Sorry this didn't go up until 10:45...

On the East Coast maybe, here it's 8:58 and snowing.
Beautiful heavy wet snow.
Maybe we'll have an old fashioned Montana winter this year and catch up on some of the moisture we're short on.

McAfee is still installing updates after the free period, God I hope they work for America, not the White House like Microsoft does. It makes one think how many Corporations take orders from the White House like Blackwater, who have there own rules of combat and definitions of torture. That with Guantanamo Justice and Secret Prison intimidation, Bush secret police forces will bypass Congressional legal guidelines. His insurance company is the Supreme Court who “At Will” will rubber stamp his corporate empire takeover. Yes, America “We the people” will work for the Wall Street Power Brokers and like Russia, Democracy is probably dead, controlled by ruling royal families. Hail King Putin and George VII where all governments run global commerce and all religions are fashion statements.

Makes one think of one big world of Red Chinese like parents telling us what underwear to wear, that bras cannot be uplifting to women and banning Liberal Arts for its Free expressionism mind movements. For in a Bush Conservative World, they are the Executive Privileged ones and “We the people” the servants of “At Will” conformity. Look at Corporations now terminating for non-work related reasons, why some even “Terminate for Poetry” of “At Will” Alabama value systems, where even books are banned as gay, Liberal, or Jeffersonian. Try to dress like a patriot down here and the looks you get as traitors, down here you must mirror George W Bush and declare him America’s savior for saving them from the heaven Liberal Constitutional demons who believe in civil liberties and civil rights. Down South one must segregate their faith like Bush, very pure and untainted by diversity. One must have Southern Plantation heritage to be given Freedom and Democracy to follow their leader. Yes America has changed with Katrina values that still stand today in examples of how Washington deals with its lower classes.

Fifty years of social advancement in the South and in seven years it almost has a fifties look again. With Atlanta controlling underwear like it was Elvis’s hips. Where blacks act like Judges that in the fifties excludes elements of society. The color of faces may have changed but the Labels still are there to divide a country in bigotry. As Vietnam id recycled by Bush, he has recycled the class wars of the future where the Royal Family Politicians will fight the voice of Camelot’s people.

Long Live Poetry’s Freedom and Democracy from Corporate termination!

Congress do not let Corporations ban the American Home Working Artmosphere of Constitution Freedom and Democracy of Liberal Arts self expression. Do not let the worker’s home we an “At Will” domain of unwritten policies of Conservative conformity.

Snow already Butte? I bet it's beautiful. :)

Bush saying, "We do not lie, we do not torture, we do not sky on Americans without warrants, and you must trust our intelligence," not? Bush you are a fabricator and an intimidator who "At Will" will make up your own rules to circumvent Congress. Your promises are worthless just ask Katrina vitims for you sided with Big Business. Now we find you lied to US again by redefining your own torture terms and may have secret armies and prisons away from Congress and the courts, this is treadon enough to impeach your credibility as a man of honor who respects the truth.

Good Morning, ALL!

Those "troop supporters" in the Chimp's abomination, (I mean administration) have really found a unique way to screw the National Guard members who have been used and abused for too lomg.

Army Denies Education Benefits To National Guard Troops Who Served 22 Months In Iraq

Washington State's Supreme Court determined politicians have an unalienable right to lie.

In a 5-4 ruling Thursday, the state Supreme Court struck down a 1999 law that banned political candidates from intentionally lying about their opponents. The high court majority said the law was an affront to free speech.

MoveOn.org Bullies Crack Down on Critics

Wed Oct 3, 3:00 AM ET

MoveOn.org, the left-wing extremists who bashed the commander of American forces in Iraq as a traitor, should get out of the political kitchen. The George Soros-funded hitmen can't stand even a bit of heat from Mom-and-Pop retailers who tried selling T-shirts and mugs on the Internet critical of the "General Betray Us" smear ads against Gen. David Petraeus.

I heard from one of the independent T-shirt sellers targeted by MoveOn.org last week. The seller is a lifelong Democrat and member of the military. Incensed by the attack on Gen. Petraeus, the retailer opened up a shop at online store CafePress. The homemade designs at the PoliStew Cafe (www.cafepress.com/polistew) were stark and simple: "Move Away from Move On!" "MoveOn.org NoFriend to Dems." "General Petraeus has done more for this country than MoveOn.org."

For daring to raise a voice and raise some money for the troops (all proceeds from the sale of his items go to the National Military Family Association charity), this T-shirt seller earned the wrath of MoveOn.org's lawyers. MoveOn.org chief operating officer Carrie Olson brought down the sledgehammer. She sent a cease-and-desist letter to CafePress demanding that PoliStew Cafe's items and other anti-MoveOn.org merchandise be removed from the store.

Olson warned: "We have been alerted to an entire page of items on your website that infringes on our registered trademark, and we request that you remove all items immediately, and ask the poster to refrain from shipping any items purchased on this webpage. We also request that you give us contact information for the company / person who posted the items. This content has certainly NOT been authorized by anyone at MoveOn.org, nor anyone affiliated with MoveOn."

Acceptable speech to MoveOn.org: Likening President Bush to Adolf Hitler, as they did in 2004.

Unacceptable speech: Little old mugs and hoodie sweatshirts gently satirizing the thin-skinned, left-wing mafia.

Be sure to make some contacts with your congress people. Remember how FISA slipped through last time giving Bush extended powers? Well, the ACLU is really on top of this. Steny Hoyer is introducing something today, but he cut the civil rights activists out of the loop.

ACLU: Critical votes within 3 weeks could grant vast new spying powers to Bush

It's a puzzle why our Democrats are so willing to give in on this vital issue of surveillance.

It is time for Congress to cut the umbilical purse strings to the White House until the hand over those items that have been subpoenaed by the "We the people" Congress. How can Bush represent US when he has such a low approval rate, but then Congress approval rate from its citizens is even worse.

The Royal Fraternity Family of Bush's Congress will support Bush's policies while he destroys the people right to hold him accountable. Congress of lambs with wolves of bushwacked fashion statements those that flock together screw together.

You cannot use another's trademark on a product you are selling without permission. But of course, laws don't matter much to the GOP jack booted followers.

Ad nothing more than healthy skepticism - By KENNETH F. BUNTING, P-I ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

I couldn't agree more with those who say that personal character attacks and name calling hurt the quality of discourse in politics, and communications in general.

But those who see that as an accurate characterization of the controversial MoveOn.org ad criticizing Gen. David Petraeus probably haven't read anything except a headline writer's sophomoric attempt at cleverness, sound bites and shallow media reporting.

Nearly four weeks since it first appeared in The New York Times, the attention the ad and the supposed insult within it have received is mind-boggling.

No matter how many politicians stand before a microphone to say so, the ad did not call Petraeus a traitor. No matter how many pandering politicians say so, it does not attack our troops in Iraq or question Petraeus' long record of distinguished military service.

No matter how many senators and members of Congress vote for resolutions denouncing and apologizing for it, the main text of the ad itself, once you get past the silly rhyming headline, was nothing more than the type of healthy skepticism Congress itself should be embracing.

I will tell you this. Should by some chance the Dems lose this next election as a result of Florida again...

Posted by PamB on October 5, 2007 at 08:37 AM
-----------------------------

If Dems lose in 2008, it will be because of the same reasons Dems lost in 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006. It's the voting machines and voter purging, Stupid. (You're not stupid. It's a Carville reference. You're actually very smart.)

Nothing has changed in Florida. HAVA OUTSOURCES the elections to a few private partisan companies. The elections are administered by partisan private companies. AND the private partisans, Diebold and ES&S, COUNT all the votes.

And if electronic fraud wasn't bad enough, they purge the voting roles, AND disenfranchise tens of thousands. It's the worst example of democracy EVER in America.

In Florida, Gravel could win in a landslide, and they would say it's because of the Senior citizens wanted to vote for Edwards but actually voted for Gravel because the touch screen flipped votes to Gravel. Maybe not... but stranger things have happened in Florida.

Sorry! IMO, Florida should not be given the opportunity to sway the nomination process MORE than before. The voting system in Florida is corrupt to the core.

Do a youtube search for "Florida & elections" and you will see 522 (FIVE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-TWO) documented cases of major fraud in Florida.
http://youtube.com/results?search_query=florida+elections&search=Search

Floridians should care about getting a fair election FOR ONCE, rather than getting MORE power in the election process.

Posted by Kristen on October 5, 2007 at 11:34 AM

Hi Kristen. Gotta disagree with that writer, the ad certainly implied that Petraeus might betray his country and be therefore a traitor. It wasn't against the troops though. Anyone that becomes a spokesmouth for the WH deserves the ruin that follows.

Posted by sunny on October 5, 2007 at 11:33 AM

Hoyer has been shackled on that bone-headed move he was trying to pull.

Good
Suck on this, Steny.

Posted by MedidaMatters_Lied_Democrats_Cried on October 5, 2007 at 11:30 AM
================================================
CafePress is a Right Wing hit list place for T-shirts, but even they have Free Speech Hate rights. I guess your label should have been MediaMatters_Lied_Democrats_Cried, Medida not know what this means.

Our Busted Government and How to Fix It:A Review of John Dean's Broken Government: How Republican Rule Destroyed the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches

In 2002, in Worse Than Watergate, Dean explored the Bush Administration's penchant for secrecy for secrecy's sake. In 2006, in Conservatives Without Conscience, he wrote about the Republican party's drift into right-wing extremism, steeped in authoritarianism.

Now, with a little more than a year left in the current Administration, Dean focuses a wide-angle lens on the state of our government, contending that President Bush and the Republican Party have mangled it to the point that it no longer serves the American people.

Dean is not without hope--he lays out a plan for how the next administration can fix the mess. However, he also ends this book with a warning: Since the Republicans have veered dangerously off-course, only the Democrats can be trusted to repair the damage done.

http://writ.news.findlaw.com/books/reviews/20071005_cassel.html

Here's the anti-labor (thus anti-democratic party) corporate owned and funded media showing major conservative bias again:

Will NBC once again help Ann Coulter sell books?

Summary:

On October 2, 2007, If Democrats Had Any Brains, They'd Be Republicans (Crown Forum), the latest book by right-wing pundit Ann Coulter, is scheduled to be released. As Media Matters for America documented, in the weeks following the release of her last book, Godless: The Church of Liberalism (Crown Forum, June 2006), Coulter made numerous appearances on MSNBC, CNBC, and their parent network, NBC, where she unleashed a stream of attacks on the widows of victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

As Media Matters also documented, while NBC continued to provide Coulter an open platform with which to spew her inflammatory and offensive rhetoric, several NBC hosts and anchors -- including Tonight Show host Jay Leno, Today co-host Matt Lauer, and Nightly News anchor Brian Williams -- expressed disapproval of Coulter's "harsh" and "nasty" statements.

On June 26, 2007 -- the date Godless was released in paperback -- Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's Hardball, claimed that Coulter forces him to "go to confession." Matthews, however, has a history of inviting her on his show. Following an appearance on Today in June 2006 -- during which Coulter criticized the 9-11 widows for "speak[ing] out using the fact that they're widows" and "using their grief" and "the fact that [they] lost a husband" to make "a political point while preventing anyone from responding" -- Williams devoted a segment of the Nightly News to the subject of "civility in American life," highlighting Coulter's comments.

