Free kibbles

Bush resumes wiretaps. I thought we needed this law to keep Americans safe? Apparently not, if he can just wiretap anyway. Actually, the article hints at the real problem, which has never been explained though I've read 100 articles and essays on the subject. Apparently Bush understands that he can intercept enemy and suspected sympathizers communications during a time of war without Congressional or Court interference, but the telecom companies who are the ones who actually do the wiretapping are afraid of lawsuits. Look out if a Democrat gets the presidency. Hillary would just nationalize the telecoms so she could wiretap anybody she wanted ever.

This is a sticky problem because while president has the power to intercept the communications, he doesn't have the means. The telecoms have the means, but the president has no power to protect them from the Court. Only Congress can do that. This is sticky intersection of Executive, Congressional, and Court power, separation of powers and capitalism.

Excellent article detailing how Congress hides pork projects. The projects are not in legislation, and therefore are not even law. That money is being stolen. Every Representative and Senator who was part of this fraud is guilty of embezzlement and conspiracy to commit embezzlement.

Immigrant soldiers have trouble getting citizenship. This is a disgrace. Immigrants come here and join our military to protect this country should have no problems getting citizenship.

Cuba's version of the Politburo to select Castro's successor. Since Castro hand picked his brother Raul, and Castro is still alive, he's the likely choice. Raul Castro is the new Cuban president.

Iraqi Kurds to defend themselves against Turkish incursions. If the Kurds have the military capacity to defend themselves against the Turks, then why haven't they ousted and defeated the PKK? Iraqi Kurds must be harboring the PKK terrorists. US "urges" short Turkish campaign. How impotent does that sound?

Al Qaeda tries to spark more sectarian violence in Iraq by bombing Shiite pilgrims.

Documentation of widespread voter intimidation tactics used by Putin to insure his party's victory in the last election.

Mugabe has completely destroyed Zimbabwe since taking over in 1980, but he expects to win a 6th term as president. Unbelievable.

I have a hard time imagining that Amazon nuts will replace oil. I keep reading about schemes to convert trash to biofuel. Lots of groups have pilot projects. But where's the refinery scale production?

Democrats hope their historic primary turnout translates to votes in November.

At least Ralph Nader recognizes that the 2 parties are failing to work for the interests of the American people, and he's going to run as a 3rd party candidate. Transcript of Nader on Meet the Press.

Huckabee parodies himself on SNL's Weekend Update. The guy has a great sense of humor.

A quick review of the Clinton's Whitewater scandal that is noticeably absent from this campaign despite the convictions of the their partners, Hillary's legal work, hiding the files, and all the unanswered questions.

Obama's amazing fund-raising. Obama's speeches contain both platitudes and policy, but his fans only care about the platitudes. Obama's vision for America looks a lot like Canada. Yuk. The author recognizes that average Americans can sense their future us spiraling away from them, but he doesn't understand that the reason for that is big-government.

Observer of Iraq and Afghanistan wars understands that we can win, but we need to stay through the next administration at least. As I said from the time we invaded each, it will take on the order of 10 years before those countries can stand on their own. There are no shortcuts.

Prince to have hip replacement. OMG, I'm old.

DUI rehab director arrested for DUI. This isn't just a personal irony, it's a commentary on the march of authoritarianism in the US in the face of rejection of laws by the people. A century ago when the people rejected prohibition by attending speakeasies, distilling moonshine, etc. the government responded to the will of the people (and the loss in taxes) and repealed the law. Even in the 60s, civil disobedience led to some laws being overturned. But the counterculture of the 60s created a backlash of authoritarianism that is rapidly growing today, mostly fed by the ideological followers of the 60s counterculture. The American people have rejected DUI laws by continuing to drink and drive, the overwhelming majority doing so safely. DUI laws are like gun control laws, punishing all Americans for the actions of a few. The American people have rejected the drug laws by continuing to use drugs. But government no longer cares about the will of the people. Government is at war with the people, and the people haven't realized it yet, and we're losing big-time.

The old Cold War mentality won't work for today's problems. Neither will John McCain, Hillary Clinton, or Barack Obama and his support for long discredited socialist policies.

Mark Steyn explains that Democrats idolize rock stars, not politicians, and Obama is doing to Hillary what Bill Clinton did in 1992.

The high-profile destruction of the failing satellite will give missile defense a much needed publicity boost. Why would anybody be against shooting down incoming nuclear missiles?

Net neutrality and keeping the internet innovative.

It's ironic that Hillary rode her husband's coattails to the Senate for a state she never lived in, then to a presidential campaign, is claiming that Obama hasn't earned his way.

Karl Rove says that Obama's debate performance last Tuesday, focusing on his far-left liberal agenda, has exposed him as the opposite of the uniter he claims to be, opening up opportunities for Clinton and McCain to bring him down to earth. Obama is the mouthpiece for MoveOn.org. I can't help but laugh every time MoveOn.org's candidate talks about getting rid of special interests and uniting the country.

Obama supporter feels like she's become a member of a cult.

The WSJ analyzes the candidates positions on trade.

If Obama ends up debating McCain, McCain is going to point out that Obama was not against the Iraq war - he said he didn't know how he'd vote. And he's going to hammer him for being indecisive and misrepresenting his position. Obama is very much like Bill Clinton. He knows how to walk a tightrope and never get caught solidly on any position. I can easily see Obama saying, "you can't prove that" or "it depends on what the definition of 'is' is".

This is the most informative and concise explanation of campaign financing and why all our presidential candidates suck that I've ever read. Ann Coulter compares how Reagan campaigned to post-McCain-Feingold campaigning and explains why incumbents are king and the mainstream media are kingmakers.

Congratulations to this geek for winning his copywrite infringement suit against a big corporation.