Vote Ron Paul for Freedom

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George Steppanopolis.....How dare you assume that you know the outcome of the presidential race when it has not even seen one vote. For you to sit there and tell G.O.P Congressman Ron Paul after he says he wants to win the presidency, “Yeah, but that is not going to happen!” is not only rude but it did serious damage to your reputation. To think I actually used to listen to what you had to say. I have lost all respect for you. Even if it was true, which it absolutely is not, you had no right saying it anyway.

You are all just jealous of what he has. His supporters are kick ass, loyal internet Savoy gurus who have put his message out there for the world to hear, and because the message is about freedom they have done it for free. Without any help from the mainstream media his donations on November 05, 2007 never slowed down and with mostly $100.00 donations gave over 6 million and change in a 24 hour period. Something all of your make believe contenders could only wish for.


You cannot buy that kind of support, you cannot sell it either, you have to have a message that people believe in. That is something no other candidate has to offer. All of your pumped up, overstressed, over publicized, and over polarized choices are just that...yours. You can have them all.

The American people are going to prove once and for all how little your opinion matters on December 16th, 2007 with another record breaking donation day. We are going to prove that we are the decider's, we are the ones who matter, we own this country and we will own this election. You can try and keep Dr. Paul's message from coming out on your propaganda pushing channels, but you cannot slow him down on the internet. Steppanopolis, we will show you how tired we all are of not getting the truth, and how sick we get when the media filters out our choice for president.

We will use your lies and censorship as fuel to push us that much farther, and if you ignore him we will ignore you. Ron Paul is the American peoples choice, and the only truly conservative candidate running for president. He speaks about abiding by our constitution, our bill of rights, and individual liberty. His common sense about ending this ridiculous war, and horrible foreign policy is becoming more common everyday. He speaks about following the founders advice from the UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION and only going to war when it is declared by Congress like our laws require.

Dr. Paul speaks about things Republicans used to believe in, “A humble foreign policy, no policing the world, no nation building.” These are things our current president ran and won the presidency on.

Just because our media has become nothing more than spineless wimps and no longer serves as the moral judges they used to be does not mean the American people have to accept the new platform. Most reporters are taking their paychecks with conditions, refusing to ask real questions, and forgetting what their jobs are. The media used to be there to hold the government accountable, show America what was really going on, and never answer to one particular party or person.

We the people, choose Ron Paul because he does not want to run our lives, he has never voted to raise taxes, he refuses to accept government trinkets, and because he cannot be bought. He voted against the Iraq war, and will bring our boys home immediately. He fought for our country and since then he has consistently supported upholding the laws our constitution calls for.

There is no other candidate, democrat or republican that is as humble, as honest, or as real as Paul is. That is why we choose him. That is why we will win. He has more presidential appeal than all the other candidates combined.

Media Spotlight

Military wants more views on Iraq reports (National)

On the Bypass

Does the U.S. have a smoking gun against Iran? (International)
U.S. officials accuse nation of seeking a nuke arsenal, sponsoring terrorism.

Murder Most Wired (International)
Police in Italy find new evidence from a web search suspect used containing "blood and bleach" immediately following murder of 20 year old girl.

Where Are The Monks? (International)
The junta has jailed some of Burma's Buddhist clergy, derobed others and driven many into exile.

Route 66

Two arrested in ‘Baby Grace’ case (National)
Officials believe Texas girl who washed ashore belongs to a couple who never reported their daughter as missing to authorities.

All 4 on board dead in Minn. plane crash (National)
Small plane crash at Faribault, Minn., airport kills 4; pilot was making 2nd landing attempt

Pacific Post

Suspect Arrested After High-Speed Chase On 101 Freeway (Local)
Police capture carjacking suspect after circling neighborhood along the 101 and 405 freeways.

Good weather helps Malibu fire efforts (Local)
Better weather helps firefighters nearly contain Malibu blaze that destroyed dozens of homes

Script for strike not all fun and games - well, maybe (Local)
Strikers are making the most out of a bad situation by adding special attractions to picket line.

The Olive Branch

The Google Primary (National)
There's a new mandatory stop for the 2008 presidential candidates: Google's California headquarters.

Media Spotlight

Troop levels in Iraq to fall by 5,000 (International)
This article definitely contains all the information you need to know about troop levels. It includes all the names and which brigades are preparing to depart. The trouble I have with it is what information it does not seem to contain.

I find it hard to believe anything inside of an article that continues to leave out information that should be included. When I hear that the levels of violence have dropped I cannot help but wonder if the reason for it has something to do with the millions of people that have been displaced by the violence, and maybe not so much because of the troop surge.

Not only that, but when I read articles that parrot what the Bush Administration says is true, it immediately makes me question what it says because of the lack of credibility the white house has right now.

