Its a step. A rather good step. We cannot allow these Bush administration officials to get away with the laws they have broken. Attny General Holder is now considering to appoint a special counsel to investigate the recently leaked memos. Techniques like those used on our captives cannot be allowed to continue nor go unpunished. When respect for life, no matter who's life it is, is discarded, it is a problem. Locking people in boxes, chaining them to the ceiling, sleep deprivation among other things. This is reprehensible. This is not the middle ages, and if a modern superpower like the US cannot extract intelligence in any other way, we dont deserve to be a superpower.

Point: It is against international law to not prosecute known offenders of international laws on torture.

Get it done.

It's pretty crazy that our government tortured prisoners to the extent that we now know. The picture to the left is from the Abu Ghraib incident from a while back but shows the extent of brutality and cruelty the US chose to use in order to extract information from our enemies. It is equally disappointing to learn that the Obama administration will not be pursuing any course of legal action against those involved in the torture against prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. However, if everyone remembers, the soldiers involved at the very bottom of the command chain at Abu Ghraib were prosecuted in martial courts and served time for their part in the tortuous events that went on there. Then why cant the upper levels of government be held to the same accountability? That word seems to be thrown around a lot of late. Accountability. However, I cannot find it anywhere. At least with this issue.

The economy has been the main topic in the country since the economic downfall began last September. Rightfully so, people are worried about their retirement, paying for college, getting loans, keeping businesses above water. One cannot deny though, there have been major gains in the past couple months. The DOW, which some say is not a good economic indicator of the financial health, has been on a steady trail of gains in the past couple weeks. There is definately a slowing of the bleeding. Turns out our economy is not suffering from a bad case of hemophilia after all.

Why oh why Lord!? Why didn't you just keep her mouth shut!?

Constant leakages have occured citing the highlights of the Bush presidency; the major points he plans to discuss during his farewell speech airing tonight at 8pm. However, I would first like to share an article on the conservative news site FOX with an interesting quote from Bush's final press conference this past Monday (1/12).

Per FoxNews.com-

"In terms of the decisions that I had made to protect the homeland, I wouldn't worry about popularity. What I would worry about is the Constitution of the United States and putting plans in place that makes it easier to find out what the enemy is thinking," he said Monday.

- The Pres

It's very easy to see through this man. I think he believes he doesn't make his intentions clear when he slyly puts certain verbage into a remark. Putting plans in place that make it "easier" George? That to me smells like wire tapping without a warrant, or the complete disregard of habeas corpus, or torturing people at will. He still thinks we're clueless. Maybe a little more than half the country was at one point, but the number of those still clueless people out there has dwindled over the past 7 years.

But anyway, our dear almost-former-president will make his final remarks tonight ( there will be a full analysis tomorrow), in a farewell address to the public. In a leaked section of his address, Bush says that the inauguration of Barack Obama will represent a "moment of hope and pride". I can agree with that, but for much different reasons. For one, This will be a moment of hope. Hope that this man we have now elected can fix the mistakes of your legacy you've left behind. It's a miracle we have all survived this time period. So yes, this will be a moment of hope indeed.
And two, this will definately be a moment of pride. For blacks, of course, but every American should find pride in the event that's about to become a reality. At least the rest of the world will like us more.

So the infamous Joe the Plumber has been sent to Israel to report on the growing tension between the Jewish state and Gaza. I never would've thought anyone would've paid to have this man sent anywhere to report on anything, but the conservative company pajamas media has done the unthinkable. On his first day of "reporting" Werzel-dumbass was quoted as saying the media should be banned from reporting on war because they don't know anything about it. Ok, so screw the bill of rights then buddy? Whatever happened to freedom of the press? Or have you not heard of it? You have to admit, he does have a knack for stretching 15 minutes of fame. I am absolutely tired of this man. First he pals around with McCain and Palin on the campaign trail, but only after the election he comes out saying he didn't think McCain had a clear understanding of the issues nor how to solve them. Yet he stayed. Using his new found notoriety to open up possible future careers. Drop the plumber act buddy. You don't even have a license! What happened to wanting to run for congress? What happened to the country music recording contract? Please please, spare your uneducated opinion on the matter of what reporters should or should not be able to report on. In case you haven't noticed, you are technically (and regretably) a reporter now.

Drop the act. You're a stupid little man. I sincerely hope you don't come back from Israel.

So Obama has decided to allow New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson to deliver the invocation of the inaugural week. This event is sure shaping up to be a colorful array of faces. Being that Robinson is the first openly gay ordained priest, and Rick Warren is an open bigot, both should make for interesting discussion. I have to ask myself whether or not this decision was made just to calm the outrage over Obama's choice of Rick Warren to give the invocation on Inauguration Day. I dont know about anyone else, but this does not calm that outrage over for me. I know he is all about coming together and reaching consensus and listening to everyone's opinions but some shouldnt be heard. Especially in social settings such as an inauguration. However, I guess i shouldnt be so hard. We all have opinions. No matter how hate filled yours or mine may be, they are still valid. Valid to be heard that is.

This person needs a job. This individual seeks an executive position. 
He will be available in January 2009, and is willing to relocate. 
(Please don't skip the last section!)

