If You Believe Arnold Now, Then I've Got a George Bush I'd Like to Sell You!

In the lead up to a re-election bid, Arnold Schwartzenegger is clearly testing a series of positions designed to distance himself from an unpopular Republican President, and to appeal to moderate Democrats whose support he will likely need to retain the Governorship.

After billing himself as a pro-business union buster during a failed initiative campaign, he tried to repackage himself as a visionary builder of California’s infrastructure, taking credit for thinking about future generations, but also making it clear that the current generation wouldn’t foot the bill. He trumpeted the need to sell billions of dollars worth of bonds (creating massive future debt load) to fix a long list of problems with the State’s roads, levees, prisons, schools, etc. At the same time, he claimed that “taxes have never fixed any problem,” in explaining his position on taxes – although it could just as easily have been his explanation for why California has so damned many problems!

Ultimately, however, this repackaging effort didn’t work because it is clear to most Californians that, just like George W. Bush is not a “compassionate conservative,” Arnold Schwartzenegger is not an “economic visionary.”  He’s a f**king actor, and a bad one at that! His supporters like to talk about what a shrewd businessman he is, but in reality, everyone knows that he came to prominence by taking steroids, and made his fortune by selling violent movies, mostly to impressionable teens. That he invested money in real estate during a period of rapidly rising property values in California says less about his business acumen than it does about his good fortune that Hollywood, CA is the focal point of the movie industry.

Failing to pull off the role of “economic visionary,” Arnold is now trying to play the role of conscientious steward of the environment, by talking about making California the leader in the fight to reduce global warming. Good luck with that act, Mr. Hummer!  As much as Democrats might like to hear a politician seeming to take the environment seriously, I doubt that they will buy it from Schwartzenegger.

When that doesn’t work, I guess he can always try to jump on the rid baseball of steroids bandwagon to see if he can pull in the anti-Barry Bonds vote!

All I can say is that come election day, I certainly hope California voters will remember that no matter what Arnold’s “popular issue of the week,” he has conducted himself in office as no less of a liar than George W. Bush. And his campaign team, described here, literally comes right out of the Karl Rove school of “anything to get elected” politics.

My Christmas Gift Easter Egg for President Bush

I originally wrote this before Christmas. Unfortunately George didn't take my advice. Now as Easter Sunday approaches I felt I'd give him one last chance.


Dear George,

At the mid point of your life you were a miserable failure. You had been a lousy student, a drunk, an AWOL National Guardsman, a failed businessman and your family was in shambles. Some might say you were a complete asshole.
The day after your 40th birthday, Laura threatened to take the kids and leave you forever. That is when you found your lord and personal savior Jesus Christ and turned your life around.

Now I'm not one of your biggest fans and should be the last one to give you advice, but because it is the holiday Easter season and I woke up in a giving resurrecting mood, I am going to offer some. Mr. Bush, it is time for you to become born again....again.

I don't really believe that you suddenly found Jesus the first time, but whatever happened seemed to work for you. At least it worked for a while. But whatever it was, isn't working anymore. Your successes have now turned to controversy, scandal and tragic failures. Thousands of U.S. and Iraqi citizens have perished on your watch, and the polls show that 60% 70% of your own country and most of the world doesn't like you anymore.

So here is my solution. Admit that you were wrong. Ask for Cheney and Rumsfeld's resignation and then fire your entire cabinet. Blame it all on them. We all know that it was their fault anyway. You were just going along. They are the evil ones, not you. Tell the American people that you are sorry....very sorry, then go about changing the bad decisions that Cheney, Rumsfeld and Rove forced you to make.

You came to this realization once in your life Mr. President. Now it is time to see the truth again. I think these actions are the only way to save your presidency, and it can only work because for some inexplicable reason many still want to like might put up with you. But at this point you have pushed the American people to the end of our "collective rope", and just like Laura we are about to take our country and leave you forever.

So what do you say George? Can I get an Amen!

One last piece of advice. Next time don't wait until you have made a complete mess of everything before deciding to repent. Your life will go much smoother if in the future you recognize your mistakes and fix them along the way instead of letting them multiply to such colossal proportions.

Happy Holidays Easter - Left-Over.

