Smart bombs vs. slingshots

Going to war over slingshots and crossbows. Now there is a threat to our national security.

As the world worried about Saddam Hussein’s quest for nuclear and biological weapons, he took time out to discuss with his top advisers the merits of a decidedly more primitive arsenal: slingshots, Molotov cocktails and crossbows.

In a previously undisclosed video, apparently shot in the months before the American-led invasion in 2003, Mr. Hussein, the Iraqi dictator, beams as military officers display and demonstrate low-tech weapons spread on a table in a ceremonial room. Whether the episode shows genuine preparation for an insurgency or was merely a bizarre propaganda exercise is unclear.

Gobble gobble

The man with no plan

Why should he a plan? He figures just blame the Democrats for not fixing his mess.

Bush was asked about proposals by some members of Congress, including 2008 presidential hopeful John McCain, to send more troops to Iraq in an effort to stabilize the country.

"I haven't made any decisions about troop increases or troop decreases, and won't until I hear from a variety of sources," Bush replied.

Sad indeed after 3 1/2 years of of war that will go down in the books as one of the biggest mistakes ever.

Loose nut in district 22

So I pretty much ignore all things politics for over a week to spend some awesome time with the Villarreal family so this morning as I open the Sunday paper I see our temporary District 22 "Loose Nut" on the front page. They say she has managed to ruin her chance for an 08 run in just a few days in Washington. Now ask yourself, could you imagine two years of her representing District 22. What a way to help me get back in the swing of things. My friend Muse has been all this story since day one.

Waking up

I am slowly waking up from hibernation of election and blogging burnout...

Change is in the wind

Speaker-in-waiting Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) threw her support behind Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) for majority leader Sunday, giving a significant boost to Murtha in his race against Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).

The Morning After: Vaya Con Dios, My Darlings

as found here.

In fact, I've been indicted on laws that didn't exist

First, Congratulations to Nick Lampson for his defeat of the write-in candidate in District 22. Wow, 20 years since this district had a Democratic congressman.

I kind of hung out at the Fort Bend Democrats headquarters yesterday and was thoroughly impressed with all the enthusiasm of all its members. Bryan, Mark and Martha...excellent work.

Here is a funny little DeLayism from an article I read today.

"In my case, I haven't been found guilty of anything," DeLay said. "In fact, I've been indicted on laws that didn't exist."

While DeLay said he was "personally disappointed" that a Democrat won his vacated seat, he said the "saving grace is Nick Lampson's going to be a one-term congressman," due to the fact that Sekula-Gibbs received more votes in her special election than Lampson did yesterday.

Funny.."I've been indicted on laws that didn't exist". And earth to dumbass, Lampson wasn't in the special election.

Lampson Workers Say Voters Turned Away In Democratic Precinct

Here we go...

Less than two hours after the polls opened, campaign workers for Democratic congressional candidate Nick Lampson complained that voters have been turned away from the polls in a strongly Democratic precinct in east Fort Bend County.

Voters on their way to work in Precinct 4126 stopped early this morning at Oak Lake Baptist Church, at 15555 W. Airport Blvd. near Sugar Land, but found they couldn’t cast ballots, said Lampson campaign manager Mike Malaise.

According to a volunteer the campaign had at that location, election officials “just said the voting machines aren’t working. They just told them there’s no way to vote right now,” Malaise said.

Reportedly, machines at the church location had been inadvertantly mixed up with voting machines from another district, however, county officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

Mailaise noted that the period before work is often a popular time to vote. And, he added, the Lampson campaign had targeted the district – which voted almost 50% for John Kerry in the most recent presidential election. Lampson expected to pick up a significant percentage of the votes.

Also we just go word here at the Fort Bend Democrats headquarters that all Democratic sign were displaced within the last hour at the famous First Colony Conference Center. We are sending someone to investigate as we speak. What Thugs.

Video: Signs of Moral Decay in TX Congressional District 22

Thanks to YouTuber bounder77062.

FOX News misleads TX-22 race...ok lies

As seen on Crooks and Liars.

