Adventures in My Mind

Belgium Comes to a Tree-Lined Pittsburgh Street

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:13:24 -0500

Sami and I went out last night for a rare parents-only getaway. It was a nice quiet evening that, although way too short, led us to an out of the way place favored by one Sami's friends. Stuck right in the residential heart of Point Breeze, Point Brugge Cafe is a nice little place to go. It boasts a small, but packed full of flavor menu and popularity among the more discerning dinner crowd. The Thursday night crowd buzzed quite a bit and lined up 2 deep at the bar at one point.

Serving a wide variety of Belgian beers and wines from around the world, the drink menu is much more expansive than the dinner choices. The wines are available both by the glass and the bottle. Sami chose a glass each of the Peter Lehmann Shiraz and the Airlie Pinot Noir. I stuck to the beer menu and had a Lindemans Framboise, a raspberry lambic that is expensive at $10 a bottle but worth every penny!

For our meal we stuck with a few small plate favorites, including a cheese board with grilled fennel rubbed sausage, macaroni gratin, and their famed twice-cooked Brugge Frites. We followed that with a shared Cafe Chicken sandwich that ended the meal quite nicely.

The cheese board included several cheeses I've never had but went very well with the accompanying walnuts and apples. It also included a couple of cheeses I don't much care for: Chevre and Maytag Bleu. There was a mustard cheese with mustard seed in it that was an excellent match for grilled sausage.

And for more cheese (I love cheese!)The Macaroni Gratin was the best mac & cheese this little Pittsburgh boy has ever had. With a blend of gruyere, parmesan, and cheddar; it was toppped with grated cheese, bread crumbs, parsley and baked until golden brown. It may speak to simple tastes, but the gratin was by itself reason enough for the trip.

The Brugge Frites are a true French/Belgian delight. First parcooked at a low temperature and then quickly cooked at a high temperature these French Fries are related in name only to the ones served at your local McD or greasy spoon. The frittes are served with a very continental basil mayo that was bursting with fresh basil flavor.

After looking at several of the delicious sounding entrees we settled on splitting the Cafe Chicken sandwich with fresh mozarella, roasted red peppers, romaine lettuce, and more basil mayo. It included a mixed green salad tossed in the house lemon vinaigrette. By this time we were pretty full so half of the sandwich now sits in th fridge.

The only drawback I experienced was the clientelle: a mix of older professionals and younger yuppies, few of whom I would've wanted to share my table with. And given the small space and necessary intimacy I felt as though I was indeed sharing my table with them. But I suppose the perceived pretension was in keeping with the Belgian inspired menu. A menu that I want to explore more on future visits.

Entrees like Steak Frittes, a traditional bistro favorite of steak and fries, and Carbonnade Flamande, beer-braised beef, warrant more of my time. The specials included a pan seared yellow tail tuna served over mushrooom fennel couscous that sounded fantastic.

The house favorite is clearly the Moules or Mussels. The wait staff carried plate after plate from the kitchen. Diners have the choice of three delicious sounding sauces that are served with a delicious crusty bagette bread. I'm not a fan of mussels, but watching those huge piles of beautiful black shells being set on surrounding tables almost made me want some. Such is the power of suggestion!

Check out Point Brugge Cafe the next time you're looking for a good drink and an inspired Belgian style menu.

Point Brugge Cafe
401 Hasting St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412-441-3334

Let Them Eat (Wedding) Cake

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Wed, 07 May 2008 10:35:29 -0500

At press conference called by the First Lady Laura Bush, the subject digressed from the devastation in Myanmar - the ostensible reason for the whole thing - to the much more urgent topic of Jenna Bush's upcoming marriage.

I wonder if we can get some more footage of W. (Nero) dancing (fiddling). How much is a barrell of oil now?

The Empire Strikes Barack

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Fri, 02 May 2008 11:32:17 -0500

PA Primary: I Voted!

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:26:35 -0500

Have you?

Still undecided?

It doesn't matter who you support, despite my partisan heckling. Just get out there and vote!

And if you are an Obama supporter, please hit the counter on the right and drop a little cash in the till for November.

Barack Obama '08

45 Minutes

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:37:25 -0500

Forty-five minutes for mainstream media to put the last nail in its own coffin.

Who Won the Debate?

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:21:56 -0500

ABC won in the ratings as American democracy loses once again. And what's with George Stephanopolous taking his questions directly from conservative sawtooth Sean Hannity?

