Last week when Republicans in the Senate stalled the bill to increase the minimum wage, Sen. Ted Kennedy asked them "What is it about working people that you find so offensive?"

Today, I would like to ask a question of the Bush Administration: What is it about science and evidence that you find so offensive?

According to a survey by the Union of Concerned Scientists, 150 of the climate scientists within our government, reported that they have personally experienced the Bush Administration's political interference with their work.  The Administration has pressured these scientists (whose work, of course, is based on SCIENCE and EVIDENCE), to make sure that their writings on global warming, fit with BushCo's skeptical view of the topic.

Nearly half of all of the climate scientists responding to the survey, say they either perceived, or personally experienced, pressure to eliminate the words "climate change" or "global warming" from a variety of communications that they prepared.  There were 435 documented incidents of interference.

Climate scientists say White House pressured them

 

 

It was nearly four years ago, on January 31, 2003, that George Bush and Tony Blair met at the White House in the lead-up to the Iraq war.

And we must not forget what happened during that meeting.

It was at that January 31 meeting that:

- George W. Bush told Tony Blair he was determined to strike Iraq, even in the absence of a 2nd U.N. resolution, and, this is really important, even if U.N. inspectors found zero evidence of an illegal Iraq weapons program.

- Bush also told Blair "The diplomatic strategy had to be arranged around the military planning."

- Bush was so concerned about the lack of any concrete evidence against Sadaam, that he considered the idea of "flying U2 reconnaissance aircraft planes with fighter cover over Iraq, painted in UN colours." Bush rationalized that if Sadaam fired upon these reconnassance planes, he would be violating U.N. resolutions. In other words, in the abscence of evidence against Sadaam, Bush wanted to entrap him.

- During the meeting, Bush told Blair he did not think there would be "internecine warfare between the different religious and ethnic groups."

Bush told Blair we're going to war, memo reveals

These are all issues that the new Congress should put on its purview to investigate. Let's encourage them to do so!

Today is the one year anniversary of Coretta Scott King's passing.

So I just wanted to take time and pay tribute to this outstanding human being.

My favorite story about Mrs. King, is how after her husband's death, she somehow found the strength to go to Memphis, the scene of the crime, and march with the sanitation workers (which, of course, is what Dr. King had been there to do).

As President Clinton so eloquently said during Mrs. King's funeral, she could have easily just given in to her grief and stayed home. Instead, she galvanized herself into action in the midst of her grief.

We all stand on her shoulders!

Must-reads for today:

1.  According to an article in the Washington Post, equipment is lacking for the additional troops that Bush plans to send to Iraq for his "surge." 

From the Washington Post:

Boosting U.S. troop levels in Iraq by 21,500 would create major logistical hurdles for the Army and Marine Corps, which are short thousands of vehicles, armor kits and other equipment needed to supply the extra forces, U.S. officials said.

The increase would also further degrade the readiness of U.S.-based ground forces, hampering their ability to respond quickly, fully trained and well equipped in the case of other military contingencies around the world and increasing the risk of U.S. casualties, according to Army and Marine Corps leaders.

In other words, George W. Bush has destroyed the military.

Equipment For Added Troops Is Lacking

2.  MSNBC breaks down the latest happenings at Scooter Libby's trial, including what former White House Press Secretary Arie Fleisher had to say when he was called to the witness stand.  And it's not pretty.

From MSNBC:

Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer testified Monday that then-colleague I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby told him over lunch that the wife of a prominent war critic worked at the CIA.

Fleischer said the conversation happened on Monday, July 7, 2003, the day after former Ambassador Joseph Wilson's op-ed article appeared in the New York Times, and he was a guest on "Meet the Press," accusing the administration of "twisting" intelligence on Iraq's weapons programs.  Libby -- according to prosecutors -- told Fleischer at lunch at the White House that the information that Wilson's wife worked at the CIA was "hush-hush."

That is the same day that the White House issued a statement saying that the "16 words" in the State of the Union address about Iraq seeking nuclear materials from Africa, should not have been included in the speech.

Fleischer: Libby discussed CIA officer at lunch

After the Supreme Court coronated him as President, George W. Bush said "If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, so long as I'm the dictator."

Well, it looks like Bushie's moving a lot closer to that dream of his.

According to the New York Times, Bush has signed an excecutive order which will give him more control over every government agency.  Bush wants every agency to have a regulatory office run by a political appointee to do his bidding for him.

From the New York Times:

President Bush has signed a directive that gives the White House much greater control over the rules and policy statements that the government develops to protect public health, safety, the environment, civil rights and privacy.

