Steve’s Weblog

New pics up in the Gallery. We put up our Christmas tree tonight.

US: No ‘date certain’ for Iraq victory, withdrawal

5 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AFP) – US President George W. Bush laid out his most detailed strategy yet for winning the Iraq war, but warned there would be violence there “for many years to come” and declined to set a date for a US pullout.

In remarks at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, he was to tout progress in training Iraqi security forces in the first of a series of speeches aiming to reassure the wary US public ahead of Iraq’s December 15 elections.

Bush’s national security council said in a newly released policy paper that it expected to cut the US military presence in 2006 but warned there was no “date certain” for a complete pullout or for victory.

“No war has ever been won on a timetable and neither will this one,” it said in the 35-page “National Strategy for Victory in Iraq,” which aimed to counter mounting criticism that the president lacked an exit strategy.

Yahoo News

Bush Unveils New Iraq Strategy in Document

By Daniela Deane
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 30, 2005; 9:39 AM

President Bush, facing increasing impatience with the war in Iraq, went on the offensive today, releasing a detailed strategy plan in an attempt to show the country the administration has a clear strategy for victory in Iraq.

The White House released a 35-page ” National Strategy for Victory in Iraq ” this morning, three hours before the president was billed to make a major speech on the war at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. It’s the first in a series of speeches Bush will deliver in the run-up to the Dec. 15 elections in Iraq outlining the American political, security and economic strategies there.

Washington Post

So, the white house has gone on a new offensive, a media offensive. Still, they haven’t really changed anything by releasing a paper, or making another round of speeches. Ho hum.

Bush gave a speech today, in his latest effort to distract from the quagmire in Iraq. Here’s the relevant quote:

Our nation has been strengthened by generations of immigrants who became Americans through patience and hard work and assimilation. In this new century, we must continue to welcome immigrants, and to set high standards for those who follow the laws to become a part of our country. Every new citizen of the United States has an obligation to learn our customs and values, including liberty and civic responsibility, equality under God and tolerance for others, and the English language. We will continue to pursue policies that encourage ownership, excellence in education, and give all our citizens a chance to realize the American Dream.

I don’t recall learning in Social Studies about equality under God, I thought it was equality under the law? The equality under God part was something I think they taught in religion class. (yes, I went to Catholic schools)

White House

Hastert Wants ‘Christmas,’ Tree Together

1 hour, 57 minutes ago

WASHINGTON – If it’s a spruce tree adorned with 10,000 lights and 5,000 ornaments displayed on the Capitol grounds in December, it’s a Christmas tree and that’s what it should be called, says House Speaker Dennis Hastert.

Hastert, R-Ill., in a letter to the Architect of the Capitol, recommended that the annual Capitol Holiday Tree, as it has been called the past several years, be renamed the Capitol Christmas Tree.

“I strongly urge that we return to this tradition and join the White House, Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity and countless other public institutions and millions of American families in celebrating the holiday season with a Christmas tree,” Hastert wrote to Architect Alan Hantman.

Yahoo News

Happy Holidays Dennis!

It’s amazing that these so-called Christians, like O’Reilly, seem to think that the idea of keeping “Christ” in Christmas is about Santa Claus and corporate bottom lines.

Congressman Admits Taking Bribes, Resigns From House

Cunningham Pleads Guilty in House Sale Probe

Rep. Cunningham pleads guilty to tax violations
California Republican admits to taking $2.4 million in bribes

SAN DIEGO, California (AP) — Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy and tax charges and tearfully resigned from office, admitting he took $2.4 million in bribes to steer defense contracts to conspirators.

Cunningham, 63, entered pleas in U.S. District Court to charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud and wire fraud, and tax evasion for underreporting his income in 2004.

Cunningham answered “yes, Your Honor” when asked by U.S. District Judge Larry Burns if he had accepted bribes from someone in exchange for his performance of official duties.

Later, at a news conference, he wiped away tears as he announced his resignation.

“I can’t undo what I have done but I can atone,” he said.

Cunningham, an eight-term Republican congressman, had already announced in July that he would not seek re-election next year.

