August 5-7, 2007
Aug 05 02:37 House Approves Wiretap Bill Aug 06 11:44 This Is What 'Transparency' Looks Like? Aug 06 15:30 Sen. Murphy: "Another Collapse Is Likely" Aug 07 02:11 Murtha: Ethics Reform is "Pure Crap" Aug 07 10:18 Let the Blame Game Begin Aug 07 22:04 Pfeilsticker Heading For Defeat? Aug 07 23:32 I Thought the Gas Tax Increase Was Inevitable
Prior Months: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Prior Years: 2006
House Approves Wiretap Bill
That's the title of this AP article, written by former Washington Post writer Charles Babington. The good news is that the bill now goes to President Bush, who will sign it into law. The bad news is that 183 representatives voted against it.
The administration said the measure is needed to speed the National Security Agency's ability to intercept phone calls, e-mails and other communications involving foreign nationals "reasonably believed to be outside the United States." Civil liberties groups and many Democrats said it goes too far, possibly enabling the government to wiretap U.S. residents communicating with overseas parties without adequate oversight from courts or Congress.This is great news for Americans because it's good news for the NSA. According to this Reuters article, the legislation gives the Bush administration the authority it was seeking:
The bill updates the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, known as FISA. It gives the government leeway to intercept, without warrants, communications between foreigners that are routed through equipment in United States, provided that "foreign intelligence information" is at stake. Bush describes the effort as an anti-terrorist program, but the bill is not limited to terror suspects and could have wider applications, some lawmakers said.
The government long has had substantial powers to intercept purely foreign communications that don't touch U.S. soil.
The measure would authorize the National Security Agency to intercept without a court order communications between people in the United States and foreign targets overseas.President Bush has been calling on congress to pass this bill before the House left for their August recess. Late Saturday night, they gave President Bush what he's been asking for. Here are the representatives who voted against giving President Bush the tools to intercept terrorists' communications:
NAYS 183 : Abercrombie, Ackerman, Allen, Andrews, Arcuri, Baca, Baird, Baldwin, Berkley, Berman, Berry, Bishop (GA), Bishop (NY), Blumenauer, Boucher, Boyda (KS), Brady (PA), Braley (IA), Brown, Corrine, Butterfield, Capps, Capuano, Cardoza, Carnahan, Carson, Castor, Cleaver, Clyburn, Cohen, Conyers, Costello, Courtney, Crowley, Cummings, Davis (CA), Davis (IL), DeFazio, DeGette, DeLauro, Dicks, Dingell, Doggett, Doyle, Ellison, Emanuel, Engel, Eshoo, Farr, Fattah, Filner, Frank (MA), Giffords, Gillibrand, Gonzalez, Green, Al, Green, Gene, Grijalva, Gutierrez, Hall(NY), Hare, Harman, Hastings (FL), Hinchey, Hirono, Hodes, Holden, Holt, Honda, Hooley, Hoyer, Inslee, Israel, Jackson (IL), Jackson-Lee (TX), Jefferson, Johnson(GA), Johnson (IL) , Johnson, E. B., Jones (NC) , Jones (OH), Kagen, Kanjorski, Kaptur, Kennedy, Kildee, Kind, Kucinich, Langevin, Larsen (WA), Larson (CT), Lee, Levin, Lewis (GA), Loebsack, Lofgren, Zoe, Lowey, Lynch, Mahoney (FL), Maloney (NY), Markey, Matsui, McCarthy (NY), McCollum (MN), McDermott, McGovern, McNerney, McNulty, Meek (FL), Meeks (NY), Michaud, Miller (NC), Miller, George, Mollohan, Moore (KS), Moore (WI), Moran (VA), Murphy (CT), Murphy, Patrick, Murtha, Nadler, Napolitano, Neal (MA), Oberstar, Obey, Olver, Ortiz, Pallone, Pascrell, Pastor, Payne, Pelosi, Perlmutter, Price (NC), Rahall, Rangel, Reyes, Rothman, Roybal-Allard, Ruppersberger, Rush, Ryan (OH), Sanchez, Linda T., Sanchez, Loretta, Sarbanes, Schakowsky, Schiff, Schwartz, Scott (GA), Scott (VA), Serrano, Sestak, Shea-Porter, Sherman, Sires, Slaughter, Smith (WA), Solis, Spratt, Stark, Stupak, Sutton, Tauscher, Thompson (CA), Thompson (MS), Tierney, Towns, Udall (CO), Udall (NM), Van Hollen, Velazquez, Visclosky, Wasserman Schultz, Waters, Watson, Watt, Waxman, Weiner, Welch (VT), Wexler, Woolsey, Wu, Wynn, Yarmuth.Republicans voting against are in bold print.
