Ms. McCarthy's Political Rants

Look! Victory in Iraq! And Little Pink Fairies!

2006-03-21T10:41:00.000-08:00

Eugene Robinson of the Washington Post points out that a bubble of unreality has descended upon the White House. As he says, we can only hope Bush and Cheney don't actually believe what they say. Cynical liars running the country would be preferable to delusional whack jobs. Cheney insists his boast oh-so-long-ago that the insurgency was in its last throes (oh, that my own final moments should be so vigorous and long-lasting) was "basically accurate". Um- that would be "basically" in the sense of "not even a little bit"? Bush still blathers sincerely about a "strategy" for "victory" in Iraq.

Bush: "National Security? What National Security?"

2006-03-09T09:20:00.000-08:00

Okay, I know everyone's chiming in on the Dubai Ports deal. And maybe it wouldn't jeopardize our national security. Maybe. But just listen how it sounds:

Dubai is owned by the UAE.

Osama Bin Laden (remember him?) masterminded 9/11 from the UAE.

Two of the men involved in 9/11 were from the UAE.

It was tacked on to a measure for funding the war in Iraq and funding for Katrina relief. And these are related to our ports management how? Nothing shady there... The White house is worried the Congressional mutiny of the ports deal could "slow down passage of vital funds and resources". 'Cause they're all about the warm fuzzies in the White House.

The person pulling so hard for this is the same person who is responsible for holding some innocent Arabs in prison and even torturing them without charges, without defense, without due process- and why? Because they have the wrong names? Because they were wearing the wrong watch? Or, dare I say, because they were Arab?

This same person is telling us their is no difference between an Arab and a British company controlling our ports. Talk about buttering your bread on both sides!

When you really look at it, the whole thing seems to stink to high heaven. So even if brilliant and dispassionate experts say there is no security risk in this, I still say- then, what's that smell?

Red Cross not allowed into New Orleans

2005-09-07T09:14:00.000-07:00

From the Red Cross website:
"Access to New Orleans is controlled by the National Guard and local authorities and while we are in constant contact with them, we simply cannot enter New Orleans against their orders. The state Homeland Security Department had requested--and continues to request--that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans following the hurricane. We...cannot get relief aid into any location until the local authorities say it is safe and provide us with security and access."

Meanwhile, Homeland Security workers were given two days to arrive in the area, and were given the directive to "convey a positive image" about the government's response to the tragedy. Because that's what it's all about, right?

Washington has belatedly accepted Canada's offer of help (more than a week after it was offered), and has turned down Venezuela's offer. Obviously the lives of those trapped in New Orleans aren't anywhere near the top priority for BushCo.

OJ sought murderer on golf course; Bush fights terrorism from bicycle seat

2005-08-24T09:11:00.000-07:00

I love Don Assmussen. His "Bad Reporter" can be found at sfgate.com. Today's strip includes: "As we now enter the third harrowing week of Bush's sojourn, critics question his use of biking and napping to fight terrorism." As Dr. Phil would say, "How's that working for you?"

CA Insurance Commissioner announces "death spiral" of health insurance.

2005-08-04T11:36:00.000-07:00

Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi issued a devastating report yesterday that tells us the health insurance system is even bleaker than we thought. In his own words, "It is being choked by rising costs that have little relation to the ability of employers and patients to pay. This system is well on its way to collapse, and we are all bearing the brunt of its failure."

Apparently, one-third of all health care costs go to administration, sapping money that could otherwise go to save lives. His prognosis? "Unless we right this ship we will see a future in which insurers offer inadequate policies that cover fewer services to an ever-shrinking pool of people who can afford them."

Domestic abusers largely get off scott-free

2005-07-27T09:26:00.000-07:00

SFGate reports that batterers are "slipping through cracks". And what large cracks they seem to be! A task force appointed by Attorney General Bill Lockyer found that

restraining orders are not issued, even when the law requires it
district attorneys don't prosecute restraining order violations effectively, or sometimes even at all
emergency protective orders are discouraged by some police agencies
abusers are legally banned from owning guns, but this is rarely enforced
prosecutors and judges let abusers plead guilty without ordering counseling, which is against the law

This is outrageous! Women are dying! Tell Bill Lockyer that we're not going to let this issue "slip through the cracks". Write to

Attorney General's Office
California Department of Justice
Attn: Public Inquiry Unit
P.O. Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550

or fill out their contact form and tell him what you think.

How's this for a spin...

2005-07-15T17:07:00.000-07:00

Schwarzenegger is turning his conflict-of-interest employment with Muscle & Fitness and Flex magazines (to the tune of $8 million) into an earnest, righteous calling: he's fighting obesity!! That's right, obesity will cease to be a problem in America because every diabetic chomping down on Big Macs is going to be riffling the pages of Flex magazine, right? "I see the error of my ways," they'll say, "Honey, get me some wheat juice and a bucket of steroids!"

Arnold Schwarzenegger gives up his untenable stance.

2005-07-15T16:40:00.000-07:00

Arnold Schwarzenegger is executive director of a fitness magazine.

The fitness magazine makes money from performance-enhancing drugs.

Arnold, as governor, vetoed a bill to regulate performance-enhancing drugs.

Arnold insists there is no conflict of interest.

Well, he finally gave up that ghost. I'm sure he's crying on Maria's shoulder over the lost millions. And I'm sure his change of heart was due to his political advisors begging him not to commit political suicide. Although maybe it may have been better if he hadn't had the change of heart, and his political career could have been over that much quicker...