And yet NBC and its cable affiliates have continued to invite her on the air. The upcoming release of Coulter's new book gives rise once again to the question of whether NBC programs will keep hosting her.

According to a Media Matters review*, Coulter has been interviewed at least 194 times on at least 13 individual programs on MSNBC, CNBC, and NBC since April 28, 1997 -- apparently her first appearance on the network. During these interviews, all of Coulter's books have been named, by a host or anchor, by an on-screen graphic, or by Coulter herself.

Further, as Media Matters has extensively documented, Coulter continues to make outrageous statements. On NBC programs alone, Coulter has called former Vice President Al Gore a "total fag" and has attacked former President Bill Clinton as a "latent homosexual." Elsewhere, Coulter has said she "can't really talk about" Democratic presidential candidate and former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) because "you have to go into rehab if you use the word 'faggot'" and has said of Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens: "We need somebody to put rat poison in Justice Stevens's créme brulée." Coulter has also repeatedly mused about potential acts of violence against people with whom she doesn't like or with whom she disagrees.

In its search, Media Matters reviewed Nexis transcript databases for MSNBC, CNBC, and NBC News and documented all of Coulter's interviews, including the date of her appearance, the program on which she was interviewed, the network, and the book (High Crimes and Misdemeanors: The Case Against Bill Clinton (Regnery Publishers, 1998), Slander: Liberal Lies About the American Right (Crown, 2002), Treason: Liberal Treachery from the Cold War to the War on Terrorism (Crown Forum, 2003), How to Talk to A Liberal (If You Must): The World According to Ann Coulter (Crown Forum, 2004), and Godless) named during the show, if one was named. Media Matters read through each transcript individually in order to ensure that interviews were not counted twice, and that clips from previous interviews were also not counted.

According to the Nexis search, since April 28, 1997, Coulter has appeared 117 times on CNBC, seven times on NBC News, and 70 times on MSNBC for a total of 194 interviews. Nexis does not transcribe every show on every network, so these figures represent only those interviews that Media Matters could verify. For example, Nexis does not transcribe CNBC's The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, where, on July 26, 2006, as Media Matters documented, Coulter asserted that former President Bill Clinton exhibits "some level of latent homosexuality." Coulter has also been interviewed on The Tonight Show, which is not transcribed in Nexis.

According to the review, Coulter has been interviewed on at least 13 different NBC and NBC-affiliate programs -- including MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews, MSNBC's Scarborough Country, MSNBC's Tucker (formerly The Situation with Tucker Carlson), MSNBC's The Abrams Report, MSNBC's Deborah Norville Tonight, MSNBC's Buchanan & Press, MSNBC's Saturday Final with Lawrence O'Donnell, MSNBC's Phil Donahue, NBC's Today, CNBC's Kudlow & Company (formerly Kudlow & Cramer), CNBC's Rivera Live, CNBC's Equal Time, and CNBC's Upfront Tonight. Additionally, since April 29, 2003, Coulter has been interviewed 36 times by MSNBC host Joe Scarborough. Since June 26, 2002, Coulter has been interviewed 21 times by MSNBC host Chris Matthews. Further, from December 16, 1997, to August 14, 2001, Coulter was interviewed 69 times on CNBC's Rivera Live hosted by Geraldo Rivera.

Many of these appearances involved the promotion of Coulter's books. When Godless was released on June 6, 2006, Coulter began a string of appearances on NBC. In the months of June and July 2006 alone, Coulter appeared 11 times on NBC programs. During each of those appearances, Godless was mentioned by name. Similarly, the names of Coulter's other books were mentioned frequently during her earlier appearances on NBC. On MSNBC alone, Godless was mentioned five times, How to Talk to A Liberal was mentioned 15 times, Slander was mentioned 18 times, and Treason, 32 times. In only four of Coulter's 70 interviews on MSNBC was none of her books mentioned by name.

As Media Matters for America has extensively documented, Coulter has made a number of highly controversial remarks during these appearances on NBC-owned channels:

* The July 26, 2006, edition of MSNBC News Live highlighted Coulter's taped interview with CNBC's The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, set to air later that day. MSNBC featured a clip from the interview in which Coulter said that former President Clinton exhibits "some level of latent homosexuality." When asked by Deutsch if she was indeed calling Clinton a "latent homosexual," Coulter replied, "Yeah," and mentioned, apparently in support of her claim, "passages" she had "memorized" in the so-called Starr Report -- former independent counsel Kenneth Starr's report to the House of Representatives, resulting from his investigation into the Monica Lewinsky controversy.

* On the July 27, 2006, edition of MSNBC's Hardball, referencing Coulter's "latent homosexuality" comment on The Big Idea the night before, Matthews asked Coulter, "How do you know that Bill Clinton is gay?" Coulter responded, "I don't know if he's gay. But [former Vice President] Al Gore -- total fag." She went on to defend her theory about Clinton's sexuality by stating that "everyone has always known, widely promiscuous heterosexual men have, as I say, a whiff of the bathhouse about them." Coulter claimed she was "just kidding" about Gore, but said of her theory about Clinton, "It's not only not a joke, it's not even surprising."

* On the June 6, 2006, broadcast of NBC's Today, host Matt Lauer provided a forum for some of the more controversial statements in Coulter's book, which Lauer read aloud and asked her to explain, including her claim that liberalism is the "opposition party to God" and that "I've never seen people enjoying their husbands' deaths" as much as the 9-11 widows. The interview was Coulter's third appearance in eight months on Today.

Pressed by Lauer to defend her statement that the widows were "enjoying their husbands' deaths," Coulter responded: "Yes, they're all over the news." She criticized the widows for "speak[ing] out using the fact that they're widows" and "using their grief" and "the fact that you lost a husband" to make "a political point while preventing anyone from responding." She further argued that "the Left" exploits a "doctrine of infallibility," and that "[i]f they have a point to make about the 9-11 Commission, about how to fight the war on terrorism," they "put[] up Cindy Sheehan ... put[] out these widows." As a result, Coulter said, conservatives "always have to respond to someone who just had a family member die" and appear to be "questioning the authenticity of the grief."

* On the February 7, 2005, edition of CNBC's Kudlow & Cramer, Coulter said, "Would that it were so! ... That the American military were targeting journalists."

* Coulter was a guest for the entire October 19, 2004, edition of MSNBC's Scarborough Country, which was guest hosted by MSNBC senior political analyst Lawrence O'Donnell. During that hour, Coulter accused Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) of "gay-profiling" during the third presidential debate when he referred to Mary Cheney, Vice President Dick Cheney's daughter, as a lesbian. Coulter also accused Kerry of trying to "out-God [President] George [W.] Bush" and said that it was clear that "John Kerry does not believe in God.

Coulter's inflammatory comments have extended well beyond NBC:

* In a March 2 speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Coulter said she "can't really talk about" Edwards because "you have to go into rehab if you use the word 'faggot.' " The CPAC audience applauded her comment. Several newspapers dropped Coulter's column following her remarks at CPAC.

* On the March 6 broadcast of his nationally syndicated radio show, Sean Hannity said to Coulter, "Most of the speech was about humor. You were telling jokes the whole time here," and went on to discuss Grey's Anatomy actor Isaiah Washington, who sought counseling after using the slur. Coulter responded by saying, "[T]hat's, of course, what I was referring to, and I don't think there's anything offensive about any variation of faggy, faggotry, faggot, fag. It's a schoolyard taunt. It means -- it means wussy. It means, you know, Hillary giving a speech in a fake Southern drawl -- that's faggy. A trial lawyer who weeps before juries is faggy. Lifetime-type TV, faggy." Coulter then referred to the word "faggot" as "a totally excellent word."

* In a May 16 column titled "Jerry Falwell -- Say Hello to Ronald Reagan!" Coulter, who proclaimed, "Let me be the first to say: I ALWAYS agreed with the Rev. Falwell," admitted that she disagreed with Falwell on "one small item": He should have assigned blame for the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to "[Sen.] Teddy Kennedy [D-MA] and 'the Reverend' Barry Lynn," in addition to "the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians -- who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle." Coulter went on to compare Falwell to Jesus Christ ("If you still think it isn't Christ whom liberals hate, remember: They hate Falwell even more than they hate me.") and assert that Falwell did not blame all "the gays" for "ejecting God from public life," but rather "gays and lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle."

* In a November 30, 2006, syndicated column about the removal of six imams from an airplane in Minnesota after other passengers saw them praying prior to boarding, Coulter claimed that "profiling Muslims is more like profiling the Klan" than it is like profiling African-Americans, "because of the history of discrimination against blacks in this country." Coulter added: "What did we do to the Arabs? I believe Americans are the victims in that relationship."

* In her August 9, 2006, column, Coulter wrote that, without affirmative action, African-American Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) couldn't get a job "that didn't involve wearing a paper hat."

* Coulter titled her August 30, 2006, column on the Rhode Island Senate race: "They Shot the Wrong Lincoln." The headline is a reference to Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), whom she excoriated throughout the piece -- calling him a "half-wit" and a "silver-spooned moron[]" -- while expressing her support for his challenger in the September 12 Republican primary, Stephen Laffey.

* The January 10, 2005, edition of the New York Observer printed a January 3 interview with Coulter, in which she stated that she was "fed up with hearing about ... civilian casualties" in Iraq; that "it would be fun to nuke" North Korea; that all feminists are "weak and pathetic"; and that former President Bill Clinton "was a very good rapist." Coulter's personal website provided a link to the interview.

Coulter has also mused about potential acts of violence against people she doesn't like or disagrees with:

* Commenting on radio host Melanie Morgan's assertion that if New York Times executive editor Bill Keller were convicted of treason for the Times' reporting on the Bush administration's warrantless domestic eavesdropping program, she "would have no problem with him being sent to the gas chamber," Coulter said, "I prefer a firing squad, but I'm open to a debate on the method of execution." She later suggested that Times staff members should be "executed."

* Coulter suggested that Rep. John P. Murtha (D-PA) is "the reason soldiers invented fragging" -- military slang meaning the intentional killing of a member of one's own unit.

* Coulter argued that the national debate during the Monica Lewinsky controversy should not have focused on whether former President Bill Clinton "did it," but rather "whether to impeach or assassinate" him.

* Coulter said of Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens: "We need somebody to put rat poison in Justice Stevens's créme brulée."

* As quoted in an August 26, 2002, New York Observer article, Coulter had previously stated: "My only regret with Timothy McVeigh is he did not go to the New York Times Building." McVeigh's April 19, 1995, bomb attack destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people.

*Search of Nexis MSNBC, CNBC, and NBC News transcript databases: "Ann Coulter and allcaps (Coulter)" for all dates.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200710010001

My note: She was interviewed last night on CNN to hack her latest book of lies and distortions.