In an executive order published last week in the Federal Register, Mr. Bush said that each agency must have a regulatory policy office run by a political appointee, to supervise the development of rules and documents providing guidance to regulated industries. The White House will thus have a gatekeeper in each agency to analyze the costs and the benefits of new rules and to make sure the agencies carry out the president’s priorities.

Rep. Henry Waxman hit the nail on the head about what this executive order will accomplish: “The executive order allows the political staff at the White House to dictate decisions on health and safety issues, even if the government’s own impartial experts disagree. This is a terrible way to govern, but great news for special interests.”

Bush Raises His Sway at U.S. Agencies

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0012/18/nd.01.html (Bush's "if this were a dictatorship" comment)

This one is priceless! George W. Bush finally says something that I think we can all agree with him on 100%----he's lacking in the ability to communicate orally, shall we say. (Anyone who has responded to KSAs when applying for jobs will know what that's about!)

Anyway, when explaining his use of the term "Democrat majority" (as opposed to "DemocratIC majority") during the State of the Union speech, Bush said "That was an oversight. I mean, I'm not trying to needle." He then went on to say "I'm not that good at pronouncing words anyway."

Here's the thing, Mr. President. (And I do use that term loosely in your case). When you have to give speeches frequently, and you know you're going to come across words that you have no clue on how to pronounce, you look up those words in advance, to see the explanation of how they are pronounced. That's why we have these things called dictionaries. They really come in handy. Try it sometimes.

Bush clarifies 'Democrat majority' gaffe

Will someone please tell the "grown-ups" in the Bush White House to, well, GROW UP!

When George W. Bush and Dick Cheney were seeking the White House in 2000, there was a lot of talk from the folks doing their bidding that if the Bush/Cheney ticket one, the "grown-ups" would be in charge again (as if they weren't during the Clinton years).

But in a new interview with Newsweek magazine, Dick Cheney seems like anything BUT a grown-up.

He was asked how he felt about the criticism of him, coming from some of the very same Republicans that he was worked closely with in the past, such as Brent Scrowcroft.  Cheney's response?  "Well, I'm vice president and they're not."

Cheney sounds like some 5 year old kid having a 'I can tie my shoes better than you' moment. 

From Newsweek:

And other comments—criticism from [Brent] Scowcroft about not knowing you anymore. People have gotten quite personal, people you worked with before. You wouldn't be human if you didn't have some reaction.
Well, I'm vice president and they're not. 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16841358/site/newsweek/page/4/

A couple of days ago, I reported here on the blog that new Defense Secretary Robert Gates was beginning to sound like his predecessor.

He said that a resolution in Congress which would deny any funding for Bush's escalation of the Iraq war, would "embolden" our enemy.

But today, Sen. Joe Biden reminded us who is really emboldening our enemy.  And as he so duly noted, it's the Bush Administration who seems to be the culprit.  He said "It's not the American people or the U.S. Congress who are emboldening the enemy. It's the failed policy of this president — going to war without a strategy, going to war prematurely."

Biden: 'Failed policy' emboldens enemy

I've got to give kudos to Representatives Maxine Waters and John Conyers for their outstanding speeches during yesterday's anti-war rally.

During yesterday's rally, Rep. Waters said of George W. Bush "He is not 'the decider,' the is a liar!"

Of course Rep. Conyers was equally on fire.  During his speech, he made a veiled reference to George W. Bush's impeachment and removal from office.  He told the crowd "The President can't fire us (Congress). He can't fire you. But we can fire him!"  I just loved that line specifically because I thought it was a call to the House (impeachment) and the Senate (removal from office).  Since George W. Bush cannot run for President again, the only way he can be fired is through impeachment and removal from office.

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/175684

 

George W. Bush, the so-called "President" of these United States, is in dire need of a civics lesson.

He doesn't seem to understand how this system of ours is supposed to work.  While meeting with senior military advisers in the Oval Office today, the Emperor basically told Congress to screw off and said "I'm the decision maker" when it comes to sending more troops for his blood bath in Iraq.  First he was "the decider" and now he's the "decision maker."

Here's a newsflash for ya, Bushie.  Our nation consists of 3 separate but co-equal branches of government.  Got that?  You're not king.  You're not emperor.  You're not a country unto yourself.  You are subject to the oversight of the legislative branch (read: the Congress).  And they do have the ability to ensure that your escalation of this needless war is NOT funded.  No funding, no additional troops.

That's how this government, in this democracy of ours, works.