This Guy Thinks Rummy is Doin' a Fine Job

American Idiot Watch (Catch-Up Edition)

A couple of days ago, I introduced a new feature designed to highlight an individual who shows potential to end up being the last person in America who still supports George W. Bush, and thus earn the official title of “American Idiot.”

To commemorate yesterday’s special election to replace Duke Cunningham in the California-50th District, I’m going to reach back a few weeks and pull up another nominee who, frankly, needs to be included even though his fourth place finish probably means he will quickly fade into oblivion.

Over several posts, I’ve already given ample evidence to suspect that Howard Kaloogian is an idiot. Now here’s the clincher that cements his status as having the qualities necessary to end up as the single American who still believes President Bush is a competent and honest leader after everyone else has jumped off the sinking ship.  


This image appears on Kaloogian’s campaign website, so clearly he and the President are pretty close, right?  Well note the way their arms blend together rather than overlap. This tells me that either the two were once Siamese twins, or someone “photoshopped” the image to make it look like Bush was happy to pose with the beaming Kaloogian. The controversy over the photo was first noted here and includes another version with Kaloogian looking about six inches taller.

Of course, I could be wrong. Maybe the photo was taken by a photographer who was just trying out his new “fuzzy arm filter.” Or maybe Kaloogian actually had the photo taken during the same trip to the Baghdad House of Wax, where he posed with Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, but a little later on a hot day causing George’s elbow to melt onto Howard’s jacket.

Whatever the explanation, this image of Kaloogian standing next to Bush earns him a nomination for the coveted title of “American Idiot.”

Was This Dick Cheney's Last Throe?

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Dick Cheney has long been on the slippery slope toward becoming one of most reviled men in American history. If there was ever a guy who could be shipped off to The Hague to stand trial as a war criminal - with few supporters bothering to protest - this is the guy!

So why did he put himself in the awkward situation of throwing out the first pitch before a relatively hostile audience at today’s Washington Nationals game?  I mean - when the Vice President gets booed by a bunch of Budweiser drinkin’, hot dog eatin’, Chevy drivin’ fans of “America’s favorite pastime,” he’s really hit rock bottom!  Sure, there were some people cheering too, but I’d guess those folks merely fell into the familiar sporting event trance that causes them to mindlessly cheer for things like “Dot Racing” or “Three-Cap” Monte on the Jumbotron!

Cheney is a pariah and he’s got no business expecting a warm welcome from any audience that isn’t screened at the door by Republican Party operatives wielding sodium pentothal syringes.

But hey – in Dick Cheney World, he probably already remembers the game as one where he was greeted with flowers as a liberator!

Bush: That's How I Work

Of all the tragically embarrassing moments of the Bush Presidency -this exchange today has to be near the top of the list.

(transcript)
Q Thank you, Mr. President. It's an honor to have you here. I'm a first-year student in South Asia studies. My question is in regards to private military contractors. Uniform Code of Military Justice does not apply to these contractors in Iraq. I asked your Secretary of Defense a couple months ago what law governs their actions.

THE PRESIDENT: I was going to ask him. Go ahead. (Laughter.) Help. (Laughter.)
Q I was hoping your answer might be a little more specific. (Laughter.) Mr. Rumsfeld answered that Iraq has its own domestic laws which he assumed applied to those private military contractors. However, Iraq is clearly not currently capable of enforcing its laws, much less against -- over our American military contractors. I would submit to you that in this case, this is one case that privatization is not a solution. And, Mr. President, how do you propose to bring private military contractors under a system of law?

THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate that very much. I wasn't kidding -- (laughter.) I was going to -- I pick up the phone and say, Mr. Secretary, I've got an interesting question. (Laughter.) This is what delegation -- I don't mean to be dodging the question, although it's kind of convenient in this case, but never -- (laughter.) I really will -- I'm going to call the Secretary and say you brought up a very valid question, and what are we doing about it? That's how I work. I'm -- thanks. (Laughter.)

Crooks & Liars has the video clip. You have to see it for the full impact. I think the young woman asking the question is more qualified to be President than this Jack Ass. Three years into this war and he can't answer the question. In fact he acts as if this is the first time he has ever heard it.

Isn't this one of the fundamental questions that he should have been asking his architects of the war.