RESUME 

GEORGE W. BUSH 
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20520  

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

Law Enforcement: 
I was arrested in Kennebunkport, Maine , in 1976 for driving under the influence of alcohol. I pled guilty, paid a fine, and had my driver's license suspended for 30 days. My Texas driving record has been 'lost' and is not available. 

Military: 
I joined the Texas Air National Guard and went AWOL. I refused to take a drug test or answer any questions about my drug use. By joining the Texas Air National Guard, I was able to avoid combat duty in Vietnam . 

College:
I graduated from Yale University with a low C average. I was a che erleader. 

PAST WORK EXPERIENCE: 

I ran for U.S. Congress and lost. 

I began my career in the oil business in Midland   Texas, in 1975. I bought an oil company, but couldn't find any oil in Texas The company went bankrupt shortly after I sold all my stock. 

I bought the Texas Rangers baseball team in a deal that took land using taxpayer money. 

With the help of my father and our friends in the oil industry (including Enron CEO Ken Lay), I was elected governor of Texas . 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS GOVERNOR OF TEXAS : 

I changed Texas pollution laws to favor power and oil companies, making Texas the most polluted state in the Union . During my tenure, Houston replaced Los Angeles as the most smog-ridden city in America ... 

I cut taxes and bankrupted the Texas treasury to the tune of billions in borrowed money. 

I set the record for the most execution S by any gov e rnor in American history. 

With the help of my brother, the governor of Florida , and my father's appointments to the Supreme Court, I became President of the United States, after losing by over 500,000 votes. 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS PRESIDENT: 

I am the first President in U.S. History to enter office with a criminal record. 

I invaded and occupied two countries at a continuing cost of over one billion dollars per week. 

I spent the U.S. Surplus. 

I shattered the record for the largest annual deficit in U.S. History. 

I set an economic record for most private bankruptcies filed in any 12-month period. 

I set the all-time record for most foreclosures in a 12-month period. 

I set the all-time record for the biggest drop in the history of the U.S. Stock market.  

I'm proud that th e members of my cabinet are the richest of any administration in U.S. H istory. My ' po orest millionaire,' Condoleezza Rice, has a Chevron oil tanker named after her. 

I set the record for most campaign fund-raising trips by a U.S. President. 

I am the all-time U.S. And world record -holder for receiving the most corporate campaign donations. 

My largest lifetime campaign contributor, and one of my best friends, Kenneth Lay, presided over the largest corporate bankruptcy fraud in U.S. History, Enron. 

My political party used Enron private jets and corporate attorneys to assure my success with the U.S. Supreme Court during my election decision. 

I have protected my friends at Enron and Halliburton against investigation or prosecution. More time and money was spent investigating the Monica Lewinsky affair than has been spent investigating one of the biggest corporate rip-offs in history. 

I presided over the highest gasoline prices in U.S. History. 

I changed the U.S. Policy to allow convict Ed criminals to be awarded government contracts. 

I appointed more convicted criminals to my administration than any President in U.S. History. 

I created the Ministry of Homeland Security, the largest bureaucracy in the history of the United States Government. 

I've broken more international treaties than any President in U.S. History. 

I am the first President in U.S. History to have the United Nations remove the U.S. From the Human Rights Commission. 

I withdrew the U.S. From the World Court of Law. 

I refused to allow inspector's access to U.S. 'prisoners of war' detainees and thereby have refused to abide by the Geneva Convention. 
I am the first President in history to refuse United Nations election inspectors (during the 2002 US election). 

I set the record for fewest numbers of press conferences of any President since the advent of television. 

I set the all-time record for most days on vacation in any one-year period. After taking off the entire month of August, I presided over the worst security failure in U.S. history. 

I garnered the most sympathy ever for the U.S. after the World Trade Center attacks and less than a year later made the U.S. the most hated country in the world, the largest failure of diplomacy in world history. 

I have set the all-time record for most people worldwide to simultaneously protest me in public venues (15 million people), shattering the record for protests against any person in the history of mankind. 

I am the first President in U.S. history to order an unprovoked, pre-emptive attack and the military occupation of a sovereign nation. I did so against the will of the United Nations, the majority of U.S. Citizens and the world community. 

I have cut health care benefits for war veterans and support a cut in duty benefits for active duty troops and their families in wartime. 

In my State of the Union Address, I lied about our reasons for attacking Iraq and then blamed the lies on our British friends. 

I am the first President in history to have a majority of Europeans (71%) view my presidency as the biggest threat to world peace and security. 

I am supporting development of a nuclear 'Tactical Bunker Buster' a WMD. 

I have so far failed to fulfill my pledge to bring Osama Bin Laden to justice. 

RECORDS AND REFERENCES: 

All records of my tenure as governor of Texas are now in my father's library, sealed and unavailable for public view. 

All records of SEC investigations into my insider trading an d m y bankrupt companies are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view. 

All records or minutes from meetings that I, or my Vice-President, attended regarding public energy policy are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public review. I specified that my sealed documents will not be available for 50 years.

PLEASE SEND THIS TO EVERY VOTER YOU KNOW!