Confidential House ethics probe gets out

They would love to sweep this under the rug. That is why the report accidentally got out. This was not the press exposing corruption. Capitol Hill is a cesspool.

in reference to:

"A confidential weekly report of the House ethics committee found its way to an Internet site in a case of "cyber-hacking," the committee's chairwoman said Thursday.

The report from last July contains a summary of the committee's work at the time, but Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., the panel's chairwoman, said no inferences should be made about anyone whose name is mentioned.

The committee makes a public announcement when it begins an investigation of potential rule-breaking, which is conducted by an investigative subcommittee whose members also are made public."
- Confidential House ethics probe gets out - Washington Times (view on Google Sidewiki)

Texas law on children seeing porn being challenged

And I thought Texas was a pro-family conservative state. This sounds like the type of issue that comes in liberal places like NY and San Francisco. Showing porn to kids is child abuse.

in reference to:

"Texas law on children seeing porn being challenged"
- Texas law on children seeing porn being challenged - Yahoo! News (view on Google Sidewiki)

Reports: Cyberattacks traced to NKorea

Guess where they learned their hacking skills? China.

in reference to:

"The North Korean government was the source of high-profile cyberattacks in July that caused Web outages in South Korea and the United States, news reports said Friday. The IP address—the Web equivalent of a street address or phone number—that triggered the Web attacks was traced back to North Korea's Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, the chief of South Korean's main spy agency reportedly told lawmakers."
- Reports: Cyberattacks traced to NKorea (view on Google Sidewiki)

US admiral concerned about China military buildup

He's probably the only one concerned. Because there is little concern shown by the government. China is a ever growing threat to America. And just like with Japan just prior to Pearl Harbor, we will wake up too late.

in reference to:

"A U.S. Navy admiral expressed new concern Friday over China's military buildup and urged Beijing to be clearer about its intentions.With China's military growing at an "unprecedented rate" — spending was up almost 15 percent in the 2009 budget — the U.S. wants to ensure that expansion doesn't destabilize the region, Rear Adm. Kevin Donegan told reporters on a visit to the Chinese territory of Hong Kong."When we see a military growing at that rate, we're interested in transparency and the understanding of the uses of that military," said Donegan, commander of the USS George Washington aircraft carrier strike group, a key part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.Donegan's comments come as a top Chinese general visits the United States on a mission to strengthen trust between the two militaries and dispel U.S. concerns about the growth of the People's Liberation Army."
- Newsvine - US admiral concerned about China military buildup (view on Google Sidewiki)

Larry David Urinates on Pic of Jesus in "Curb Your Enthusiasm"

Typical Hollywood vulgarity. What if the picture was of a Menorah? Where would've been outrage and denunciations; screams of anti-semitism.

in reference to:

"Here's a story that makes you realize what "multi-cultural" really means! Hey, no peeing on a picture of Moses or Rabbi Hillel, but there is this other Jewish fella that you're allowed to mock to what end? 
I don't know the end, or, perhaps, I don't understand the end. This stuff forever baffles me, man of explanations. Not that this cannot be explained. I mean the explanation is obvious. The problem is the disappointment I feel about human nature and its capacity to make exceptions for its own glaring weakness and vices, viewed narcissisticly as "virtues" of "outspokenness"!
Here, Larry David expresses his real feelings of contempt for Christianity, even if the US, founded by Christians, has proven itself to be the safest country in the world for Jews to live in for the last two centuries, and while the US continues to be the country to safeguard, many would even say "indulge", Israel."
- Larry David Urinates on Pic of Jesus in "Curb Your Enthusiasm" | NowPublic News Coverage (view on Google Sidewiki)

NY Judge Mulls Bid To Drop LIRR Scandal Charges

This smells bad. Sounds like a corrupt system all the way around.

in reference to:

"A New York judge is considering a request to drop criminal charges against a longtime Long Island Rail Road employee linked to a disability pension scandal.

Nassau County Judge John Kase heard arguments Wednesday from defense attorneys seeking to dismiss a 49-count indictment against Fred Kreuder.

He was charged last year with official misconduct. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office says that while on duty, Kreuder was advising co-workers on the proper way to file disability forms after they retire.

His arrest followed revelations that virtually every LIRR employee who applies is granted disability pension benefits from a federal railroad agency."
- NY Judge Mulls Bid To Drop LIRR Scandal Charges - wcbstv.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Calif. Lobbyists Targeted In Sex-Tape Scandal

Another "pro-family" rightist caught in a sex scandal. It seems to be a growth industry, That's probably why Republicans spend all their time attacking Barack Obama - when their not busy being corrupt.

in reference to:

"A good-government group filed a complaint Wednesday with California's campaign watchdog agency asking it to investigate two lobbyists caught up in an apparent sex scandal involving a former state assemblyman.

