Uncategorized

Can You Hit the Damn Notes in Spanish?

ArchPundit April 28, 2006 7 Comments

Let’s see Muslims decry cartoons depicting their Prophet,

Immigration loons decry a Patriotic song being sung in Spanish.

The difference?

Actually—depicting Muhammed does violate religious tenets and is probably in poor taste though Freedom of Speech includes the right to say things in poor taste.

Demonstrating your patriotism in any language seems strangely patriotic.

Would we be having this discussion were the Anthem sung in Polish or Italian? I don’t think so.

Quote of the article:

“It should be sung in English. It’s an American song. I think it represents America,” said Debbie Rand.

Origin of English…nevermind…

How Do You Get the GOP Jim Jones Wing To Follow

ArchPundit April 28, 2006 No Comments

Someone who is trying to win over the swing voters in Illinois?

Jim did a fine job asking Topinka what she thought of the President even if she never answered the questions. The base of the Republican Party thinks clapping louder will make George Bush more popular and magically make him and his merry band of incompetents seem like they have some clue how to run a country. Judy has the problem of being in a state where Bush’s popularity is in Keyes’ land, with Republicans at a distinct disadvantage, and a base that won’t tolerate anything but praise for Dear Leader even if he leads them to the apocalypse–strike that–especially if he leads them to the apocalypse.

It’s perhaps ironic given the Blagojevich’s administrations string of bad audits that make it look a lot like the Bush admininstration. Can’t find CMS savings? Insist they are there.

That said, while the initial reaction to Holland’s first round was to Bushlike attack the messenger, Blagojevich backed down and showed some decent sense if not much better operation of CMS.

The obvious parallel is there to make between Blagojevich and Bush on management—but the problem is she can’t make it or her base will declare her an unperson.

Look at today’s news. Madigan’s grand jury called in Doug Scott. Karl Rove was called to the Grand Jury by Fitzgerald. If you start to rail about how Fitzgerald is going to get Rod, you get asked questions about Karl. Is Fitzgerald a grand inquisitor in one case and a sharp eyed prosecutor in the other? (and yes, I do understand the Fitzgerald is not involved in the Madigan Grand Jury)

If anything, Judy’s problem may be that she’s just not audacious enough to ignore the contradictions and go Bush-like in to attack mode ignoring the obvious questions.

Gianoulis Deathwatch Day 1

ArchPundit April 27, 2006 4 Comments

The title isn’t one wishing death on anyone, but is taken from Slate that often runs Deathwatches for doomed political candidates and officials.

Alexi is screwed and while his strategy in dealing with the issue is much better, the ball started rolling in the primary and it won’t be stopped now as the Trib clearly is working on a trickle of stories that just build on each other.

At this point he looks clueless or dishonest. I’m leaning towards clueless, but also Radogno.

As Low As Keyes

ArchPundit April 27, 2006 2 Comments

I’d say this is more than a bit of an overstatement for the Illinois Circular Firing Squad Team is in rare form as Biver suggests that Topinka might do worse than Keyes.

The column has a big error in that Axelrod’s firm AKP isn’t working for Blagojevich. Squier, Knapp & Dunn Communications is the ad firm doing Blagojevich’s ads–and so far they are pretty good. In fact, the first one during hte primary where he gave the line about being a little bit older and wiser reminded me of an Axelrod type of ad in its simplicity.

Amongst uber GOP conservative activists this race appears to be more about payback than anything else. The constant two front attacks Judy is facing has to be a nightmare though.

IFI Needs Thousands of Insurance Signatures

ArchPundit April 27, 2006 1 Comment

Because Rick Garcia is going to challenge the signatures according to Zorn

While the IFI insists they aren’t having problems, it’s pretty clear they are.

Anyone who had a clue knew the petitions would be challenged by gay rights and liberal groups. Then again, those with a clue pretty much excludes the merry band of obsessed homophobes at IFI. If they lose, Jack Roeser loses another one this year. Heh.

But what people really need to understand is this is an advisory opinion to make gay marriage not just illegal–which it already is, but really, really, illegal. IOW, it’s pointless.

Watergate II

ArchPundit April 27, 2006 No Comments

Congress. Prostitution. Bribery. War Profiteering. Blog Gods Very, Very Happy.

Besides scrutinizing the prostitution scheme for evidence that might implicate contractor Brent Wilkes, investigators are focusing on whether any other members of Congress, or their staffs, may also have used the same free services, though it isn’t clear whether investigators have turned up anything to implicate others.

Hacktacular

ArchPundit April 27, 2006 No Comments

Bobby Rush votes against net neutrality. And so does Shimkus, but we expect hackery from the Republican side of the aisle on telecom issues.

Schakowsky voted for net neutrality so send her your thanks and contact your other representatives.

Transcript and Video of the MSNBC Fitzgerald Piece

ArchPundit April 21, 2006 2 Comments

Transcript of relevant portion over at Austin Mayor’s place

Video at Crooks and Liars (thank goodness for them—I’m not very good at this video editing thing)

As Rich pointed out that Fitzgerald’s previous use of language doesn’t necessarily mean the current usage will result in the same outcome. Most importantly, when conducting an investigation, one might have a theory about where it will lead, but as the situation is investigated, that theory may change.

In Blagojevich’s case, I doubt the federal probe(s?) would lead to much before the election. Unless someone like Levine flipped and served the Governor up directly, these cases take a long time.

That said, the Madigan’s grand jury’s 18 months is up this summer and if any indictments come out of that–they are by definition very high up.

What irony that would be–Republicans praising a Madigan.

Rich links to a very good article on political and legal insulation and how the Ryan verdict may dramatically change that concept.

My view is that Levine is an issue for people who read blogs–IOW, the hyper aware, but to make it more than a draw with Topinka on the issue, indictments would essentially need to be just one step removed from Blagojevich in his administration–not just a supporter who got an appointment.

Video of Countdown Tonight?

ArchPundit April 20, 2006 3 Comments

Anyone have video they can send me of the Rove-Fitzgerald piece? I think I record the late version, but it would be nice to not have to edit it at midnight.

My understanding of the piece is that it should please everyone in Illinois because it states that when someone is labeled Public Official A by Fitzgerald, they end up indicted.

For Democrats, that means Rove is likely to be indicted.

For Republicans, The Governor.

Fight it out in comments.

Who Says It Isn’t Funny

ArchPundit April 20, 2006 No Comments

From the Onion on Ryan being convicted.

?It?s a sad day in this country when an Illinois politician can?t get away with a little racketeering and fraud anymore.?

The previous question produced the best line I’ve seen this week about Rumsfeld

“It’s unfair. You don’t go to war with the Secretary of Defense you want, you go to war the Secretary of Defense you have.”