Sorry this is a short diary, but there's not much to add.

The system is broken. Those with the most money can buy our government out from under us. If you didn't know that last week, know it now.

Telecom Donations Tied to FISA Vote

Excerpt after the fold...

This ($300 million prize for better car battery) sounds good, until you think about it, but once you do you realize it's the government guaranteeing commercial success to those who have the funds to invest in the research. This is the most completely bass-ackwards approach to "an Apollo-scale program" to find alternatives to burning oil that's conceivable.

I'll explain below the fold.

After being kicked in the guts by the House Democrats and left lying on the floor, gasping for breath, I felt the need to return to the basics and re-examine exactly where I stand. Let's start here: The Fourteen Defining Characteristics Of Fascism

I know. Short diary.

Everybody's got lots to say, tonight. Too much to read.

If you have time, watch the video.

Hint: Obama's "cake". McSame is "death".

Recently I posted about John W's insane rant, face twitching in anger as he declared "he" will "never surrender" in Iraq. My question, which seems to have no answer, is "What does surrender look like, Mr. McCain?"

Well, perhaps it's "not converting Iraq to christianity".

Marines pass out Gospel verse to Iraqi Muslims, Iraqis say

I may not be an expert on the Koran, but this is an(other) act of war. One that might not be overlooked as easily as, say, killing everyone in your family.

John W "I'm like Bush, only crazier" McSame gave a speech on nuclear weapons, today.

Before I say anything else, I have to give him credit for one thing: At least he can fucking PRONOUNCE the word "new-klee-er", unlike the idiot we're stuck with until January.

Anyhoo, the speech was interrupted by pro-peace activists no less than 4 times. After one of the interruptions, the presumptive batshit crazy party nominee said the above, "I will never surrender in Iraq. Our American troops will come home with victory and honor."

Which begs a question or three:

When I posted this diary on a Friday night I knew that it might not be widely read. Between the interest in the primaries and the effect of time of day and day of week on site readership, it came as no surprise that the diary didn't make the recommended list, or that it was off the front page by morning.

However, the comments were so positive, including recommended requests that I repost it when it was more likely to be widely read, I decided to accede to those requests. I'll repost it now, in it's entirety, in the hope that it will educate, remind, or inspire a few more people to realize that

...the election of 2008 is not the end of our fight.

It is the beginning.

"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." - George Santayana

There's a persistent rumor that George W. Bush, and congress' response to him, is no worse than what's gone before him, and that "Democrats are just as bad as Republicans". Perhaps it's time for some recent historical perspective.

First, a bit of background.

If Richard Nixon had not resigned, he would have been impeached for committing or ordering criminal acts. Articles of impeachment had been drawn up, the House Judiciary Committee voted to recommend articles of impeachment against the President: obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress. A group of GOP congressmen informed Mr. Nixon that if he didn't resign the papers would be served.

I know, no short diaries, but I'll be at work so I want to make sure someone else knows about this:

Winter Soldier congressional testimony will be broadcast live beginning at 8 a.m. ET on Thursday.

Congress will finally hear from "the average boots on the ground soldier" about how things are actually going in Iraq. I'm hoping they aren't hand-picking a small group of GOP/Fundamentalist loyalists who have a hard-on to attack Iran.

Edit to add link to C-Span.

Nothing below the fold, for now.

If Iran makes the right choice, America will encourage a peaceful relationship between Iran and Iraq. Iran makes the wrong choice, America will act to protect our interests, and our troops, and our Iraqi partners. - Bush speech to the nation following the latest Petraeus / Crocker dog and pony show.

Petraeus Points to War With Iran

The article continues below the fold:

(If this topic has been posted, please tell me and I'll delete it. Since only pro-Obama / I-hate-Hillary diaries have been making the rec list for months, now, I haven't been reading this blog as much, lately. If it was posted, it probably slid quickly off the front page into oblivion, anyway, since it's something negative about McCain, the Republican, instead of one of the Democrats.)

