House Lifts Offshore Drilling Ban

Thursday, the House approved, 232 to 187, to end the offshore drilling ban and allow drilling in waters from New England to Alaska. Those who approve of the ban argued that finding an alternative fuel source would be in the best interest of the country and drilling offshore can be threatening to the environment and coast. Next for the bill is approval from the Senate but senators from coastal states have opposed the lifting of the ban and even vowed to filibuster the legislation.

Finding an alternative fuel source should be one of the nation's top priority. Gas and oil prices are milking every last dime out of the low to middle income class citizens. With the cost of living rising as well as college tuition, a feeling of abandonment and desertion comes upon us by our government. Then a slap in the face by the oil companies as they post their quarterly earnings. Just a few years ago, a gallon of unleaded gas was $.99 but remember America, a DEMOCRAT was in office.

Incarnate Word cancel NY Times subscription

In protest to the recent stories exposing the government's secret program that monitors international bank transactions, the University of Incarnate Word's Dean of Library Services cancelled their library's subscription to the NY Times. "Since no one elected the New York Times to determine national security policy, the only action I know to register protest for their irresponsible action (treason?) is to withdraw support of their operations by canceling our subscription as many others are doing," Mendall D. Morgan, Jr. wrote in a June 28 email to library staff."If enough do, perhaps they will get the point." --story from www.mysa.com

When the NY Times story broke, the country again became divided. Some believe the government's "secret' programs are for the best and others are furious believing their bank troubles are due to the government's actions. But where is the line drawn on government monitoring. How far can and will the Bush admistration go. By the university participating in protesting the freedom of the press, they are protesting our Constitutional Rights. The Rights that were fought for and won by our founding fathers, now this admistraion has stripped them from under us one by one.

To close this, the only Right we will have at the end of Bush's term is the Right to Bare Arms just for Dick.

AL Gore as the president

A Terrifying Message from Al Gore

An Inconvenient Truth for Dummies with Al Gore

Supreme Court Limits the Power of "The Dictator"

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to limit the power of the Bush administration to conduct military tribunals at the U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on imprisoned suspected terrorists.
The ruling means the officals will need to come up with a new policy to prosecute the prisoners but this does not include the government's ability to detain suspects.
Since the 9/11 attacks, Bush has abused the power of the government when capturing, imprisioning and prosecuting suspected terrorists.
Justice Stevens had this statment "The military commission at issue is not expressly authorized by any congressional act." The tribunals, he said,"must be understood to incorporate at least the barest of those trial protections that have been recognized by customary international law."

Limiting the power on how Bush will try the prisoners of war or "enemy combatants" as his administration would put it, is not enough to save this country. His power needs to be limited on tracking down terrorists and maintaining order is Iraq. Bush has gone too far with his survenillance on the people of this country and with our troops in Iraq, who has repeatedly requested U.S. to leave. The Supreme Court should order Bush to take Dick on a vacation (not in Texas) just until the next Presidental Election.

Supreme Court Decision

Here is a link to the supreme court's decision on the redistricting case.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/documents/texascase_docket_05-204.pdf

Chris Bell on Ed Schultz

Air America Radio's nationally syndicated Ed Schultz show had Texas Democratic Candidate Chris Bell on today. He talked about the Supreme Court's decision this morning on the redistricting case. Bell mentioned that the Hispanic voters were robbed of a fair ballot in their district but believes Texas is "ready for change". Bell is very confident in his campaign and Chris or shall I say Governor Bell, Texas is ready to be turned Blue. Ed also mentioned Texas is a gun state and many believe Democrats are against guns, but Bell assured this election will not effect Texas gun laws. Bell stated he is supportive of sportmans and so are many other Democrats. Chris Bell was excellent on Ed's show today and for those who don't listen to Ed, San Antonio station 103.1 Fm or www.wegoted.com between 2pm-5pm cst.

Pimp Tax

Republican Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa proposed to tax pimps and prostitutes, hoping this would stop the illegal sex trade. The Senate Finance Committee is expected to take a vote this morning which will include more jail time for the sex workers. If passed, at least $2 million dollars will be needed to establish an IRS unit to prosecute for sex violations.

Is this a proposal like the $1 million dollar toilet? What else will Republicans come up with to get the country's mind off the war and other unlawful acts they contribute to?

Democrats vow to block pay raise for Congress.

The Republicans once again rejected increasing the minimum wage, arguing that the raise for low-income workers would hurt small businesses. After nine years of unsuccessful attempts, the Democrats vow to vote against any congressional raises.

Increasing minimum wage will not hurt small businesses but not increasing minimum wage will hurt the low-income workers themselves. With the cost of living increasing and gas prices, the minimum wage is un-livable. The Republicans are only thinking of their sponsors from the big corporations that pay their employees minimum wage or a little more but still less then the proposed amount by Democrats. This should be a step all Democrats should be taking, helping increase the minimum wage to a livable wage.