CNN

House: Rep. Cunningham Enters Guilty Plea, Resigns

Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-Calif.) pleaded guilty today to tax violations in relation to the sale of his home to a defense contractor whose boat he was living on rent free. Shortly after entering his plea, Cunningham announced that he is resigning his seat.

Washington Post

With all the controversy surrounding the Bush administration, it’s like several different soap opera stories going on at once. And just when you thought a story line had gone cold and been dropped, something happens to stir it up again. This weeks drama brings attention back to Karl Rove in the Plamegate scandal…

2nd Time Reporter to Testify in Leak Case

The Associated Press
Sunday, November 27, 2005; 11:05 PM

WASHINGTON — A second Time magazine reporter has agreed to cooperate in the CIA leak case and will testify about her discussions with Karl Rove’s attorney, a sign that prosecutors are still exploring charges against the White House aide.

Viveca Novak, a reporter in Time’s Washington bureau, is cooperating with Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald, who is investigating the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame’s identity in 2003, the magazine reported in its Dec. 5 issue.

Washington Post

Where’s the popcorn, hopefully it gets good now…

Going for dim sum this morning…

White House claims ’strong consensus’ on Iraq pullout

1 hour, 52 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The White House has for the first time claimed ownership of an Iraq withdrawal plan, arguing that a troop pullout blueprint unveiled this past week by a Democratic senator was “remarkably similar” to its own.

It also signaled its acceptance of a recent US Senate amendment designed to pave the way for a phased US military withdrawal from the violence-torn country.

The statement by White House spokesman Scott McClellan came in response to a commentary published in The Washington Post by Joseph Biden, the top Democrat of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in which he said US forces will begin leaving Iraq next year “in large numbers.”

According to Biden, the United States will move about 50,000 servicemen out of the country by the end of 2006, and “a significant number” of the remaining 100,000 the year after.

The blueprint also calls for leaving only an unspecified “small force” either in Iraq or across the border to strike at concentrations of insurgents, if necessary.

Less than two weeks ago, McClellan blasted Democratic Representative John Murtha, saying that by calling for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq, the congressman was “endorsing the policy positions of Michael Moore,” a stridently anti-war Hollywood filmmaker.

Yahoo News

Gimme a break.

This is an interesting twist to the whole gay marriage debate.

Marital Privilege Sought to Exclude Gay Partner as Witness
Man Fighting Charges He Helped Steal From School System Says Law Should Be Gender-Neutral

Associated Press
Saturday, November 26, 2005; Page A09

NEW YORK, Nov. 25 — A gay man charged with helping his lover loot a wealthy school district has asked a judge to rule that state law protecting spouses from having to testify against each other also applies to same-sex partners.

Stephen Signorelli, fighting charges that he stole at least $219,000 from the Roslyn, N.Y., school district, is seeking to bar testimony by his longtime companion, Frank Tassone, the district’s former superintendent.

Auditors say that in all, $11.2 million was taken from the Long Island district. It is considered among the largest thefts from a U.S. school system.

Tassone pleaded guilty this year to stealing $1 million between 1996 and 2002. As part of his plea deal, he agreed to testify against other defendants in the case, which meant he might have to take the stand in Signorelli’s trial.

Washington Post

Protest Reassembles in Crawford
Opponents of War in Iraq Plan to Remain Near Bush Ranch

By Rosalind S. Helderman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, November 26, 2005; Page A05

CRAWFORD, Tex., Nov. 25 — Cindy Sheehan has returned to the dusty town of Crawford, where she was transformed from a grieving mother into a symbol of the movement against the Iraq war.

She arrived Thursday night to the cheers of supporters and on Friday presided over the unveiling of a permanent sandstone monument in memory of her son, Casey, a soldier who was killed in Iraq in 2004.

As in August, Sheehan’s visit here once again brought out counterdemonstrators. One group stood in the parking lot of the local coffee shop behind a sign reading “Score — Cindy 3, USA 403.” The sign was a reference to a recent House of Representatives vote in which only three lawmakers supported a resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

“I think they’re wasting their time,” said John Calahan, a Vietnam War veteran from nearby Clifton. “There are only three who voted with them to run.”

Bush plans to continue to try to bolster support for the war, including in a speech Wednesday at Annapolis that will focus on efforts to improve Iraqi security forces.

