Archive for November 8th, 2006
Yesterday’s overwhelming victory at the polls by the Democrats sent a loud and clear message. Americans are fed up with the results of the Iraq war. President Bush only got part of the message. He said he is planning on working together with the Democrats. He later qualified that statement saying that working together means working for a victory. It is delusional to think a victory is possible short of annihilating the whole region. Anything less just compounds the quagmire in the Middle East and increases terrorism.
His firing of Donald Rumsfeld today, as Secretary of Defense, also underscores how out of touch he is with the American public. Had he read the mood of the nation correctly, he would have fired Rumsfeld a week or two ago and probably saved 10 to 15 of the Republican seats in the House.
Robert Gates, Bush’s choice to replace Rumsfeld, is a result of quiet pressure from George Herbert Bush over his son’s Iraq policies. George Sr., and members of his administration, have been quietly critical of the current Iraq situation. Gates was a key player in the Bush 1 administration and director of the CIA from 1991-1993. Until now, George Junior has rejected the advice of George Senior, those days now appear to be over.
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The Buffalo News today detailed the TSA screening program in effect for riders of the Metrorail or Amtrak in Buffalo or Depew.
The Sabre 4000 units, which are on loan from TSA headquarters to the Buffalo region through the end of the month, are similar in size and shape to a hand-held vacuum cleaner. In addition to detecting chemicals used in explosives, the units are able to detect the presence of chemical warfare agents and several types of illegal drugs.
The TSA also has brought in two specially trained canine teams as part of the explosives-detection pilot program.
But what about this?
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
The supposed rationale behind the suspension of our Constitutional Rights is that we are in close proximity to an International Border thereby increasing the likelihood of terrorist activity. Let me see if I understand that reasoning. A terrorist manages to successfully enter the U.S. from Canada with chemical weapons or explosives. The terrorist then attempts to board the Metrorail or Amtrak but is corralled by the random invasion of our privacy. Democracy is preserved and will live another day to suspend some more liberties.
I feel safer already knowing that the government is looking out for us.
“Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor Liberty to purchase power.“ - Benjamin Franklin
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CNN is reporting the Donald Rumsfeld will step down as Defense Secretary.
The voters of New York put all there eggs in one basket last night with the election of Spitzer, Cuomo and Hevesi’s re-election. That is a very foolish thing to do in a state with the most dysfunctional government.
Spitzer has given every indication that it will be business as usual. He hit a home run without even breaking a sweat thanks to the support of virtually every special interest group and union that exists from the shores of Lake Erie to the tip of Long Island. He benefited from a great publicity campaign that doubled as his efforts as Attorney General. Spitzer has been highly criticized by some of the top legal minds in the country for his abuse of the legal system to further his agenda.
Andrew Cuomo coasted to a win based on name recognition. Cuomo also benefited from Spitzer’s support. Cuomo’s tenure with HUD was marked by publicity ploys, much like Spitzer as AG, rather than substantive improvements. He also took a high paying job with a developer he had sued over a kickback scheme. His actual legal experience is weak at best.
Alan Hevesi is facing possible prosecution for misappropriation of State funds. Enough said.
On a brighter note, Eliot Spitzer has, in the past, expressed support for tax credits to parents sending their children to private schools. That would go a long way toward expanding private education, giving all parents a choice in their children’s education and lessening the role of the failure ridden public school system. Let us hope that Eliot does the right thing by promoting implementing education tax credits. He will be under tremendous pressure from the teachers’ unions that supported him to abandon this cause. His response will be telling.
Reynolds ran out the door and hopped in his SUV immediately after giving his victory speech last night. He didn’t even give two minutes time to any of the reporters waiting to interview him. He was in a hurry to get back to Washington to strategize with the Republicans over the losses they took in Congress.
That was typical behavior by Reynolds. Instead of showing a bit more gratitude locally for winning a race he should have lost, he demonstrated once again that his first allegiance is to the National Republican Party, not the local constituents. As one of the most powerful Republicans nationally, he was certainly lucky to escape the vote against corruption and incompetence. There can be little doubt that he had intimate knowledge of the actions that took down DeLay, Foley and others, yet he remained virtually silent.
Buffalo Pundit noted that Jack Davis blew his opportunity by not more fully exploiting the Foley Affair and the discontent with Washington. While this is probably true, at least Davis put his ideas ahead of smear politics. Jack Davis can go home and sleep without tossing and turning, I wonder if the same can be said for Tom Reynolds. This was a victory for negativity over substance and a sad reflection on the voters in general.
SPEAKER PELOSI…
California Representative Nancy Pelosi will become the first woman Speaker of the House when Democrats take over the House of Representatives. By early morning, Democrats were projected to win far more than the 15 seats needed to gain a majority for the first time since 1994. Several races were still too close to call.
According to exit polls, voters treated the midterm elections as a national referendum on the Bush administration and the GOP Congress. The results of Tuesday’s election were a clear repudiation of the Bush administration’s policy in Iraq–in race after race, Democrats who were unequivocal on Iraq prevailed.
The pendulum has swung. We are still waiting to find out if the Senate will also be controlled by the Democrats. Montana and Virginia are still extremely close. The results in Virginia will likely result in a recount since the margin appears to be less than 1%. Last year a similar vote total led to a recount in Virginia that was not settled until well into December.
This one is my favorite:
Best Send-up of an Ineffective Federal Mandate
Winner: Phil Maymin
Libertarian House candidate Phil Maymin, running in Connecticut’s 4th district, ran a cable-only spot spoofing the “stand by your ad” provision of the McCain-Feingold campaign law. That’s the federal requirement that candidates appear in their own ads and say “I approve this message,” or words to that effect. The idea was to reduce the volume of distasteful attacks and false accusations by forcing candidates to take personal responsibility for them.
Clearly, that hasn’t worked.
In this ad Maymin gets a rubdown from a voter who’s clueless about who he is or what a Libertarian stands for, asking “You’re a librarian? . . . You’re Joe Lieberman?” Maymin explains, and then says “I approve this massage.”
You can check out all the award winners here.
My initial thoughts on the election results follow.
Don’t expect an economic recovery anytime soon. All the usual members of the Political Class are back to pillage more; Higgins, Hoyt, Reynolds, Volker . . .
Reynolds won by a snowflake FEMA disaster declaration, aided by President “I’ll do anything to accomplish my agenda” Bush.
The people have voted for more redistribution of wealth schemes.
I will be shocked if Spitzer significantly reduces the cost of government in New York State.
