Single What? Female...

SHOWDOWN AVERTED...

Somewhat. 7 Democrats and 7 Republicans reached a compromise yesterday. Democrats agreed not to filibuster except in an extreme case (such as with most of Bush's nominees) and the Republicans agreed not to change the filibuster rules. Ted Kennedy and Bill Frist did not sign off on this bill, but basically we do not have a Senate shut down on our hands (yet...until the Dems decided to filibuster and Bill Frist starts to throw things at them)

And can I just add this line from Harry Reid as, after seeing Revenge of the Sith last night, I find it appropriate:

Clearly euphoric and relieved, Mr. Reid said a message had been sent that "abuse of power will not be tolerated, and attempts to trample the Constitution and grab absolute control are over."


IN THE MEANTIME...Further proof that we are pissing the world off...

Syria has decided not help the CIA and the US military after "unjust American allegations" were made in connection with the Iraq insurgency. Hence this terribly appropriate cartoon sent to me by my friend Lara...

And speaking of countries wanting to cut ties with us...Venezuela is also "reviewing" their ties with the US as our administration is holding a Cuban-exile named Luis Posada Carriles who has declared he was not involved with a terrorist bombing in 1976. He escaped at Venezuelan prison in 1985 and was aquitted of charges twice in Venezuela. The Venezuelan government would still like to have him extradited for trial. The administration is refusing (what else is new) thinking that the Venezuelans are going to send him back to Cuba and Castro, though apparently Castro has said that the trial can happen in Venezuela, hence it has all left Hugo Chavez to say: "It is difficult, very difficult, to maintain ties with a government that so shamelessly hides and protects international terrorism,".

And speaking of the administration hiding things...The family of Pat Tillman, the former football player turned solider who was killed by friendly fire, is speaking out against the Army, saying that their investigation of his death "was a sham" and "that Army efforts to cover up the truth have made it harder for them to deal with their loss."

And speaking of things you may not be hearing about (cause everybody's been so caught up with the filibuster)...The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (not the regular committee on intelligence.. who must not be intelligent enough...) is debating today legislation for The Patriot Act; in particular legislation from Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas (not Rev. Pat Roberts, but both are prone to bouts of crazy) which "would allow the FBI to subpoena records in intelligence probes without the approval of a judge or grand jury and would make it easier for the bureau to get copies of mail..." Sen. Roberts, have you not read 1984 or anything about J. Edgar Hoover? I think not (and undoubtedly he has cursed the book What's the Matter With Kansas without having read it...but perhaps that's just me...and obviously he has not seen any of the Star Wars movies [stepping off geek box now])

And in the "things George really doesn't want to hear category"...with all the violence going on in Iraq and there still being Sunni and Shiite issues over there, there is potential for Civil War (ya think?!?!)

AND North Korea, despite murmurs that they may want to head back to the nuclear bargaining table, has said that they do not have qualms about the pre-emptive attack idea...with nuclear weapons...looooovely...

At least when not looking at the paper we can go check out something positive on CSPAN (if the broadcast it): Bill Moyers will be speaking at the capitol this afternoon between 4p-5p

so after all this we really could use a chuckle. I suggest these items:

1) the Miss Beazely game - watch that cute Bush pooch leave a bloody mess on the White House lawn...

2) Wonkette

3) this line from Rick Santorum from the New York Times Sunday magazine (the cover photo is frighteningly saccharine by the way):New York Times: "When I asked [Rick Santorum] if he viewed gay marriage as a threat to his own marriage, he answered quickly. 'Yes, absolutely,' he said. 'It threatens my marriage. It threatens all marriages.'" Dude, have you talked to your wife about this?

And while Rick tries to hide his marriage from those crazy gays who threaten it, KEEP E-MAILING!!! E-mail, call, write, fax your friends and family, the press and your Congressfolk and let them know that you are PAYING ATTENTION!!! And perhaps send a note to Rick about how his marriage appears to be holding up okay despite the fact that 6,000 couples have wed in Massachusetts since last year. And as always, pass it on, pass it on, pass it on!

Peace --Alex

posted by funkweee @ 8:00 AM