Thursday, July 31

7/31/08: Random Bushism Of The Day

"The fundamental question is, 'Will I be a successful president when it comes to foreign policy?' I will be, but until I'm the president, it's going to be hard for me to verify that I think I'll be more effective."—In Wayne, Mich., as quoted by Katharine Q. Seelye in the New York Times, June 28, 2000

McCain Planned Attack Ad On Obama If He Visited Injured Troops In Germany

San Diego Surf Cup XXVIII Begins This Weekend

Also this weekend

54th Annual Balboa Park 8-Mile and 3-Mile Runs: Saturday, August 2nd

Studio Diner Regional Chili Cookoff: Sunday, August 3rd

Wednesday, July 30

JibJab Video:Time For Some Campaignin'

This is by far the best political satire video this entire campaign season. It's hilarious and it mocks the Clintons, McCain, and Obama. Enjoy and show your friends!

7/30/08: Random Bushism Of The Day

"It is clear our nation is reliant upon big foreign oil. More and more of our imports come from overseas."—Beaverton, Ore., Sep. 25, 2000

Tuesday, July 29

Big News Not Clarifying Falsehoods In McCain Ad

The exception this time is Andrea Mitchell. She came out a few times on air and stated what the facts were regarding Obama's cancelled visit to see injured troops. Check this out.

John Mayer Can't Get Any Love

This video made me crack up. I'm not really a fan, although I have to admit that I appreciate his more recent blues effort. It fits him better than that "Wonderland" crap. I also have to admit that the guy has a great sense of humor about himself. Funny stuff.

Monday, July 28

7/28/08: Random Bushism Of The Day

"See, we love—we love freedom. That's what they didn't understand. They hate things; we love things. They act out of hatred; we don't seek revenge, we seek justice out of love."—Oklahoma City, Aug. 29, 2002

Saturday, July 26

NYT Op-Ed: Getting To Know You

Bob Herbert asks: "How much do voters really know about John McCain?"

Vote-USA.org: Compare Issues Between Candidates

A great site to see exactly where the candidates stand on a variety of issues. See whose views are closest to your own.

The Torture Memos

Torture OK if acted in "good faith"

CA Gov Threatens State Workers' Pay

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is threatening to lower the wages of about 200,000 California state workers to the federal minimum wage of $6.55 an hour until a budget is passed. State Controller John Chiang disapproves of this action and has countered that his office will continue to pay current salaries unless he receives a court order. "Forcing public servants to involuntarily loan the state cash by foregoing their hard-earned paychecks puts an untenable burden on our teachers, health care workers and those who provide critical public services," said Chiang. Also, the SEIU, which represents about 95,000 of these workers, is threatening legal action to stop this move.
Unfortunately, it looks like there is a legal precedent to the plan. A 2003 California Supreme Court decision says that the controller is only allowed to issue checks for minimum wage workers if a state budget is not in place. However, this is still the wrong action to take. Since when is punishing the victim the right choice? It is the state legislature that is failing to pass a state budget. The Democratic and Republican politicians are failing to compromise on issues regarding tax cuts and decreased spending. They are already about a month late in passing this budget for the new fiscal year that began July 1st. With a new deadline of August 1st approaching, they are cutting it so close that Gov. Schwarzenegger has to get them moving somehow. But, the best way to do that is not by threatening the pay of nurses, janitors, and other service workers. The best solution is to threaten the pay of the politicians who are being lackadaisical about their job duties. This might be the only way to get them to understand how important a passed state budget really is.

Friday, July 25

Memphis P.D. Sue For Identities Of Critical Bloggers

Apparently, using your political power to negate the constitutional rights of others is not restricted to just the federal level of government. Maybe Memphis authorities are considering testing the waters of Bush administration precedents to see what they can get away with doing. Also, doesn't this action give more credence to the bloggers' original criticisms of the department? Talk about irony.

Comic-Con In San Diego This Weekend

They're Here!

Get Your War On Animated Series Promo

I love the "Get Your War On" comic strips. It is the first thing I read in Rolling Stone magazine. If you have ever read them, you understand why this animated version on 23/6 is so great. Check out this promo. There will be a new one every week.

Thursday, July 24

McCain Explains His Surge Timeline(Video)

This explanation is almost too uncomfortable to watch. Almost. It's amazing how some people cannot simply admit to making a mistake. McCain is struggling to get out of this mess he created and he ends up making it worse. Now, only two explanations make sense: either he is completely unaware of the true history of the surge or he is a liar who assumes the American public and media are not paying attention. The whole debacle is so unbelievably bizarre that a Bushism seems appropriate.

