WASHINGTON - "Like their counterparts in the House, the Senate has larded its version of an "emergency" war spending bill with nearly $20 billion in pork-barrel outlays, including $100 million for the two major political parties' 2008 presidential conventions.

The $121 billion bill includes $102 billion for the troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as $14 billion for Hurricane Katrina aid and more than $4 billion for "emergency farm relief."

"Congress will have to make the choice between booze and balloons or bullets and body armor," John Hart, a spokesman for Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., told The Examiner on Monday. Coburn and a handful of other senators hope to shame their colleagues into stripping the pork out of the war spending bill.

The Senate bill is $18 billion more than President Bush requested for military operations. The House bill, which passed last week, exceeded the administration's request by $21 billion and included money for spinach growers, peanut storage and citrus farmers.

If the Senate bill goes to conference committee as written, the two chambers may find themselves fighting over the best cuts of pork.

Coburn and his fellow pork foes will offer a series of amendments this week aimed at eliminating fat domestic spending or redirecting it to crucial needs for soldiers, sailors and airmen.

"Maybe this is what Democrats mean by 'phased redeployment'," Hart said.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., Monday defended the extra spending, describing it as "common sense and good economics."

"Funding for the war is not the only critical need worthy of the supplemental spending," he said. The war "must not obliterate every other concern."

The $100 million for the political party conventions — $50 million for the Democratic convention in Denver and $50 million for the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn. — is included in a section described as "Katrina recovery, veterans' care and for other purposes."

The Senate Appropriations Committee noted that the committee provided roughly $50 million to help defray the costs of policing the 2004 conventions. A senate staffer pointed out, however, that the 2004 funding earned approval through the normal appropriations process rather than the less-stringent "emergency" process permitted for the current bill.

The new bill also includes $13 million for "ewe replacement and retention," $24 million for sugar beets growers and $95 million for dairy producers.

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the bill contains "enough in each of the four food groups for a balanced meal."

And it includes $3.5 million for the Capitol's guided–tour program and $20 million for, in part, insect infestation control in Nevada, thanks to Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Among the other beneficiaries of the Senate "emergency" war bill is the tree assistance program, including, specifically, Christmas trees.

"This bill is both literally and figuratively a Christmas tree," said one Senate staffer who has studied the bill."

::::oinkoinkoink:::::

The vote on  NOT stopping the slow bleeding of our military are listed at The Defeat Caucus.

The final vote will be posted when it is available.

 

 

Several years ago, a dear friend was diagnosed with liver cancer.  Everyone was devastated.  Except her, of course.  She spent the next 8 functional months of her life entertaining friends (dang, could she cook) -- while canning and freezing enough heat-and-eat-meals for her disabled husband for a year.

She figured that it would take him at least a year to find someone who would continue to prepare his meals and care for him.

She was right.  Almost to the last meal.

Just as Kay Yow coached her team through the NCAA tournament last week.  Many, many years ago, I competed against Kay Yow.  You know a winner when you meet one, by the way.

One of the more memorable people I've ever met was a high school volleyball coach who led her team to a state championship from a gurney behind the bench.  She was also battling cancer.

Such demonstrations of strength are not unheard of, but rarely found among those facing life-threatening diseases. 

And that, in my assessment, will be the disposition of Tony Snow as he faces his battle against a re-occurrence of cancer.

Godspeed, Tony Snow.  We need you back in front of that mic as soon and as often as you are able.  Keep the faith and keep those good words coming, fella. 

We need your inspiration as much as you need our support.

 

 

So much to the interests of the American people or Nancy Pelosi's promises on ethics and efficiency.  Oh, she was efficient, alright.  But ethical?  She fooled no one (not even main stream media) by adding "pork" projects totaling billions of dollars to "buy" votes of support for bringing the troops home in 2008.  This doesn't say much for those who went along with her deceit, either. 

We've known all along that Pelosi was using the war issue as a political agenda to confound President Bush.  Now she's stooped to levels utterly unspoken in the history of the Speakership. 

As for her career -- I hope the pinkos and far leftists are her political undoing.  I hope they continue to haunt her home and her office.  She deserves to experience hell and harassment.  Oh, she'll never go hungry or miss a mortgage payment as our troops and their families will likely experience when this bill is vetoed, but she deserves to know how anxiety tastes and feels ....  All I can hope is that --- personally and professionally --

She's finally chewed the green sausage from the pork bar.  As for Murtha, he will hopefully retire to will spend the remainder of his delusional days with a taste of putrid pork in his palate. 

