Political Perusals
Thursday, June 30, 2005
More news on Bush/Cheney treachery. It seems that Bush appointeted one Dr. David Hagel to a position at the F.D.A. He is "director of human-reproductive drugs"... (or some such similar title). With this position, he has sucessfully blocked the "over-the-counter" availability of "Plan-B"... a type of emergency contraception using high levels of birth-control drugs, taken within 72 hours of un-protected sex. Claiming that such availability would "encourage" young women to engage in sex, he has prevented "Plan-B" from being available without prescription. "Plan-B" emergency contraception has ACTUALLY shown to DECREASE incidents of abortion, where it has been available!! Since Bush "Took-office", rates of abortions have ACTUALLY INCREASED, due to tighter restrictions on birth-control!!! Dr. Hagel has written several books about "human-sexuality and women's-issues". Contained in his writings are "expert" recomendations that women who experience P.M.S. should "Pray to Jesus"for relief. He is recognized "Evangelical", "Fundamental" "Christian" "Neo-Con" who has NO RIGHT to address women's reproductive issues. ESPECIALLY when you consider his history... It has "come-to-light" that his ex-wife sought her divorce from him, as the result of frequent and violent sexual-assaults. She has accused him of numerous cases of "forced-sodomy"; WHICH HAPPEN TO BE "4TH-DEGREE" FELONIES IN HIS HOME-STATE!!! It seems that Bush has appointed a "Sex-Criminal" to head the F.D.A. position which controls women's reproductive medicine!!! Bush's finacial-support of "Abstinance-only" birth-control programs has been massive, yet totally innefective. Such "Abstinance-Only" programs stress ONLY abstinance from vaginal-intercourse.... a philosophy which has ACTUALLY INCREASED OTHER VERY-DANGEROUS FORMS OF SEXUAL ACTIVITY!! These "Just-Say-No" approaches have actually INCREASED levels of "S.T.D.s" from non-vaginal-sex!!! I say again, Bush thinks that "Enlightenment" has something to do with light-bulbs!!!... "Spiritual-Enlightenment" means changing the light-bulbs in the church!!........Dave
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Well; "The chickens have come home to roost"... C.N.N.. today reported one: "ChoicePoint" data systems was awarded a 5 year 20 Million dollar contract to provide data to the I.R.S. A company with VERY CLOSE ties to the Republican party, CHOICEPOINT recently disclosed it's failure to protect sensitive credit-information on an estimated 145,000 people.; information which can be used to perpetrate "identity-theft". While reading this story, I had "one of those moments, when you go... HMMM??"Where have I read that name before???".... I seemed to recall ChoicePoint in some other mis-deeds; and sure enough, my research was correct. ChoicePoint was the VERY SAME company, created by Republicans before the 2000 presidential election, and which manipulated and purged tens-of-thousands of eligible voters from the Florida voter's polls!!!! I guess that it's now time for them to GET THEIR PAYOFF!! Details of this can be found in numerous places; it is the manipulation of these "Voter Polls" which lead to the "dis-enfranchisment" of thousand of "minority" voters in Florida, and eventually cost Al Gore the presidency. One source of information about ChoicePoint's scheme is found in Greg Palast's book: "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy". For MORE dirt on "ChoicePoint"... do a GOOGLE-SEARCH on "Choicepoint Chuck Hagel".. MANY articles on how they have manipulated electronic voting, etc. Even disregarding their manipulation of our political process, Do we want information about our taxes & wages along with our social-security numbers being disseminated by a company that LOSES THEM???........... Another example of the Bush administration rewarding their "cronies" and denying their failures..........Dave
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
We all shared the overwhelming grief recently, which surrounded the tsunami in Indonesia. The world rallied to help the survivors who had lost families, homes, and incomes. We soon heard media reports which tallied the contributions of various nations. We must not forget, that it took "Dubyuh"; more than THREE DAYS to make a "statement", and even then, the monetary contributions being offered were LESS THAN 1/3 of some other countries. We are frequently reminded how much America "Gives" in "Foreign-Aid"; yet few Americans know the truth about these "contributions". American Aid contributions are frequently "tied" to corporate interests. Many Billions of dollars ends up funding "research" or "administration"; often being performed by American companies. Recent audits of "American-Aid" have shown that nearly 70% of all such "donations" given by our "generous" government ARE PAID TO AMERICAN COMPANIES!! Often, vast sums of money are paid to American companies, when "Indigenous" or local suppliers of goods & services can be obtained for A FRACTION OF THE COST! Is this another example of "Neo-Con Family-Values"??? ....... Tax-waste, and the greasing of the wheels of corporate-contributors??...................Dave
