After his dismal, downright embarrassing performance in his home state of South Carolina, you'd think he'd pack it in and spare himself any further humiliation.
Illinois Democrats close to Sen. Barack Obama are quietly passing the word that John Edwards would be named attorney general in an Obama administration.
Installation at the Justice Department of multimillionaire trial lawyer Edwards would please not only the union leaders supporting him for president, but organized labor in general. The unions relish the prospect of an unequivocal labor partisan as the nation’s top legal officer.
In public debates, Obama and Edwards often seem to bond together in alliance against front-running Sen. Hillary Clinton. While running a poor third, Edwards could collect a substantial bag of delegates under the Democratic Party’s proportional representation. Edwards then could try to turn his delegates over to Obama in the still-unlikely event of a deadlocked Democratic National Convention.
This scenario would explain Edwards' self-flagellation.
A rural Fox Lake woman early Sunday was able to give a detailed description of a suspected drunken driver and the suspect 's vehicle to a Dodge County sheriff 's dispatcher.
That 's because the woman was calling from that vehicle -- a tan 2002 pickup truck -- and she was driving it, Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls said.
The woman 's boyfriend in the passenger seat suggested she call 911 to report her own drunken driving, so she did, Nehls said. The boyfriend was not driving, she said, because he was too drunk.
The call came in at 12:29 a.m. Sunday on the county 911 line as a hang-up call from a cell phone, Nehls said.
Dispatchers used a reverse 911 directory and called the phone, which was answered by a woman who identified herself as Patricia Dykstra, 51. She said her boyfriend made her call, because "somebody seems to think I can 't drive home straight. "
When the dispatcher asked her why, she said, "He seems to think I 'm too intoxicated to drive. "
During a relatively pleasant conversation with the dispatcher -- a recording of which Nehls released Monday -- Dykstra gave her name, location and vehicle description before saying she should probably hang up because "I don 't like being on the phone while driving. "
Asked by the dispatcher if she had too much to drink, she said "I don 't think so, ma 'am. "
She said she was almost home and gave the intersection. Throughout the 3 -minute call, however, the dispatcher did not suggest the woman pull over. Nehls said the dispatcher assumed the woman had already stopped, although her last advice to Dykstra was, "So Pat, drive carefully, OK?"
Was the dispatcher drunk?
"Drive carefully, OK?"
Good grief!
The number one thing for the dispatcher to establish would have been that Dykstra wasn't driving at the time of the call.
Dykstra was definitely drunk and definitely driving.
She had consumed a six-pack of beer, she said, and her boyfriend a 12-pack.
She says she doesn't know why she let [her 60-year-old boyfriend] convince her to call 911.
"I'm not sure," she said. "I think I just wasn't really thinking at the time."
That's an understatement.
By the time police found her, she was home and no longer behind the wheel. She was safe. Luckily, she didn't kill anyone.
..."I was already in my pajamas going to bed," she said.
She failed a sobriety test with an estimated .14 blood alcohol content. Police issued Dykstra a [$740] ticket for O.W.I.
Sheriff Todd Nehls says Dykstra did the right thing by calling them. “I think a judge will look at her and say 'you know what, you stepped up to the plate. You did the right thing.' I think it’s commendable,” he said.
Huh?
What is Nehls talking about?
Dykstra didn't "step up to the plate" and do the right thing.
She drunk dialed 911 WHILE she was driving.
There's absolutely nothing commendable about that. Nothing.
Last night, some of Milwaukee's leaders met with residents of the south side to address neighborhood issues. Police are putting together a plan to tackle crime in the area.
The meeting was well attended. No doubt the recent murder of Miller executive Vic Milford had a lot to do with that.
Milwaukee police will unveil a new plan Wednesday to beef up their presence and tackle crime issues on the city's south side, including the neighborhood where a Miller Brewing Co. executive was shot and killed over the weekend.
Detectives are working some promising leads in the murder of 43-year-old Lodewikus "Vic" Milford, police officials said Monday. But they are still asking the public to tell investigators what they know.
Miller Brewing Co. is offering a $10,000 reward for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of the robber who shot and killed Milford, a South African native who was the company's director of compensation and benefits.
Meanwhile, more than 100 residents from the Walker's Point business and entertainment area voiced anger and concern after the homicide early Saturday near S. 2nd St. and W. Walker St.
Mayor Tom Barrett, Police Chief Edward Flynn and other city leaders listened while residents lined up at Bradley Tech High School during a community meeting to share concern about police response times, nuisance properties, poor lighting, vehicle break-ins and other problems.
