On Homework... The Preamble

Here you go Sonny Boy... I hope it helps you remember the Preamble of the Constitution.

On Schools... They Fix The Budget With A Tax On The Poor

I don't know but I think the poor in this school district will definitely feel these large fees. How is this different from a huge tax hike.

On Abortion... New Study

ABORTION DECLINES WORLDWIDE,
FALLS MOST WHERE ABORTION IS BROADLY LEGAL

Eastern Europe Sees Most Significant Decline,
First Global Review Since 1995 Shows

Unsafe Abortion Remains a Major Global Health Challenge

H/T to Cristina and the Guttmacher Institute.

Speaker Pelosi on Childrens Health Insurance

Speaker Nancy Pelosi:
“I’m reminded of the Bible tonight, and I speak with all of the sincerity and all of the hope to President Bush in the hope that he will change his mind. To dig deeply into his heart and think about the children in America who don’t have healthcare. Because if not, I think that the President is giving new meaning to the words, ’suffer, little children.’ Suffer, little children, if your parents can’t afford health insurance. But they’re working hard and they’re not on Medicaid, but you will suffer because they’re struggling to give you the best possible future. Suffer, little children if your family has played by the rules and they’ve come to this country and you are here as a legal immigrant, because if you are sick, you will not get healthcare unless your parents can afford private insurance. Suffer, little children if you are sick, because you haven’t had the proper nutrition, the proper prevention, the proper early intervention to your affliction, and you should go directly to the emergency room. But until you can get into that emergency room with enough of a serious illness, you will suffer. That’s just not right.”

Override The Veto on SCHIP

Here are a few reasons to stand up to the bad decisioner...

Newspapers Across the Country Call for Override of President’s Veto of Bipartisan Children’s Health Insurance Bill
October 5th, 2007 by Office of the Speaker
“Misleading Spin on Children’s Health”
New York Times - October 5, 2007

“Trying to justify his ideologically driven veto of a bill to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, President Bush and his staff have fired a barrage of misinformation about this valuable program. Before the House votes on whether to override the veto, all members — especially those from Mr. Bush’s party who say they are concerned about millions of uninsured children — must look behind the rhetoric…Mr. Bush’s primary rationales for his veto tend to disintegrate when examined closely…Like so many other things that Mr. Bush has gotten disastrously wrong, he’d already made up his mind and had no interest in listening to others’ arguments. Now it is up to Congress to show Mr. Bush that such blind partisanship will not be rewarded. For the sake of America’s children, lawmakers must override the veto.”

“In America, it’s a sad day for children’s health care”
San Antonio Express-News - October 5, 2007

“Despite repeated calls from both parties, President Bush on Wednesday chose to use the fourth veto of his presidency to spike a proposed expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. It’s a bad move that leaves millions of kids without insurance and promotes a penny-wise and pound-foolish fiscal approach…This is no left-of-center proposal. Significant numbers of Republicans backed the bill, and a broad range of organizations support it — the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Healthcare Leadership, which represents insurers, hospitals, pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies…This veto is bad public policy. The Democrats and Republicans who supported an expansion of the program should keep working on this one.”

“Reverse Bush’s veto on SCHIP”
Denver Post - October 5, 2007

“The U.S. House of Representatives should vote to override President Bush’s veto of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as SCHIP, when it takes up the issue Oct. 18. We urge all members of Colorado’s congressional delegation, which has so far divided along party lines on SCHIP, to vote to override this misguided veto. A bill ensuring that poor American children have access to basic health care is not a proper venue for political games.”

“This president’s veto deserves an override”
Seattle Times - October 5, 2007

“The bipartisan spirit that created the children’s health insurance program a decade ago ought to be rekindled to override a presidential veto of an expansion…The States Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is universally supported for providing health coverage for children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private health insurance….Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle get this. Why Bush doesn’t is a question raised by prominent Republicans such as Sens. Orrin Hatch of Utah, Charles Grassley of Iowa and Pat Roberts of Kansas…An override vote is set for Oct. 18. Between now and then, Republican holdouts ought to ask themselves if they really want to follow Bush off the cliff on this one.”

“Foes of health-care bill let down the children”
Kansas City Star - October 5, 2007

“U.S. Rep. Sam Graves has turned to red herrings and scare tactics to justify his callousness toward ill children whose families cannot afford to take them to a doctor. The Missouri 6th District Republican went against most public opinion and the majority of Congress when he voted to deny medical coverage to low-income children through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program…Cheers for lawmakers who will vote to override in the face of unreasonable opposition from the president and some in his party.”

“Switching sides: Cannon, Bishop should change votes on CHIP”
Salt Lake Tribune - October 5, 2007

“It’s a rare moment when the individual votes of Utah’s congressional representatives can make a decisive difference for people who are in need. The upcoming vote to override President Bush’s veto of a bipartisan bill to expand the Children’s Health Insurance Program is one of those rare opportunities. So far, the majority of our congressional delegation has been on the wrong side, the president’s side, of this issue. But they have a chance to redeem themselves, to stand up and tell The Decider he decided wrong, and they should grab it. Their first responsibility is to Utah’s children, not to a lame-duck president who rarely gets it right.”