These are people who didn't make our nation's safety their top priority. That's inexcusable at any time but it's especially inexcusable when intel might prevent another terrorist attack, whether that's a terrorist attack here in the United States or whether it's a terrorist in Iraq.
Posted Sunday, August 5, 2007 9:54 AM
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This Is What 'Transparency' Looks Like?
This Bloomberg article rips the new 'reform' bill just passed by Congress. As well it should. Here's how they're ripping the legislation:
For example, the House Appropriations Committee provides the information in reports available online, although they aren't searchable by keyword. What's more, details about the projects are scattered throughout the documents. While the names of the earmarks and their sponsors are typically listed in the back of the reports, the amount of money provided for them is listed elsewhere, forcing inquiring minds to go on a laborious scavenger hunt.These clowns work for us. When we demand transparency and ethical behavior, they'd better deliver. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee method of making earmark requests 'available' sounds very secretive. It's difficult to imagine a more twisted way of making earmarks transparent.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee makes its earmark request letters available only by appointment. Researchers must take notes, because the committee doesn't allow the public to make photocopies of the letters.
In fact, a cynical person might think that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is making it difficult because they're trying to make it difficult. Considering the amount of earmarks for bridges, roads, etc., it's perfectly reasonable to think that that's exactly their goal.
The truth is that we won't have transparency until the earmarks are their own amendment to the bill that they're going into. We should demand that the earmarks list the earmark's author and the amount spent on the earmark be the first two lines of the request. We should further require that the earmarks be part of each department's website. All it would take is a tab on each committee's website. The title of that tab should be 'Earmarks'. The database should include which bill the earmarks will be part of.
That would be real transparency.
Another of Pelosi's earmarks was $2.5 million to Bioquiddity, Inc., a San Francisco biotech company with nine employees, to continue developing drug-infusion pumps. Bioquiddity President Josh Kriesel, who ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the state legislature in 2002, has donated $6,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee since last September. The company received a total of $3.9 million in earmarks in the last two years. Kriesel declined to comment directly on the earmarks.On second thought, let's rename that tab "Re-election Slush Fund." Another viable name for that tab would be the 'quid pro quo register'. Is it any wonder why Americans think so ill of politicians? With this type of legalized corruption, why should we think that our taxes will be spent wisely?
It isn't unreasonable to think that the money spent on buying votes for re-election should've been spent on fixing bridges and expanding our interstate system. Politicians who whine about the cost of the Iraq war are the biggest earmark abusers in the House. The loudest critic of the war has been John Murtha. He's also the 'king' of the 'earmark championships '. Ms. Pelosi isn't far behind.
Pelosi and Murtha aren't the only troublemakers:
The House version of the annual defense-spending bill, for example, includes many such requests. Representative Peter Visclosky, an Indiana Democrat, has 28 earmarks in the bill. Five are for colleges or the Indiana National Guard. The rest are for companies, including 11 outside his state or district. He declined to comment.I haven't tracked down the specifics of those earmarks outside his district but I don't think I'm going out on a limb in saying that they're likely going to companies that have contributed to Rep. Visclosky's campaigns.
"It baffles me how people can complain bitterly about Halliburton and no-bid contracts and then lard up a bill with literally thousands of earmarks to companies when that's all they are, no-bid contracts," says Representative Jeff Flake, an Arizona Republican, referring to criticism of the Bush administration's sole-source contract with the Houston-based company during the Iraq war. Flake is noted for not requesting earmarks and publicizing those of his colleagues.Ouch. That accusation will leave a mark.
Flake's dissatisfaction is reflected in public-opinion polls. A June 7-10 Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times poll found 62 percent of 1,056 registered voters said Democrats in Congress were governing in a "business as usual" manner. Thirty percent said Democrats were working to bring about fundamental change.Considering the fact that Democrats promised to be change agents, this poll isn't good news. The NRCC should run a series of ads against vulnerable Democrats. The first set should be titled the 'Quid pro quo Democrats'; another should be called the 'Do Almost Nothing Democrats'. The other one should be called the 'business as usual Democrats'.
It seems to me that those ads would be devastating in highlighting the Democrats' lack of will to implement real change. It's also a great vehicle in highlighting the system of corruption that they have.