"I share your anger, and it's justified," Barrett said. "But we can't let that anger paralyze us."
Many residents of Walker's Point said they don't want their neighborhood to be dismantled by criminals. Police officials said violent crime has dropped in Walker's Point in the past year, but some residents don't agree.
"I lived here for 14 years and had no problems with crime. I walked home from the restaurants at night," said Kyle Cherek, a salesman who told Flynn he's witnessed a 20-person fight, had his car broken into and heard about his friends being mugged in the past year. "This is a real crucial moment."
I don't get this.
Again and again, officials cite statistics that crime has dropped.
Again and again, residents cite instances that prove the statistics don't paint an accurate picture.
Having some official tell you that crime in your neighborhood is on the decline when a man was just gunned down AFTER a robbery is a joke.
It reminds me of what was happening in Bay View last year. Yes, there have been a rash of armed robberies, but the city is really safe, blah, blah, blah.
BS.
It does no good for Mayor Tom Barrett or Police Chief Ed Flynn to toss out numbers in order to convince residents that things aren't as bad as they know them to be.
Such community meetings become little more than venting sessions for residents.
I don't think the officials are really listening. I don't think they get it.
...Flynn implored residents not to give up on their fight against crime.
"We can't let this incident drive a wedge between the community and the Police Department," Flynn said. "It isn't about pointing fingers. It's about being more effective."
I don't think people are frustrated with police officers or the departmant in general as much as they're frustrated with the leaders.
I think residents understand that the officers are doing their jobs and serving the citizens of Milwaukee. It's the higher-ups. They're the problem.
How many times are Milwaukeeans going to hear Barrett say that he feels their pain and then give him a pass?
Fair or not, the buck stops with Barrett.
Milwaukee Police Capt. David Zibolski said two people confronted Milford and three women in a parking lot, and that after they surrendered their valuables it appeared the robbery was over. But then one of the robbers shot Milford after he was in his car, Zibolski said.
Barrett said Milford was shot through a side window.
That makes me ill.
Only a truly evil, soulless individual would do something like that, evil to the core.
I wonder if the shooter was a teen. If so, and he's caught and tired, I hope he loses his freedom for the rest of his life.
Milford's companions have provided their accounts to police, but investigators are hoping to improve upon the limited descriptions they provided. Anyone with information is asked to call the police at (414) 935-7360.
Anyone with information?
That's a laugh. Maybe there were some witnesses, but there's no way others familiar with the crime will come forward.
You know that there are a number of people in the city right now with information on the robbery and murder, but these thugs don't talk.
Forever 4-year-old Jasmine Owens' murder is still unsolved, though it occurred on a crowded street last May. These thugs don't talk.
Even the $10,000 reward from Miller probably won't matter.
Senator Kennedy Betrays Women by Not Standing For Hillary Clinton for President January 28, 2008
Women have just experienced the ultimate betrayal. Senator Kennedy’s endorsement of Hillary Clinton’s opponent in the Democratic presidential primary campaign has really hit women hard. Women have forgiven Kennedy, stuck up for him, stood by him, hushed the fact that he was late in his support of Title IX, the ERA, and the Family and Medical Leave Act to name a few. Women have buried their anger that his support for the compromises in No Child Left Behind and the Medicare bogus drug benefit brought us the passage of these flawed bills. We have thanked him for his ardent support of many civil rights bills, BUT women are always waiting in the wings.
And now the greatest betrayal! We are repaid with his abandonment! He’s picked the new guy over us. He’s joined the list of progressive white men who can’t or won’t handle the prospect of a woman president who is Hillary Clinton (they will of course say they support a woman president, just not “this” one). “They” are Howard Dean and Jim Dean (Yup! That’s Howard’s brother) who run DFA (that’s the group and list from the Dean campaign that we women helped start and grow). "They" are Alternet, Progressive Democrats of America, democrats.com, Kucinich lovers and all the other groups that take women's money, say they’ll do feminist and women’s rights issues one of these days, and conveniently forget to mention women and children when they talk about poverty or human needs or America’s future.
This latest move by Kennedy, is so telling about the status of and respect for women’s rights, women’s voices, women’s equality, women’s authority and our ability – indeed, our obligation- to promote and earn and deserve and elect, unabashedly, a President that is the first woman after centuries of men who “know what’s best for us.
This is a stunningly stupid press release.
So because Teddy endorsed Barack Obama that means he doesn't respect women.
How lame!
It means he prefers to support Obama for president and he probably has some scores to settle with the Clintons.
Teddy was under no obligation to endorse Hillary.
