On the Road -- Spokane WA

The Davenport Hotel

On the Road -- Spokane WA

On the Road -- Spokane WA

The Enhanced Political Quiz...in 2D

Here's how I scored on this quiz:



See my assessment write-up.

I disagree somewhat with the "radical" adjective, but will not lose much sleep over it. Even though I happen to be near the north woods today, I am not looking for a compound.

I felt that most of the positions were overstated at the libertarian end, leaving too much uncovered space to the next choice. For example, one question echoed reality; the quizzers have no solution for social security either.

The drug question leaves the same distrust that most critics invoke for libertarians by distorting the position. I do not favor legalization of drugs; I favor instead the removal of laws that we do not intend to enforce, and further I favor a drastic reduction of the fda along with the elimination of a federal role in pharmaceutical protectionism and medical research (excepting perhaps epidemiology).

Also there is a wide gap between the right to bear arms and the sanctioning of military arms. I voted for the complete removal of gun control, but I believe that there will be no legal control of arms the day our government turns against us. And if a foreign sovereign attacks, I cannot envision the US government enforcing any gun laws.

To launch quiz2d, press here.

On the Road -- Spokane WA

On the Road -- Spokane WA

On the Road -- Spokane WA

It has been many years since the first time I visited Spokane, for just a morning, but I am still amazed by the massive cataracts that mark the center of the town. This is one of America's great hidden attractions. Cities are the best!

The parks around this spectacle are exceedingly gracious.

On the Road -- Spokane WA

Whither the Purple Digits

A huge disappointment -- Nat Parry at Consortiumblog

"The Iraqi government is a huge disappointment," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told CNN'S Late Edition on Sunday.

"So far, they've not been able do anything they promised on the political side," the Kentucky Republican said, citing the Iraqis' failure to pass a new oil revenue bill, hold local elections and dismantle the former Baath Party of Saddam Hussein. "It's a growing frustration."

"Republicans overwhelmingly feel disappointed about the Iraqi government," he added. -- Reuters

Small Talk

Tenet-Bush Pre-9/11 'Small Talk'

By Robert Parry
May 6, 2007

In late August 2001, when aggressive presidential action might have changed the course of U.S. history, CIA Director George Tenet made a special trip to Crawford, Texas, to get George W. Bush to focus on an imminent threat of a spectacular al-Qaeda attack only to have the conversation descend into meaningless small talk.

A Brief History of Consortiumnews.com
Robert Parry, Editorer 21, 2004

We founded the Consortiumnews.com Web site in 1995, back in the "early days" of the modern Internet. The site was meant to be a home for important, well-reported stories that weren't welcome in the O.J. Simpson-obsessed, conventional-wisdom-driven national news media of that time.

As one of the reporters who helped expose the Iran-Contra scandal for the Associated Press in the mid-1980s, I was distressed by the silliness and downright creepiness that had pervaded American journalism by the mid-1990s. I feared, too, that the decline of the U.S. press corps foreshadowed disasters that would come when journalists failed to alert the public about impending dangers.

Rediscovered -- Too Funny!

This goes back a way. But it should not be lost. BTW, that lad has now grown up and is advising dubya on etiquette with visiting royals.

Fark.com: Making Money Off of Goofy News

Drew Curtis (right)

This is a guy who started out in my hometown. In fact, I was an early customer of his isp.

Check the story at NPR.

Check out the link, Fark.com.

Ron Paul in May 3 gop Debate

Here are Ron Paul's results in the MSNBC Online Poll this morning at 10am:

Who stood out?
Paul (1 of 10)

Most Convincing
Paul (1 of 10)

Most Leadership Qualities
Paul (2 of 10)

Best one-liner
Paul (1 of 10)

Most rehearsed answers
Paul (4 of 10)

Avoided Questions
Paul (5 of 10)

I would say he should be happy with this event.


Link: MSNBC Poll

Yeehaw!

BUSH TAKES BACK TENET'S PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM
Shown: in brief ceremony, award is removed.

ironictimes.com

The Star-Bungled Banner

• Commander in Chief lands on USS Lincoln CNN.com, May 2, 2003
• President Bush Announces Major Combat Operations in Iraq Have Ended, White House transcript of Bush's speech, May 1, 2003
• White House pressed on 'mission accomplished' sign, CNN.com, October 29, 2003
• 'Mission Accomplished' Whodunit CBSnews.com, October 29, 2003
• White House press release discussing/explaining 'Mission Accomplished' banner, October 29, 2003