Just when they think they have a club to beat Republicans over the head with, Democrats can't seem to wipe the taint of scandal off of themselves.

Here in CT, our own Rep. John Larson (D-CT01) seems to have gotten his pecker caught in the William Jefferson ringer:

"Last December, Larson was running for vice chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, the No.4 leadership spot. The voters were his fellow House Democrats, including Jefferson. So what a convenient time it was for Larson to give Jefferson's legal defense fund $2,000 from his political action committee on Dec. 12. Happy holidays!

Mind you, there are rules governing these tricky transactions. Federal lobbyists, for example, can't give to a congressman's legal defense fund. They can, however, give to a PAC that gives to the defense fund. Larson's Synergy PAC took contributions from both state and federal lobbyists. "If you want to look at them that way, that is an indirect way for them to do it," says Larson spokesman Brian Mahar.

Larson won that Feb. 1 race. His office won't say whether Jefferson was one of his supporters. And his office can't confirm how Jefferson voted because it was a secret ballot.

But it looks bad. After all, there are many more worthy causes to give to in New Orleans than a congressman who would not, even then, cooperate with a subpoena for documents."

H/T: H-Bomb at Ankle-Biting Pundits

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Here's a guy that did a drive-by link squat in a comment here. Normally, I frown upon such gauche self-promotion. But then, normally, the links that people leave are to some stupid crap.

However, I gotta give this guy credit. He did a full photo essay on a recent moonbat parade in D.C. Nicely done, and he has good sense of humor. And he served our country in the U.S. Air Force.

Go check out the post here.

Like Sam Kinison said in "Back To School", I like the way he thinks. I'm gonna be watching him.

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Whenever I read about Al Gore's latest shenanigans, I'm reminded of that scene in the movie "Scrooged" where Bill Murray unveils his trailer for the network's Christmas special. It's designed to scare people into watching it, ending with the tagline: "Your life just might depend on it!"

Gore gave a speech in the UK this weekend where he referred to global warming as the impending "planetary emergency". Declaring to the audience that he was devoting himself to thwarting this threat, Gore assured them that the world was facing "a danger that could bring the end of civilization".

This is why I desperately want Al Gore to run for President in 2008. He really, truly believes that flogging the phantom scare of global warming trumps fighting terrorism as the country's number one priority. And he believes it with all the fervor of a televangelist. The vast majority of voters understand that the enemy we are fighting is the real, tangible danger that could bring the end of civilization - our civilization. When he's up on stage all alone he looks and sounds to the Left like a sage of our time. But standing next to a candidate who is serious about fighting the GWOT, he's a joke.

Will Al run? He certainly seems to be laying the groundwork. Rich Lowry at NRO Online's The Corner puts it this way:

"He is one of those people who wants to be president, but doesn't really want to run for it. So he wants the party to come to him. In keeping with this desire, the movie is a painless way to advance his political ambitions: if the buzz around it doesn't increase his standing in the polls, he can say, “Hey, what's the big deal, it was only a movie about an issue I care about, and never had a political purpose”; if, however, it does create some sustained political momentum, he can capitalize on it if he wants. Apparently he is telling the people closest to him what he is saying in public, that he isn't interested in running. People are all over the map, though, on whether he will ultimately run or not. The conventional wisdom seems to be correct: that he will only do it if he sees a clear path to victory."

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This week's edition hosted by Don Surber.

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There's a new poll up in the sidebar. It's a fairly specialized one that'll mainly appeal to parents and caregivers of young children.

It's called "Survivor: Wiggle Bay". Assuming all of the Wiggles characters are stranded at Wiggle Bay to compete for the top prize, which one do you think would be voted off first?

Silly, yes. But I've been kicking around this scenario in my twisted mind for some time.

Have a great weekend!

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The House just approved ANWR drilling...again. But how long will it take the Senate to kill this? Freaking Northeast Liberal Republicans will bend over for the enviro-whackjobs...again.

