Published by jen January 29th, 2007
in National.
A new website has launched that tears apart John McCain’s “straight talking” image. One of the most devastating videos on McCain, put out by Brave New Films, can be viewed directly here. It is as damaging as any of the swift boat ads that were put out to take apart Kerry.
If anyone out there still thinks that McCain is anything more than a politician who has been well treated by a media that has bought into his homespun “maverick” attitude I suggest you look at the 2 minute 50 second video linked to above. My personal favorite in the clip is the flip-flop that occurs in a matter of minutes. It is truly an amazing sight.
Continue reading ‘The Real McCain?’
Published by jen January 27th, 2007
in State.
In a move that will surely grab headlines, if not actually address or solve our state’s problems, State Rep. Stacy Campfield is proposing that the state of Tennessee institute a tax on pornography and the adult industry.
According to the News Sentinel:
Some people questioned about the proposal, including Gov. Phil Bredesen, said it may be unconstitutional. Campfield, R-Knoxville, said the proposed tax would apply - at the least - to sexually oriented materials that legally cannot be sold to persons under age 18. This would cover videos, books, magazines and sexual devices, he said. Movies with an “R” rating or lower would not be taxed, but those with an X rating would, he said.
The bill is in the process of being researched and drafted, he said, with many details unresolved. Campfield said he is “exploring” a broader definition of what would be taxed, perhaps adding exotic dance clubs - “lap dancing and that sort of thing.”
Continue reading ‘Tennessee Legislator Says: Let’s Tax Porn!’
Published by jen January 18th, 2007
in National.
And no one says a word about it.
To the dismay of the nation’s governors, the White House now will be empowered to go over a governor’s head and call up National Guard troops to aid a state in time of natural disasters or other public emergencies. Up to now, governors were the sole commanders in chief of citizen soldiers in local Guard units during emergencies within the state.
A conflict over who should control Guard units arose in the days after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. President Bush sought to federalize control of Guardsmen in Louisiana in the chaos after the hurricane, but Gov. Kathleen Blanco (D) refused to relinquish command.
Continue reading ‘Presidency Siezes Control of National Guard from State Governors: US Congress Helps’
Published by jen January 10th, 2007
in National.
A photo of President Bush and convicted felon and former lobbyist Jack Abramoff has surfaced disproving Bush’s claim that he never met the man. The photo, from a 2003 fund raiser is over at CREW
CREW was provided a photo of President Bush and Jack Abramoff taken at a campaign fundraiser in December 2003. The White House did not want anyone to see this photo. So, that begs the question: What else are they hiding?
What else indeed.
Technorati Tags: Bush Abramoff
Published by jen January 9th, 2007
in Local and State.
More on this later but for now check
here The surprise of the day is Democrat Rosalind Kurita crossed the aisle to vote Ramsey and Mike Williams voted Ramsey as well. The vote was 18-15.
Published by jen January 7th, 2007
in National.
Matt Ortega over at firedoglake has written an excellent post summarizing Senator Patrick Leahy’s Profiteering Prevention Act of 2007.
The act, introduced on Thursday by Leahy, is designed to stop profiteering and enable the prosecution of companies (like Bechtel and Halliburton et al) that have engaged in massive fraud and war profiteering in Iraq and elsewhere. Legislation like this has been brought before but failed under the last congress even though examples of profiteering by Halliburton and others were openly known and discussed.
Continue reading ‘War Profiteering Act’
Published by jen January 6th, 2007
in Uncategorized.
40 Acres and No Mule
It’s all about broken promises and a people’s determination to persevere despite all odds, obstacles, and manners of exploitation.
I came across this not so long ago and I thought I’d share it with you. The book is somewhat out of date (it takes place in 1943) but it nonetheless tells our story without the usual overly romantic or overly stereotyped descriptions that are so common among books that deal with describing Appalachia.
Wanna understand Appalachia? Why we are the way we are? Then pick this up. This book is essential for transplants that don’t get why we just won’t change. It’s also important for the rest of us that are struggling with why we, our parents, and grandparents are the way we are.
Published by jen January 5th, 2007
in National.
The signing statements President Bush has used throughout his administration have become notorious for peeling away rights and attempting to insert more and more executive privileges. Now, a new signing statement, added quietly to the end of a bill on December 20th gives him the right to open your mail and indeed ALL citizens mail under “emergency conditions.”
According to experts quoted by a New York Daily News article, the signing statement contradicts current law:
“That claim [Bush’s claim that he reserves the right to open your mail] is contrary to existing law and contradicted the bill he had just signed, say experts who have reviewed it.”
Continue reading ‘Bush Gives Himself the Power to Open Your Mail’
Published by jen January 2nd, 2007
in State.
In an attack more worthy of a rabid pundit than a legislator, Knoxville’s State Representative, Stacey Campfield, decided it would be a good idea to post the mugshots of a couple that he doesn’t like to his blog and award them with a lump of digital coal.
Their offense was apparently being the owner and the wife of the owner of Knoxville’s Metro Pulse, a news zine that Campfield dubs a “Looney left news rag,” as well as being two individuals he doesn’t like. I echo TnProgressive’s sentiments on the matter in that I expect this kind of thing when I go to Drudge, Limbaugh, or Hannity –even us bloggers and regular media personnel, but not from a state representative.
Continue reading ‘State Legislator Stacey Campfield Attacks Private Citizens’
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