Desperate Measures From A Desperate Party

How times change. A few short years ago the GOP was choking on the money it could raise to finance campaigns, while the Democrats trailed. No more. Faced with plummeting support, a wave of retirements, Minority status, the GOP faces problems on the money side

. Their answer? Recruit rich folk who can finance their own campaigns. People who, no doubt, are oh so well connected with the problems facing the Middle Class. The disapearing class. The party of the rich, by the rich, for the rich. I wonder if Republican organizers are up front with the numbers on self financed campaigns. They are about, oh, 80% unsuccesful. Despeate measures. More below.

Short of Money, G.O.P. Is Enlisting Rich Candidates - New York Times

Time For A Draft

No, not that one. Although debate on that should be hand soon enough, I refer to a movement to draft Wes Clark as the Vice President on the Democratic Party ticket. It makes perfect sense. While many of us believe, and would like to see, his name at the head of the ticket, it appears that is not to be. This time. However, no matter who wins the Partys nod they would be well served to make Clark their choice for running mate. All of the current runners in the race have weaknesses that would be balanced out by Clarks presence. All of them. There seems to be somewhat of an internet groundwell happening towards that now. Twice today I came across referances/links to Draft Clark petitions. Here's one here...on Taylor Marsh's site. More on the other later. And more on this subject later.

Draft Wesley Clark for Vice President! Petition : [ powered by iPetitions.com ]

Lying Low

Senator Vitter ( R-La) problems bubbled up to the surface again

this week. After a concerted efort to lie low the last few months, especially during the Larry Craig furor, the man who has become the poster boy of GOP hypocrisy is once again in the news. Vitter has claimed to be working hard on his constituents interests. Just how effective he has been is discussed in the link to the WaPo below.

The Sleuth

The Price. And The New Draft.

A lot has been written on the plight of returning veterans. In fact, just this week we saw the revelation that up to 25% of the homeless are veterans. The failures of Walter Reed have been documented. And they are likely representitive of the systemic problems. After all, if the flagship hospital can be rife with problems, what does that say for the potential shortfalls of the outlying areas? But the burden seems to have fallen, to a disturbing degree, on

one sector of the military in particular. The reservists. The National Guard and
reservists have been carrying much of the burden of this war and it appears the numbers are reflecting that. The reasons for this are many. Going away---and coming back, far from the same support stucture that exists in he Regular Army is one reason. It leads to a disconnect from those who havn't been and a small peer structure. This war has been fought on the backs of the Reserves and Guard and given little back in support. Officially, there is no draft. Unofficially there is. And the Reserves are it. In WW2 and Korea the Reserves, of course, were the first called up. In Viet Nam they became the place to avoid the draft. Now they are it. Numbers below.

The War's Mental Toll on Reservists - TIME

At Long Last, A Device That The World Needs!


I have a confession to make. I am one of those, and there doesn't seem to be many, who absolutly despise cell phones. In fact, I have even been known to say they are responsible for the downfall of civilization. Perhaps an exageration, but they certainly cause an awful lot of uncivilized behaviour. Nonetheless, I personally am sick of the public cacophany of inane onesided conversations, not to mention being interupted by some jackass taking a call at an entirly inappropriate time. And, as a driver examiner, don't even get me started on drivers with those infernal devices glued to their heads and absorbing their attention.

Now, there may be relief at hand. Literally. Some companies are offering up cell phone jammers that block the signal nearby. Just think of it..... " Can you hear me now?, can you hear me now? And they can't! Ohhhh the satisfaction! Just a caution..... apparently they are illegal. But that is just a technicality. I'm buying one. And if you are interested, check the link below for more info. In fact, if you are really interested I have a link to a company that makes 'em. Just leave a comment and I will forward....

Devices Enforce Cellular Silence, Sweet but Illegal - New York Times