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Check out a P.B.S. story Called: "FRONTLINE: Private Warriors"... It documents the massive "outsourcing" of "security" for operation in Iraq. It seems, that logistical operations are almost exclusively being "outsourced" to private contractors; corporations such as Halliburton and it's subsidiary K.B.R.; General Electric, Bechtel, and others. These corporations, as well as some elements of the Military, hire independant "security" forces for their protection; and number in the TENS-OF-THOUSANDS!. These "security-forces" are well-paid mercenaries; often ex-military, who make from $400 to $1000 per day...... A far cry from the meager wages paid to American soldiers. This has not only created animosity between the American troops and the "security-forces"; but has lessened any co-operation that might have existed. As a result, these "security-forces" are NOT part of any military "chain-of-command", NOT subject to ANY "rules-of-engagement" NOT subject to the "Geneva-Convention", or subject to ANY operational or financial scrutiny WHATEVER!! When four such "security-forces" were captured and executed near Falluja, it forced American soldiers to institute a massive invasion of the city; an attack which they had not planned, nor for which they were prepared; resulting in great civilian and Military casualties.. These "security-forces" had independantly undertaken an operation in an EXTREMELY dangerous area; with a group who had NOT trained together; and which was under-manned....(None of the S.U.V.s involved were armored and and none had "rear-gunners"....(They were subsequently attacked from behind) The United States Army Corps of Engineers was "being protected" by an independant BRITISH security force!! Such "outsourcing" resulted from Donald Rumsfeld's actions; shortly BEFORE HE BECAME C.E.O. OF HALLIBURTON!!! (From which he still receives more than $800,000 annually!!) Last week, Halliburton was awarded ANOTHER multi-Billion-dollar contract in Iraq; ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE NOT-YET EXPLAINED MORE THAN 9-BILLION DOLLARS THAT WAS "LOST" OR "OVER-CHARGED" BY THEM!!) Dick Cheney's involvment in "War-Profiteering" in NOTHING SHORT OF TREASONOUS!! Last week, Cheney stated that the Iraqi-insurgency "was in it's last throes"....He apparently is is either LYING, or TOTALLY UNAWARE OF THE FACTS: Last month, "insurgents" launched 1700 attacks in Iraq. Last month, the road between the "Green-Zone" and the Baghdad-Airport was subject to 140 insurgent-attacks. General John Abizaid stated that the levels of "Insurgents" was now "Greater than ever" in Iraq. Is Cheney THAT STUPID?, OR DOES HE THINK THAT WE ARE??? This "outsourcing" is nothing more than a "license-to-steal" for those involved. When this maze of contracts and contractors need to be "coordinated"; what did the military do? THEY LAUNCHED AN INQUIRY;..... WHICH THEY "OUTSOURCED"!!!!!! It seems that the "Military-Industrial-Complex" has created yet another way to get richer; "fleecing" American tax-payers and using "out-sourcing" as an elaborate "shell-game" to avoid scrutiny. ... Another case of Bush's "haves and the have-mores" using war to line their pockets. (Do a little research; check the financial-statements of members of the Carlisle Group... Bush's buddies who just happen to be "Arms-Merchants") .I heard someone recently call the Bush Administration: "Maggots, feeding on the dead-bodies of American soldiers and Iraqi civilians". The more facts that come forward, the more I am inclined to agree............Dave
Monday, June 20, 2005
