Kucinich and Wexler Seek Impeachment

Rep. Dennis (UFO observer) Kucinich (D-Ohio), along with Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.), have compiled and submitted thirty five articles of impeachment against President Bush. He has also taken similar action against Vice President Cheney.

But the problem is that Kucinich is so out of touch with reality that even Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) declared that no consideration of impeachment proceedings against Bush will be allowed, citing the idea as being "off the table."

Kucinich maintains that the Bush and Cheney conspired to lie to Congress and the American public on their rationale for invading Iraq back in 2003. He goes on to accuse them of abusing their power in order to initiate and conduct the War on Terror in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on the twin towers.

The sad fact of the matter is that Utopians such as Kucinich and Wexler just don't get it that appeasement has never worked throughout history. The fact of the matter is that we were attacked on our own soil. By terrorists. It's a new world and soldiers don't have to wear uniforms. If they kill you, you're just as dead, right?

The question remains, why level these allegations at this late hour? When ever uber-lib Pelosi will not approve? Bitterness at such a poor performance in the primaries? Grandstanding? Did the aliens tell him to do it? Only Shirley McClain knows that last one for certain.

High Oil Prices Rock the Globe

Although the effect of soaring oil prices is generally discussed at a local or national level, the fact is that it's affecting every corner of the globe. And though you're most likely to hear about how if affects gasoline, diesel fuel, and airline ticket prices, the effects go much deeper indeed.

The Ripple Effect of Soaring Energy Prices

When the price of petroleum rises, so does the price of all products which use oil components as ingredients. Synthetic fabrics? Going up. Plastics? Up as well. Even the already high price of blood used in transfusions is getting ready to soar. You think the price of your health care insurance is steep now? Get ready for a shock.

Add this cost of finished goods and services to the rising cost of distributing them and you start to get some idea of where we're headed. It's not pretty.

Asinine Technology and Environmental Restrictions

Here in the U.S., we face an ornery set of challenges. First, the liberals won't let us drill our own resources. They also won't let us increase our refining capacity; they hamstring us with regulations that only a politician could dream up.

Take the Lyondell refinery on the Houston ship channel for example. It's mind-boggling how much of its infrastructure is mothballed. The existing equipment is old and patched for the most part, although a new unit for producing low-sulfur gasoline was built recently. (This refinery handles most of Venezuela's extremely sour crude.)

Global Petroleum Ramifications

But the problem is global. In England, residents are finding it increasingly difficult to heat their homes. In France and Spain, fishermen and truckers are blocking roads in protest.

Meanwhile, in Asia, protests are erupting daily. Korean Air, feeling the pinch, has announced plans to cancel flights on twelve international routes. Three Chinese cities have had to begin rationing diesel fuel.

South Africa has its own woes. The government has increased the price of gas by thirty three per cent, and the price of diesel has soared by 49 per cent. Diesel fuel is used extensively in heavy industry and farming.

Aid organizations, always crucial to the survival of one part of Africa or other sees no way out but cutting some of its services.

Is There a Solution?

The question now is what must be done to avoid a global flash point. While the Saudi Arabians sit grinning in their palaces, refusing to increase production and let the law of supply and demand take effect, some oil-less Arab nations are getting hammered as hard as the rest of us. And they're loosing patience with their neighbor.

Will Bush Lead an Attack on Iran?

The Israeli army radio has been reporting that President Bush will attack Iran before the end of his second term. The question is, is this a fact, or simply a sideways warning to the Iranians to cease and desist with the nuclear weapon program?

There's no doubt that the Iranians are stirring up trouble. Iran controls Hezbolla, which in now securely in control of Lebanon. It's just another staging point for exporting terrorism and provides expanded opportunity for weapons trafficking.

Bush's official stand in dealing with the Iran problem is that all options are still on the table. But are there any indications that the military option is gaining more than its share of attention? Some think so, and the following is why.

• Another aircraft carrier has been added to the Persian Gulf. Saber rattling?
• An Aegis-class class destroyer has taken up position of the coast of Lebanon. Ostensibly to guard Israel from missile fire?
• The Air Force has just recently completed upgrading its fleet of B-1 bombers.
• Israel itself has been getting battle-ready, lending some credibility to the Army radio's reports.
  

The latest estimates are that Iran can have a viable nuclear bomb as soon as 2009. Expect the spit to hit the fan.