And what the hell is up with him moderating the debate in the first place? Did he not used to work in the Clinton White House? Did he not help get Clinton elected in 1992?

I read this week that he felt that he would be capable of being neutral. Bullshit! I haven't seen that type of neutrality since Hitler promised not to annex the Sudetenland.

Rupert Murdoch and the New York Post could've been more impartial the Stephanopolous and Gibson.

And where the hell did they get the mouth breather who asked about the lapel pin? "I'm not questioning your patriotism, but why don't you wear the pin?" What? What!

Prices out of control. Government incompetency running wild. An unending war in Iraq. Bin Laden still running loose in Pakistan. And we get a question about lapel pins. It was an excellent way to spend your 15 minutes of fame, Martha, or whatever the fuck your name is.

This "debate" was a sham. It was a pile on from Clinton, Gibson, Stephanopolous, and Sean Hannity. It was a joke. It was a shame. It was sham. It was a travesty of mockery of sham (sorry about the paraphrase Woody).

You Call This a Debate?

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:48:41 -0500

Forty-four minutes in and apparently ABC and George Stephanopolous have decided to lynch Obama.

I Hear the Train A'Comin' ... The Obama Train

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:31:08 -0500

The Pittburgh Post-Gazette endorses Barack Obama:

This editorial began by observing that one candidate is of the past and one of the future. The litany of criticisms heaped on Sen. Obama by the Clinton camp, simultaneously doing the work of the Republicans, is as illustrative as anything of which one is which. These are the cynical responses of the old politics to the new. ... Pennsylvania -- this encrusted, change-averse commonwealth where a state liquor monopoly holds on against all reason and where municipal fiefdoms shrink from sensible consolidation -- needs to take a strong look at the new face and the new hope in this race. Because political business-as-usual is more likely to bring the usual disappointment for the Democrats this fall, the Post-Gazette endorses the nomination of Barack Obama, who has brought an excitement and an electricity to American politics not seen since the days of John F. Kennedy.

Hillary, this is not your husband's politics anymore.

Bill Can Say It But Barack Can't?

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:11:40 -0500

From Bill Clinton's 2004 memoir, My Life.

If [Republicans] could cut funding for Medicare, Medicaid, education, and the environment, middle-class Americans would see fewer benefits from their tax dollars, feel more resentful paying taxes, and become even more receptive to their appeals for tax cuts and their strategy of waging campaigns on divisive social and cultural is sues like abortion, gay rights, and guns.

Clinton said it because it's true. Obama said because it's true.

Hillary seized on it because she, like the Republicans, is looking for a wedge issue to discredit Obama.

It's About the Clinton's, Stupid!

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:32:07 -0500

Uber Journalist, Carl Bernstein, gives a rather cogent look forward into a Hillary Clinton presidency (check the link below). His advice is simple: look back to 1992.

The answer by now seems obvious: It will look like her presidential campaign, which in turn looks increasingly like the first Clinton presidency.

Which is to say, high-minded ideals, lowered execution, half truths, outright lies (and imaginary flights), take-no prisoners politics, some very good policy ideas, a presidential spouse given to wallowing in anger and self-pity, and a succession of aides and surrogates pushed under the bus when things don’t go right. Which is to say, often.

And endless psychodrama: the essential Clintonian experience that mesmerizes the press, confuses the citizenry, confounds members of both parties in Congress (not to mention the Clintons themselves, at times) and pretty much keeps the rest of the world constantly amused and fixated.

It is this long march back in time that every American should be afraid of. This campaign and every moved she has made since 1999 has been about one, rather two things: Hillary and Bill, Billary.

These tragic characters lack the self-awareness necessary to understand that there are simply some things in this world that don't have anything to do with them. They are they ultimate products of the Me generation. Living in the center of their often self-created clouds of sturm and drang, they believe that they are good people and that that should be good enough. Good enough to philander and womanize. Good enough to lie to grand juries, to the press, to the electorate, to themselves. Good enough to do and say anything. Good enough to apologize later, instead of asking permission now. Good enough to destroy the Democratic party in their rush to legitimacy.

Let's not forget that Bill Clinton was elected with less than 50% of the vote in both of his presidential victories. There was no mandate. More Americans wanted someone else than wanted him. Ross Perot, of course, gave us Bubba anyway.