This is one of those double take situations. FOX just ran a segment on the TX-22 race. Notice that graphic from the network of "fair and balanced", that says the GOP candidate is now leading in the race for Tom Delay's old seat. Now watch this clip and listen to the actual numbers of the poll, as well as the explanation given by Democrat Nick Lampson

So the poll has Lampson leading by 36%, while the GOP candidate is at 28%. To FOX news, being down by 8 points apparently means the candidate is in the lead. Now that is some interesting math right there. Now to be fair, the Republican is leading in the polls - amongst the write in candidates. Lampson is not a write-in candidate though.

Video

Get out the vote and and DOJ/Secretary Of State Inspectors

Fort Bend Now is reporting:

Fort Bend County polling locations may be more crowded than usual on Tuesday, as federal and state election inspectors and poll watchers for at least two candidates are expected to be present.

A representative of the U.S. Department of Justice will make unannounced visits in Fort Bend County polling places during Tuesday’s general election, Elections Administrator J.R. Perez said on Sunday.

So will inspectors from the Texas Secretary of State’s Office, said spokesman Scott Haywood. Officials with Congressional District 22 Democratic candidate Nick Lampson’s campaign and the Texas Democratic Party had asked several days ago that the secretary of state provide inspectors, after several incidents at early voting locations. However, Haywood said he couldn’t disclose who made the requests that will result in Tuesday’s visits.

While I applaude this move, it is not a reason to back down with our own poll watchers at the locations while the election funny stuff has been happening. I'm sure the Lampson camp is all over this.

As expected, Fort Bend County Comissioner Andy Meyers has put his racist, hate filled signs here in Fort Bend.

It's crap like this that America is finally saying they have "had enough".

Folks, this is crunch time. Walk outside, meet yur neighbor and tell them to vote Democratic? You just may be amazed by the response you'll hear regarding the discontent with the republican party.

The hardest working group in the country is our very own Fort Bend Democrats. They are working in overdrive to get out the vote for our local Democratic candidates. Stop by their headquarters and lend a helping hand, make a few GOTV calls or just say hello to show them your support.

Most importantly, vote tomorrow. Here are all the polling sites. As Nick Lampson says, this election is extremely important not just on on a national level but the local level as well. Our friend Andy Meyers proves this point.

A call to all voters

Another video I know, but there is no better way to get the Democratic message out before Tuesday. Dean sends out a call to all voters. Had enough yet?

New DNC Ad : Two Wrongs

Best ad yet. The two wrongs are...well watch the ad and try to understand what planet our president lives on.

A terrorist wet dream

Yes, his name is George Bush.

Bill Maher tells how to respond the to a repulican. Tell them..."you're full of shit!"

How to build the bomb on the internets

So who is keeping you safe, really?

Shelley Sekula-Gibbs for abortion before she was against it

Which is it?

Watch the video from ABC 13.

Update: Here is the Lampson campaign press release.

Another Flip-Flop from Shelley Sekula-Gibbs
11/02/2006
For immediate release

Shelley was for abortion...before she was against it.

Houston, TX--The Lampson campaign today released a document in which Shelley Sekula Gibbs declared herself a "pro-choice" candidate on abortion and sought the Planned Parenthood endorsement. This is yet another flip-flop by Shelley on a hot button issue. And it's particularly interesting since the Gibbs campaign and their cronies at the NRCC have been running automated phone calls, dropping negative mail pieces, and airing television ads attacking Nick Lampson on abortion. Her website also includes the phrase: "Honor the sanctity of life and marriage-Pro Life and Pro Family." The hypocrisy is stunning.

"When people vote for me they know where they stand," Nick Lampson said. "With my opponent, you get a different answer every time you ask her the same question. The old saying is true: you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything."

In her 2001 run-off election for Houston City Council, Shelley Sekula-Gibbs sought Planned Parenthood?s endorsement and stated to them in a signed questionnaire that she was a pro-choice candidate. When asked, "Do you support (underline and bold type from actual questionnaire) a woman's right to choose abortion as it exists under current Texas law?" Sekula-Gibbs answered. "Yes." She also answered that she supported public funding for family planning services to reduce unintended pregnancies-another position she now says she does not support. In fact, Shelley received a 100% on the pro-choice questionnaire. Gibbs's position on hot button issues seems to change depending on what office she's running for. The message is clear: she'll say anything to get elected.