Mexico's Drug "Civil War" Rages On

Mexico is experiencing what is being called a civil war. It's the Federales versus the drug cartels. And yet, who's paying attention? Certainly not us; we're far too wrapped up in the sordid details of Britney Spears continuing drama. Who's winning the war? The smart money says the drug cartels.

Edgar Millan, Mexico's Federal Chief of Police, was one of the most recent to be gunned down, followed quickly by Esteban Robles Espinosa. Espinosa headed up the police detective force in Mexico City.

These gangsters are moving with a vengeance, and they're anything but lightweights. They are so well armed that many times the police and military have had to retreat and simply let the cartels carry on as usual.

Since the police and military have joined forces to try to get things under control, more than 3000 Mexican citizens have lost their lives in the struggle.

And yet, one of the most disturbing aspects of this situation is that both the U.S. administration and Congress is turning a blind eye to this conflict. They seem to lack the resolve and backbone to seal the borders - first against the illegal aliens that are stealing our jobs and social services. And now against a battle that not only threatens to spill across our border, but also funnels in meth, cocaine, and heroin.

Bush's idea of a "solution" is to award the Mexican government $500 million of our taxpayer money to beef up their military. What is he thinking? In the first place, the Mexican government is so openly corrupt that most of "our" money won't even go towards the drug war.

In the second place, doesn't it make more sense to use that money to seal up the border? This would keep the money in our economy and supply jobs to Americans. Just a few weeks ago, Bush was interested in stimulating our economy. Now, not so much.

And finally, one of the biggest sources of income in Mexico is money wired back from illegal aliens. Hmm, so in addition to all that money not being spent domestically supporting the economy, we're going to not loan, but give them more.

I'll tell you, sometimes I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Hillary Refuses to Concede

Certainly, Hillary Clinton refuses to concede that Obama has whupped her soundly. The question is, why? Well, there are several likely explanations; whichever one/ones you like are fair game. Let's look at a few...

• Dick Morris (who knows her and hubby Bill well), hints that she might be looking at a long term goal, knowing that the current race is lost. If Obama wins, he will be incumbent in 2012. Incumbent presidents are hard to beat. If she "helps" McCain, she increases her odds in the future.
• Hillary's campaign has borrowed a lot of cash from herself recently to keep her campaign afloat. Obama is planning to announce victory after the next round of primaries later this month. This gives Clinton a widow of opportunity to fund-raise to repay herself; whether she chooses to stay in the race or not. Being married to the master fund-raiser of the universe has its perks.
• She has an out-of-control ego. Perhaps she just feels that throwing in the towel isn't an option. I don't say this as an insult - this trait is common among high-scoring athletes as well as CEO's and government types. That's why they get results.
  

The bottom line is that the looming chaos in the Democrat political machine could be their un-doing. While John McCain is busy campaigning for the top job, the Democrats are ripping their own flesh with gusto.

Even seemingly-normal citizens are threatening to riot in Denver. And these are folks that want to get out of the war in Iraq because they don't agree with violence. Uh-oh, can you say Democrat-political-convention-conscientious-objector?

Obviously, many fed up liberal party loyalists don't get it either...

Is it Time for Hillary to Step Down?

Indeed, has the death knell sounded for Senator Clinton? Should she exit, stage left, for the good of the party? We've been here before, and the answer is still, "When pigs fly!" As we know, the Clinton couple relationship is not so much a blissful marriage as it is a domineering political machine.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if anything, Billary is smelling the barn and forging a new strategy. She has three things going for her: Florida, Michigan, and a handful of uncommitted super delegates.

Either one of those things could be her ace in the hole. And don't underestimate the Clinton's ability to "persuade". Just as they have an uncanny knack for making people shut up or go away, they certainly know how to call in favors. One or two super delegates might just succumb to their charm.

Now Hillary is hinting at an upcoming "October surprise" in the Obama camp. Surely something more damaging than an anti-American racist pastor or an unrepentant home-grown terrorist buddy?

None of that has stuck to Obama yet. So what could be in the works? If the Clinton camp has some more devastating dirt on Barak, has she been holding it back just to use it at an appropriate time?

Her biggest challenge is not Obama, however. Her biggest challenge is getting her husband to shut the pie hole. Certainly she has to let him off the leash to raise money, but it would help her immensely if he could stop trying to derail her.

