McCain's Albatross

Political Cartoon is by Nate Beeler in The Washington Examiner.

Federal Judge Indicted

It's been over twenty years since a federal judge has been indicted on criminal charges, and even then the charges usually involved some kind of corruption like bribery. But a Texas judge has changed all that.

A few days ago, U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent of Galveston was indicted for sex crimes. He has been charged with Attempted Aggravated Sexual Abuse and two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact. He could possibly receive life sentence on the aggravated charge and two years on each of the other charges. All three charges carry a possible fine of $250,000.

The accusations first surfaced in 2007, and the Judicial Council of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals suspended the judge for four months (with pay) and then transferred him to Houston. For a while, it looked like all the judge would get for these serious accusations was a paid vacation. But that is no longer true -- as he must now defend himself in a court of law on these charges.

But he is not stepping down from the bench. His attorney, Dick DeGuerin, claims he is innocent and will remain on the bench while awaiting trial. It looks like it'll take the U.S. Congress to get this embarrassment off the bench. Since 1803, only 13 judges were impeached by the House. Two of those resigned, and another seven were removed by the Senate.

At the very least, this judge should be barred from hearing cases until he is tried in a court of law.

Sweetheart Of The Ultra-Right

Political Cartoon is by Dwane Powell of the Raleigh News and Observer .

Can The Dems Really Win North Carolina ?

Could it really be possible for the Democrats to carry a Southern state like North Carolina? North Carolina has voted for Republican presidential candidates for the last 30 years. It's part of the "solid South" that Republicans count on to keep them in the running. If the Republicans were to lose one or two Southern states, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for them to win the presidential election.

Well, if this new poll done by Greenberg Quinlan Rossner is to be believed, the Democrats have a real shot at winning North Carolina. This poll was done August 20-26 (before Barack Obama's wonderful acceptance speech). In the poll, McCain holds a slim lead (47-44), but the Democratic candidate for the senate (Kay Hagan) is actually leading Elizabeth Dole by a full 5 points.

It seems that the people of North Carolina don't like the way things are going in this country, and they're ready for a change. Around 68% of the people there believe the country is on the wrong track, and 57% don't approve of the job George Bush is doing. Perhaps most worrisome for McCain is that 70% see him as supporting the policies of George Bush.

There are some other rather surprising numbers that favor Barack Obama. Around 55% believe he has "good judgement", and 54% reject the idea that he is not ready to lead. On who will do a better with the economy and jobs, Obama leads 52%-38%. Obama wins on energy policy 48%-36%, and on handling gas prices 43%-35%.

But most surprising of all is how the North Carolina voters see the tax issue. The Republicans have tried to paint Obama and all Democrats as being in favor of ever higher taxes. It doesn't look like that argument is working. Obama leads 46%-41% on who would better handle the issue of taxes.

These numbers show that North Carolina is not going to automatically fall into the Republican column this year. Even if Obama doesn't win the state, by giving the state some attention he could force McCain to spend time and money there that he badly needs to spend elsewhere -- and that's a good thing.

If McCain is having this much trouble holding North Carolina, that probably means Virginia is also in play (which has been trending more Democratic recently), and possibly even Georgia.

This is trouble for McCain. He needs the "solid South" to stand firm.

Thoroughly Vetted ?

Political Cartoon is by R.J. Matson in The New York Observer .

Was Palin Really Vetted ?

Each day, more revelations come out about McCain's vice-presidential choice. In fact, there are now so many that many people are beginning to doubt whether McCain vetted Palin at all. And I'm not referring to her daughter. Here are a few of the revelations:

* Palin has now hired an attorney to represent her regarding the charges that she fired the Commissioner of Public Safety because he refused her order to fire her brother-in-law after a messy family divorce. The attorney can now bill the state for up to $95,000.

* While claiming to be a reformer, she finagled $27 million in earmarks for her tiny Alaskan town of 19,000 people.

* She has received at least $4500 in the same illegal scheme from VECO and Bill Allen that has Alaska Senator Ted Stevens in trouble.

* Palin opposed putting animals on the endangered list (including the beluga whale and the polar bear) because they inhabit land rich in oil and gas. Her husband just happens to work for an oil company.

* Her husband registered twice as a member of the Alaska Independence Party and she attended at least one of the party's conventions. The party has advocated that Alaska secede from the U.S.

* Palin has acknowledged smoking marijuana.

* Upon becoming mayor of Wasilla, she fired some city officials because they had supported her opponent.

Who knows what revelation will appear next? Was she even vetted? Probably not. Her neighbors were not questioned. The fired Commissioner of Public Safety was not spoken to. The FBI now admits they were not asked to investigate her past (or present). Even the former Republican Speaker of the House does not believe she was properly vetted. She (Gail Phillips) says, "We're not a very big state. People I talk to would've heard something."

After making this off-the-wall pick, McCain's judgement must be questioned.