Posted Monday, August 6, 2007 11:45 AM
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Sen. Murphy: "Another Collapse Is Likely"
State Sen. Steve Murphy told Fox News that another bridge collapse is likely. (H/T: MDE) Here's what Sen. Murphy said:
"We're going to have to swallow the bitter pill, take the political hit and raise these revenues," Murphy said, adding that another bridge collapse "is a likelihood, and we don't want that."Sen. Murphy has a penchant for saying ridiculous things. Here's my favorite Murphyism:
"I'm not trying to fool anybody," said Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, sponsor of the measure that would increase funding for roads and transit by $1.5 billion a year once it was fully implemented in the next decade. "There's a lot of taxes in this bill."Here's another 'golden oldie':
"Everything is fun and games until someone gets an eye poked out, and the governor just poked out my eye by vetoing this bill," said Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing. "I think that is a clear indication he wants a train wreck at the end of session. He wants the Legislature to fail, and he wants to blame us."Taking anything Sen. Murphy says seriously is foolish. Saying that Sen. Murphy has a penchant for hyperbole is akin to saying that Al Gore uses hyperbole or that the Clintons are expert spinmeisters. In other words, these are the rule, not the exception.
Originally posted Monday, August 6, 2007, revised 04-Apr 2:56 AM
Comment 1 by Bob the Mason at 07-Aug-07 03:16 AM
So sad. Your posts are like the rantings of a deranged monkey screaming that the sky is green. When you can't face the facts you ridicule the person.
You should read "What's the matter with Kansas" to see how your Fox-news-viewing habits have filtered out actual facts and been replaced by outright craziness.
Here's a fact. Your Bush-republican tax cuts combined with your bush-republican desire to funnel as much money as possible to cronies have seriously weakened the infrastructure of our country.
If anti-infrastructure people like you were in power years ago we would have never eliminated Polio. Never reversed "tragedy of the commons" issues with delivery of electricity and water and other infrastructure that is critical for a successful country.
But it doesn't matter what facts you are presented with - people like you will just ridicule any person who tries to tell you the sky is not green. Who will discount everything that a person says because they aren't blessed by a Bush crony. And that's just pathetic.
Comment 2 by Gary Gross at 07-Aug-07 09:14 AM
Bob, Try using your brain once in awhile. As near as I can tell, Sen. Murphy is grandstanding. That's why he conditioned his statement by saying it's likely that another bridge will collapse. What proof did he offer to back up his opinion? That's right. He didn't.
The truth of it is that Steve Murphy's priorities are screwed up. His 'increase taxes first' position, backed up by his lack of advocacy for fixing roads & bridges, say that he wasn't concerned about bridge repair.
That's why I said that he doesn't have any credibility. That's why I'll stand by my statements.
Murtha: Ethics Reform is "Pure Crap"
That isn't me stating my opinion. That's a quote from this Norm Ornstein article. Mr. Ornstein is a liberal but he's a good government liberal, much in the same vein as Mort Kondracke. In other words, he's the type of guy that you'll disagree with but respect. Here's the key section of Mr. Ornstein's article:
Republicans are still viewed harshly, but Democrats are not seen as much better. The do-nothing Congress charge is back, this time proclaimed by Republicans who show no visible discomfort at their hypocrisy after their own reign of inaction. Ditto their complaints of Democrats' insensitivity to ethical standards, which follow the indictment on bribery charges of a prominent House Democrat, William Jefferson, and the complaint by an even more prominent Democrat, John Murtha, that ethics reform is "pure crap."The last thing John Murtha will vote for is genuine ethics reform. It's a matter of public record that he's one of the sleaziest, most unethical politicians in our nation's history. He's essentially the ruler of his military earmark 'kingdom'. He's earmarked funds, which are essentially no-bid contracts, to his friends who comprise the military infrastructure. In return, he's received millions of dollars worth of campaign contributions.
People will say that that isn't any different than Texas or Oklahoma legislators getting campaign contributions from oil companies. I'd strongly disagree with that. Politicians in both parties from those states believes in the use of oil products. John Murtha couldn't care less about using the military hardware. He's only interested in it to the extent that his position can buy him more power. That's a slim distinction but it's one worth making.
Asking Murtha or any other longtime legislator to vote for legislation that limits their ability to buy votes with pork is as difficult as getting real campaign finance reform. In that instance, what they voted for was best described as the Incumbents Protection Act.
Having politicians write the rules that they have to live by will automatically cause them to write the rules in a very lenient manner. It's utterly predictable.
