Where’s the Outrage?

I would like to wish everyone Republicans, Democrats and Independents - a very safe, prosperous and progressive New Year.

• Dumbest article that I have read this year must the one that was written by the Dallas Morning News Staff.  No one would take credit for it.  They named the Texan of the Year - the Illegal Immigrant.   First of all, I don’t like the term illegal immigrant.  Secondly, I understand their contribution to society but I also understand that haven’t changed the debate one iota.  Thirdly, wouldn’t the Texan of the Year be a single person?
• The National Football League playoffs are here and I’m psyched.
• Barack Obama appear to be widening his lead in Iowa.  Look out, Taylor Marsh is about to throw a fit.
• When is someone (the federal government) going to do something sensible with the primaries?  With states hopscotching each other and the national parties seemingly impotent to stop it, we will soon be voting for the 2012 election right after the 2009 inauguration!

Tags: Fun by ecthompson
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In the era of parity, the quarterback is the one position that you have to have a superstar.  Brian Billick, former coach of the Baltimore Ravens, was fired because the Ravens had a terrible season this year.  I would say that he was fired because Steve McNair was injured most of the season.  McNair, when he was healthy, was an excellent quarterback.  Also, the Ravens won the Superbowl in 2000.  What major changes had the Ravens had over the last 6 years on defense?  My answer is none.  They lost great guys and replaced them with okay guys.  Ray Lewis was injured a good part of the season.  Ed Reed had an off year.  So without a great defense the offense needed to pick it up.  They weren’t able to carry the load.

Finally, I would have fired Billick years ago.  He was supposed to be an offensive genius. I never saw it.  Not in Baltimore.  The Ravens needed a little offensive magic or genius in the second half while they were playing the New England Patriots.  Their offense completely collapsed in the second half of that game.

Tags: Domestic Issues by ecthompson
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Republican candidate Ron Paul is an Internet sensation. He has raised more money in one day on the Internet than any other candidate — Republican or Democrat. He was on Meet the Press two weeks ago. The first question that Tim Russert asked was about his stance on income tax. (Please see video below)

Ron Paul would like to eliminate all income tax. On the surface, cutting taxes always seems like a good thing. We hear over and over again, how our tax dollars are being wasted. Wasted in Iraq. Wasted on a bridge to nowhere. Wasted on planes that the military never even asked for. But there are a lot of things that taxes go for that are necessary — maintaining veterans hospitals, maintaining roads and bridges, multimillion dollar radar invisible planes, energy subsidies to the poor and much, much more.

I guess that Representative Ron Paul would have looked better if he had specifics to his proposal. If you’re going to eliminate $1.1 trillion from the treasury how much would you say if by bringing all American troops home from abroad? Representative Paul did not know the answer. If you going to raise money from excise taxes and import tariffs, how much money could you raise? Would that hurt commerce and if so how much? What are you going to do with a half-million troops that you bring home from abroad? Honorable discharge? Are you planning on shrinking the military by a half-million troops? He had no answers to these very basic questions.

The fact that the United States existed for over 150 years without income tax, is not the issue. The world has changed (expectations for the government have changed. In the early 1900’s Americans mostly lived on farms, now we live in cities. Fire codes weren’t that important on a family farm. Now, we need the government to tell businesses put a fire exit here. Place sprinklers there.) The United States has existed for over 200 years without the Internet. I wouldn’t suggest you get rid of the Internet just because we didn’t have it 100 years ago. I would suggest that eliminating the income tax and transferring a lot of those taxes to the states is not practical. I lived in Texas for a number of years, a state which has no state income tax but does have property tax. Property taxes were ridiculous depending upon where you lived.

In my opinion, Republican candidate Ron Paul is truly a libertarian at heart. He believes in having a very small central government and believes that local governments should take care of local problems. This simple logic seems to make sense on the surface but if you look over the last 50 years at the problems that have divided our nation like civil rights. Local governments are unable to handle these issues. Ron Paul remains an interesting candidate with interesting ideas unfortunately, his ideas have gone the way of the dodo bird. He is fighting a battle that Thomas Jefferson lost to Alexander Hamilton and George Washington over 200 years ago.

