Poor George W. Bush. He's being shoved to the back of the room as a lame duck quacking to be heard but no one is listening. His presense in the Republican Party is now insignificant and unnecesary as the '08 Republican contenders can't wait to leap frog over his failed "achievements" to find a way to distance themselves from him.

Give us that salute again, Mr. Bush. It will be a symbol of your legacy as a great leader of mice and men. Even Hitler mustered more class as he fell from grace. Frist can't run fast enough from this soiled administration.

Whatever ever happened to Justice Sunday?

SandyH

I am hoping this is the beginning of a slap in the face for the lame duck president. However, two big Republican initiatives had recently passed the Senate and House.

I can't believe how they bought off representatives votes for CAFTA! It is absolutely disgusting.

And here all this time, based on the media hype, I thought the only people who 'flip-flopped' were Democrats. I now see that Dems learned from the Repugnants who have perfected it.

paulko, those initiatives passed because Democrats voted with the Republicans. We need to find new, strong Democratic candidates to challenge these Democratic turncoats in the primaries. They aren't helping this country by caving in to corporate and foreign interests.

AS A PERSON WHO SUFFERS FROM MS FOR YEARS I SUPPORT STEM CELL RESEARCH AND KUDOS TO ALL OTHERS THAT DO!

"Whatever ever happened to Justice Sunday?

Good question Gregor. My conclusion is that these so-called pro-life groups are only interested in saving the lives of the dying (i.e. embryos and the brain dead). They're not that interested in saving the lives of those who actually have a chance of living. Perphaps they should refer to themselves as "anti-death/anti-life"

He's damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. Typical response from a Democrat. But hey, Howard Dean said he hated Bill Frist and said Bill Frist was evil.

If you think "Stem Cell research" will help the Democratic Party in any way, you're dreaming.

The GOP will win, it doesn't matter who the Dem candidate is. Let's see....The last Democrat to get a majority of the vote was Jimmy Carter...Intersting.

You forget Al Gore.

First of all I'm not listening to a doctor who does a diagnosis from a videotape. Secondly Frist realizes now that everyone in the country hasn't succumbed to Fundamentalist mania. Therefore he is positioning himself a closer to the mainstream while still trying to keep his Fundamentalist Bible beater constituency.

No, I see it another way. Bill Frist is a desperate man. There is nothing that will doom his candidacy faster than if he is seen as weak and ineffective. Yet, that is exactly what he has been. Just in the past couple of months, after he looked like a zealot on the Schiavo case but ultimately could not do anything to back up his tough talk, he has met with failure after failure. it was his job to push John Bolton through the Senate. He failed, and even after being given more time by the President, he failed again. Now President Bush will make a recess appointment, reminding people again of Mr. Frist's failure. Then came the standoff on the 'nuclear option' in which he made arrangement to have bunks delivered to the Senate for an all night session, and when he himself was personally prepared to pull the trigger, and then Sen. McCain (one of his main rivals in the 2008 Republican primaries) met with a group of moderates and worked out a compromise that put the nuclear option back on the shelf, and Sen. Frist was handed a copy of the agreement while they were on their way to the press room.

So now, he was in the position of being the administration's point man on stem cell research, another area where he would be isolated from the opinions of a great majority of Americans, and with the prospect of another losing vote ahead of him (maybe two, because if the President vetoed the bill, which is expected, then it is questionable that Frist could even prevent the veto from being overridden.) So what did this 'man of character' do? Did he go down with the ship? No, this leader in the Senate, this 'man of character' did what he had to do. He abandoned the ship and may as well have yelled, 'every man for himself.' Even more than he needs the votes of conservatives in the future, he needs a win now, and if he has to turn around and run like the wind to catch a moving bandwagon he can jump on, then he will do it.

And Bill Frist wants to run for the Presidency of the United States. Lord Help Us.

By the way, the preceding was taken out of an article on my blog. Feel free to come over and comment.