For instance, troop levels were due to draw down anyway without the recommendations of General David Patraeus. However, this article leaves out information like this that is very relevant when speaking about troop withdrawals, and if only included facts like this that may be on peoples minds when reading the article could help put the questions to rest and trust the words printed are not in any way misleading.

The Olive Branch

The Surge Draws Down (National)
The U.S. military says it will pull 5,000 troops by mid-December.

IRAQ
MacGyver in Mesopotamia (International)
Silly String, tampons, Saran Wrap: U.S. soldiers in Iraq get innovative.

President Pardons the National Turkey! (National)
President thinks it's customary to pardon his turkey dinner. (No, their names are not "Scooter" and "Libby"!)

Pacific Post

L.A. County might get new homeless program (Local)
Supervisors expected to approve Project 50, which aims to get skid row's most vulnerable people into supportive housing.

After a dry spell, DWP's Drought Busters program is back (Local)
Six full-time DWP employees will drive around the city in hybrid cars and tell people to stop wasting water.

Shop till you drop (Local)
People share their Black Friday deals and experiences.

Route 66

Business: What Would Jesus Buy? (National)
In a new documentary about his annual crusade, 'Reverend' Billy Talen preaches the gospel of his Church of Stop Shopping.

Study Predicts Net Will Crash in 2010 (National)
Wireless service and internet providers, must invest $55 billion in new copper wiring, 70% more than planned.

On the Bypass

Cruise ship passengers flown out of Antarctica (International)
More than 150 passengers and crew members escaped unhurt after being evacuated into lifeboats Friday from the ship Explorer that hit ice off King George Island in Antarctica.

Media Spotlight

Seaman Says Ship's Gear Conked Out(Local)
This is a responsible article that includes how recent investigations into reasons why the cargo ship spilled over 58,000 gallons of "Bunker fuel" into the San Francisco Bay has found equipment fully functional.

The article includes information that was originally reported to be only 140 gallons was later found to be actually 58,000 gallons and that the response time for the clean up was four hours, which is unacceptable.

The only thing I wish it would have included is that "bunker fuel" is one of the dirtiest fuels used and it is not necessary. There already have been activists calling for the ban of this this fuel. Not only that, but that cargo ships are not required, but should be, to have what is called a double hull. This may have prevented this accident completely.

Unfortunately, with all of the information you get about what happened there really is not a lot included about how to prevent it from happening again.

Hollywood Hall

Home Run King Bonds Charged With Perjury (Local)
Barry Bonds,the most prolific slugger in baseball history , is facing four perjury charges and one obstruction of justice charge being brought against him for allegedly lying under oath

On the Bypass

Pakistani court frees British suspect (International)
Courts ordered the release of Briton suspected in an alleged plot to blow up jetliners.


Cyclone kills hundreds in Bangladesh (International)
The 150-mph winds late Thursday, killed at least 242 people, and forcing the evacuation of 650,000 villagers.

The Olive Branch

Regan says she was told to lie to protect Giuliani (National)
In a lawsuit against News Corp., the former publisher alleges that she had to keep quiet on an affair with the mayor's top cop.

President Bush Delivers Remarks at Federalist Society's 25th Annual Gala (National)
President Bush announced he will nominate five more individuals to serve in senior posts.


Bush, justices address Federalist Society (National)
Most of the president's remarks to the conservative legal group attack the Senate confirmation process as harsh and partisan.

Pacific Post

Ex-drill instructor gets six months (Local)
The Marine sergeant was convicted of abusing recruits at boot camp. A military jury rules that his rank should be reduced and that he should get a bad-conduct discharge.


32 alleged gang members arrested in L.A. sweep (Local)
Hundreds of FBI and L.A. officers join forces across the city in a crackdown on the violent El Salvadoran organization MS-13.

Officer for Oil Spill Response Replaced
(Local)
Capt. William Uberti, the Coast Guard commander for the bay region, was replaced by Capt. Paul Gugg.

Media Spotlight

Ron Paul celebrates an online fundraising coup (National)

This article by the L.A. Times is one of the first times we have seen anything written about Ron Paul, a Texas GOP Congressman who is taking a shot at the US Presidency.

They are finally recognizing that he is not just popular on the Internet after his campaign pumped out $4.2 Million in one day, November 05, Guy Fawkes Day, a symbolic representation for minimal government which Paul represents.

The article includes many quotes from other sources and shares their different opinions, all positive, about his chances in the race. Although their is still some uncertainty about whether he will be able to shake up the primaries, the general message is that the Republican Candidate is going to have to be taken more seriously. Up until now he has been pushed aside like he was not even there with no one giving any mention of his name or talking about him at all.