Bush Chimes in on Rove Scandal: "No Comment"

2005-07-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

That's right, more nothing from the White House about Rove's unconscionable outing of a CIA operative. For a White House that has seen fit to chime in with its opinion about everything- even the personal medical tragedy of Terri Schiavo- the silence is deafening. It is insisted that Karl Rove didn't mention Valerie Plame by name. Well, that sounds fairly innocent, doesn't it? But he mentioned her husband's name, so it amounts to the same thing.

Priceless!

2005-07-14T08:42:00.000-07:00

I got a phishing email today, saying I needed to "update my information" for my Earthlink account. So I clicked on it, just to make absolutely sure it was just a phish, you know... And it brings me to a page that says "Under Construction, check back soon". I love it!

Big Drug Corps are spending your money protecting their profits

2005-07-13T13:04:00.000-07:00

Are you paying through the nose for prescription medications? If you take medication, you probably are. Ever wonder why medications cost many times more in America than they do anywhere else in the world? They'll tell you it's for research. Uh-huh. Well, they just spent $53 million, and it didn't go to research. It went to work on defeating an initiative that might save you money on prescription medication. And no, actually, you can't win for losing.

Don't look for help from Arnie. He vetoed a plan last year to provide discounted drugs to low-income Californians. Always looking after the little guy, Arnie is.

Jamie Court, president of Santa Monica's Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, says, "The money is a deterrent, designed to convince union and consumer groups not to further fund their initiative."

The drug companies have their own initiative, Prop 78, that would benefit a smaller number of people and would be entirely voluntary. So, if you see a commercial one day soon sponsored by "Californians for Affordable Prescriptions", know that those "Californians" are actually drug company execs who are protecting their own bottom line.

Did Karl Rove out a CIA operative?

2005-07-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

Well, it's not exactly clear, but as both the New York Times and SF Gate report, Bush spokesman Scott McClellan has clammed up. Interesting, he had earlier insisted that Rove was not involved in the outing of Valerie Plame, a CIA operative whose husband had been a vocal critic of Bush. He had also insisted that any White House staffer responsible for the leak should be fired. What does he say now when asked about Rove's involvement, or the need to fire the White House leak? "No comment." After all, what would Bush do without his "brain"?

Pay-for-Performance Healthcare?

2005-07-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

What an idea! What if doctors were rewarded for being helpful, attentive, and effective? It's a new plan afloat, and I for one think it's great.

Previous plans have had some major pitfalls. Recompensing doctors for the number of patients they have stirs some to ditch their more time-consuming patients- that is, those that actually need care. Paying doctors for the number of procedures they perform results in endless follow up visits and needless tests.

Yeah, I could get behind this new idea. Maybe I'll start the ball rolling by not paying my Kaiser copay until they cure my migraines.

Conservatives attacking Bush?

2005-07-05T10:11:00.000-07:00

Am I dreaming? Well, not quite. But they're getting their panties in a bunch about a possible Supreme Court nominee. They're worried that Bush might lose some support from the frothing-at-the-mouth religious fanantics, should he nominate Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales. Gonzales' abortion views are "considered suspect" by religious wingnuts.

Meanwhile, Democrats are saying they'd like to see the FBI profiles of any nominees, and the neocons are saying, of course, "no". After all, what is the original sin? Knowledge.

Today's favorite SPAM subject: it's a tie...

2005-06-28T10:37:00.000-07:00

"I will not leave you alone! I promise!"

Oh, thank goodness. My consuming fear of being abandoned by nameless, faceless SPAM generators is finally set to rest.

"Re: A fly do perfection palpitation"

I always say, "There's no palpitation like a perfection palpitation." Especially when a fly do it.

Cheney and Halliburton, sittin' in a tree...

2005-06-28T08:42:00.000-07:00

...K-I-S-S-I-N-G....

Last I heard, war profiteering was illegal and more than slightly ethically repellent. To no one's great surprise, Halliburton's no-competition contracts generating "excessive spending and improper billing" have not been remarked upon by the neo-cons. Democratic legislators are finally rattling the cage over what seems now to be more than $1 billion of questionable receipts.

How can that be? For one thing, a former food manager in Iraq says they charged the Army for 20,000 meals a day when it was only serving 10,000 and routinely served troops expired food. Our troops are dealing with enough problems, so our government is paying a premium to serve them up food poisoning?

A 20-year veteran of military procurement says the granting of the contract to Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown & Root, "the most blatant and improper contract abuse I have witnessed during the course of my professional career."

Concentrate on sending troops home? Vote now.

2005-06-28T08:14:00.000-07:00

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi: Iraq is a "grotesque mistake".

Senate Leader Harry Reid: Bush policy is "disconnected from the reality on the ground."

Republican Senator Chuck Hagel: "It's like they're just making it up as they go along. The reality is that we're losing in Iraq."

Moveon.org wants to know if they should concentrate on working with Republicans and Democrats in Congress to push for a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. What do you think? Vote.

Bush starts thinking about Iraq.

2005-06-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

Almost every morning while driving to work I see someone standing on a highway overpass holding up a sign to the traffic saying "The War is a Lie" or "Osama Bin Forgotten". Sometimes there's just a smiling man in a wheelchair flashing peace signs to the cars below.