Eli Blake,

You're spinning so bad I'm dizzy.

The GOP clearly won on the "Nuclear Option" threat. Look who got confirmed out of the deal. Nuff said.

As far as Bolton is concerned, the Democrats wouldn't let him get the confirmation even if Al Gore was the GOP Senate leader. Pure politics.

All of this Frist talk is bs...McCain is the next President. The Democrat's blatant hypocrisy on Iraq, Social Security, and National Security in general has doomed them for years to come...THEN..There's Howard Dean: "I hate the Republicans and everything they stand for". How many Red States is that going to get you? Lets not forget Howard Dean called the GOP "evil". Wow.

Its President McCain in 2008. Period. Slam Frist all you want, the GOP will have its candidate defeat the Democratic candidate in '08.

Thanks.

Uh, McCain is my Senator, and I can see him quite clearly for what he is. An opportunist, willing to take any position at a moment's notice, and willing to say or do whatever he needs to, in order to push forward his own ambition. You think Kerry got a lot of grief for his contradictory votes in the Senate, McCain has been known to contradict himself and then switch back, all within a FEW HOURS in the Senate. Must have to do with his medication level.

And, I doubt if McCain will be your nominee the next time. The right wing doesn't trust him, and as we well know, the right wing plays kingmaker in the G.O.P. Last go around, they annointed Bush, and McCain knows better than anybody what that can lead to.

Actually, there is one benefit if it turns out that you are right. It would open a Senate seat here, and our two top statewide officeholders, Governor Janet Napolitano and Attorney General Terry Goddard, are both Democrats and both have very strong approval ratings at the moment.

Today astronomers based at the Palomar observatory, run by the California Institute of Technology announced the discovery of what is possibly the tenth planet in our solar system. This marks the first time since the discovery of Pluto in 1930 (at the Lowell observatory in Flagstaff, which I am proud to be a friend of), that a new planet has been discovered in our solar system.

It is also a victory for basic research. There are those who say that any research worth doing will appeal to private donors or for profit corporations, and so the government should not be in the research business.

Yet, when we think of the biggest scientific breakthroughs of the past century-- the splitting of the atom, landing a man on the moon, the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, all of these were accomplished with the support of government, not of private industry.

You see, for-profit research is fine as long as there is a profit to be made. But it is not profitable for corporations to search for new planets or land a man on the moon, so if left exclusively to the devices of private companies, these things would simply not have gotten done. And, it is also true (as we have seen with some research in the past on tobacco and on global warming) when a corporation is underwriting the research, they often simply choose not to publish, or otherwise intentionally bias, results that they don't like. It is only in universities and other governmentally funded research institutions that scientists have the full ability to do their job and report the results as they are. For that matter, in my own area of mathematics, there have been a number of discoveries which have increased our understanding of everything from market trends to cartography, but if the research which allowed them had not been funded by the government, they would be contributing to no one's profit for the most basic of reasons-- they would never have been discovered at all, so the practical discoveries they led to would simply have never entered anyone's mind.

Where this is important today, is in the area of stem cell research. President Bush four years ago announced that Federal funding could only be used on about two dozen lines of stem cells that existed at the time (and are contaminated with mouse cells). Conservatives like to argue that 1) the research institutions are free to seek private funds, and 2) the fact that private industry isn't jumping in to fill the funding gap proves that the 'miracle cures' simply don't exist.

Both of these arguments are flawed. In the first case, even if we assume that researchers have the time to go out and appeal to various private donors (time that they would not have to do their jobs, and so would still fall behind government funded researchers), they would have to keep fishing for funding, and in fact this has been happening-- American stem cell researchers have now fallen behind researchers at the University of Seoul and other foreign cites. What this means is that the miracle cures will be found, but the trillions of dollars they generate will flow from America to Korea, Japan, Europe or some other place where they don't put science on a lower shelf than ideology. Further, researchers in these countries don't have to worry that if their results displease their sponsor, then the plug may be pulled on their funding (one reason why even results favorable to an industry that is paying the researchers have to be considered suspect).