One thing is for certain - there has been a lot of water under the bridge in this democrat primary, but the real fireworks haven't even begun.

Clinton Campaign Juggles North Carolina, Indiana

It's all nail-biting for Hillary Clinton in North Carolina today. Her staff is feeling pinched by their own prediction of a 15 point defeat there in favor of Obama.

Her one spot of optimism is the Indiana primary. There are 72 delegates up for grabs in the Hoosier state and staffers feel optimistically that she can take roll over Obama there by a full 10 points.

Currently, Clinton owns 1,586 delegates and Obama has 1,719 in his camp. The magic number needed to win is 2,025. This turns up the heat on the super delegates, some of whom are in a sweat, knowing that their political future might depend on which way they sway.

It's likely that Rush Limbaugh's CHAOS operatives will give her a boost, as will her own revelation to George Stephanopoulos, speaking of Rush, "He's always had a crush on me." Talk about trying to woo conservatives!

Tom Hanks Endorses Barak Obama?

I suppose it's true - I just saw the short on Youtube. Yes, I know it's trendy when a Hollywood type makes a political endorsement but I'm not too sure about the credibility here. The reasons Tom Hanks gave for the endorsement were as empty and nebulous as Obama's speeches.

That's the problem I have with Obama. Granted, he's a suburb orator, but there's nothing of substance in his speeches. Even when he outlines a policy he hopes to implement, it's usually a vortex of bloated social programs.

The problem is, how will he pay for it? Oh that's right, tax rich folks and corporations. Well, the problem there is that rich folks already pay almost all the taxes in this country. And guess what? They are the ones that create jobs for the rest of us. I've never been hired by a poor man.

And corporations? We already have the second highest corporate tax structure in the world. That's why jobs are being outsourced overseas. Want to see more of that? Put Obama in the White House.

Hanks says he wants to elect Obama because "he has vision". Then, because of that, he equates him to F.D.R. and Ronald Reagan. Hey Tom, put down the Kool-Aid! I have a vision too, but I don't have executive experience. And neither does Obama.

Another reason for Hank's endorsement is because the country needs a "seismic shift". I'm all about seismic shifts, but:

1. Not just for the sake of having one, and
2. I don't want to put my money on the shifter before he explains, in detail, what he's going to shift, and how.

Again, Tom, put down the Kool-Aid and ask some questions.

Pastor Jeremiah Wright Strikes Out

Obama's Pastor Jeremiah Wright fielded questions this morning at the Washington Press Club. Anyone expecting a legitimate man of the cloth was sadly disappointed. Part of the time he played the buffoon and part of the time he grandstanded. Mostly, he talked around questions.

In this, he was really acting like a politician. Asked about his incendiary remarks during his "sermons", at one point his response was to repeatedly ask the questioner if she has heard the entire sermon. When she said that she had not, he dismissed the question.

Whether one listens to a sound bite or the entire sermon, using the GD word in church, where people bring their children to worship, is nothing short of pathetic.

At least twice he joked that he was probably going to be vice president. I doubt that anyone expected him to come across as repentant, but by the same token, I doubt that anyone attended hoping to see a sad stand-up comedy routine.

Clearly this was a man enjoying being in the limelight. Why on earth would he do this to Obama?

Discussing all the hubbub surrounding his absurd performances behind the pulpit, he attempted to justify them. When asked about his insistence that the government had developed AIDS to target the black community, he mentioned a couple of books that apparently he takes as gospel, so to speak.

He repeatedly stated that the media wasn't after him, they're after the "black church". It's becoming more and more evident that the pastor is wallowing in a sea of conspiracy theories. The sad thing is that men like him are doing everything they can to keep the races at odds, all the while lining their pockets with money. Piety, where is thy sting?

National Black Republican Association Defines the Truth

Francis Rice, the chairperson of the National Black Republican Association, aims to wipe away the hype and point out the truth of the agendas of the two major political parties. Republicans, she says, are the ones that strive to empower blacks.

She points out, "The Democratic party has built its power base on the backs of poor blacks, and they want to keep blacks poor, angry, and voting for Democrats."

On the other side of the aisle, the Republicans foster programs to get the needy out of the poverty cycle, rather than developing programs that keep them dependent, and voting for more of the same.

For more information on the organization, see www.nbra.info.