Washington Post

How are these wonks going to lie and spin about the eventual troop withdrawal that the pentagon is planning, the one that Condaleeza Rice referred to last week? The one that George Bush will surely float in his speech on Wednesday. If it’s such a bad idea, worth trashing Cindy Sheehan, and John Murtha, what are they going to say about AWOL Bush the coward when he starts the troop reductions? (nothing bad, of course)

U.S. Starts Laying Groundwork for Significant Troop Pullout From Iraq
By Paul Richter and Tyler Marshall, Times Staff Writers

WASHINGTON — Even as debate over the Iraq war continues to rage, signs are emerging of a convergence of opinion on how the Bush administration might begin to exit the conflict.

In a departure from previous statements, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said this week that the training of Iraqi soldiers had advanced so far that the current number of U.S. troops in the country probably would not be needed much longer.

LA Times

And why would anyone claim the 403-3 vote as a victory when everyone knows the resolution was a Republican sham that was proposed in an attempt to smear anyone who voted for it anyway.

Lawmakers Under Scrutiny in Probe of Lobbyist

Ney and DeLay Among the Members of Congress Said to Be a Focus of Abramoff Investigation

By Susan Schmidt and James V. Grimaldi
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, November 26, 2005; Page A01

The Justice Department’s wide-ranging investigation of former lobbyist Jack Abramoff has entered a highly active phase as prosecutors are beginning to move on evidence pointing to possible corruption in Congress and executive branch agencies, lawyers involved in the case said.

Prosecutors have already told one lawmaker, Rep. Robert W. Ney (R-Ohio), and his former chief of staff that they are preparing a possible bribery case against them, according to two sources knowledgeable about the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Former House majority leader Tom DeLay (R), now facing separate campaign finance charges in his home state of Texas, is one of the members under scrutiny, the sources said. Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-Calif.) and other members of Congress involved with Indian affairs, one of Abramoff’s key areas of interest, are also said to be among them.

Washington Post

Looks like it’s going to be a soap opera in Congress this season… When will the cliffhanger episode air where we get to find out who the crooks and liars are?

Falwell says he’ll sue for Christmas snubs

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 23 (UPI) — Conservative U.S. evangelist Jerry Falwell has announced he will sue any group that alters or forbids traditional Christmas events.

UPI

Happy Holidays Jerry!

Sheehan Back in Texas for War Protest

By ANGELA K. BROWN, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 23 minutes ago

CRAWFORD, Texas – The mother of a fallen soldier whose vigil against the war in Iraq outside President Bush’s ranch returned to Texas, saying she is “heartbroken” that the troops are not home.

When Cindy Sheehan arrived at the Waco airport Thursday, three dozen supporters erupted into cheers and tears and grabbed her for lengthy embraces. Before they whisked her back to Crawford, the group chanted, “Stop the war! Bring them home now!”

“I feel happy to be back here with all my friends … but I’m heartbroken that we have to be here again,” said Sheehan, who hoped to arrive earlier in the week, but was delayed by a family emergency. “We will keep pressing and we won’t give up until our troops are brought home.”

Sheehan asked protesters to return to Crawford this week during Bush’s family Thanksgiving gathering. She was unknown when she set up camp outside Bush’s ranch during his August vacation, but as the vigil drew thousands, she attracted national attention.

Friday, Sheehan’s itinerary included attending a dedication of a garden at the Crawford Peace House in honor of her 24-year-old son, Casey, who died in Iraq last year. An anti-war rally was scheduled at a downtown park Saturday.

Yahoo News

Ex-FEMA Head Starts Disaster Planning Firm

43 minutes ago

DENVER – Former FEMA Director Michael Brown, heavily criticized for his agency’s slow response to Hurricane Katrina, is starting a disaster preparedness consulting firm to help clients avoid the sort of errors that cost him his job.

Yahoo News

Traffic Trapped Cars on Ill. Train Tracks

By NATHANIEL HERNANDEZ, Associated Press Writer Fri Nov 25, 5:27 AM ET

ELMWOOD PARK, Ill. – A group of cars hit by a commuter train at a suburban Chicago crossing had 54 seconds from the time the gates were activated until the train came barreling through but they couldn’t escape, an official with the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday.

