you so.;-)

But check out this great speech by Sen. Edwards.

It was great. He said what really needs to be said, but isn't being said by the presumptive front runners.

O'Malley Budget Includes $400 Million for School Construction

Good policy, smart politics.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Only one American, who was not a president, has been honored with his own holiday. Dr. King is a real American hero who is quite deserving of that honor. I fear that many Americans are unaware of Dr. King's achievements and the incredible moral and physical courage he possessed.

Dr. King changed America and left it a far better place. He overcame hatred, oppression and injustice without bitterness or negatively. He knowingly gave his life for the cause of justice and did not flinch from his calling, even though his fate was obvious to him. He successfully opposed the forces of darkness without letting his heart be tainted by the darkness he fought.

So please, do yourself a favor, go to the links below to read about this incredible American and be inspired to be a better American and a better person.

The King Center

The Nobel Prize Organization

Time Magazine

His most famous speech

A Lot of The Republicans in Congress

See which way the wind is blowing. As the Post Reports:

Freed from the pressures of being the majority and from the heavy hand of former leaders including retired representative Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), many back-bench Republicans are showing themselves to be more moderate than their conservative leadership and increasingly mindful of shifting voter sentiment. The closest vote last week -- Friday's push to require the federal government to negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare -- pulled 24 Republicans. The Democrats' homeland security bill attracted 68 Republicans, the minimum wage increase 82.

Of Course there is one Republican who is oblivious to reality. Too bad he's the one who really counts.

Happy One Year Anniversary!

To Evan's blog!

Delagate Turner is a Key Player in the Slots Controversy

The Howard County Delegation continues to gain influence.

Its Tough

It seems like no matter what you do, your going to upset people. Save a huge parcel in the middle of Columbia from development, and you get people mad because you want to put ballfields there. Don't build the ballfields and you will hear people complain about the lack of ballfields. Allow one little grocery store to sell organic beer and wine and soon, according to local liquor store owners, the whole alcoholic beverage industry will be down the drain.

General Growth Properties' New Downtown Guru

I'm not sure what to make of this.

UnAmerican

The right wing is now going after lawyers who represent detainees in Guantanamo.

Utterly disgusting, but not that surprising.

Verified Voting Takes A Step Forward In Maryland

The idea is gaining traction in the General Assembly.

Very Scary

Is Bush trying to spread the war to Iran?

Bush Hits New Low

According to this Poll and this one too.

Bush's Escalation Plan Unpopular With Americans

How low can he go?

The House Continues Its Roll

By passing drug legislation. Bush vows veto.

Comp Lite In Court

The latest.

It Must Be A Good Idea

If Patrick Dornan is against it.

The Bush Administration is Held Accountable

Finally. We are going to see a lot of this. Bush Administration Officials up on Capital Hill forced to defend the undefensible. Its about time.

Maplelawn Expansion is Approved

How do people feel about this?

The U.S. House of Representitives is on a Roll

Finally, some progress on the stem cell front.

Interesting Quote

Reported at TPM:

Sen. Mikulski (D-MD): "This is a reckless plan - it is about saving the Bush presidency, not about saving Iraq."

Bush's Escalation Plan

Isn't popular.

Won't change the situation in Iraq.

But it has kept the House Democrat's recent accomplishments off the front pages.

The Democrats have voted to raise the minimum wage and to implement the 911 Commission's recommendations. But they aren't getting any headlines.

Sorry about the light posting

I'm very busy with a trial.

The Escalation

It really is Vietnam all over again. But worse.

Basically, we have a President going against the advise of his generals and the American People, again. The real shame is that the President's real aim is to delay the inevitable, until it becomes the next President's problem. That means Bush is willing to let Americans die to make himself look better.

What's Congress going to do about it?

Yet Another Republican Failure

During the Clinton Administration the Federal Government drastically increaed its aid to local law enforcement agencies. The result? A drastic decrease in crime. The Bush Administation cut this aid significantly. Guess what? Violent crime is again surging! Lets hope Congress addresses this issue.

Here We Go Again

Over at another local Blog, there is a discussion, in a comments section, of a rumor about our new County Executive. Basically, its an uncorroborated, unsourced quote attributed to Ken Ulman. Frankly, its the Internet at its worst. Come on people, Ken's going to have to make a lot of difficult decisions. Lets judge him on the proven facts.

