Argue With My Dad

The weekend has flown by and now we have to get ready for a full 5 day work week.  Those 3 and 4 day work weeks can be habit forming.  It is time to get back to work and get back to our full fledged discussions on arguewithmydad.com.  The first news item that caught my eye was the Anchorage Daily News article that reports that the Alaska State Police and the Police Union are both claiming that the investigation into Levi Johnston’s mother’s alleged drug dealing was improperly delayed because of Levi’s future mother in law’s campaign for Vice President.  Here is the link to that article: http://www.adn.com/politics/story/641997.html.  I was completely surprised that Gov. Sarah Palin might actually be guilty of corruption by delaying the investigation.  If the accusations are true, Palin and her administration applied pressure to delay the investigation.  What were they worried about?  

The next item I am sure will produce some interesting comments from some of our readers.  It seems that New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who was Obama’s nominee for Commerce Secretary, has resigned that appointment due to a pending investigation into allegations that some of Richardson’s donors won state contracts improperly. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28493919/.  Take a look at the msnbc story and this discussion on Jonathan Turley’s blog, http://jonathanturley.org/2009/01/04/richardson-withdraws-under-cloud-of-investigation/,  and let me hear what you think.  I, for one, think that Richardson did the right thing.  He resigned to take the spotlight off of the Obama administration, even though he has denied any wrongdoing.  I will be interested in who his replacement will be for the Commerce Secretary position?  Maybe Qman is preparing his resume to put his hat in the ring for Commerce!

This last story is one that just made me scream.  It is reported by the Guardian newspaper in England, that an Israeli officer shot and killed a wounded Palestinian who was only 13 years old. Here is the link to the Guardian story: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/nov/24/israel.  I first learned of the story on George Washington University Law Professor Jonathan Turley’s blog. http://jonathanturley.org/2009/01/04/death-in-gaza-tape-reveals-how-israeli-captain-pursued-and-shot-to-death-a-fleeing-thirteen-year-old-girl/.  According to the article, the girl was shot by an Israeli soldier and wounded her and then the murdering officer searched her out and shot her up to 17 times!  He claims that it was his orders to kill anyone over 10 years old who moves.  This story may upset some of you.  It should disgust you.  I think that the Israeli armed forces and this officer and his superiors should be brought up on more serious charges than were actually charged against the officer who murdered this little girl.     

We have rested enough from the holidays.  It is time to contact arguewithmydad.com and let everyone know what you think of these stories.  I am chomping at the bit to get back into the swing of our enlightening debates. Let’s hear from you!

That’s right, it is that time again.  Another holiday shortened week is just about over and now you get the chance to bring up a topic for all of us to discuss.  We could discuss anything that has interested you in the news lately.  We could also discuss a political issue that is just burning a hole in your pocket.  Of course, we don’t have a chance of discussing it if you don’t get busy and let us all know what you want to talk about.

So what will it be this Friday?  Will it be the story about the United States officially handing over full authority over the Green Zone in Baghdad to the Iraqi’s and that their Prime Minister declared the day a national holiday. http://rawstory.com/news/2008/US_hands_over_security_for_Baghdads_0101.html.  We could talk about the Treasury Department’s report that claims that the bailout actions actually helped avert a worse financial crisis.  I, for one didn’t know that it could have gotten worse.  That should be one interesting report to discuss.  Check out this Raw Story article and let us know what you think. http://rawstory.com/news/afp/US_rescue_averted_financial_collaps_12312008.html.  We could also discuss the lawsuit that the U.S.Senate appointee, Roland Burris, has filed to force the Illinois Secretary of State to “certify” his appointment by the estranged Illinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich earlier this week.  That is one story that just won’t go away.  Check out this CNN article, http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/31/illinois.senate/index.html, as well as the discussion about that situation on Jonathan Turley’s blogsite, http://jonathanturley.org/2009/01/01/burris-goes-to-court-to-force-certification-of-appointment-to-senate/.  These are just a few examples of what we could be discussing.  But as I said earlier, it is up to you to decide what we discuss.  Let’s hear from you.  We can’t wait all week so get going and let’s hear from you!

