Condoleeza Rice and KISS Team Up

Today from Scott Thill of Wired.com:

In what has to be a sign of some sort of apocalypse, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice took time off from the war on terror to enlist in the KISS Army during a stopover in Stockholm for a conference on Iraq.

Can Condi help this Army’s chances of being greeted as liberators? Probably not.

But at least she got to spend what the Associated Press called a “late-night encounter” with Gene Simmons and walk away without becoming one of his thousands of bedded women, dignity intact — despite a photograph that may some day rival one of Richard Nixon and Elvis for head-scratching “What the hell led up to that?!” honors.

“I was thrilled,” the classically trained, piano prodigy Rice told reporters. “It was really fun to meet Kiss and Gene Simmons,” she added, noting that she has yet to catch the band whose fan club she just joined in, er, the flesh.

That’s debatable. While in Australia in 2004, the Israel-born Simmons notoriously slammed Islam, saying “This is a vile culture and if you think for a second that it’s going to just live in the sands of God’s armpit you’ve got another thing coming…They want to come and live right where you live and they think that you’re evil.”

That less-than-diplomatic remark may mean that you’re more likely to see a picture of Rice in Simmons’ hotel room than Gene at Foggy Bottom.

Photo: State Department/Ann Lyons

Wow…never thought that they would look better WITH the make-up on. Maybe we should send them in au-natural to scare Bin Laden out of his cave.

Pre-school Political Ads

The Politics of Preschool

If she wasn’t carrying around a red ball, you’d think this was about a present female presidential candidate…or is it?

By the way, “No one should have a ball that big.”

Proposed Hurricane Names Honoring the Bush Administration

These are great…

From the Daily Kos:

Cheers and Jeers: Tuesday

by Bill in Portland Maine

Tue May 27, 2008 at 05:39:22 AM PDT

From the GREAT STATE OF MAINE…

Hurricane season starts in five days. If the Grand Committee of Meterological Poobahs hasn’t come up with their list of names yet, may I suggest the following as a way of commemorating the greatest hits of the Bush administration in this, its final year:

Ashcroft
Brownie
Condi
Dick
Enron
Feith
Gonzales
Hughes
Iraq
Jack Abramoff
KBR
Lieberman
Matalin
Negroponte
Osama
Perle
Quagmire
Rummy
Scooter
Turdblossom
Uranium from Africa
Viceroy Bremer
Wolfowitz
Xenophobe
Yoo
Zell

On second thought, that would really be unfair. To the hurricanes.

 

Texas Awaits TAKS Results

Students across the state were tested in reading, math, writing, social studies, science at the end of April and first part of May. Tomorrow statewide results of Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) testing should be released.

The controversial exit-level test will be phased out during the next few years under a law signed last year. The TAKS will be replaced with 12 end-of-course exams throughout high school takes effect in 2011-12, but only for the ninth-grade class. Students in the upper-level grades will continue to take the high-stakes exit-level TAKS test until the class of 2015 enters 12th grade.

Districts could also use the TAKS as a final exam.

How crucial are these tests for students? At least 100 high school seniors in Galveston County failed the TAKS and will not graduate this year. While state law prohibits high school seniors from receiving a degree if any part of the exam is failed, it is up to school district administrators to allow students to walk on commencement day. Students are allowed to retake the exam at a later date.

There have been past allegations of death threats and injury to teachers and administrators if students in their schools do not pass the test. Additionally, there has been ongoing controversy surrounding teacher bonuses that are shaped around TAKS results.

The Houston Independent School District (HISD) wants accountability to move away from minimum standards and towards measuring growth, which is the basis for the teacher bonus system.

For now, as long as any type of testing and exit exams are in place, the controversy will remain.

 

 

Scott McClellan: Outing the Bush Administration

Some harsh criticisms and allegations were brought to light Tuesday as an ex-spokesman for President Bush releases a new book.