Update: Ron Paul says that he wants to get back to a “constitutional size” government. Maybe I missed it but nowhere in the constitution have I been able to find any mention of the size of government. If you can find it please let me know. He uses this argument to cleanse his viewpoint. It is like him saying “See the founding fathers agree with me.” Thoughtful Americans understand that the founding fathers disagreed on almost ever issue. The Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are compromise documents. Just as Thomas Jefferson disagreed with Washington and Hamilton over the size of government and the power of the central government. Hamilton and Washington thought that a strong central government was needed to protect the colonies and pay for our collective debt (accumulated during the Revolutionary War). Jefferson saw a strong central government as the same as the English monarchy that we just fought to get rid of.

 

 MTP - Ron Paul income tax [3:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Election 2008, Sunday Morning Shows by ecthompson
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This was the Eagles last album before they broke up back in 1978 or 1979. Long Run. Four or five great songs with some filler. Enjoy the title track. This video has some great old technology like real to real tapes.

 

 Eagles - Long Run [3:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Music by ecthompson
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I have been thinking about this for a little while. George Bush, Dick Cheney, Sam Alito, John Roberts and others have worked very hard to make Congress subservient to the Executive Branch. They have almost completely made the Courts part of the Executive Branch.

So, what do you think was the Bush Administration’s best move (you may include anyone in the Executive, Judicial or Legislative branches of our government) to undermine our Constitution? There are several to chose from. I will chose the “best” answer and post it plus I will give the winner $100 gift certificate from Amazon.com. The winner will be posted at 5 pm on Friday, January 4th. Please make sure that you fill in your e-mail address in the comment section so that I can inform you personally that you have won.

There really aren’t any rules. If you are a personal friend of mine you probably shouldn’t enter the contest. You can enter as many times as you would like. I’m the judge. This is completely subjective.

Tags: Bush Administration, Congress by ecthompson
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I don’t have much to say about a game that was out of control from the opening snap.  Our total rushing yards for the game was 1 (one) yard.  Nothing else needs to be said.  This is NOT the way you go into the playoffs.

Tags: Sports by ecthompson
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A gathering In Asheville for the Iowa caucuses.

Tags: Election 2008, Party Politics by ecthompson
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It’s a simple idea—People working for you on a holiday merit the same time-and-a-half wages you would expect to be paid on a holiday.

If you eat out on New Year’s Day, or order a drink from a bartender, or take a ride in a taxi—Tip that person time-and-a-half.  That’s the going rate for work on a holiday.

The above photo is of a Chinese New Year’s celebration. Chinese New Year is on February 7 in 2008. It will be the Year of the Rat.

Tip well on that day also. Tip well on all days as a measure of respect for the work that others do and because you are also a working person.

Have a great New Year 2008 and please be safe on the roads if you’re out New Year’s Eve.

Tags: General by Texas Liberal
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If you have had a chance to see Meet the Press’ - meet the candidates - then you know that Tim Russert will try to set up some candidates by using their own words. He made Ron Paul look somewhat unprepared last week. So, Tim tried to set up Barack Obama using President Bill Clinton’s words. Obama proved that he reads, that he is well prepared as he answers a series of questions by using Bill Clinton’s own words and by quoting Martin Luther King. Obama does a great job at answering the questions and hitting a few of them out of the park.

Now, for my sisters and brothers of the progressive bloggosphere, some of you have hitched a ride on the Hillary Clinton express. That’s fine. Taylor Marsh seems to be leading the charge for the Hillary camp. She has bashed Barack Obama at every turn. The man can’t put on his pants or brush his teeth without Taylor criticizing everything from his ego to his DNA. I would link to a particular post but everything that she has posted in the 10 days has been bashing Barack. Former Ambassador Joe Wilson has joined the act posting an article on the Huffington Post that stated Barack didn’t know Jack about foreign policy. Interestingly, he didn’t say that Madeline Albright or Colin Powell, former Secretaries of State, should run for president.  Basically, Wilson said Hillary was great and Obama is a moron.

In my opinion there really isn’t much different between John Edwards, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The question that I have is who will change the direction of the country. Who will work with Congress to get a progressive agenda? I have given money to each of these candidates because I think each of these candidates will help turn American around. My worry is the that Hillary will bring out the worst in the Republicans, again. (Like they will not attack Edwards or Obama with the same ferocity) My other worry is that Hillary and her camp will not spend enough time working with Howard Dean on rebuilding the democratic party. So, Taylor Marsh and the others, support Democrats.

 

 MTP - Obama is ready and it's time [5:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Sunday Morning Shows by ecthompson
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Now, I don’t what to be picky but US supported politician Benazir Bhutto is dead. Supporters of Nawar Sharif have been shot with a high powered rifle just a couple of days ago and what’s up with Osama Bin Laden? Has there been any attempts on his life in the last week or so. How about the last month? I thought we wanted him dead or live?