"Traitor Joe" Speaks To Republicans

Well, he did it. Joe Lieberman not only supports a Republican for president, but last night he shamed himself by appearing before the Republican Convention and spoke against the Democratic Party and its nominee (just as Georgia's Zell Miller did a few years ago). The Connecticut senator has been voting with Republicans for years now, and last night he left no doubt that he is no longer a Democrat. Here is some of what he had to say:

Thank you so very much for that warm welcome. You'd have to be me to know how much it appreciate -- I appreciate it. I'm really honored to be here tonight.

What, after all, is a Democrat like me doing at a Republican convention like this? Well, I'll tell you what: I'm here to support John McCain because country matters more than party.

I am here tonight for a simple reason. John McCain is the best choice to bring our country together and lead America forward.

I think you know that both of the presidential candidates this year have talked about changing the culture of Washington, about breaking through the partisan gridlock and the special interests that are poisoning our politics, but, my friends, only one of them has actually done it. Only one of them has shown the courage and the capability to rise above the smallness of our politics to get big things done for our country and our people. And that one is John S. McCain.

Now, let me share something with you that I'm in a unique position to do as a Democrat. My Democratic friends know all about John's record of independence and accomplishment. And you see, that's why I think some of them are spending so much time and so much money trying to convince the American people that John McCain is someone else. I am here to tell you what I think you know, but I want to speak to the people out there. Don't be fooled by some of these political statements and advertisements. Trust me: God only made one John McCain, and he is his own man.

In the Senate, during the three-and-a-half years that Senator Obama has been a member, he has not reached across party lines to get accomplish anything significant, nor has he been willing to take on powerful interest groups in the Democratic Party to get something done.

Now, I'm honored to say just a word about the great lady that John McCain has selected as his running mate. Gov. Palin, like John McCain, is a reformer. She's taken on the special interests and the political power-brokers in Alaska and reached across party lines to get things done. The truth is, she is a leader we can count on to help John shake up Washington. That's why -- that's why I sincerely believe that the real ticket for change this year is the McCain-Palin ticket.

We need a president we can count on to fight for what's right for our country, not only when it's easy, but when it's hard.

My -- my friends, I have had the privilege and I'd say the pleasure of traveling the world with John McCain, even with Lindsey Graham it was a pleasure.

My friends, before I conclude, I want to ask the indulgence of all of you here in this hall tonight, because I want to speak directly to my fellow Democrats and independents who are watching or listening tonight. I want to -- I want to speak directly to you out there. I know many of you are angry and frustrated by our government and our politics today, and for good reason. You may be thinking of voting for John McCain, but you're not sure yet. Some of you may never have voted for a Republican before. And, frankly, in an ordinary election, you probably never would.
But I want you to believe with me that this is no ordinary election, because...And it's no ordinary election because these are not ordinary times. And trust me: John McCain is no ordinary candidate.

So, tonight, I want to ask you, whether you are an independent, a Reagan Democrat, a Clinton Democrat, or just a plain-old Democrat, this year, when you vote for president, vote for the person you believe is best for our country, not for the party you happen to belong to.

I appeal to independents, Democrats, and Republicans. Let's come together this November to make a great American patriot, John McCain, our next great president.

Fellow Democrats, is there even an iota of doubt left about the dis-loyalty of this cretin? Can any of you honestly say he deserves the honored title of Democrat? Does he have the right to sit with real Democrats in the Democratic Congressional Caucus?

Can we kick him out now and strip him of his committee assignments?

(Cartoon above is by By Bob Englehart in The Hartford Courant)

New State Fair Treat

I can see I'm going to have to stay away from the State Fair of Texas this year. I've never been able to turn down food, especially something deep-fried. Just ask my doctor -- most of my check-ups are dedicated to discussing my eating habits, and I know she wouldn't approve of the new treats being offered at the fair this year.

I have a love affair with bacon, and a state fair vendor Glen Kusak has discovered a way to make it even unhealthier (and probably tastier) than it already is. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram describes this treat as "thick, peppery bacon that is seasoned, double-dipped in batter, breaded, then deep-fried. It is served with ranch or honey-mustard sauce."

I know I'd never be able to turn that down, or even stop with eating only a reasonable portion. And I'm sure I'd have to top it off by eating some other deep-fried treat (ice cream, candy bar, etc.), so I guess I'd better stay at home this year.

I actually like my doctor, and I'd hate to give her a heart attack when she reads my lab results at my next check-up.

The Shadow

Political Cartoon is by Steve Sack in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

McCain Continues To LIE !

While John Sidney McCain is still trying to push the proposition that he is a "straight-talker", it is becomiong more evident with every passing day that McCain does not mind telling lie after lie to get elected president. Consider his appearance on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace.

Wallace actually had the cajones to ask McCain why he had voted 19 times against the federal minimum wage. McCain first tried to play it off by talking about cutting taxes (which means little or nothing to those unfortunates making minimum wage or less).

When Wallace pressed him for an answer about his anti-minimum wage votes, McCain then said the only reason he had voted against it was because it had been attached to a bill that he opposed. That's a LIE!

There have been at least 15 times that McCain has voted against the minimum wage

in a stand-alone amendment or bill. He even voted against a non-binding senate resolution calling for a raise in the minimum wage.