Do Tax Cuts Work?

As the presidential debates and monologues intensify, tax cuts, income tax, and who pays their fair share is once again a popular topic. Which side of the fence are you on?

On the liberal side, the mantra is that the richest income earners should pony up more income tax because they can afford it. On the conservative side the mantra is that singling out high income earners is a punishment for hard work and innovation.

Let's look at the cold facts.

The following figures and statistics come from Stephen Moore via the Glenn Beck radio show a while ago. Mr. Moore is a highly regarded economist whose writing can be found in the Wall Street Journal.

• The top 1% of wage earners contribute 39% of the total income tax paid in the U.S.

• The top 5% of wage earners contribute 59.9% of the total income tax paid in the U.S.

• The bottom 50% of wage earners contribute only 3% of the total income tax paid in the U.S.

So it seems that who contributes their fair share is spelled out in black and white already. The top 6% already bear the brunt of funding the government coffers. Of the bottom 50%, shouldn't 3% compared to 59.9% be considered fair? Well, it is, unless unless Marxist philosophy is the guideline.

But this isn't about that.

This is about the implications of putting more of a burden on the top 5% of wage earners. The fact of the matter is that 2 out of 3 that fall into this category are small business owners. Small business owners create more jobs than any other sector. Well, except for maybe Walmart? And the government?

The realistic implication of taxing them further is that they will lose the incentive for expanding the market, pushing technology, and creating jobs.

The moral implication of taxing them further is punitive, not "fair". They took the risk, they worked the long hours to get the business off the ground. So why deny them the reward?

Without subscribing to any particular political agenda, this is a common sense issue. Why do people emigrate to the U.S. and work eighteen hours a day building up their business to claim their share of the American pie?

And please, show me one senator out there who raves about taxing high wage earners who doesn't seek out every tax deduction at the end of the year and declines the lucrative health care programs and retirements that we can't get. But that we pay for. Which it seems is a tax itself.

Please, show me just one.

Is it Time to Return to Nuclear Energy?

There seems to be a resurgence of interest in nuclear energy here in the United States. Some are calling the movement a "nuclear revival". But what's fueling all the momentum? In a nutshell, petroleum prices.

But the U.S. isn't the only country embracing the atom. Finland already has four plants in operation and has a new one coming out of the ground. Egypt has plants on the drawing board and guess who's slated to build them? Russia. Anyone recall Chernobyl?

The UK's string of nuclear power plants are responsible for lighting up one sixth of the island nation already. Understandably, they're looking to build more.

Of course, in the U.S. we have options to look at. We've still got huge coal reserves. Last week it was announced that a massive oil reserve was discovered under a lake out west - more than all the oil in Saudi Arabia. If the environmentalists can be brought on board, perhaps we can finally loosen the strangle grip the Middle East has on us.

Rep. Frank Says Yes to Marijuana

Ron Paul (R-Texas) joined Barney Frank (D-Mass.) in sponsoring a bill that would legalize the use of medical marijuana and, in addition, decriminalize the use of marijuana.

This idea has been floated in the past. In fact, some areas have decriminalized possession of small amounts and allowed it for medical reasons, only to have the pendulum swing back the other way by federal intervention. (Some would say meddling in state's affairs.)

The timing of this bill is interesting, coming just as the presidential primaries are reaching critical mass; well, at least in the Democrat camp. It will be interesting to see how this plays if the candidates are put in the position of having to state an opinion.

And no, no one wants to hear that lame line about not inhaling.

Frank does have a good point when he stated, “I think it is poor law enforcement to keep on the books legislation that establishes as a crime something which in fact society does not seriously wish to prosecute.”

The problem here is that the issue of the war on drugs, at least where it applies to marijuana, is nothing more than a political football. Like IRS reforms, so many federal jobs depend on it that it's just not going to go away.

Is Iran Preparing to be Slammed?

There's a lot of buzz lately about Iran's nuclear program again. Much of this is inferred by recent developments rather than by explicit statements. For example, Israel, who would certainly be the recipient of retaliation, has been conducting large scale military preparations.

Also, a statement by Israel’s National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer braced Tehran about anticipated attacks on the Jewish homeland.

“An Iranian attack will prompt a severe reaction from Israel, which will destroy the Iranian nation,” he said.