The crossing gates appeared to be working, but traffic was backed up during the evening rush Wednesday and several cars became trapped, acting NTSB chairman Mark Rosenker said.

“The cars were in a place they shouldn’t have been at the time,” Rosenker said. He said the train hit them because they had nowhere to go.

Sixteen people were injured when the train slammed into the trapped cars, destroying five and starting a chain reaction that damaged others. Three people remained hospitalized Thursday.

Yahoo News

“Don’t block the box!” was a 1980s campaign to end gridlock in New York City. Drivers were reminded that “blocking the box”, an intersection, with white lines painted across it, so that it looks like a football end-zone, would result in a fine and points on a license. The basic idea being, don’t enter the zone if you can’t get out before the light changes. It’s a traffic rule that should be followed everywhere, not just New York City, and especially applicable to railroad crossings.

Tip to manage your in-box more effectively

I received this tip from a colleague, who had forwarded a note with a button that would add a new column to your In-box ($Inbox) enabling you to tell at a glance which emails you were just CC’d on. This helps determine which notes require a direct response.

In Notes designer, modify the ($Inbox) Folder to add a column just before the Date Column, set it’s width to 2 characters, and the text color to Blue. and font size to 9. Set the column value to the following formula: @If(@Contains(CopyTo; @Text(@UserName)); “cc” ; “”)

States Ranked: Smart to Dumb

The smartest state is Vermont. The dumbest is Arizona.

These are the 2005-2006 findings of the Education State Rankings, a survey by Morgan Quitno Press of hundreds of public school systems in all 50 states. States were graded on 21 factors, including student achievement and attendance, positive outcomes, strong student-teacher relationships and school district efficiency. Other factors are the number of high school graduates, reading, writing and math proficiency, percent of school-age kids in public schools, high school drop out rates, student-teacher ratios and class size.

“The Smartest State Award recognizes those states that are committed to students and teachers, emphasize excellence in the classroom and ensure that public elementary and secondary schools are efficiently-run,” said Scott Morgan, president of Morgan Quitno Press. “Vermont shines in many key areas of education. A high percentage of its students excel in reading, writing and math. In addition, schools in Vermont have smaller class sizes and lower pupil-teacher ratios than in most other states.”

They’re doing something right in New England. Massachusetts was designated the smartest state by Morgan Quitno Press the previous two years, and New England states dominate four of the five top slots this year.

The losers are Arizona, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, California, Louisiana, Alaska, Alabama, Hawaii and Tennessee.

How does YOUR state rank?

1. Vermont
2. Connecticut
3. Massachusetts
4. New Jersey
5. Maine
6. Minnesota
7. Virginia
8. Wisconsin
9. Montana
10. New York
.
.
.
24. Texas

Netscape News

Paper Says Bush Talked of Bombing Arab TV Network

By Kevin Sullivan and Walter Pincus
Washington Post Foreign Service
Wednesday, November 23, 2005; Page A14

LONDON, Nov. 22 — President Bush expressed interest in bombing the headquarters of the Arabic television network al-Jazeera during a White House conversation with Prime Minister Tony Blair in April 2004, a British newspaper reported Tuesday.

The Daily Mirror report was attributed to two anonymous sources describing a classified document they said contained a transcript of the two leaders’ talk. One source is quoted as saying Bush’s alleged remark concerning the network’s headquarters in Qatar was “humorous, not serious,” while the other said, “Bush was deadly serious.”

Washington Post

Fox News Won’t Show Ad Opposing Alito

Tue Nov 22, 7:53 PM ET

WASHINGTON – Fox News is refusing to air an ad critical of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, citing its lawyers’ contention that the spot is factually incorrect.

A spokesman for the groups sponsoring the ad said the network’s decision reflects the political right’s effort to shield President Bush’s choice for the high court.

The ad says that as an appellate court judge, Alito has “ruled to make it easier for corporations to discriminate … even voted to approve strip search of a 10-year-old girl.” Referring to a document Alito wrote in 1985 while seeking a job in the Reagan administration, it quotes him as saying that “the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion.”

The groups backing the ad include the Alliance for Justice, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, People for The American Way and abortion rights organizations.

Washington Post

Where can I get a FauxNews Brownshirt? I feel like burning some books this weekend too…