The Framing of Tom Delay

Found this in the National Review blog:

DeLay Indictment

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Tom DeLay, for reasons that have entirely to do with the expansion of entitlement spending under his watch (see Bruce Bartlett's excellent piece on NRO today for details). But having said that, this indictment is totally phony. Here's why:

The indictment centers around a money swap that took place between the Texans for a Republican Majority PAC (TRMPAC), to which DeLay has ties, and the Republican National State Elections Committee (RNSEC). TRMPAC sent $190,000 to RNSEC, and RNSEC then sent the same total amount in seven checks ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 to Texas House candidates in 2002. Travis County DA Ronnie Earle, a Democrat, calls this money laundering, because the money that TRMPAC sent to RNSEC came from corporations, which are barred from contributing to campaigns in Texas.

What you won't hear in the press is that A) This is a perfectly legal move, and B) the Democrats did the exact same thing. An Institute on Money in State Politics study reveals that on Oct. 31, 2002, the Texas Democratic Party did the same thing when it sent $75,000 to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and received $75,000 back from the DNC the very same day.

Here's what I wrote about this case last summer:

Just to put this $190,000 deal into perspective and demonstrate the petty, vindictive nature of this partisan investigation, the study also reveals that Democrats transferred a total of approximately $11 million dollars in soft money from its national parties to fund Texas campaigns in 2002, compared to $5.2 million transferred by Republicans.

I've been watching TV all day and no one has provided this context. I'll keep watching to see if the coverage gets more than fingernail-deep.

Bottom line: Even people who aren't fans of Tom DeLay should show some intellectual honesty and admit that this is an out-of-control prosecutor and a phony charge.

-- Stephen Spruiell

It's something to think about. Now I agree that politics are a nasty game and that both sides have historically been less than fair, but when witch-hunt is outed, the best thing to do is realize the world sees the dirty trick and give up. Whether Delay is a "nice guy" or not is irrelevant. As an elected official, he doesn't deserve it.

I'm a little choked up tonight.

About 2 1/2 years ago, I joined an online support group for people who either have had heart and/or lung transplants, or are on a waiting list. The stories of the recipients give a tremendous amount of hope for those who's lives are dependent on new organs.

Unfortunately, there are many obstacles in the way. Firstly, you must be a candidate - which means that the situation is dire, you fall into an appropriate age and you don't have any other major health issues.

After being added to the list, an individual can wait up to two years to receive an organ. The problem is that many people do not survive the wait.

One of the members of my support group had finally gotten the call that everyone on the waiting list hopes for. Donna Murray was admitted to St Luke's Hospital, in Jacksonville, Florida, exactly 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately, it was too late. She passed away today at the young age of 42.

Aside from reading her posts, I really didn't know Donna. But from what I read, she was an optimistic, friendly person, who was very well liked by everyone. Always positive, she never had a discouraging thing to say about anyone.

This was not the first death of a group member and I'm sad to say it probably will not be the last. There just aren't enough available organs to fill the need. I say this with a certain amount of "survivor's guilt." I received my new heart just 7 weeks after my heart attack. Because of my age, the degree of illness, my rare blood type and sheer luck (better known as G-d's great gift), I really did not have long to wait. Plus, since I was so "out-of-it" from my stroke, I didn't give it that much thought.

A few minutes ago, I visited Donna's website. There was a life there. A life worth remembering.

I know I won't forget.

Dallas Cowboys...............34
San Francisco 49ers.........31

More games like yesterday and I might just have a relapse! Lot's of good to talk about, but unfortunately, an equal amount of bad. But what counts is the final score and Dallas beating San Francisco 34-31 was just fine. Really, any time the 'Boys beat the Niners is a great day.

Cowboys Report Card

Passing Offense: A-
Bledsoe threw for over 350 yards and aside from one, did not have a bad pass all afternoon. Jason Witten was on fire in the first half and once the 49ers figured out a way to stop him, Glenn, Keyshawn and Patrick Crayton took over.

Rushing Offense: B-
Julius Jones ran hard and had some big gains, but the Niners offense forced the Cowboys to play catch-up, taking away the effectiveness of the running game.