Today, in a speech about Guantanamo Bay prisoners, George W. Bush stated that some "detainees" had been released... only to "return to the battlefield". Is he making this stuff up?? Where is the evidence of prisoners being "released"? much less "returning to the battlefield"??? Don't you think that someone would have produced names or other evidence of this if it were true? Why has no one "held-his-feet-to-the-fire", and asked for EVIDENCE?? A former "detainee" ( who had been captured by mistake), was interviewed on N.P.R. radio a few months ago. He stated that many "detainees' who had been captured in Afghanistan, were merely victims of a generous "reward" given to anyone who "turned-in" a suspected member of Al Queda.... ( $2000.00.... a HUGE sum of money to any Afghani who harbored a grudge against someone) Perhaps an Afghani disliked his father-in-law..... what better way to make money and get rid of someone you disliked?? These prisoners are called "detainees".... a term which illicts FAR less outrage than "prisoner-of-war", or "enemy-combatant". A "detainee".... that sounds like someone who might have "missed their flight" at an airport, or maybe someone who was "late-for-work"!!!Hardly the correct term for someone who is being ILLEGALLY imprisoned, wiht NO rights or legal-representation WHATEVER!! Some of the Major"pillars" of our Democracy are "human-Rights", "international-Law", and the "right to counsel"!!! It seems that the Bush/Cheney administration is willing to DO ANYTHING; and justify it with vague references to "National-Security", and "Patriotism"!! Similarly-outrageous contempt for our Constitution has been found in the "Patriot-Act"; which allows SECRET searches of our homes , schools, and libraries; WITHOUT "REASONABLE" CAUSE, OR SEARCH-WARRANTS!! Thomas Jefferson is TURNING-OVER IN HIS GRAVE!! When the Republicans were asked about prisoner conditions at "GITMO", they resorted to lame "show-&-tell"; exhibiting a plate with a "typical-meal" fed to the "detainees". We were told that "They got TWO different vegetables!!".. NO discussion of the torture-tactics endorsed and encouraged by Donald Rumsfeld. NO discussion of documented evidence of numerous violations of the "Geneva-Convention" rules. (prisoners were shackled and handcuffed; denied food and water, and made to crouch in painfull positions in the hot sun for hours on end) Bill Moyers has a new book out. It chronicles the "Neo-Con" agenda to gain further control of America's media. Have you noticed the "right-Wing" incursions into so-called "News" shows on P.B.S.??? It seems that Carl Rove has installed his own hand-picked man into a position of power at the C.P.B. (Corporation For Public Broadcasting).... a move attempted by Republican Newt Ginrich a few years ago; is now taking place due to the Neo-Con control of ALL branches of OUR government. Bush continues to speak of "persevering" in Iraq; "until our mission is accomplished".... Have we all forgotten that the "mission" was SUPPOSED TO BE to find "W.M.D.s"??????NOT to install "Democracy" amid anarchy; NOT to control Iraq's oil-production; NOT to capture and prosecute Saddam Hussein!!! I am SURE that Saddam Hussein killed FAR LESS people as dictator, than Bush has killed in his illegal and short-sighted invasion!! The "casualties" in Iraq are increasing every day; the civilian deaths are estimated at OVER 100,000... with as many being wounded. The American deaths have now exceeded 1700 with injuries greater than 12,000!!! THIS after George W. Bush declared: "all combat opperations in Iraq" to have ended; while standing under the infamous sign which read: "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED"!! Experts have now determined that the "insurgents" in Iraq are almost ALL foreign-nationals; with 57% of them COMING FROM SAUDI ARABIA!!! (The nation controlled by Bush's buddies and business-partners) The "Downing-Street-Memos" which have now surfaced, have PROVED a pre-conceived agenda to invade Iraq and manipulate the "intelligence" to justify it!! Similar evidence of this colonialistic hubris can be found in the published documents of the "P.N.A.C.".... "The Project for a New American Century"..... This Fanatical Neo-Con group has stated, since as long ago as 1998, that America needed to invade Iraq and establish a military dominance in the Middle East; using our Armed-Forces as a "FIRST_CHOICE" option!!! It's members include: George W. Bush (senior), George W. Bush (Jr.), Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, Carl Rove, and Jeb Bush.... among others!! Many of the same people who have close financial-ties to Halliburton and the Carlyle Group. Such evidence is not only contemptable, but CRIMINAL!! Today, ANOTHER multi-billion-dollar contract to Halliburton was awarded....Yet NO investigation has been made into Billions of dollars lost & over-charged by Halliburton already!!! (Meanwhile, Dick Cheney continues to collect OVER $800,000 PER YEAR FROM HALLIBURTON STOCK!!!) John Bolton's "confirmation" to