Oh yeah, that's right, Bush doesn't ever ask any questions. Not when the storm of the century is bearing down on a U.S. city and certainly not when he is sending paid civilian mercenarys into battle. He's pathetic and his lack of curiosity is making the world even more dangerous.

Da White House Be Jammin'

Just when you think the White House Scandalometer can’t go any higher, here comes yet another one. This article from the A.P. describes the first hard evidence of a White House connection to one of many so-called "voting irregularities."

Repeated hang-up calls that jammed telephone lines at a Democratic get-out-the-vote center occurred in a Senate race in which Republican John Sununu defeated Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, 51 percent to 46 percent, on Nov. 5, 2002.

(snip)

The records show that Bush campaign operative James Tobin, who recently was convicted in the case, made two dozen calls to the White House within a three-day period around Election Day 2002 — as the phone jamming operation was finalized, carried out and then abruptly shut down.

(snip)

Virtually all the calls to the White House went to the same number, which currently rings inside the political affairs office. In 2002, White House political affairs was led by now-RNC chairman Ken Mehlman.

Anyone still think that George W. Bush won the Presidency through a fair election process? No cheating? Character matters? Bringing integrity to the Oval Office? Pigs Flying?

A Sequel to "American Idol" - With Music By Green Day!

After watching George Bush’s approval ratings continue to drop, even as the pundits keep suggesting that they can’t go any lower, I’m starting to view his presidency as a reality game show not unlike American Idol. As more and more people slowly realize the complete failure of Bush’s policies, and the lies that were used to promote them, the approval ratings continue to fall. Eventually, it seems, there will be a single person who is the last hold-out – the one person who still thinks that George W. Bush is a competent and conscientious leader who is making America better! That person should be crowned with the official title of “American Idiot!”

At this point, the approval ratings are still hovering around 36 percent, so there are lots of potential candidates for the title. I’m going to highlight just one of the leading contenders today. My intention is for this to be the first in a continuing series of posts highlighting individuals who show potential to end up being the last person in America to support George W. Bush. I will be referring to this series of posts as “American Idiot Watch.”

Now on to today’s candidate . . .

Last week was marked by a surprising and courageous act during one of President Bush’s “pep rallies,” when a man named Harry Taylor stood up and asked the President the very question on the minds of a great many Americans. In summary, it was a simple question, “Have you no shame, Mr President?” It was a great moment – so great that there is already a website designed to allow visitors to post a thank you note to Mr. Taylor.

Since there has been plenty of coverage of Harry Taylor’s question, I’m here to draw attention to the “co-star” of the videotape – the woman seated at the right of Mr. Taylor, whose expressions during his statement were of classic shock and outrage that anyone would have the nerve to question the President. At one point, she even tried to grab the microphone from Mr. Taylor to ask her own question, presumably one more in line with the script.

By her behavior in response to Harry Taylor’s statement, this unnamed woman seems like a definite contender to be the last American hold-out supporting George W. Bush as his approval ratings continue to drop, and thus she is our first finalist for the coveted title of American Idiot!

Photo of the Day

This photo always makes me laugh. These must be some of the 34% who still believe in BUHS.

Deja Vu All Over Again

Can Bush's Presidency get any worse? Seymour Hersh discusses the administrations views on Iran. One might say that the arguments have a familiar ring to them.

What a Difference 10 Days Make! With Update!

Over the past day and a half I have read a great deal of analysis about the recently disclosed Libby - Grand Jury testimony. This is not an easy case to understand for sure and I certainly cannot sift through the details as well as Firedoglake or John Dean at Findlaw have.

But for me, I think the new revelations all come down to on thing - timing.

We know that "Scooter" Libby gave information from the infamous NIE to Judy Miller of the New York Times on July 8, 2003. The information in that NIE was not "officially" declassified until July 18, 2003 - a difference of 10 Days.

Here is where the devil is in the details.

Scenario 0ne - If George Bush declassified the information prior to July, 8 - then Libby did not disclose classified material and George Bush has allowed three years of investigation, months of jail time for Miller, and has repeatedly mislead or lied directly to the American people about this entire ordeal.

Scenario two - If Bush declassified the information on July 18, 2003 knowing that Libby had already leaked it at the direction of Vice President Cheney - Well, that is one big fat conspiracy at the highest level of our government which explains why Cheney had to tag along with George when he spoke to Fitzgerald. Was Bush just covering for Cheney and Libby's mistake?