Common Cause's complaint with the state Fair Political Practices Commission alleges the two women broke state lobbying laws by engaging in an inappropriate relationship with Republican Assemblyman Mike Duvall, who resigned last month.

Duvall was caught on videotape during a break in a committee hearing this summer boasting -- in explicit detail -- about sexual escapades with two lobbyists.

The 54-year-old married father of two had been hailed as a champion of family values by a conservative group that tracks lawmakers' votes on social issues."
- California Lobbyists Targeted In Sex-Tape Scandal - cbs2.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Video: Sam Tsui Performs Michael Jackson - A Tribute

This guy is very talented and creative. This is art that we need more of on youtube.

Video: 'Traitor Joe' Lieberman Exposed by Rachel Maddow

See the video and judge for yourself whether Lieberman is a weasel. Bought and paid for by the health care industry:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Economy Zooms to 3.5% Rate in 3rd Quarter

This is good news. But is it enough? Economic growth, as measured by GDP, is the most important economic statistic for a nation. But it doesn't measure everything. And it doesn't tell you how it was achieved. Growth achieved by creating massive debt is no way to make an economy grow. Nor is done by allowing Wall St. to create a bubble that eventually bursts.

in reference to:

"The economy grew at a 3.5 percent pace in the third quarter, the best showing in two years, fueled by government-supported spending on cars and homes.

The Commerce Department's report Thursday delivered the strongest signal yet that the economy entered a new, though fragile, phase of recovery and that the worst recession since the 1930s has ended.

Many analysts expect the pace of the budding recovery to be plodding due to rising unemployment and continuing difficulties by both consumers and businesses to secure loans.

"We're beginning to crawl out a very deep hole," said economist Ken Mayland, president of ClearView Economics. "It will take time to get back to normal again and there are questions about how consumers will hold up in the months ahead. But I think the recovery will be sustained."

The much-awaited turnaround ended the streak of four straight quarters of contracting economic activity, the first time that's happened on records dating to 1947."
- Economy Zooms to 3.5% Rate in 3rd Quarter - CBS News (view on Google Sidewiki)

Many girls 'damaged' by their mum's dieting

Another argument for healthy eating and plenty of exercise.

in reference to:

"Girls whose mothers are on a diet are almost twice as likely to have an eating
disorder, a poll of more than 500 teenagers found today.

Many girls say their mother has the biggest influence on their own self-image
and they feel damaged by the effects of their mum's dieting and views on
food."
- Many girls 'damaged' by their mum's dieting - Health News, Health & Families - The Independent (view on Google Sidewiki)

Iowa Republicans wince at Sarah Palin's $100K speaking fee

Sarah is cashing in on her celebrity. It's why she left Alaska.

in reference to:

"A conservative Iowa group’s effort to lure Sarah Palin to its banquet next month has had an unintended effect: Rather than exciting conservatives about the prospect of a visit from the former Alaska governor, the group’s plan to raise a six-figure sum to bring her to the state has GOP activists recoiling at the thought of paying to land a politician's speaking appearance.

The Iowa Family Policy Center’s effort to cobble together $100,000 for Palin would represent a striking departure from customary practice in the first-in-the-nation state, these Republicans say, noting that a generation of White House hopefuls has paid their own way to boost their party and presidential ambitions.
Were Palin to appear in Iowa on November 21st, it would mark her first trip back to the state since she spoke to a handful of rallies there last fall as the GOP’s vice-presidential nominee. She would offer powerful counter-programming to another major political event that night: The Iowa Democratic Party’s Jefferson-Jackson Dinner with Vice-President Joe Biden as the headliner.

But representatives from other Iowa-based political advocacy groups said they would never consider shelling out money for what many politicians see as a privilege: the opportunity to speak to a room full of sure-fire caucus-goers who often serve as precinct captains and can be instrumental to a presidential candidate’s success."
- Iowa Republicans wince at Sarah Palin's $100K speaking fee - Jonathan Martin - POLITICO.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

iPhone rival Droid set for US launch

I'll stick to my Blackberry.

in reference to:

"Verizon Wireless will start selling its answer to the iPhone - the Droid - for
$200 (£121) in the US next week as the company taps into the growing
appetite for smart phones that go far beyond making calls.