The 100 Hours Starts Today

Apparently the first bill will implement the 9-11 Commission's recommendations. The Bush Administration reaction will be very interesting. If they go along with the bills, will Bush's approval go up? If he opposes the bills, will he sink into the 20's? Things are getting very interesting. What do you think? Or don't you?

Meanwhile

The Senior Tax Cut Task force begins its work this week.

I'm not unhappy about the way this worked out. We will now get a year to collect data on the effectiveness, fairness and real costs of this tax cut, then we can go forward armed with the facts.

An Observation

If it were not for his invasion of Iraq, its likely that Bush would still be a popular president. If not for Iraq and the ethics scandals, the Republicans would still control Congress. Note that it was these actions that drove them from power, rather than pandering to their base.

Just something for Democrats to think about.

CDC January Meeting

Next Wednesday evening, January 10, will be the Columbia Democratic Club's January membership meeting. As usual, the meeting will be held at the Jeffers Hill Neighborhood Center, 6030 Tamar Drive in Columbia. The meeting agenda is as follows:

Beginning at 7:00 p.m. noted political commentator - often featured on National Public Radio - UMBC Professor Tom Schaller will be on hand for a book signing of his latest publication, Whistling Past Dixie. The book argues that religion and race have already swung the South irrevocably to the GOP and to "value voters." Dr. Schaller advises the Democrats to focus on the Midwest and Interior Western states, which are now more receptive to Democratic messages thanks to pocketbook issues and changing demographics. Cost of the book is $20. Cash and checks will be accepted. Tom will also have some prepared remarks at 7:30 p.m.

Following an abbreviated business meeting, the January program beginning at 8:00 p.m. will include a presentation by Howard County Council Chair Calvin Ball and a to-be-announced member of the Howard County State Legislative Delegation, to speak to and share with CDC members, their thoughts on the year's expected legislative issues. These presentations will set the stage for an interactive discussion led by CDC Legislation Committee Co-Chairs, Kristen Neville and Josh Tzuker, on legislative issues of interest to CDC members. This discussion will help CDC develop its anticipated proactive 2007 legislative agenda.

Please mark your calendars now, and plan to join your fellow Democrats and CDC colleagues for an informative and entertaining evening. Light refreshments will be provided.

Good News!

The Western Howard Co. Democratic Club is meeting, Thursday, 1/11/07, 7:00 p.m., at the George Howard Building.

Speaker Pelosi Throws Down the Gauntlet

Says Congress will not fund escalation unless Bush Administration can show its justified.

It looks like the Democratic Congress is going to confront Bush in Iraq. That's great news.

Delegate Bobo's Environmental Bill Pick's up Momentum

More good news!

Another Good Move by the Democratic Congress

They are moving to tighten disclosure rules on earmarks.

I'm really beginning to like what I see of this Congress.

Democrats Confront Bush on Iraq

Urge pullout. It loooks like the Democrats in Congress mean business. Thats good for America, bad for Republicans.

But what will Bush do?

The selection of Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus to serve as the senior American commander in Iraq signals an important turn in United States strategy. As a supporter of increased forces in Iraq, General Petraeus is expected to back a rapid five-brigade expansion, in sharp contrast to his predecessor, Gen. George W. Casey Jr., who has been openly skeptical that additional troops would help stabilize the country.

Meanwhile in Iraq, the NYT reports that Saddam's execution made him a martyr in the eyes of the Sunni Arab world. Oy.

CBS POLL: AMERICANS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT DEMOCRATS; WANT OUT OF IRAQ

It's very clear that the American People think that Iraq is the most important issue facing our nation and that they want out.

The Democrats in Congress have a unique opportunity to both advance the interests of our nation and the Democratic Party by getting us out.

Its going to be a very interesting two years.

Is a Constitutional Showdown Looming?

I've long felt that the Bush Administration has treated our Constitution with contempt. Now with the Democrats in control of Congress and the President's approval rating threatening to sink into the twenties, its likely that the issue will come to a head. Bush is now asserting, without any legal authority, that he has the right to seach mail without a warrant. Meanwhile, the Whitehouse is preparing for a legal confrontation, which has lead to the exit of the "best darn Whitehouse legal counsel ever."

I predict these are the first inklings of a big story.

So there Will Be a Senior Tax Cut Task Force After All

So there's still hope of repealing (or fixing) this awful regressive tax cut. (Here's another take). Thats good, because we have a school system with unmet needs and we need to find 53 million dollars a year to set aside for for future health care benefits for county employees, at least if we want to keep our excellent bond rating.