Scott McClellan’s What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington’s Culture of Deception details his time as White House Press Secrerary and gives a crushing negative perspective about the president’s handling of the administration. According to the Politico, who was the first to break the story yesterday:

• McClellan charges that Bush relied on “propaganda” to sell the war.

• He says the White House press corps was too easy on the administration during the run-up to the war.

• He admits that some of his own assertions from the briefing room podium turned out to be “badly misguided.” 

• The longtime Bush loyalist also suggests that two top aides held a secret West Wing meeting to get their story straight about the CIA leak case at a time when federal prosecutors were after them — and McClellan was continuing to defend them despite mounting evidence they had not given him all the facts.

• McClellan asserts that the aides — Karl Rove, the president’s senior adviser, and I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, the vice president’s chief of staff — “had at best misled” him about their role in the disclosure of former CIA operative Valerie Plame’s identity.

Karl Rove and the White House has disputed McClellan’s book. McClellan also describes the involvement of others such as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Dick Cheney, Scooter Libby, and Bush’s Texas “connections.”

Read the story from the New York Times here (free registration may be required).
 

 

Summer Classes Begin…Already?

Summer I classes begin today at UST. Why so soon?

Courtesy of Gary Larsen:

Commencement Skit with Steve Carrell on SNL

Click on image above for the Commencement skit from the May 17th show (WARNING: MAY BE OFFENSIVE – ADULT HUMOR). – you have to sit through a short commercial first.

Mike Gravel Humor

Many have forgotten that there are still Libertarians running for president, including former Democratic Sen. Mike Gravel, who switched to the Libertarian Party in March after an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. At 78, Gravel is taking part in the Libertarian National Convention in Denver, Colorado. The convention runs from May 22 – May 26.

This year, the Libertarian Party is boasting two former members of Congress: Senator Gravel from Alaska and former GOP Congressman Bob Barr, who joined the Libertarian Party in 2006 and has since served on the Libertarian National Committee.

Mike Gravel Humor:

Senator Gravel Lobbies Obama Girl (he may be barring for a VP slot in this one)

Crank That Mike Gravel

Happy Birthday Mike (May 13th)

Hillary Gone Wild

This is disturbing on so many levels…

From BarelyPolitical:

Political Science Graduate Humor

For all my fellow political science graduates

The Nightmare Ticket: Clinton, McCain, Obama

From The Onion:

After nearly a year of verbal attacks and negative campaign ads, the nominees announced that, for the good of the country, they were willing to push their differences to the forefront and grant the American people the ticket they’ve been dreading all along.

“No other ticket is capable of rallying this nation around a clearer, more unified message of chaos and hopelessness,” the candidates said in unison from three separate podiums, each adorned with its own American flag arrangement and personal message. “Together, we will lead this nation into the future—a future where absolute deadlock over even the most minute decisions and total inefficiency on matters of the war, the economy, and the environment will launch a bold new age of confusion and social decay. For America, the only choice is [indecipherable]!”

The candidates said they had not yet decided who would fill the offices of president, vice president, and a new post the nominees are calling “the middle president.” They did, however, confirm that each would choose his or her own full cabinet, would be able to veto any bills the others sign into law, and would reserve the right to cast the tie-breaking, tie-making, and tie-rebreaking votes in the Senate.

“This nightmare ticket presents the American people with an unprecedented lack of opportunity in 2008,” Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen wrote Tuesday. “For just one vote, citizens will get four years of McCain’s brilliant temper, the incredible inexperience of Barack Obama, and the powerful two-headed monster of Hillary and Bill Clinton.”

“It will be very exciting to see what they’re capable of destroying, ” Cohen added.

Hmmm…..

Sam Graves: What Were You Thinking?