And in the second argument here, for profit enterprises expect a return in a fairly short period of time. But, it often takes years or even decades between the time when a concept of a potential breakthrough is first explored, and when that breakthrough has not only become reality, but is thoroughly explored and is ready to apply in some way to market a product. For example, the splitting of the atom became part of the realm or possibility with the discovery of Einstein's theory of relativity in 1905, but was not accomplished until 1945. Space travel to the moon became a concept after Robert Goddard's successful rocketry experiments in the 1930's, but a flight to the moon wasn't accomplished until 1969. People have been searching for a tenth planet since Pluto was discovered seventy five years ago this year. And some concepts simply turn out not to lead to new discoveries. Private donors simply are not that patient.

In fact, there is plenty of public research done that never does generate a profit. Will anyone make a profit from a cataloguing of native American linguistic groups, especially as some of the speakers die off? Will anyone make a profit from going through rocks a billion years old with a microscope looking for hints about the origins of life? Will anyone make a profit from the discovery today of a planet far beyond our current capabilities to travel to? Of course no one will (certainly no one alive today). But does that mean that it isn't worth doing the research? I believe it is. We may not see why at the time, but I saw a show not long ago about how meteorologists living today were using the records made by British naval officers during the 1700's and 1800's to develop an understanding of long term climate change. We can thank the foresight of the British policy makers back in the days of Captain Cook for contributing to our abilities now to understand the weather of the planet.

Are we really such a selfish and perverse generation that if we can't have it in the here and now, then we won't do anything to reach that goal? Then again, given the support of people for a tax cut for the wealthy in exchange for the replacement of a record surplus with a record deficit, which our kids and grandkids and great grandkids will pay, maybe we are that selfish a generation. If so, we will be cursed for our indulgence.

Then again, given the support of people for a tax cut for the wealthy in exchange for the replacement of a record surplus with a record deficit, which our kids and grandkids and great grandkids will pay, maybe we are that selfish a generation. If so, we will be cursed for our indulgence.

Posted by Eli_Blake on July 31, 2005 at 02:56 AM

Eli, not all are selfish. Most are just suffering post partum depression from 9/11 and the effects of having five years of massive governmental corruption and incompetence. It's a funk. People no longer believe in their government's ability to make a difference in their lives or move this country forward.

Our country went through a similar period in the 1950's. Notice how little creative activity is coming out of the arts and entertainment areas. There is repression of science and sexual curriculums in schools. The demonization of liberal political and minority interests. The emphasis on family/church inclusion versus community responsibility. Conformity versus diversity. Monopolies vs expansion.

It will finally end when business and military leaders realize that they are going to be elipsed by a foreign power's superior technology. The Spuntnik launch was the wake up call then. My bet is that we are close to this happening again.

This administration and business leaders have put the breaks on research and development, and it's about to bite us in the ass. Globalization and outsourcing has probably reached a point where the profit is not there any more...energy and transporation costs outstrip the savings. And foreign countries are beginning to reap the scientific benefits of internal capital outlays.

At some point this country will need the energy and innovation of progressives to get us going again -- especially with the massive national debt.

George Will is right now on ABC talking about the importance of the "enlightenment" that forged this country and the new ideas that made us unique. They are talking about stem cell research, but it goes beyond that. The whole panel appear to feel we have come to a crossroads. It's about time.

But the Republicans cannot take us where we need to go. They are stuck with their productivity quotas and Wall Street return on investment mentality. Their fundamentalist allies will become a weight holding them back. Our isolations from the world community will take its toll. The voters will finally give up on the Republcians and their bunker/fall out shelter ideology.

The times are changing, slowly but changing. But we must make the changes in our own party to take advantage of this opportunity. It's really imperative that we work rapidly at rebuilding our powerbase from the bottom up.