Passing Defense: C-
The 89-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Lloyd emphasized the problems in the pass defense. Because they are still getting used to each other, they deserve some slack. 2 interceptions by linebackers (Dat Nguyen, Al Singleton) were huge.

Rushing Defense: C-
It seemed that the Niners were exploiting the inexperience of the younger players by utilizing the cut-back style that Rickey Watters made famous. Letting up an average of 5 yards a carry is a recipe for disaster.

Special Teams: B-
Good coverage on kicks. Crayton has a nice return called back and Tyson Thompson has breakaway speed. Missing that extra point may well cost Jose Cortez his job. If he ticks off Larry Allen again, it may cost him his life as well.

Coaching: B-
Mike Zimmer's defense adjusted well in the second half, but looked clueless in the first. Sean Payton redeemed himself with an imaginative play-calling. Parcells would have jumped off a bridge had his "Switzer-like" 4th and 1 cost the game.

Random Musings

No matter what President Bush does, Democrats vilify him. This time, Rebecca Kirszner, a spokeswoman for Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada, adds this gem:

"It's nice to have the Bush administration recognize the importance of a federal
response to Rita, but why weren't they proactively mobilizing and organizing
like this for Katrina?"

Well, gee, Becky? Could it be that maybe some people (although never liberals) actually learn from their mistakes?

***************

Why do Dems believe that just because Bush's approval ratings have gone down, that means he will be forced to compromise with them on his next Supreme Court nominee?

Last time I checked, no one has been elected by Gallup, Zogby or any other poll. Until the next election rolls around, polls mean squat.

***************

So now that Hurricane Rita struck Port Arthur, Texas, does this mean President Bush hates Texans, too?

When Rita was building in the Gulf, all the "global warning" nuts came out in droves. Now that the hurricane downgraded prior to landfall, where have they gone?

***************

I'd still rather (no pun intended) watch a nonsensical 20-minute tribute to Dan Rather, Peter Jennings and Tom Brokaw than spend even a second watching them do the news. But I have to say that I was a little creeped out by Alan Alda's fawning.

***************

Why are the Democrats so up in arms about Bush's policies regarding poverty? If there is a problem, instead of blaming the man who inherited it, shouldn't we blame those responsible for getting us where we are today?

I hate to burst anyone's bubble, but poverty didn't just happen in 2005. The policies of the congressional majorities in the last 50+ years have more to do with today's problems.

I believe that the Republicans have been in the minority for all but 8 of the 50 previous years.

The same could be said about education as well.

***************

Why is the ACLU so worked up about the increase in the prison population?

Will Harrell, executive director of the Texas American Civil Liberties Union, is concerned that there is an increase in the number of inmates although the crime rate has fallen.

Uh, Willie? Maybe it's because more criminals are in jail.

***************

Enough dilly-dallying (did I really just type that?). The Cowboys bounce back in a big way with a 31-8 win over the woeful 49ers.

Well, better late than never...

What a weird game on Monday. Another classic in the long history between the Cowboys and Redskins.

Cowboys Report Card

Passing Offense: B
Bledsoe had solid numbers and didn't throw any interceptions, but he was only able get them in the end zone once.

Rushing Offense: C
Jones had modest numbers, but the running game was generally ineffective.

Passing Defense: B-
The unit graded an A+ for the first 56 minutes, an F for the last 4.

Rushing Defense: A
They kept Clinton Portis to under 60 yards and if not for a crazy scramble by Brunell, they would have held the 'Skins to under 100 yards.

Special Teams: B
Much improved over last week. Punter Matt McBriar is going to the Pro Bowl.

Coaching: C-
With exception of the flea-flicker, play calling was too conservative. Especially in the 4th quarter holding just a 10 point lead.

From Matt Drudge...

Paltrow: "I don't want to live in America!"

Gee, what a coincidence. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Beating a division winner on the road is no easy task. The Cowboys victory over the Chargers in San Diego was no exception. The offense clicked and the defense made the plays they needed to win their first opening game in 5 years.

Cowboys Report Card

Passing Offense: A
3 TD's O INT's what more could you want. Patrick Crayton looks like the real deal.