Doonesbury recently devoted several Sundays' worth of cartoon space to a list of killed American soldiers. A popular news program silently shows pictures of soldiers killed at the end of its airing. Every day's news tells of more troops dead.

So it comes as a bit of a shock to read, "at a time when Bush intended to be concentrating primarily on his domestic agenda, he finds himself shifting emphasis to Iraq." Shifting emphasis to Iraq? Wherefore the need to shift? We've all been focussed on Iraq- what the hell has he been doing? Oh, that's right. Trying to screw up Social Security. Whatever would we do without him?

Todays favorite SPAM subject...

2005-06-24T09:26:00.000-07:00

"Re: At sign to abundance"

I swear, they're like the titles of French absurdist plays. Or existential novels.

You nasty, dirty, orphan-and-puppy killer, you!

2005-06-23T15:21:00.000-07:00

Have you been to the "Pharmacists for Life" site? It's kind of a hoot, and rather fascinating (like watching a car wreck as it happens). An example of their reasonableness and clear thinking is a survey on their site, at the "Kemical Killing" page. My god, they let these crackpots handle medication? The question:

= How will you handle the situation when a client/patient asks for filling of a drug which violates your sincerely held religious/moral and/or ethical beliefs?

Possible answer:

= I will gladly fill an offensive product which may kill one of my client/patients since I have no conscience

They left out the option "My personal beliefs should not intrude on the privacy and health concerns of doctors and patients. I also don't know the whole story behind this prescription, and so have no right to judge others." They also left out "I'm so friggin' high on stolen goofballs I can't read the damned prescription to fill it, so I'll tell the poor hysterical patient that she's a whore and a sinner. That will ease my conscience."

You go, you evil little pill poppers, you.

They've received some email disagreeing with their zealotry, which they share with us to show how much the rest of us are "down right mean, mendacious, hate-filled, bigoted, anti-religious (usually anti-Catholic or anti-Christian), intolerant of other view points or world views, or just grossly uncouth because (our) mommas just never taught (us) proper etiquette or manners while (we) were growing up."

So, you want to hear some of the hate-filled, bigoted, grossly uncouth email they quote? Here's a taste:

= You are welcome to be pro-life. Not everybody is. Until that time, your personal religious prejudices are not to trump a carefully designed and balanced system of healthcare. Pharmacists agreed to take part in the system, not to hold it hostage at will based on individual philosophy.

Ooh, pretty scandalous, huh? A wonder its writer, Eric Garland, wasn't arrested for hate crimes, huh? How about this, by Stephanie Walls :

= I appreciate the fact that your members are pro-life and do not want to be part of pregnancy prevention, but I really don't think it should matter in this realm. It is simply an abuse of power to bar women from receiving medication that their physicians have deemed appropriate.

I can just feel the raw hate, can't you? There ought to be a law! How about this, by Lydia Simoneau:

= Please make your own moral choices for yourself and do not pound your belief system on to the very people you are supposed to serve.

Uncouth?!?!? She says PLEASE, fer crissakes!! Proving that if nothing else, these people have a very serious disassociation from reality.

Non-issue or evidence of racist Republicans?

2005-06-23T12:52:00.000-07:00

Well, there's chat back and forth about the importance of and reasons behind some Republican senators not signing a resolution to make lynching a federal crime. Proof of racist "Dixiecrats"? No big deal, since it passed anyway? What do you think?

Share your two cents!

2005-06-23T09:18:00.000-07:00

There's an DFA online chat forum that is/is not linked with Democracy for America (methinks there's some legal heads behind the disclaimers there), the progressive political action committee inspired by Howard Dean's famous run for the presidency. Say your peace! Rattle the cage!

Downing Street Memo flash movie

2005-06-23T09:15:00.000-07:00

This is a pretty snappy little animation about the Downing Street Memo, with a link to sign a petition demanding full Congressional hearings. Do it today!

My religious credo, if anyone cares.

2005-06-21T10:08:00.000-07:00

As wonderfully stated by Brain McFadden.

Army recruitment problems solved!

2005-06-21T10:01:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Matt Bors and his cartoon Idiot Box. Now, where could we get trained soldiers willing to fight in Iraq, not put off by the high likelihood that that they will lose their limbs and/or life? Hmm...

Why do the Moral Majority have such dirty minds?

2005-06-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder why it is that the "Moral Majority" are constantly thinking of smutty things? While the most of us lascivious heathens are usually thinking of puppies and hand-holding and what wine goes with swordfish? Bizarro wonders, too.

From outlawing abortion to mandatory pregnancy?! It could happen.

2005-06-21T09:28:00.000-07:00

Slate magazine tells a truly horrifying tale of a woman forcibly impregnated. Is this a story of a horrible rape? Nope, it was done by the Italian parliament. They passed a law regulating in-vitro fertilization in an effort to make it more like natural childbirth- more, shall we say, Catholic. No IVF for single women, no sperm from a donor other than the woman's husband, and yes, all embryos from your eggs *must* be inserted into your womb, regardless of your wishes or the health risks. If the Christian Right has its way, American women could be next.

The "Downing St. Memo" evidence overwhelms...

2005-06-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

It just keeps coming and coming! SF Gate lays it all out, and there's a lot to lay. So those of us who insisted the war was a farce, was illegal, was unethical, was premeditated are all proved right. So why doesn't it feel good to say, "I told you so"?

What the world needs is more pregnant co-eds.