Witness also VP Dick Cheney's recent whirlwind tour through the middle east. Innocent timing or downplayed diplomacy? Good question, and open to debate.

Iran has supplied Hezbollah with an arsenal that now contains “tens of thousands of missiles,” reports the Washington Post. This begs the question - why the buildup now? There seems to be only one likely explanation; an attack on a large scale is on the radar screen.

This would be a huge mistake on Iran's part. Their crackpot vision of a worldwide caliphate governing body might inspire them to such suicidal tomfoolery, but make no mistake about it, when bark comes to bite, the world community will take energy stability over religious zealotry in a heartbeat.

Superdelegates Harbor Employment Anxiety

There's been waves of scuttlebutt recently about Democrat superdelegates. Most of this has centered on how in principle, they thwart the will of the people, while keeping the real decision-making in the party's hands.

Now it seems that many superdelegates are swapping feelings of power with anxiety about keeping their jobs. This is especially true with freshman congressmen and representatives. If they vote the wrong way, they stand to lose many constituents when election day rolls around.

Even some with tenure are becoming a bit apprehensive. If the primaries weren't so tight, they could safely go with the front runner. But this race is too tight to call. And that's why they're keeping mum - hoping for unraveling events to save them.

Many party heavies are calling for all superdelegates to commit early, leaving one dog in the race to battle McCain. Texas Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, only in office since 2006, reports that House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (Maryland) has called for bringing all the uncommitted members together before the last primary elections to squeeze a decision from the uncommitted.

"We all agree that we need to decide," Rodriguez said.

However, a spokeswoman for Hoyer denied that any such meeting was scheduled. Sitting on the fence about not sitting on the fence? Your tax dollars at work.

China Eases Internet Restrictions

China has taken moves to relax internet restrictions - somewhat. For example, the Chinese government isn't enforcing complete lack of access to Wikipedia, only access to politically sensitive issues like "Tibet" or "Tiananmen Square."

But the deeper question is why? What prompted the notoriously paranoid government to make this move? As it turns out, officials from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) pressured them into making the loosening their reins.

They told them that too much internet blocking "would reflect very poorly" on China during the upcoming Olympic games. So, enjoy your surfing now, comrades; the party's over once the games are over and the athletes have packed up their medals.

At some point, the Chinese are going to have to make up their minds which way to go. Either go with the rest of the world or remain in an oppressive mindset. Ironically, the country which claims to revere communism is actually embracing capitalism. Money talks, bovine excrement walks.

Randi Rhodes Flames Out, Political Correctness Prevails

Air America talk show host Randi Rhodes has been suspended by chair Charlie Kireker over some questionable comments she made about presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton and prior sidekick Geraldine Ferraro. What was the word? Well, it starts with "wh" and rhymes with "door". Use your imagination.

Did she use good judgment? Probably not. Should she be suspended? Absolutely not. This has nothing to do with her but everything to do with Air America's C.Y.A. She said it in a comedy club, for crying out loud.

If you go into a comedy club, you know what you're getting into. If you listen to Air America, you know what you're getting into. Mr. Kireker, you should be ashamed of yourself. But I guess you'll be getting your bonus. Wait, selling out for money would make you a, oh wait, let's not go there.

This is part of what is wrong with our current value system and our obsession with the disease of political correctness. If we're going to be serious about it, why are people still defending Pastor Wright after what he said in church, in front of children?

Why are rappers allowed to profit by using the "N" word and advocating killing cops? There's nothing correct about political correctness. It's just that simple.

Obama Taps Gore for Cabinet Post

As Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton continue to slug it out for the Democrat party's Commander in Chief nominee, neither seems able to lock it down. New strategies are called for and Obama's idea of thinking out of the box is announcing that he will put Al Gore on his cabinet as global warming czar.

"I would," Obama said. "Not only will I, but I will make a commitment that Al Gore will be at the table and play a central part in us figuring out how we solve this problem. He's somebody I talk to on a regular basis. I'm already consulting with him in terms of these issues but climate change is real."

But is this really a good idea? On the one hand, the whole global warming thing is still murky business - nobody has proven it conclusively one way or the other. But by making this announcement, Obama is giving it credibility. And in so doing, he captures the votes of all those who embrace the doomsday scenario.

Of course, the gamble is that it may turn many voters away. Gore has become something of a lunatic at times since his stint as Clinton's co-pilot. I'm not sure he would be the right person to have the ear of the president. Shades of Rasputin. What's next, Michael Moore?

