Politics, Politics, Politics

Media Bias? California researcher say that they have compiled the most exhaustive sorting of headlines, news reports, placement, word selection and such and have found that "yes indeed, there is media bias and it is left leaning." I'm sure you're all surprised by this, right? After all, a rediculously high number of reporters and editors vote left of center and view reality with the same shaded spectacles as most of the Hollywood elite. I bet you can guess which papers and which news programs were left, centrist, or right winged. Fox was one of the more right of center but did have a significantly high amount of centrist commentaries.

Are you concerned about the government surveilance of communications? I'm not but then again, I have nothing to hide. But I am disturbed by the media's pounding of the liberal drums that the government is evesdropping on us all and we are at risk. And, It's a Bush thing. It is not a Bush thing.

Bill Clinton Signed Executive Order that allowed Attorney General to do searches without court approval

Clinton, February 9, 1995: "The Attorney General is authorized to approve physical searches, without a court order"

Jimmy Carter Signed Executive Order on May 23, 1979: "Attorney General is authorized to approve electronic surveillance to acquire foreign intelligence information without a court order."

WASH POST, July 15, 1994: Extend not only to searches of the homes of U.S. citizens but also -- in the delicate words of a Justice Department official - to "places where you wouldn't find or would be unlikely to find information involving a U.S. citizen... would allow the government to use classified electronic surveillance techniques, such as infrared sensors to observe people inside their homes, without a court order."Deputy Attorney General Jamie S. Gorelick, the Clinton administration believes the president "has inherent authority to conduct warrantless searches for foreign intelligence purposes."

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Gen. Michael Hayden, the principle deputy director of national intelligence, in defense of the National Security Agency's (NSA) program that eavesdrops on Americans' communications: Gonzales said one party to the communication must be outside the United States and linked with al-Qaida or an affiliate organization. "The president has not authorized ... blanket surveillance of communications here in the United States."

Gonzales would not provide the documents laying out the legal arguments for the program, but he didn't rule out releasing more information later. "We're engaged now in a process of educating the American people ... and educating the Congress."

So, since Watergate really opened our eyes to the potential uses and misuses of surveilance, we are now ready to throw out the baby. Even at the risk of our own peril. Welcome to America.

But you know, we'll insist it's because of the inherent check-and-balences that make the American experiment work. If that's so, then they shouldn't be almost fascist against gun in the hands of ordinary civilians. After all, the Right-to-Bear means that the government is controlled by the public and, if it assumes too much control, then the public can forcibly put it in its' place. BTW, did you notice how please Harry Reid seemed to be when the Patriot Act was originally being signed? See the picture of him right next to "W."

I read an interesting, but not surprising, article on Stalin. He actually initiated a program to try to create a type of ultimate warrior by genetically merging humans and apes. They were to be physically stronger, less prone to complain over food and living conditions, and more pain tolerant. As you can guess, their experiments of implanting ape sperm with human eggs failed miserably. The scary thing is that they actually had human "volunteers." I wonder how they were "made into" volunteers.

I am worried that Bolivia may be heading into coca-mass-production as the "only viable way" that they might bring themselves out of poverty. We had better start considering the consequences of how we handle the election of a coca farmer named Evo Morales to the position of president there. Maybe our drug policy should be the cheapest one-way fair for any addict who would like to retire with cheap drugs. Send them via planes down to Bolivia. Great weather, free drugs. If they hate to fly, then just send them a little north to Canada.

Speaking of Canada. I just read that the U.S. operated a nuclear sub, the USS Charlotte, through a part of the Canadian's Northwest Passage on up to the North Pole during its' recent tour. The Canadian government is silent on whether they authorized the U.S. navy to traverse its' territorial waters but I'm sure we'll hear accusations flying onto the front pages of the Canadian Post soon. It's election time up there and it's always considered good politics in Canada to speak down to and play verbal challenge to the United States. It garners support for either party that employs it. It's rampant up there now. I think it would be justified policy that we completely shut off all trade and close the northern borders 6 months prior to Canadian elections. This way, they can win elections by who has the best plan on aiding relations with the United States and restoring their economy. After all, let's be realistic, the Canadian economy survives because we are their southern partner. If Mexico was Canada's southern alliance, it would resemble a large version of the island of Dominica with the DR on one side and Haiti on the other. One side twice as prosperous as the other but both still desperately poor in lieu of the worlds' status. I will assume that the 2 planes that Harper hopes to boost the Canadian Air Force by are made in the U.S. too. Hate to see that price tag in Canadian dollars though. Ouch! BTW, Harper is a nutcase second only to some of those south of us and presiding over places such as Iran and Syria. If you don't believe me, let's talk again in 6 months if he is elected. Check out his plan for trade with the U.S. here.

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Abdullah Khadr, the oldest son of a (you guessed it) Canadian family confessed to American authorities he bought weapons two years earlier for al-Qaida. Khadr admitted his involvement in a plot to kill Americans and the prime minister of Pakistan.

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"During a six-month period in 2003, Khadr bought about $20,000 worth of AK-47 rounds, rocket-propelled grenades, rockets and mortar rounds, Jenkins said in the document supporting Khadr's extradition to the U.S. "In addition, he confessed that he provided explosive components, namely hydrogen peroxide, to make mines for al-Qaida's use," said Jenkins, a member of a national security enforcement unit which investigates criminal extremism in Canada. "These mines were to be used against U.S. and Coalition Forces. Khadr knew of approximately 60 land mines that were completed and some of these contained the hydrogen peroxide he provided."

Let's keep an eye on what happens in this Toronto courtroom. It may be that since it IS election time that Khadr may be raised up as a Canadian hero fighting against the tyranny of the United States.

If all this bad news makes you want to kill yourself, check yourself in to a Swiss hospital named the Vaud. They will allow you an exit strategy with the assistance of the Exit Society. They join the Nederlands and Belgium as European nations that have legalized euthanasia. Obviously Germany and France will not be far behind with maybe Spain beating them to the altar of liberalism.