the ambassadorship of the U.N. is , thankfully, being blocked by the Senate. Time will tell, if Bush choses to "pull-a-fast-one" during the 4th-of-July holiday, and over-ride the consensus of the Senate. It is un-imaginable, how anyone could endorse such a "loose-cannon" as Bolton; for a position which requires a "diplomat", and "Statesman"!! His confirmation to the U.N. can ONLY irriate, incite and alienate the rest of the world. The president who claims to be "a "uniter, not a divider" has created MORE division and alienation than any world-leader to date!! His incompetance and lack of "vision", have mired us in a quagmire reminiscent of Viet Nam and Korea. (two conflicts of which "Dubyuh" HAS NO EXPERIENCE OR KNOWLEDGE!!) "Regime-Change" and "Establishing-Democracy" BEGIN AT HOME!!! IMPEACH BUSH NOW!!!......... Dave
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Yesterday, the Neo-Con pundits began attcking remarks made by Democractic Party-chairman Howard Dean. It seems that Dean portrayed Republicans as "rich, white, Christian people".... IF THE SHOE FITS???? This is another diversionary attempt by their strategists to divert any serious scrutiny of MASSIVE Republican FAILURES!!! ; Another of the lame-ass attacks, also known as "red-herrings". Howard Dean is one of few politicians who have the "cojones" to "call a spade a spade", to attack the outrageous corruption and ineffectiveness of the Republicans. He is the ONLY Democrat who made the Iraq-war a "campaign-issue" in 2004; yet we now are painfully-aware of the costs of the Bush lies. No Republican has made a serious atempt to discredit the infamous "Downing-Street-Memo"; a document which details the manipulation of "intelligence" to support a pre-conceived agenda justifying the Iraqi war. Typically, they have chosen to "lie-low", and wait for it to "blow-over"..... as Americans have notoriously-short attention-spans. On Monday, General Motors announced the layoff of 25,000 American auto-workers, and the closing of numerous factories. Republicans have portrayed this as "streamlining" of their corporation, in order to become "profitable". How soon will we see the "bread-lines" of the 1930's Depression???? It seems odd, that the C.E.O. of G.M. didn't announce any roll-backs of executive salaries or "golden-parachute-retirement packages"!!! Still the Republican "talking-heads" espouse the "healthy-economy"!!! SHOW ME THE MONEY!!! Is this the way that "Dubyuh-Dumb-ass" chooses to "unite" America??... By Vastly expanding the gap between the rich and the poor? "Douche-Bag-Dubyuh" once called the Republican Party as the "Haves, and the Have MORES"!!! Has YOUR income increased since 2000??? Have YOUR pension plans become MORE solvent?? Has America's "National-Debt" DECREASED??? If America had a "Board-of-Directors", Bush, Cheney, and Rove would be in the un-employment-line; instead of MILLIONS of Americans!! I cannot wonder WHY Americans do not "march" on Washington with torches and weapons!! I cannot wonder why Americans do not see-through the LIES and deception of these crooks!! Are we simply "apathetic"?? Do we feel "power-less"?? Since "Knowledge-is Power", are we merely STUPID?? Having studied American history, I see corruption and greed which has not been equaled since the "robber-barons" of the 1900's... the fascist monopolies which enriched The Hursts, the Rockefellers, at the turn-of-the 19th century. I see the erosion of democracy which mirrors the "McCarthy Era" and it's Communist-"witch-hunts". The "Patriot-Act" has allowed Ordinary Americans to be subject to ILLEGAL-SEARCH AND SEIZURE.... SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITED BY THE CONSTITUTION!!! It allows "terrorist-suspects" to be detained INDEFINITIELY, without legal-defense, without any "charges", without ANY evidence other-than "here-say". Many "detaineees" (a politically-correct term for "Captive-prisoners") at Gauntanamo, are being held as a result of "rewards" offered in Afgahnistan for Al Queda suspects. As a a result, a significant number of Taliban members have NO expectation of EVER being released from prison; having been "ratted-out" for a few hundred dollar-reward. We must not forget, that these SAME Taliban-members were FUNDED AND SUPPLIED BY OUR GOVERNMENT & C.I.A. IN THEIR FIGHT AGAINST RUSSIA, A FEW YEARS AGO!! Our nation's "Foreign-Policies" have more "Flip-Flops" than the beaches at Acapulco!!! They now have been illegally arrested, and detained; in the name of "Homeland-Security"!!! Meanwhile, Al Queda operatives have slipped through our Mexican-borders and set up "sleeper-cells" in California. Our response, is to attempt to deport a Muslim in Michigan; who has lived in America for 14 years , after being granted "political-assylum". This man once belonged to a Turkish-"separatist-group" which has NOW been classified as a "terrorist-organization"; LONG after he emigrated to America. (For details, see A.B.C. Television's "Nightline".... of 6/08/2005 ) IF YOU ARE NOT "OUTRAGED"...... YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION!!!..............Dave