 

 Where's OBL? [1:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Al Qaeda, Bin Laden by ecthompson
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I hadn’t heard of the Monkeyfister blog. I tend to get into a rut and look at the same blogs all of the time. Well, I went on a link journey yesterday and found Monkeyfister who gave out some awards to smaller progressive blogs. Although, I’m sorry I wasn’t nominated but there were some excellent winners.

Tags: Blogging issues by ecthompson
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We have 3 separate scenarios of how Benazir Bhutto died.

1) She was shot in the neck.
2) An explosion cause shrapnel to hit her in the neck.
3) She hit her head so hard as she was ducking that she broke her skull in 2 places.

Eyewitness accounts seem to contradict the “official government” account. Late last night there seemed to be some stories about doing a formal autopsy.

As a surgeon, I can tell you that this photo doesn’t show squat. This could be a photo of an elbow or a knee cap. There is no way for me to tell if this is a photo of a skull. The photo is so blown up, I can’t identify any landmarks. Maybe I’m just not smart enough. If they “had” to blow up the photo this much then the fractures were probably minor and therefore, did not contribute significantly to her death. Where’s the CT scan? Where there no scanners available? What was the plan if something happened? What it to take her to a major hospital? Was there a helicopter available?

When President Bush goes anywhere, there are extensive plans. Local trauma centers are notified. Trauma surgeons are interviewed. The hospital is reviewed by the Secret Service. I understand that Bhutto was not President or Prime Minister but she should have had similar plans made by her staff. Where are they?

Update: It appears that Bhutto’s son and husband have been chosen to lead the party. From NYT: “Three days after the death of Benazir Bhutto, the Pakistan People’s Party on Sunday chose her 19-year-old son, Bilawal, and her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, as co-leaders of the party, the biggest and most potent in Pakistan.”

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Newhoggers has done a great job following this story:

[An] amateur picture is of a man aiming a handgun towards Benazir Bhutto’s vehicle. The Daily Telegraph spoke to Safdar Abbassi, her chief political adviser, who was sitting behind her.

“All of a sudden there was the sound of firing. I heard the sound of a bullet.”I saw her: she looked as though she ducked in when she heard the firing. We did not realise that she had been hit by a bullet.”

He had looked up to see Ms Bhutto sliding back through the aperture in the roof of the white Land Cruiser. Moments later, the car was rocked by a huge explosion.

There was no sound from the fallen leader. (more…)

 

 What Happened to Bhutto? [2:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Pakistan by ecthompson
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Mike Huckabee, after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, talked about the numbers of Pakistanis who have illegally come into this country. What? When asked where he got his number of 660 from, he said he thought that they came from the CIA? The CIA is releasing immigration estimates? What?

Just for one second, let’s look at the absurdity of this statement. There is somewhere between 12 - 15 million undocumented economic refugees in this country. There is somewhere around a 400 - 500,000 folks crossing our borders every year. Mike Huckabee is talking about 600 people?  According to Homeland Security, there are far more economic refugees from the Philippines, Korea, China and Vietnam.  Talking about grabbing for straws to save a candidacy.

This story dovetails into yet another poll. The Democratic race is tightening up. On the Republican side, Mike Huckabee is fading fast.

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From McClatchy News:

John Edwards has clawed his way into contention to win Iowa’s caucuses on Thursday in the first vote for the Democratic presidential nomination, gaining strength even as rivals Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have lost ground, according to a new McClatchy-MSNBC poll.

At the same time, Mitt Romney has regained the lead among Iowa Republicans as Mike Huckabee has lost momentum and support, even among the evangelical Christians who had propelled him into the top spot just weeks ago. (more…)

 

 Huckabee - Pakistani immigration [2:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Border Security, Election 2008, Immigration by ecthompson
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President George Bush has done everything that he can to ignore the poor. He has slashed programs that were designed to help the poor. He gave tax breaks to the rich and he gave the poor a lump of coal. So, in his weekly radio address the president is worried about the poor. I don’t think that 7 years into his presidency Uncle George will change his stripes.

I find it ironic that George Bush has tried to cut LIHEAP (Low income heating energy assistance program) 5 years in a row.  Congress restored funding in spite of Bush’s request.

