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July 28, 2008
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Right Wing All Stars Declare That the Presidential Race is Tied: Not So Much
July 17, 2008
Don’t ask me why - cause I don’t even know, but from time to time I check up on the happenings spewing from the mouths of ingrates like Hannity, Limbaugh, Dick Morris (always good for a laugh), as well as the rest of America’s “most obnoxious”. I found myself scouring through some transcripts earlier after I read a piece by the “3 way calling bandit” himself, Dick Morris. Needless to say it led to something a bit larger - an overriding theme of sorts.
Oh, I Get It… Now It’s Funny… Kinda… Nah, Not Really
July 17, 2008
“Turns out New Yorker Editor Supremo David Remnick was just kidding with last week’s apparently racist - classist-sexist- ethnically - and - religiously - biased cover. It was all just a set-up, said the legendary political satirist, to what we at the New Yorker really think of the great Senator from Illinois.”
Court Decides that Undergrads Death Caused by Fraternity Hazing
July 16, 2008
An ugly, and tragic situation has finally been settled - in court at least. Here’s another story, one which happens all to often, that has a college kid drinking too much. This time the tragedy struck a fraternity on the University of Texas.
The Houston Chronicle reports:
“The family of a University of Texas at Austin student who died after a fraternity binge-drinking party has agreed to a $4.2 million settlement in their lawsuit against the fraternity and some of its members. The settlement, announced Tuesday by the family of Jack Phoummarath, provides money for an educational video and a scholarship in Phoummarath’s memory. The student’s family sued the Lambda Phi Epsilon national and Austin chapters and some individual members.
“Initially, it was really, really difficult, the way he died. We were angry,” said Phoummarath’s sister, Marion. “Slowly, we’re accepting the fact that he’s gone. We want to prevent other deaths. That’s why we wanted to develop this video.”
Phoummarath, 18, was a freshman at UT when he was found dead on the afternoon of Dec. 10, 2005, in a garage apartment behind the fraternity house. The fraternity had thrown an initiation party the previous day to celebrate the transition of pledges, including Phoummarath, to full membership.
An autopsy showed that Phoummarath died accidentally from alcohol poisoning. According to the autopsy report, his blood-alcohol level was 0.41, more than five times the legal limit for driving in Texas. Attorney Randall Sorrels said that, with the settlement proceeds, the Phoummarath family has created an educational video titled Enough is Enough.
The video is geared toward teens and young adults, to educate them on the dangers of hazing and binge drinking.
“We do not want Jack’s death to be in vain, and by this educational program, we hope to save families in the future from the great despair we have suffered from the loss of our youngest son,” the student’s father, Khongsavay Phoummarath, said in a prepared statement.
The family also is working with UT officials to set up an $8,000 to $10,000 annual scholarship in Phoummarath’s memory.
Three fraternity members ‚Äî Benny Chan, Andrew Nguyen and Kamal Pulukuri ‚Äî pleaded no contest in September to charges of hazing. According to the plea agreement, Chan, 24, then-chapter president; Nguyen, 22, a former pledge captain; and Pulukuri, 23, the “Hell Master” for Phoummarath’s pledge class, were assessed two years’ deferred adjudication probation. Each also was required to perform 100 hours of community service and pay a $1,000 fine.
Criminal defendants who successfully complete the terms of deferred adjudication avoid final conviction, but the fact that they were charged remains a part of their record. The three fraternity members also were ordered to participate in making the educational video on the dangers of “power drinking” and detail in an affidavit what happened during “Hell Weekend,” when Phoummarath died.”
To read the rest of the article click here…
Kos v. Ford: The “DLC vs. the Netroots” Debate
July 16, 2008
I know I am behind the fray on this one, and there is a good chance you have seen the Harold Ford/ Markos Moulitsas debate, which captures the contrast between the “DLC vs. the Netroots”. The setting “Meet the Press” which was hosted by MSNBC’s David Gregory (at the time Tim Russert was still the shows regular host) - and certainly served as both an entertaining and substantive political joust. I am attempting to set the mood for round 2 of the “Kos vs. Ford” debate which is scheduled to take place in Austin, Texas on July 17th, as part of the “Netroots Nation” convention.
Polls, Polls, Polls: A Look at the Newest Nationwide & Specific State Numbers
July 16, 2008
Keeping with tradition, it’s now time for the weekly poll roundup. We will be looking at a couple national polls released over the past couple of days as well as a handful of state by state numbers. It appears as though the race is tightening up a bit, which is not unexpected at this juncture in the contest. In the past we have seen the polls somewhat even out (at least to some extent) prior to the national conventions.
John & Cindy McCaub Flex Their Mainstream Media ‘Flak Jacket’ Yet Again
July 16, 2008
As the current Presidential election continues to play out throughout the dog days of summer, John McCain has yet to disappoint in regards to his steady stream of gaffes, flip-flops and stories of a raging temper with a lovely streak of sexism to boot. Then there is his wife, Cindy who has had quite the “eventful” past herself. From marrying John while he was still legally wed to his then current wife, to her chronicled addiction to drugs McCain’s ’sugar mama’ is far from the angel the media portrays her as. This really isn’t surprising seeing as though they seem to enjoy expending all their bitter, personal, and speculative attacks on Michelle Obama.
New Quinnipiac Shows Obama Leading McCain 49-41 Nationally
July 15, 2008
A brand new Quinnipiac Poll (literally. It was released a couple minutes ago) shows Barack Obama holding a 50% - 41% lead over his Republican counterpart John McCain. This according to a nationwide poll of likely voters which was comprised over a three day span, July 10th through 13th. The internals of this poll however are almost, if not altogether, more intriguing then the actual surface number, which has Obama up by 9 points.
Phew! The U.S. “Terrorist Watch List” Surpasses the 1 Million Mark: I Finally Feel Safe…
July 14, 2008
Don’t look know but the United States “terrorist” watch list has surpassed the one million mark. The idea behind the whole “terrorist watch list” is put together by the Terrorist Screening Center (TSC), which was born out of the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 6 back in December of 2003. The most recent audit released by TSC officials shows that the “terrorist watch list” has been growing steadily at about 20,000 plus new names added per month - an extreme growth rate by any standard.
Is Colorado the New Ohio? How the Rocky Mountain Swing State Could Decide the Election
July 14, 2008
There has been a lot of talk regarding the electoral map “swing states” as of late. A particular focus has been put on Ohio, Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania and Missouri all states where the current polls are close, but reflect similar numbers at this time back in 2000 and 2004. That is why electoral experts have begun to believe that Colorado will ultimately decide the 2008 election - and this is not an assertion that should be taken lightly either. Those arguing that Colorado is very likely in deciding the ‘08 election have quite a compelling argument on their side - one that makes more and more sense as each day passes, and state polls are released.