Anyway, is Obama so bad? Do these women consider Obama to be against women's rights?
Did NOW-NYS complain when Teddy trashed Condoleezza Rice? Was that a betrayal to women when he did that? Was it an indication that he has no respect for women's rights, voices, equality, and authority?
As President Bush entered the chamber this evening to deliver his State of the Union address, Barack Obama and Teddy Kennedy were shown next to each other, yucking it up. What a coincidence!
Once again, it appeared that Nancy Pelosi has chapped lips. A close-up of her was not kind. Her blinking is maddening.
On to the speech--
Bush wants to make tax relief permanent.
The Republicans jumped to their feet and cheered. The Dems sat motionless, as motionless as John Kerry's Botoxed forehead.
Dems and Republicans alike stood and applauded Bush's call for a balanced budget. He demands that earmarks be cut in half, or else -- veto.
Helping the housing market, making health care more affordable, establishing health savings accounts, increase accountability in education...
Bush really is rushing through this speech. I'm getting dizzy.
He's already talking about trade and passing free trade agreements.
During applause lines, the camera shows Hillary, the lonely lady in red, and Obama next to Uncle Teddy.
"Democracy leads to a better life." Applause.
Energy -- Reduce dependence on oil, and fund new technologies. That pleases both sides of the aisle. I think that line has been in the SOTU since Nixon was in office.
I should be counting how many times Obama is on the screen. He's in close-ups and wide shots.
Hillary is seated next to Joe Biden. They look thrilled to be sitting next to each other. Absolutely thrilled.
I see Chuck Schumer looks like he was at Happy Hour before the speech.
Now, Bush is on to stem cell research and breakthroughs that don't require the destruction of embryos.
He calls on Congress to pass standards of ethical practices, to prevent the buying, selling, patenting, and cloning of human life. Again, the Dems aren't very enthusiastic.
Already on the subject of judges -- Bush says nominees deserve a prompt up or down vote.
He highlights the good works of volunteers.
Bush scolded Congress for failing to address entitlement spending and immigration. He wants them to save Social Security and Medicare.
On ILLEGAL immigration, Bush sounded a lot like John McCain. Can you say "amnesty"?
Now on to foreign policy--
It's on freedom and liberty when Bush speaks most passionately.
Bush insists we will deliver justice to our enemies.
"For the security of America and the peace of the world, we are spreading the hope of freedom."
Bush thanked the Congress for supporting the mission in Afghanistan.
Bush noted that changing strategy by launching the surge has changed the course of life in Iraq. He said our military personnel are serving with courage and distinction and they have the gratitude of our whole nation.
That produced the longest sustained applause of the speech.
Republicans applauded the specific achievements of the surge. Dems did not.
He said, "Some may deny the surge is working."
To cheers from the Republicans, Bush said that al Qaeda is on the run and this enemy will be defeated.
The Dems weren't so confident.
Bush then spoke directly to the men and women on the front lines.
He said, "We make you a solemn pledge. You have will have all you need to protect our nation." Bush promised to fully fund our troops.
Russ Feingold? Did you hear that?
Bush announced that more than 20,000 of our troops will be coming home. Any further draw down will be based on conditions in Iraq and the judgment of commanders on the ground.
That incessant blinking by Pelosi is really weird.
Bush pointed out the importance of a free Iraq compared to the consequences of a failed Iraq.
"We will not rest until this enemy has been defeated."
While discussing extremism in the Holy Land, he expressed optimism of having Israel and a Palestinian state live side by side in peace.
On the Iranian threat-- Basically, he told the leaders of Iran to quit screwing around when it comes to threatening our troops and our allies and playing with the world when it comes to its nuclear aspirations.
Bush noted some of the specific terrorist attacks that have been prevented since 9/11. He said we need to be able to track terrorist threats and we must have the tools to do so. The Republicans cheered. The Dems... Crickets were heard chirping.
He said that America opposes genocide in Sudan and is assisting in eradicating global poverty and hunger.
Bush said America is leading the fight against disease, like Malaria and AIDS. He called for billions in additional aid.
He said we need to provide for our wounded warriors, as well as the families of our military.
Bush ended with strong and inspiring lines about trusting the people of America, "We the people."
Watching Bush, I got the feeling that this is a man unconcerned with his legacy.
He had a calling after 9/11, to protect the American people. He has done that.
I get the feeling that Bush doesn't care about being a lame duck president. When it comes to the most pressing matter of his presidency, he has succeeded.
There has not been another terrorist attack on our soil since 9/11.