Rushing Offense: B+
Julius Jones ran well and and scored touchdown.

Passing Defense: B-
A couple of sacks, but Ware looked overwhelmed early. Anthony Henry had a monster game. Let McCardell loose too many times.

Rushing Defense: A-
Kept Tomlinson from making a difference.

Special Teams: C-
Gave up too many yards on punt returns.

Coaching: A-
Cowboys seemed lost early, but made the right adjustments. Play calling was good.

Three years ago yesterday, I died. Well, I guess since I'm writing this I'm not actually dead, but I should be. Based on statistics alone, my time should have come sometime in the night after my heart would no longer function.

Had this been 30 years ago, I would certainly be on the "other side".

I still don't know why I survived. I've heard it all, from "You have a second chance'' to "you should be so thankful". But I have not yet heard why I lived.

Yeah, I know, "the kids need their father". But as well-intentioned as they are, most people have no clue what it means to have faced death. Certain friends (no names please) have even commented that it's much ado about nothing and that I should just "get over it."

But they themselves have never been put in that situation. They can't possibly fathom what it feels like to realize - at 39 years old - that you are now a burden. They can not understand the feeling of utter frustration at not being able to do the most simple tasks without total exhaustion.

They certainly can not relate to the very real feeling that sleep is no longer a respite, but a fear.

I'm tired of people who "know" how I feel. Unless you've been put in this situation, you couldn't possibly. I liken it to "survivor's remorse", like those who walk away from a plane crash only to find the person sitting next to you didn't. The only difference is that you didn't cause the plane to crash. Someone else was to blame.

In my case, there is no one else. Whether I caused my illness or not is not the issue. The point is that those of us who have been in this situation have no one to blame. Hence, we tend to blame ourselves. We blame ourselves for being a burden. We blame ourselves for not being able to do the things we once found simple and we blame ourselves for not feeling and thinking the way we once did.

Three years ago, after I woke up, the doctor told me that the recovery would be difficult. He never told how horribly painful, both physically and emotionally, it would be. I guess - maybe - if he would have, I'd have given up.

No Offense, But It’s All About Defense

Tonight begins the best time of the year, football season. The kids have started school, the days are getting shorter and soon the weather will begin to cool.

In honor of this wonderful time, I present my annual NFL predictions:

NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles 11-5
Dallas Cowboys 10-6
New York Giants 7-9
Washington Redskins 6-10

NFC North
Minnesota Vikings 10-6
Green Bay Packers 8-8
Chicago Bears 6-10
Detroit Lions 6-10

NFC South
Carolina Panthers 11-5
Atlanta Falcons 10-6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-10
New Orleans Saints 5-11

NFC West
Seattle Seahawks 10-6
St. Louis Rams 9-7
Arizona Cardinals 8-8
San Francisco 49ers 4-12

AFC East
New England Patriots 11-5
New York Jets 10-6
Buffalo Bills 7-9
Miami Dolphins 5-11

AFC North
Baltimore Ravens 10-6
Pittsburgh Steelers 10-6
Cincinnati Bengals 8-8
Cleveland Browns 4-12

AFC South
Indianapolis Colts 12-4
Houston Texans 8-8
Jacksonville Jaguars 6-10
Tennessee Titans 5-11

AFC West
San Diego Chargers 10-6
Kansas City Chiefs 10-6
Denver Broncos 7-9
Oakland Raiders 6-10

NFC Champions: Carolina Panthers

AFC Champions: Indianapolis Colts

Super Bowl XL Champions: Indianapolis Colts

Random Musings

I truly regret that I was right about the damage sustained in New Orleans.

If there is blame to be placed, it should not be placed primarily at the feet of President Bush.

Last year, the city of New Orleans ran an emergency scenario test should a category 4 or 5 hurricane hit. The test showed tremendous vulnerability for the city.

Why wasn't it corrected?

With all the talk of evacuating those who had no transportation, why weren't the city buses utilized in advance of the storm.

Many in the media have excused the violence and looting as being understandable due to the despair and poverty of the city. It's funny. I don't recall there being any rapes or violent crimes in the cattle cars of those being shipped to Auschwitz.