George W. Bush, this has been your Civics 101 lesson.  Obviously you were asleep at the wheel (or just plain illiterate) when they taught you this in school.

Bush: 'I'm the decision-maker' on Iraq

 

OK, so maybe it was the pollyanna in me, but I thought Robert Gates would at least bring a new tone to the Defense Department (no more Rummy talk about those who oppose the war being defeatists, yada yada yada).

But looks like Gates just proved me wrong. Today, he said that a resolution in Congress to stop Bushie's "surge" plan in Iraq, would embolden the enemy. During a press conference, he commented "It's pretty clear that a resolution that in effect says that the general going out to take command of the arena shouldn't have the resources he thinks he needs to be successful certainly emboldens the enemy and our adversaries."

Gates: Iraq resolution 'emboldens' enemy

Cathie Martin, White House communications official, testified at Scooter Libby's trial that she was uncomfortable with George W. Bush's decision to declassify a national intelligence estimate (NIE) in order to counter critics of the Iraq war.

In July 2003, Dick Cheney told Martin to use information from the NIE to counter those who said the administration manipulated the intelligence in the lead-up to the Iraq war.

Of course, Bush declassified the NIE for political reasons; he is on record as stating that he declassified the NIE and authorized administration officials to leak it to the press, in order to counter the criticism of former US Ambassador Joe Wilson (Valerie Plame's husband).  Wilson, of course, went to Africa to attempt to ascertain whether Sadaam Hussein's regime had attempted to acquire uranium from Africa.  (As we all know now, they had not).

It's also amazing to see all of these current and former White House officials singing like songbirds now. 

Bush declassification unnerved White House aide

During the trial of Dick Cheney's former Chief of Staff Scooter Libby, a CIA Brifer testified that after Valerie Plame's identify was exposed, he warned Cheney and Libby about the dangers of exposing a covert CIA operative.

Specifically, the CIA Briefer said he told Cheney and Libby that Valerie Plame's outing could lead to the deaths of people who worked on behalf of American intelligence aboard.  As well, he warned them that "Foreign intelligence services where she served now have the opportunity to investigate everyone whom she had come in contact with. They could be arrested, tortured, or killed."

CIA Staffer Says He Warned Cheney, Libby of Leak's Danger

Wow.  Will wonders never cease.  Even Bob Novak feels compelled to give House Speaker Nancy Pelosi her props for the House Democrats' highly successful execution of their first 100-hours agenda.

RawStory.com is carrying quotes from Novak's lastest political report.  In his report, he says:

"The 'hundred hours' program of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has been a success beyond all anticipation. The passage of poll-approved measures came with a unanimous Democratic vote and heavy -- in some cases majority -- Republican support."  He goes on to say that senior Republicans on Capitol Hill have inreasingly begun describing George W. Bush and his staff as "irrelevant and out of touch."

Novak: Pelosi's first 100 hours a 'success'; Bush and staff 'irrelevant'

This is precisely why Jim Webb is a United States Senator today, defeating a Republican incumbant whom many assumed was headed for the Presidential campaign trail.

Tonight, in the Democratic (yes, George Bush, that's Democratic, not Democat as you sarcastically stated this evening) response to Bushie's State of the Union speech, Jim Webb essentially told Bush to lead or be lead.

An excerpt from Webb's speech:

Some new numbers about how Bushie is fairing in America, on the eve of his 7th State of the Union address.  And they aren't well for dear old Bushie.

According to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll, George Bush is "more unpopular than any president on the eve of a State of the Union address since Richard Nixon in 1974."  Another interesting tidbit from the poll: a majority of Americans now say Bush is not a strong leader.(Geez, ya think?  What was the first clue?)

The news is just as bad (if not a little worse), for George according to CBS News.  According to a CBS News Poll, Bush's rating is a pathetic 28%.  I'm wondering why it's even that high!

State of the Union: Unhappy With Bush

Poll: Bush Approval Rating At New Low; On Eve Of State Of Union, President's Approval Rating Falls To 28%, A New Low

 

When it comes to supporting the troops, the Department of Defense doesn't appear to be holding up its end of the bargain very well.

That's the ONLY conclusion that can be drawn from an article in the Army Times.

According to the Army Times, the Defense Department is laying off most of the case workers who truly do God's work---helping our wounded service members.

The case workers assist wounded service men and women who have questions about their benefits, need finanical resources, want to return to duty, or simply integrate back into civilian life.

Yet, many of these case workers who have served as advocates for our brave service members have been told to pack their bags. 