Now that 2008 is just about over, I wanted to take the time to discuss my wishes and goals for the New Year.  The New Year’s celebration is always about hope.  Hope that the coming year will bring better things for you and your family.  Hope that the New Year will bring better things for your personal economy and for the economy in general.  This year is no different.  I am hoping that my family will continue with good health and prosperity.  I hope for nothing but the best for my wife and kids and my grandchild and son-in-law. 

What can we expect to see in the coming year?  We are going to see a new Presidential administration and hopefully a completely different direction for our country.  I hope that the Obama administration follows the law and investigates any and all illegal actions by the previous administration.  I hope and expect the Obama administration to renounce all of the Bush/Cheney torture procedures and to return the teeth to the FISA laws to force the government to get a warrant when it wants to investigate any U.S. citizens. I expect the Obama administration to take steps to correct the environmental head in the sand attitude of George W. Bush.  I also believe that the Obama administration will take the beginning steps to repair our reputation throughout the world

Hope was a word that was often used during the past Presidential campaign and sometimes over used.  However, hope is the word of the day when it comes to the beginning of a New Year.  This new year will be a watershed year in my life and in the life of the United States. On behalf of myself and “Mom”, we wish all of our regular readers and our new friends, a wonderful, peaceful New Year. We want all of you to let us and the rest of the arguewithmydad.com readers know what you are hoping for in this New Year.  Don’t be shy.  Let’s’ hear what you are looking for in 2009. 

Another weekend is over and it is time to start the final week of 2008 with a spirited debate over the hot issues of the day.  I know I am disturbed by the Israeli air stikes that have killed over 250 Palestinians and Hamas officials.  The Israeli’s are claiming that they have to kill hundreds in order to stop the Hamas rocket attacks.  I don’t know how anyone can argue with that logic because it has worked so well up to this date, hasn’t it?   http://www.jstreet.org/blog/?p=62 & http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/29/world/middleeast/29mideast.html?_r=2&hp. 

The next item that caught my eye was an interview of George Washington University Law School professor, Jonathan Turley, in Legal Times.  The interview asked the important question if Bush and Cheney should be held criminally responsible for authorizing illegal torture.  In the linked interview, Prof. Turley lays out the case for upholding the rule of law and holding any and all administration members responsible. When asked how high up the ladder should prosecutions go Prof. Turley states:

‘“I was asked this question last week by a member of Congress. My response was that the criminal law would extend to all who participated in the criminal act. The criminal code does not call for the prosecution of all convenient crimes or defendants.

Politicians merely have to get out of the way and allow a special prosecutor to take this investigation wherever it would lead. Having said this, it would be difficult to hold lawyers like John Yoo, who merely gave legal advice, responsible – no matter how baffling and unsupported it proved to be. Likewise, on the unlawful surveillance program, Democratic and Republican members who knew of the unlawful program would not be subject to prosecution.

Bush, Cheney, and high-ranking officials would be obvious targets for prosecution under either program. However, I have resisted these questions from members because it misses the point: if there was a crime, we should not be concerned about where an investigation might lead. It will lead where criminal conduct is found. We do not ask that threshold questions for bankrobbers or purse snatchers. We leave the outcome to the criminal justice system.” ‘ http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2008/12/qa-jonathan-turley-on-holding-bush-and-cheney-accountable.html.  Prof. Turley also discusses the interview on his own blog that we have linked here: http://jonathanturley.org/2008/12/27/self-fulfilling-legal-prophesies-bush-defenders-attempt-to-use-entrapment-by-estoppel-to-fend-off-criminal-prosecution/.  It is hard to argue with the logic. A criminal investigation should be unbiased as to who it can or cannot investigate and possibly charge with violations of the law.  Only a full investigation of the Bush administration will return the rule of law to this country.

Our third issue is one that first appeared on Friday.  It seems that our CIA has been taking some unusual steps in attempting to gain the support of Afghan warlords.  What have they been doing, you ask?  Well, it seems that our government is handing out Viagra to these warlords to gain their confidence and cooperation in the battle against the Taliban.  This item was one that I just couldn’t understand.  How could our government hand out prescription drugs to people who do not have a doctor’s prescription?  Isn’t that illegal? Take a look at this Washington Post article and let me know what you think. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/25/AR2008122500931.html. 