Paul ran as a Libertarian years ago, but has been a Republican Congressman for the last 10 years, and a Doctor who has delivered over 3000 babies. So he knows about what state our health care is in. He not only wants to bring our troops home immediately, he is one of the few who talks about restoring the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

No doubt the supporters of Ron Paul are growing stronger everyday because the money he has generated surpasses all other candidates for single day donations. He is well on his way to the $12 Million goal set by the end of the year.

One supporter of Paul said, "After I heard Ron Paul speak and the message he has I immediately knew this man is going to be our next President. He has the look of regular guy, but the voice of one of the greatest Presidents in history."

Route 66

Terror case could turn on eyewitness (National)
Defense lawyers say they just became aware of a potentially helpful onlooker in a Canadian suspect's alleged attack on U.S. troops. The development renews concerns over military commissions.

On the Bypass

Japan's police see no evil (International)
Doctors are discouraged from autopsies from police officials.

Afghanistan pushes reconciliation effort (International)
Facing a resilient insurgency, officials say President Karzai is seeking negotiations with elements of Taliban to end the conflict.

The Olive Branch

Congress overrides Bush veto of water bill (National)
The Senate voted against Bush and for the $23 Billion water bill that will help clean up Florida Everglades and California Rivers.


Mukasey has been able to get his views on torture overlooked and confirmed as the next U.S. Attorney General with the votes passing 53-40.

Pacific Post

Writers picket outside studios (Local)
Havoc breaks out in the picket lines outside of studios where writers let frustrations get out of control.

New holiday parade to make Hollywood premiere (Local)
Hollywood Santa Parade replces the underfunded Christmas Day Parade.

Reagan library can't fully account for 80,000 artifacts (Local)
Reagan Library left security issues unanswered and open to insiders taking off with the goods.

Woman dies as car rams crowd (Local)
A brawl took place involving 30 women in Los Angeles and unfolded in front of 300 onlookers as a clear and intentional act of violence.

Media Spotlight

Squeezing Mukasey on Torture (National)
This article nails this issue on the democrats and their decision to push Mukasey to declare waterboarding illegal. Veteran Illinois Senator Dick Durbin was the first to ask Mukasey about his position on waterboarding during the Oct. 18 Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing to which Mukasey said, "It is not constitutional for the United States to engage in torture in any form, be it waterboarding or anything else."

However, Times points out the problem democrats face now that Durbin "drafted a letter to Mukasey asking him to state — or rather, to restate — that waterboarding is torture and therefore illegal." The move they note as "politically savvy" but "not without its own risks".

The article says it best with, "Now that Mukasey has responded with a hedge democrats practically helped write, the burden of moral clarity is on them. Will they reject Mukasey on the moral absolute of torture, or will they quietly abandon the moral high ground in the interest of getting a competent hand on the wheel at the demoralized Justice Department?"

Pacific Post

A landscape born to burn (Local)
Over 500,000 acres and 1,700 homes destroyed by fires.

Fire was started by boy with matches, detectives say (Local)
38,000 acres and 21 homes in the Santa Clarita area were burned as a result.

On the Bypass

21 convicted in Madrid train bombings (International)
Sentences were given for tens of thousands of years, but Spanish law has maximum policy of only 40 years with no death penalty. No links to Osama were found.

Hollywood Hall

Hollywood Writers Going on Strike (Local)
Writers fight for DVD revenue, money from the internet sales and other digital platforms.

The Olive Branch

Fake FEMA Briefing Costs Official New Assignment (National)
FEMA gives fake news conference by disguising their own employees as (what was suppose to be) reporters interviewing FEMA with softball questions.

Torture Complaint Filed Against Rumsfeld (National)
Rumsfeld seen on streets of Paris as complaint filed against him for war crimes he committed.

Mukasey Prospects Dim Over Waterboarding (National)
Democrats voice concerns over Mukasey's refusal to call waterboarding torture.

Woodstock museum earmark dropped (National)
Hillary Rodham Clinton loses $1 million battle for woodstock museum

Bush raises stakes on Mukasey (National)
Democrats' insistence on a torture declaration is unfair and could leave the Justice Department without a leader, the president says.

Media Spotlight

Democratic Apologies Gone Wild (National)
This article is one of the only one I have found that address the other side of this issue. I agree with everything said here. Especially about the democrats wrong decision to make Stark apologize for the things he said.
There are far more people that believe he should not have apologized for what he said than those that do. In case you missed it. Congressman Pete Stark responded to the President Bush’s veto of children’s healthcare by saying, “You don't have money to fund the war or children," Stark said, "But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement." He even continued by stating that President Bush was a war president.
These beliefs are not unjustified when President Bush and Dick Cheney continue to lie about reasons for invading these countries. When the first attack on Afghanistan took place Iran was very helpful by staying out of America’s way in the event. However as time progressed more lies were told as the US began invasions in to Iraq and it became abundantly clear that this had been their intentions from the very beginning.
It was a sad day when Stark was forced to apologize, but this article states correctly it should have been a time for democrats to stand behind the accusations and used as a platform to address the things that this entire country believes are just.
How can they continue to spend the money they do by destroying life and veto a bill to help save millions of our own children? This is the true issue and the reason Stark apologized he admitted were to take the attention off of him and put it back where it belonged.

