Holiday Odds and Ends

Just light blogging in the next few days (when something comes up I want to discuss/rant about). I imagine the holidays will keep many away from the internets anyway. In the meantime, here's a grab bag of news. Enjoy!

Republican congressman Virgil Goode (R-VA) made news this week with a letter ranting about the decision of newly elected representative Keith Ellison (D-MN) to bring a Koran with him when the new congress is sworn in. The rant includes: illegal immigration (?!), President Clinton, and the scourge of Muslims taking over America. In typical GOP fashion, he has no plans to apologize. Sounds to me like the same type of insane outlook that cause people to support invading Iraq as revenge for 9/11! In related crazy Republican news, Rep. Robin Hayes (R-NC) said "Stability in Iraq ultimately depends on spreading the message of Jesus Christ, the message of peace on earth, good will towards men. Everything depends on everyone learning about the birth of the Savior."

OMGZ Sandy Berger's at it again! Something something socks!

President Bush supports the Democrats' minimum wage proposal (a hugely popular move that will likely pass with a veto-proof majority anyway)... but with the caveat that it be coupled with tax relief for small businesses and some deregulation clauses. The tug-of-war begins. Oddly enough, the Washington Post article cites this as proof that the President will operate in a more 'bipartisan manner' with the new Congress. Whatever they're smoking over there, I want double.

Another slap at harmful abstinence-only sex ed... 9 out of 10 Americans have premarital sex.

On the issue of the Iraq war, the Pentagon wants another $99.7 billion; someone call China and take out a new line of credit. And Kevin Drum explores how conservatives are already bringing up their old post-Vietnam rationale to explain the impending Iraq loss... it's all the liberals' fault! When that inevitably happens, I wonder if they will include those defeatocrats Rich Lowry and Joe Scarborough too. And eight Marines involved in the 2005 Haditha killings are being charged.

Finally, with war raging all over the world this holiday season, President Bush must ask a sacrifice of the American people... "go shopping more". But if I am at the mall, who will tend to my victory garden?!? Arianna Huffington, meanwhile, has a list of presents she'd like to give out.