Murtha's Marine Mistakes

Rep. John Murtha, D-Pennsylvania, is once again embroiled in a sad case where he spoke before making sure all his bases were covered. Along with Time magazine, Murtha made accusations that 8 U.S. Marines committed murder in Haditha, Iraq. Supposedly this occurred as some sort of revenge spree.

After legal proceedings costing you, the Average Joe Taxpayer, over $40 million dollars, it seems it was all bunk. It's bad enough that Murtha earns his daily dime by "serving" the citizens of Pennsylvania, but do we really need to fund his grandstanding efforts to get his name in the daily news cycle?

But what is it with Murtha and the U.S. Marine Corp, really? It seems that this isn't the first time Murtha has waved his Marine banner for political gain.

Indeed, according to CNSNews.com, Murtha served in Vietnam and walked away with two purple hearts. Unfortunately, they were made at the same factory as John Kerry's medals. In other words, not only were the "combat injuries" mere scratches, but he even had to shop around in an attempt to get the medals awarded (U.S. Rep. John Saylor, R-Pa.).

This sort of political behavior is pathetic, really. Real heros don't have to shop for medals, they're awarded. Real heros don't ruin real Marine's careers for the sake of fleeting political gain, either. Shame on you John Murtha. And shame on you, Time magazine.

Clinton and Obama Mine Buckets of Money

The interesting thing on the Democrat side of the presidential primaries, other than the infighting, is the amount of money being raised for this incredibly tight race. Hillary Clinton soaked up $35 million in February alone while Barak Obama trumped her with his own $55 million - a record.

Where is this bonanza coming from? MoveOn.org, for one. Trial Lawyers are another group that has a vested interest in seeing the Democrat Socialist agenda succeed. And of course, we can't forget about all the Hollywood crowd.

The labor unions are also bedding down with both candidates, but that's just to be expected. There was a time when labor unions really did serve an important purpose in this country, but in most cases it's pure nostalgia (and big business) now.

Last year I spent some time at a Lyondell refinery and it was a very eye-opening experience. There was a very real emotional and political wall between management and the workers but it was all very surreal. It was literally the only place I have ever been where workers without college degrees pulled down 100K per year and still moaned about how "the man is keeping me down." The word crybabies comes to mind.

But back to campaign finance. How are things faring on the Republican side? Senator McCain is the only man left standing on this side of the fence which gives him a decided advantage at this point.

The focus of his fund gathering can be for the general election, not the nomination. Also, unlike Obama and Hillary, he doesn't have to spend gobs of money courting superdelegates.

Clinton Superdelegates Threaten the Will of the People

Why does the whole idea of Superdelegates give most citizens the heebie-jeebies? Because the whole concept goes against what we perceive as the American election process that we're so proud of: one citizen, one vote.

Unfortunately, since 1984, the Democrat party has allowed the use of superdelegates; these are nearly 800 party insiders and elected officials who are allowed to back whichever candidate they please.

This not only implies that the party is free to appoint individuals who are free to work as party agents, but it renders the entire Democrat primary system a sham.

For example, a group of 20 prominent Clinton supporters delivered a letter to Nancy Pelosi, House of Representatives Speaker, in which they spanked her for her recent public comments regarding the superdelegate process.

So what was her egregious statement? She said that the superdelegates should support whoever emerges from the primaries with the majority of pledged delegates. That sounds reasonable, right? The problem is that it's becoming increasingly likely that that candidate will be Barak Obama.

And that's got the Clintons running scared. That's right, the same Clintons that have proven over and over again that scruples shouldn't stand in the way of getting what one wants.

The letter states, "This is an untenable position that runs counter to the party's intent in establishing superdelegates in 1984." Huh? And we thought they were intended to be tie-breakers.

It should be noted that all the signers are wealthy Clinton backers. It's obvious that this snarling pack of Hillary zealots care little for the "will of the people." If the delegate count is close at the convention with Obama leading, these wealthy Clinton insiders intend to sweep aside one of the most basic premises of a free society - one of the tenets we preach to the world.

Sometimes it doesn't really take a village, Hillary, it just takes a couple dozen of your stooges.