Let's also not forget that the peace and prosperity of the 1990s came with the very high price of all of us being dragged through their personal and public dramas. And memory and history will both show that much of the corporate greed and economic immolation of the last 7 years was either born or nurtured during Bill's administration. Much of the deregulation and unfavorable trade deals we suffer from now came from then. Bob Rubin, where are you? Oh, yeah that's right. You're a Wall Street billionaire. NAFTA anyone?

Much like an old lover who was great under the sheets, but an emotional train wreck during the light of day, it's time to move on America.

Barack Obama for President 2008

CNN Puts the Lie to Criticism of Obama

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 10:11:19 -0500

This campaign must end soon. The politics of destruction that the Clintonistas are engaging in is morally bankrupt and damaging to Democratic prospects in November.

Do you really want to see a President McCain? It becomes a bigger possibility everyday that Clinton stays in the race.

Obama's Response to the So-Called "Bittergate" Controversy

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:11:58 -0500

If you're from the small towns of central PA or the suburbs of Pittsburgh, you know that he's right.

I grew up here. I know the frustration. I've seen the anger, the resentment, the hopelessness. I still live here and I see the one issue voters - guns, abortion, immigration, gay marriage - spouting intolerance and anger.

Obama is right. Washington, Harrisburg, or another capitol in this nation is out of answers so they choose demagoguery to seek votes. They set a group of "them" vs. a group "us" and choose sides. They keep the electorate separated through fear, envy, and distrust. They choose religion to soothe and the 2nd amendment to arouse. They speak platitudes as barter for votes.

Ask the people of Aliquippa, PA or Gary, IN what any government official has done for their towns in the last 25 years. You won't get many positive answers. The most popular person in Aliquippa is Mike Ditka; and not because they're proud of their native son who's done well, but because he donates the most money to their incredibly successful football program. He gives them something to believe in.

Why is the NRA second only to the catholic church in numbers of believers in PA? Because, as Obama says, it gives people something to believe in. The jobs have fled. Their kids have moved away and a constant flow of office seekers have come to soothe their fears and tell them that everything will be okay. Well, guess what. It's not. And it hasn't been for a long time.

That is what Obama was talking about.

Clinton is only half right when she says that she doesn't see bitterness, that she sees hope and resiliency. Of course there is resiliency. After all the small towns have just dried and blown away. But she has also seen the bitterness. In fact, she counts on it. Her entire "I'm a fighter" stance is grounded in that bitterness. Why else would they need a fighter if the people in small town America didn't feel betrayed by their elected officials? Fight whom? For what?

Her criticisms of elitism sounds very hollow as she proffers a protective wing for those who have allegedly been wronged. "Come with me," she says. "I will make it better. I know what's good for you."

Elitism indeed.

Overhead at Wendy's the Other Day

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:26:22 -0500

Dude 1: Dude, that was the wickedest fucking jersey I've ever seen!
Dude 2: Ah, man that rocks.
Dude 1: Yeah, it was better than the throwback one.
Dude 2: But dude, my friend ... he's got Mario's junior league jersey.
Dude 1: Sweet!
Dude 2: Yeah. It's got two L's on the front - I don't know they stand for - one going this way, one going that way with some sort symbol or something between 'em.
Dude 1: Nice. What color is it?
Dude 2: Like a really light blue or something.
Dude 1: Awesome!
Dude 2: Yeah, no shit. Check it out. And it says 'Lemieux' in french on the back.
Dude 1: Awesome.

Arianna Huffington: The Clinton-Colombia Connection: It Goes Back a Long Way

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:57:20 -0500

Something foul is definitely afoot at the Circle K, rather the Clinton campaign. Hillary may say one thing about her opposition to the craptacular trade deal Colombia, but the people around have very different agendas. Everyone from the wanna be Spouse in Chief to even more key campaign personnel to good friends and past administration officials has been cashing big fat checks written by the right wing militaristic anti-labor Colombian government.

I can't see how this can play well here in PA. She derailed Obama with far less and much more phony NAFTA charges in OH.

Add this to the Bosnian sniper fire, or lack thereof, thing and things are looking bad. Really bad. Heh.

Pittsburgh for Obama Campaign Goodies

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:01:46 -0500

Readers of this blog from Pittsburgh who may also be Obama supporters can get some cool campaign schwag from the Web store at Pittsburgh for Obama. I really dig this button. Check out the link below for more.