You'd think with gas prices being what they are they'd strap on a pair and make this happen. I'm not holding my breath.

Hat Tips: HotAir and RedState

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Gadzooks! Economic growth for the first quarter 2006 was just revised up to 5.3% - the strongest in 2.5 years!

One of the biggest reasons? You and me: "Consumer spending was one of the primary reasons overall GDP performance accelerated to such a brisk pace in the period." As Jack Kemp likes to say, "A rising tide lifts all boats".

And the Liberal girlie-men are still screaming about "tax cuts for the rich". Sigh.

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From TV Guide online:

What happens when the countdown for the hatch computer ends? Why did Flight 815 crash? And has salvation finally arrived? The producers are promising answers in tonight's two-hour season finale, and you can hold them to it.What happens when the countdown for the hatch computer ends? Why did Flight 815 crash? And has salvation finally arrived? The producers are promising answers in tonight's two-hour season finale, and you can hold them to it. Don't expect anyone's salvation (unless Ana Lucia spent only three weeks in purgatory, and that's a long shot), but do expect hatch answers in flashback sequences featuring its previous occupant, Desmond (Henry Ian Cusick). As for Walt's rescue mission (and "trap"), expect fireworks. Certainly the sailboat that popped up offshore last week won't carry anybody to life happily ever after. ..expect hatch answers in flashback sequences featuring its previous occupant, Desmond (Henry Ian Cusick). As for Walt's rescue mission (and "trap"), expect fireworks. Certainly the sailboat that popped up offshore last week won't carry anybody to life happily ever after.

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Will someone please explain to me exactly when the age threshold for a prostate exam was lowered to 35?

Needless to say I was quite taken by surprise at my physical this morning. And here I was thinking that the worst I'd have to endure was the ceremonial juggling of the cojones. Sheesh.

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1 That's really weird, because here, they've pushed it up to 50.

Posted by: rightwingprof at May 24, 2006 11:08 AM (hj1Wx)

2 I think 50 is for a colonoscopy. Maybe it's because my dad had prostate cancer but I always thought 40 was the age to start prostate exams. :shock:

Posted by: Gary at May 24, 2006 11:12 AM (QoxB+)

3 Yeah but it feels like they pushed it up to your throat.

Posted by: Santay at May 24, 2006 11:14 AM (JoJvT)

4 That's why I picked a woman doctor - smaller fingers.

Posted by: Robert the Llama Butcher at May 24, 2006 12:28 PM (IkTb7)

5 Eh. Gentlemen, please.

Posted by: Georgia Girl at May 24, 2006 01:08 PM (ZMwFa)

6 My doctor is a woman as well. I hope she still respects me.

Posted by: Gary at May 24, 2006 01:12 PM (QoxB+)

7 The humiliation of age...

Posted by: GroovyVic at May 25, 2006 10:33 AM (WPS4e)

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As much of a non-story this is, I figure I'd comment on it being as I'm from CT. Sen. Chris Dodd (Dumbass-CT) is considering a run for the Presidency. Frankly, Dodd is about as unimpressive a candidate as you could get. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska has more chance at being President and the odds of that happening are slim to none.

Dodd is a five-termer who won his first race for the Senate off of his famous last name (his father, Thomas Dodd, was Senator until that body censured him and he was thrown out on his ass by the voters).

Chris Dodd's major claim to fame was his love affair with such notable communist dictators as Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua. And supposedly he and "Tailspin" Teddy Kennedy used to swap cocktail waitresses in the 1980's when Dodd was divorced.

Democrats have a host of has-beens and also-rans to choose from in two years. Even hacks like DE Sen. Joe Biden are going to be throwing their hat in the ring. I'll be surprised if Dodd is still in the running come January 1, 2008. But it should make things interesting here in CT.

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1 The only thing striking about Dodd are his eyebrows. He's a joke. Don't be looking for him to last long in this race!