Tibet, China, and Presidential Hopefuls

The nation of Tibet has been much in the news lately as Red China seeks more control there. China, of course, sees Tibet's culture and religious views as a threat to an orderly, centrist, Chinese government.

Now, as the focus of the world shifts to that region as publicity for the upcoming Olympic games increases, Tibet's separatist faction has taken the opportunity to showcase their struggle against China's oppressive policy. No doubt it would have happened anyway, but coincidentally...

China, for her part, is caught in a vice. She must quell the outbursts to maintain credibility in the region (oppressive regimes must retain face, above all else, lest the mindset slips), and yet not mar the world's view of the grandiose Olympic host.

In the most transparent of all cop-outs, China is trying to paint the Dalai Lama as a violent behind-the-scenes puppeteer.

Surely, this is an opportunity for presidential hopefuls Clinton, McCain, and Obama to give the voters an inkling of what they would do in an uprising that could very well lead to a reinactment of Tienanmen Square.

Predictably (or interestingly, depending on your personal bias), they are all three marching in lockstep. None are calling for any harsh action against China. Whether this is based on a policy of cautious diplomacy, waiting for one of the others to go overboard, or concerns over keeping Walmart stocked with Chinese schlock merchandise in our teetering economy is unclear.

In a (bold?) statement, Clinton says, "I think that what's happening in Tibet is deeply troubling, and this is a pattern of the Chinese government with respect to their treatment of Tibet." Try bland next time, Hillary.

McCain adds, "It's not correct that the people there are being subjected to mistreatment. That is not acceptable conduct from a world power, which China is." A nod to a trading partner?

And Obama, a graduate of Pastor Wright's theological tutelage, chimes in, "We can start now by speaking out for the human rights and religious freedom of the people of Tibet." God**** China, God**** China, their chickens are coming home to roost!

Clinton Tries to Dodge the Bullet - From the Media, not Bosnian Snipers

The whopper of all whoppers! When Hillary claimed a major role in the Irish peace talks and that was debunked, at least we could always say, "Wellllllll, perhaps she had Bill's ear, and that's what she really meant."

But I don't really believe that anyone dodging bullets under sniper fire could mistake that from reality. Conversely, interpreting a greeting ceremony on the tarmac as "running with our heads down" is just psychotic. "Psst, Hilly, in the spirit of your proposed Woodstock museum, don't take the bad acid!"

Even Sinbad, who accompanied her on this USO trip, testifies that her statement is just wacko. And yes, at least Sinbad admits he's a professional comedian and performer.

Well, it seems there are three possible explanations for Hillary's tenuous grasp of simple facts. One - she's simply delusional. This may be true seeing as how she stood by her man as he sought to be the poster boy for Viagra.

Two - she'll say anything to make it look like she has real experience and can keep cool under "fire". After all, who do you trust to answer that phone at 3 AM while your innocent child sleeps? I'll take Sinbad over Clinton.

Three - She's just a professional politician, ready to do anything to pander to anyone who'll sell their vote. (She does mimic a fairly good southern accent when she entertains the crowd in black churches.) I hope she's still got Bill's Rolodex; I'll bet it's packed with Chinese phone numbers. We've still got some missile secrets up for sale, don't we?

Bad Blood between Clinton, Richardson

It was hardly a surprise when Bill Richardson made such a big production about endorsing Barak Obama. It was becoming increasingly obvious that while the two remaining viable Democrat candidates were scratching and clawing for the remaining delegates in the Democratic primaries, John McCain, the Republican candidate has been busy doing the work of actually running for the presidency.

Richardson said as much on Fox News yesterday. I paraphrase, "While Obama and Clinton are busy trying to win the nomination, McCain is going international. This has to stop."

He has a point. McCain has been using the time remaining before the conventions to project the image of being the president - as a foregone conclusion. Mana from heaven. But that's the way it played out.

But what's been going on in the background? Richardson said on NBC Nightly News that when he broke the news to Hillary via a phone call, the discussion about his decision to endorse Barack Obama was "heated" and "tough". One can well imagine. Senator Clinton is well known for her shrillness and sense of entitlement. Who can forget, "We are the President!"

Richardson, for the moment, is the party's most visible champion for party unification; and he's taken his stand. Of course, it would have been too dangerous to trot out a has-been like John Kerry.