Govenor Bill Richardson Edorses Barack Obama

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:06:52 -0500

And so should you. Here is his letter to his supporters.

During the last year, I have shared with you my vision and hopes for this nation as we look to repair the damage of the last seven years. And you have shared your support, your ideas and your encouragement to my campaign. We have been through a lot together and that is why I wanted to tell you that, after careful and thoughtful deliberation, I have made a decision to endorse Barack Obama for President.

We are blessed to have two great American leaders and great Democrats running for President. My affection and admiration for Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton will never waver. It is time, however, for Democrats to stop fighting amongst ourselves and to prepare for the tough fight we will face against John McCain in the fall. The 1990's were a decade of peace and prosperity because of the competent and enlightened leadership of the Clinton administration , but it is now time for a new generation of leadership to lead America forward. Barack Obama will be a historic and a great President, who can bring us the change we so desperately need by bringing us together as a nation here at home and with our allies abroad.

Earlier this week, Senator Barack Obama gave an historic speech. that addressed the issue of race with the eloquence, sincerity, and optimism we have come to expect of him. He inspired us by reminding us of the awesome potential residing in our own responsibility. He asked us to rise above our racially divided past, and to seize the opportunity to carry forward the work of many patriots of all races, who struggled and died to bring us together.

As a Hispanic, I was particularly touched by his words. I have been troubled by the demonization of immigrants--specifically Hispanics-- by too many in this country. Hate crimes against Hispanics are rising as a direct result and now, in tough economic times, people look for scapegoats and I fear that people will continue to exploit our racial differences--and place blame on others not like them . We all know the real culprit -- the disastrous economic policies of the Bush Administration!

Senator Obama has started a discussion in this country long overdue and rejects the politics of pitting race against race. He understands clearly that only by bringing people together, only by bridging our differences can we all succeed together as Americans.

His words are those of a courageous, thoughtful and inspiring leader, who understands that a house divided against itself cannot stand. And, after nearly eight years of George W. Bush, we desperately need such a leader.

To reverse the disastrous policies of the last seven years, rebuild our economy, address the housing and mortgage crisis, bring our troops home from Iraq and restore America's international standing, we need a President who can bring us together as a nation so we can confront our urgent challenges at home and abroad.

During the past year, I got to know Senator Obama as we campaigned against each other for the Presidency, and I felt a kinship with him because we both grew up between words, in a sense, living both abroad and here in America. In part because of these experiences, Barack and I share a deep sense of our nation's special responsibilities in the world.

So, once again, thank you for all you have done for me and my campaign. I wanted to make sure you understood my reasons for my endorsement of Senator Obama. I know that you, no matter what your choice, will do so with the best interests of this nation, in your heart.

Sincerely,
Bill Richardson

Barack Obama: A More Perfect Union

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:18:08 -0500

Read the full text.

Black Is The New President, Bitch!

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:43:07 -0500

I'm sure most of you have heard or seen Tina Fey's defacto endorsement of HC on Saturday Night Live. You may have also seen the skits that skewered Main Stream Media for its supposed preferential treatment of Barack Obama.

This past weekend they finally set some of the record straight with this hysterical bit by Tracy Morgan ...

"Bitch may be the new black, but black is the new president, bitch!"

Furor Over Ferraro: Clinton's Missed Opportunity

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 08:45:48 -0500

The huge flap over Gerry Ferraro's loony comments in the last few weeks have shown that the Clinton campaign has no interest in anything but winning, even if it has to done in the most ugly, vile ways imaginable. The spectacle her campaign has become is like watching a car wreck in slow motion or the Christians being fed to the lions. Except in this case the Christians, that is her Democratic supporters, are cheering as they are being led to the slaughter by Howard Wolfson et al.

Keith Olbermann has his take on her woefully missed opportunity. Ever Clinton supporter out there should take great pause at this past few weeks action by this divisive and thoroughly Machiavellian campaign.

Tea and Cookies Makes Me Commander In Chief

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 10:01:09 -0600

Or if it ain't me, it sure as hell ain't gonna be you!

Clinton would rather see McCain as president than Obama. Because of this and other cult of personality issues with Billary, an Obama adviser called her a "monster" and immediately retracted it. Understandable, especially in the light of Obama's more dignified campaign posture (As if Billary's posture could ever outdo your typical Neanderthal).