Hollywood Hall

The Ellen DeGeneres Dog Scandal (National)
Ellen DeGeneres had adopted a puppy and gave it away to her hairstylist, but the agency took the dog back because it is in their contract it must be returned to agency.

New charges filed in O.J. Simpson case (National)
Charges are increased to 12 against the former football star, O.J. Simpson, and he remains in custody awaiting trial.

Britney Spears avoids hit-and-run trial (National)
Britney Spears settles out of court for her hit and run case.

The Olive Branch

Dalai Lama honor stokes U.S.-Chinese tensions (International)
President Bush awards the Dalai Lama with the Congressional Medal of Honor angering China as they see it as another way for Bush to medal in their affairs.

Ex-CIA agent Valerie Plame settles scores in new memoir (National)
Valerie Plame releases new book, "Fair Game: My Life as a Spy, My Betrayal by the White House."

Pacific Post

Wildfire sweeps through wealthy California enclave (Local)
Hundreds of people forced to evacuate after Malibu fire gets out of control due to Santa Ana winds

Brush fires rampage across the Southland (Local)
More fires flaring up in Canyon Country now up to 35000 acres across California

A rally is taking place in Los Angeles this week at Olympic and Broadway to "Stop the War" (Local)

Bush tours fire-stricken California as death toll rises (Local)
Bush visits California after over 500,000 people become displaced due to the blazes.

Media Spotlight

White House Revises Post-Disaster Protocol (National)
It is official. George W. Bush wants to be our dictator as he passes "Directive 51", the same directive that Hitler passed before he became a dictator in Germany. On May 09, 2007 it was entered without even a press briefing for the American people.

This article tells you about the secretive directive by telling you in a round about (secretive) way. The real issue is not what reasons it was passed for, but rather that it was passed at all.

They fail to mention anything about the wording of this directive which is why I have included a link below this article to the actual directive to let you make up your mind about this directive yourself.

With every misuse of power in this administration being followed by more gray area it is very hard to keep up with all of the negative afflictions that Bush is causing on our constitutional rights and government.

The scarriest part about this directive is that the administration is passing it 7 years after the 911 disaster. Do they know something we do not? It is pushing the idea that this president just might not want to give up his seat of power without a fight for it.

After all, we still remember his remarks in 2005 when he said, "Stop throwing the constitution in my face, it's just a goddamn piece of paper".

Directive 51 Link (signed only by President George W. Bush)

Listen to the Radio Announcement from Ray Taliaferro

The Olive Branch

The Nobel Peace Prize 2007 (National)
Vice President Al Gore wins nobel peace prize for his work on global warming.

Verizon Says It Turned Over Data Without Court Orders (National)
Firm's Letter to Lawmakers Details Government Requests
Verizon says it does not second guess the government, and turned over records about their customer 94,000 times from January 2005 to September 2007.

Route 66

U.S. Mulls New Status Hearings for Guantánamo Inmates (National)
After six years holding 330 men without charges, detainees may finally have their case heard

On the Bypass

Afghans arrange marriages for toddler brides (International)
Many afghan women are stuck in arranged marriages that they want nothing to do with. Arranged from sometimes birth. It gives new meaning to being given away.

Israel attacked unfinished Syrian nuclear reactor: report (International)

Reporter For Post Is Fatally Shot In Baghdad (International)
At least 118 journalists have paid with their lives covering this war

Putin Stresses Opposition to Military Action Against Iran (International)
Putin tells reporters, "Threatening someone, in this case the Iranian leadership and Iranian people, will lead nowhere," and added, "They are not afraid, believe me."

Pacific Post

At least 3 dead in I-5 crash; freeway closed (Local)
Deadly pile-up on the I-5 freeway after slippery roads send trucks colliding one after another.

O.C. inmate dies after being struck by Taser gun (Local)
The second inmate in a little more than a month to die after being hit with a 50,000 volt delivered by a stun gun, add that to 230 deaths since 2001, yet the company who manufactures the gun is still claiming it is a non-lethal weapon.

Sandstorm Blamed In Deadly Accident On 14 Freeway (Local)
More deadly crashes on the 14 freeway after freak sandstorm creates zero visability!