Blue the talking heads on the right have taken the ad completely out of context...they aren't saying that Moveon.org suggested that Petraeus might betray us and therefore is a traitor...they are flat out saying the ad said he is a traitor. You have to remember there are probably millions that never saw the ad and our making decisions based on the news coverage.

The point I took from it was we as Americans and our media as well as congress need to have a healthy dose of skeptism when it comes to the decisions made by the Executive branch.

Media Matters did NOT lie, they asked a question. If this troll is too stupid to know what a question mark in an Ad is he is probably too stupid to realize what copyright infringement is (which is why they had to stop making those shirts).

Obama and his flag lapel pin... oh, that's really important "news" story. That's much more important than what Dems are DOING to protect kids, workers, seniors, and making for a stronger America:

DEFENDING OUR COUNTRY

Implementing 9/11 Commission's Recommendations - H.R. 1
This legislation provides for the implementation of the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations. The bill’s provisions include major improvements in aviation security, border security, and infrastructure security; providing first responders the equipment and training they need; beefing up efforts to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction; and significantly expanding diplomatic, economic, educational, and other strategies designed to counter Islamic terrorism.
Status: Passed January 9, 2007
Final House-Senate version passed by the House on July 27, 2007
Signed into law by the President on August 3, 2007

Concurrent Resolution on the President's Escalation Plan - H.RES.63
This resolution disapproves of the decision of the President announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq. It further resolves that Congress and the American people will continue to support and protect the members of the United States Armed Forces who are serving or who have served bravely and honorably in Iraq.
Status: Passed February 16, 2007

Foreign Investment and National Security Act - H.R. 556
This bill strengthens national security by reforming the interagency Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) process by which the Federal Government reviews foreign investments in the United States for their national security implications.
Status: Passed February 28, 2007
Final House-Senate version passed by the House on July 11, 2007
Signed into law by the President on July 26, 2007
Learn more>>

U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health and Iraq Accountability Act
Had it not been vetoed by the President, this bill would have supported our troops and veterans, held the Bush Administration and Iraqi government accountable, and brought our soldiers home by August 2008 or sooner. It would have expanded funding for veterans’ health care and hospitals and refocused military efforts on Afghanistan and fighting terrorism.
Status: Passed March 23, 2007
Vetoed by the President May 1, 2007
Learn more>>

Rail and Mass Transit Security Act - H.R. 1401
This legislation is designed to close the security gaps facing rail and mass transit and includes provisions on issues such as training, grants, security planning, research and development, and shipments of sensitive materials.
Status: Passed March 26, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
Learn more>>

Wounded Warrior Assistance Act - H.R. 1538
This bill responds to the problems brought to light at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and other military health care facilities. It includes provisions to improve the access to quality medical care for wounded service members who are outpatients at military health care facilities, begin the process of restoring the integrity and efficiency of the disability evaluation system, and improve the transition of wounded service members from the Armed Forces to the VA system.
Status: Passed March 28, 2007

FY 2008 Homeland Security Authorization - H.R. 1684
This legislation authorizes $39.8 billion in funding for the Department of Homeland Security in fiscal year 2008. Because the President has been submitting budgets that underfunded key homeland security priorities over the last few years, this bill is authorizing $2.1 billion more than the President requested.
Status: Passed May 9, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
Learn more>>

Revised Version of the FY 2007 Supplemental Funding Bill - H.R. 2206
This bill is a revised version of the FY 2007 Supplemental, which fails to include the tough provisions holding the Iraqi government accountable and providing a responsible timetable for the redeployment of U.S. troops contained in the earlier version. However, in this bill, the President was forced to abandon his threat to veto any bill containing accountability – agreeing to 18 benchmarks and a potential cut-off of reconstruction aid if progress is not made toward meeting them. The measure also includes a minimum wage increase, children’s health care, and other important domestic priorities.
Status: Passed May 10, 2007
Signed into the law by the President on May 25, 2007

FY 2008 Intelligence Authorization Bill - H.R. 2082
This legislation will make new investments in intelligence personnel and enhance oversight of how intelligence is carried out. It authorizes intelligence funding for all U.S. intelligence agencies, including our military intelligence organizations.
Status: Passed May 11, 2007
The Administration opposes in its current form
Learn more>>

FY 2008 Defense Authorization Bill - H.R. 1585
This legislation will provide the necessary resources and authorities to quickly and efficiently reverse declining trends in training and equipment readiness, and will also provide our service members doing their duty overseas in multiple wars with the best gear and force protection possible. Under the bill, our troops will get better health care, better pay, and the benefits they have earned.
Status: Passed May 17, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
Learn more>>

Veterans Bills
These 6 bills support our veterans and honor their sacrifices, providing them with expanded health care and the benefits they deserve.

* The Veterans Outreach and Improvement Act of 2007, H.R. 67, would improve outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. It allows the VA to partner with state and local governments to reach out to veterans and their families in ensuring they receive the benefits for which they are eligible and assist them in completing their benefits claims.

* The Returning Servicemember VA Healthcare Insurance Act of 2007, H.R. 612, extends the period of eligibility for health care for combat service in the Persian Gulf or future hostilities from two years to five years after discharge or release.

* The Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act of 2007, H.R. 2199, ensures that our veterans are properly screened for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI, the signature injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan) and, if diagnosed, receive the appropriate treatment.

* The Early Access to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits Act, H.R. 2239, expands eligibility for vocational rehabilitation benefits for severely injured service members undergoing long-term care and recovery. It makes it easier for injured veterans with service-connected disabilities by allowing the Veterans’ Administration’s vocational rehabilitation and employment (VR&E) benefits to be received before discharge.

* The Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act, H.R. 1470, requires the provision of chiropractic care and services to veterans at all Department of Veterans Affairs medical center.

* H.R. 1660 would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Southern Colorado region.

Status: Passed May 23, 2007
Learn more>>

The Afghanistan Freedom and Security Support Act - H.R. 2446
This legislation will fund development, economic and security assistance programs, and establishment of a coordinator to tackle the growing threat of narcotics in Afghanistan. The bill renews a 2002 Afghanistan authorization and provides additional support for programs as diverse as assistance to women and girls, energy development and counter-narcotics. This bill represents the United States’ commitment to achieving long-term stability and security in Afghanistan.
Status: Passed June 6, 2007
Learn more>>

Homeland Security Appropriations - H.R. 2638
This legislation funds 3,000 additional Border Patrol agents, provides first responders with the equipment and training they need, and provides tougher aviation and port security.
Status: Passed June 15, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
Learn more>>

International Nuclear Fuel for Peace Nonproliferation Act - H.R. 885
This legislation supports the creation of an international nuclear fuel bank so that any country seeking to develop peaceful nuclear power-producing capability will not have to enrich uranium. This bank will make sure that any state that keeps its nuclear nonproliferation commitments can get the fuel it needs without establishing its own fuel production facilities.
Status: Passed June 18, 2007
Learn more>>
State-Foreign Operations Appropriations - H.R. 2764
This legislation supports our allies in the campaign against terrorism, including providing more than $1 billion in aid to Afghanistan; and promotes global stability by strengthening development assistance and addressing humanitarian crises such as the global HIV/AIDS epidemic and Darfur.
Status: Passed June 22, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
Learn more>>

Collective Bargaining for Public Safety Personnel - H.R. 980
This legislation would provide firefighters and police officers with basic workplace collective bargaining rights. In the post-9/11 era of protecting America from terrorism, in which we are asking our police officers, firefighters, and other public safety officers to take on even more responsibilities than they had before, the least we can do is ensure that they have basic rights to seek better wages and benefits.
Status: Passed July 17, 2007
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Banning Permanent U.S. Bases in Iraq - H.R. 2929
This legislation states that it is the policy of the United States not to establish any military installation or base for the purpose of providing a permanent stationing of United States Armed Forces in Iraq. It also states that it is the policy of the United States not to exercise U.S. control of the oil resources of Iraq. The measure bars the use of any funds provided by any law from being used to carry out any policy that contradicts these statements of policy.
Status: Passed July 25, 2007
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Iran Sanctions Enabling - H.R. 2347
This legislation empowers Americans to apply economic pressure on the Iranian regime by establishing a federal list of entities that invest in Iran and allowing for divestment. As Iran continues to threaten regional stability and international security by pursuing a nuclear program, rattling sabers at its neighbors – especially Israel – and supporting terrorist groups funded by its energy sector, this bill will enable investors and state and local governments to ensure they are not invested in companies that support Iran’s oil and gas industry.
Status: Passed July 31, 2007
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Ensuring Military Readiness Through Stability and Predictability Deployment Policy Act - H.R. 3159
This bill would require active duty forces to be guaranteed that their time at home match the length of their deployment. National Guard and reservists would be home for three times the length of the deployments. The bill would allow the President to waive these requirements to meet the national security needs of the country, and allow Service Chiefs of Staff to allow for the voluntary mobilization of members. These requirements would apply to those serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Status: Passed August 2, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
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The Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision and Extension Act (TRIREA) - H.R. 2761
This bill reauthorizes the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) for 15 years – through 2022. TRIA provides a federal backstop to the insurance industry by providing compensation for a portion of insured losses resulting from acts certified by the government as acts of terrorism.
Status: Passed September 19, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
Learn more>>

GROWING OUR ECONOMY

Raising the Minimum Wage - H.R. 2
This bill increases the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour over two years. Increasing the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour brings a pay raise for up to 13 million Americans.
Status: Passed January 10, 2007
The President signed into law on May 25 as part of the revised 2007 supplemental funding bill, H.R. 2206
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Employee Free Choice Act - H.R. 800
The Employee Free Choice Act will restore workers’ rights by removing obstacles that prevent workers from choosing whether or not they want to form or join a union.
Status: Passed March 1, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
Learn more>>

10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act – H.R. 362
This legislation ensures that our teachers are equipped to adequately prepare the workforce of tomorrow in science, math, and technology. It invests in new teachers through professional development, summer training institutes, graduate education assistance, and scholarships.
Status: Passed April 24, 2007
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Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act – H.R. 363
This act encourages scientists by providing grants in the early stages of their careers, supporting recruiting and training young scientists and engineers.
Status: Passed April 24, 2007
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Small Business Lending Improvement Act – H.R. 1332
This legislation provides small businesses with the access to capital they need to start and expand their businesses.
Status: Passed April 25, 2007
The Administration opposes in its current form
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National Science Foundation Authorization Act – H.R. 1867
This legislation puts us on a path to doubling funding for the National Science Foundation’s research over the next 10 years, and encourages young scientists and researchers.
Status: Passed May 2, 2007
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Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act – H.R. 1868
This legislation is the first full reauthorization of the National Institutes of Standards and Technology since 1991, authorizing $2.5 billion for fiscal year 2008-2010.
Status: Passed May 3, 2007
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Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act - H.R. 1873
This legislation will put small businesses on a level playing field with big corporations by increasing their access to federal contracts. It will require the Small Business Administration to reach out to small businesses regarding opportunities for earning government contracts, and mandate stricter oversight of government agencies to ensure they are making progress in awarding contracts to small businesses.
Status: Passed May 10, 2007
The Administration opposes in its current form
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America COMPETES Act: The Innovation Agenda – H.R. 2272
This bill is made up of five Innovation Agenda bills that have been passed by the House. They were combined into one bill to prepare to go to conference with the Senate, which passed an omnibus innovation and competitiveness bill (S. 761) on April 25.