INTERESTING INFO RE: SOCIAL SECURITY

WHY WAIT UNTIL 2008? THERE IS AN ELECTION IN 2006. I HEREWITH FIRMLY STATE THAT I WILL NOT VOTE FOR ANY POLITICIAN, REGARDLESS OF THE OTHER ISSUES, IF HE DOES NOT SPONSOR AND SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION. THAT INCLUDES EVERYONE STANDING FOR ELECTION IN 2006.

LET US SHOW OUR LEADERS IN WASHINGTON "PEOPLE POWER"AND THE POWER OF THE INTERNET. LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE WITH ME ON THIS BY REPLYING AND FORWARDING TO EVERYONE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK.
IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT!
KEEP IT GOING!!!!
2008 Election Issue!!
GET A BILL STARTED TO PLACE ALL POLITICIANS ON SOC. SEC.
This must be an issue in "2008" Please! Keep it going.

SOCIAL SECURITY:
(This is worth reading. It is short and to the point.)
Perhaps we are asking the wrong questions during election years.
Our Senators and Congresswomen do not pay into Social Security and, of course, they do not collect from it.
You see, Social Security benefits were not suitable for persons of their rare elevation in society.They felt they should have aspecial plan for themselves. So, many years ago they voted in theirown benefit plan.
In more recent years, no congressperson has felt the need to change it. After all, it is a great plan.
For all practical purposes their plan works like this:
When they retire, they continue to draw the same pay until they die.
Except it may increase from time to time for cost of living adjustments..
For example, Senator Byrd and Congressman White and their wives may expect to draw $7,800,000.00 (that's Seven Million, Eight-Hundred Thousand Dollars), with their wives drawing $275,000.00 during the last years of their lives.
T his is calculated on an average life span for each of those two Dignitaries.
Younger Dignitaries who retire at an early age, will receive much more during the rest of their lives.
Their cost for this excellent plan is $0.00. NADA....ZILCH....
This little perk they voted for themselves is free to them. You and I pick up the tab for this plan. The funds for this fine retirement plan come directly from the General Funds;
"OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK"! From our own Social Security Plan, which you and I pay (or have paid) into,-every payday until we retire (which amount is matched by our employer)-we can expect to get an average of $1,000 per monthafter retirement. Or, in other words, we would have to collect our average of $1,000 monthly benefits for 68 years and one (1) month to equal Senator! Bill Bradley's benefits!
Social Security could be very good if only one small change were made.
That change would be to:
Jerk the Golden Fleece Retirement Plan from under the Senators and Congressmen. Put them into the Social Security plan with the rest of us
then sit back.....
and see how fast they would fix it.
If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe good changes will evolve.
How many people CAN you send this to?
Better yet..... How many people WILL you send this to ?

INTERESTING INFO RE: SOCIAL SECURITY

Well Part D is out of the box and where is it going?

Number one Public Industry and Private industry as this new Bush initiative to assist citizens pay for higher costs for prescription drugs seems to start off being a new market incentive for the insurance industry and pharmaceutical industry However not to sure what it means to the end users especially those on the bottom who need the most help in health care.

I can tell you this for sure when you figure in the current programs that were initiated by some pharmaceutical manufactures as a means to help those whose income were below 18,000.00 annually! For them as you review what is in the Medicare Handbooks that just went out to each State! I have to tell you when you figure in the deductible amounts and the Coe-payments for prescriptions then try to analysis the complexity of cut off points and the pick up points then figure in the complexities between whose in the top or bottom of what percentage of poverty what ever 100 percent of what ever levels below poverty levels of what (whew who can figure)? Then you consider that not all drug stores will carry all the different insurance cards will be sold to the Medicare Medicaid qualifying public! The bottom line is more confusion and more GOP fuzzy math.

Then as we look at this GOP decision to create such a mess the medical worlds professionals also must try and figure out whose who and who gets what? Ask them they will tell you it appears that those who need the most help won’t get it! And the costs to the tax payer for the program will be much higher than imagined. That along with all the fiscal realities of the world created by things out of anyone’s control. Then as we look at the irrational methods created by the methods of this Conservative group of leaders we currently have in this nation is no more than irresponsibility and fiscal reasoning gone amock!