2005-06-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

Or maybe just a lot more abortions. That's apparently what the Wisconson Assembly believes. They approved a ban of emergency contraception on college campuses. So what do you think- evil? Or just earth-shatteringly stupid? Can we impeach the Wisconson Assembly? Where do I sign?

Today's Favorite SPAM subject is...

2005-06-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

"Have borrow no sabotage"

Huh?

Fair and Balanced News

2005-06-17T07:54:00.000-07:00

Piraro's (Bizarro) take on Fox News' "Fair and Balanced" stance.

Dangerous pharmaceuticals good! Marijuana bad!

2005-06-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

Mark Fiore brings us Pain Man, keeping the world safe for... um... safe from... uh... oh, damn, apparently just lowering the quality of life of the sick and dying.

Mark Fiore's Packing Heat

2005-06-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

I've said it before, I'll say it again. I heart Mark Fiore. Here's a great Flash animation about our government's love of guns and gun-totin' terrorists.

Republicans are white and Christian. So what's the problem?

2005-06-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

As Jon Carroll says in his SFGate article, "this is news?" We're both confused about the uproar Dean's comments have made. As he points out, "(n)either "white" nor "Christian" is an epithet". And you can't actually deny it's true. So... what?

Don't want good, cheap internet access? Don't sign this.

2005-06-10T11:59:00.000-07:00

According to the Free Press website, a bill has been introduced into Congress that 'would prevent state or local governments from providing “any telecommunications service, information service or cable service” anywhere a corporation offers a similar service'.

"Here Johnny, have some great, cheap internet access! Get help with your homework! Take online courses! Get a great job! Oh- wait- no. Sorry, Johnny. We didn't know SBC wanted to rip you off. Go to it, SBC. We wouldn't dream of interfering."

What's with that?!? Write your representative.

Shut down Guantanamo

2005-06-10T07:57:00.000-07:00

When Amnesty International gets on your case, something is wrong. When the New York Times says, "Guantánamo Bay is becoming the anti-Statue of Liberty", you think, "Hmmm. Maybe that's not a good thing." When Jimmy Carter says it must be shut down, well- case closed.

Sen. Feinstein blocks easy Bolton nomination

2005-06-10T07:50:00.000-07:00

According to California Peace Action, Feinstein had been about to vote with Bolton's supporters (He has supporters! Weird, huh?) but after receiving many message from such as me and you, she changed her mind. I don't mind if people flip-flop as long as their smarter at the time of the flop. Let's all write her a thank you note to encourage her to continue down the path of righteousness.

Bush and Rumsfeld smokin' doobies again.

2005-06-10T07:47:00.000-07:00

This was on the California Peace Action website:
'A nuclear weapon by any other name is still a nuclear weapon. The president might call it a “Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator” or refer to it as the “Reliable Replacement Warhead” program. The end result is the same.'

Um.

"Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator"? Is he thinking with his Abbreviated Ineffective Vagina Penetrator? Do he and his cronies get really really stoned in the Oval Office, watch Cheech and Chong movies and come up with these phrases in between giggle fits?

Because I can't see anyone saying that with a straight face. Can you? Try it. Thought you couldn't.

Women, we are under attack!!!

2004-11-15T11:22:00.000-08:00

I just can't f*cking believe it.

Some medical professionals are deciding to "opt out" of the health care process. But only for certain people. At certain times. Your pharmacist could decide not to fill your prescription for birth control or the day-after pill on "moral grounds". And not transfer the prescription to someone who WOULD fill it. And not give you back the presription. Several states are working to pass laws that would make this OKAY!!

If they were targeting any other group- say, Hispanics instead of women, don't you think there would be an uproar? Damn straight there would. Pharmacists say they shouldn't have to act against their consciences. I say, they are unfit to hold their jobs and should have their licenses revoked.

This is monstrous. We need to start acting now. As soon as I figure out what to do... Anyone have any ideas??

Republican veterans for Kerry

2004-10-05T23:00:00.000-07:00

A powerful interview in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune: veteran Richard Wolfgramm, who says he is still a Republican, is supporting Kerry. Wolfgramm has not previously discussed his Vietnam experiences publicly, but says he can no longer be silent. Says Mr. Wolfgramm:

"It doesn't bother me that they (Bush, Cheney and Wolfowitz) were unwilling to put their lives on the line in Vietnam. What bothers me is that they never learned anything from Vietnam. Not one veteran I've met -- not one -- supports this war in Iraq, and I've talked to dozens. I'm not leaving the Republican Party. But the Republican Party has been hijacked, and I want to see regime change. This is not an administration -- it's a regime. It is no longer a party of leadership. It is a party of swagger. And swagger is not a Minnesota value. Statesmanship is a Minnesota value."

Even easier action: polls

2004-10-05T22:38:00.000-07:00

Even easier than forums: go to online polls and tell 'em Edwards trounced Hallibu- I mean, Cheney. Don't let the Republicans work their amazing spin machine and convince the undecided voters that black is white and Cheney is honest, forthright and patriotic.

VP Debate: Cheney Flustered, Edwards Strong

2004-10-05T22:19:00.000-07:00

The BushCo machine is, of course, claiming Cheney "won" the debate, although he spent the last half hour looking at the table and talking to his tie. Did anyone count the number of times he said, "I don't know"?