On August 2nd, the House passed the final House-Senate agreeement on H.R. 2272. This legislation is the culmination of a year and a half-long, bipartisan effort to pass an Innovation Agenda that boldly responds to the global economic challenges identified in the 2005 National Academies report, Rising above the Gathering Storm. It ensures American students, teachers, businesses, and workers are prepared to continue leading the world in innovation, research, and technology well into the future.

H.R. 2272 combined the following five bills:

The 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act, H.R. 362

The Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act, H.R. 363

The National Science Foundation Authorization Act, H.R. 1867

The Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act, H.R. 1868

The Amending High-Performance Computing Act, H.R. 1068

Status: Passed the House May 21, 2007
Final House-Senate agreement passed the House August 2, 2007
Signed into law by the President on August 9, 2007
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The No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels (NOPEC) Act - H.R. 2264
This legislation enables the Department of Justice to take legal action against foreign nations for participating in oil cartels that drive up oil prices globally and in the United States. It does so by exempting OPEC and other nations from the provisions of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act when acting in a commercial capacity; by making clear that the so-called “Act of State” doctrine does not prevent courts from ruling on antitrust charges brought against foreign governments; and by authorizing the Department of Justice to bring lawsuits in U.S. courts against cartel members.
Status: Passed May 23, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
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The Energy Price Gouging Act – H.R. 1252
This legislation will reduce the burden of rising gas prices on American families, providing immediate relief to consumers by giving the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the authority to investigate and punish those who artificially inflate the price of energy. It ensures the federal government has the tools it needs to adequately respond to energy emergencies and prohibit price gouging – with a priority on refineries and big oil companies.
Status: Passed May 24, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
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Small Business Bills
During the week of June 18th, the House passed a package of bills that strengthen the Small Business Administration and help grow America’s businesses and economy. These bills also assist veterans and women, and encourage Native American entrepreneurs. They are:

The SBA Entrepreneurial Development Programs Act of 2007, H.R. 2359

The Veterans’ Programs Act of 2007, H.R. 2366

The Women’s Business Programs Act of 2007, H.R. 2397

The Native American Small Business Development Act of 2007, H.R. 2284
Status: Passed the week of June 18, 2007
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Patent Reform Act of 2007 - H.R. 1908
The most significant patent legislation in 50 years, this bill will strengthen the patent system and improve patent quality by deterring abusive practices and by creating a more effective system for considering challenges to the validity of patents.
Status: Passed September 7, 2007
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CARING FOR OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Promoting Life-Saving Stem Cell Research - H.R. 3/S.5
This research bill increases the number of lines of stem cells that are eligible to be used in federally-funded research. The bill authorizes Health and Human Services (HHS) to support research involving embryonic stem cells meeting certain criteria, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from an embryo. The bill only authorizes the use of stem cell lines generated from embryos that would otherwise be discarded by fertility clinics.
Status: Passed January 11, 2007
Final version passed by the House on June 7, 2007
The President vetoed this bill on June 20, 2007
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Requiring Medicare to Negotiate Lower Prescription Drug Prices - H.R. 4
This bill repeals the current provision that prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from negotiating with drug companies for lower prices for those enrolled in Medicare prescription drug plans and instead requires the Secretary to conduct such negotiations.
Status: Passed January 12, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
Learn more>>

Cutting Interest Rates on Student Loans - H.R. 5
This bill makes college more accessible and affordable by cutting the interest rates on subsidized student loans in half – from the current 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent. This significantly cuts the student debt burden of about 5 million students.
Status: Passed January 17, 2007
The Administration opposes in its current form
Learn more>>

Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act, H.R. 365
This legislation will protect innocent families against the after-effects of methamphetamine production in their neighborhoods by funding meth lab recovery and remediation.
Status: Passed February 7, 2007
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Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act - H.R. 1227
This legislation addresses the housing needs of the survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and is the first of several bills that the House will consider to deal with the unmet needs of the people of the Gulf Coast.
Status: Passed March 21, 2007
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Genetic Nondiscrimination Act – H.R. 493
This legislation will protect personal genetic information from discriminatory use by health insurers and employers.
Status: Passed April 25, 2007
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Improving Head Start Act – H.R. 1429
This legislation will help more children arrive at kindergarten ready to succeed by improving program quality and expanding access to more children.
Status: Passed May 2, 2007
The Administration opposes in its current form
Learn more>>

Hate Crimes Prevention Act – H.R. 1592
This legislation will provide new resources to help state and local law enforcement agencies prevent and prosecute hate crimes, and closes gaps in current federal hate crimes law.
Status: Passed May 3, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
Learn more>>

COPS Improvement Act of 2007 - H.R. 1700
This legislation will provide much needed support to local law enforcement agencies for their community oriented policing (COPS) efforts. This legislation is especially important as local law enforcement agencies struggle with funding gaps to keep officers on the streets.
Status: Passed May 15, 2007
Learn more>>

Child Labor Protection Act of 2007 - H.R. 2637
This legislation would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act by increasing penalties for those who violate child labor provisions. The Fair Labor Standards Act, enacted in 1938, prohibits businesses from employing minors in “oppressive child labor." If businesses violate these laws, they can be fined by the Department of Labor.
Status: Passed June 12, 2007
Learn more>>

National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Improvement Act - H.R. 2640
This legislation enforces the provisions of the 1968 Gun Control Act, and is designed to make the NICS work better by ensuring it has the appropriate records. It requires the transmittal of federal and state records to NICS, and authorizes grants to states over the next three years.
Status: Passed June 13, 2007
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The College Cost Reduction and Access Act - H.R. 2669
This legislation provides the single largest increase in college aid since the GI bill in 1944. The Democratic-led Congress is committed to growing and strengthening America’s middle class, and will ensure that college is affordable for every qualified student who wants to attend. This legislation both expands educational opportunities for our nation’s young people, and is an investment in our workforce that will continue our economic leadership in the world.
Status: Passed July 11, 2007
On September 7, the House passed the final House-Senate agreement
On September 27, this bill was signed into law by the President
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Section 8 Voucher Reform Act - H.R. 1851
The legislation will change Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Section 8 public housing programs - expanding rental assistance opportunities, improving program efficiency, and encouraging family self-sufficiency. The bill expands the number of families receiving vouchers by 20,000 a year for each of the next five years and ensures the program works effectively for the nation’s low income working families with children, elderly and disabled.
Status: Passed July 12, 2007
Learn more>>

The Rural Housing and Economic Development Act of 2007 - H.R. 1982
This bill would improve the quality of life by providing resources to address substandard housing in rural America. It authorizes $30 million for the Rural Housing and Economic Development (RHED) program for fiscal year 2008, and $40 million for Fiscal Years 2009 through 2013. This program increases and improves capacity building at the state and local level for rural housing and economic development and supports innovative housing and economic development activities in these areas.
Status: Passed July 16, 2007
Learn more >>

Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act - H.R. 2419
This legislation begins to reform farm policy while investing in energy independence, supporting conservation, strengthening nutrition assistance, and recognizing the importance of specialty crops.
Status: Passed July 27, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
Learn more>>

Reauthorizing the Children's Health Insurance Program - H.R. 976
This bill will bring health coverage to approximately ten million children in need – preserving coverage for all 6.6 million children currently covered by CHIP, and reaching millions more low-income, uninsured American children in the next five years.
Status: Passed August 1, 2007
Passed final House-Senate agreement On September 25, 2007
The President vetoed on October 3, 2007
Learn more>>

Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Reauthorization Act of 2007 - H.R. 2786
This legislation reauthorizes the Native American Housing Assistance Self Determination Act of 1996 for five years and amends the law to address housing needs of Native Americans. The bill clarifies rules and regulations and makes it easier for tribes to attain affordable housing.
Status: Passed September 6, 2007
Learn more>>

The Expanding Homeownership Act of 2007 - H.R. 1852
This bill will revitalize the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which was established to provide a reliable source of affordable mortgage loans for first-time homebuyers. The bill will enable the FHA to serve more subprime borrowers at affordable rates and terms, to attract borrowers that have turned to predatory loans in recent years, and to offer refinancing to homeowners struggling to meet their mortgage payments in the midst of the current turbulent mortgage markets.
Status: Passed September 18, 2007
Learn more>>

The Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act - H.R. 2881
This legislation would modernize the nation's aging air traffic control system, dedicating an increase in the aviation fuel taxes to pay for these improvements. It would modernize airports to reduce flight delays, and protect consumers by reducing over-scheduling and improving the system to address complaints.
Status: Passed September 20, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
Learn more>>

The Popcorn Workers Lung Disease Prevention Act - H.R. 2693
This legislation responds to the appearance of a fatal and irreversible disease called bronchiolitis obliterans that appeared among a group of workers in a popcorn plant in 2000. The disease, which has come to be known as “popcorn lung,” is connected to diacetyl, a chemical used in artificial butter flavoring that the workers were exposed to, according to the National Institute for Occupations Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Status: Passed September 26, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
Learn more>>

The Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007 - H.R. 3121
This legislation reauthorizes the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for five years, through FY 2013 (the current authorization for NFIP expires on September 30, 2008). It also provides for reforms to the NFIP, improves flood mapping, and expands the NFIP to provide for multiple peril coverage. Following are highlights of some of the bill’s provisions.
Status: Passed September 27, 2007
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PROTECTING OUR PLANET

Repealing Big Oil Subsidies/Investing in Renewable Fuels - H.R. 6
This bill invests in clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency by repealing billions in subsidies given to big oil companies that are raking in record profits.
Status: Passed January 18, 2007
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Reauthorizing Sewer Overflow Control Grants - H.R. 569
This bill authorizes $1.5 billion in grants to local communities over the next five years to construct treatment works to deal with sewer overflows that often occur after heavy rainfalls. This bill is crucial because sewer overflows represent a major public health hazard.
Status: Passed March 7, 2007
The Administration opposes in its current form
Learn more>>

Reauthorizing Pilot Program for Increasing Useable Water Supply - H.R. 700
This bill authorizes $125 million to fund projects that increase usable water supply by encouraging innovation in water reclamation, reuse and conservation.
Status: Passed March 8, 2007
The Administration opposes in its current form
Learn more>>

Reauthorizing Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund - H.R. 720
The Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund is a vital program for state and local governments that addresses critical water infrastructure needs. This bill authorizes a total of $14 billion for the fund over the next four years, ensures clean water and fosters economic development in local communities by helping pay for building and improving wastewater treatment facilities.
Status: Passed March 9, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
Learn more>>

Advanced Fuels Infrastructure R&D Act - H.R. 547
This legislation will help make alternative biofuels more quickly and affordably, and assists retailers in the transition to clean diesel fuels.
Status: Passed February 17, 2007
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Water Resources Development Act of 2007 - H.R. 1495
This legislation authorizes several projects and studies for the United States Army Corps of Engineers to carry out its major missions of flood control to protect our lives and livelihoods, viable navigation corridors for the movement of goods and services, and ecosystem restoration projects to improve the health of our nation’s environment.
Status: Passed April 19, 2007
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Interior-Environment Appropriations - H.R. 2643
This legislation fully funds the Clean Water Fund that the President proposed cutting by 37 percent, makes improving our national parks, national wildlife refuges, and national forests a key priority, and boosts basic research on climate change by 53 percent.
Status: Passed June 27, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
Learn more>>