The Droid could help Verizon retain its status as the nation's largest
wireless carrier and contribute to a turnaround of its manufacturer,
Motorola, which hasn't produced a hit since the wildly popular Razr phone in
2005.

The new device also could give a boost to Google, which used the Droid to
unveil new mapping software that could challenge standalone navigational
devices, sending GPS gadget maker Garmin's stock plunging.

Verizon revealed details Wednesday after intensely advertising the device in
recent weeks. Verizon has been pointing out the features Apple's iPhone
lacks, such as a physical keyboard and the ability to run several
applications at once.

With its largest marketing campaign ever, Verizon is targeting 15- to
35-year-olds who are highly engaged with their gadgets for social
networking, blogging and other online tasks."
- iPhone rival Droid set for US launch - News, Gadgets & Tech - The Independent (view on Google Sidewiki)

4 Charged in Alleged Gang Rape of California Girl

We are seeing more and more horrible crimes committed by an ever younger population. I am happy that those who viewed the attack and didn't report it are being prosecuted. It should be done in all cases. As a society, we have a obligation to report a crime. Especially one as heinous as this one.

in reference to:

"Four teens could appear in court as early as Thursday after being charged in the alleged gang rape of a 15-year-old girl outside her high school homecoming dance in Northern California.

The four — ages 15, 16, 17 and 19 — were charged Wednesday with rape and enhancements that they acted in concert, which could make them eligible for life in prison.

"These are people who played a significant role in the incident," Richmond Police Lt. Mark Gagan said. "I'm confident that more arrests will be made."

Besides rape, the 19-year-old, Manuel Ortega of Richmond, was charged with robbery and assault causing great bodily injury. It was unknown if he had an attorney.

The other three face one count each of felony rape with a foreign object. They were charged as adults because of the severity of the crime, Gagan said. The 16-year-old also faces robbery charges."
- 4 Charged in Alleged Gang Rape of California Girl - ABC News (view on Google Sidewiki)

Obama nomination of donor as envoy put on hold

Sounds like business as usual. Although probably have to consider the source of this scandal. This article is found in the Washington Times. But can we trust the rest of the mainstream press to expose the corrupt practices of this White House?

in reference to:

"President Obama's nomination of a major campaign fundraiser as ambassador to Spain has been delayed in the Senate over questions about whether the White House is withholding information from lawmakers about the abrupt firing of a government watchdog official.

The nominee, Alan Solomont, served from April until recently as chairman of the Corporation for National and Community Service, whose former inspector general, Gerald Walpin, was fired by the White House on June 10. Mr. Solomont, a Massachusetts health industry entrepreneur, helped raise at least $500,000 for Mr. Obama's 2008 presidential campaign and was among a group of top fundraisers, elected officials and others invited to a St. Patrick's Day party at the White House.

Mr. Walpin has said that his firing came because of his investigation into Obama supporter and Sacramento, Calif., Mayor Kevin Johnson involving the misuse of hundreds of thousands of federal grant dollars by a nonprofit group, of which Mr. Johnson was executive director."
- Obama nomination of donor as envoy put on hold - Washington Times (view on Google Sidewiki)

Stimulus jobs in U.S. overstated by thousands

Let's hope this White House isn't cooking the books. At the very least they are so ineffective in creating jobs that they feel a need to exaggerate the job creation record. It should have been the priority of this President upon taking office. It doesn't seem to be the case, right now.

in reference to:

"An early progress report on President Obama's economic recovery plan overstates by thousands the number of jobs created or saved through the stimulus program, a mistake that White House officials promise will be corrected in future reports.
The government's first accounting of jobs tied to the $787 billion stimulus program claimed more than 30,000 positions paid for with recovery money. But that figure is overstated by least 5,000 jobs, according to an Associated Press review of a sample of stimulus contracts.
The AP review found some counts were more than 10 times as high as the actual number of jobs; some jobs credited to the stimulus program were counted two and sometimes more than four times; and other jobs were credited to stimulus spending when none was produced."
- Stimulus jobs in U.S. overstated by thousands - USATODAY.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

DC sniper Muhammad set to die by lethal injection

It's obscene that it took 7 years to destroy this scum.

in reference to:

"The mastermind of the 2002 Washington, DC-area sniper attacks will die by lethal injection next month, Virginia officials said Tuesday. John Allen Muhammad declined to choose between lethal injection and electrocution, so under state law the method defaults to lethal injection, Virginia Department of Corrections spokesman Larry Traylor said. Muhammad is scheduled to be executed Nov. 10 for the October 2002 slaying of Dean Harold Meyers at a Manassas gas station during a string of shootings."
- DC sniper Muhammad set to die by lethal injection (view on Google Sidewiki)

Joe Lieberman Threatens Filibuster, Neuters Senate Democrats. Again.