This Holiday week just sped by me.  I can’t believe that Christmas is over already!  I hope the Holidays were special for you and yours. I know mine was extra special because we saw all of our family and our oldest daughter and son-in-law gave us our first grandson on 12/23!  Wow.  Anyways, lets get to work on our Friday Free for All.  You remember how it works.  This is the one time during the week that you can decide the topic.  It can be any of the hot new items of the day.  It can be an old topic that we have discussed earlier or it can be your own topic that recently crossed your mind.  Remember that you are controlling the discussion today so get with it and let us know what is on your mind.  I know I am looking forward to reading what is bugging you.  Let’s hear from all of you!

I wish to announce that a new member of the AWMD Nation(hat tip to Qman) was born today.  My oldest daughter and son-in-law gave birth to their first child and our first Grandchild.  His name is Jack Edward and he was 8lbs, 6oz and 21.5 inches long.  He is a real cutie.  Just like his Grandpa!  Welcome J.E. and congrats to my daughter and son-in-law. What a Christmas present for “Dad” and “Mom”.  Arguewithmydad.com will never be the same.  I may have to consider a new title, like ”Arguewithmygrandpa.com”. 

On behalf of “Mom” and myself, I also want to wish a Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and Happy Festivus to all of our readers.  Have a safe and peaceful holiday season and let’s hope that the incoming Obama Administration is ready to make the kinds of changes that progressives have been praying for.  Peace to All. 

That was one short weekend.  A cold one as well.  It is a balmy 2 below zero right now in arguewithmydad.com country.  Maybe if we discuss some of the Hot items in the news, we can warm it up around here and wherever you are reading this.  Let’s look at some of the items that caught my interest. First of all, it looks like our Lame Duck Vice President Dick Cheney has been pulling his best impression of Richard M. Nixon lately.  It looks like he thinks that if the President does it, it must be legal.  Here is the Fox News transcript of our beloved VP spouting off some more about his Unitary Executive theories. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,470706,00.html  It seems that Dick Cheney is taking the Nixon theory of Presidential power a few steps farther.  A few steps too far.  I could have sworn that we had a Constitution around here somewhere. 

I read an article in the Nation magazine recently that discussed an amazing story related to Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. The article claims that a group of white citizens took it upon themselves to “prevent” a sudden increase of poor blacks fleeing from the floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina and into their whiter neighborhood. It seems that there are at least eleven black citizens of New Orleans who were shot and killed and the most likely suspects have yet to draw any serious attention from the authorities.  I am betting that this article will help bring the posse.  Check out this article, http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090105/thompson and let me know what you think about this potential bombshell of a story.  A race war may not be a correct title.  I am thinking that a race massacre would be more accurate. I think some of our readers with criminal law backgrounds might be able to shed some light on this subject for us.  Let us know what you think.

The Washington Post on Friday came out with a story that made me sit up and yell.  It seems that our current and future Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, has ordered his staff to prepare plans to close Gitmo in case President Obama wants to close it right after being sworn in.  You heard me right.  Our Pentagon buddies are drawing up plans to close Gitmo.  It will be a great day for our country and the world when the doors of that dark place are shuttered for good.  Here is the Washington Post article that started my weekend off on the right foot: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/18/AR2008121803539.html  Take a look at it and let me know if you agree with my enthusiasm over this welcome news.

Finally, I don’t know what to think about Caroline Kennedy’s desire to be appointed to the Senate seat currently held by Hillary Clinton. I was a little surprised to read recently that she has skipped voting in some past elections.  I found that a little disturbing for someone who wants to be in the United States Senate.   Here is a link to a Politico.com article that provides us some insight into her positions on some issues.  http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1208/16769.html  What confuses me is why Caroline Kennedy didn’t answer these questions herself? A spokesperson provided the answers to Politico’s questions.  At what point does Caroline Kennedy become her own candidate who can provide her own answers to the pressing questions of the day? Does New York have anyone who has always voted and who will actually voice her own opinions?  I sure hope so.

We made it through another work week so that means it is time for our weekly, FRIDAY FREE FOR ALL.  This is the one time during the week that the readers of arguewithmydad.com get to decide which topic to discuss. As those of us in Northern Illinois brace for a possible foot of snow we could discuss anything that you, the readers, decide is worth discussing. We can discuss some of the latest news items or an issue that you are just dying to write about.  Don’t be shy now.   