AP POLL: AMERICANS SUPPORT DEMOCRATIC AGENDA

Are happy days here again?

An End to Bush's Tax Cuts for the Rich?

The Democrats, in trying to bring some sanity to the fiscal mess created by six years of Republican mismanagement and corruption, are eying Bush's tax cuts for the rich. If you thought the Senior Tax Cut got under my skin, you should have seen me back when these were enacted. Let's hope the Democrats roll back these reverse-Robin Hood measures.

Pelosi Fundraiser: $1000 a Deadhead

Hmm.

On Thursday night, Mrs. Pelosi is having a $1,000-a-head fund-raiser with performances by Tony Bennett, Carole King, Wyclef Jean and the surviving members of the Grateful Dead. “Ms. Pelosi is a huge Dead fan,” her spokeswoman said.

Sometimes One Line Tells it All

A Bush administration official admits that the surge plan is motivated by political rather than military considerations.

Somethings you just don't play politics with. One of which is the lives of our people in the military. Oy!

Dana Milbank

Writes a good column on the Republican's chutzpah. Isn't it amazing how the Republicans can now demand that the new Democratic majority give the new Republican minority all the rights that Republicans had denied Democrats for years?

Ethics

The Post writes about Speaker Pelosi's plans for ethics reform.

Senator Obama proposes an independent ethics commission, in this OpEd appearing in today's Post.

Here's the NYTimes take.

Good things are happening, lets hope the Republicans and Joe Lieberman types don't muck it up.

Could this Be A Good Sign?

Bush adopts the Democrats' goal of balancing the budget. Hopefully, he learned something from Clinton. I'm all for balancing the budget, but I hope they don't try to go too fast in a slowing economy. That could cause a recession.

And can we trust Bush?

Democrats Unveil a Real Energy Policy

From the Post:

House Democrats are crafting an energy package that would roll back billions of dollars worth of oil drilling incentives, raise billions more by boosting federal royalties paid by oil and gas companies for offshore production, and plow the money into new tax breaks for renewable energy sources, congressional sources said yesterday.

Its nice to have the grown-ups in charge again.

CNN POLL: DEMOCRATIC AGENDA HAS BROAD SUPPORT

A new CNN poll shows that the Democratic Agenda has deep and broad support amongst the American public.

Don't Miss

This post by Hayduke. Hayduke points out that green building methods save money in the long run. Meanwhile, Evan Coren reports from Manhattan on his field research into building heights.

Another Ulman Appointment

Has close ties to O'Malley.

Gansler Sworn In As Attorney General

Vows to fight for the Chesapeake.

This will be interesting.

Torture American Style

Shame on us.

A New Congress

Begins tomorrow. I expect its relationship with the President will be interesting and unfortunately, unproductive. The President will most likely try to block any efforts at real progress. That's too bad, if Bush would work with the Democratic Congress to get something done, it might remove some of the tarnish from his legacy.

Anyway, its shaping up to be interesting. CNN has this take on the relationship. The Times writes that Bush is trying to regain the initiative. The Post Reports that Bush is promising to balance the Budget . . . in 2012, six years after he leaves office. It its an interesting read with lots of choice nuggets, like this:

He went on to tout his economic policies, which he said have "allowed us to meet our goal of cutting the budget deficit in half three years ahead of schedule."

Hmm, he's bragging about fixing a problem he caused in the first place. And of course he's lying about it too:

The claim that the federal budget deficit has been cut in half stems from the administration's original projection of a $512 billion deficit for 2004, a number that critics have said was inflated, especially since the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) was forecasting $477 billion at the time.

Meanwhile Bush blames everyone but himself for the mess. But who invaded Iraq? And what about the Bush tax cuts for the very rich?

Some economists also have charged that Bush has claimed unwarranted credit for his tax cuts, which they say have cost the Treasury more in lost revenue than has been gained from their economic stimulus effect.

According to Alan D. Viard, a former Bush White House economist who joined the American Enterprise Institute, "Federal revenue is lower today than it would have been without the tax cuts. There's really no dispute among economists about that."

Viard said in October there was "no evidence" that Bush's tax cuts come anywhere close to paying for themselves, a conclusion shared by economists at the Treasury Department and the nonpartisan CBO, Washington Post staff writer Lori Montgomery reported.