Are you a Democrat? Are you proud of your party now? They promised results if they had a "filibuster-proof' majority. Now the Dems spend more time fighting with each other on how or whether to reform health care. Why do Democrats coddle a man who is a well documented traitor to his party? Maybe because they don't care about party loyalty. They are interested only in keeping power. That leaves you out.

in reference to:

"If Harry Reid were Jerry Seinfeld, he'd probably be snarling the name
"Lieberman" through gritted teeth right now,  in true Newman-esque fashion.
The Connecticut senator announced this
afternoon that he'll join a Republican filibuster of the health-care bill
unless the public option provision is changed. In doing so he's effectively
cleared the way for other fence sitters, like Evan Bayh, Ben Nelson, and Blanche
Lincoln to do so as well, and avoid taking as much heat.

When Lieberman, who is technically an Independent, came back to the
Democratic caucus after deserting it in the 2008 election, he could have been
stripped of his committee assignments as punishment for his infidelity.
That's what any party who understands a thing or two about political discipline
might be expected to do. But we're talking about Senate Democrats here, so of
course Lieberman got a light rap on his knuckles. He lost his spot on the
Environment and Public Works Committee, but he retained his coveted position as
Chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee. President
Obama was a key Lieberman supporter, encouraging Democrats to let bygones
be bygones. That was the heady aura of D.C. just 11 short months ago. A new
kind of politics. Post-partisanship. Change we can believe in and all that. But
Lieberman's actions today demonstrate that no good deed goes unpunished. I'm
sure many Democratic senators are wishing right now they could take that vote
over. They're probably reminiscing fondly about Ned Lamont.

Democrats shouldn't be surprised though. This is what happens when there's
no price to pay for disloyalty. What's Lieberman got to lose? He can spend the
better part of a presidential campaign trashing the Democratic nominee and yet
be welcomed back into their caucus. What's his motivation to start acting like
a dutiful caucus member? That would only diminish his now-considerable power as
both a committee chair and vote-hedger. To be fair, Democratic motivations
weren't entirely altruistic either. Forgiveness was probably less a
consideration than having an opportunity to exert pressure on Lieberman in the
caucus room, and count him among their 60 precious votes. Leadership knew
health care was on the agenda this year, and they would need his vote. Better
not make him cranky. Besides, Lieberman's most prominent splits with Democrats
have been over foreign policy and national security, where he's long been
closer to McCain's positions. On health-care reform, he'd probably be right at
home in Democratic caucus, right? Um, wrong."
- Joe Lieberman Threatens Filibuster, Neuters Senate Democrats. Again. - The Gaggle Blog - Newsweek.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

McCain exhorts Obama to make Afghan decision now

You lost the campaign, McCain. You should also try waiting till after the runoff before mouthing off. Then the President will have to make a decision. And it better be a good one.

in reference to:

"Sen. John McCain is exhorting President Barack Obama to make a decision quickly on sending additional troops to Afghanistan, saying U.S allies are nervous and military commanders are frustrated. McCain said in a nationally broadcast interview Wednesday that the war policy in Afghanistan "as been reviewed time and again" and that it's now time to act. Interviewed on CBS's "The Early Show," the Arizona Republican said the drawn-out decision-making process on Afghanistan "is not helpful to our effort" in the wartorn nation. On Tuesday, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Tuesday that Obama will announce his next step "in the coming weeks," a phrase he has used before."
- McCain exhorts Obama to make Afghan decision now (view on Google Sidewiki)

Powerful car bomb kills at least 90 in Peshawar market

It's getting chaotic in Pakistan. Which is exactly what al Qaeda wants. Unless the situation in that country doesn't stabilize, Afghanistan is lost. Obama has a real mess on his hands.

in reference to:

"A car packed with 150 kilograms (330 pounds) of explosives detonated at Peshawar's Meena Bazaar Wednesday, killing at least 90 people and injuring more than 200 others, according to a government official. Most of the dead were women who were shopping in the labyrinth of stores in the Peepal Mandi section of the city, according to North West Frontier Province's information minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain. The flames from the explosion sparked fires at stores selling highly flammable fabric, causing some of the casualties, Hussain said."
- Powerful car bomb kills at least 90 in Peshawar market - CNN.com (view on Google Sidewiki)