Let me unretract for her ... Hillary Clinton is a monster. Her slash and burn, kitchen sink, muckraking, or whatever you want to call it campaign is so self-centered and personality driven that her thuggish communication director, Howard Wolfson, compared Obama to Ken Starr. Yes, that Ken Starr of Whitewater/Monica Lewinsky fame.

And yes, that means that the so-called "fighter" is again playing the victim card. And why? Because Obama raised the question of her continuing refusal to release her income tax return. Something Obama has already done. Wouldn't it be nice to know where she and Bill got the $5 million she loaned to her campaign last month?

Wouldn't it be nice if she and Slick Willy just crawled back into the ooze from which they spawned? Yeah, wouldn't it be nice.

OH ... IO!

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 08:03:41 -0600

The Devil You Know?

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:51:36 -0600

OK, I know. This one was just too easy ... but quite funny.

Although, I don't know how else to get my head around the desire of some democrats to continue the dynasty of the Bush/Clinton years by putting her in the White House. Didn't we fight a war a couple of hundred years ago to get away from monarchists?

Can't we try something that requires imagination? That inspires hope? That instills optimism? That doesn't fall to cheapness of politics past?

BarackObama.com

Bush, FISA, Telecoms, and the House

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:21:08 -0600

Obama's Inspiration. Our Inspiration.

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:18:59 -0600

The following is an email that I received from a person on one of my Barack Obama email lists. While I don't agree with all of its political assumptions, I agree 100% with the idea that great leadership begins with great inspiration. No president can be successful without the American people thinking that he/she will be successful. That begins with inspiration. Please read on:

In this election, much has been made of the choice between experience and change, of substance and inspiration, and of dueling personalities. Supporters of one candidate or another agrue that the traits they posses are the better to win in novermber, or the better to govern the country come January. Both sides seem to have some good reasons for arguing as they do, and both claim common sense on their side. However, when dealing with complex problems, especially those involving the hearts and minds of human beings, common sense is rarely correct but by accident. While the parties may be closely divided on these questions, history is not.

We'll start with the question of Experience & substance vs. inspiration & personality. In 2000, Al Gore had the unqestionably superior resume and he lost to the man Who people simply liked better, who came across as more genuine, and wh o represented a change from the scandal and lack of core principles - real or percieved - of the Clinton Administration.

In 1992, America had the choice between a sitting President who's resume and qualifications for his office were as overwhelming as any in our nations history. George H.W. Bush was a WWII hero, a successful businessman, a congressman, The Director of Central Intelligence, a Senator, Vice-President, and a President who won a decisive, overwhelming victory in the Middle East of all places, something that has eluded many of the greatest leaders in history Included among them are King Richard the Lion Heart, Roman Emperor Trajan, and countless would be conquerors since the begging of time. And yet, when he faced a young man of 46 years, who's relatively paltry accomplishments were highlighted by his governorship of a small southern state called Arkansas, who had no foreign policy experience whatsoever, and who pushed a message of hope and change a nd connected with the people on an emotional level, It was the young governor - Bill Clinton - who emerged the victor, reminding america that "There is the right kind of experience, and the wrong kind of experience." Similarly, in 1980 and 1984 Ronald Reagan defeated his supposed intellectual superiors by landslide margins, because he touched the souls of the American people and made them believe in themselves and their country. The story is repeated throughout history. In 1960, in 1976, and in even 1932 (Herbert Hoover was a trained economist, didnt help him much in the depression election did it?)

We'll move on now to governing. Our greatest presidents have often been the least experienced. Regardless of what you think of the fairness of his economic policies, Ronald Reagan had countless foreign policy successes and was perhaps the last president to make effective use of America's soft Power. John F. Kennedy lead America through the Cuban missile crisis and beat Nik ita Kruschev in a game of brinksmanship - not an easy task.

But there is another man whose lanky figure stands tall above all of the great inspirational leaders who have sat in the oval office and had to bear the cross of wartime leadership. This man had less political experience than any of the others we have examined, and perhaps less than any president, ever. This man was a lawyer who spent just 8 years in the Illinois State Legislature, and only one term - two years - in the U.S. Congress. This man assumed the presidency with the task of unifying a country that seemed on the verge of tearing itself apart. This man knew he would inherit problems of cultural disunity and rancorous partisanship. Security problems that posed a greater threat to our nations survival than any other before or since. This man's name was Abraham Lincoln. When the effort to save the Union had reached its lowest point , and the battle of Gettysburg had claimed as many Americans as 17 9/11s, his WORDS moved a nation - in a three minute speech - to maintain their resolve to end slavery and unite the nation.

