a new tone overall about the harsh problems we face, for the first time in decades.

In some circles (not the GoRight circles) there is bipartisan discourse, that this country has some serious problems re energy, budget priorities and the reality that the higher energy prices will hit the consumer like a ton of bricks. Concensus says the likelihood of a recession is now great.

I am excited that some folks (not the GoRight folks) are talking seriously about working together to solve problems and recognizing that the way this comes about is with the first three words of the constitution... We the people.

That means everyone has to have a seat at the table. The one key factor we need as per, David Walker, former US comptroller, and some other very serious people , is leadership. (Incidentally Walker gives a big phat razberry to Grover Norquist and his attempt to blackmail politicians by signing pledges to not raise taxes.)

I am a sap, I know, but it is fantastic to hear folks finally talking about how this country is a great country, instead of slandering or blaming, one group or the other. The secret weapon written into our constitution is consenses through compromise.

(For GoRight that means you can own a handgun and a rifle, just not a machine gun.)

Here's another link to Digby who is quoting from Pentagon auditors :

"a cash payment of $320.8 million in Iraqi money was authorized on the basis of a single signature and the words “Iraqi Salary Payment” on an invoice. In another, $11.1 million of taxpayer money was paid to IAP, an American contractor, on the basis of a voucher with no indication of what was delivered..

The mysterious payments, whose amounts had not been publicly disclosed, included $68.2 million to the United Kingdom, $45.3 million to Poland and $21.3 million to South Korea. Despite repeated requests, Pentagon auditors said they were unable to determine why the payments were made....

In one instance, a United States Treasury check for $5,674,075.00 was written to pay a company called Al Kasid Specialized Vehicles Trading Company in Baghdad for items that a voucher does not even describe.

In another case, $6,268,320.07 went to the contractor Combat Support Associates with even less explanation. And a scrawl on another piece of paper says only that $8 million had been paid out as “Funds for the Benefit of the Iraqi People.”

I myself don't think that the bush43 Administration invaded Iraq in order to pillage the US Treasury. I do feel that once it happened, many in a position to act more ethically thought it was a good opportunity to rape , pillage and plunder(see above Digby link).

I also am not offended by right wing corporations working for American interests. I am very unhappy when I see that right wing corporations working against the American interests that are paying them handsomely.

:)

check this out

Hilarious.

A congressional hearing (?) about rising oil prices and permission to drill for more oil to expand supply.

and an activist he is.

He maintains the Drew Carey Project at reason.tv

from comments at reason:

The Wine Commonsewer | May 23, 2008, 12:40am | #

My
father once said that the core of every political party is composed of
crazed, true believing nutcases and that the reason the LP looks bad is
because there isn't anyone but the core.

In fact, the Libertarian Party convention has already started. Reason is doing a bit of covering and CSPAN will have cameras there as well. They'll be broadcasting at 9pm EDT on Saturday as well as almost all day Sunday for the balloting.

Good column on the fiscal irresponsibility of all three prez candidates. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/23/AR200805...

This is a first:

I'm watching a presidential candidate debating on TV with whom I have exchanged comments with a blog...George Phillies on CSPAN (Libertarian Party Presidential Debate)

Interesting experience watching these guys talk. A refreshing perspective I must say. :)