The Congressional Research Service has estimated that economic growth fueled by the tax cuts is likely to generate revenue worth about 7 percent of their total cost, which amounts to about $1.1 trillion since 2001.

Bad Economic News

Real Estate is expected to stay weak in 2007.

The Hipocracy is Simply Stunning

From the same people who threatened to use the "Nuclear Option." One thing they don't lack is chutzpah.

Congressman Virgil Goode's Bigoted OpEd in USA Today

Oy!

Joe Leiberman is Plain Wrong Again

He thinks we should send more troops to Iraq. Joe, remember Vietnam?

The Democrats Need to Produce Results

Or else, E.J. Dionne correctly asserts.

Excuse Me, But the American Public Chose the Democrats to Run Congress

The Post thinks the Democrats should share power with the Republicans in the House. That would result in gridlock, for which the Democrats would get blamed.

Interesting Article on Speaker Pelosi's Local Roots

From the San Francisco Chronicle .

Can a Senator Win the Presidency?

This article comparing Obama and Clinton's senate voting records also asks that question.

This article discussing the two senators discusses a more sinister question.

A Must Read on the Healthcare Crisis

From the New York Times:

WHAT is the most pressing problem facing the economy? A good case can be made for the developing health care crisis. Soaring costs, growing ranks of uninsured and a steady erosion of corporate health benefits add up to a giant drag on the nation’s future prosperity.

The article goes on to argue that single payer health insurance would be a boon for the economy. A point I (and many others) have been making for a long time. Too bad it's unlikely to happen soon. Why is this?

There’s only one catch. Most Americans just don’t believe it can be done. The health care crisis may turn out to be more of a problem of ideology than economics.

Yet Another Democratic Contender?

Sen. Chris Dodd.

Happy New Year!

A Tragic Milestone

3,000 American Military Personnel dead because of George W. Bush's horrific blunder.

Now go out and party. Oy.

Its Not that Often that David Keelan and fineline Agree

But read this post from David's blog. It reveals a key (perhaps the key) issue facing HoCo.

Now do you see why the Senior Tax Cut gets under my skin?

Update: I don't agree with every thing David says in the Post. I most definitely am Not in favor of cutting back on the County Executive's transportation and security details or cutting any county-provided services. I think we have to bite the bullet and raise taxes. Of course I believe any tax increases should be progressive in nature. But David does draw attention to an important issue. I guess there had to be a catch.;-)

George W. Bush's Invasion of Iraq: the Worst Thing to Happen to the United States (and Iraq) Since Slavery?

Read this Op-Ed by Richard Clark on some of the hidden costs of the Iraq War. Its definitely thought provoking and worrisome.

The question's are (1) what can the Democrats do to get us out of Iraq and (2) what will the Democrats try to do about Iraq?

It doesn't take a genius to see that the American People sent a strong unambiguous message to Washington in November: get us out of Iraq and clean up the corruption. Did our leaders get the message?

If the Democrats succeed in cleaning up the ethical mess and getting us out of Iraq, they will win big in 2008 and for a while thereafter. If they don't . . .

A Good Start for the Ulman Administration

Our new Housing Director, Stacy Spann, looks like a very promising choice.

One of the most important functions of a County Executive is to choose, and then manage, a good executive team. County Executive Ulman hit a home run here. Knowing that we have this kind of talent working on development and housing issues is reassuring.

A Bumper Sticker I Saw

"Be nice to America or we will bring democracy to your nation too."

There's a New Blogger in Town

Freemarket. Welcome to the HoCo Blogosphere.

Freemarket asks a good question: Is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) "good for us?" Freemarket prefaces his question with the following commentary:

When the FDA makes a mistake, one of two things will happen. Either a drug that is harmful will be approved, or a drug that is beneficial will be delayed or unapproved for use. Both of these mistakes will cost lives, but which would the FDA be more fearful of? Surely litigation and sullied reputation would be strong incentives for the FDA not to approve a drug that hurts people, but these same fears of litigation and embarrassment impact the behaviors of the drug companies as well. For this type of mistake, I doubt that the FDA adds much to the protections already in place by the legal system and the market. However, when the FDA delays or rejects a drug that is beneficial or the regulations of the FDA makes drug research so expensive that rare diseases are not worked on by drug companies, who bears the cost of this mistake, and who even knows about it? The sick who could have been helped have no knowledge of the harm caused to them by the FDA.