McCain then assured Wallace that he supports "a living wage for all Americans". Maybe McCain does not understand what a "living wage" really is. After all, he and his wife are worth more than $100 million and own multiple homes. Neither of them have shopped for groceries, put gas in a car, paid rent or had to live off a salary for many years.

But I suspect it's just a lie. I can't believe that even the rich actually believe that the minimum wage (or less as he wanted) is really a "living wage", even for single people.

In that same interview, McCain also told Wallace that he opposes torture. After his experiences in the Vietnam War McCain should oppose torture, but the sad fact is that he doesn't.

When Congress tried to pass a bill that would outlaw "waterboarding" as an interrogation technique that could be used by the CIA, McCain voted against the bill. That means he voted to allow "waterboarding" to be used. When the bill passed, McCain then urged Bush to veto the bill (which he did).

For a "straight-talker", McCain sure does lie a lot!

Attack Dog ?

Political Cartoon is by Mike Keefe in The Denver Post.

TPA Weekly Review

It's Labor Day and it's time for another weekly roundup of the Texas Progressive Alliance. Click on for the week's highlights.

Mike Thomas at Rhetoric & Rhythm is unhappy with some liberal bloggers who decided to label his Congressman - Ciro Rodriguez - as a so-called "Bush Dog Democrat".

Is John McCain's vice presidential pick some kind of joke? McBlogger's Mayor McSleaze thinks it's more like a situation comedy.

CouldBeTrue is happy for Webb County! Finally, the long sheriff's primary is over and Martin Cuellar is the official sheriff-to-be. And, yeah, the AG is looking into the hinky first recount.

With Tom DeLay and the TRMPAC indictments back in the news, Off the Kuff conducts an interview with Cris Feldman, one of the attorneys who won a civil judgment against TRMPAC for its violations of campaign finance law in the 2002 elections.

Stace Medellin at DosCentavos is celebrating ten years of living in the Houston area. Read about what brought him to Houston and what has kept him in the big city.

Neil at Texas Liberal is glad to note that the Galveston County Democrats Club is, as always, working hard for all the people of Galveston County---Both on the mainland and on the island.

The Texas Cloverleaf reminds everyone that McCain is older than fiberglass. His new sidekick leads a state with a population smaller than Collin County. Sitcom indeed.

jobsanger wonders why the Democratic Convention didn't show a little respect for Lyndon Johnson's 100th birthday, and prepares to enjoy the prospect of dueling Republican conventions.

What is the linkage between radioactive waste dumps, smear ad campaigns and HD-52 Republican nominee Bryan Daniel? Dembones at Eye On Williamson follows the money trail back to Swift Boat financer, Dallas billionaire Harold Simmons, whose latest smear campaign tries to link Barack Obama to '60s radical William Ayers.

Doing My Part For The Left's refinish69 wonders if Texas Deferred Adjudication is helpful or shameful.

North Texas Liberal has video of Sen. Hillary Clinton condemning John McCain's use of her picture and quotes in his ads.

PDiddie assembled some of the satirical ridicule of John McCain's selection of Elaine Benes from Seinfeld Sarah Palin of Alaska at Brains and Eggs.

BossKitty at Truthhugger observes "FEMA Gets A Second Chance - NOLA Redux for “Mother Of All Storms”and what our fearless leaders plan to do about it THIS TIME.

Vince at Capitol Annex offers his opinion on Michael L. Williams' manipulation of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. concerning Barack Obama's experience. For added value, one of Williams' campaign staffers decided to comment on the post and attempt to defend his biss.

nytexan at BlueBloggin wonders why PUMAs are exhibiting a high level of disrespect to Hillary and her request for full support and asks PUMA, Was It Ever About Hillary Clinton

Repubs Try To Intimidate Protesters

It looks like the Bush administration is going to continue trashing the Constitution right up until their last minute in power. In the last few days, the local police at the Republican Convention site cities along with the FBI (see above photo) have raided at least four homes and a public meeting site. They have arrested several people, charging them with "conspiracy to incite a riot", searched the sites and taken photos of over forty people (who had not broken any law) after handcuffing and questioning them.

I don't know what the police think gives them the right to apprehend and photograph people who have broken no law. Have they forgotten the Constitution guarantees people the right to assemble? They also have the right to protest, but were raided before any protests had taken place.

In another action, police swarmed and seized a bus that was transporting members of a group called Earth Justice. They just left the bus riders stranded on the side of the road. It is unknown why the bus was seized -- probably just to cause problems for the protesters.

At least one city council member has accused the local and federal police of trying to quash or suppress legal protests. I would call it intimidation -- just a sampling of the police state the Republican leadership would like to install in America. Fortunately, the protesters say they refuse to be intimidated, and the protests will continue as planned.

I haven't seen such gross police misbehavior since the mid-seventies. Obviously, they don't believe freedom or constitutional rights should exist for anyone who disagrees with Bush/McCain policies.

Geezer And Gidget

Political Cartoon is by Pat Bagley in the Salt Lake Tribune.