Moussaoui is Schizo

Can someone explain to me why they let Moussaoui pled guilty and the jury was allowed to decided whether or not to execute him? Sure the man wanted to kill Americans like his Al-Qaeda friends. Sure he tried to learn how to fly an airplane, but he was not involved in the planning, nor did he know about the 9/11 plot in any real detail. I suspect bin Laden or his lieuteniants decided Moussaoui was too unstable for the job.

It seems to me that the U.S. government will execute Moussaoui for being an Al-Qaeda member and a wannabe standby member of the 9/11 crew. Any rational actor would not behave the way Zacharias has these past years. Just contrast his behavior to that of Brain David Mitchell, who was found insane in Utah. And I am not the only one who thinks Moussaoui is crazy. [From the NY Times]

Dr. Xavier Amador testified about an encounter with Mr. Moussaoui last April in the holding cell of the courthouse in which the trial is taking place. He said Mr. Moussaoui repeatedly spat water on him and exhibited several classic symptoms of schizophrenia, including sudden shifts in the defendant's views accompanied by denials that he had only moments earlier held the opposite views.

Under questioning by Gerald T. Zerkin, one of the court-appointed defense lawyers, Dr. Amadeor picked apart Mr. Moussaoui's testimony last week in which he seemed to offer rational, if not plausible explanations for his odd behavior over the previous four years. For example, Mr. Moussaoui had regularly charged that his lawyers, whom he reviles, were part of a conspiracy to kill him.

I know people want revenge for 9/11, and the families deserve justice. But killing this man really isn't going to do it, because he did not do anything to further the 9/11 attack, didn't know about it, and was mentally incapable of doing so.

If you are so wacko that bin Laden doesn't think you are a good candidate for a suicide bombing, you have some serious issues, to say the least.

Kanab keeps koming

"The bottom line is that it's not the business of a city to tell people how to live their lives." I couldn't have said it better myself (JoAnne Rando-Moon, who moved to Kanab seven years ago and owns a pet-supply business there said it). According to the Deseret News:

Residents now are starting a campaign to send a different message than that of the resolution. One group of residents is distributing a 6-inch round decal to businesses in Kanab that states, "Everyone is welcome," said Rando-Moon. So far, 82 businesses are displaying the decal on their front doors.

Only 7 businesses refused the decale, according to Rando-Moon. "Carol Sullivan, the only council member who voiced support for revoking the resolution during the Feb. 28 meeting, said the issue has severely divided her town." That's the trouble with Culture wars even in fairly red areas like Kanab, they create struggle and animostity where there doesn't need to be any. "I'm really worried for our businesses. One hotel in town has lost $14,000 because of cancellations," said Sullivan. "There are a lot of innocent people in business who are caught in the middle of this. I don't know where it's going or where it will end."

Of course, the supporters are not backing down. But is nice to see that the theocrats are wasting everyone's time effort and livelihood on a powerless yet hate-filled resolution. The folks in Kanab, Utah should meet with the folks in Dover, Penn. Seems like they both have something in common.

the fundamental problem with Bush foreign policy

If you thought this would be a post about how dumb invading Iraq was, sorry, that is overplayed and everyone pretty much knows it by now. What I wish to discuss is how the Bush foreign policy team doesn't just have pre-9/11 thinking but pre-1989 thinking.

The reaction to the 9/11 attacks by the Bush team was one that Reagan would have had, not because Bush is like Reagan, but because Reagan fought against Nation-States, specifically the USSR (and Granada and Panama). The Nation-State is so 20th Century. Al-Qaeda is focused on an ethno-religious identity-- the Wahabist, who is usually Arab. Although the Fillipinos are heavily Muslim, most of Al-Qaeda's most active recruits are Arab. The know no country, in fact, these folks are militant preciesely because they are unwanted in their own countries.

Yet Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld's approach was to take out Afghanistan rather than Al-Qaeda. In reality, they did neither well. Both are back and the country is unstable as ever. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to invade Afghanistan in 1998 when I learned what the Tailban were up to and that is where bin Laden lived (who had killed people in American Embassies in Kenya). But to do it on the cheap outsource the hunting of the actual people that were responsible for 9/11 was criminal negligence.

When they decided to topple Iraq, they ignored the fact that Iraq is a middle eastern Yugoslavia, with competing ethinic groups that don't necessarily get along. Even worse than Yugoslavia, these three groups are also found in other not so stable countries and so the impact is felt more widely. Now because of no post-war planning, not enough troops, no international support, and general bungling by Rummy, we have a ethic war that is making Sarajevo look relatively better everyday.