Missouri GOP Rep. Sam Graves’ campaign ad, released last week, blasts Democratic opponent Kay Barnes, former Kansas City Mayor, for her “San Fransisco Values” and liberal backing by Nancy Pelosi. S.F. Values? What was this guy thinking? The ad–the message and the ridiculous dancers–is horrible and only proves that this guy must be either a homophobe or an idiot (I say both) to approve an ad like this. Sad…

Graves’ campaign ad:

Barnes’ campaign ad response:

Graduation Hangover

With multiple trips to and from the airport, last minute scurries to Macy’s for a graduation outfit, and absolutely no rest for the weary, I’m STILL nursing a graduation hangover. Oh, my head…

I am officially a University of St. Thomas graduate with a B.A. in Political Science and minor in Theology!

Family from Oregon and California made this trip, including my father who has not flown on a plane since 1995. My son and his girlfriend came from Linfield College and my husband’s parents came from Menlo Park. Of course my son, Matt and my wonderful husband were here to keep picking me up off the ground and helping me get through the chaos.

So…

All my thanks and love to my family and friends who have helped me get through the last few years. It hasn’t been easy balancing school, homework, multiple jobs, family, and sanity; I’ve wanted to throw in the towel several times. Everyone has been so supportive and I thank each and every one of you.

As for my professors, you rock! I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to sit in front of you daily these last couple of years. Not only have you inspired me, but you have shown me the importance of a higher education and what a wonderful tool it can be to inspire others.

I have received so many emails, cards, and Facebook wall postings telling me that I have set the example of the saying, “If you put your mind and heart into what you want, you can accomplish anything.”

AMEN.

I look forward to this type of hangover again in two years (Master’s Degree here I come!!!)

Family, Friends, and Professors:

Obama Brings Record Crowds to Oregon

Being an Oregonian true and true (I’m a Texas transplant), I had to post on Barack Obama’s speech Sunday in front of a record breaking crowd of people in Portland, Oregon. He criticized John McCain on social security, lobbyists, and foreign policy. Obama ended out his week of criticisms and campaigning in the Rose City.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Obama drew a roaring crowd of 75,000 (another 15,000 couldn’t get in)– the biggest of his presidential campaign, and equivalent to one-sixth of Portland’s population — to an afternoon rally in a park along the Willamette River here. The size of the turnout served as a reminder that Obama is strongly favored to win Tuesday in Oregon, a state whose voters — comparatively well-educated and liberal — appear tailor-made for him.

Today he spoke in Billings, Montana where he said that voters should be concerned that “after nearly three decades in Washington, John McCain can’t see or won’t acknowledge what’s obvious to all of us here today — that lobbyists aren’t just part of the system in Washington, they’re part of the problem.” He also defended McCain’s remarks about Obama’s “inexperience and reckless judgment” in regards to Iran.

Kentucky and Oregon hold their primaries tomorrow. The latest polls from Real Clear Politics show Obama leading in Oregon and Clinton leading in Kentucky.

Additionally, Obama also picked up another endorsement today: Sen. Robert C. Byrd, 90, a former member of the Ku Klux Klan and a one-time opponent of civil rights legislation. Pretty interesting when you consider that if elected, Obama will be the first black president.

In the picture above, Petey and I are watching Obama’s speech in Montana.

UPDATE: VIDEO ADDED-

John Edwards Endorses Barack Obama

John Edwards is expected to endorse Barack Obama at a rally this evening in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Having Edwards’ endorsement may help Obama with the voting public that he is lacking–the white working class which has been in favor of Hillary Clinton.

From CNN:

An endorsement from Edwards, who ran as vice president on Sen. John Kerry’s ticket in the 2004 presidential election, would have a significant impact on the race, Democratic strategist Peter Fenn said after Edwards dropped out.

“You could make an argument that the change issue does benefit Barack Obama, that he picks up that support. You could also make the argument that there’s a lot of support out there amongst people that will go to Hillary,” he said. “The big issue here is who will he endorse.”

Some political pundits predicted that Edwards’ supporters are more likely to lean in Obama’s direction.