BushCo is trying to rouse the rabble to turn the spin machine on. They've posted newspaper web sites they want Republicans to go to and post "Cheney won" messages in the forums, hoping to convince undecided voters the Cheney's the stronger man. You know what you have to do, soldier. Get out there and beat them at their game. You have to register at these web sites, but hey, this is fairly important, no? Take the time.

If Cheney is Satan, God must exist

2004-10-05T13:15:00.000-07:00

Today is the vice-presidential debate, when we finally get to hear a politian speak in honest terms about Halliburton. Jon Carrol's column in sfgate/The Chronicle brings up a point that may not get mentioned in the debate, however. He quotes an "Alan Smithee" of UC Berkeley: "If Cheney is indeed the incarnation of evil, that posits the existence of a supernatural universe, and leads inevitably to further questions not generally considered by the electorate." Well, that sure adds a new light to things. Will he make Edwards' head spin around and spit bile?

Bush gets an 'F' in civil rights

2004-10-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

Independent agency concludes Bush's civil rights records deserves a failing grade. Whatever happened to voting reform? And the No Child Left Behind Act? Bush has been leaving children behind at such a rate the gutters are filled with them.

Meanwhile- surprise, surprise- conservatives are trying to make sure you never hear about the report. The draft of the report is currently available here.

Students Are Blocked From Polls

2004-10-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

This is completely outrageous!! There is a systematic effort at work to keep students from voting. Could it be because they tend to be informed, involved and liberal? Why else?

Who's your Baghdaddy?

2004-09-27T09:46:00.000-07:00

Very funny, mostly inoffensive, and pretty dead on accurate Hussein-as-rapper animation.

Nazis. War. Bush. That's all I'm saying.

2004-09-19T11:45:00.000-07:00

"Of course the people do not want war. But after all, it is the leaders of
the country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to
drag the people along whether it is a democracy, a fascist dictatorship,
or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the
people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy.

All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce
the pacifists for lack of patriotism."

--Herman Goering
Nazi leader
at his war crimes trial
in Nuremburg

Election's over! NRA won!

2004-09-13T13:07:00.001-07:00

Yes, our country is owned and run by lobbying groups, chief among them the NRA. The assault weapons ban has gone bye-bye. Two thirds of Americans support the ban. This is certainly a victory for the likes of the killer of SF Police Officer Espinoza, Patrick Purdy of the Stockton Schoolyard Massacre, Gian Luigi Ferri of the 101 California Massacre, the two infamous students of the Columbine Massacre...

The assault weapons ban did no good, I hear you say. Well, crimes traceable to assault weapons did go down two thirds since the ban...

Kerry is 'scorned' by the NRA as "the most anti-gun presidential nominee in United States history"- reason enough to vote for him right there, in my opinion, but of course they're really just blowing smoke. Kerry is a hunter, dunderheads. He's not anti-gun.

What's that you say? Nothing wrong with arming yourself? 2nd Amendment and all? Well, think about this:
A quarter of the homicides in the United States occur in the home of the victim. In 45% of these homes there were guns. (Is that making you feel safer keeping guns around?) In 87% of those, the gun was not locked. (Is yours?) Half of these homicides result from a quarrel. Not a break-in, not a must-save-the-children incident. A who-was-that-I-saw-you-kissing incident. Fully half. Do you really want a loaded gun around when your partner finds out you've been keeping in contact with your high school sweetheart?

Election's over! NRA won!

2004-09-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

Arnold doesn't tell the truth at the RNC. Even a little.

2004-09-03T17:14:00.000-07:00

Has this guy got steroids for brains? Why do I ask the obvious?

Arnold seems to be writing the movie of his life, with typical Hollywood bulls- um, I mean, fantasy.

Bush tells the truth at RNC. Well, some of it, anyway.

2004-09-03T17:06:00.000-07:00

Like, you might truthful telling your kid Santa Claus exists, omitting the fact that he was a bishop in the 5th century whose bones have long since turned to dust.

Bush tells a little truth, but puts a great big lying slant on it.

Arnold: "Don't be a sissy; ignore the economy!"

2004-08-31T19:56:00.000-07:00

Well, yet again our muscle-headed governor is cracking offensive jokes instead of solving problems. Worried about the economy? Apparently that makes you a sissy. Well, I guess that makes me a sissy. Me and the 1.3 million Americans who attained poverty-stricken status in 2003. Guess being poor makes you a sissy. Any comment on that, oh millionaire governor?

"Yes- I mean no- what was the question?"

2004-08-31T12:54:00.000-07:00

'We have a clear vision on how to win the war on terror and bring peace to the
world.'
-- George W. Bush
July 30th, 2004

'I don't think you can win [the war on terror]. But I think you can create conditions so that the -- those who use terror as a tool are -- less acceptable in parts of the world.'
-- George W. Bush
Aug. 29th, 2004

Tom Tommorow on the RNC

2004-08-31T12:26:00.000-07:00

I'm glad to hear the family-valued members of the GOP are being well-stocked with hookers, aren't you? So much more wholesome than same-sex marriage.

Arnold on the blockade-the-vote bandwagon?

2004-08-31T11:39:00.000-07:00

Sounds like Arnie is arm-in-arm with BushCo in the campaign to throw away your vote.

Tell the Chairman of the Election Commission to stop throwing away votes. And tell Ashcroft to stop purging random voters from the rolls. Katherine Harris ordered the removal of 57,700 voters from Florida's vote registries in 2000. Bush "won" Florida by 537 votes. What do you think?

