Still Fighting

Activism

We can't allow ourselves to become lax in the quest for honest politicians. Tom DeLay's questionable ethics have taken a backseat to "weightier" matters over the last few weeks, but that is no reason to let him off the hook for his deplorable actions. Nick Lampson, DeLay's opponent in 2006 for Texas's 22nd district, has started a petition urging the Dennis Hastert (Speaker of the House) to appoint an independent counsel (like Kenneth Starr, only not so hung up on sex) to determine whether or not DeLay's actions (as they appear to be) violated the law. We encourage you to sign Lampson's petition here. If we don't hold them accountable, who will?

News

`Morning-After Pill' Not Abortion, Scientists Say. We start with a bit of good news this morning. Scientists have preliminarily determined that the "morning-after pill" does not, in fact, constitute an abortion of an embryo. Right-to-lifers maintain that the pill works "by preventing implantation of a fertilized egg in the womb and thus destroy an early embryo." The scientists counter that the pill actually works by blocking the release of an egg from the ovary, so no embryo is formed. It may seem like a small point, but that small point is the crux of anti-abortionist's arguments. If the scientific data stands, pro-lifers would have no leg to stand on regarding the morning-after pill. Of course, given how science gets squashed by this administration, we wouldn't be surprised to find out that the White House has released a statement saying "More study is needed." While this is a potential big win for liberals, it shouldn't change the message that liberals want to try and educate to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies.

Dad Picks Up $600 Tab to Get Marine Battle Ready. Here's what it comes down to, folks. Like a 12 year old at summer camp, the Army is sending new recruits a "to bring" list, for when they show up at the base. Included in the list goggles, knee and elbow pads, a canteen, a "drop pouch," and, oh yeah, a flak jacket with armor plating. The items on the list total $600, and for many of the people who are captivated by recruiters and join the Army, $600 is a hell of a lot of money. The message stated that these items would help "enhance the prospects of their survival." What the hell does that mean? Isn't it the Army's job to keep them alive? What in the world are they spending $401.7 billion dollars a year on, if not goggles and elbow pads?

Senate Passes Amendment to Combat Climate Change. Senate Republicans passed an amendment to pending energy legislation that would call for voluntary reductions in emissions. What is that about? Voluntary reductions? If a law isn't passed to make reductions mandatory (as Democrats are trying to do), then the only companies who are going to do this are the ones who are already doing it - the ones who actually give a damn about the world we live in. Sens. McCain and Lieberman have introduced a much stricter bill, with mandatory requirements, and that will be voted on later this week. But, of course, it won't pass. Too many Senators looking out for special interest groups, or worrying about their campaign contributions being pulled because they sided against big business. Change never comes easy. We only hope that the Republican-led Senate does minimal damage, before Democrats can take it back and start passing legislation that would actually, you know, benefit someone other than the top 1%.

Editorials

Run, Dick, Run. Tom Friedman breaks down why Bush has been acting so ridiculously, making decisions that don't benefit the country. It's simple, really - there is no heir apparent. Dick Cheney isn't running in 2008 (but oh, how much would we love it if he did). There's no Republican face that Bush can gaze upon and say "Yes, you. You'll do nicely." All of Bush's decisions during his second term have catered exclusively to the right-wing (sure, unlike his first term), and his short-sighted tax and budget cuts will be drastically altered in 2008, no matter who wins the office. He's also making it harder for the Republicans to put up a viable candidate in 2008, which is fine by us. By skewing everything that he's doing to the right, he leaves the rest of the country out (including moderates, who are not so keen on him at this point).

Veteran Republican Alleges Democratic "War on Christianity" on House Floor. If you haven't been following the Air Force Academy story, let us fill you in. First, the Air Force Academy admitted that a religious intolerance exists on campus. This is fact, and it cannot be denied. Next, as you see in the above editorial, Republicans are attempting to capitalize on Howard Dean's comments by picking apart statements made by Democratic Representatives on the House floor. Only, if you actually read their statements, there's no "demonizing" of Christians. There is a call to equity. Now, an Air Force Chaplain at the academy, Captain MeLinda S. Morton, has submitted her resignation because she is being pushed out of her current position and being transferred to Japan. Morton has been extremely outspoken in her criticism of the Academy, and this is their way of rewarding her. The real goat in this entire story is not the Academy, who have admitted their errors and are starting to take steps to correct it. The goats are House Republicans like Rep. John Hostettler, R-Ind, who attempted to take Reps. Obey and Israel's statements out of context, and turn them into an attack on Christians. Hostettler, you may remember, was responsible last week for slipping an amendment into a budget bill to not fund the Supreme Court ruling to remove the 10 Commandments. When can we get this guy out of office? Why doesn't his opponent, Vanderburgh County Sheriff Brad Ellsworth, have a website up yet?

From Washington To Tehran, With Love. We wrote earlier this week about Bush's response to Iran's elections. After reading the Cunning Realist's editorial from last weekend, we're convinced that he must be a liberal. He really gets it. Bush is trying to use his political sway on countries that he doesn't need to. Instead, why not focus our energy on countries like Saudi Arabia, where our intelligence has reported high numbers of "human trading traffic." Instead, Bush feels that we need to cozy up to places like Saudi Arabia, so that they can continue to sell us oil at a raised price. Hey, here's an idea. Fund an initiative to make emissions reductions mandatory. Then, offer tax breaks to citizens who buy hybrid cars. Of course, Bush wouldn't do this. Maybe if he understood the Muslim culture better, he might better be able to negotiate. Then again, this is the same president who doesn't know how to pronounce "Luxembourg," so we won't hold our breath.