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From RS:

President Bush tried Saturday to assure many families that he knows they are struggling to pay bills, even as he again defended the economy’s strength.

“Some of you worry about your ability to afford health care coverage for your families,” Bush said in his weekly radio address, recorded at his Texas ranch.

“Some of you are concerned about meeting your monthly mortgage payments,” Bush said. “Some of you worry about the impact of rising energy costs on fueling your cars and heating your homes. You expect your elected leaders in Washington to address these pressures.”

Bush said he and Congress recently came to terms on some ways to help, including an energy bill and a measure to help families avoid a tax hit when they refinance a mortgage. (more…)

Tags: Bush Administration by ecthompson
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Unfortunately, I’m unable to upload photos or video.

Update: had some server issues.  Sorry.

Tags: Blogging issues by ecthompson
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It is 13 seconds before half-time. The New York Giants are playing their butts off. I thought that the New York Giants were going to keep some of their starters on the bench. I thought that Plaxico Burress would be in street clothes. He has had a bad ankle for most of the season. I thought that the Giants would rest him. I also thought that Brandon Jacobs who has been hurt and missed some games would be parked on the bench. Nope. Everyone is playing.

Although the New England Patriots have moved the ball and controlled the clock, they are trailing at half-time 21 - 16. I’m now glued to the TV.

Update: Patriots adjusted the Giants didn’t. Patriots brought pressure and the Giants haven’t been able to handle it. Score is now Patriots 38 - 28 with under 4 minutes to go. Eli Manning’s interception was a killer.

Update 2: The Giants are just good enough to make you love ‘em then they will rip your heart out. In the fourth quarter when the game was on the line. The Giants had 2 series which were 3 and out (punt or interception). They ran no time off the clock. It wasn’t any one player’s fault but several players. Manning drops a snap. Jacobs drops a screen. Manning forces a throw. Odd play calling. Whereas, when the game was on the line, the Patriots executed. Brady hit recievers who didn’t drop passes. When Brady didn’t have time he hit Faulk out of the backfield. When he had time, he hit Welker and Moss.

The Patriots who have looked beatable the last several weeks have not been beaten during the regular season. They are 16 - 0. They are the best team in the NFL and they have tied the Dolphins for an undefeated season. Congratulations to the Patriots.

I’m sorry I just puked on my keyboard. I can’t stand the New England Patriots. Tom Brady neither. I acknowledge their greatness without admitting that they are the greatest anything of all time. Nope. I will not admit that. I believe that the Cowboys and 49ers of the 1990’s could beat the Patriots 7 out of 10 games. The Denver Broncos of the late 90’s was a better team. The Pittsburgh Steelers of the 70’s could run over the Patriots. They are good, very good but they aren’t the greatest team that I have ever seen.

Tags: Sports by ecthompson
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State Children’s Health Insurance Program has been renewed. This is significant.

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From Boston:

President Bush on Saturday signed legislation that extends a popular children’s health insurance program after twice beating back attempts to expand it.

Politically, the move was a victory for Bush, although Democrats say it will come back to hurt Republicans at the polls. Two times, Bush vetoed bills that would have broadened coverage to more children. (more…)

Tags: Bush Administration, Congress by ecthompson
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House of Representatives voted to ban waterboarding. Isn’t this already a crime? Next week, I think that they will take up a measure that says it is unlawful to shoot someone in the face. State department has a problem fulling vacancies in Iraq and Afghanistan. CIA seems to have erased some tapes. Oops. We have Jim Neal North Carolina US Senate candidate. This is a great conversation. Enjoy.

Remember I’m on iTunes and several other podcasting services.

 

 The Errington Thompson Show 12-15-07 [53:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Podcasts by ecthompson
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So, a new National Intelligence Estimate on Iran is released. Rumors that the VP’s office has tried to suppress this document for over a year. Bush takes the Sargent Schultz (Hogan’s Heroes) defense. We speak with Faiz Shakir from the Center for American Progress and the blog, Think Progress, about the NIE and the Bush administration. We cover this and other topics. Enjoy!!

Remember I’m on iTunes and several other podcasting services.

 

 The Errington Thompson Show 12-08-07 [50:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Bush Administration, National Intelligence Estimate, Podcasts by ecthompson
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I really don’t have much to say about Britney Spears.  I think just about everything has been said.  Although this tune is very much like Justin Timberlake’s tune - Love Stoned.

 

 Britney Spears - Piece of Me [3:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Music by ecthompson
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