Thursday, November 13, 2003

Ah, dear readers, my apologies; I have been shamed by one faithful reader who pointed out that I haven't written anything in a week.

It's true. But things have been busy here in Vega land and, unlike some other bloggers, I do have a life and, oh yeah, a day job.

And there has not been much to write about. After all, things are going so well in the war on terror (more on that CIA report here).

As for President Rove, unbowed by unfavorable reports put out by his own staff, he wants the Amurcin people to see the unvarnished truth of what's happening in Iraq. So why not "Bush TV." Thanks to "The Progress Report" from The Center for American Progress for the link.

But today is rife with goodies. There is the great lesson in American civics going on in the senate today, as Republicans mount their brave 30-hour "Talkathon" to protest, as Al Hunt writes in the Journal today, "the greatest caludron of hate since Father Coughlin: anti-Catholic, anti-Baptist, anti-life, anti-woman, anti-black, and anti-Hispanic." Fascinating. Republicans blocked over 60 Clinton nominees who weren't allowed a floor vote. Democrats are filibustering, or threatening to filibuster, six.

Of course this isn't about civics, the courts, or religion. Most voters don't pay any attention to this stuff. But it's red meat for party activists on both sides of the aisle. Republicans understand this. That's why they packaged this thing specifically for the unbalanced FoxNews. It doesn't get much better than that.

And lest we forget that at this great turning point in the history of mankind -- when we are beset by threats from our enemies, both rational and irrational -- the Senate is bravely doing it's part to help us kill ourselves, as Elizabeth Kolbert illustrates in this week's New Yorker. She mentions that ten Democrats stood with their Republican brethren to kill the McCain/Leiberman bill, and to further lie to the American people that there is no "consensus" on global warming and on our complicity in raising the temperature. Interested in who those ten were? The list includes that great statesman and orator, Sen. Byrd of W. Virginia, who so bravely stands up to the president on Iraq since he knows he's covered his ass with who really matter to his political future, the W.VA coal companies.

King coal. Salon has an important story on the Bush administration's attack on mining experts and regulators who are trying to avert a major coal slurry disaster in Kentucky. The story concludes:

"Meanwhile, Jack Spadaro's fate sits in the hands of MSHA's deputy assistant secretary Correll, who's weighing the superintendent's appeal of his termination notice. Spadaro doesn't expect any sympathy from Correll, the target of one of his whistle-blowing activities.

"Spadaro is just a few years from retirement and he stands to lose his pension. 'I've been in federal government for 27 years, and this is the most lawless administration I have ever seen," he said. "They care nothing for the rights of their employees. They certainly care nothing about enforcing the laws they are charged with enforcing, and they run roughshod over anyone who might try to get them to obey the laws.'"

Yes, back to my favorite sport of kicking them when they're down. A McNabb vs. Limbaugh update: It's McNabb six, Limbaugh zero.

The Onion has a scoop on a blogger's worst nightmare. Tom Tomorrow on the heroism of conservative bloggers.

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