Why the purging? These people were allegedly felons, and by some odd chance happened to all be black. Hmmm. One "felon" was listed as having been convicted in January, 2007. Some trick. According to elections supervisor Ion Sancho, 50,000 of the purged voters were legally eligible to vote. CNN has been trying to get a list of "ineligible" voters to verify the accuracy of the list. Jeb Bush- oops, I mean, Florida- is stonewalling.

New Lies! Better, Bigger, Improved!

2004-08-31T11:27:00.000-07:00

This one's more than I can even begin to wrap my head around... anyone out there help me? Bush says we didn't start the war. I'll need to see the PowerPoint presentation on that...

Lincoln was cool... What happened to the GOP?

2004-08-30T18:08:00.000-07:00

Garrison Keillor on the downfall of the Republican Party. Eloquent, poetic, and oh, so true. Thanks, Cheryl, for bringing it to my attention.

Another Boondocks: our special president

2004-08-30T17:25:00.000-07:00

Yeah, what's up with that? An old Boondocks, but a good one.

Dems may be pessimists, but what are Reps?

2004-08-30T17:19:00.000-07:00

A poignant statement from Aaron McGruder, creator of Boondocks.

Register to Vote! Now!

2004-08-30T17:17:00.000-07:00

Do it!

Gay and Lesbian Reps Anti-GOP

2004-08-30T16:13:00.000-07:00

Set-up: The Log Cabin Republicans, if you didn't know, are a gay and lesbian rights group that uphold Republican political ideals. Now, I respect the Log Cabin Republicans' beliefs because I try to respect everyone's beliefs, although I am completely mystified by them. But even they are balking at BushCo. Did you know that one million gay and lesbian voters voted for him? Let's hope they come to their senses... if anyone out there is listening... the GOP hates you, get it? They want to ruin your life. Save us all and vote Kerry.

Bad Reporter does RNC

2004-08-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

News about the Baldwin Brother vote and the GOP New Year, courtesy of Dan Rasmussen.

Images of Dissent

2004-08-30T15:38:00.000-07:00

A photojournalist from our very own Oakland, Scott Squire, give us a view from the frontlines of the RNC protest.

Petition: Ensure electronic votes are verified

2004-08-26T17:52:00.000-07:00

If you're as nervous as I am... or only half as nervous... you'll want to sign this petition.

How 'bout that recovery?

2004-08-26T13:45:00.000-07:00

Is the recovery here yet? Or can I just not see it because I'm facing the wrong way? These people probably haven't noticed it either: for the third year in a row, the number of Americans living in poverty and the number of Americans without health insurance rose. A lot. Poverty-stricken Americans: 1.3 million more in the last year. Folks without health insurance: 1.4 million more in the last year.

And so when is our president going to do something about the health insurance crisis? Oh, right, when we switch presidents.

Well, Bush doesn't own the courts. Yet.

2004-08-26T13:32:00.000-07:00

A federal judge upheld the constitution- doesn't that sound nice? Let's all uphold the constitution. He ruled the "Partial Birth Abortion Ban" unconstitutional because it doesn't give a whit for women's health.

I've never quite understood the anti-choice platform's stance. (Why do they say they're "pro-life"? What does that make me? "Anti-life"? Right, I'm against all forms of life. Down with life.) Okay, life is sacred and precious and all- I'm with you there. No question. But why are the "lives" of not-yet-viable fetuses more important than the health and lives of already-viable-absolutely-positively women? Why are women supposed to sacrifice possibly even their lives to entities that may or may not become people?

Bush on Compassion: " _______"

2004-08-24T11:20:00.000-07:00

So, I'm surfing through Bush's site, www.georgebush.com (where's the "W"?), and I see a link that says "Compassion". Well, this ought to be rich, I think. So I click on it. Blank page. No kidding.

(If they've fixed it by the time you click on it, rest assured it was blank when I did. If it's still blank when you do, please let me know.)

Bush: The Last President?

2004-08-24T11:13:00.000-07:00

From his 2003 State of the Union Address: "We will not deny, we will not ignore, we will not pass along our problems to other Congresses, other presidents, and other generations."

Well, that's quite an assertion. So all problems will be solved under Bush, huh? When was he thinking of starting on them? And I can only suppose this means, unless he was lying, that if (for once) elected this Fall, he'll put an end to our electoral farce and reign for evermore.

Long term ramifications? Just think: No more spelling bees! No more math tests! We ragged on Bush 1 for not liking broccoli. Bush the Minor doesn't like larnin' and knowin' stuff. Out with school! Damn intelligentsia only want godless democracy, after all!

Make your vote count! Emigrate and vote there!

2004-08-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

How unlike the world's greatest democracy we have come... Who would have thought, five years ago, that America could become one of the countries with rampant election fraud? Venezula gets their election results certified by ex-President Carter. Why can't we? Instead, we get new touch-screen voting machines, tested entirely in secret, using procedures no one is allowed to know, and the outcomes of which no one can even guess. And no paper trail, so even Kathleen Harris won't need to "lose" any voting records.

Says a Stanford University computer science professor, "Suppose you had a situation where ballots were handed to a private company that counted them behind a closed door and burned the results. Nobody but an idiot would accept a system like that. We've got something that is almost as bad with electronic voting."

Ready to fork out $5 to cross a bridge?