I was watching the idiot box over the noon hour and I heard Monica (Novotny?) talking to something like the 18th person about Rev. Wright. When she asked, "What has Obama got to do to put this behind him?" what was left of my brains spattered against the wall as my head exploded.

After I gathered what gray matter I could scrape off the walls and scooped it back into my now-empty skull, I screamed at the teevee, "You could start by talking about that asshole John Haggee's endorsement that McSame is so F%#$#ing proud of for a change!!!"

(Original title: If I can get you cork-soakers to quit...)

...reccing every "Obama walks on water" and "I hate Hillary" post for a few minutes to read this lowly non-candidate diary, maybe someone can help me make some sense of this.

The SCOTUS has ruled that "Treaties No Longer Supreme Law of the Land"

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court dealt President Bush a defeat today and ruled that he does not have the "unilateral authority" to force state officials to comply with international treaties.

Or at least, that seems to be the case. But then I looked into it a little further...

In 2000 I was a post-doctoral fellow in the neuroscience department of a major university. I'm not always so good with dates, but I specifically remember where I was in November of that year. I was in New Orleans, attending the annual neuroscientist's convention. The convention was held at the Morial convention center, next to the RIverwalk, right on the Mississippi river. I stayed at the Prince Conti hotel, a half block off Bourbon. I didn't have much money, so I'd usually go to the casino and drink cheap for a while before going to Bourbon street and wandering around. There was a guitar player at one of the bars, there, named Charlie. The bouncer recognized me (even though I hadn't been there for a year), told me what night Charlie was playing, and I made sure to come back that night. I picked up an autographed CD, even though I was still broke after years in school, and I still have it. It reminds me of New Orleans, and how good the people there treated me.

I was going to post this in 8ackgr0und N015e's diary today, but thought it might be too late/get lost. BTW, I will always be indebted to 8ackgr0und N015e for sharing such an apt name for warmonger John. 0/ Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran o/

So, if it's fair to ask Obama if he "rejects" unsolicited support, is it also fair to ask Sarge if he regrets being "proud" and "honored" by the support of John Hagee? (Hint to Sarge. This could cost you some votes, "my friend".)

Does anyone see the similarity and differences between the two men?

Both are all but eliminated mathematically. One stepped away from the race. The other insists on sticking around "to give the voters a choice".

On the Democratic side there is bitter disappointment from some, including myself, at our remaining choices, but very few who say they won't vote for the nominee in November.

On the Republican-American side the talking heads are outspokenly opposed to the presumptive nominee, and the Beagle-Eyes supporters say they just might stay home or vote for the Democrat. (Side note: this statement is usually accompanied by the presumption that Hillary will be the nominee. I suspect this is indicative of the racism that's rampant in the GOP.)

All of the delegate counts, explanation of pledged vs "super" delegates, etc, are from: http://www.cnn.com/...

One HUGE assumption, that the approximate split in votes between the 3 Democratic candidates will remain constant, is made. This is a reasonable assumption at this point in time (even though it's likely it won't hold true to the end) because Edwards percentages have remained consistent. This is an unreasonable assumption because, while Clinton and Obama are favored in different states, the polls so far have been TERRIBLE at predicting which way the independents will break. (They seem to "all" break the same way in any given state.) But follow the logic and you'll see that it will take a pretty big change to make any difference in the final results.

Still interested?

Well, I did it. I phoned all 3 campaigns, told them what I was doing, and asked for the best route to get these questions into the right hands. It came as no surprise that the staff of a Presidential candidate was friendly, cordial, and helpful but, well, they were ALL friendly, cordial, and helpful.

The letter has been sent. Let's see what happens.

Here's the letter:

Dear Senator _______________ (or staff),

I have some questions for the Democratic candidates for POTUS.

All of them. Even "mine".

If any of the various candidate's supporters can help me find the answers to these questions it would be much appreciated.

You may have already made up your mind. Some people haven't. Respect their right to decide for themselves.

Questions are below the fold.