Ninja Monkie Bacchanal

Interesting.  Not really sure they will abandon them in the midterms, but here’s hoping.

Angry conservatives are driving the approval ratings of President Bush and the GOP-led Congress to dismal new lows, according to an AP-Ipsos poll that underscores why Republicans fear an Election Day massacre.

Six months out, the intensity of opposition to Bush and Congress has risen sharply, along with the percentage of Americans who believe the nation is on the wrong track.

It’s too bad that stupidity isn’t painful - Anton LaVey

Yeah, I know who Anton LaVey is.  But it is a funny quote, right?

Umm...I don’t even know what to make of this.  Don’t ask me how I ended up.  The internet is a long and twisted path. Anyway, this guy is a licensed medical doctor...healing through prayer.  And he has books.

Don Colbert, M.D. bases his plan for healing on God’s Word, nutrition, exercise and common sense. Not quick to jump to the invasive antibiotics, pain medications or mood altering drugs. Dr. Colbert works with patients to get to the source of their problem and then strategizes a complete healing, body, mind and spirit.

Board certified in Family Practice since August 1984, Dr. Colbert did his internship and residency at Florida Hospital in Orlando, Florida., Since becoming a physician he has seen over 25, 000 patients. Dr. Colbert has become known as “The Physician To God’s Generals”. When not seeing patients, Dr. Colbert can be found speaking at churches, health conferences, taping his television program and writing his books.

Here is a quote from Dr. Don regarding the importance of sleeping:

As I mentioned, dreams occur during REM sleep. The Bible also has quite a bit to say about sleep and its importance. Psalm 127:2 says, It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Proverbs 3:24 states, When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet

This is going to be good.  I can hardly wait for this to be on C-SPAN!

President Bush has quietly claimed the authority to disobey more than 750 laws enacted since he took office, asserting that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress when it conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution.

Among the laws Bush said he can ignore are military rules and regulations, affirmative-action provisions, requirements that Congress be told about immigration services problems, ‘’whistle-blower” protections for nuclear regulatory officials, and safeguards against political interference in federally funded research.

Legal scholars say the scope and aggression of Bush’s assertions that he can bypass laws represent a concerted effort to expand his power at the expense of Congress, upsetting the balance between the branches of government. The Constitution is clear in assigning to Congress the power to write the laws and to the president a duty ‘’to take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” Bush, however, has repeatedly declared that he does not need to ‘’execute” a law he believes is unconstitutional.

The Tigers are on a five game winning streak.  Woo-hoo!

This article at Networking Pipeline was originally found at my brother’s site.  Go to the FCC and bitch!

The feds know no limits when it comes to Internet snooping: It now appears that they want to require that colleges provide them with backdoors so that they can spy on students, professors, and staff on university networks.

The issue is over an FCC ruling related to the 1994 Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) wiretapping law. The FCC says that broadband Internet providers and “interconnected” VoIP providers have to comply with CALEA next year.

The problem, say universities, is that the ruling appears to extend the law to colleges. And that, they add, would mean massive invasions of privacy.

Interesting.  I would have bet against this happening.  People constantly amaze me.

A federal jury decided today to spare the life of Zacarias Moussaoui, sentencing the avowed al-Qaeda conspirator to life in prison for his role in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist plot.

You get what you vote for people!

The FBI sought personal information on thousands of Americans last year from banks, Internet service providers and other companies without having to seek approval from a court, according to new data released by the Justice Department.

In a report to the top leaders of both parties in the House, the department disclosed that the FBI had issued more than 9,200 “national security letters,” or NSLs, seeking detailed information about more than 3,500 U.S. citizens or legal residents in 2005.

The report, released late Friday, represents the first official count of NSL use. It was required under legislation that extended the USA Patriot Act anti-terrorism law.

My friend and work colleague, John Magrane, died today.  He was a good man and a great friend.  Though we only knew each other since January, we had become very close.  He will be and is already missed.

UPDATE:
Here is John obituary in today’s Washington Post:

On Thursday, April 27, 2006 of Alexandria, VA. Beloved son of Gary and Yolanda Durham; loving fiance of Heidi Ann Dennis; brother of John Capiali, Michelle Trieste, Josephine Hammerstien; uncle of Dominique and Nathalie Plavosin and Juliete Hammerstien. Memorial service will be held at JEFFERSON FUNERAL CHAPEL, 5755 Castlewellen Dr., Alexandria, VA on Wednesday, May 3, at 11 a.m. Interment private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Alexandria Animal Welfare League, 4101 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301.

God, I wish I could have been there...

Thank you ladies and gentlemen. Before I begin, I’ve been asked to make an announcement. Whoever parked 14 black bullet proof S.U.V.’S out front, could you please move them. They are blocking in 14 other black bulletproof S.U.V.’S and they need to get out.

Wow, wow, what an honor. The White House Correspondents’ Dinner. To just sit here, at the same table with my hero, George W. Bush, to be this close to the man. I feel like I’m dreaming. Somebody pinch me. You know what, I’m a pretty sound sleeper, that may not be enough. Somebody shoot me in the face.

OMG!  I WISH I was making this up…

Loyalty Day, 2006
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Our Nation is blessed and bound together by a creed of freedom and equality that is entrusted to all Americans. Preserving the ideals of our founding requires the service and sacrifice of every generation, and on Loyalty Day, we celebrate the gift of liberty and remember our own obligation to this great Nation.

The dedication and selflessness of America’s soldiers and their families inspire us all. Some of our Nation’s finest men and women have given their lives in freedom’s cause. By their sacrifices they have given us a legacy of liberty and brought honor to the uniform, our flag, and our country. The American people are grateful to the brave men and women of our military for their service and we will always stand behind them. I encourage all Americans to learn more about opportunities to thank and support our troops, from sending a care package to writing a message, by visiting http://www.americasupportsyou.mil.

Loyalty Day is also a time for us to reflect on our responsibilities to our country as we work to show the world the meaning and promise of liberty. The right to vote is one of our most cherished rights and voting is one of our most fundamental duties. By making a commitment to be good citizens, flying the American flag, or taking the time to learn about our Nation’s history, we show our gratitude for the blessings of freedom.

The greatest strength of America is in the heart and soul of its people, and every time a volunteer reaches out to a neighbor in need, our Nation grows stronger and more hopeful. Thousands of Americans are serving a higher calling by mentoring, coaching, serving in Senior Corps, and by participating in many other programs that enrich lives and help build a better tomorrow. The light of freedom shines brightly because of compassionate people who care about others. Their dedication to a cause greater than self gives all Americans confidence in the future of our Nation.

The Congress, by Public Law 85-529, as amended, has designated May 1 of each year as “Loyalty Day.” I ask all Americans to join me in this day of celebration and in reaffirming our allegiance to our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2006, as Loyalty Day. I call upon all the people of the United States to join in support of this national observance, and to display the flag of the United States on Loyalty Day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.

GEORGE W. BUSH

# # #

Excellent commentary since Tax Season has just passed…

Every administration promises it will simplify the tax codes, but 60 percent of Americans still need professional help, at a cost of $150 billion a year. They are not dummies. They are busy, honest people who have to cope with grotesquely swollen federal tax regulations. The number of rules has risen by over 40 percent in the past four years, from 46,900 in 2000 to 66,498 last year.

There is no point in expecting Congress to simplify the tax code. Why? Because congressmen need lobbyists to get elected, which means they need millions of dollars, and the lobbyists are intent on inventing new complexities to give tax breaks to well-connected companies and individuals or for fashionable public crusades.