Please those of you in the Democratic Party get back to the reality that liberalism cannot solve all problems but that liberal methods is what keeps the over zealots of industry in line. We need to see ideas of how to get back to the basics of both Democracy and the basics of the old democratic party that speak out for the common citizen of this nation and the world. So please step up Democrats and speak out not in fear of political up heavily but speak up with common sense again! Show some guts and talk about not what is politically correct, but what is rationally right in the eyes of God and fills the needs of all of mankind not just the privileged of this world!

I am not smart enough or wealthy enough in dollars to speak out other than what I am doing with this little posting to each of you. However brain smarts and lots of money are meaningless to those who are this nations weakest links but as it is written and as most have forgotten, “your only as strong as your weakest links”! Education and smarts are wonderful but what good is a good education and smarts without wisdom?

So if you can see the problems I have mentioned with what this conservative group has done with Part D of Medicare as an example. Then call your congressman and tell them in details of how you or someone you know will be affected by this new program! Time is running out Nov. 15th is dead line to sign up and if you don’t sign up now when you have to sign up you will be penalized for not signing up! I think that means this Congress has said either you do it or you will pay for it anyway and if your poor and are set up for hellp in the Part D costs, that for some will cost more than they are currently paying even after they get the help with premiums and deducible and Coe-pays in the end for many they will end up paying more out of there already very limited SS incomes! (note many drug manufacturers already have program for folks who earn less than 18,000. yearly. The Bush Part D program use a bottom figure of 13,400. to qualify for some help with costs. Now if your not making at least the 18,000. that private industry chose to give aid from their programs then you can't afford living in this nation at all with rising costs of everyting else, so he 13,000. figure Medicare uses must be a figure they came up from a time that has long since gone!

If you think this is fair then call and say thanks to Bush and the GOP. Then call you Local Congressman R or D and let them all know just how fair they are not, to those who need the most help and are the weakest links to our nation.

As one of those who is disabled and has a very limited income, If you can’t at least call and let them know I request that you just shoot me and put me out of misery quicker! All this anxiety is helping add one day to my life how about yours?

Anyone here who has the ability to get this blog to anyone on the DNC to review if its o any help perhaps that would be nice too! Oh who am? I according to the Am. Diabetes Assoc., I am one of the longest coping with Brittle Diabetics still alive in the US. I have been on large does of insulin now for well over 50 years. According to medical professionals I should have died over 20 years ago. And I am now on lots of medication not only for diabetes but also for some of the side affects of the disease including heart disease. The costs and trying to figure out how to keep up does me more harm than the disease I have now lived with for all these years. And yes for most of my life I worked hard at any work I could get and keep up with! Raised two children and now I’m a grand-father so I have had many blessings as well! Today I an totally dependant upon a small SS check and Medicare for which I am very grateful, but I’d rather spend what ever more years God grants in this world free of how both public and private industry rewarded me for being one of the weakest links of our American Society! Do I want more No! I just want to be able to keep up with costs just to live and avoid problems that this government seems set on creating in my already unstable life! Please note there are far more out there who are a lot worse off than I am and I think of them daily!

Note take no pity on me for what I have told of myself for had I not seen such hardships I would not be able to see the world as I do through my slightly cracked and rose colored glasses. So from this not so clear of life! I have a clearer vision of what is coming and where all will end up because I have already been there and done that, which gets me ahead of many!

Hope my posting in this blog maybe helps get someone off their bottoms to call and to write! “you may quote me, if you wish!”

So if any of you can pass my words on to Dr. Frist and to Dr. Dean. They both are aware of at least witnessing some of the hardships and cost for people who live as I do! Now is not the time for political separation Nov. 15th is close and Jan 06 all of Part B will become disater for many who need the most help!

D.M. Schare
Texas