“Those who invalidate reason ought seriously to consider whether they argue against reason with or without reason; if with reason, then they establish the principles that they are laboring to dethrone: but if they argue without reason (which, in order to be consistent with themselves they must do), they are out of reach of rational conviction, nor do they deserve a rational argument.”
-Ethan Allen
Curiouser and curiouser. Mark Shepard reads Human Rights Watch! Who woulda thunk it? A guy that doesn't think adult humans should have the right to marry whoever they want reads Human Rights Watch. Shep, as I'm sure you'll recall, got his panties all in a twist because a bill was introduced into the Statehouse daring to suggest it might be polite to thank Venezuela for their energy assistance.
Went and ticked them Venezuelans off real good too:
"Mark Shepard lies or is an irresponsible fool when he claims that in Venezuela freedom of expression is suppressed, the media is censored and legal rights are suppressed," read a statement released late Thursday by the government's Ministry of Communication and Information.
Jeezum, you'd think the guy said we should go assassinate their president or something. Cheap thrills for the winger wing of his base, I guess.....
"I really don't have a reputation for plugging politics," Shepard said. "It's not in my nature."
Oh, goodness. I fear I may have insulted him.
Shepard, who represents Bennington County and Wilmington, is vying for a seat in the U.S. House. He said the resolution appeared to be a "tweak" at President George W. Bush disguised as a thank-you card.
"Clearly, this is a political maneuver by the sponsors," he said.
Or, maybe it's MY intelligence that's being insulted. Apparently, he thinks Venezuela has a big problem with the cold just like New England does......
"As a matter of foreign policy, there must be a better way to alleviate the difficulties from the high cost of oil. What do the people in Venezuela think when they see their wealth going to the richest nation in the world?"
Uh.....it's a bit of warmth, not a bunch of wealth, Shep.They probably not only enjoy the "tweak" at the Bushies, they could be hoping for some nice thank-you notes from people in the Green Mountain State, so they can write back and ask them what it's like when it gets that cold: Average temperature ranges in Caracas are from 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit) to 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) all year.
Besides, when they answer the thank you letters, they can tell themselves they're helping even more: their letters will give folks something else to burn when the oil runs out.....
The Impeach Tree in Vermont appears to be sprouting some new branches. Is this a graft seeking more sweet fruit, or a natural, healthy mutuation?
MONTPELIER — Democratic congressional candidate Peter Welch called Friday for the firing or resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, calling him "the face of failed policies in Iraq."
Could it be the company Rummy keeps?
Yep, Rummy goes back with a bunch a people: .
"I call on Rumsfeld's resignation because his poor judgment has unnecessarily put Vermonters and Americans at risk and has undermined our ability to accomplish our goals," Welch said.
"Americans should not forget that Rumsfeld has failed to eliminate the single greatest threat to our security, to find Osama bin Laden and dismantle his terror network," he added.
Well, that's certainly worth remembering.....but so's this:
"The most important thing is for us to find Osama bin Laden. It is our number one priority and we will not rest until we find him."
- G.W. Bush, 9/13/01
"I want justice...There's an old poster out West, as I recall, that said, 'Wanted: Dead or Alive,'"
- G.W. Bush, 9/17/01, UPI
"I don't know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don't care. It's not that important. It's not our priority."
- G.W. Bush, 3/13/02
"I am truly not that concerned about him."
- G.W. Bush, repsonding to a question about bin Laden's whereabouts,
3/13/02 (The New American, 4/8/02)
But the military is quick to rush to SecDef's defense, making it doubtful that the Vermont National Guard will support a coup d'etat:
Republican congressional candidate Martha Rainville, who is currently adjutant general of the Vermont National Guard, said "now is not the time for political grandstanding or fingerpointing."
"Demanding the removal of Secretary Rumsfeld is not going to hasten the dismantling of the worldwide terror network or ensure security of our homeland, nor will it speed the process of turning responsibility for the security of Iraq over to the Iraqi defense forces," Rainville said in a statement released by her campaign.
