lie? no--merely a "literary device"

From the Progress Report: "'Displaying a shocking indifference to women's rights, 6 Democrats and 45 Republicans confirmed Bush nominee James Leon Holmes to a lifetime appointment on the federal bench in Arkansas. Holmes, a Little Rock attorney who supports a constitutional amendment banning abortion, once wrote that 'concern for rape victims is a red herring because conceptions from rape occur with approximately the same frequency as snowfall in Miami.' Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) noted that '30,000 American girls and women become pregnant each year from rape or incest.' But Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) was unconcerned, saying Holmes's callous remark about rape victims was 'a literary device called exaggeration for effect.' "

bush vs. edwards

Salon's War Room has a great comparison of the Bush & Edwards experience. Both in elected office for about the same time (6 years), but before that one was a failed businessman and the other a wildly successful lawyer.

so much for the hillary conspiracies

One of the best parts about the Edwards pick is that it puts paid to all those hillary conspiracies. No, Hillary was not the VP pick. No, Hillary did not successfully scheme for a weak VP choice who would be no match for her in 2012. Aw, too bad.

Or maybe I spoke too soon. Already I've been hearing speculation that H will have Edwards killed, or that she will simply upset the convention and declare herself the candidate. Sheesh, nuttery knows no bounds. But still, let them scare themselves with stupid bugaboos.

mccain embraces bush

Josh Marshall doesn't think much of this Bush ad, at least in terms of undercutting the Edwards announcement. But I think its a pretty effective ad. If McCain doesn't say something in the few days to pull back, I think Bush/Cheney would be nuts not to run it on TV.

I'm listening to a CBS affiliate radio station, and all the news is GOP response to Edwards--bashing both Kerry and Edwards. Washington State GOP chair Chris Vance keeps blathering every half hour how this is "one more instance of flip flopping" by Kerry, based on Kerry saying during the primary that Edwards wasn't experienced enough. Wow. If that's the best they can do, its pretty sad. It just invites comments on things said by Bush Co about McCain.

t-shirt terroristas

On Eschaton, a couple of commenters (tinfoil hattie & john d'oh) had a great idea. At Bush presidential events, instead of wearing an anti-Bush t-shirt, wear a pro-Kerry shirt (or hat or whatever). Then see if they try to give you the bum's rush out. Make sure the local press sees you--maybe even give them a heads up.

Note: I specified presidential visit, because that's where shutting down protests is the most egregious and has the most impact.

However, anytime someone is charged with tresspassing for wearing a shirt with words on it is despicable. There is absolutely no justification for saying someone wearing a protest t-shirt is a terrorist threat--unless they're the stupidest terrorist on the planet.

I really think we'll see this "protest zone" or "free speech zone" go away once a decent case gets to the supreme court. So hurry up already!

un/oil-for-food scandal

Josh Marshall brings things mostly up to date.

A crucial piece of information I hadn't picked up on before is that this whole scandal started with accusations by Ahmed Chalabi. Very nearly enough said.

free speech zones and lawsuits

Looks like Eschaton readers are all over this issue--check out the comments.

One commenter posted the following links re lawsuits:

CNN: Protestor subpoenas Ashcroft, Bush adviser
Economist: In defence of elderly hippies
ACLU Press Release: Secret Service Ordered Local Police to Restrict Anti-Bush Protesters at Rallies, ACLU Charges in Unprecedented Nationwide Lawsuit
CBS: Silencing Voices of Dissent

presidential NOT compaign event

Here's what the West Virginia Gazette-Mail reported yesterday, July 3:

Thousands of people are expected to jam into the north side of the Capitol on Sunday to hear President Bush speak...

Bush's trip is being billed as a presidential trip, not a campaign visit, meaning taxpayers will pay the costs. Gross said the president's speech will focus on the nation's values and leadership role. He will relate it to the state motto of 'Mountaineers are always free", and have a special tribute to the nation's armed forces.Plenty of tickets were made available to members of the state Air and Army National Guard and local military recruiters, Gross said. All members of the Legislature and Charleston City Council got tickets, as well as a number of both entities’ employees.

Other tickets were distributed through community organizations and businesses, Gross said. There have been some complaints about people not being able to obtain tickets, but Gross said the distribution process is the same for most presidential events.

“How local groups decide to distribute their tickets is their prerogative,” he said.

Some tickets might still be available through Capito’s Charleston office. The office got numerous calls Friday from people searching for tickets, said R.C. Hammond, Capito’s spokesman. Capito’s staff members were taking names and calling people when they are assured of a ticket.

“We wish we had more tickets to give out,” Hammond said.

Still, he noted, Bush probably will return to the state more than once before the November election, “so West Virginians will have another shot” to see him.

I don't know what to make of this ticketing situation. But this appearance was NOT a campaign event, and took place on State Capitol grounds.

people removed from public gathering for wearing anti-Bush shirts???

Hey, this could be a major deal: AP: Bush: U.S. Is Safer With Saddam in Prison :

"Two Bush opponents, taken out of the crowd in restraints by police, said they were told they couldn't be there because they were wearing shirts that said they opposed the president. Supporters of Bush's presumed opponent in November's election, Sen. John Kerry, attended a picnic across the street from the capitol at state Democratic Party's headquarters."

Is there more to the story? Were they disruptive in any way?

I understand that political/election rallies can limit people coming in, using tickets and other security measures, which I guess is sort of ok because the campaigns are paying for it, although it still ticks me off.

But was this event a campaign stop or a presidential appearance for July 4? Seems like some further investigation is warranted!

multi-voting?

So if you can afford multiple residences in different states, your vote gets counted over and over? Another revealing letter from Altercation:

"Name: Andrea
Hometown: New York, NY
Speaking of Nader... I was frightened to learn that my ardently conservative father and all his business friends (members of the 200 club) are giving donations to the Nader campaign as a means towards Bush's re-election. My father, as with many wealthy people who hold multiple residences, will be voting twice this year (as he did in the last election in both Florida and Pennsylvania for Bush) as there is no process set in place to check multivoting."