Its Cheney's World We Just Live In It... Pt. Onion

New Heart Device Allows Cheney To Experience Love

WASHINGTON, DC —"He broke free from the straps that secured him to the bed as he normally does after heart surgery. But then he hugged me," Cheney's cardiologist said.

Well Thank You So Much Mr. Greenspan

...I can only imagine the courage it took to come out with your conclusion that the Iraq War is about oil. Yes the way you kept your opinions secret until its too late is classic. Here are the the words from his new book:

"I am saddened that it is politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows: the Iraq war is largely about oil."

Thanks for the heads up... heck of a job Greenie.

Must Post...

Hi blog... its been a while.

10 REASONS TO IMPEACH GOVERNOR RICK PERRY

Here is a list of attrocities from our Governor. I must confess that I kind of agreed with him on the HPV vaccine mandate (#9 below).

Just Ten Good Reasons To Impeach Mr. Veto

In fact, Perry Vetoed 49 bills passed in the 2007 legislative session, after the legislature went home, so he could not be overridden. Mr. Veto would probably argue that he restrained himself from the record he set in 2001, when he vetoed 82 bills, more than any governor in any single legislative session in Texas history since reconstruction. According to Paul Burka of the Texas Monthly, 17 of this year’s Perry vetoes were simply to get back at legislators who crossed him on his precious mega-special interest driven Trans-Texas Corridor and HPV vaccine mandate.

1. In 2003, Perry and Mike Krusee (R-Round Rock) snookered their legislative colleagues by pushing through legislation for the Trans-Texas Corridor and freeway-to-tollway conversions, that few understood. The Governor, Krusee, Texas Transportation Commissioner, Ric Williamson, and a few others continue to force what the public simply will not accept. And a revolving door in Austin goes round and round. Our favorite example is Dan Shelley, a high powered lobbyist for CINTRA (the Spanish toll road consortium), who wound up working in the Governor’s office writing transportation legislation.


2. Vetoing the first Corridor/Toll moratorium bill (HB 1892), then deforming the second moratorium bill (SB 792) taking from ordinary Texans a clear, unadulterated shot at a 30 month moratorium on the Governor’s universally hated plan to build the massive Trans-Texas Corridor and his freeway-to-tollway privatization boondoggles. (Don't worry, folks -- this fight is far from over, as Texans are gearing up to give the Governor the political hell-on-earth he so deserves to put a stop to this.)


3. Vetoing eminent domain reform designed to protect private property rights and to stop the taking of over 1 million acres of prime farm and ranchland -- for the Trans-Texas Corridor -- the largest land seizure in United States history.


4. Calling three special sessions on mid-census redistricting, disenfranchising not only Democratic voters, but the state’s growing numbers of independent voters whose voting power is diminished when “swing” districts are eliminated. The redistricting violated the Voting Rights Act, campaign finance laws and necessitated huge expenditures of taxpayer dollars in endless lawsuits and legal maneuvers. (In the end, what did we get -- the downfall of DeLay, the revolt against Speaker Craddick -- still underway, and the people’s movement for Perry’s impeachment! But scoundrels never learn.)


5. Perry’s small business franchise tax, which has increased taxes for many small businesses by a ten-fold average! (This is no joke, folks -- straight from the National Federation of Independent Businesses.)


6. Vetoing no less than 2 bills and one appropriations rider to help the beleaguered Community College System, including $150 million health insurance for the community college employees, while admonishing the colleges to “follow state law”. Why doesn’t the Governor do the same thing by curbing his veto fetish?


7. Unbelievably vetoing a bill banning diesel-fueled school buses idling to curb bus emissions exposing children to fine particles that can trigger asthma attacks. This bill had widespread support, no voiced opposition (including the Governor’s office) and was drawn upon an initiative by the President!


8. Selling out consumer protection for homeowners by stacking the Texas Residential Construction Commission with appointees from the construction industry. For example, Perry took $690,000 from homebuilder Bob Perry (Perry Homes -- no relation) and appointed Perry Homes attorney, John Krush to the Commission. Former Comptroller Carole Strayhorn thought it was such a joke that she called for the abolition of the commission and welcomed a legal challenge by the Attorney General.