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Re: Medical marijuana...... A recent P.B.S. news story featured a debate between the director of N.O.R.M.A.L. (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), and one CALVINA FAY, director of ".D.F.A."....."Drug Free America". Ms. Fay's rhetoric was truly "uninspired", and two-dimensional. Exhibiting the same mentality of Bush's "War on Terror", she attempted to justify a ban on the medical use of cannabis. (For an insightful view of her organization, got to "www.dfa.org".... They feature a "survey" about possible outcomes of the medical-use of marijuana; You'll notice that ALL OF THE "SURVEY" RESPONSES ARE NEGATIVE... a visitor to the site CANNOT choose an option like "Drug-use will remain unchanged", or "No opinion". The site also states "statistics" about the numbers of people incarcerated for drug-use.... They cite numbers the "prove" that most people in prison, are there for "distribution" of drugs, not "use"..This distorted "spin" ignores the fact that ANYONE who has ever used an illegal-drug, has also "distributed" it. People get their drugs from friends, relatives, business-associates, and a multitude of people; not some shadowy "drug-pusher" who waits in dark alleys. Many people buy larger quantities of drugs than they need, in order to sell the rest and finance their habit. This organization promotes "abstinance" from drugs... a naive tactic which also has been applied toward sexual-behavior in teens. When "abstinance" was taught as the only "safe" approach to teen-sexuality, the instances of "non-intercourse" sex-acts increased DRAMATICALLY, with a huge increase in "S.T.D.s" Experts have long-ago concluded that "treatment" is the only effective approach to the drug-abuse problem, yet America has the LARGEST number of "drug-related" criminals now in prison. It may be further noted, that the "privatization" of America's prisons have also contributed to the profit-motives associated with our failed "War-on-Drugs".) As "Deep-Throat" said in the "Watergate" affair; "follow the money"..... The money is coming from the corporate-lobbyists and campaign-contributions that have stolen our democracy. Phamaceutical companies cannot make money on an "Herb", which anyone can grow in their backyard. Timber companies cannot make money from their massive investments in pulp-wood plantations, if hemp is grown to make particle-board and paper. Oil companies , and their chemical subsidiaries cannot make money from fossil-fuels, if hemp is competing as a "bio-mass" and source of hemp-oil. It is NO coincidence, that hemp production was outlawed as a result of Dupont inventing "nylon", and William Randolph Hurst's ownership of massive tracts of paper-producing forests. Virtually ALL products which are made from nylon, can be made from hemp... Building materials, such as M.D.F. (medium Density Fiberboard) and paper-products can ALL be produced from hemp; and hemp requires 1/6th as much land to grow as wood. Hemp is also a viable alternative source of ethanol bio-mass, and livestock feed. It requires NO pesticides, grows on "marginal" lands, requires much less water than corn, and needs little fertilizer. These facts make it VERY unpopular with chemical companies and the oil-companies which own them. These same chemical-companies sell toxic hebicides to spray innocent South American farmers.... who are now suffering from an array of health-problems from their use. The "Military-Industrial-Complex" is fervently in favor of a "War-on-Drugs", offering yet another chance to sell aircraft and military hardware to patrol our borders, spray drug-crops, and fund sympathetic foreign military-regimes. (think Iran-Contra) As a result, NO federal-monies have been spent to research the possible medical benefits of cannabis/hemp; while millions have been spent to penalize it's use, prosecute and incarcerate it's users, and denounce it's "abuse". Consider the prescription drug IMITREX... prescribed to treat severe migraine headaches. It currently costs about $95.00 for SIX TABLETS!!! or more than $15.00 per dose!! Similar "vaso-dialator" effects can be had from marijauna.... WHICH CAN BE GROWN IN ANYONE'S BACKYARD, FOR FREE!!! No "pharmaceutical company" has yet to produce a cheap treatment for the severe side-effects of cancer-chemotherapy; Yet relatively-cheap cannabis effectively treats the nausea and pain which ultimately occurs. People have been "self-medicating" with a variety of substances for centuries. Alcohol, cocaine, opiates, mushrooms, mescaline, and various naturally-occuring toxins have been used for thousands of years to achieve "altered-states". Many opiate-derived phamaceuticals are currently prescribed by doctors; yet these substances are HIGHLY addictive compared to the minimally addictive effect of Cannibis. These "prescription-drugs" are only available since drug-companies can "patent" their dosage and method of "delivery"; and thereby make huge profits from their sale. (It is still illegal to grow your own opium-poppies, however) Drug-companies now make BILLIONS from the sale of "anti-depressants", such as Zoloft , Wellbutrin, and Prozac. The "euphoria" and sense of-well-being associated with Cannabis is simply another form of "depression-therapy"; one which has FAR less danger, and virtually NO evidence of violent behavior. Has anyone EVER heard of someone who "Beat their wife" while "stoned" on "weed"???? It is ALWAYS alcohol which triggers these types of violence. The sale of this same alcohol, fuels our "Major-League" sports.. funds our media networks, and creates huge addiction problems plus hundreds of alcohol-related deaths. The Maloof brothers, owners of the Sacramento Kings, and "magnates" of the Las Vegas strip, MADE THEIR FORTUNE FROM THE SALE OF COORS BEER, AND other LIQUORS!! The owner of COORS BEER IS A MAJOR REPUBLICAN-CAMPAIGN-CONTRIBUTOR!!! Our democracy is STILL for sale. The issue of "medical-marijuana" is integrally connected to that corruption; with the Neo-Con "spin-meisters" hard at work to protect their vested-interests. As usual, cancer patients and other suffering Americans are paying the price.................Dave
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Ever wonder why the Republicans have fought so diligently to keep America OUT of the "World Court"?? The reasons are now "coming-to-light". Recent information has surfaced, which would indicate MASSIVE criminal activities by president Bush #1, Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, and the American C.I.A. During the "Iran-Iraq War"... 1980's, evidence is now surfacing that Bush #I, Cheney, and Rumsfeld sold many "questionable" items to Saddam Hussein. With the help of the C.I.A., Iraq was able to purchase "logistical equipment"(trucks, aircraft, etc) sophisticated manufacturing technologies, and nuclear technology; as well as ANTHRAX, SERIN, AND CYANIDE!!!! These later items were subsequently used to kill tens-of-thousands of Iraqi Khurds. If America were a member of the "World Court", Cheney, Rumsfeld, and both Bushes would BE IN PRISON!!! It will be interesting to see how much of this information is brought-up in the forthcoming trial of Saddam Hussein. It is similarly interesting, that NO MENTION HAS BEEN MADE OF THIS in the "mainstream-media"!! Another item which has escaped the "mainstream-media" is the "Coin-Gate" scandal in Ohio. (See the Chicago Tribune writer Tim Jones, article: "Ohio Coins-Investment Scandal Rattles GOP") It seems that one "Thomas Noe", (Toldeo coin-collector and chairman of 2004 northwest-Ohio Bush re-election campaign), had been administrating an investment-fund for "injured-workers".... a fund invested in rare-coins. This fund for Ohio-state-workers is NOW MISSING $12 TO $13 MILLION DOLLARS!!! This newspaper article calls Noe: "a veritable lawn-sprinkler of campaign cash to major Republican candidates in the state". Dubyuh met with Noe in October of last year, thanking him for his fund-raising efforts. Noe raised more than $100,000 for the Bush campaign in 2004!! (Bush narrowly won Ohio, whose electoral votes secured his return to the White House) Has this item surfaced on C.N.N?? how about FOX News?? Not even the "Big-Three" networks have made so-much as a "passing-mention" of this. Such campaign-contribution crimes seem to be the "norm" for The Republican party... Witness the Tom DeLay fiasco. However, when Tom DeLay gets "in trouble", he merely changes the rules of the Senate to save his ass!! In the "old-days", such crimes would dealt with by HANGING!!! Now, we promote such criminals (Rumsfeld) to the Presidency of the World Bank!!! Where IS Lee Harvey Oswald, now that we need him most??....... Dave