I respectfully dissent Freemarket. First, Freemarket assumes that the legal system and marketplace will both work to ensure a supply of safe and effective drugs. In theory, that is correct. However, there is no real world evidence to support this theory. On the other hand, the state of affairs that existed before the creation of the FDA is proof positive that the legal system and "freemarket" were insufficient to protect consumers (and legitimate business people too, who had to compete with the corner cutters too). I've been working in the legal profession and in goverment(s) for over 20 years now, and I would trust Government Bureaucrats over the legal system any day to protect my safety. (In my opinion, Government bureaucrats are unfairly maligned). Since safety is an externality, it can't be trusted to the "freemarket." (The quotation marks are used to indicate my doubt that truly free markets exist often in the real world, rather than any personal distrust of our newest blogger). Who would you rather have judge the merits and safety of a drug: a jury of twelve people off the street or pharmaceutical experts? Did the legal system stop the marketing of tobacco and asbestos?

Second, no drug is completely safe and completely effective. What is important is that any drug's side effects are well understood and that their effectiveness is throughly tested before being placed in the market place. And its important that there be a unbiased referee to make these judgments in an impartial, objective and fair manner. One of the reasons the question posed by Freemarket is a good one, is that the FDA no longer functions as originally intended, its become over politicized and a pawn of the Pharmaceutical Industry.

Its actually pretty rare that the FDA rejects a drug thats been submitted by the pharmaceutical industry (most of the bad drugs are dropped by the companies who don't want to waste money and potential liability on drugs that have a long shot at FDA approval).

It rankles me to read the line about FDA approval costs causing the lack of drugs for rare diseases. Are you aware that the Pharmaceutical Industry is the most profitable major (legal) industry out there? Whats wrong with requiring a drug to be throughly tested before its marketed? Could the fact that rare diseases don't get the needed research be that the potential market is so small? Could it be that this is just one more example of why the free market can't be trusted to do everything?

And can you name a single drug that has been pulled from the market, by the FDA, because of a single death?

I'm not saying that the FDA is perfect or even operating in an acceptable manner. I do think that the United States needs to have a fair and effective program regulating the safety of pharmaceuticals.

It Looks Like the Regressive Senior Tax Cut is Here to Stay

For at least a year anyway.

Its time for fineline's first Personal Ad:

Former Councilman and County Executive candidate is seeking hot senior citizen (over 69) with less than $75,000 per annum income for short courtship and then marriage (must take place by June 1, 2007).

Delegate Bobo Sponsors Important Environmental Legislation

It would be great for the State and for the Bay if this bill becomes law.

The bill, which will be sponsored by Del. Elizabeth Bobo, a Howard County Democrat, would bring Maryland in line with standards originally adopted in California for limiting releases of three known or suspected cancer-causing chemicals.

Of course the coast is not clear:

The so-called Clean Cars Program is expected to face continued resistance from the auto industry.

I'll be watching this bill. It might just save your life.

Brad Heavner, director of Environment Maryland and a veteran environmental lobbyist, said at a news conference at Sinai Hospital that a new report by his group shows the cancer risk associated with the three chemicals is 40 times higher in Maryland than the federal Environmental Protection Agency's benchmark.

It's Offical!

John Edwards joins race.

A UMBC Professor with National Reputation has some Interesting Advice for Democrats

Thomas F. Schaller says ignore the south.

I think he's right that we don't need the south to win. I also agree that by trying to cater to southern voters, the Democrats could alienate their northern, mid-western and western bases.

But I wouldn't stop trying to win over the South. They are not hopeless.

A Sobering Article on Iraq

Too bad the evil clowns won't read it. Juan Cole has been right about Iraq all along, his predictions have been right on target.

R.I.P. President Gerald Ford

While I often disagreed with his policies, I always liked and respected President Ford. He was a man of integrity and decency. Unfortunately, people like him are all too rare in today's politics.

On the Local HoCo Scene

County Executive Ulman continues to put his team in place. Councilmember Watson submits her first bill: a solution to a problem I didn't know we had. The local blogosphere is very quiet. The calm before the storm?

Sunshine Is the Best Disinfectant

A famous quote from Justice Louis Brandeis. The Bush Administration has been of the opposite view. Of course, if I were Bush, I wouldn't want anyone to know how badly I am messing things up. TPM Muckraker documents the atrocities. A very sad era in American History.