Sources say case workers for wounded laid off

A pretty good read by Bob Schieffer of CBS, on how Congress has been getting it right lately.

In his commentary, Schieffer is giving props for the ethics reform legislation recently passed by Congress, the new 5-day work week for members of Congress, et al.

But as someone pointed out to me today, there is one major loophole in Schieffer's commentary.  Not one time did he mention that this has all been accomplished under the leadership of the new Democratically-controlled Congress. 

It's admirable that someone in the MSM is recogizing the good things that the Congress has done thus far this legislative season. But it would be nice to see them also recognize this is due to the Democrats keeping faith with the American people.  The Democrats ran with an agenda.  They went to the Amrerican people and basically said 'if you return control of Congress to us, this is what we will do.'  They are thus far keeping faith by acting on those promises.

Schieffer's commentary, while admirable, should have recognized that.

Congress Does Right

Bob Schieffer: Congress Is Starting To Clean Its Own House

Former FEMA Director Michael Brown says that politics played a role in the decisions coming from the White House regarding the response to Hurricane Katrina.

During a lecture in New York, Brown revealed that he recommended to the White House that they federalize ALL areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, as doing so would allow the federal government to be in control of all agencies responding to the disaster.

But Brown says the White House resisted his call to federalize all areas affected by the hurricane.  According to Brown, one person inside the White House said that only Louisiana should be federalized, because Governor Kathleen Blanco is "a white, female Democratic governor and we have a chance to rub her nose in it."

Former FEMA head Brown says party politics played role in Katrina response

How ironic is this, lol!  George Bush and his apologists love to say that those speaking out against the war in Iraq are embolding the terrorists.

Well, it appears as though they are getting some of their own medicine, courtesy of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

Maliki was responding to recent comments by Condi Rice, who said Maliki's government was on borrowed time.  In response, Maliki said "Certain officials are going through a crisis. Secretary Rice is expressing her own point of view if she thinks that the government is on borrowed time, whether it is borrowed time for the Iraqi government or the American administration....I wish that we could receive strong messages of support from the US so we don't give some boost to the terrorists and make them feel that they might have achieved success. I believe that such statements give moral boosts to the terrorists and push them towards making an extra effort and making them believe that they have defeated the American administration, but I can tell you that they haven't defeated the Iraqi government."

Maliki calls for more US arms for Iraqi army

George Bush is forcing the resignations of seven U.S. attorneys, without a shred of evidence of any misconduct on their part.

So just what is behind these sackings?

As Sen. Diane Feinstein of California has already noted, it's very interesting that one of the attorneys who recently stepped down, Carol Lam of Southern California, was involved in the successful prosecution of former Republican Congress Duke Cunningham. 

Sen. Feinstein also noted that Carol Lam was also involved in other cases in which members of Congress have been subpoened.

Hmmm...is BushCo. seeking retribution against an attorney who successfuly prosecuted a Republican Congressman?

Feinstein: Administration forcing resignation of seven U.S. attorneys

I love this!  Southern Methodist University (SMU), which happens to be Laura Bush's alma mater, wants George W. Bush's future presidential library to be on their grounds.

However, a group of Methodist ministers from all over the United States have started a petition to get SMU to change their mind about wanting to land Bushie's library (as if George Bush actually needs a library in the first place, but that's another story for another day).

The Methodist ministers are basically saying that George Bush's actions as president (the war in Iraq, the fumbled response to Katrina) are not representative of Methodist values.  Rev. Andrew J. Weaver, a graduate of SMU, said "Methodists have a long history of social conscience, so questions about the conduct of this president are very concerning."  More information about their petition to stop the George W. Bush library from being on SMU's grounds, can be found at: http://www.protectsmu.org

It's wonderful to see a group of ministers finally stand up and say what needs to be said: George Bush's actions don't represent Christian values.

Ministers launch petition to stop Bush library

 

 

"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

- George Santayana

Perhaps someone should break this down to Frank Hargrove in terms he can understand.

The United States of America has never apologized or atoned for the egregious act of slavery, and all the crimes against humanity that were committed during slavery.

Some years ago, Randall Robinson of TransAfrica wrote a book entitled The Debt: What America Owes To Blacks.  And though I do not agree with every single point that Mr. Robinson made, I wholeheartedly agree with his larger point that there is a debt that the United States of America owes to the African-American community.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King also sounded this very theme during his I Have A Dream speech when he stated:

"In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men - yes, black men as well as white men - would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check that has come back marked "insufficient funds."