The third scenario is the only one that I think could get Bush out from under this particular cloud. Bush would have to come out and say that July 18, 2003 was the actual declassification date and that he had no knowledge of and did not authorize Libby to leak prior to that date (The Grand Jury testimony from Libby is that Cheney told Libby that Bush had authorized the "leak"). Bush could still claim that Cheney and Libby were acting alone. This would effectively throw Libby and Cheney under the Bus. I seriously doubt that Bush has the guts to do it despite all of his Texas rancher tough-guy bravado.

Bush's next move might tell us what really happened, whether it is to tell us what really happened or not.

Of course I could be completely off base, and If I am I'm sure you guys will tell me.

Update: Looks like scenario three is the one their going with. This article today says that Bush told Cheney to get the information out, but left the details to the VP which definitely puts it on Cheney - but also just makes George look detached and not interested enough to concern himself with details. Plus, he still lied many times by saying he had no idea who leaked.

This whole incident just confirms that Bush and Co. cherry picked all over the place to take us to his wanted war.

A Timely Flashback! [Updated]

In light of recent revelations that the President originally authorized releasing classified information that resulted in the leak of Valerie Plame’s identity to reporters, this article from September 30, 2003 is particularly interesting reading.

And please take our new poll at right, noting that we didn’t give you an easy way out - by allowing you to choose “all of the above.” (a tip for those who really can’t decide: you can vote for a different lie each day!)

[Update] While I'm tempted to revise this post to accurately reflect the fact that Bush's involvement in authorizing a leak of classified information had nothing specifically to do with the leak of Valerie Plame's identity, I'm not going to do so. My immediate misinterpretation of the Libby filing shows how easy it is to do jump to conclusions - even when one tries to follow the news carefully! I suspect that most people reading headlines stating "Bush Refuses to Deny Authorizing Leak" will reach a similar conclusion. Nevertheless, the September 30, 2003 article, which chronicles Bush's public comments regarding leaks at the start of the Plame investigation, and was shortly after his supposed authorization, is still a very interesting read.

He's Still The Poster Boy!

Tom Delay is trying really, really, reeaaally hard to spin his decision to resign from the House and withdraw from a re-election bid as an altruistic gesture toward the Republican Party. He says he doesn’t want the 2006 mid-term elections to be about him, as if taking himself out of the picture is going to remove him as the “poster boy” for a Republican culture of corruption.

Not so fast there, Hammer. A rapid flip flop after winning a primary election while insisting you would fight the charges against you, only serves to remind everyone that combative denials and smiling photo ops intended to mask concern about mounting evidence of corruption are not evidence of innocence!

In the face of more and more potential testimony against him, as the lower level rats try to save themselves by giving up the bigger rats, Delay decided to cut and run rather than continue to publicly fight the charges. His sudden decision to try to slink into anonymity are a constant reminder that the other prominent Republicans who are loudly proclaiming their innocence – Ney, Doolittle, Burns, Frist, et al. – are also likely doing so, not with the idea that they can actually prove their innocence, but in the hope that they can ride out the storm without being proven guilty!

With his sudden about face, Delay’s face – so proudly smiling in his mugshot – is the perfect reminder to everyone that the force of the denial is quite often an indicator of the force of the potential evidence against those accused of corruption. After all, when you are a crook, why not profess loudly and forcefully that you are not a crook?

Instead of fading into the background and letting other Republicans retain the power that he and his cronies built, Delay has become the poster boy not just of a culture of corruption, but of a culture of corruption whose members will publicly say anything to avoid having to admit guilt – until it becomes inevitable! Then, they run away and hide so they can live out their lives in a world of denial, hoping they will be forgotten.

Well, that’s not going to happen to Tom Delay, as long as I can make up my own posters!

Sorry, But I Have To Rub It In

First of all let me say congratulations to the University of Florida on their decisive win over UCLA for the NCAA Mens’ Basketball Championship!

And it’s funny how, contrary to the typical line about opponents having to overcome the intimidation of dealing with UCLA's great tradition, it was the Bruins who couldn’t hit a shot. And it was the Gators, in their first championship game ever, who could do no wrong.