As Bush drums up for war with Iran in a feable attempt to repeat his 2002 off-year election performance, his people should be made aware that Iran probabbly already has lots of its intelligence people in Iraq right now instigating more violence. The Persians share religious sectarian beliefs with a large portion of the Iraqi people. And Iran is a mountainous country with lots and lots of young men with not much to do. These young people like some parts of American culture, and Bollywood stars, but they don't like Bush and his Bible thumping friends.

And frankly, most of Americans don't anymore either. So don't let yourself be distracted into worrying about Iranian nuclear technology. Sure their leaders are nuts, but their people aren't, and the leaders aren't so nuts as to actually pick a fight with us. But if they are attacked, watch out.

rethinking the immigration debate

previously I posted my praise of the immigrant protests and how much solidarity I believed there was between all classes of immigrants. Having talked to children and relatives of recent legal immigrants on Thursday, I can tell you that they are honestly upset with a easy amnesty program.

I learned about how many hoops would-be legal immigrants have to go through, the years of waiting. And if one little thing goes wrong, it can be decades before they let you back in (of course, the deport you). My friend Jeff, whose father is Pakistani, told me of a Jordanian friend of his who let his student visa lapse. Unlike the 9-11 hijakers, he was caught after he had married and fully immigrated into America. In fact, when he was deported to Jordan, the country didn't want him, so he had to move to Kuiwait, where he is a perminant second class citizen. His wife, a white woman with no language skills, cannot get a job in Kuwait and he can't get a good job because he is not Kuwaiti. So she has to fly out to the middle east to see her husband, and I believe they have a child.

Another 3L told me of a relative of his who cannot come back to America for 10-15 years because of some technicality (his family is from India I believe). Both were upset with the idea that just because some one snuck in over the boarder a couple years ago, they should get amnesty while their friends and relatives are banished from the US for decades. A woman who works for the US district court told us that the number one type of case they hear is illegal immigration.

There is no easy solution to this. On the one hand, we can all agree that illegals who commit crimes in the US have no business being in America. And we can all agree that granting a Reagan-style Amnesty to current illegal immigrants while letting the rest who were deported for silly reasons languish in places like Kuwait for 10-15 years when they have clear ties to US is ridiculous. On the other hand, these folks didn't immigrate to America illegally because they wanted to, it was because there weren't enough temporary visas. Most of these undocumented peoples work hard, go to church, pay someone elses taxes, send their kids to school and try to learn English and how to be an American.

We need to cut out the red tape to get in and get visas while doing a better job of doing background checks and monitoring of immigrants, especially if they come from countries with terrorist ties. My half Pakistani friend and my Indian (south asia) friend both agreed that we need more liberalized immigration, not to round up all the illegal Mexicans.

I just wonder how serious Bush and Frist really are about true immigration reform that both parties can agree on, besides that it needs to occur and they need to use it against the other party. After the recess, I think it won't come up again, and Bush and Frist will stick to their blame it on Reid plan. After all, it eventually worked against Daschle.

The second year, at dusk

As I sit in the downtown library enjoying the sun from the saftey of UV-blocking glass, I think back on the guantlet that was my 2L year. It is much better think about this stuff now before the grades come in, let alone think about the world outside with its daily car bombings and impending official war with Iran.

I learned more about the first amendment as a "high school teacher" than I did in my Con Law class. I learned more about Criminal Procedure, Tax Law, Constitutional law, etc. at my job than I did in any class I took. But nonetheless, I think the tuition was worth it to hear some of the great professors and to meet and get to know my future collegues, assuming we all get jobs.

School work was very taxing, especially this trial and journal work, as well as my student organization. But the nice thing is, I am 99% done with that.

Hopefully Bush doesn't think that bombing Iran is the wise thing to do or that it will improve his ratings, because neither is true. He has lied too much to be believable to the American public and bombing Iran will only make things worse.

waking up to 21st century America

Until immigration was pushed to the forefront by President Bush in a last ditch effort to revitialize his ratings, many Americans were probabbly ignorant as to the extent of immigrants (illegal or legal) who have recently come into this county.

These massive protests proved that the First Amendment still works and that there are Americans who care a lot about this issue. Notice I said Americans. All of the protesters, illegal or not, consider themselves Americans and Mexicans, or Chinese or Purvians or whatever. What was also amazing for me was that while a few people showed up to protest the Iraq war, this turnout has been impressive for how widespread, how large, and how grassroots it was. This was not a bunch of Unions and immigrants rights members marching around, like the war protestors were mostly members of certain peace groups. Nor was this organized by partisan officials. Rather, this was something talked about on Spanish-speaking radio, flyers in mom-and-pop businesses & churches. This was the real deal.