Posted by: Pam at May 24, 2006 09:10 PM (XmCyD)

2 Look out for Biden. He is smart, can articulte his position well --and-- he actually has a plan for Iraq that doesn't include cut and run --or--stay the course. Dodd couldn't get the nomination on a bet. Biden at least is in the running and has something substansive to say rather than talking points to nowhere.

Posted by: gosilent at June 05, 2006 01:01 AM (PNisb)

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We have a website new to the blogroll focused on shadowing America's favorite media whore.

Hey, somebody has to do it.

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First, this week's edition of RINO Sightings is up at DANEgerous Blog.

Second, Lorie Byrd has joined WizBang Blog!

Whoo-Hoo!

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Sir Paul McCartney (my favorite Beatle, BTW) will be facing a bitter 64th birthday next month due to a divorce settlement with his current wife, Heather Mills McCartney (aka "stumpy, the gold-digger"). The settlement, expected to be the largest in UK history, could net the former model upwards of hundreds of millions. McCartney's net worth is believed to be in the ballpark of 800 million British pounds sterling - that's $1.5 billion dollars to you and me. Whew.

Not bad for sucking in a grieving pop culture icon and only putting in 4 years. It actually makes you see Linda McCartney in a new light. At least she was in for the long haul.

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I remember Susan Estrich as Michael Dukakis' campaign manager in the 1988 Presidential campaign. I followed her work closely because back then I actually voted Democrat. In fact, you might say that 1988 was the year I first immersed myself in politics, following the rigors of a Presidential campaign from Iowa to Election Day.

Lately, Estrich is political commentator on FoxNews for the Liberal point of view. And for a long time now, she's been taking crap for it by her friends on the Left. This morning, she has some advice for the peanut gallery:

IÂ’ve taken a lot of heat from the left for working for Fox News, and frankly, IÂ’m a little bit sick of it. The truth is that IÂ’ve been very well treated at Fox: I say what I want; IÂ’m treated with respect; and IÂ’m paid well.

But thereÂ’s an even more fundamental point. You donÂ’t win elections just by preaching to the choir. You win by convincing people in the middle, many of whom actually watch the top-rated cable news network. Some of these people are even over 54 years of age (another of the latest attacks), and not only do they spend a lot of money on purchases, but they vote in higher numbers than any other demographic group (thereÂ’s a reason no one ever dares to touch Social Security).

The way I see my job is to try to present the strongest arguments possible to the most important voters in the country, which I think is pretty critical for my party. Democrats who refuse to appear on Fox News because of their claims of conservative "bias" are in fact foregoing an important opportunity to reach swing voters who might actually decide elections.

The irony is that I find that often, simply by occupying the middle, I can win the fight. And what do I get from my friends on the left? Criticism that IÂ’m not a real Democrat because IÂ’m too centristÂ… How dare I be pragmatic?

My answer is very simple. Unlike Mr. [HuffPost blogger, Bob] Cesca, I not only have worked for every network, I also worked, formally or informally, for every Democratic candidate to run for president in the 1980Â’s and 1990Â’s. I understand the difference between running on the left and losing, and running in the center and winning. I wrote three Democratic Party platforms. I see no honor in defeat. IÂ’d rather win in the middle than lose on the left, and you donÂ’t need to call anyone names to do it.

Republicans may bicker and shoot themselves in the foot every chance they get. But as long as Democrats are "running on the left and losing", the GOP can keep winning - despite itself.

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Having completely lost their country music following for disparaging President Bush while on foreign soil, the Dixie Chicks are resigned to fact that their record sales and tours will never return to their previous heights.

"I'd rather have a small following of really cool people who get it, who will grow with us as we grow and are fans for life, than people that have us in their five-disc changer with Reba McEntire and Toby Keith," [Band Member Martie] Maguire said. "We don't want those kinds of fans. They limit what you can do."

Then again, the Dixie Chicks aren't owed any record sales whatsoever, either. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

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1 What previous heights of success have the Dixie Twits attained? They weren't on anyones radar until one of them decided to use politics to highlight how vapid they really are. Seriously, they need to keep up pseudo political innunendos, because their music isn't making much of a statment.