New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act - H.R. 3221
This legislation will move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, develop innovative new technologies, reduce carbon emissions, create green jobs, protect consumers, increase clean renewable energy production, and modernize our energy infrastructure.
Status: Passed August 4, 2007
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RESTORING ACCOUNTABILITY

Honest Leadership - H.Res. 6
To clean up Washington and sever unethical ties between lawmakers and lobbyists, House Democrats started by banning travel and gifts from lobbyists, requiring full transparency to end the abuse of special interest earmarks, banning travel on corporate jets, shutting down the K Street project, reinstating the strict rules of pay-as-you-go budgeting, and ending the abusive processes that have destroyed democracy in the House of Representatives. These measures are the first steps to ensure that this Congress upholds the highest ethical standards.
Status: Passed January 5, 2007
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Pension Forfeiture Act - H.R. 476
This legislation requires that Members convicted of certain federal offenses forfeit their congressional pension rights.
Status: Passed January 23, 2007

The Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 2007 - H.R. 1309
This bill amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in a dozen substantive provisions to provide for more timely disclosure of government documents, including restoring the presumption of disclosure to FOIA, helping FOIA requesters obtain timely responses, improving transparency in agency compliance with FOIA, providing an alternative to litigation, and providing accountability for FOIA decisions.
Status: Passed March 14, 2007
The Administration opposes in its current form
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Presidential Records Act Amendments of 2007 - H.R. 1255
Under the Presidential Records Act, presidential records are supposed to be released to historians and the public 12 years after the end of a presidential administration. In 2001, President George W. Bush issued an executive order which gave current and former presidents and vice presidents broad authority to withhold presidential records or delay their release indefinitely. The Presidential Records Act Amendments of 2007 nullifies the Bush executive order and establishes procedures to ensure the timely release of presidential records.
Status: Passed March 14, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
Learn more>>

Presidential Library Donation Reform Act of 2007 - H.R. 1254
This bill requires the disclosure of donors to Presidential libraries. Presidential libraries are built using private funds raised by an organization or foundation working on behalf of the president. Under current law, donations for the presidential library can be unlimited in size and are not required to be disclosed. The bill would require that all organizations established for the purpose of raising funds for presidential libraries or their related facilities report on a quarterly basis all contributions of $200 or more.
Status: Passed March 14, 2007
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Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2007 - H.R. 985
This bill strengthens protections for federal whistleblowers to prevent retaliation against those who report wrongdoing, waste, fraud, or abuse to authorities.
Status: Passed March 14, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
Learn more>>

Accountability in Contracting Act - H.R. 1362
This bill changes federal acquisition law to require agencies to limit the use of abuse-prone contracts, to increase transparency and accountability in federal contracting, and to protect the integrity of the acquisition workforce.
Status: Passed March 15, 2007
The Administration opposes in its current form
Learn more>>

Interim Appointment of U.S. Attorneys – H.R. 580
This legislation will help better ensure the independence of U.S. Attorneys – by repealing a provision in a 2006 statute that grants the Attorney General the authority to make indefinite interim appointments of U.S. Attorneys, who can then serve indefinitely without Senate confirmation.
Status: Passed March 26, 2007
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Taxpayer Protection Act - H.R. 1677
This legislation increases IRS outreach to provide taxpayers with stronger protections from identity theft and tax fraud. The bill simplifies tax filing requirements, strengthens outreach so people know they are entitled to tax refunds or payments under the Earned Income Tax Credit, and it increases taxpayer protections from “predatory” providers.
Status: Passed April 17, 2007
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RECOVER Act – H.R. 1361
This legislation overhauls the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Disaster Assistance Program. In response to SBA’s disastrous performance after the 2005 Gulf State hurricanes, this bill provides numerous provisions to improve and strengthen the SBA disaster assistance program.
Status: Passed April 18, 2007
The President opposes in its current form
Learn more>>

D.C. Voting Rights Act – H.R. 1905
This legislation will secure voting rights in the House for the District of Columbia, permanently expanding the U.S. House of Representatives from 435 to 437 seats. This provides a vote to the District of Columbia and a new, at-large seat through the 112th Congress to the state next entitled to increase its congressional representation (which, according to the Census, is Utah).
Status: Passed April 19, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
Learn more>>

Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act – H.R. 1257
This bill requires that public companies ensure that shareholders have an annual nonbinding vote on their company’s executive compensation plans. It also requires a nonbinding advisory vote if the company awards a new golden parachute package while simultaneously negotiating the purchase or sale of the company.
Status: Passed April 20, 2007
The Administration opposes in its current form
Learn more>>
Student Loan Sunshine Act - H.R. 890
In light of mounting evidence of unethical practices in the student loan industry, this legislation cleans up the relationships between student lenders and colleges.
Status: Passed May 9, 2007
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Honest Leadership and Open Government Act – H.R. 2316/S.1
This legislation ends the tight-knit relationship between lobbyists and lawmakers. This is a tough bill that ends the culture of corruption, and restores accountability in Washington, ending the tight-knit relationship between lobbyists and lawmakers and taking another major step toward making the 110th Congress the most open, honest Congress in history. Status: Passed May 24, 2007
Final version passed the House on July 31, 2007
Signed into law by the President on September 14, 2007
Learn more>>

The Preserving United States Attorney Independence Act – S. 214
This bill reinstates the Senate’s role in the U.S. Attorney confirmation process. It is designed to help better ensure the independence of U.S. Attorneys – by repealing a provision in a 2006 statute that grants the Attorney General the authority to make indefinite interim appointments of U.S. Attorneys, who can then serve indefinitely without Senate confirmation.
Status: Passed May 22, 2007
Signed into law by the President on June 14, 2007
Learn more>>
The Federal Housing Finance Reform Act – H.R. 1427
This legislation will overhaul the regulatory oversight of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks, and create a new, independent regulator with broad powers analogous to current banking regulators. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government-sponsored enterprises, meaning they are both created and chartered by Congress in addition to being private, profit-seeking businesses. It also creates a non-taxpayer financed affordable housing fund, which will dedicate hundreds of millions of dollars for the construction, maintenance and preservation of affordable housing, with the first year of the fund to be dedicated to the hurricane stricken areas of the Gulf Coast, and billions of dollars over the next five years for affordable housing nationwide.
Status: Passed May 22, 2007
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The Lobbying Transparency Act – H.R. 2317
This bill requiring lobbyists who “bundle,” or collect campaign checks for Members of Congress, to meet strict reporting and disclosure guidelines.
Status: Passed May 24, 2007
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Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act - H.R. 1281
This bill will prohibit and punish deceptive practices that aim to keep voters away from the polls on Election Day. This bill protects every American citizen’s right to vote by making voter deception, for the first time, a crime.
Status: Passed June 25, 2007
Learn more>

The Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 - H.R. 2900
This legislation reauthorizes the prescription drug user fee for five years and increases the fee in order to allow the FDA to approve life-saving drugs more quickly. The bill makes the most sweeping safety and regulatory changes to the agency in years, adding new surveillance and safety requirements for drugs after they have been approved and marketed.
Status: Passed July 11, 2007
Learn more>>

FDIC Enforcement Enhancement Act - H.R. 2547
To protect consumers nationwide, this legislation will impose penalties on companies that falsely claim to be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This bill protects the integrity and the reputation of the FDIC as well as the millions of consumers that place their trust in the financial regulatory institutions.
Status: Passed July 16, 2007
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Passport Backlog Reduction Act of 2007 - S. 966
The new passport requirements have triggered an enormous passport backlog, with about 3 million pending passport applications that have yet to be processed. This delay has forced Americans to cancel business, leisure trips, and trips for study abroad. This legislation helps eliminate the backlog that is plaguing American travelers. It waives salary restrictions and allows the Department of State to bring back former employees to assist in passport-related duties.
Status: Passed July 16, 2007
Signed into the law by the President on July 30, 2007
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Campaign Expenditure Transparency Act - H.R. 2630
This legislation raises the bar on the ethical standards of Members of Congress by ending the practice of allowing federal office holders and candidates to employ spouses in their campaign. It would also require the disclosure of all other immediate family members who are employed by a candidate’s campaign. In addition, this bill would ban the egregious practice involving the spouse of an elected official earning commissions for fundraising activity. In those situations, the candidate or elected official personally pockets a percentage of all campaign funds raised by their spouse.
Status: Passed July 23, 2007
Learn more>>

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act - H.R. 2831
This legislation rectifies the recent Supreme Court decision that makes it harder for workers to pursue pay discrimination claims. The bill simply restores the longstanding interpretation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act – that each paycheck that results from a discriminatory decision is itself a discriminatory act that resets the clock on the 180-day period within which a worker must file.
Status: Passed July 31, 2007
The President has threatened to veto
Learn more>>

Honest Leadership, Open Government Act - S. 1
This is tough legislation designed to end the culture of corruption and restore accountability in Washington. The bill ends the tight-knit relationship between lobbyists and lawmakers and takes another major step toward making the 110th Congress the most open, honest Congress in history. This legislation will bring unprecedented transparency to lobbyists’ activities and is another major step to change the way business is done in Washington.
Status: Passed July 31, 2007
Signed into the law by the President on September 15, 2007
Learn more>>

Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act - H.R. 180
In continuing efforts to address the genocide and humanitarian crisis in Darfur, the House passed legislation that will require the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a list of companies whose business activities in Sudan directly support the genocidal practices of the regime in Khartoum.
Status: Passed July 31, 2007
Learn more>>

Wow. The GOP gives a nod to Larry Craig for their new logo:

Wide-stance Pachyderm

Sorry, I meant Move On. I was listening to some Pug putz wailing about how Media Matters "lied" about Flash Gasbag while I was responding to/refuting the troll. How is posting the audio and the written transcript from HIS site "lying" about what that drug addled gasbag said?

Floridians should care about getting a fair election FOR ONCE, rather than getting MORE power in the election process.

Posted by Big_Yellow_Dog on October 5, 2007 at 11:37 AM

I would assume whoever you are that you carry a Florida badge to make this call???

It is amazing how the GOP blind followers care more about what is worn on your shirt than what your actions or beliefs are. But then, they were the ones who laughed at the injured troops with their purple-heart bandaids.

Blue, that logo needed a little tweaking, so the gang at "Sadly, No!" helped out the Goopers.

Breaking News On The Totally-Straight Front

Coulter claimed that "profiling Muslims is more like profiling the Klan" than it is like profiling African-Americans, "because of the history of discrimination against blacks in this country."

Posted by Big_Yellow_Dog on October 5, 2007 at 11:56 AM

See this ignorant b**tch, let me change that, she resembles a man more than anything. But anyway she is a pathetic example of what that white supremist/militia thinking can spawn.

speaking metaphorically and only suggesting Friends but............

it's a REVOLUTION and you've GOT to remember to put your ARMOR ON!!! No time to be licking our own wounds. They are puny, imo.

peace

Dawn, David Shuster is coming up in about 3 minutes.