2004-08-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

As Schwarzenegger planned, time is running out on a solution to the bridge finance problem. The one bid we've received for the work on the Bay Bridge expires in September and if Bay Area lawmakers don't hurry up and agree to whatever Herr Schwarzenegger (heil!) says, the bid expires and the costs go even further up.

Our governor's stance (per his spokesman Vince Sollitto): "The governor would like to see the people of the Bay Area be given the opportunity to choose how to finance the completion of the project."

Isn't that nice? He wants you to choose. Like "cash or credit?" Or "would you like us to take it out of your left pocket or your right one?"

Funny campaign bumper stickers

2004-08-21T09:58:00.000-07:00

On the lighter side:

Bush/Cheney '04: The Last Vote You'll Ever Have to Cast

Bush/Cheney '04: We're Gooder!

Bush/Cheney '04: This Time, Elect Us!

The last time somebody listened to a Bush, folks wandered in the desert for 40 years

Don't think. Vote Bush!

George W. Bush: The President Quayle We Never Had

"Yee-Ha" is not a Foreign Policy.

John Kerry...bringing complete sentences back to the White House.

And my favorite: Bush/Cheney '04: Thanks for Not Paying Attention.

I would include some funny pro-Bush bumper stickers (equal time and all) but I haven't found any sound like any intelligence went into them. Anyone else seen any?

Is your neighbor planning to demonstrate at the RNC? Give yourself up now.

2004-08-20T12:47:00.000-07:00

I hope you're not too attached to your civil rights. Jon Carroll points out yet another way in which the BushCo regime is squashing the rights of citizens like so many slugs between its toes.

I think Bush probably just flunked his Constitution class, is what the problem is. I've got an idea: let's help him out. Print out the Bill of Rights and send it to him, perhaps with parts you think he might be rusty on highlighted (I think articles 3 and 6 are nice). Here's his address:

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Or you can email him at president@whitehouse.gov. Of course, he'll have to have someone read it to him, but maybe Condoleezza Rice has a spare few minutes.

Are you afraid? Well, you should be. Or should you?

2004-08-20T12:23:00.000-07:00

How do you feel about being in "Code Orange". Or Burnt Sienna or Harvest Gold or whatever the hell it is these days. Do you live in fear? Michael Moore says in "Dude, Where's My Country?" that you are not going to die by terrorist attack. Forget the percentages, statistically speaking, it's just not going to happen.

But some people, particularly on the east coast, do live in a sort of constant rumbling fear. Should they? Do they know something we don't? Is it that they were closer to the action, way back when? Or is it that they're closer to the BushCo hype?

And it is really a stretch to say that our current government stays in power by propagating fear? Hmmm... that kinda does sound like Hilter, doesn't it?

BushCo: down with soldiers, up with corporations!

2004-08-18T12:46:00.000-07:00

Finally, someone's suing the military's now almost universal practice of turning volunteers for our national security forces into forced labor. It's being called a back-door draft and no wonder! Imagine getting to retirement, and being told you can't, get back to your desk. Now imagine your job involves blood, death, soul-destroying violence and being far from all the things and people that you love. And you're not supposed to make a fuss?

All is wine and roses for Halliburton, though. The BushCo government has basically said, "Boy, those bills you sent us are sure high! We're not sure... Can we get those itemized? Oh, never mind, you guys are so cute! We can't stay mad at you! Here, have the checkbook! And here's some credit cards, too. Now get out of here, you crazy kids!"

Arnold hates us, too

2004-08-18T12:23:00.000-07:00

Having forgotten what it's like to work for a living, and having apparently listened too closely to his Orange County friends badmouthing us crazy, liberal, pinko-commie Bay Area denizens (but really, how can you trust people who respect women and gays and drive responsible vehicles?), Arnold is out to mug Bay Area communters. Maybe he hasn't read the reports from the Bay Area Council (see the latest PDF: "Another Flat Quarter in the Bay Area, While National Job Growth Soars") that explain the Bay Area drivers aren't exactly ripe for fleecing just now.

Do they hate us because we're beautiful, or what?

It's official: God really does hate you

2004-08-16T18:21:00.000-07:00

We love the Bad Reporter. All the conservative, bigoted, hate-mongoring, un-Christian Christians were apparently right all along: God really does hate all the rest of us. The left-handed issue was new to me, though.

Craigslist founder speaks to the Chronicle

2004-08-16T03:09:00.000-07:00

I met Craig Newmark at a craigslist party Back in the Day. For a while there was a rumor going around that there was no "Craig" of "craigslist". What was up with that?

Anywhoo, the interview is mostly about the history of craigslist, the craiglist business plan, the fact that 25% of craigslist has been bought by eBay (none of Mr. Newmark's doing). A few skimpy questions about the future of tech. And a whole lot of not terribly interesting personal facts. Do you want to know what he eats for breakfast?

I heart Mark Fiore

2004-08-16T02:33:00.000-07:00

Another great animation from SF's own Mark Fiore, this time taking on the crotch-grab the NRA has on our very own congress. Remember, guns don't kill people. Bullets coming very quickly out of guns that gun-toting people have just fired kill people.

Let's pound our guns into ploughshares.

internet joke

2004-08-15T16:37:00.000-07:00

I think this is hilarious:

Customer: "I want to download the Internet. Do I need a bigger hard disk?"

See a visual internet joke brought to us by W3Schools (great resource: free tutorials and quizzes on all things web-building).

Gas too expensive? You better believe it.