9. Mandating Texas girls be vaccinated against the HPV virus, before entering the 6th grade (to which the legislature gave the full Nelson, pinning Perry to the mat, undoing this Merck Pharmaceuticals special interest driven deed!) It turned out that Perry had received campaign money from Merck, as did much of the legislature, and his former chief of staff, Mike Toomey, is a lobbyist for Merck.


10. A series of vetoes put the Perry poison pen to bipartisan criminal justice reform that would slow the pace of incarceration and provide for alternative funding mechanisms. Meanwhile prison guards remain some of the worst paid workers in the state and, as a result, the state prisons are dangerously under guarded. (In fact, we hear the Governor thinks prison guards should be paid minimum wage for the privilege of putting their lives on the line every day.)

(H/T Independent Texans)

Texas State Board of Education Chairman Ron McLeroy

WHY DOESN'T HE QUIT!?!?!?! Yes, its genuine embarrassment I feel that this tool is the CHAIRMAN OF THE TEXAS BOARD OF EDUCATION. Parents hear this: He gets to make decisions on your children's education curriculum. Well just read his the transcripts of his speech to xxxxx church, or listen to it (its better to read then listen).

Busy now will update with the links.

Live Blogging the Fantasy Football Draft

Keepers: Westbrook and Chad Johnson.

I love you sweetie... I miss you.

Its Cheney's World We Just Live In It... Pt. II

To paraphrase Saint McCain... "bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran". Yes Cheney wants to bomb Iran for some reason. The easy thing to say is that Iranis are going into Iraq and attacking our soldiers.

Well here's a bit of facts that show how Iran is involved:

Now you might say:
"Dune you are sooo wrong, Iran is not even on that chart"

...you may even point out that according to your graph reading skills Saudi Arabia is definitely spanking Iran in their efforts to give credence to Dick "Shooter" Cheney's blood lust.

Yes you may say that...

...and then you would remind me how 28 of the 19 terrorists that hit the towers were from Saudi Arabia and that 0 of the 19 were from Iraq.

This is where I would stop you and question your patriotism and call you a coward cut and runner who hates Jesus, and I would win the debate.

Then without another thought I would passively allow this administration run by people who did their best to not serve in the armed forces brake our armed forces over a country that never attacked us.

One last thing: What the hell Italy? I'm boycotting the Olive Garden for 2 weeks. HospItaliano my ass, why is your name in that chart. I thought you were part of the mighty coalition.

On Drawing...

I've been checking out the Animation Archive's $100,000.00 animation drawing course. It seems to pretty straight forward and you can post your progress on your blog to have feedback.

I'm always doodling but have always wanted to be able to draw at least decently. So I'm going to give this a try and will update the progress.

Its Cheney's World We Just Live In It... Pt. I

Here is another story that makes little sense. We are selling 20,000,000,000.00 Dollars worth of advanced weapons to countries all over the Middle East.

Who makes these deals?!?

Well here are some bits from the McClatchy Story.

...it would include selling Saudi Arabia advanced weapons known as Joint Direct Attack Munitions, or JDAMs. JDAMs convert simple gravity bombs into accurate "smart" weapons.

Israel protested the proposed sale when word of it first leaked in April.

SO...

Israel has asked for access to the Air Force's most advanced fighter jet, the F-22 Raptor, and its stealth technology, which makes the aircraft more difficult to see on radar.

...

The weapons sales, however, are almost certain to be criticized by democracy and human rights advocates.

Dear Mr. Cheney, please count me in as a critizee, who doesn't like what he sees.

Constant H/T to the McClatchy Gang. When do you guys bring a newspaper into San Antonio?

On Iraq... The Contractors

Military officials estimate that 125,000 contractors are working in the country, nearly the number of American troops. The figures on those who carry guns vary widely, depending on the source, but seem to settle on about 20,000. As of June 30, government figures show, 1,001 contractors had died in Iraq since the start of the war.

This I Want To Go To...

A reminder for you all:

The San Antonio chapter of Drinking Liberally will gather at The Cove, 606 W. Cypress, starting around 6 pm on Thursday, August 9. The Cove is located just west of San Pedro, where Cypress runs into Fredericksburg.

Thanks to Bill Livermore for the reminder.

What is Drinking Liberally you ask... its the only way I drink.

This I Want To Go To...