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2007 2:12 AM
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Let the Blame Game Begin
If you've ever wondered what outsiders are thinking about our politicians, this email says everything that needs to be known:
My wife, Karen, and I lived in Minneapolis, MN for 12 years. Three of our seven kids were born in the Twin Cities. I began my sales and training career there and QBQ! came to be in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. We love Minnesota. So we are feeling deep sadness over its recent tragedy. In fact, one of our client firms, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, lost a beloved team member. Our hearts are heavy.To be fair, Minnesota's congressional delegation in Washington has worked in unison on this. We should be proud of their unity in this instance. That said, plenty of liberals here in Minnesota have attempted to pile blame onto Gov. Pawlenty, the Taxpayers' League and Republicans in general. Not surprisingly, Nick Coleman was one of the first to direct blame on Republicans.
But I am discouraged over what's happening now politically. And sadly, what is occurring is so predictable and deeply woven into the fabric of our society, we hardly notice it. Right after of the collapse of the I-35W bridge into the Mississippi River, one Minnesota politician made a statement that was naive at best and gratuitous and false at worst. She said, "Bridges should not fall down in America!"
Huh? Really? Wow. It's always been my understanding that we live in an imperfect world with imperfect people who build imperfect things. And the truth is, things break. Tragic, but true.
Another politician in Washington, D.C made this statement: "We need to get to the bottom of this!" The bottom of what? There was no malice here. No person anywhere wanted this to happen.
These statements from our supposed leaders only have one aim: To initiate the Blame Game so they can score points against a political opponent. And it follows that if we buy into their propositions that human-made things shouldn't fail and we must find culprits, then the only choice left is to ask lousy questions such as, "Who made the mistake?" "Who allowed the bridge to crumble?" and "Who didn't fund the transportation bill?!"
But is acrimony, discord, and finger-pointing really what Minnesota and the United States need right now? Will this game of blame breed anything more than discontent, anger, and bitterness in those who have been impacted by this tragedy? Won't it simply leave the grieving stuck and unable to move forward? And isn't it all just a precursor to the legal suits that will soon follow?
When we look back, we'll all know it began with our elected officials setting the tone and leading the way by failing to remember or care that modeling is the most powerful of all teachers.
And what's odd is everyone I know will say, "Yes, blame is a bad thing!" and yet we continue to elect people who cannot wait to play gotcha. It's what many do best. Two years after a once-in-every-100-years storm swept over a city built below sea level, our two party political system and the media are still engaging in the whodunits. I often wonder what would've happened in September of 2005 if ninety million American adults had asked one simple question after Katrina: "What can I do right now to contribute?" I bet every home would be rebuilt, every pantry would be stocked, and every child would have new clothes.
I hope this time Minnesota will rise above what's become the accepted norm in our society. By ceasing the finger-pointing and recognizing the truth that all problems are in the past and solutions are now, we can work together to ensure a better future for us all. And then going forward when something breaks, we can stop asking, "Who broke it?" and start asking, "How can I help?" The answers that come may be good things like saying a prayer, hugging a friend, collaborating to solve real problems, and simply being thankful for every moment of this precious temporal journey we're all on called life.
So come on, Minnesota, we're pullin' for you to show the rest of us how to live. And once you've lead us through this tough time, let's all practice some personal accountability in this country by firing the blamers we put into office and find some real leaders.
Anybody with me?
By: John G. Miller, Author of QBQ! and Flipping the Switch
Unfortunately, the usual DFL hacks have sought to blame Republicans before it's known what caused last week's tragedy. Minnesotans should recognize this for what it is: an attempt to use tragedy for political gain. Anyone that thinks that people like Nick Coleman cares about solving the highway and bridge problems is kidding themselves. Their political long knives have been out for some time. Nobody's done a better job of highlighting this than Michael Brodkorb. For proof that Democrats sought to make political hay out of this, check out these links:
Rick Olseen
Keith Langseth
Jeff Fecke
Elwyn Tinklenberg
It's time political hacks like Nick Coleman, Jeff Fecke & others to think in terms of doing what's right rather than thinking how they can exploit tragedy for political gain.
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2007 10:19 AM
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Pfeilsticker Heading For Defeat?
That's what it looks like to this blogger. Based on the returns thus far, it looks like Linda Pfeilsticker won't add to the DFL majority in the House.
With 88 percent of the precincts reporting, Steve Drazkowski is leading Education Minnesota darling Pfeilsticker 3,146 to 2,927. Check back for more updates as the evening progresses.
10:05 UPDATE: Things are looking even better for Steve Drazkowski. With 96 percent of the precincts reporting, Steve now holds a 3659 to 3267 lead over Linda Pfeilsticker.