Even if America had fulfilled it's promise to the African-American community, however, that would not mean we should forget the lessons of slavery. It's amazing to me that some people have so easily celebrated and embraced the Holocaust Museum, which of course helps pay homage to those who suffered or lost their lives during the Holocaust.  This is, of course, a good thing.  We should never forget the Holocaust.

Yet, when it comes to slavery, some say we should just "get over it"; that we should move on already. 

 

Republican Frank Hargrove, a local Virginia legislator, said recently that Blacks should just "get over" slavery.

In an interview with The Daily Progress of Charlottesville, he was asked whether the state of Virginia should apologize to the descendents of slaves.  He responded by saying that Blacks should "get over" slavery, and then he pontificated on whether Jews should apolgoize for killing Jesus Christ.

Va. Legislator's Comments On Slavery Anger Blacks, Jews

Very interesting news being made by BushCo today!  George W. Bush has decided that he will NOT renew his illegal warrantless domestic spying program.

Per Alberto Gonzales (the same man who helped Bush keep his DUI quiet and said the Geneva Covention is now "quaint" and "obsolete"), "Any electronic surveillance that was occurring as part of the Terrorist Surveillance Program will now be conducted subject to the approval of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court."  (Well duh, it was supposed to be that way all along!)

Since this news broke today, I've been thinking, what is the REAL reason Bush has decided not to renew the program, and instead place it under the purview of the FISA Court?

And it has occured to me that Bush KNOWS this unconstitutional, illegal program is an IMPEACHABLE offense.  And he wants this issue off the table before Congressional Democrats really get going with their oversight hearings in Congress.  In my view, he's hoping that by not renewing the program, the Democrats will not count this among the many things the Bush Administration has done, that they need to investigate.

Here's hoping he's wrong.

Bush won't reauthorize eavesdropping

Well, I guess George Bush has his answer to why the Iraqis are not bowing down and thanking him for invading their country.

Needless to say, life in Iraq was no cakewalk under Insane Hussein's rule.  So it speaks volumes about how badly the United States has fumbled the war in Iraq, and turned that country upside down, that many Iraqis still believe they had it better under Saddam.

According to a poll conducted by the Iraq Centre for Research and Strategic Studies and the Gulf Research Center, 90% (yes, 90%) of the respondents say the situation in Iraq was better before the March 2003 invasion.

Iraqis say they were better off under rule of Saddam Hussein

In honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday, I thought I would post a link to his "Beyond Vietnam" speech.

Sadly, this speech is relevant today, just as it was when he delivered it on April 4, 1967. 

http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/45a/058.html

More evidence of George Bush's arrogance.

During an interview that aired on CBS' 60 Minutes yesterday, Bush was asked if he owed the Iraqi people an apology for fumbling this war and not providing better security.  He responded by saying he felt the Iraqi people owe the United States a debt of gratitude.  Huh?  Owe the U.S. a debt of gratidue for ripping their country to shreds and murdering innocent civilians?

From the transcript of Bush's 60 Minutes interview:

PELLEY: Do you think you owe the Iraqi people an apology for not doing a better job?

BUSH: That we didn't do a better job or they didn't do a better job?

PELLEY: Well, that the United States did not do a better job in providing security after the invasion.

BUSH: Not at all. I am proud of the efforts we did. We liberated that country from a tyrant. I think the Iraqi people owe the American people a huge debt of gratitude, and I believe most Iraqis express that. I mean, the people understand that we've endured great sacrifice to help them. That's the problem here in America. They wonder whether or not there is a gratitude level that's significant enough in Iraq.

Poor Bushie.  I almost feel sorry for him. After all this time, he doesn't have a clue.  He still thinks we were greeted as liberators and have done this great thing in Iraq. 

Transcript: Bush Interview

President Spoke to 60 Minutes' Scott Pelley At Camp David

Very interesting read in the Washington Post, regarding how some Republicans feel freer to vote their conscience now that they are in the minority and they don't have peoplel like Tom Delay threatening them to vote a certain way.

According to the Post, some Congressional Republicans are starting off the new year by voting with the new Democratic majority on important issues, and showing they are more moderate than some of their leaders.

From the Post:

House Republican leaders, who confidently predicted they would drive a wedge through the new Democratic majority, have found their own party splintering, with Republican lawmakers siding with Democrats in droves on the House's opening legislative blitz.