Balcones Heights Jazz Festival
THE AMPHITHEATRE AT CROSSROADS MALL
4522 Fredericksburg Road
This Friday August 3rd @ 7:00pm
Opening Act: Henry Brun & The Latin Playerz
Headliner: Warren Hill
FOR MORE INFORMATION: (210) 732-0055

Do You Know The Joke About The Village In Texas Missing Its Idiot?

Well that village is not San Antonio, Texas. This is home to business man John Hagee of Cornerstone Something or Other, he calls it a church to screw America its share of taxes. Sadly this stain of a man has a huge audience who fund his Tom Cruise level crazy beliefs.
Oh, and whoever signed me up to Hagee's trash newsletter, two things: 1 - Funny; 2 - Scary.
So without further Delay, here is Max "ChickeHawk Slayer" Blumenthal again:

...in case you were wondering the idiot is not actually missing, some say he got elected to high public office.

Study: Iraqis May Experience Sadness When Friends, Relatives Die

I like The Onion, it is consistently funny. But this piece is BRUTAL.

Some of the ouch:

Iraqis have often been observed weeping and wailing in apparent anguish, but the study offers evidence indicating this may not be exclusively an outward expression of anger or a desire for revenge. It also provocatively suggests that this grief can possess an American-like personal quality, and is not simply a tribal lamentation ritual.

...and

"We are, in truth, still a long way from determining if Iraqis are exhibiting actual, U.S.-grade sadness," Mayo Clinic neuropsychologist Norman Blum said. "At present, we see no reason for the popular press to report on Iraqi emotions as if they are real."

...it feels like even the clowns are disgusted with us and they can barely conceal their contempt.

Why are we in Iraq?

Generation Chickenhawk: With The College Republicans

This is an instant classic. Maximum H/T to Max Blumenthal.

Chertoffs Intestines Overworked Due to Malfunctioning Brain

I think the "gut" statement from our Homeland Security Knight nails the level of excellence in the Presidents Appointments. With Michael Chertoff and Judge John D. Bates as this weeks proof that Mr. Bush is dangerously incompetent.

(h/t to the AnimationArchive for the pic)

Who is Jonh D. Bates? Son he is a bad man...

and he uses his power to corrupt our country, he hurts our country.

Judge Jonh D. Bates is a bad judge. I question his judging.

See here.

Live Blogging the Filibuster

It is so telling how Lieberman always has to qualify his statements by saying "...and these are not the (Bush/Cheney)administrations numbers..."
Lieberman Loves War. Ok, thats not fair. Lieberman Loves THIS War... then why does he look so down? so droopy?

FILIBUSTER!!! finally

Today I called Senator Harry Reid's Washington office, but his lines were jammed. Could not get thru. So all I had left was to call my Texas Senators, their staff picked up pretty quickly at both their San Antonio and Washington offices.

I had two concerns I wanted passed on to my Senators:

1-Vote yes on Senate Amendment 2022 (SB 2022) of H.R. 1585. This is the Habeas Corpus Restoration Act of 2007.

2-Please start speaking more about the war. I encouraged my senators to stop ending debate and go thru with what they are really doing, which is filibustering.

Its definitely what my two republican senators have been told to do, which is to stop legislation from getting thru the senate, any legislation. I dont think they actually wanted to filibuster the old fashioned way, but they made the bed.

Sadly I've become convinced that Cornyn and Hutchison never had any say in their votes involving the war. They were ruberstamps for the worst president ever. They cant take back their votes and now they don't have the guts to stand up to Cheney. Disappointing to see these two loyal Bushies not giving a damn about the damage done in our standing as a beacon of democracy, of human rights, of freedom.

I'm A Loaner

I'm happy to have a positive update on the Kiva Microloans (see ad to the right). I've opted to help two businesses, one in Uruguay and one in Nigeria. Both have made their first repayment on time and they paid more than the minimum. I've been waiting to see how it worked before lending more money, so this is definitely a good sign. I have to say that it is very fulfilling to know that these very small businesses have been able to get a hand up from a growing community that has a bit of extra money. Also these poor entrepreneurs do not have to go thru their nations bank, who would not lend them the money anyway, or thru their friendly neighborhood loan shark, who would have to pre-break their kneecaps.