Earlier this year, Shelley infamously flip-flopped on the issue of illegal immigration railing against the so-called sanctuary policy that she not only supported, but actively protected, right up until a few months ago when she decided to run for Congress.

"Shelley's flip flop on illegal immigration is now infamous," Mike Malaise, Lampson campaign manager, said. "Now it turns out she was for abortion before she was against it. Maybe by 'vote twice for Shelley' she means once for pro-life Shelley and once for pro-choice Shelley. No one in this district knows where she stands on anything And they cannot trust that the candidate they vote for today will be the representative they get tomorrow."

Farhan Shamsi exposes hate speech from republican official

Click on the thumbnails above to see some of the racist hate speech from a republican official. This guy is even smart enough to post his Muslim hating rants on his website. Goes to show you what we are dealing with here in Fort Bend. scaaaaaarrry!

Learn more about Farhan Shamsi over a Greg's place.

Gotta love them Aggies

The feeder (service) road going North on Hwy 249 from Houston, to Tom Ball, Tx.

You owe me an apology, Mr. President

From The Ostroy Report

If anyone owes the troops an apology, Mr. President, it is you. You and your administration have used and abused their loyalty and courage to further your maniacal political agenda. And while you're at it, you can apologize to the American people as well. You owe us all an apology for:

1. Lying about WMD in order to justify an invasion of Iraq
2. Failing to provide enough troops to secure the country after toppling Saddam
3. Failing to adequately equip the troops with life-saving body armor
4. Failing to be honest with the troops and the public about the failing war
5. Lying about the circumstances surrounding Pat Tillman's death
6. Lying about the circumstances surrounding Pvt. Jessica Lynch's rescue
7. Having Defense Secretary Rumsfeld lie about knowing where the WMD were
8. Having VP Dick Cheney constantly lie about the "progress" in Iraq
9. Lying that the "mission was accomplished"
10. Lying to America that Democrats want the terrorists to win
11. Lying about never saying "stay the course"
12. For the death of 3000 U.S soldiers
13. For the maiming and wounding of tens of thousands of others

On his Hardball program Tuesday, Chris Matthews chastised several Repuglican spinners, asking incredulously if they truly believed Kerry was trashing the troops instead of Bush. Matthews, in acknowledging the highly orchestrated attack campaign on Kerry, cited the many communications he's received from the GOP.

"You wouldn't believe the number of press releases coming into this studio from the top Republicans, all of them, in a grand bit of choreography," Matthews said. "Not since the June Taylor dancers has there been so much choreography."

Matthews added that, in the context of the entire Kerry speech, it seems clear what the Senator's intention was: "My interpretation became after seeing it a couple times and reading the text of what he's saying...he was out there trashing the president's lack of preparation for going into Iraq. And by the way, I agree with him on that. If this president had more sense of history about the Middle East, we would not be stuck in Iraq." Kudos to Chris.

Even right-wing strategist Matthew Dowd agreed: "I think John Kerry supports the troops...he was a member of the military. I think that John Kerry's intention always has been, in his own way, to support the troops."

"Insulting and shameful," you say Mr. President? Exactly, but it's your behavior, and that of your reckless, irresponsible White House mob of Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld and Rove, that has insulted and shamed every single American. When are you going to apologize for what you've done to our soldiers and to this country?

Message to the Busheviks: Kerry's not running for anything, you are. If you think the American people next Tuesday are gonna focus on his bad jokes versus how you've destroyed our country, guess again.

Final poll NYT/CBS: It's all about Iraq

This final poll before the election cites bad new for republicans. And yes, It's all about Iraq.

The poll found that just 29 percent of Americans approve of the way President Bush is managing the war in Iraq, matching the lowest mark of his presidency. Nearly 70 percent of Americans said Mr. Bush did not have a plan to end the war, and an overwhelming 80 percent said Mr. Bush’s latest effort to rally public support for the conflict amounted to a change in language but not policy.