Of course it is possible that the stories aren't true.

Rudi Giuliani was a hero for his presence and actions on 9/11. Ray Nagin will be remembered as an ineffective leader who stayed in Baton Rouge.

Why don't the Democratic leaders preach personal responsibility?

I believe the federal government should financially assist people who have been left homeless after natural disasters. However, shouldn't homeowner's insurance companies cover the loss of homes and businesses?

Why should the federal government insure against flooding? They've been doing it since the mid-60's. Since it has been the case, millions of homes in flood prone areas have been built with the safety net of government - knowing that their homes will be rebuilt with federal government dollars.

If you want to live in paradise, shouldn't YOU pay for it?

There are more than a few reports of New Orleans' police dropping their badges and skipping town. Did this happen in New York? I don't think so.

I seem to recall firefighters rushing up 70 flights of stairs with over 50lbs. of gear on their backs. Many of whom cared more about saving lives than dying themselves.

"The vultures of the venomous left are attacking on two fronts, first that the president didn't do what the incompetent mayor of New Orleans and the pouty governor of Louisiana should have done, and didn't, in the early hours after Katrina loosed the deluge on the city that care and good judgment forgot. Ray Nagin, the mayor, ordered a "mandatory" evacuation a day late, but kept the city's 2,000 school buses parked and locked in neat rows when there was still time to take the refugees to higher ground. " - Wesley Prudin, the Washington Times

Junior's War Against G-d

I knew liberal's were mostly godless, but I never thought one would actually want to declare war against G-d!

However, no matter what he meant to say, there is no way to defend what Jesse Jackson Jr. said two days ago in Chicago:

I remember on 9/11, or during that period, when the president of the United States went to New York & stood on a pile of rubble, remnants of the World Trade Center. And he said to those men & women, our 9/11 workers, that soon,the people who are responsible for this are going to hear from us as well. That sense of righteous indignation about what happened on our soil drove the president to declare unilateral action, essentially in Iraq. When he tours the Gulf region today, I hope he'll stand on a pile of rubble. And he'll look up to the heavens & say to God, "You're responsible for this. And soon you'll hear from us." A kind of reverse from what the president said on 9/11.

I guess this shouldn't be so surprising since it came from the mouth of "the Good reverend's" son. After all, Jesse Sr., in his supreme act as a champion of tolerance and human rights called New York City "Hymietown" because of its large Jewish population.

To all liberals, the word "tolerance", of course, means "tolerance of those who agree with me."

But I digress. Again, regardless of whatever point he was trying to make, Junior came out looking like a buffoon. And that is no easy task when you compare him to another distinguished Illinoisan, Senator Dick "our soldiers are just like the Nazis" Durbin.

Maybe it's the water they drink here in Chicago (good thing I only drink bottled water).

Tip of the hat: Laura Ingraham and Let Freedom Ring

Also, Radioblogger has posted an audio link

After hearing from a few people about my response to "Yitz" regarding my Hurricane Katrina post, I thought I should clarify that I don't necessarily agree with his beliefs. I find it very hard to believe that the destruction in New Orleans (and nearby areas) was G-d's punishment for the US involvement in the Gaza disengagement.

I have to ask those of you who might believe that...

Why would G-d choose to punish the United States when they are the best friend Israel has. Wouldn't punishing Iran, Syria or any number of hostile countries be more appropriate?

Another "religious" take was that G-d was punishing New Orleans for being a "sin city."

I have to ask those of you who might believe that...

When G-d wanted to destroy Sodom, he offered Abraham the promise that he would spare the city if he could find even 10 righteous people. Are you trying to say that there weren't at least 10 in New Orleans???

I can not answer for why G-d does anything and neither can you. Being religious does not mean you know all the answers. Religion is a belief, not a science. These people should be ashamed of themselves for assuming they know why the city of New Orleans was devastated.

This goes for the religion of the left as well. Hurricane's have only been tracked for about 125 years - far too few to determine if this was caused by anything but natural hurricane cycles. After all. Hurricane Camille in 1969 was a stronger storm. Does that me the planet is cooling?