“The conventional wisdom is that Barack Obama will pick up maybe 60 percent of them, and in some places, that makes a huge difference,” former presidential adviser David Gergen said in January.

Hmmm…think Edwards is looking for a job in the new administration?

Jenna Bush Gets Hitched

Jenna Bush, 26, was quietly married this weekend at the Bush family’s Crawford Ranch. The bride wore a white Oscar de la Renta gown and no veil. The press was not invited, but the White House released pictures late Sunday afternoon. Her grandparents, George H. W. Bush and Barbara, spoke at the ceremony.

Jenna wed Henry Hager, 30, less than one year after he proposed at dawn atop Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park on Maine’s coast. The couple were married around 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening.

From the AP:

Jenna’s twin sister, Barbara, was maid of honor and 14 other women were in her “house party.” Barbara Bush wore a long, moonstone blue dress with a low-cut back. The women in the “house party” were clad in seven different styles of knee-length dresses in seven different colors that match the palette of Texas wildflowers — blues, greens, lavenders and pinky reds.

The ceremony began about a half hour or so before sunset. The couple stood at a cross, made of beige colored Texas limestone, that was erected near the ranch’s man-made lake. The cross and altar, made of the same stone used to construct the Bush’s ranch house, will be a landmark at the ranch for years to come. The Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell of Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston officiated.

Henry Hager met Jenna during her father’s 2004 re-election campaign. He graduated from Wake Forest University and worked as an aide to Bush’s former top political adviser Karl Rove. He is set to receive a master’s degree in business administration later this month from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.

After the wedding, the couple is rumored to be honeymooning in Europe, although the White House would not comment. After that, they plan to live in a two-bedroom, two-bath town house on the south side of Baltimore. She plans to return to teaching and he will work for Constellation Energy, a power supplier based in Maryland.

You have to be impressed in how well Jenna has matured from her early days in the White House. She could have picked a huge, overpriced, gaudy wedding at the White House, but chose to keep it simple and away from the cameras.

By the way, why does their wedding cake look like the top is going to come tumbling off?

Congratulations to the happy couple!

News to Clinton: You Can’t Win

As Jimmy Kimmel and his panel of political experts the Worst Political Team on Television give their opinion on Clinton still winning the nomination, others have deemed that it’s over.

CBS News is only one of many media outlets that is calling the Democratic nomination. On yesterday’s evening news and their opinion section from the New Republic, expectation of Clinton winning the nomination is close to zilch when looking at her delegate or popular vote count.

Dan Payne of the Boston Globe agrees stating, “Hope is all she has left.”

Sam Donaldson also calls the race.

Bill Clinton, on the other hand, states that Hillary CAN win… sounds like someone needs a math lesson

This video is from CBS news and includes commentary from former Dean Howard campaign manager, Joe Trippi:

Hillary – Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)

Although Clinton catches Indiana in yesterday’s primary, the delegate math still doesn’t add up for her to possibly win overall, and it hasn’t for a long time now. It makes me wonder who’s telling her that she still has a chance.

How come we all know that the race is over except Clinton? Don’t get me wrong, I love a good fight and the remaining states should have their chance to vote as well; however, I said I love a good fight…this is no fight. Ouch…

MSNBC has coverage about yesterday’s primaries and Obama as the perceived nominee here.

If you get upset over this video, than I guess you can’t figure out the delegate math either. Just take the video with a grain of salt and acknowledge the fact that this has been the most exciting primary race in decades.

Oregon Voter Hotline Leads to Phone Sex Line Instead

You want to know why Oregon has a record turn out in voting? You would think it’s because they have a mail-in ballot option; however, I think I’ve found another reason…

from Stateline.org:

Oregonians who called a voter-information hotline recommended by Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury reached a different sort of hotline — the kind that offers “an exciting new way to go live, one-on-one, with hot, horny girls” for just $2.99 a minute (99 cents for voice mails). The glitch came when Bradbury’s office accidentally switched the correct 866 toll-free area code to an 800 area code, The Oregonian reports. Bradbury released an apology statement and emphasized, “Don’t call that wrong number.”