“Override veto: Expand kids’ health insurance”
Des Moines Register - October 5, 2007

“Bush simply didn’t want to compromise on this issue. And he doesn’t have to. At this point in his presidency, he has little to lose. His approval ratings are low, and he’s not running for re-election. However, members of Congress will face the voters again. Any members who don’t vote to override the veto should be held accountable by voters in the next election…The vast majority of Americans support providing health care to this country’s children. Congress should reflect that sentiment. Those who fail to represent the interests of the people have no place in Washington - and no business using the taxpayer-funded plans that members of Congress enjoy.”

“A bad veto on children’s insurance”
Minneapolis Star-Tribune - October 5, 2007

“Children’s advocates staged a vigil at the office of Rep. Michele Bachmann Wednesday night, urging her to defy President Bush in the big showdown that developed this week over children’s health insurance. We don’t always applaud political theater, but in this case the advocates are right. The number of uninsured children in the United States is a national disgrace, and the bill that Congress produced last week was a sensible, cost-effective answer. Bachmann and Rep. John Kline, the only no votes in the Minnesota delegation, should switch sides and support a veto override… The larger puzzle in this debate is why every other advanced nation can give its children health insurance while spending far less than Americans do. SCHIP has been a practical, effective step toward solving that puzzle, and it deserves better than a presidential veto.”

“Let’s cover the children”
Boston Globe - October 5, 2007

“No one can accuse Utah Senator Orrin Hatch of being an exponent of big government, but he realizes that the children’s health insurance program he co-sponsored in 1997 needs to be expanded. Because of Republicans like him, the bill that would cover an additional 3.8 million youngsters has enough support in the Senate to override President Bush’s indefensible veto. With a push by the bill’s coalition of backers, it will also get the 15 to 20 votes needed to override the veto in the House…If the House fails to override the veto, Speaker Nancy Pelosi plans to send the bill through again. But the first override vote isn’t until Oct. 18, plenty of time for the American Medical Association, the American Cancer Society, the association of America’s Health Insurance Plans, and all the other groups supporting S-Chip to persuade 15 to 20 representatives to join the 265 who have already voted for the bill. As Hatch said this week, it’s ‘the morally right thing to do.’”

“Abandon Bush on SCHIP veto”
Olympian (Washington State) - October 5, 2007

“Congress should move swiftly to override President Bush’s veto of a bill to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)…SCHIP has been a success. It provides medical coverage for more than 6.6 million youngsters, helping to reduce by one-third the number of low-income children lacking health coverage…The bill approved in the House and Senate would have covered another 3.8 million children by 2012 by boosting SCHIP funding $35 billion over the next five years…But Bush said “no.” He offered instead to boost funding by $5 billion over five years, an increase that the Congressional Budget Office said is only 36 percent of what’s needed to maintain current program levels. What Republican Congressman in his or her right mind would want to see Bush prevail on this issue?”

“Bush errs with veto”
Bradenton Herald (Fla.) - October 5, 2007

“It’s unfortunate that Bush played politics with children’s health, primarily children from low-income families that can ill-afford coverage…The political fallout of the veto will be heavy.”

“A veto to overturn”
Roanoke Times - October 5, 2007

“President Bush this week wielded his veto power for only the fourth time in his presidency — to deny health care coverage to almost 4 million uninsured children. Now he wants to talk compromise with the bill’s backers. There should be no compromise. The expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program is good legislation that passed both houses of Congress with strong bipartisan support.”

“Torpedoed SCHIP”
Savannah Morning News (Ga.) - October 5, 2007

“Adequate medical insurance for the nation’s children is an investment in a healthy populace that will pay dividends in improved educational outcomes and greater productivity in the long-term. Too bad that President Bush doesn’t understand. His veto Wednesday of a bipartisan bill that would have improved the lives of an estimated 10 million children and their families was a bad decision. Pray that Congress overrides it.”

“President’s rhetoric doesn’t justify veto on bill”
Ashville Citizen-Times (NC) - October 5, 2007

“The reasons President Bush gave for vetoing a bill that would expand a popular health insurance program for low-income children exaggerated the program’s reach and were disingenuous at best, given the administration’s own poor record regarding fiscal responsibility…When considering the facts, as opposed to the president’s misleading rhetoric, it’s hard to justify not backing a bill that helps low-income children grow into healthy adults.”

“Override the veto: SCHIP program isn’t perfect, but it does work”
Patriot News (Penn.) - October 5, 2007

“One thing you can say about SCHIP is that it works. It isn’t perfect, but the good it does far outweighs the negatives. We urge Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation to speak with one voice and help override the president’s veto.

H/T to Speaker of The House Nancy Pelosi, and check out her blog at The Gavel.

Nobel Peace

Daddy... What's Wrong With The Elephant?

Sonny boy, dont get scared. Its just that the elephant has a wide stance. They created the elephant sodomizing the 2008 in honor of Senator Larry Craig since they will be holding the convention in his state. They only treat him like he was not a human being because they know their base is very very intolerant. But you see sonny boy, in the pit of their heart they love him. That's why they created a logo that was so perfecly portrayed the Senators Wide Stance. You may also notice that the elephant also appears partially decapitated, that is just another allusion to Mr. Craigs loosing all of his committe assignments for a misdemeanor. In a nutshell its just a hidden message from his Family Values friends.

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?