I would imagine, contrary to what Rep. Tom Tancredo belives, that most of the protesters were legal immigrants. There is a lot of solidarity amoung immigrants, both illegal and legal, not because they are all from the same county or speak the same language, but because they are related through mutual friends, marriage, and they are all struggling to make it in strange land. Granted, they came here willingly and are overjoyed with the oportunties in America.

This is just what you want in an American, someone who believes in the American Dream. Those who marched against the war were mostly middle-to-upper class folks who had maxed out all of what America could do for them. They aren't hanging out next to the Home Depo hoping some Gringo will hire them as a day laborer under the table. They aren't using fake tax IDs to get a job picking vegatables. But that's who marched on Sunday and Monday against the Sensenbrenner bill.

In politics, like if life, decisions are made by those who show up. Will the hundreds of thousands who marched the last couple days show up to their polling place in November? If they are illegal, the answer is no. Will it encourage folks like Chinese-Americans, many of whom have lived in America for a long time and have sympathized and marched with Hispanics on April 9th and 10th, to vote this time? That is the $10,000 question.

Democrats have new reason to hope that is the case, as most who marched remembered only that Republicans are the ones that supported the Sensenbrenner bill, but Democrats shouldn't count on these votes putting them over the top. The GOPers should be nervous however. The counter protests by Minutemen groups have been pathetically small in comparison when they even occured.

Maybe there is a Nixonian "silent majority" wanting to criminalize undocumented workers and those who protect them, as well as a burning desire to deport them. But I bet they only exist in GOP primary voters and not the public at large.

bribed to vote

A fellow in Arizona by the name of Mark Osterloh, an Arizona physician and attorney, is proposing a state law via ballot initiative that would act as an incentive to increase voter turnout. The method: everyone who votes is automatically entered into a $1 Million lottery. Currently, more people buy lotto tickets than vote, hell more people vote for the next American Idol than the their next president. But really, I can think of a better way to increase turnout without costing the state a million dollars every 2 years.

At 62.3%, this month's Israeli elections were the lowest voter participation ever. In 2004, with billions spent to increase turnout and wide knowledge of the American Public at the importance and closeness of the election, the turnout was higher than it has been in many years. And after all that, the turnout only 55.3% in America. As Jon Stewart said the other night, the middle east should be bringing democracy to us.

So how does Israel and many other democracies get higher turnout rates? Well for one, election day is not a day people have to work. In Israel, it is a national holiday. In Europe, it is during the weekend. Israel and most of these European countries have a parlimentary system meaning that the ruling party can call for elections pretty much whenever they want. So Bush would have asked for a new election on September 12, 2001 and won in a landslide in March 2002 or so.

But our founding fathers didn't like that idea of being able to game the system and set up a perminant unmovable (except special elections) federal election day. For holiday purposes, this is much better for businesses, who will know when no work will get done and can plan accordingly.

Of course, if Election Day were a national holiday, Americans might do what some Iraelis are now doing, go on a vacation over Election Day. This is why early voting should still be a part of the solution, as well as making elections competitive so that people have a reason to vote (read: redistricting). In Iowa, turnout is much higher than California, in part because each vote actually counts in Congressional and Presidential elections.

Alberto Gonzales, Attorney at leak

I have a sneeking suspicion that this "knowledgable lawyer" AP refers to is none other than ex-WH counsel and current US AG Alberto Gonzales. He was neck-deep in all the crap that Bush pulled, whether it was the NSA illegal wiretapping, the "16 words" in the State of the Union or the continual hit job on Joe Wilson.

Here's how Gonzales tries to make things better for his boss:

President Bush declassified sensitive intelligence in 2003 and authorized its public disclosure to rebut Iraq war critics, but he did not specifically direct that Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, be the one to disseminate the information, an attorney knowledgeable about the case said Saturday.

Bush merely instructed Cheney to "get it out" and left the details to him, said the lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case for the White House. The vice president chose Libby and communicated the president's wishes to his then-top aide, the lawyer said.

It is not known when the conversation between Bush and Cheney took place. The White House has declined to provide the date when the president used his authority to declassify the portions of the October 2002 National Intelligence Estimate, a classified document that detailed the intelligence community's conclusions about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Calling yourself just a lawyer when you are really much more than that is typical Bush Administration style. Remember when Scooter Libby was just a former House Staffer? While both titles are true, they tend to mislead and distort the nature of the source.