Freed from the pressures of being the majority and from the heavy hand of former leaders including retired representative Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), many back-bench Republicans are showing themselves to be more moderate than their conservative leadership and increasingly mindful of shifting voter sentiment. The closest vote last week -- Friday's push to require the federal government to negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare -- pulled 24 Republicans. The Democrats' homeland security bill attracted 68 Republicans, the minimum wage increase 82.

"You're freer to vote your conscience," said Rep. Jo Anne Emerson (R-Mo.), who received an 88 percent voting record from the American Conservative Union in 2005 but has so far sided with Democrats on new budget rules, Medicare prescription-drug negotiations, raising the minimum wage and funding stem cell research. "Or, really, I feel free to represent my constituents exactly as they want me to be." 

It's very interesting (and sad also) to see a member of Congress such as Rep. Emerson admit that some Republicans were not voting their conscience while they held the majority.  In other words they were putting their party before their country and their constituents.

House GOP Shows Its Fractiousness In the Minority

As she made her way to the Middle East today, Condoleeza Rice said "I'm not coming with a proposal. I'm not coming with a plan."

And this is a woman with a Ph.D.?  Were they just handing out doctoral degrees like candy on the day she received hers?

If she's not going with a proposal or plan, then why is she going?  What is the purpose of her trip?

Rice in Middle East for fresh peace push

A new AP-Ipsos poll shows that 70% of Americans oppose Bush's escalation of the war in Iraq (the "surge").  Also found in the poll, 60% don't believe that Iraq will achieve a stable, democratic government.

Read here:

Poll: 70 percent oppose more troops in Iraq

Only 35 percent of respondents believe going to war was the right call

Awww....poor Bushie. Out there, almost all alone.  Seems like even some Republicans realize what a sinking ship Bush's Iraq policy is, and they're disembarking while they can.

From an Associated Press article:

As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, its Democratic chairman Delaware Sen. Joe Biden called Bush's plan a "tragic mistake."

Signaling widening cracks within Bush's own Republican Party over his Iraq policy, not a single committee member spoke out in his support, and a few offered pointed criticism.

"This speech given last night by this president represents the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam if it's carried out," said Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel, like Biden a potential 2008 White House contender.

Bush just doesn't get it.  This escalation of the war is not what the American people went to the polls in massive numbers to vote for in November.  Members of Congress are finally realizing they've been had.  Yet, Bush remains wedded to his own ideas even though the evidence tells him he's wrong.

U.S. lawmakers hammer Bush's new Iraq plan

If there was every any doubt about who Fox News was whoring for, let those doubts now be put to rest.

Condoleeza Rice was in between taping segments of the various morning news shows.  In an unscripted moment over an open microphone, she was overheard telling one of her aides about her preference for the folks over at Fox News.  She said "My Fox guys, I love every single one of them."

What was that again about the so-called "liberal" media??

Just in case anyone forgets, Fox News is the very same network that allowed then-candidate George W. Bush's cousin run the Decision Desk on Election Night 2000.  What would have been the reaction of those on the right, if some cousin of Al Gore's had been running the decision desk on one of the cable networks on election night?

Fair and balanced, right?

Rice 'loves' Fox News; CBS anchor 'decent guy'

In this, their first full week in control of the 110th Congress, Democrats are making good on promises they made to the American people during the campaign.

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed legislation which, if passed in the Senate and signed by George Bush, will implement recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission. 

Today, acting on another pledge, they voted to increase the minimum wage for the first time since in about a decade.

House votes to increase minimum wage

Democrats push through increase in hourly pay from $5.15 to $7.25

House passes 9/11 security bill

Finally, some backbone and oversight in Congress, as Congressional leaders put Bush on notice they will not write him a blank check for his failed war in Iraq.

Pelosi hints at House challenge to ‘troop surge’

New Speaker says Democrats might deny funding if Bush seeks increase

The BBC has a very interesting look at what George W. Bush is expected to unveil as his strategy for going forward in Iraq.

Problem is, it appears to be just more of the same.  According to the BBC, the main theme of Bush's strategy for Iraq, is "sacrifice" (read: more dead bodies), and an increase in troops.

From the BBC:

The BBC was told by a senior administration source that the speech setting out changes in Mr Bush's Iraq policy is likely to come in the middle of next week.

Its central theme will be sacrifice.

The speech, the BBC has been told, involves increasing troop numbers.

The exact mission of the extra troops in Iraq is still under discussion, according to officials, but it is likely to focus on providing security rather than training Iraqi forces.

The proposal, if it comes, will be highly controversial.

Already one senior Republican senator has called it Alice in Wonderland.

I have one question for Mr. Bush: What is HE going to sacrifice?