Media Spotlight

An Exit Toward Soul-Searching (National)
As Bush Staffers Leave, Questions About Legacy Abound

When you read this article you will certainly notice the professionalism and maturity of the writer in general. This is an article that is compelling, and grips you from start to finish, so the style of the reading is written extremely well. My criticism is when you look at the article in its entirety and see the content of the writing actually concludes a subliminal message to the readers. This article takes the problems this administration has been having from failed policy and an unpopular war and writes about people whom have already left the white house that are admitting to their choices being the reason we are in this situation. In other words, the article takes the blame off the white house and sends much of it to people who are no longer there.

For example Wehner mentions that they believed there were weapons of mass destruction, so the arguments to go to war were noble but, “The fact that it didn’t go so well is something you live with”.

We also hear about White House Advisor Megan Sullivan who became a deputy national security advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan, and how she made “some of the most important decisions about Iraq, including some blamed for exacerbating the tensions”.

In the next paragraph we also find out that many people thought she was too young and inexperienced and “in over her head”. The article continues with “The war weighs on her” and she even confirms her importance by admitting she carries heaviness with her about her responsibility in all of this when it is as serious as this and carries so many sacrifices.

The only one who does not take any blame for anything is Carl Rove. This is almost laughable if it was not a subject as dire as this is.

The article really tries to convince you that it is the people that have left the white house that are the real ones to blame for the mistakes this administration has made. It just makes me angry when a talented writer such as this writes an article that becomes another propaganda piece for this administration.

Media Spotlight

As War Dragged On, Coverage Tone Weighed Heavily on Anchors (National)
This story has been talked about by many of the liberals who have been seeing their views and opinions faded out in the media ever since the Bush administration took over.

We find out from first hand experience of Katie Couric how the journalists questions must remain limited when asking this administration any questions. She interviewed Condalezza Rice and asked her a question that she obviously did not want to answer, and got a phone call from her supervisor the next day with a subtle message to knock it off, or else.

We have known about the bias of Fox news for some time, but slowly the propagande masters have been sliding into other news rooms as well.

Couric is not the first journalist to admit that her opinions about the Iraq war are not only not appreciated, but highly discouraged when they disagree with the point of view of the president. This might have something to do with the billion and a half that Bush was caught paying off reporters with in 2004, but that is only speculation.

Imagine what would have happened if her question became implications against the administration for being the cause of September 11, 2001. If you cannot even ask them if America would be at greater risk if Kerry would have won, there is no way to get away with forming a real question that matters.

This administration has taken America on a path of limited media and rights that is going to be very hard to undo. It is hard to get rights back once they are restricted, and this administration seems to want to restrict them all with them golden words "to fight terrorism".

Hollywood Hall

Britney Spears loses bid to regain custody of kids (National)
Kevin Federline gains custody of the two children.

On the Bypass

Other Killings By Blackwater Staff Detailed (International)
State Dept. Papers Tell of Coverup

Myanmar authorities drag residents from their homes (International)
The police come at night. 'People are terrified,' envoy says.

10 tons of cocaine seized in Mexican port town (National)

Pacific Post

University students, workers squeezed too (Local)
UC and CSU say the state funding pact is pushing them toward mediocrity and could turn them into de facto private schools.

Sheriff's Department's arrest contests to be investigated (Local)
Public defender's office plans challenges to cases stemming from a contest Aug. 15 at the Lakewood station geared to boost deputies' productivity.

The Olive Branch

Bush denies CIA torture of suspects (National)
nterrogation methods are legal, he says amid controversy over Justice Department memos sanctioning disputed techniques such as simulated drowning.

War court prosecutor quits post (International)
Air Force Col. Morris Davis' resignation comes amid discord on trials and pressure from the White House.

Concerns about private security ignored, officials say (International)

Pacific Post

USC student's computer program enlisted in security efforts at LAX (Local)
Program developed by a USC student is intended to thwart terrorists by making the frequency of searches unpredictable.

Landslide in La Jolla rips neighborhood(Local)
Evacuations of 110 Homes in San Diego that suffered structural damage or water and power interruptions from massive landslide.

The Olive Branch

Bush's EPA Is Pursuing Fewer Polluters (National)

Federalism, Not Partition (International)
The idea of Federalism in Iraq must not be looked at as "Partitioning".

Most in Poll Want War Funding Cut (National)
Bush's Approval Rating Ties All-Time Low

Veto of child health plan sparks clash (National)
Bush veto's health plan that would have covered 6 million children in America that are among the poorest and middle class that cannot afford private health coverage.