If it isn't Gonzales, than it is Harriet Myers, who was also up to her chin in Bush's lies. She was the one that did the PDB's pre-9/11, including the "bin Laden Determined to Attack US" one. She too was in the WH counsel's office justifying all kinds of illegal and dishonest activities with Alberto Gonzales. Both were supposed to be promoted for all the hard work they did being yes-men and women, instead of instructing their President that what he was doing was illegal or unethical. Al got the AG gig, and Harriet got a SCOTUS nomination. Both have been terrible lawyers, but Al went to Harvard Law, so he gets to keep lying at a higher level.

trial advocacy

Today at one PM, my partner and I have our fake trial. As employees of the local DA, we have experience writing memos, but never doing examinations or entering things into evidence. But this has been a fun and nerve-racking class. This is one of the few practical courses I have taken at law school (the other appellate practice).

Tonight, an old high school friend and bridesmaid will be in town and my wife and I are excited to see her. Last night, I had my co-counsel and all our fake witnesses over for dinner and one last shot at trial prep. Most are pretty into it and are going to try to tear up at the appropriate moments (it is a murder trial). Hopefully my partner and I won't be the one's crying...afterall, we are going against the best oralist at this year's Traynor Moot Court Competition (who won the "moot court madness" very un-George Mason-like). His partner is no slouch either...but then again, thanks to all our memo writing practice, we got both graphic photos in and prevented him from excluding all of our hearsay at least until they object during the trial. We shall see how it goes.

By 6 PM tonight though, I will be done with that class (and my teaching in HS class as well) and will have 7 credits more under my belt before I ever take the finals for this semester. And that's a nice feeling.

the real difference between modern Democrats and Republicans in Congress

When Democratic leaders leave congress, they do so because they lose a narrow election (see Daschle, Folley) or they retire (see Mitchell, Gephardt). In either case, no one questions their ethics, although they might question their ideology.

When Republican leaders leave congress, it is either because they pled guilty to $2.4M in bribes (Cunningham...soon Ney), all their former staffers, friends, and family members have either pled guilty to money laundering, violating tax law, etc. or are under the shaddow of an indictment or looming indictment(DeLay). Or they are so incompetent that they can't run for reelection, or be Majority Leader, or run for president at the same time (and suck at all three) (Frist). Or they lead the charge to impeach a president for lying about an extramarital affair while having their own (Livingstone) or making money off a book deal (Gingrich). Or they get pushed out because they long for the segrationist policies of Strom Thurmond's 1948 presidential campaign (Lott).

The difference between congressional Dems and GOPers are the dimes one takes, and the other doesn't.

Bill's revenge?

Like Montezuma, will Bill Clinton have his revenge? The heart of Utah's 3rd district is centered around Utah County, a place were Sean Hanity goes when he needs an ego-boost, where Bush would hold his phony town hall meetings without screeners, and yet...we have a chance to knockout an encumbent.

"A new Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll conducted last week by Dan Jones & Associates finds that Rep. Chris Cannon" has only 36 percent support among his voters. Cannon was one of the many House Impeachment Managers against President Clinton. Bill has made it a personal challenge to beat every impeachment manager, like the curse of King Tut. [all quotes from the Deseret Morning News]

"With nearly two-out-of-three voters saying they don't now support Cannon," I think we have a chance. In 2004, Cannon was challenged from the right on immgration reform (aka Xenophobia) and had a primary challenge, meaning he couldn't get rid of his challenger in the UT GOP convention. This year, the heat on immigration reform is even hotter and the polling in Utah suggests it is in favor of a House style bill, rather than the Senate version or McCain-Kennedy.

This year, he will face two real challengers before he faces a Democrat "former GOP 2nd District U.S. Rep. Merrill Cook, who over the years has spent nearly $4 million on his numerous races, and Utah County water-and-land developer John Jacob, a fellow Republican who says he may well spend $1 million to $1.5 million of his own money on his race."

When Cook lost in the primary in 2000 (and lone UT Democrat Jim Matheson replaced him), he faced two wealthy challengers "and found himself down in the polls, losing 45 percent to 21 percent to the then-Democratic newcomer Jim Matheson." Jim by the way is sitting pretty with 58 percent approval, including 37 percent of the Republican vote, compared to only 27 percent by state Rep. LaVar Christensen, R-Draper his probable challenger. And even though Jim is rather moderate compared to national Democrats, we Utah Democrats are a pragmatic bunch: Jim gets 91 percent of the Democratic vote and 75 percent of the independent vote. And verey importantly, he gets 51 percent of the LDS vote, which is key when you face a guy named LaVar Christensen.