{{J}}

The pity is that (s)he wouldn't make a whole, good man, either, adam's apple or no. She's there for one reason and one reason only: to keep the klan wing of the republic party (the majority of them, that is) frenzied up so they'll keep voting against America and their own self-interests.

Dave had it right: true stupid. She was stupid when she was born; she's stupid now; and (in an almost-ironic twist of fate), bitch'll die stupid, too. Doesn't say much for those who idolize her, now does it? ;-) All evidence is that the GOP have a complete lock on "ignunce".

Want some good reading try Council For National Policy and see if names like Cheney & Romney. pop up. Yes! www.wikipedia.org. The interesting part is in the Critism section, I'm glad to know they advocate the Death Penalty for Adulterers,Blasphemers,Incorrigible teenagers, Gay People, Witches and those who worship false gods.

Isn't that kind of like a Hate Group? Someone might want to ask them that? Have fun!

Posted by bush_wants_world_oil_supply on October 5, 2007 at 12:40 PM

good reading?

This sounds like something I might read to my kids on halloween to scare them!

I don't want to know how they twist their pea-brains around being pro-death-penalty and pro-war, yet can still with a straight face say that they're the pro-life party. No sane person could possibly maintain all three at once.

Republicans aim to win presidency by changing voting rules

A Republican push to change America's historic voting system is faltering after a fightback by Democrats fearful that it could cost them the 2008 presidential election. Republican activists in California, the most populous state, have set in motion a proposal to end the winner-takes-all electoral college system.
The change, if it went through, would effectively hand the next election to the Republicans.

California has gone Democratic in every election since 1992, providing a bloc of 55 electoral votes, about a fifth of the 270 needed to win the presidency. The Republicans are proposing that instead of all the electoral votes going to the winner, the 55 votes be allocated on a congressional-district basis, which would give the Republicans about 20, almost certainly enough to secure the White House...

...The Republicans have filed to have their proposal put to a ballot in June next year. But first they have to collect 434,000 signatures by November 29. If Californians then voted in the ballot for the change, the new rules would apply in the presidential election in November 2008.

Posted by dlesterpoet on October 5, 2007 at 11:00 AM

Psst! Your tinfoil hat is pointing in the wrong direction. The White House takes orders from the corporations, not the other way around. :)

Posted by DPD on October 5, 2007 at 12:29 PM

caught it! And loving Ed on a tear today!!

thanks {{dpd}}

This one's for Bob, the self proclaimed DemHawk if he comes by today. It ran in the Guardian yesterday.

God, what a bunch of whiners

On display yet again, in a New York Times column: the liberal hawks' infuriating and dishonest need for self-justification.

HillWill, we all know they are pro-birth...not pro-life. :)

Wow talk about timing. Speaking of witches.

I just got this from a friend in my email entitled "Halloween around DC" but I've saved it cuz it's cute and I like witches so I renamed her the GOOD WITCH! LOL

I thanked my friend and told her how much I liked all the witches I've met and to NOT be afraid.

Posted by Dawn on October 5, 2007 at 01:10 PM

What happened to Nkneedem?

Hello,

Well, it seems the far right is supporting payment to the far left again.

Green Party supported by @#$%^
Nader supported by the #$%^

Martin Luther King Jr. - A True Historical Examination website, www.martinlutherking.org is supported by the hate groups, KKK and x-tian reich.

Time and again I find information websites on green energy is nothing more than propaganda websites for the repugnant reich.

There is a little bit of truth and lots of propaganda and false statements.

These repugnant x-tian reich have used their tax breaks, faith based funding and stolen funds from the Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid Trust fund for propaganda missions.

For every penny they throw around like heavy manhole covers, they keep 99 cents for themselves and send you a prayer to go piss off!

Bush's veto of the children's healthcare is nothing more than a betrayal of his commitment to life. It is propaganda mission for Bush.

Facts:

Bush added over $20.0 Trillion USD debt to the Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid Trust Fund. Clinton Administration reduced the debt to $26.0 Trillion. Bush Administration raided the trust fund and stole $20.0 Trillion and left a bunch of IOU's!!!! (Evidence in 2006 budget submitted and signed by the president, repugnant congress and sec. treasury. See evidence at www.whitehouse.gov)

Facts:

Bush added over $9.0 Trillion USD in debt repayment. (Evidence in budget again see signed document presented by president, repugnant congress and sec treasury at www.whitehouse.gov)

The amount of money needed to fund the children's heath care $100.00 per month per child equal $1200.00 per year per child. There are 8 million children without healthcare. All these children can be covered with one year of healthcare insurance with less than one month of funding the Iraq War.

So, do you want to give the 12 times the money to bush cronies with no accountability or fund healthy children so our entire society can live with less fear of disease spreading or excessive use of very expensive emergency trauma facilities?

The bush administration and republicans can be summed in one word, "BETRAYAL"!

Blue,

I tried HillORanyDawn but it was too long

and I'm obviously leaning her way (that pic was more a Harry Potter reference, anyway) it was from a Nurse friend of mine from Cal.

All my friends (not from here) and my Mom, Daughter & Dem 2 Uncles and 2 Aunts are pulling me her way. Not with any thing other than the logic in it all.

Still not completely committed and whomever gets the nod will get my vote. no worries.

when I told my daughter that Hillary was all of a sudden so far ahead that she wouldn't MISS my vote going to the person I really would rather have like a write in vote for AL GORE

she about tore my head off

"Don't DO THAT MOM you NEVER KNOW!"

so I had to sort of agree to not do that ;-)

Hello to All,

If bush insist the technique he use in not torture; can the next administration and congress use this same questioning technique on members of the bush administration and republicans during its investigation process to determine what really happened in Iraq?

Oh Blue...I can't believe what I just read.

Larry Craig is going to be inducted to the Idaho Hall of Fame

http://www.2news.tv/features/calendar/8831002.html

What's wrong with "hating" hypocrites and liars? That's what Flash Gasbag and ALL the other Pugs are. Shouldn't you be listening to that fat drug addled gas bag instead of being here? BTW, take a remedial spelling class.

(snicker) dpd what do you expect from a bunch of LOSERS?

Good afternoon fellow Democrats.

Still not completely committed and whomever gets the nod will get my vote. no worries.
Posted by Dawn on October 5, 2007

i agree dawnie, whoever we pick will be ten thousand times better than the stay the course robots from the other side.

Hey Bob

Thanks Jimmy :-)

ok, this is really off topic...but every once in awhile I like to read the paper from my home town of Spokane, (The Spokesman Review)...it also covers Norther Idaho news and yesterday they ran this story...

Bra check upsets court visitor

A Bonners Ferry woman says she was humiliated when security guards at the federal courthouse in Coeur d'Alene told her she'd have to remove her underwire bra to get inside.

Lori Plato said she was going into the courthouse for a court hearing Sept. 20 when the metal detector went off as she passed through security.

"When I walked through, the gentleman said, "'Do you have an underwire bra on?'." Plato said. "I said, 'Yeah.' He said, 'You have to remove it.' "

But there was nowhere private to remove her bra, she said. The guards suggested she go out to her car to do it.

Instead, Plato — who describes herself as "not petite" — said she removed her bra while her husband tried to shield her from view of others in the crowded lobby by holding up his coat.

She said she had to put the bra on a conveyor belt and send it through an x-ray machine.

"After I got through the metal detector and waited for my bra to come through the conveyor belt, one of the security guards said, "'That's a girl,'" Plato said. She thought the guard was making fun of her.

The paper is a subscription only otherwise I would post a link to it.

when she called the Marshall's office for an apology she was told it could have been handled better but other women that have been told to take off their bras simply left the courthouse.

I guess the marshalls couldn't see any legitimate reason for a woman to visit the courthouse and so have no problem when they have chased women away.

Of COURSE we hate those who destroyed our country, our Constitution, our people, our rights ! And we hate those who defend them also, the "SP" as they are now known.

J & other Floridians, Thanks for the clarification to me on the fact that the Republicans in FL were mainly responsible for this mess the state is in vs. DNC. I did not know that, and I did not figure that into the equation.

Could this be another Pat Tillman?

GI to her family: Ask many questions if I die

Posted by GregL on October 5, 2007 at 12:52 PM
===========================================
It cohesion corrupt brotherhood.

Did the Senators & Representatives Forget about their Congressional Oath of Office? Didn't they Swear To (Support And Defend The Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic?

Posted by Kristen on October 5, 2007 at 01:57 PM

:-o

:-\

:-<

no words
only mortified
:-0

Posted by Kristen on October 5, 2007 at 01:42 PM

Oh it will be a fabulous affair for Idaho, flush with tapdancing entertainment and what's left of the national guard, honoring the inductees with a wide-stanced salute.

Ok, that's my snark limit today...

Posted by Kristen on October 5, 2007 at 01:57 PM

As if Idaho hasn't suffered enough lately. The GOP disciples have really destroyed this state.

Posted by Kristen on October 5, 2007 at 12:58 PM

Thank you for the link.

Blue, maybe they can stall that fiesta fiasco.

By what I read if Bush has violated just 1 part of the constitution their " Obligated To Follow The Impeachment Process." If they Obstruct the process to protect their party then they can be charged with Violating Their Oath.

Posted by DPD on October 5, 2007 at 02:08 PM

Good idea, given that the idea has lost its appeal. :)

If the Democrats pull another Dukakus I'm gonna go back to........ yeap

Posted by DPD on October 5, 2007 at 01:47 PM

"Although it is not true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that all stupid people are conservative" John Stuart Mill (1806-1873).

Gasbag, Coltface and O'Lielly are laughing all the way to the bank, proving that P. T. Barnum was right.

WoW the callers on Ed's show! I'm so surprised.

I love that quote, Rev. I should be engraved on a plaque and affixed to the RNC Headquarters.

IT!!!!!!

Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore

© John Prine

While digesting Reader's Digest
In the back of a dirty book store,
A plastic flag, with gum on the back,
Fell out on the floor.
Well, I picked it up and I ran outside
Slapped it on my window shield,
And if I could see old Betsy Ross
I'd tell her how good I feel.

Chorus:
But your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.
They're already overcrowded
From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin'
No matter what the reason's for,
And your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.

Well, I went to the bank this morning
And the cashier he said to me,
"If you join the Christmas club
We'll give you ten of them flags for free."
Well, I didn't mess around a bit
I took him up on what he said.
And I stuck them stickers all over my car
And one on my wife's forehead.

Repeat Chorus:

Well, I got my window shield so filled
With flags I couldn't see.
So, I ran the car upside a curb
And right into a tree.
By the time they got a doctor down
I was already dead.
And I'll never understand why the man
Standing in the Pearly Gates said...

"But your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.
We're already overcrowded
From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin'
No matter what the reason's for,
And your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more."

man that just torques me off!!!

WHY no WHO are the "DEMOCRATS" that are calling Hillary the anti-christ????