2004-08-15T12:08:00.000-07:00

Do you ever think about how expensive it really is?

I commend Toyota for being among the forerunners of hybrid car manufacturers, but a hybrid SUV? What's the point of that? Come on, people, how often are you toting seven people, three dogs and five bales of hay around in your car? You really don't need an SUV. Really. And they're dangerous. Get a Prius. Now those are cool.

George Bush moonlights as Al Qaeda head!

2004-08-12T12:57:00.000-07:00

But seriously, I'm starting to wonder. The Bush administration has outed *another* US spy, this one deep in Al Qaeda. Just whose side is this feather-headed bozo on?!?

Has Al Qaeda gone IPO? Maybe Bush owns stock...

Those who can't teach, teach graduate school

2004-08-10T17:53:00.000-07:00

The theory being, apparently, that if you're in graduate school you already know everything anyway, so quit bothering us. Or perhaps it's: you're in graduate school; if you think you're so smart, you figure it out!

Graduate school has been, for me, a humbling rather than an empowering experience.

Bush really is stupid. Really.

2004-08-10T10:56:00.000-07:00

A journalist-of-color attends a journalist-of-color convention at which Bush speaks. Gibberish, that is. Leave no Bush behind!

Grad School Blues

2004-08-08T23:38:00.000-07:00

Graduation is still a month- or possibly more- away. Friends have forgotten my name; relatives have submitted my picture to be posted on milk cartons. My plants are dying and my dog just bit me. Seriously, though, I'll come back out of my cave after this is all over, which will be, Buddha willing, soon. Very soon. I can almost taste it.

The revamp of the portfolio site (www.msmccarthy.com, of course) is almost done. The B-movie database is on track, but has a long way to go. Any submissions are welcome. When it's done, I'll invite people to submit reviews and suggest movies. The world must hear of Coleman Francis and his abominations upon the American cultural landscape! See The Skydivers at your own risk; YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

The house is wonderful. Home ownership rocks. Except the mortgage, of course. And repair costs. And insurance. Oh, hell, it's still great!

Ms. McCarthy's Political Rants

Look! Victory in Iraq! And Little Pink Fairies!

Bush: "National Security? What National Security?"

Red Cross not allowed into New Orleans

OJ sought murderer on golf course; Bush fights terrorism from bicycle seat

CA Insurance Commissioner announces "death spiral" of health insurance.

Domestic abusers largely get off scott-free

How's this for a spin...

Arnold Schwarzenegger gives up his untenable stance.

Bush Chimes in on Rove Scandal: "No Comment"

Priceless!

Big Drug Corps are spending your money protecting their profits

Did Karl Rove out a CIA operative?

Pay-for-Performance Healthcare?

Conservatives attacking Bush?

Today's favorite SPAM subject: it's a tie...

Cheney and Halliburton, sittin' in a tree...

Concentrate on sending troops home? Vote now.

Bush starts thinking about Iraq.

Todays favorite SPAM subject...

You nasty, dirty, orphan-and-puppy killer, you!

Non-issue or evidence of racist Republicans?

Share your two cents!

Downing Street Memo flash movie

My religious credo, if anyone cares.

Army recruitment problems solved!

Why do the Moral Majority have such dirty minds?

From outlawing abortion to mandatory pregnancy?! It could happen.

The "Downing St. Memo" evidence overwhelms...

What the world needs is more pregnant co-eds.

Today's Favorite SPAM subject is...

Fair and Balanced News

Dangerous pharmaceuticals good! Marijuana bad!

Mark Fiore's Packing Heat

Republicans are white and Christian. So what's the problem?

Don't want good, cheap internet access? Don't sign this.

Shut down Guantanamo

Sen. Feinstein blocks easy Bolton nomination

Bush and Rumsfeld smokin' doobies again.

Women, we are under attack!!!

Republican veterans for Kerry

Even easier action: polls

VP Debate: Cheney Flustered, Edwards Strong

If Cheney is Satan, God must exist

Bush gets an 'F' in civil rights

Students Are Blocked From Polls

Who's your Baghdaddy?

Nazis. War. Bush. That's all I'm saying.

Election's over! NRA won!

Election's over! NRA won!

Arnold doesn't tell the truth at the RNC. Even a little.

Bush tells the truth at RNC. Well, some of it, anyway.

Arnold: "Don't be a sissy; ignore the economy!"

"Yes- I mean no- what was the question?"

Tom Tommorow on the RNC

Arnold on the blockade-the-vote bandwagon?

New Lies! Better, Bigger, Improved!

Lincoln was cool... What happened to the GOP?

Another Boondocks: our special president

Dems may be pessimists, but what are Reps?

Register to Vote! Now!

Gay and Lesbian Reps Anti-GOP

Bad Reporter does RNC

Images of Dissent

Petition: Ensure electronic votes are verified

How 'bout that recovery?

Well, Bush doesn't own the courts. Yet.

Bush on Compassion: " _______"

Bush: The Last President?

Make your vote count! Emigrate and vote there!

Ready to fork out $5 to cross a bridge?

Funny campaign bumper stickers

Is your neighbor planning to demonstrate at the RNC? Give yourself up now.

Are you afraid? Well, you should be. Or should you?

BushCo: down with soldiers, up with corporations!

Arnold hates us, too

It's official: God really does hate you

Craigslist founder speaks to the Chronicle

I *heart* Mark Fiore

internet joke

I heart Mark Fiore