Is the Housing Slump Already Over?

That would be a very fast recovery and excellent news. Still, I'm a bit skeptical.

Sad News!

President Ford passes.

Will Bush take hint on Iraq?

Alas, we all know, sadly, the answer is no.

What about Congress? Have they got the hint?

I'm Shocked

Just shocked to find corruption in the Bush Administration. Who'da knew?

Its Good to See

That our new Governor and County Executive have a good relationship.

That should be good for the County.

If you haven't seen "An Inconvenient Truth"

Here's your chance (If you live in HoCo).

Biden Opposes Iraq "Surge" Plan

It's rare that. Joe Biden gets good press at fineline, but he's earned a little.

Whenever I read or hear about this surge plan, I'm reminded of Vietnam. Its Deja Vu all over again. You would think that at least McCain would remember Vietnam. The other Republicans all had "more important things" to do.

Reccession on the Horizon?

This is going to complicate things.

The Bush/Delay Chickens coming home to roost?

GM Opposes Raising the CAFE Standards

Dependence on Oil/Global warming v. Protecting American Manufacturers?

More Inconveinent Truth

An inhabited island is swallowed by the rising ocean. Scary and its supposedly a sign of things to come.

Bush is Lawyering Up!

No big surprise, let's hope he choses poorly.

Bad Economic News

I'm seeing several signs of an economic slowdown. This year's holiday retail sales were a bit disappointing. Big budget cuts won't help. Cutting the budget during a recession can turn a recession into a depression. Ask Herbert Hoover.

U.S. military death toll in Iraq exceeds number of deaths in 9/11 attacks

A sad headline that speaks for itself. Why are we governed by evil clowns?

Is Iran's Oil Production Falling?

This is one of those very important articles that no one reads or pays attention to. But the issues discussed could have major ramifications for our economy and national security. Declining Iranian petroleum production could have an important effect on future crude oil prices, explains Iran's interest in civilian nuclear power and could affect Iran's ability to build the bomb (and its interest in doing so). Too bad Bush won't read it.

A New War

Merry Christmas!

Interesting Article on the Democrats' Congressional Agenda

This article contains a lot of Interesting information. The agenda, according to the Post:

Determined to banish their old tax-and-spend image, Democrats want to shrink the federal deficit, preserve tax cuts for the middle class and challenge the president to raise money for the Iraq war when they take control of Congress next week. (emphasis supplied).

That first line bugs me. The Democrats have a tax and spend image? Has anyone at the Post been reading thier own paper? That's not the only disturbing item in this article. It states:

The incoming Democratic chairmen of the House and Senate Budget committees . . . reiterated a commitment not to cut off funding for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The only way the Democrats can get us out of Iraq is by cutting off funding. Thats what got us out of Vietnam, by the way. So, it looks like we are there to stay. Another key paragraph from the article:

[Democratic leaders] said they would aim to balance the budget by 2012, a goal that could anger liberal Democrats eager for new spending on domestic programs and conservative Republicans determined to preserve the tax cuts passed during Bush's first term.

Without this stupid war . . . . Anyway read this article. If you want to know whats really happening in Washington, always follow the money. One final paragraph bears emphasis as well:

Democrats say they will cover that cost by ending tax breaks on foreign profits of U.S. businesses, closing corporate tax shelters, cutting subsidies to oil and gas companies and giving the federal government authority to negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare. They would also tap the vast amount of uncollected tax revenue known as the tax gap, which has been projected at $300 billion a year.

Merry Christmas

Say some prayers for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lets hope they are spending their next Christmas here with their families.

Some Pork is Nutritious

The Democrat's moratorium on earmarks is not all good. In fact, it might be a bit arbitrary and political suicide.

Bush Administration's Foreign Policy is a Sheer Disaster

And this article is not even about Iraq.

Think Twice Before Contributing to the United Way

These cuts are going to really hurt some of our community's most vulnerable people, like those served by the ARC.

Ken is wise to consider discontinuing the County's participation in the United Way.

While I'm upset about the rich Senior tax break

Much worse is happening.

The regressive tax break won't end the world.

Yet, the world just ended for five American troops and their families.

If the Democrats don't fight to get us out of Iraq . . .

American Auto Manufacturers Once Dominated the Industry

Now, they are in danger of becoming extinct.

Interestingly, the American Car Industry has always done better with Democrats in the Whitehouse, but of course they have always supported the Republicans.