STICK A FORK IN HER UPDATE: With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, Steve Drazkowski has defeated Education Minnesota darling Linda Pfeilsticker 3,762 to 3,333. That's a 53 percent to 47 percent win.
Congratulations, Steve!!! Welcome to the House GOP Caucus. Thanks to the hard work of lots of GOP volunteers, Steve Sviggum's seat stays in GOP hands.
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2007 10:33 PM
Comment 1 by MplsSteve at 07-Aug-07 11:00 PM
This is great! What a relief!
I was not able to get down and campaign in 28B because of work and family commitments.
I communicated with Steve Drazkowski via e-mail and came away assured that he was the freak that the DFL tried their damndest to make him out to be.
Last week, I sent him a check! It was the least I could do given all the money that Education Minnesota poured into this race. I'm glad it worked.
Congrats to Steve Drazkowski and all of his volunteers!
Comment 2 by MplsSteve at 07-Aug-07 11:02 PM
Let me make a small edit to my prior post...
"...and came away assured the he was NOT the freak that the DFL tried..."
Comment 3 by Gary Gross at 07-Aug-07 11:07 PM
Well said MplsSteve.
Congratulations, Draz!!!
Comment 4 by The Lady Logician at 08-Aug-07 07:31 AM
Gotta love the Strib's take on it.
In a race that went down to the wire, Republicans maintained control of the Minnesota House district vacated by departing former Speaker Steve Sviggum on Tuesday, with Steve Drazkowski narrowly defeating DFLer Linda Pfeilsticker in a closely watched special election.
6 points and 4000 votes is narrow?????
LL
Comment 5 by The Lady Logician at 08-Aug-07 09:49 AM
OK - 400.....I had not had my morning coffee when I first read the story.....Dang...
LL
I Thought the Gas Tax Increase Was Inevitable
Less than a week ago, articles abounded saying that a gas tax increase was likely, if not inevitable. In fact, some were saying that the gas tax increase train had left the proverbial station. After this poll, I'd say that train is still sitting at the terminal.
Many politicians have called for the gas tax increase to shore up aging highways and bridges.I just talked with Michael from MDE. We agree on several things. The biggest thing we agree on is that this poll is like a sledgehammer in Gov. Pawlenty's hands. Look at this poll's findings. A solid majority of people are opposed to a gas tax increase. Of those that support a gas tax increase, almost half want it to go up 3-4 cents. In other words, 75 percent of Minnesotans polled said they either favored no gas tax increase or a minimal increase.
"This is really a call to action and this is a duty that we need to fulfill on behalf of the memory of people who've lost their lives," House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher said.
But so far, it appears most Minnesotans don't agree. Fifty-seven percent of people surveyed say the state should not increase the state gas tax. Only 38 percent say it should go up.
Of those who want a gas tax increase, 47 percent would prefer an increase of less than five cents. Another 35 percent say they would pay 5 to 7 cents. But few would pay more.
Earlier tonight, I spoke with Rep. Steve Gottwalt about a possible special session. Specifically, I asked him what he thought the chances were of a special session being called. His emphatic and immediate response was "I certainly hope not."
Based on the things I've heard from other activists and bloggers, I think the debate has turned. I expected the debate to turn but I didn't anticipate it turning this quickly. When I called into the Final Word last Saturday, one of the things we talked about was the likelihood of the debate eventually focusing on spending priorities & inspections. I'd say that's where we're at right now.
Based on this poll's results, I'd say that Maggie Anderson-Kelliher's opinion is a minority opinion. In fact, I'd say she's in a distinct minority.
By the same token, this poll clearly indicates that people want to see a solution-oriented legislature. They want to drive across safe bridges. This isn't a poll that says we can afford inaction. This is a great opportunity for Gov. Pawlenty and the House GOP leadership to show Minnesotans their common sense approach to solving problems. If the GOP follows that pattern and if the Democrats overplay their hand like they usually do, the DFL will find themselves in a bad position for the 2008 election.
Today has been a good day for Minnesota Republicans. Couple this anti-DFL tax increase poll with Steve Drazkowski's solid victory over Education Minnesota's darling Linda Pfeilsticker in Tuesday night's special election and I think you have the start of some positive GOP momentum heading into 2008.
If the DFL misreads their majority status and starts thinking that they can run roughshod over House Republicans, they'll have to contend with our all star goalie before facing an electorate that expects people to work together to solve Minnesota's problems.
If Democrats takes the same 'my way or the highway' approach that it took last winter, they'll squander what little advantage they had going into the 2007 legislative session.
Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2007 11:33 PM
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