We could discuss this recent news item that states that Alberto Gonzalez and Condoleeza Rice “misled” Congress when they suggested that the CIA approved of the now infamous yellow cake uranium claim by Bush in his 2003 State of the Union speech.  http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081219/ap_on_go_co/iraq_cia;_ylt=AthRImu.yBDiyaMNGDcc68ys0NUE.  

We could discuss this story that I saw on Professor Jonathan Turley’s blog concerning the recent Court of Appeals decision that struck down provisions in the Patriot Act including the “gag order provision”. http://jonathanturley.org/2008/12/17/court-rules-against-national-security-letters-and-provisions-of-the-patriot-act/. I know this gag order provision has “bugged”me for a long time. What do you think?

We could even discuss one of my favorites, George W. Bush ducking from his recent shoe attack while in Iraq.  The video of that event is priceless.  But those are just some of the possible topics that we could have some fun with.  Let’s hear from you and find out what stories or news items or issues that you think need to be investigated.  We are all anxious to see what you consider important.  So what will it be? 

What a short weekend.  I am amazed how quickly the time on the weekend goes by.  Now that Monday is upon us, it is time again to look at some of the news that we are following.  First on my list of exciting news items is the story today about George W. Bush being “attacked” by a crazed Iraqi journalist who threw his size 10 shoes at Bush.  http://thinkprogress.org/2008/12/14/bush-iraq-shoe/ & http://jonathanturley.org/2008/12/14/shoe-bomber-bush-attacked-in-green-zone-by-reporter/.  I can’t imagine why any Iraqi would be upset at our friendly President!

This next story interested me as well. It looks like our old friend, Karl Rove, is orchestrating the Republican Senators attempt to hold up the nomination of Eric Holder as Attorney General.  Of course, some of these same Republican Senators have previously gone on the record as supporting the nomination and now they have decided to follow a Rovian plan to block that nomination.  Now, I have already gone on record that Holder would not have been my first choice as Attorney General, but I have to admit that after living through Ashcroft and now Mukasey, just about any experienced attorney who would not hold the Constitution hostage for their allegiance to the Executive, would be a step in the proper direction.  http://thinkprogress.org/2008/12/14/rove-holder-nomination/ & http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200812/121208b.html.

The next item that sparked my interest was the story about our “friend” Michael Mukasey and just how his Justice Department cohorts are showing how they “cooperate” with the Obama transition team by refusing to allow them to see all of the Justice Department documents related to some of the CIA and NSA programs that they are entitled to review in order to be fully briefed when they take office on the 21st of January, 2009.  I wonder why these legal opinions are still being withheld?  What is Mukasey and the Bush regime hiding?  This news item relates to the concerns I have about Mukasey as mentioned in the previous news item.  Check out these sources in order to get a proper background on the issues at hand.  http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2008/12/obama-transition-team-pushing-for-secret-legal-memos.html & http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202426606768. 

Finally, here is a story that should rile up even the most conservative of our arguewithmydad.com readers.  It seems that Bloomberg News has been trying to get information on just who the Federal Reserve gave $2 Trillion dollars to in emergency loans and the Fed is refusing to tell them. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=apx7XNLnZZlc&refer=home.  It seems that Bloomberg has actually filed a lawsuit against the Fed to force them to disclose the names of the loan recipients.  “The Bloomberg lawsuit is Bloomberg LP v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 08-CV-9595, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).”  Whatever happened to the transperency that Sec. Paulson and the Bush Administration promised? I know I used this question earlier, but it the only one that makes sense here.  I wonder what they are hiding?  Why won’t they follow the law and provide the information that was requested under the FOIA?  I wonder?

This week has flown by and now we find ourselves at our weekly Friday Free For All. This is your chance to decide which topics we are going to discuss.  It would be nice if we could get some new blood in this Free for All. It doesn’t matter what topic you are interested in.  If the readers want to respond to it they will.  If they don’t want to discuss it, try another topic. 

We could discuss Obama’s latest picks to his cabinet or we could discuss the latest bailout proposal for the auto industry. We could discuss the unemployment situation.  The figures out today report that we hit a 26 year high in unemployment numbers for the past week. We could also discuss the infamous Gov. Blagojevich arrest this week.  i know we have already discussed it, but it is still creating news.  Whatever topic you choose, I am sure that we will have fun discussing it.  So it is time for all of the arguewithmydad.com readers to get to work and let us know what topic you are just dying to discuss.