Visit the Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division.

Barbara Walters Reveals Past Affair With Senator

From the AP:

After three decades of keeping mum, Barbara Walters is disclosing a past affair with married U.S. Senator Edward Brooke, whom she remembers as “exciting” and “brilliant.”

Appearing on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” scheduled to air Tuesday, Walters shares details of her relationship with Brooke that lasted several years in the 1970s, according to a transcript of the show provided to The Associated Press.

A moderate Republican from Massachusetts who took office in 1967, Brooke was the first African-American to be popularly elected to the Senate. Both he and Walters knew that public knowledge of their affair could have ruined his career as well as hers, Walters says.

At the time, the twice-divorced Walters was a rising star in TV news and co-host of NBC’s “Today” show, but would soon jump to ABC News, where she has enjoyed unrivaled success. Her affair with Brooke, which never before came to light, had ended before he lost his bid for a third term in 1978.

Winfrey asks Walters if she was in love.

“I was certainly, I don’t know, I was certainly infatuated.”

“Infatuated.”

“I was certainly involved,” Walters says. “He was exciting. He was brilliant. It was exciting times in Washington.”

Wow. Somehow this doesn’t surprise me. But who cares? Obviously she does because she’s trying to promote her new book and I’m sure she’s hoping that this little bit of juicy scandal will help book sales.

No thanks Barbara.

Ron Paul: Only member of Congress to vote against bill

Wired has a story today about an anti-genetic discrimination bill that is expected to be signed by President Bush.

The bill (H.R. 493), blocking companies from using a person’s genetic information to set insurance premiums or determine eligibility, was passed today by the House. The bill would also state that employers could not use genetic information in hiring, firing or promotion decisions.

The vote was 414-1. Who was the lonely on standing in the corner? Yup, that would be Texas’ own Ron Paul.

Voting against a bill like this? And he want to be President…

Paul is also pimping promoting his new book, The Revolution: A Manifesto on his campaign blog and at book signings.

From his April 30th blog post:

Today is an exciting day for our campaign and our movement: my new book, The Revolution: A Manifesto, is officially released.

Although a short book, it is the product of many years of thought and action. It is a defense of the principles to which you and I have devoted our lives.

My friends are calling it “Ron Paul’s legacy.”

These principles – individual liberty, sound money, the Constitution, and the foreign policy of the Founding Fathers – have had no home in American politics for a very long time. With The Revolution: A Manifesto, I’m letting the establishment know we’re not going away.

Finally, Americans can hear and judge these great American principles for themselves, instead of through an unfriendly media filter. And they can learn once and for all that they need not be satisfied with the phony choices the system offers them every four years. Another way really is possible.

Two days ago I did a book signing in New York at the Borders on Wall Street. All 530 copies had been sold before I even arrived.

They had underestimated you again.

Imagine the attention our cause and our principles could attract with a fantastic opening day today, with people marching into bookstores across the country for their copies. If it should become a publishing phenomenon, The Revolution: A Manifesto can fuel our revolution for a long time to come. You can make that happen.

I hope you enjoy this book, which was a real labor of love for me. Please spread the word.

And may the future be ours.

For liberty,

Ron Paul

D.C. Madam Found Dead

Deborah Jeane Palfrey, a.k.a. the D.C. Madam, has committed suicide. She was found hanged in a storage shed today. Suicide notes have been found but police have not released details about those notes.

She was found guilty April 15 of money laundering, racketeering and mail fraud and faced a maximum 55-year prison term at her sentencing, which was scheduled for July 24. She had vowed that she would never go to prison for running the high-end Washington prostitution ring.

Palfrey has denied that her escort service was involved in prostitution.

Breaking news HERE from CNN.com