I guess UCLA fans will have to spend the next year living with the realization that in this world, it is still possible for the ghost of John Wooden to get his ass kicked by the ghost of Dwayne Schintzius!

Bush's Presidential Library?

Here's a piece from the Washington Post that I missed yesterday. It's a devastating look at the legacy of George Bush. Here is how it ends:

The ugly emptiness will remind us always to be wary of the grand schemes of politicians. They can't build a building. They cannot capture a mass murderer. They cannot wage war in Iraq. This is their hole. It is, by dint of failure, George Bush's presidential library. His proper legacy is a void.

Hat tip to Anon Con for posting it first.

This is Homeland Security?

Here is what one Homeland Security official does to help keep america safe from ...........14 year old girls?

Not so much!

Feingold Strikes Again

Once again Senator Russ Feingold is a clear voice in the wilderness. Today he issued a statement opposing a proposed ban on civil unions in his home state of Wisconsin. But instead of ending his statement there he went on to declare his support for "marriage equality" for all citizens.

“As I said at the Kenosha County listening session, gay and lesbian couples should be able to marry and have access to the same rights, privileges and benefits that straight couples currently enjoy,”

(snip)
“Denying people this basic American right is the kind of discrimination that has no place in our laws, especially in a progressive state like Wisconsin. The time has come to end this discrimination and the politics of divisiveness that has become part of this issue.”

"Marriage Equality" is the way we should frame this issue. It is an equal rights issue after all - and this country has already fought that battle.

In case you missed it here is the link to Feingold's appearance on Fox News on Sunday regarding his censure resolution.

Photo of the Day - From One Loser to Another

I think this photo op was designed to show that Bush isn't only partial to Christians.

He was facinated by this player - because his full name is Angel Pagan.

Insert George's stupid laugh here.

Why I Blog

When I started writing for this blog about 6 months ago, it was basically a lark – an experiment to see if I could muster up something that I wanted to say, with enough passion to take the time to write it down. I had been an occasional writer of letters to my local newspaper, but usually about sports or local politics when something really got under my skin. This time, while there was a lot under my skin, I wasn’t fully aware of it all, and was not sure if I could sustain a continuous flow of ideas. I was wrong. The ideas were there, but I needed something else to inspire me to write them down, and to really care that I was expressing them in more than just a random stream of disjointed thoughts.

That something is a person - my partner of over 10 years, who I will refer to here as T. Although T. is not a writer, T. is a deeply emotional thinker – an unusual way to describe someone, but in this case it fits. T. frequently expresses strong ideas, thoughts and feelings about a wide range of topics, many of them political. Because of her infectious desire to share her views, formed while growing up in a much different culture than the one I’ve experienced in my life, I am frequently encouraged to view American culture and politics as a more objective and detached observer that I could possibly imagine on my own. I am continuously inspired to find ways to express those views, often shared views from our discussions, in my writings for Left-Over.

T’s influence is a strong and important part of my life, and my blogging. Without it, I would not be the person I am. Although I don’t often take the time to thank her for inspiring me in so many ways, I would like to do so now.

(the graphic is of a favorite vacation spot in the town of Rovenska, on the Island of Losinj, Croatia, where some of our most enjoyable conversations have taken place)

Another Kaloogian.

This photo was taken during Howard Kaloogian’s recent visit to the new Baghdad House of Wax, one of many new tourist attractions popping up all over Baghdad now that it is so calm and stable.

Just kidding! It’s actually my attempt at a “Kaloogian.” Yes, according to Wikipedia, “Kaloogian” was, for a time, listed as a noun used to describe the act of posting a false image to deceive viewers into believing a phony premise. Although it has now been removed, I think the phrase has a chance to stick. For example, “If you are going to commit a Kaloogian, you had better realize that you are hunting with Cheney!

Actually, in my humble opinion, “Kaloogian” is better used as a verb, as in “The former State Assemblyman Kaloogianed some of his more gullible supporters into believing that State Senator Tom McClintock supports his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives!”

It also seems better used as an adjective, as in “President Bush’s decision to display a ‘Mission Accomplished’ banner during his aircraft carrier photo op was a Kaloogian mistake!”

No matter how it is used in the future, after the events of this last week, the term “Kaloogian” will be reminiscent of much more than simply a guy clearing his throat!