Darn. Somehow, Martha Rainville musta got battle hardened, Rumsfeld style. It boggles the mind that the Adjutant General of the National Guard in the state that has the highest per capita losses in the Iraq war could be sticking up for the guy that sends weekend warriors into a combat zone without the proper body armor.
And look who got caught flat-footed:
State Sen. Mark Shepard, R-Bennington, who is vying with Rainville for his party's nomination, said of a Rumsfeld ouster, "I haven't thought about it until now. … I'm certainly not prepared to make such a statement."
Of COURSE you haven't thought about it, Shep. We understand.
But we're missing somebody here. The whole field has weighed in, except for........
07/21/05 "Rutland Herald" - - A Congressional candidate who wants to impeach President Bush insists he can win the Republican primary.
Dennis Morrisseau, 62, of West Pawlet, plans to seek the Republican nomination to run for U.S. House of Representatives. The seat is being vacated by Rep. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt., who plans a run for the U.S. Senate.
A central part of his platform, Morrisseau said, will be bringing articles of impeachment against Bush.
Aw, Dennis. You used to be a Democrat, dammit! What happened to ya?
Do a Perot. If you lose the primary, run as an independent! That way, Vermont Republicans have a choice until the bitter end. It's only fair. (evil snicker)
While 38.8 percent of Vermonters — and likely the lion's share of Vermont Republicans — voted for Bush, Morrisseau said he thinks there is enough anti-Bush sentiment within Republican circles for his message to find an audience.
"I think I've got a great shot," he said. "There's been movement since the election, if you track the polls. That's not just Democrats, that's Republicans, too. Down in southern Vermont, the man is reviled among Republicans."
Morrisseau was dismissive of the party leadership in Vermont.
"The Republican leadership is Bush people for the most part," he said. "Generally speaking, I don't pay much attention to party leadership. I recommend that. I recommend it highly."
Yeah, the Republican leadership here are certainly Bush people. They even get invited to slumber parties:
Least that Chimpy can do for his Vermont campaign manager, right?
Careful, Jim. You don't want to catch what George's got......
Hope that shot covers the "bird flu"......
Oh, and speaking of "the bird"......BWAHAHAHAHA!
Heard the latest about the Big Giant Head? The guy that called on AlQaida to blow up the Coit Tower, and even called for a boycott of our state's economy - until threatened by an angry army of teddy bears with a money dog in his race? Seems like Billdo has a soft spot in his heart for Phil Donahue. Maybe it's an Irish solidarity thing. You know how those Irishmen stick together......unless it's like, in Ulster or something.....
ANYway, He Who Bill Dares Not Name, Keith Olbermann, has affixed his John Hancock to this latest falafel foolishness..or is that foolish falafelness? Crooks and Liars has the video up, and it's a hoot, in your choice of Quicktime or WMV. Barmaid! Draw this fine person another ale.....drink up, now, and enjoy the show.
A contented Olbermann viewer last night
RenaRF at dKos has a petition of her own going. Won't you sign now, and help rid the world of those who don't know the difference between a loofah and a falafel? It only takes a minute, and it can make such a difference in the life of a small child.
Rokay. We did sniping, we did subterfuge, (Did you catch it? Or was I too subterfugeous?) now let's do strategery....uh..STRATEGY. Yeah. What you said.
The gops get to have a primary for the House race. We don't.
And mad props to Zuckerman, by the way.
I feel this irresistable urge to divide and conquer, manipulate, exploit, and generally fuck up my karma. Take my devious poll and tell me what you think.
And have another ale!
“"Waiting, are they? Waiting, are they? Well, goddam 'em, let 'em wait!"
[Ethan Allen, to his physician who said "General, I fear the angels are waiting for you", quoted in Saturday Review, April 5, 1958]” |