Posted by: SKYE at May 22, 2006 12:48 PM (ZFuWB)

2 Blogged on this today, since they seem to be getting undeserved media attention. I don't think it takes a lot of guts to retract an apology and release a defiant album at a time when President Bush's poll numbers are in the tanker. It is a marketing ploy, capitalizing on their earlier misfortune of backlash sentiments. Even in 2003, how much courage did it take for Maines to "disown" the President in a foreign land? If she knew the horrible backlash that would follow, I seriously doubt she would have had the plums to stick to her convictions and publically say what she did.

Posted by: Wordsmith at May 22, 2006 04:23 PM (nrGCx)

3 ex donkey blog? you made it as far as the back end...

Posted by: d milne at May 28, 2006 10:35 PM (4fpj4)

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This weekend, Senator John McCain attempted to give a commencement address at the New School in New York. He met with some resistance, to say the least.

"Rude college kids and left-wing professors are hardly a new story. But the ugliness of the New School crowd toward Mr. McCain reveals the peculiar rage that now animates so many on the political left. Dozens of faculty and students turned their back on the Senator, others booed and heckled, and a senior invited to speak threw out her prepared remarks and mocked their invited guest as he sat nearby. Some 1,200 had signed petitions asking that Mr. McCain be disinvited."

"We have our disagreements, we Americans. We contend regularly and enthusiastically over many questions: over the size and purposes of our government; over the social responsibilities we accept in accord with the dictates of our conscience and our faithfulness to the God we pray to; over our role in the world and how to defend our security interests and values in places where they are threatened. These are important questions; worth arguing about. We should contend over them with one another. It is more than appropriate, it is necessary that even in times of crisis, especially in times of crisis, we fight among ourselves for the things we believe in. It is not just our right, but our civic and moral obligation."

Note to Sen. McCain:

i-ro-ny n., pl. -nies.: An expression or utterance marked by such a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning.

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CT businessman Ned Lamont garnered 33% of Democrat delegates at the party's State Convention on Friday, higher that the 15% needed to force a primary vote on August 8th.

Sen. Christopher Dodd nominated Lieberman, acknowledging his own differences with his colleague. Unlike Lieberman, Dodd was willing to wage a filibuster to fight the Alito nomination.

But Dodd, his voice hoarse, shouted from the podium that those differences do not outweigh Lieberman's strong record on bedrock Democratic issues.

"You may disagree with Joe on a particular issue. Despite those differences, Joe Lieberman is a valued member of the U.S. Senate," Dodd said. "Joe Lieberman takes on the Bush administration. Don't ever forget it."

Either way it's a win-win for Republicans. On the one hand, it will create a schizm between moonbat Democrats and moderate Democrats as they wrestle for control. And it will tie up precious resources and media coverage that could be better spent promoting lower-level Democrat candidates in tight races.

And if by some freak aligning of the stars Lamont were to win the nomination, a Senate seat that seemed a lock for reelection comes into play for the GOP. I think I'll go buy a package of mentos, and giggle myself silly on the way to the store.

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As Phil Collins said, "It's.no.fun...being an illegal ay-lee-uh-un."

Go vote about the proposed barrier for the U.S.-Mexico border in the newest weekly poll.

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This is so good, I had to create a new category called "Must Reads". I thought about making one called "Inspirational" but that means so many different things to different people.

Anyway, here's a commencement address that hasn't been given but should be. It's a seven-minute speech packed with more valuable, practical, real-world advice than you could ever learn in seven-years of college (the "Van Wilder" plan).

Go read it now! It won't take long, and you'll be glad you did - whatever your stage in life.

And special thanks to BullDogPundit for calling our attention to it.

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The Senate has passed a provision making English the official "national language" of the United States.

I think the Congress is aiming too low here. I'm all for passing a law making English the official "international language" of planet Earth.

Hey, it would have at least as much validity as any other bogus unenforceable "international" law. So why not?

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