Balls and Walnuts
more than you ever wanted to know
Quick shout (politics)
. . . to Jeff Huber for a fine run-down of the Friday news. Thanks to NaNoWriMo and that other time-consuming November activity, MyDamnedJob-o, I don’t get to surf the news as much as I would like. Thanks to Jeff, I don’t have to!
High points:
*Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha, a Vietnam vet and retired Marine colonel, has called for the withdrawal of all American troops within the next six months. Speaker Dennis Hastert’s response:
“They would prefer that the United States surrender to terrorists who would harm innocent Americans,” Mr. Hastert said.
Ah, the sweet, sweet sound of squawking chickenhawks. Read the NY Times story here. While you’re at it, check out Jurassic Pork’s commentary, too.
*Renewal of the Orwellian Patriot Act may not see smooth sailing, thanks to a possible Democratic filibuster. We have Russ Feingold to thank for this (from the NY Times story):
“This is worth the fight,” Senator Russell D. Feingold, a Wisconsin Democrat who serves on the Judiciary Committee, said in an interview.
“I’ve cleared my schedule right up to Thanksgiving,” Mr. Feingold said, adding that he was making plans to read aloud from the Bill of Rights as part of a filibuster if necessary.
Go for it, Senator Feingold! Hell, make all the bastards miss Turkey Day. It’s worth it, all right.
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Shout for my wife:
Karen has written an interesting post on her late father’s rather odd past. His life story seems like something out of Vonnegut (a la Mother Night) or John Irving. Check it out.
D.
Finally found Karen’s blog! That woman, like you, is a writer, sir. Interesting post.