"Now, there are some who would like to rewrite history—revisionist historians is what I like to call them."—George W. Bush

7/24/08:Random Bushism Of The Day

"I mean, I read the newspaper. I mean, I can tell you what the headlines are. I must confess, if I think the story is, like, not a fair appraisal, I'll move on. But I know what the story's about." —Philadelphia, Dec. 12, 2005

New Federal Minimum Wage Increase

70 cent increase today coincides with 70th anniversary of wage standards

Monday, July 21

Radio Show Host Michael Savage Claims Autism Is "A Fraud"

99% are "brats" who do not have a "father around to tell them" to stop acting "like a moron"

7/21/08: Random Bushism Of The Day

"But the true threats to stability and peace are these nations that are not very transparent, that hide behind the—that don't let people in to take a look and see what they're up to. They're very kind of authoritarian regimes. The true threat is whether or not one of these people decide, peak of anger, try to hold us hostage, ourselves; the Israelis, for example, to whom we'll defend, offer our defenses; the South Koreans."—Media roundtable, Washington, D.C., March 13, 2001 (Thanks to Peter Sagal)

Clinton:An Outrageous Attempt by the Bush Administration to Undermine Women's Rights

Contraception to be labeled "abortion"

Thursday, July 17

7/17/08: Random Bushism Of The Day

"When I was coming up, it was a dangerous world, and you knew exactly who they were," he said. "It was us vs. them, and it was clear who them was. Today, we are not so sure who the they are, but we know they're there."—Iowa Western Community College, Jan 21, 2000

San Diego LGBT Pride 2008 This Weekend (Updated)



Have fun and support diversity at the same time! Join 150,000 other spectators at the parade on Saturday, July 19th. It's a one-mile long route in Hillcrest of floats, gay-friendly San Diego politicians, music, and of course,dancing! After the last float drifts by, head to the beautiful Balboa Park for the Pride festival. $15 for Saturday, $25 for Saturday and Sunday. Vendors, food, beer gardens, and entertainment all weekend long. Comedienne Kathy Griffin headlines Sunday, July 20th along with a performance by the excellent Melissa Ferrick. Don't miss out!

Update: Pics from Parade http://picasaweb.google.com/shaijinx/SanDiegoPrideParade2008

The Hidden Coolness Of Blackberry

No iPhone, no problem

Tuesday, July 15

7/15/08:Random Bushism Of The Day

"Tribal sovereignty means that, it's sovereign. You're a—you've been given sovereignty, and you're viewed as a sovereign entity. And, therefore, the relationship between the federal government and tribes is one between sovereign entities."—Washington, D.C., Aug. 6, 2004

Monday, July 14

Obama's NYT Op-Ed:My Plan For Iraq

7/14/08: Random Bushism Of The Day

"You know, when you give a man more money in his pocket—in this case, a woman more money in her pocket to expand a business, it—they build new buildings. And when somebody builds a new building somebody has got to come and build the building. And when the building expanded it prevented additional opportunities for people to work."—Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 2007

Sunday, July 13

7/13/08: Random Bushism Of The Day

"I want to tell you how proud I am to be the President of a nation that -- in which there's a lot of Philippine-Americans. They love America and they love their heritage. And I reminded the President that I am reminded of the great talent of the -- of our Philippine-Americans when I eat dinner at the White House." --George W. Bush, meeting with Filipino President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Washington, D.C., June 24, 2008

Tuesday, July 8

San Diego This Weekend


The 28th Annual U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition is July 12th and 13th in Imperial Beach. Kids competition is Saturday with the open competition following on Sunday. The street festival is always a great time. Food, vendors and musical entertainment..how can you argue with that? Check it out!

Friday, July 4

New U.S. Citizenship Test

How much do you know?

Morning Joe and Maddow Clash



So, yesterday I watched MSNBC's political program called Race for the White House. It was guest hosted by Joe Scarborough, the host of Morning Joe and a former GOP congressman. His panel consisted of three conservatives and one liberal - Rachel Maddow, host of her own radio show on Air America. Joe quotes Senator McCain's statement declaring that Senator Obama has always claimed that he would "begin withdrawing American troops from Iraq immediately". He claims Obama is a flip-flopper because now he says he will consult with commanders about the safest way to do that and he might have to refine his timeline of 16 months due to the actions on the ground. Rachel defends Obama stating repeatedly that his position on withdrawal is consistent - phased withdrawal of one to two brigades a month with discussions about the safety of the troops with commanders. Rachel mentions Susan Rice's statement three months ago claiming the same position, proving it is not a flip-flop. Joe says that it is Obama's word that matters, not his surrogate's. Joe claims that on the ABC debate, Obama says something different. Rachel disagrees and tells Joe to show the tape. The tape is shown and Obama's answer is consistent. Joe then states that David Plouffe, Obama's campaign manager, says "16 months tops". He refuses to accept Obama's actual words at the debate - "I will still listen to the generals when it comes to tactics" - as proof of his consistency. Rachel is hysterical with laughter at this point because the whole argument is just so ridiculous. Rice's statement to disprove Joe's thesis is not acceptable, but Plouffe's statement can be used to prove his point? At one point, Joe asks anyone on the panel to raise their hand if they agree with Rachel. Nobody does. Rachel mentions the setup of the panel where Joe indulges in his first insult: "I don't know that this has anything to do with conservatives or liberals, it has to do with the English language". Seriously? To Rachel Maddow?? Not only is she one of the most articulate political analysts in American media today, not only does she have a doctorate in political science, but she is also a Rhodes scholar! Rachel is still cracking up when Joe decides that an insultingly sexist remark would be the best way to cut her down. "You might support Obama, but you've got the Clinton cackle down, Rachel." WTF! Click on post title for transcript and video

ANP: No Paine No Gain

Tuesday, July 1