That's just BS on a STICK!! SHE didn't cheat! Her NY constituents love her! She's never been convicted of a crime or done a lewd act! I DON'T GET THOSE PEOPLE????

I won't believe they are true Democrats either.

man that TORQUES me OFF!!! It's like they're insulting my Mother and Daughter!! They better STOP THAT SHIT!

JOHN PRINE lyrics - Some Humans Ain't Human

Mmmm Mmmm
Mmmm Mmmm
Mmmm Mmmm
Mmmm Mmmm

Some humans ain't human
Some people ain't kind
You open up their hearts
And here's what you'll find
A few frozen pizzas
Some ice cubes with hair
A broken Popsicle
You don't want to go there

Some humans ain't human
Though they walk like we do
They live and they breathe
Just to turn the old screw
They screw you when you're sleeping
They try to screw you blind
Some humans ain't human
Some people ain't kind

You might go to church
And sit down in a pew
Those humans who ain't human
Could be sittin' right next to you
They talk about your family
They talk about your clothes
When they don't know their own ass
From their own elbows

Jealousy and stupidity
Don't equal harmony
Jealousy and stupidity
Don't equal harmony

Mmmm Mmmm
Mmmm Mmmm
Mmmm Mmmm
Mmmm Mmmm

[Spoken:]
Have you ever noticed
When you're feeling really good
There's always a pigeon
That'll come shit on your hood

Or you're feeling your freedom
And the world's off your back
Some cowboy from Texas
Starts his own war in Iraq

Some humans ain't human
Some people ain't kind
They lie through their teeth
With their head up their behind
You open up their hearts
And here's what you'll find
Some humans ain't human
Some people ain't kind

Mmmm Mmmm
Mmmm Mmmm
Mmmm Mmmm
Mmmm Mmmm
Mmmm Mmmm
Mmmm Mmmm

Activists Persuade Congress to Intervene with DEA
45 Reps Sign Letter Urging Research Cultivation License
ASA lobbying was part of a successful, many-month effort by medical marijuana activists to get Congress to support research into cannabis therapeutics. On September 19, a letter signed by 45 members of the U.S. House of Representatives was delivered to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), urging the DEA to allow a UMass-Amherst professor to grow marijuana for approved research studies.

Over the past four months, ASA National Office staff, led by Governmental Affairs Director Caren Woodson, have been part of a campaign to get members of the House to sign the bi-partisan letter to DEA Adminstrator Karen Tandy. ASA members across the country contributed to a national grassroots campaign, contacting their representatives to ask them to sign on.

The letter, which was authored by U.S. Representatives John Olver (D-MA) and Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), asks Tandy to accept DEA Administrative Law Judge Mary Ellen Bittner's February 2007 Opinion and Recommended Ruling in support of the UMass-Amherst Medical Marijuana Research Production Facility. The law judge's ruling is non-binding and DEA has no deadline to decide whether to accept or reject it. The ruling is the result of legal action sponsored by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies and supported by the American Civil Liberties Union and other drug policy reform groups.

The DEA's handling of the UMass application to cultivate marijuana for research studies has already elicited congressional questioning. A DEA deputy administrator faced criticism on the subject during hearings this summer.

"The DEA is ignoring the vast scientific evidence that clearly shows medicinal use of marijuana benefits patients who are extremely ill," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), who sits on one of the committees charged with oversight. "When it comes to providing the best treatment options to sick Americans, we should trust doctors and medical researchers and not federal bureaucrats."

Lyle Craker, who is the director of the Medicinal Plant Program in the Department of Plant, Insect and Soil Sciences at University of Massachusetts, Amherst, submitted his initial application to DEA in June 2001. Craker plans to cultivate marijuana that would be used in clinical trials to determine whether marijuana meets FDA standards for medical safety and efficacy.

Since 1968, the federal National Institute on Drug Abuse has maintained a monopoly on the supply of research marijuana. Judge Bittner found that NIDA has repeatedly refused to supply marijuana for FDA-approved studies that could develop marijuana as a prescription medicine. Federal law requires adequate competition in the production of such Schedule I drugs as marijuana, to ensure a supply for approved research.

Geneva Convention Article 51, paragraphs 1,2,4 and 5! Geneva Convention Article 3. Violation of the Nuremberg Charter!

Lets see Violation Of Oath and the Penalty!

"But your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.
We're already overcrowded
From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin'
No matter what the reason's for,
And your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more."
Posted by BlueinIdaho on October 5, 2007 at 02:36 PM

This is great, blue.

I have to admit everytime I see those cars now with their Support the Troops stickers, I want to say, "Well you ARE trying to get them home, right? " Because there is no other way to support them now that the lies are all know, the failure of this mishap is certain, and that even Bush does not say the word 'victory' anymore.

this is very interesting and enlightening. This Ike Skelton was the hard nose Right winger who was so concerned over BetrayUs, too, and he is saying he is worried .

New Military Leaders Question Iraq Mission

McClatchy Newspapers

Washington - Four and a half years after the nation's top military leaders saluted and fell in behind President Bush's pre-emptive invasion of Iraq, their replacements are beginning to question the mission and sound alarms about the toll the war is taking on the Army and the Marine Corps.

The change at the Pentagon is striking but little-noticed, in part because Defense Secretary Robert Gates, a longtime veteran of the CIA, is quiet where his predecessor Donald H. Rumsfeld was not.

"It's part of a sea change," said Loren Thompson, a military analyst at the Lexington Institute, a national-security research center in Washington. "The ideologues have been replaced by managers who view Iraq not as a cause, but a problem to be solved."

Gates, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Michael Mullen, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England, Undersecretary for Intelligence Gen. James Clapper and other top officials also are concerned that the war may be crippling the military's ability to respond to other crises. They have allies in the congressional Democratic leadership - particularly House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Ike Skelton of Missouri - who've been speaking out about that for months.

"I'm convinced we are in serious trouble readiness-wise," Skelton said this week in an interview with McClatchy Newspapers. "Am I worried? I'm worried to death."

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/100507A.shtml

Well, looks like Long dong Thomas is proving once again how low class he really is !

"Justice Clarence Thomas's new autobiography dredges up his 16-year-old battle with Anita Hill and fulminates against liberal groups, Democratic senators and others who opposed his nomination. The clash with Ms. Hill has grabbed most of the headlines. But his fulminations deserve more attention. The rage he harbors raises questions about whether he can sit as an impartial judge in many of the cases the Supreme Court hears.

When Supreme Court justices write books, which is not often, they tend to write about subjects and in ways that are consistent with the dignity of the court. When he was chief justice, William Rehnquist wrote about the 1876 presidential election; Justice Stephen Breyer's "Active Liberty" set forth a specific view of the Constitution.

The problem with Justice Thomas's book, "My Grandfather's Son," is that it nurses bitter grudges and throws brickbats at organizations and people who opposed his nomination and might well appear before the court. Some of his targets, like Senator Joseph

The level of hostility is striking. He grew up fearing the Ku Klux Klan, he says, but "my worst fears had come to pass not in Georgia, but in Washington, D.C., where I was being pursued not by bigots in white robes but by left-wing zealots draped in flowing sanctimony."

Justices have an obligation to avoid off-the-bench behavior hurtful to the court's mission and reputation. They must also comply with federal law, which holds that justices should recuse themselves from participating in cases in which they are biased against a party or lawyer or in which their impartiality might reasonably be questioned.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/100507F.shtml

Posted by PamB on October 5, 2007 at 03:01 PM

Those decals are so faded anymore you can't read them. Others are pissed off that they damaged the paint on their foreign made car. They would have been better off investing that 1.99 so that they can live in this fallen economy.

Meanwhile, the morally shallow GOP disciples grasp at yet another red herring in their bid to keep the soldiers in harm's way. Screw them. I say each one of those talking empty heads should go through blood pinning if they think the flag pin defines patriotism.

Since nobody wants to Impeach Bush or Cheney maybe we should Focus Our Attention on smaller fish!

Afternoon all good Dems,

Posted by bush_wants_world_oil_supply on October 5, 2007 at 02:54 PM

cheney and bush have committed War crimes, Crimes Against Humanity and Crimes Against Peace. They must be sent to the Hague to be tried for war crimes and HANGED!

The only problem is that bush pulled the U.S. out of the World Court and they have no jurisdiction. Maybe Congress can change that and get them to indict the two Nazis and try them in the Hague. Congress is too chicken to bring them up on impeachment charges.

HONK HONK HONK!!!

IMPEACH THE CHIMP AND HIS MASTER CHENEY!

McAfee isn't very good you might want to get a better anti-virus, spyware, firewall ect! But experience is the best teacher they say.

Posted by bush_wants_world_oil_supply on October 5, 2007 at 03:58 PM

John Dean wrote about this very idea last Xmas:

http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20061215.html

Since nobody wants to Impeach Bush or Cheney maybe we should Focus Our Attention on smaller fish!
Posted by bush_wants_world_oil_supply on October 5, 2007 at 03:58

They seem to be doing a Heck of a Job, destructing themselves ..........

Corruption.

Perversion

Rubber Stamping Bush on Iraq and no health insurance for kids.

I say let's sit back and enjoy the implosion! I find something to smile about just about every single day!

Maybe thats why a certain newspaper in Washington State called them Spineless.Like I said before all it takes is a few little fish to Catch a Big 1!

Posted by bush_wants_world_oil_supply on October 5, 2007 at 03:58 PM

Smaller fish? How about the 35 senators that vote lockstep with bush and cheney. They are criminals in my opinion.

The same applies to the congressmen that blocked the child health bill.

Can we mount a recall election of the senators and congressmen?

Russia's Izvestia Reports:

The next test launch short-range ballistic missile "Agni-1, can carry a nuclear warhead, held today in India at the site off the coast of Orissa. According to official sources in the Ministry of Defence, was launching a wireless installation around 10:38 am local time (09:08 IUT) to "clarify and confirm the technical parameters set for the end user."

India tested a missile capable of carry nuclear warhead

Why isn't bush bitching about this. He gave India "nookular"? Cheney had a fit when North Korea and Iran did it.

Russia's Izvestia Reports:

bush and cheney are killing women and children again in Iraq. The military reports that they made an air strike north of Baghdad killing 25 insurgents. When the locals reported it they found that the 25 were not insurgents but were innocent women and children. I'll bet there will not be a mention of these murders on our MSM anytime soon.

I DEMAND THAT CONGRESS IMPEACH CHENEY AND BUSH TODAY! WE CANNOT WAIT ONE MORE SECOND TO GET THESE MURDERER OUT OF OFFICE AND OFF OUR BACKS.

Bush Murders 25 Women and Children North of Baghdad

OOPS!

Harmonic Convergence

Topps Meat Shutting Down After Recall
Friday October 5, 11:35 am ET
Topps Meat Will Go Out of Business Following 2nd-Largest Beef Recall in U.S. History

ELIZABETH, N.J. (AP) -- Topps Meat Co. LLC, the meat company responsible for the second-largest beef recall in U.S. history, said Friday it will close its plant in Elizabeth, N.J., and go out of business, effective immediately.