Here's the poll break down for UT-03 and -02



The Senate race is anything but, unfortunately. Orrin Hatch will likely have this seat until he dies or retires (or is appointed to something). But Pete Ashdown is self-funded and netroots savvy (he is a founder of a local ISP). He even has a campaign Wiki. Here's the poll break down:

I listen to ClarkCasts, do you?

Appearantly, lots of you listen to what ex-General Wesley Clark has to say once a week. According to Hotline:

And now his podcast is right now the most popular political podcast in the nation.

The third installment of Clark's audiotaped thoughts ranks ahead of Sean Hannity . It's more listened-to than Sen. Barack Obama's audio doodlings. Than ex-Sen. John Edwards's podcast, too.

My advice to Wes: do more interviews and chats, and less scripted speeches. The first ClarkCast was terrible in that you could hear Clark pause at the wrong points and hear the page turning. Speak from the heart extemporainously and then you can edit it down or do more takes later.

I will sum up by quoting Hotline again:

Too many people handicapping the Dem field aren't paying attention to Ret. Gen. Wes Clark. The guy has a monster travel schedule on behalf of other Dems. He's still the to-go talking head for Democratic national security events. He's doing the party's national radio address this Saturday.

This man has a big following, even if the insider's poll says it all Hillary. And Clark's stock will raise even among them if all his people get elected-- he has at least one house and one senate candidate that are Clarkies.

no double standards

Here is something I agree with the right wing blogosphere on: our dislike of Rep. Cynthia McKinney (oh and I hate her dad too). Hotline On Call reported that she assaulted a Capitol Police officer because he didn't recognize her as she bypassed the metal detectors (as Members of Congress are allowed to do when they wear their member pin).

The officer called out "Ma'am, Ma'am," in an attempt to stop her.

When the officer caught up to McKinney, he grabbed her by the arm.

McKinney pulled her arm away, swung around, cell phone in hand, and punched the officer square in the chest, according to the witness.

This is the same woman who sides with Hamas over Israel, who is more extreme left than Noam Chompsky, who blamed her 2002 primary defeat on Republicans in an overwhelmingly democratic district with overwhelmingly democratic turnout. (the margin of victory was greater than all the GOP voters who voted in the democratic primary) McKinney is what is wrong with the far out left. Most of the liberals are no where near as crazy and bad as she is, but they need to condem her.

VA SEN- Allen needs, er, stimulation

DSCC has a clip of Sen. George Allen saying he wishes he was born in Iowa. Hotline notes that "He was born in California although his parents, er, created him, in Sioux City."

DSCC has a great line "Looks like Senator Allen is not only bored with the Senate, he's also bored with the entire Commonwealth of Virginia."

VA SEN-let's get it on!

All signs point to a preemptive war buildup in the Old Dominion State. The Democrats have fielded not one but two serious candidates. One, the self-funder and friend of ex-Gov. Warner Harris Miller. The other, netroots favorite and ex-Reagan Sec. of Navy James Webb.

On the other side, intellectual lightweight but strategy smart Senator George Allen. After defeating Chuck Robb six years ago by about 225K votes, the former Governor and son of famed Redskins coach by the same name is one more football analogy away from pissing his pants.

His chief of staff is Dick Wadhams, who engineered the paid bloggers for Thune as well as the rest of the nasty mudslinging victory over ex-Minority Leader Tom Daschle. Before that, he saved Sen. Allard's butt in Colorado with similarly nasty tactics.

Turdblossom II has now "taken a leave of absence" to run Allen's reelection campaign. We have to punish bad behavior and end Wadhams' winning streak before he gets the keys to a national campaign.

This is just one more sign that George Allen is taking Webb and Miller very, very seriously. I can't wait to see the negative ads, they should be out by this summer.

body count

every day, if you listen/read/watch the news, you learn about another pile of dead, tortured Iraqis found in and around Bagdad. They are being killed by ethnicity and Baghdad in 2006 is quickly becoming like Yugoslavia 1991-92. Sunnis are the new Croats. Or Serbs or whatever. I am not taking sides on this one.

This is the very definition of a civil war. I don't want to hear any more euphemisms: "high-level sectarian violence" or "ethnic strife" or "freedom's birthing pains" etc.