Media Spotlight

A Response to to “Blackwater gets OK to resume Iraq duty”

This is an article that takes the facts of the story without manipulating anything and then gives some back-up information in order to show you the whole picture. There have been other articles I have seen that push the policies of the white house by releasing opinionated news about how Blackwater is important to officials going to Iraq and how necessary they are, and how they risk their lives to protect them.

The beginning of the article shows the friction and disinformation between the Iraq officials and Blackwater that exists by comparing both comments and showing that Iraq officials think they will be informed of all of Blackwater's movements and then Blackwater's comments say they will not be telling officials precise details about their movements. Then, they show how the Iraq ministry did an investigation that showed that 11 civilians had been fired upon without provocation, and how the US State Department says Blackwater had been fired upon first.

Then the article makes sure to tell us about Rice defending Blackwater and their work, but it does so with a direct quote rather than adding propaganda to the articles contents. Of course, all the interviews are contradictory when asked about the level of violence, but one thing that is not is the deaths that the article closes with and ends with the exact number of troops that are dead since the war began. This article, I think, is the right way to cover this event. It is factual and shows both sides of the event with a non-partisan view.

Route 66

New York Times Says It Violated Policies Over MoveOn Ad (National)
New York Times says that Moveon.org should not have received a discount for its full page ad, so Moveon.org promises to pay the extra $77,000 to make up the difference.

Contractor Blamed in DHS Data Breaches (National)
Unisys Corp., a company that in 2002 won a $1 billion deal, is to blame for security breaches at DHS because they did not install the software necessary to detect such breaches. A long breach occurred in June through October of 2006 that may have gathered significant information on domestic security in the United States.

Pacific Post

A million L.A. trees: Will they take root? (Local)
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is giving away trees with a promise from takers to plant it, but there is no one following up to make sure they keep it.

Marine D.I.s aren't as cruel as war (Local)
Some charges have been filed on four Marine Drill Instructors for being "mean" to recruits.

California Closes In on Universal Health-Care Plan
Governor, Democrats Work to Resolve Funding (Local)
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is working to pass a new health care system in California that would set the pace for the rest of the country. Now all he has to do is convince California residents to pay more taxes for it.

The Olive Branch

CONGRESS'S WAR OVER THE WAR
Moderates Talk the Talk (National)
Lots of talks between congress officials, but still no closer to the 60 votes needed for change.

U.S. Attorney in Minnesota Faces Probe (National)
U.S. Attorney Rachel K. Paulose is accused by staff of abuse, retaliation and mishandling of classified documents.

On the Bypass

Blackwater gets OK to resume Iraq duty (International)
Security Company, Blackwater, enjoys immunity from Iraq law.

What Defines a Killing as Sectarian? (International)
The Bush administration uses cherry picked data for the Patraeus report and lets the General show us the cooked books!

Ahmadinejad says Iran, U.S. not headed for war (International)
Ahmadinejad denies allegations that Iran is trying to posess nucleur weapons or that US and Iran are headed for war.

Media Spotlight

A Response to Spy chief says wiretap powers needed (National)

It is unbelievable to me that Democrats could let this president get away with anything anymore. It surely seems like the passing of “The Patriot Act” which slipped through their congressional approval by accident would have them wake up to be more careful about approving anything that they have not read and understood fully. This is the Congress of the United States and I am sure there are no Americans think they should sign anything unless they are fully aware of any and all provisions that are included within any bill.

They have been given every reason to not trust this administration and knowing that should have made them aware that they may need to be more careful in the future, yet in this article we can see it has happened again. It read,

“Congress agreed to the new provisions, but set them to expire in six months. Since the rushed passage, however, many Democrats have had second thoughts and now believe the new provisions violate long-held privacy protections for U.S. citizens.”

So now what? Are you going to apologize again? I do not accept your apology for this. I am tired of excuses. You have already made the same mistakes and have been fully aware that this administration uses these methods to get their way. You are part of the problem. How can you take a job as important as the one you have been blessed to have and mistreat your authority by simply signing whatever is put in front of you? You should all be ashamed of yourself as it has been as much your fault as President Bush’s. Maybe more so, as you should have known better, where as the president can still hold on to the simple excuse of being undereducated.

I do not accept your apologies and expect you to stop giving this president his way on any and every issue. The press this week is trying to say that President If any of you had some decency he would have been impeached a long time ago. If you look at the possibility of Bush being an enemy combatant you begin to see what a superb job he has actually been doing by using every weakness in our laws and policies against the people of the United States and helping only foreign nations.

Where is the press? Where are the questions asking why the Congress thinks it is ok to sign bills into law without fully reading and understanding it? Stop becoming part of the problem and become part of the solution. Ask real questions and expose this administration, and corrupted officials. Do your jobs!

Route 66

Student Tasered, arrested at Kerry forum.(National)
Man had tried repeatedly to question senator on his connections with Bush
A Florida student was tackled by police after asking Kerry a question.