But Richardson is different. He's up and coming, he seems to have no skeletons in the closet, and... well, he's Hispanic. Well, half Hispanic, but let's not quibble. This is just a long range speculation of course, but it would be interesting to see if a successful Obama puts him on the ticket. After all, the two would represent the very two groups of constituents the Dems need to spark with just now - Hispanics and Blacks.

Dutch Anti-Muslim Film Soon to be Released

Geert Wilder, member of the Dutch Parliament, has recently completed a new film that explores the rambling Koran as the basis for modern day Islamo-fascist terrorism and other current Muslim atrocities.

Although the film is a short, reputedly only fifteen minutes max, he can't get any Dutch television stations to touch it. Perhaps too many of them remember the aftermath of the Danish political cartoons of the Prophet Muhammed. Perhaps the Dutch feel it easier to lay down hoping to be spared as the more radical elements of the Muslim faith seek to establish themselves as they have in "inclusive" countries like France and the UK.

Wilder has been known to draw parallels between Hitler's Mein Kampf to the Koran, and Muhammed to Hitler himself. Is he far off the mark? Although the spread of Nazism was accompanied by uniformed troops and tanks, the spread of militant Islam today is accompanied by plain clothed terrorist cell members and child suicide bombers.

Mohamed Rabbae, chairman of the Dutch Moroccan Council, put it this way, “Wilders is a little bit crazy, if I may say it in this way, because he is fighting against somebody who has been living in the sixth century, not in our time.”

Which is exactly the point - the current threat to modern society is not Islam as a religion, just those fringe Islamic throwbacks that seek to establish a ruthless international Caliphate and return to the days of Fred Flintstone. Except with all the beheading and stoning, of course.

Pennsylvania Primary Critical to Obama, Clinton

As the Pennsylvania primary draws near on April 22, the focus is on Hillary rising in the polls against Obama. According to a March 20 Franklin & Marshall poll, the breakdown is:
February - Hillary: 44%, Obama: 37%
March - Hillary: 51%, Obama:35%

Where is the difference coming from? Obama has remained relatively stable while Clinton has risen somewhat. Most of her higher numbers are the result of the ranks of the undecided and "other" respondents shrinking.

The poll reports that the issues that have driven the change are not the current controversial Barak and Pastor Wright revelations, but solid domestic issues. The respondents are more interested in Clinton's focus on the economy and healthcare than Obama's "get out of Iraq no matter what the consequence" stance.

Still, April 22 is still a long way off, politically speaking. Any number of things could happen betwixt now and then to further polarize the Dems. If one or the other manages a landslide, it could push momentum in that direction.

But if remains this close in Pennsylvania and subsequent primaries, a bloodbath at the Democratic National Convention is a very real possibility.

Richardson Endorses Obama

Well, it was no big surprise today when New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson endorsed Obama. In his endorsement speech he alluded to the fact that he and Obama both sprung from the loins of mixed-race parents, and therefore, they both understood that things had to be changed to do things not the Democrat way, not the Republican way, but the American way.

He went on to say that that was the reason we won the cold war - because we confronted them in that context. Certainly, other events led up to the collapse of the "other side", but I was around, and I could have sworn that Reagan was the man that kicked them out of the saddle. I'm pretty sure Reagan was a conservative Republican.

Bush Cruel to Immigrants

Richardson also informed the audience that the Bush administration has kept its boot firmly on the backs of immigrants. I'm sorry, Bill, they're not immigrants, they're illegal aliens. Immigrants "emigrate"; they don't sneak across the border. And Bush has been anything but hard on them. Believe me, I live in a sanctuary city.

Clinton Adviser Downplays Richardson Endorsement

Of course, the Clinton camp was quick to respond. And well they should. They've been counting on courting the Hispanic vote, and this endorsement has tapped them soundly in the solar plexus.

Senior Clinton strategist Mark Penn explained, “I think the time that he could have been effective has long since passed. I don’t think it is a significant endorsement in this environment.”

I beg to differ. Ever since Richardson dropped out of the Democrat primary, both camps have been courting him. The fact that he drifted to Obama's side speaks volumes. Like it or not, both Blacks and Hispanics think of themselves of being out of the mainstream - no matter how wealthy or privileged they might be.

It would be easy for them to join forces against the uber-White Clinton. In so doing, it's not a far reach that they could form a sort of coalition of voters as the last primary states make the delegate hunt more critical. Time will tell.