This is why I don't think anything Kerry says means anything to anybody.

What a Boner

Republican House Leader John Boehner today blamed the millitary for the mess in Iraq

House Majority Leader John Boehner: Wolf, I understand that, but let's not blame what's happening in Iraq on Rumsfeld.

Wolf Blitzer: But he's in charge of the military.

House Majority Leader John Boehner: But the fact is the generals on the ground are in charge and he works closely with them and the president. [CNN, 11/1/06]

Expect an apology?

Kevin Madden, Boehner's spokesman, sent this response: “Democrats are quickly squandering any and all credibility by even attempting to equate Mr. Boehner’s comments with criticism of anyone in the military. It’s an obvious and weak attempt to deflect criticism from Senator Kerry’s awful remarks delivered earlier this week, remarks Mr. Boehner was highly critical of. Mr. Boehner commends our military and our generals for doing a heroic job each and every day in their fight against terrorists in Iraq and around the globe. He thanks them every day for their bravery and will continue to do so.”

Reminisce of 2004

Kerry's remarks the other day were not intended to bash our soldiers but to point out the deceptive practices of the White House. GOP, FOX and all other pundits are now spinning his remarks as unpatriotic, and deflecting criticism of how the GOP is handling the quagmire. It may be working against the Democrat efforts to capture the undecided voter. Only if the Democratic party would stick up for one another and support Kerry in some way or fashion, this whole mess could have swung differently. I believe there was only one Democrat who stood by Kerry and that was Schumer. All the others are typical Democrats - spineless. Now, the GOP is having their day in the sun, hopefully it's only for one day.

Wes Clark explains it more eloquently.

Bob Smither calls out Shelley on sign theft and vandalism

November 1, 2006

Dear Shelley,

I am writing you concerning recent evidence my campaign received regarding the destruction and vandalism of my signs by a prominent supporter of your candidacy. The sign in question is a 4x8 located on Highway 90 in Fort Bend County.

Sometime on Monday evening, earlier this week, a vandal removed this sign, discarded it on the ground nearby, and placed a billboard reading “Want More Illegals? Vote Democrat” in its place. The vandals attached this sign to t-posts that were purchased by our campaign and placed by one of our volunteer sign crews.

Earlier this morning a reporter for FortBendNow.com connected this sign conclusively to Fort Bend County Commissioner Andy Meyers. Meyers purchased these sign and appears to be directly responsible for their distribution in Fort Bend County, including the place where the vandalism of my campaign’s sign occurred.

Meyers, as you know, is a prominent supporter of your candidacy. He endorsed you publicly, appears on your literature, and has hosted fundraisers on your behalf.

This incident of vandalism is not isolated. Over the last week, vandals have stolen, defaced, or destroyed over a dozen of my campaign’s signs. The highest concentration of vandalism is along the US-90 and Texas 6 corridors in Fort Bend County. Unfortunately, Commissioner Meyers’ behavior in the aforementioned incident leads me to believe that this is no coincidence.

In light of this evidence, I am asking you to instruct your campaign and its supporters to cease and desist in the vandalism of my signs. I strongly believe that campaigns should be run fairly and honestly, allowing all candidates a chance to offer their messages to the voters. It is for this reason I do not condone sign theft, and I hope that you will reach the same conclusion.

Sincerely,

Bob Smither

Libertarian Nominee, CD-22

It's about Iraq: Part 3

Iraq "almost out of control"

It's about Iraq: Part 2

Sign wars in Fort Bend

A perfect example of why republicans just don't care who they offend. Even children. Why a republican county official would put trash like this on Fort Bend School property is beyond me? Let scum be scum and this is SCUM.

Muse has a nice little write up about the man who tried but couldn't.

Oh by the way, nice meeting ya today...Muse.

It's about Iraq

This is what matters! Don't let the crazy wingnuts make you think it's about Kerry. It's about a failed policy and American men and women dying every day.