Topps on Sept. 25 began a recall of its frozen hamburger meat that was expanded to comprise 21.7 million pounds of the meat, which may be contaminated with E. coli after federal inspectors discovered inadequate safety measures at its plant.

Investigators think 30 people may have been sickened in Indiana and seven other states.

In a statement, Chief Operating Officer Anthony D'Urso said called the events "tragic."

"In one week we have gone from the largest U.S. manufacturer of frozen hamburgers to a company that cannot overcome the economic reality of a recall this large," he said.

A "small number" of the 87 plant employees will remain at the plant to assist the U.S. Department of Agriculture with its investigation into the meat recall and handle administrative matters.

Topps Meat was founded in 1940.

Now what do you want to bet that someone here said, "Quick, take what money we have and run before the lawyers get here."?

The GOP loses a prosecutor:

MILAN, Mich. -- John D.R. Atchison, the federal prosecutor who was arrested in an Internet sex sting after he allegedly traveled to Michigan from Florida to have sex with a 5-year-old girl, hanged himself in a Michigan federal prison Friday morning.

Atchison, 53, of Pensacola, Fla., was put on suicide watch after he used a bed sheet in an attempted suicide in September.

Detroit police confirmed Atchison's suicide death at 10:14 a.m. Friday. They have not released any details.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/14278705/detail.html

Wow, I do not believe it Hillary has ties to Blackwater with her secret hidden team contracts. It seems that the Bush Clinton connection keeps growing that with Hillary is going to take over for Bush. That the corporate link will move from Republican to Democrat Executive Privilege. It time for Hillary to meet the people with the truth not any more Bush secrecy. We do not want a rotating door from now Democrats leaving due to Bush tactics.

Hillary what is your view of torture and how do you define it? Hillary what is your view about Blackwater contractors? Hillary what do you think of secret prisons and Guantanamo? What is your view of Executive Privilege? The Constitutional right for Congress to subpoena's the White House? What does Hillary think of civil liberties? What do you think of the Liberal Constitution? Hillary how do you differ from Bush, it seems that you are more like him than different than him.

I like Hillary but she has not proven herself as being different enough from Bush to support. If she would talk to the people this may change. The thought of four more years of Bush policies make one want to demand Freedom and Democracy.

How many Bush contractors have Hillary ties to her or he election team?

Bush says Congress knew of his redefined torture definition, who are these secret members of Congress, who were working with Bush. The U.S. citizens have a right to know the turncoats to the rest of Congress. How can a few speak for all the members of Congress? Are they authorized by Congress to be White House members?

How many selected White House members of Congress does it take for them to control both houses of Congress. If the President can select ten members out of 435 representatives and 100 Senators then there is no need for check and balances send the rest of Congress home for Bush has his Congressional inner circle.

Posted by dlesterpoet on October 5, 2007 at 05:51 PM

dlester, where are you reading this?/ Link please. You have to be very careful of your sources these days, there are lots of phony sites out there just cranking crapola out of them.

New Mexico gets a chance to vote for another GOP automoton:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Republican Rep. Heather Wilson will announce later today that she's running for the seat of retiring New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici, two senior GOP congressional sources tell CNN.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heather_Wilson

Look people, I´ve had enough of this hateful way of life. I´m really sick of it. Conservatives are people too, and I´m going to start loving my fellow man(and maybe woman). Its the truth, Johnedwrd has a nazi fetish; Pammy has the hots for Hillywilly, and I´m moving to Utah to be with my new found love and his 5 wives. I just might even have his baby. Peace, Love, and get high everybody. Take my advice and change your ways.

I heard that on CNN, Blue.

She is as dirty as the rest of them. In bed with Rove and the AG scandal. Somebody way ahead of us.

"I received a call from Heather Wilson. She said ‘what can you tell me about sealed indictments.’ The second she said any questions about sealed indictments, red flags went up in my head, because as you know, we cannot talk about indictments until they’re made public. In general, we specifically cannot talk about a sealed indictment.” -- David Iglesias

In January 2007, Heather Wilson said that when “members appear to have broken the rules, they should be investigated.” Now, she faces the possibility of being investigated for her own role in pressuring U.S. Attorney David Iglesias.

Heather Wilson Called and Pressured Iglesias

Wilson’s Actions May Violate House Ethics Rules

Wilson Apologized, Claimed to Have No Political
Motivation for Call

Politico: Attorneys Scandal Endangers Wilson

Karl Rove Implicated in Iglesias Firing

http://www.heatherwilsonwatch.com/

I was even thinking of snuggling with Ann C.

Edwards raps Clinton over Blackwater tie
Posted by PamB on October 5, 2007 at 05:57 PM
I read it at Yahoo.

DES MOINES, Iowa - Democrat John Edwards said Friday the top strategist for presidential rival Hillary Rodham Clinton has ties to the controversial Blackwater security firm, and warned against installing "a group of corporate Democrats" to replace the Bush White House.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071005/ap_on_el_pr/edwards_clinton;_ylt=Arhnag.iV1fvyqCO.8MhNvas0NUE

well, so much for the long awaited , great white hope of the GOP, Ready Freddy! Reagan like??? I don't think so !!! Boring tub of lard? YUP !

Subdued Thompson stirs few sparks on stump

In Iowa, candidate isn’t the dynamic presence some in GOP are seeking

NEVADA, Iowa - Twenty-four minutes after he began speaking in a small restaurant the other day, Fred D. Thompson brought his remarks to a close with a nod of his head and an expression of thanks to Iowans for allowing him to “give my thoughts about some things.”

Then he stood face to face with a silent audience.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21124434/

Hey dlesterpoet, wanna have sex in the dirt?

ahhh, memories ! Remember when THIS was the Right's Great Hope for President??? Ahahahaha

She comes out of her hole in the ground once in a while to look like she is earning her money, but I sure hope she is looking for another job in a year, preferably as a short order cook or shoe salesman!

Rice issues orders to rein in Blackwater

WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice ordered federal agents on Friday to ride with Blackwater USA escorts of U.S. diplomatic convoys in Baghdad to tighten oversight after a shooting in which private guards are accused of killing 13 Iraqi civilians.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071005/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/blackwater_rice

I see we have a Larry Craig fan on board. Why is the GOP so full of nasty perverts? Were they all dropped on their heads as children?

new thread pammy!

Drop dead, troll.

Here's the "real" story with Hillary and Blackwater. Her pollster and PR company also did temporary work for Blackwater's lawyers.

"Burson-Marsteller was brought aboard by the Washington law firms representing Blackwater," the AP reports in a story about the difficulty of defending the military contractor.

Penn emails that the AP story is wrong, and that Burson is no longer involved in the case.

"It was a temporary assignment based on a relationship that has concluded. Burson is correcting this," he writes.

Hillary's top adviser reps union busters ... and Blackwater

And:

Burson-Marsteller was brought aboard by the Washington law firms representing Blackwater _ McDermott Will & Emery and Crowell & Moring.

One of the Burson-Marsteller executives working on the Blackwater account is Robert Tappan, a former State Department official who joined Burson-Marsteller in July and is president of the company's Washington office.

At State, Tappan was deputy assistant secretary for public affairs. While at State, he spent six months in Baghdad as director of strategic communications for the Coalition Provisional Authority, the temporary governing body that disbanded in June 2004.

Paul Cordasco, a spokesman for Burson-Marsteller, said the company does not discuss its clients.

Blackwater Aided by PR Giant

Hey DopeyD, I heard you had something going with greggy and his goat?

Thanks for the responses to my post about the party disenfranchising the Florida voters and the pledge-signing candidates disrespecting us. That "us" refers to the Florida voters. If you have a problem with Florida democratic leadership, take it up with them. I didn't vote to change the primary date, nor did I support the idea. But I do stand up for my right to be able to have some say in whom our party's national candidate will be.

How would you Democrats in other states feel if your vote was taken away by the actions of others? It was bad that convicted felons were not allowed to vote in Florida - now it's innocent Democrats who can't vote.

Nothing stopped candidates from visiting halfway houses without taking a donation - but they say they won't come to the whole state of Florida to campaign without asking for money.

This is an outrage!

The country cannot afford this. We need to put a Democrat in the White House. Come to your senses - let Floridians vote. Deal with our state party leaders some other way.

Please!

Steve from Boca

I'm deeply troubled that Mr Nelson and Mr Hastings of Florida have filed a law suit against the DNC and Gov Dean....... If these men have so much ambition why aren't they doing what the voters of Florida expected from them when they were re-elected last year? They would rather inflame this party, which is not doing so well at the present time, and letting Mr Bush and his crew destroy what this nation stands for. Yeah, it's alright that children can go without healthcare, its ok for troops to continue being killed in Iraq, forget what your voters want, as a Floridian I am upset and embarrased with the the fact that my officials would rather have it the Bush way then to work together as a party to bring honor back to this nation.

This is just too funny. The Log Cabin Republicans, a gay GOP group, is running a new ad in Iowa that seeks to undercut Mitt Romney's standing with social conservatives by praising his past record of doing battle with conservatives on social issues when he was governor of liberal Massachusetts.

The ad pretends to be praising Romney by highlighting Romney's record fighting on behalf of liberal issue positions against conservatives -- whose support, of course, he needs right now as he seeks to win Iowa and other states in the GOP Primary. To do this it uses quotes from his past ads and clips of him declaring his social liberalism during debates when he ran for Senate against Ted Kennedy in 1994.

One great quote features an uplifting female voice declaring: "For years, he's fought conservatives and religious extremists." And the ad closes by saying that "Massachusetts values" his record -- the state of Massachusetts, of course, being perceived as the Ninth Circle of Liberal Hell by many conservatives.

http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/10/gay_gop_group_targets_romney_in_funny_new_add.php

Made-in-China Boy Scout badges recalled for lead levels

Oct 5 01:19 PM US/Eastern

(AFP) - More than a million Made-in-China Boy Scout badges are being recalled for having unacceptably high lead levels, a US scouting spokesman said Friday.
"During a routine test of products, Boy Scouts of America found that one component of a totem, a cub scout recognition item, contains unacceptable amounts of lead" said Gregg Shields, a spokesman for the Dallas, Texas-based group.

There was no incident reported linked to the recognition badges worn on the uniforms of boys aged 7-8.

But the scouts asked all members to hand them in where they were purchased, and ordered them off the market.

"We have directed all of our shops and retailers who sell the products to remove it from their shelves immediatly and (maker) Kahoot has called for a voluntary consumer recall and urged anyone who may have purchased the item to remove it from their children's possession," the spokesman added.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=071005171932.q4cwknlp&show_article=1

Now I'm not much on conspiracy theories but, this makes at least a dozen recalls regarding lead paint. Furthermore, we've all know that lead paint causes a number of debilitating conditions in children. The Chinese are well known for thinking long-term in their strategy. Could it be...

Steve from Boca is right, but I am pissed that Nelson and Hastings go this route instead, I've watched Hastings for too many years, I didn't expect him to work against the party, Nelson I don't think can be trusted when it comes to party loyalty.

Steve, Blue, davidual, and Bob...

THERE IS A NEW OPEN HREAD!