Hollywood Hall

O.J. Simpson goes free on bail (National)
O.J. Simpson has been arrested again and although he is already out on bail, if convicted, will be facing life in the Las Vegas Prison Facility.

On the Bypass

Maliki insists U.S. replace Blackwater (International)
The private US security company, Blackwater, has stirred more hatred after their involvement in a shootout last week ended with eleven innocent civilians dead. Maliki told reporters the US must invest in another security company and freeze the activities of Blackwater immediately.

147 suspected members of drug ring held in Colombia (International)
Major cocaine smuggling operation includes 23 former right-wing fighters.

Pacific Post

Douglas Barry becomes new L.A. fire chief (Local)
The first African American to serve as chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department was sworn in by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Tuesday, September 18 in a ceremony outside of City Hall.

LAPD seeks public's help in apprehending gunmen who killed baby (Local)
$75,000 Reward offered for information leading to the arrest of person(s) involved in killing a baby.

Deadly medical lapses in prison (Local)
One in six deaths have been preventable in California prisons last year.

The Olive Branch

With Justice Pick, Bush Hopes to Avoid a Fight (National)
Michael B. Mukasey is looking like Bush's justice pick hopeful for replacing Alberto Gonzales. Washington Post tells us "Bush was keenly interested in Larry Thompson, who was deputy attorney general in his first term, but Thompson made it clear early on that he did not want to be considered. So did federal appellate judge Laurence H. Silberman -- a favorite of Vice President Cheney".

Senate rejects bill to regulate combat tours (National)
More disappointments for the Democratic Party as their efforts to stop this war, this president, or the multiple tours of our soldiers all failed to make the 60 vote requirements this week.

Spy chief says wiretap powers needed (National)
More Violations of Civil Rights for U.S. citizens.

Media Spotlight

The Bush War

Bravo Washington Post! The only real news I have seen at any level this week was by the article titled,”Democrats Push Toward Middle on Iraq Policy”. If the American people are supposed to judge what the real issues are by what they hear in the media then they have to hear the real issue at various levels within the media and right now the only one talking about the real issue is the Washington Post.

The reporting of General Patraeus has been judged adequately by the Democratic Party as only mimicking the ideas of President Bush. Democratic Senator John Warner even asked Patraeus if all of this is making America safer, and he himself replied, “I don’t know!” He then went on to say that he had not considered it because he felt his job as a General was to go there and report back with the best ways to achieve the mission. Democrats who have been waiting for this report felt this was not supposed to be a report that only gave recommendations on how to achieve Bush’s mission, but to come back with a non-partisan view of how things were going in Iraq.

The drama did not end there though. Republicans who may have still understood the original premise was to get “Al-Qaeda” may have been somewhat shocked as Senator Gary Adkerman twice mentioned that there was no “Al-Qaeda” formed until 2005 in Iraq. Of course, both times the question was asked the General continued to ignore and evade the question and even drowned out the Senator as he asked it.

It has become more than obvious to everyone who has been hoping to bring our troops home that the President is going to continue to get his way. This is mainly because the media on the right only replays the section with the General saying he was recommending bringing our troops home and then backing it up with a clip from President Bush saying he was going to stand behind the Generals recommendations. To anyone who may have been watching the entire report, this in itself is false. Patraeus not only used data sets without sources, but used figures that all contradict more established data sets held by, “The Associated Press”, “The Washington Post”, “The Government Accounting Office”, “General Jones” and the “Iraqi Forces”.

It is because of this that the real issue leaves the realm of the media we are seeing and becomes only what the Washington Post article stresses, “How do we get the Republican moderates in the Senate to change their vote and allow the democratic party to make a change without the threat of a veto from this President?”

On the Bypass

Indonesia has More Tsunami Warnings (International)

Japanese Prime Minister Abe Hospitalized (International)

The Olive Branch

Donor Problems for Hillary (National)

The War Over the War (National)

Route 66

Scientists Find Left and Right-Wing Brain (National)

Army Suicides Way Up (National)

West Virginia Torture Case (National)

Hurricane Crashes in Texas (National)

Pacific Post

LAX Traffic (Local)

UCLA gets $20-Million for Stem Cell (Local)

Media Spotlight

I find it disturbing that news about the corruption in New Jersey is not making headlines in our newspapers. On September 06, 2007, 11 city officials were arrested for their involvement in a corruption investigation. It is offensive enough that Katrina lacked the attention it deserved, but even now as the corrupt officials there are arrested for taking bribes it is not newsworthy enough for our papers. Among the arrested were:

• Alfred E. Steele, state assemblyman and Passaic County Under sheriff
• Samuel "Sammy" Rivera, Passaic mayor
• Mims Hackett Jr., Orange mayor and state assemblyman
• Jonathan Soto, former Passaic city councilman
• Marcellus Jackson, Passaic city councilman
• Keith O. Reid, chief of staff to Newark City Council president
• Jayson G. Adams, former Pleasantville School Board member
• Maurice "Pete" Callaway, Pleasantville City Council member
• James T. McCormick, former Pleasantville School Board member
• James A. Pressley, Pleasantville School Board president
• Rafael Velez, Pleasantville School Board member
• Louis Mister, Pleasantville resident

All of these people hold positions that have authority in towns and neighborhoods that trust them, and all of them have betrayed that trust and deserve to be made examples of to any other officials that may be thinking about taking bribes or using their position in any way to their own advantage or financial gain.

If our reporters or media do not want to take on our own president who does this whole country wrong when he himself acts like he is above the law, or Vice President, Dick Cheney, as he gains enormously on the contracts in Iraq then the very least they could do is take on the government officials that accept bribes in this country. This needs to be a message to others who may think about taking advantage of the positions they have been graced with that they will not get away with it. I cannot believe how much damage this administration is causing on every level of government. Everything they touch is corrupted or corruptible and it is about time somebody starts to bring justice to those people who are willing to accept the bribes and sell out this country to line their own pockets.

To the New Jersey Attorney, Chris Christy, who has been doing a great job tackling the corruption, Bravo! He vowed to take on the problem and it finally looks like someone is doing the job they were hired to do. This definitely could not be an easy one, but necessary and warranted. There are still those of us who want to see our country get the upper hand on taxpayer spending and stop overpaying contractors. It has gone on far too long, and without people like Christy it would have extended its way from Washington to the streets and City of New Jersey.

Hollywood Hall

Face Off; 50 Cent, Kayne West (National)

Route 66

Renowned Aviator Missing (National)

New Jersey Bribes (National)

Pacific Post

Unlicensed Drivers Beware (local)

Latest Heat Wave Victims (local)

On the Bypass

Bin Laden Sends New Video (International)

German Terror Plot (International)

Hurrican e Felix Claims 100 (International)

The Olive Branch

Casualties Reach 3,740 (International)

Bush Cannot Recall (National)

Media Spotlight

Last June, Idaho Senator, Larry Craig, plead guilty to lewd behavior after being arrested in a men’s bathroom in the Minneapolis airport. Although, he later said it was a mistake and only in an effort to make it go away quickly. The arresting officer said Craig had made several gestures indicating he wanted to have sex. Some of the charges included placing his hand beneath the stall and touching the officer’s foot with his and leaning his luggage against the stall door. The senator claims he was only picking up a piece of paper. Although, anybody who was completely innocent would not normally rush to plead guilty, that is exactly what the senator claims to have done.

As I watched the week unfold for the senator I knew he was in for some trouble. In the beginning he told the press, “I am not gay!” Then went on to say he made a mistake pleading guilty and that he did nothing wrong. At first, the senator seemed to believe he actually had the option to stay at the white house and see how everything played out in the court room, but by the end of the week we saw that option had disappeared. The media coverage brought forth other lawmakers that not only voiced their opinion but also asked for his resignation.

There had been rumors that the Idaho senator was gay circulating since the 1980’s. It was not until the senator entered his guilty plea that they were given credibility. This is exactly what a local paper in Idaho thought too. Allegations surfaced about 6 months ago from several sources claiming that the senator might engage in sex in public places, but the paper chose not to publish anything until they had more proof. They even interviewed the senator about it a few months ago. This may have been the reason for the senator’s lack of judgment to plead guilty without talking to an attorney or anyone else.

The media wasted no time in finding fellow senators and Presidential running mates to interview and voice their opinion. All of them negative. This could have been from the already tarnished view by Americans of the Republican Party and the current administration and a general need to stomp out any further damage the situation could cause for public support. As to whether he really is gay and solicited the undercover officer, maybe it is true and maybe it’s not. There really is not a whole lot of evidence against the senator and given that rumors have been circulating for over 20 years you would think something or someone would have been able to prove his guilt one way or another. One thing is for sure, his career is definitely over.

Pacific Post

California Heat Wave (local)

Man Arrested for Fondling School Girls (local)

Lower Gas Prices for Los Angeles (local)

Route 66

Army Offers $20,000 Bonus (National)

On the Bypass

Fires in Greece Claim 64 Lives (International)

3 More Die in Mining Rescue (International)

The Olive Branch

Gonzales Resigns as Attorney General- (International)

Senator Craig Pleads Guilty-(International)

Hollywood Hall

Owen Wilson Attempts Suicide (National)

Michael Vick Pleads Guilty (International)

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