The inescapable conclusion of History is that inspiration is the absolute essence of leadership. Experience cannot inject the qualities of great leadership into a person who does not already possess them. So it should come as no surprise that I will vote for Barack Obama, the young lawyer from Illinois whose words can move a nation. So should you.

FISA Criminals

noreply@blogger.com (Teddy) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:12:10 -0600

These people are criminals and are aiding and abetting a massive criminal conspiracy that reaches from the corporate headquarters of telecoms to the White House and the halls of Congress:

Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Bennett (R-UT)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Conrad (D-ND)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Craig (R-ID)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Dole (R-NC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagel (R-NE)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Inouye (D-HI)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kohl (D-WI)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lieberman (ID-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCain (R-AZ)
McCaskill (D-MO)
McConnell (R-KY)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Roberts (R-KS)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Smith (R-OR)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (R-PA)
Stevens (R-AK)
Sununu (R-NH)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)
Webb (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wicker (R-MS)

Here's why S. 2248.

Do you see your senator on the list? I see both of mine here in PA.

The United States government has engaged in massive criminal activity disguised as intelligence gathering. With the assistance of giant telecoms like AT&T and Verizon, they have illegally wiretapped and reviewed the communications records of millions of Americans who have had absolutely nothing to do terrorism.

Now, thanks to the reauthorization of the expanded FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) law and the immoral retroactive immunity granted therein to the telecoms who assisted in the illegal surveillance, we will never know the extent to which Big Brother and Big Government have colluded to break the law.

Missing on the list of senators above is Senate majority leader Harry Reid. He voted against the amendment, which is commendable. What is not commendable, however, is the fact that he let this legislation hit the floor in the first place. Reid and the senate leadership have utterly failed the American people and their oath-bound duty to protect the Constitution.

Chris Dodd had threatened a fillibuster on this bill, but Reid never let that threat come to pass. We now have more secrecy and more power in the hands of the federal government. The elections of 2006 are meaningless. The Democratic party is toothless on this and other security/civil rights issues.

There is not one ounce of public benefit for extending immunity to the telecoms. In fact, it harms us greatly. The Senate vote clears the way for the dismissal of the 40+ lawsuits against the telecoms for illegally spying on U.S. citizens at the behest of the Bush Administration. Except it's not just the Bush administration. It is every member of the Senate Intelligence Committee who knew about the illegal spying before us (and did nothing) and the rest of Congress. It is every member of the Senate listed above who have enabled the illegal spying program and the massive cover up that has followed it. It is Harry Reid for letting the bill hit the floor. And soon, it will be all the members of the House who will vote "yea" on the FISA bill.

This is criminal activity of the worst kind: high level corruption, illegal activity, and cover ups. I am sickened to my soul over this vote. It is immoral. It is unethical. It is illegal. And it is condoned and enabled by the highest government and corporate officials in the land.

There are dozens of current and former congressional officials who have participated in this cover up. This and the financial clout of the telecoms are the reasons why we will not have justice. They have all colluded to protect each other and their political and financial interests. Republican or Democrat. It makes no difference. The protection of the power elite and the status quo have once again trumped the will of the people and the public good.

There is no reason to respect or follow the leadership of these cowards, con artists, and connivers who have foisted this massive travesty of justice upon us. The hypocrisy and the complete surrender of civil rights in this matter are the types of behavior that have destroyed the public confidence in government. There is, and rightly so, a lot of enthusiasm surrounding the upcoming presidential election. It is unconscionable behavior like this, however, that makes such enthusiasm meaningless. All the votes, all the cheers, and all the hope in the world cannot wash away these types of sins against the common good.

This may not seem to be much of a threat, but I will do whatever I can to unseat Bob Casey and Arlen Spector (my "yea" vote senators) in their next elections. I detest their votes on this bill and cannot assuage my conscience with anything other than their, and all of their cronies who have betrayed us, removal from public life.

Despite by absolute desolation, however, I urge you to get involved in the campaign of Barack Obama. He will not magically cleanse D.C. of its iniquities. He isn't the perfect candidate, but he is a start. A new way. A fresh perspective. An inspiration for us and our leaders to move away from ideological divisions and concentrate on the people's business and not the business of power.

Please donate.

Please get involved at BarackObama.com.