It is ludicris not to see that Iraq is going down the toliet in a hurry and the US miliary is powerless (either politically or practically) to stop it.

Kontinuing Kanab Knews

Now business-owners from out of town are worried about Kanab's "full quivver of children" resolution. Victor and Pat Sandonato of the New York/New Jersey Area (Connecticut, New York's other suburb) bought a western supply store in Kanab, the hottest property in town. Lee Benson, the twin brother of Federal District Court Judge Dee Benson, is the author of the Deeret News follow-up. Although I don't think too highly of Judge Benson's brother's reporting normally, I enjoyed this article.

"Eighty percent of this business is international," he says. "That's what we thrive on."
He looks outside his office window at the empty parking lot that is typical in March and hopes it isn't a preview of months to come.
"Yes, I am worried," he says. "I just bought the place, and suddenly I have controversy."

Although Victor loves the environs of Kanab, he wonders why the Mayor and the city council had to thrust their views on the public. "It reminds me of that old Christmas movie, 'Miracle on 34th Street,' " he says, "where they want to put down Santa Claus. And the people tell them, 'Maybe you don't believe in Santa Claus, but don't go there. It's not a good idea.'" So I guess gay people are like Santa Claus, both possibly make-believe? But I digress (before I go on, notice that all Lee did was drive down to this store and interview this one couple).

Victor and Pat hopes the whole thing will just blow over, since this was a astroturf uprising. "[W]e haven't heard anybody local say they're all gung-ho about what's going on. A lot of people think it's silly. We haven't had any impression at all that the town is bigoted." Those big folks up at the Sutherland Institute up in Salt Lake City really know Kanab values.

Certainly Victor and Pat will welcome in gays who have money, "We welcome all people from all walks of life." He just won't admit that he believes homosexuality to be a "life-style choice." Look, retiring to Palm Springs is a life-style choice, not whom you love.

sign of hope for Utah Dems?

Courtesy of the Salt Lake Tribune and Pat Bagley

A Sunday or two ago, the LDS church asked that a statement be read at the wardhouses and stake centers in advance of the precinct meetings political parties would be holding. The statement said that the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints could be found in both political parties. This is what Wayne Owens has always said, that the Democratic belief in helping the less fortunate is compatable with LDS teachings.

As a result, the turn out in various ultra-red areas for Democratic precincts was suprisingly strong. This prompted a KUER radio show on whether Democrats have a shot of legitimacy now and why the tie between the GOP and LDS church seems so strong.

I sure hope that the tie between the parties can end and Mormons everywhere will not feel compelled or pressured to be a Republican. There are some aspects of each party that should find appeal to LDS church goers, just like it does for Catholics or Jews or many other major religious groups.

This year Democrats in Utah may do a bit better, but I am not expecting much. I would like to have the power to block stuff in the State Senate so the GOP leadership would at least consult and listen to Democrats. By 2012, I am hoping to have 1 safe Democratic seat, 1 toss up and 2 solid GOP seats. Oh and whenever Hatch or Bennett retire, I would like Jim Matheson to run for the vacant seat. Utah Democrats are a practical bunch.

photo of the day

Courtesy of the Washington Post

Bush's trade ambassador, Robert Zoellick, is trying to get US-China trade in even better shape so that he is hugging babies, baby Pandas. "You want to know how the panda felt?" he asked. "Very soft."

Is he soft on China's human rights record? Trying to get more cuddly pandas for our Zoos? Trying to get the Chinese to float the Yuan? Or endorsing the engagement policy/theory on China?

I think it is a little bit of both...and pandas are soft and I am very jealous. Some day, I want to be trade ambassador so I can hold pandas.

the nerves of Steele

The Balimore Sun seems to have found yet another ethical violation with the Ehrlich/Steele Administration: Pay for Play with Steele.

Officials with three of four African-American groups that in early 2004 received a combined $250,000 - the result of an insurance settlement received by the state - gave $13,711 to the lieutenant governor about the same time or in the months after, according to a state elections board database....The proceeds were distributed to four groups without a competitive application process and were announced in letters stating that the money was given "on behalf of Lieutenant Governor Michael S. Steele."

Michael S. Steele of course is running for U.S. Senate to replace Sarbanes. First he makes up the Oreo cookie story, then he compares stem cell research to the holocaust in front of a jewish audience, and now we learn he either diverted state tax dollars to his campaign or that in order to win contracts, all you have to do is donate. Something is rotten in Annapolis.