Osvaldo Romo and me. By O. Torres

The following was written by Osvaldo Torres, my father by any definition of the word least of all that he is married to my mother (I was the luckiest kid with 2 moms and 2 dads). He has been an integral part of my life, made better by his proximity. I can say that a large part of the passion I feel to politics and justice are due to the words I heard from him in my childhood. I cannot pretend to understand what it may have been like for him and my mother to have an entity, a tyranny, that calls itself your government steal you and torture you.

Osvaldo Romo was the human vise that Pinochet used to brake the people of Chile. Here Osvaldo Torres remembers the now dead Osvaldo Romo, the primate that took his fellow Chileans and tortured them. Below is the link to the complete article and an attempt by me to translate the first 2 paragraphs.

Osvaldo Romo interrumpió en mi vida apuntándome con una metralleta AKA, la madrugada del 30 de enero de 1975. Sin orden de detención un comando de la DINA me arrestó junto a mi compañera Nubia Becker, mi amigo y dirigente socialista Eduardo Charme y Marcela Bravo. Dejaron aterrados a los dueños de casa y al hijo de Nubia, Hernán A. Jaramillo de sólo 4 años.

En Villa Grimaldi Romo se hizo cargo personalmente de torturarme junto a Krasnoff, el Teniente Pablo, el Troglo y toda esa fauna de funcionarios del Estado que cumplían con sus obligaciones. No fui el único, ni el más torturado por esos equipos; tuve la suerte de salir vivo.

Osvaldo Romo burst in into my life pointing an AKA machine gun, the dawn of the 30th of January of 1975. Without a detention order a commando of the DINA arrested me, my compañera Nubia Becker, my friend and socialist Eduardo Charme, and Marcela Bravo. They left terrified the owners of the house and the son of Nubia, Hernán A. Jaramillo of only 4 years.

In Villa Grimaldi Romo made sure to personally torture me next to Krasnoff, the Lieutenant Pablo, Troglo and all the fauna of civil employees of the State who only performed their duties. I was not the only one, nor the most tortured by that team; I had the luck to leave alive.

I do not like to think of people that I love having gone through such unfathomable terror. I do know that I am shamed by our potential for such inhumanity. That shame and the knowledge that torture lives is part of what drives me to get involved in, and keep an eye on our government that is still supposed to be ruled by us the people.

Additional reading here, and here.

A Repetitive Voice Can Sound Like a Chorus

I think this study sheds light into why so many of us believe in all kinds of unbelievable/unproven stuff. From Saddam working with the 9/11 terrorists, to supernatural beings who spend their whole day keeping an eye on our behavior.
In a nutshell it makes the point that humans will confuse the repetition of an idea, no matter its basis in reality, as a widely held belief which gives it credence. Even if the repetition comes from only one source. Now that is pretty powerful if you think about it. Read the study here:

The present studies test these hypotheses and provide the first evidence that repetition of the same opinion gives rise to the impression that the opinion is widely shared, even if all the repetitions come from the same single communicator.

So remember: Dune Messiah is the best blog.
Dune Messiah is the best blog.
Dune Messiah is the best blog.
Dune Messiah is the best blog.
Dune Messiah is the best blog.

H/T to Ian Welsh

Deeper Moats Make Better Neighbors

Yes our grand experiment in Irag now requires that MOATS be built to protect the citizens. F'ing MOATS!!! Freedom is on the march alright.
I wonder if Cheney's Halliburton has a moat division? Blackwater can provide the sharks with laser beams attached to their heads.
Go read it for yourself at the McClatchy Newspapers website.

On Ron Paul... again.

I've been meaning to post these pics I took at the Obama thingy. What was up with these Ron Paul supporters trolling Obama's stop in San Antonio? I did not get the significance of the masks, and I'm not going to watch V for Vendetta to find out either. Oh don't forget the real Mr. Paul.

July Fourth Celebration at Woodlawn Lake

July Fourth Celebration at Woodlawn Lake, 1103 Cincinnati. Parade lineup begins at 10 a.m. starts at 11 a.m. followed by entertainment in the park and fireworks at 9 p.m. No alcoholic beverages allowed. Free admission. Sponsored by the San Antonio Parks Foundation and the Parks and Recreation Department. 212-8423.
Update: San Antonio is officially a rain forest. The rain does not stop.