My sentiments may be a little strong and over the top --- but I'm not the only one who sees through the political smoke screen perpetrated today.  Try the Washington Post:

TODAY THE House of Representatives is due to vote on a bill that would grant $25 million to spinach farmers in California. The legislation would also appropriate $75 million for peanut storage in Georgia and $15 million to protect Louisiana rice fields from saltwater. More substantially, there is $120 million for shrimp and menhaden fishermen, $250 million for milk subsidies, $500 million for wildfire suppression and $1.3 billion to build levees in New Orleans.

Altogether the House Democratic leadership has come up with more than $20 billion in new spending, much of it wasteful subsidies to agriculture or pork barrel projects aimed at individual members of Congress. At the tail of all of this logrolling and political bribery lies this stinger: Representatives who support the bill -- for whatever reason -- will be voting to require that all U.S. combat troops leave Iraq by August 2008, regardless of what happens during the next 17 months or whether U.S. commanders believe a pullout at that moment protects or endangers U.S. national security, not to mention the thousands of American trainers and Special Forces troops who would remain behind.

The Democrats claim to have a mandate from voters to reverse the Bush administration's policy in Iraq. Yet the leadership is ready to piece together the votes necessary to force a fateful turn in the war by using tactics usually dedicated to highway bills or the Army Corps of Engineers budget. The legislation pays more heed to a handful of peanut farmers than to the 24 million Iraqis who are living through a maelstrom initiated by the United States, the outcome of which could shape the future of the Middle East for decades.

Congress can and should play a major role in determining how and when the war ends. Political benchmarks for the Iraqi government are important, provided they are not unrealistic or inflexible. Even dates for troop withdrawals might be helpful, if they are cast as goals rather than requirements -- and if the timing derives from the needs of Iraq, not the U.S. election cycle. The Senate's version of the supplemental spending bill for Iraq and Afghanistan contains nonbinding benchmarks and a withdrawal date that is a goal; that approach is more likely to win broad support and avoid a White House veto.

As it is, House Democrats are pressing a bill that has the endorsement of MoveOn.org but excludes the judgment of the U.S. commanders who would have to execute the retreat the bill mandates. It would heap money on unneedy dairy farmers while provoking a constitutional fight with the White House that could block the funding to equip troops in the field. Democrats who want to force a withdrawal should vote against war appropriations. They should not seek to use pork to buy a majority for an unconditional retreat that the majority does not support.

I'm not sure how these idiots will save face or maintain their aloofness after the President's veto.  Frankly, I could care less.  How vengeful is the wench Pelosi?  She bumped a fellow democrat (Lee) who didn't vote for the bill from the flight to CA this weekend.  She'll live to regret that one, also.

Shame on you, Nancy Pelosi.  You are a disgrace to the concept of women as effective leaders.  What you could not gain by appealing to true sentiment and leadership, you achieved by trickery and deceit. 

I expect the last laugh to be on you.

 

Breaking News --

Catch them.  Then place them in a pet pen and let the owners determine their fate.

 

 

Finally ---- the more conservative democrats are coming to their senses about Iraq and the current road to progress.

Ed has the inside scoop on the uphill battle being waged by the defeatists.  It's time for the Victory Caucus to get organized!

 

Anti-War Protesters:  "We oppose the war, but we support the troops ...."

You would expect to see the images below on the streets of Tehran or another middle eastern country:  burning a U.S. soldier in effigy, burning the U.S. flag; a banner that says, "F**k the troops."

These, however, are images of youth in Portland last weekend.

I'm disappointed, but not surprised that our Congressional leaders who made such a "to-do" over the non-binding resolution have not expressed their outrage. 

So where IS the outrage?

 

Since I've been involved with other critter-topics lately (i.e., Eagles, dog food, cattin' and horsin' around every chance I get, ponying up when I have to and herding a few of my own sheeple), I totally missed an opportunity to blog about the pig-controversy coming out of the UK last week.  While I respect most things Muslim, I'm not willing to concede certain elements of my cultural and literary history.  For example, pigs.

I have a definite fondness for most things piggish.  One of my favorite BBQ eateries is named for the Little Pigs.  I carry my money in a pigskin wallet.  I even munch on  pork skins occasionally.  Piglet and the Piggly Wiggly will forever have a special place in my heart.  There are at least three seasoned pork rolls in my freezer.  A pork roast is sitting in my fridge right now.  I have to watch myself to avoid pigging out on pork 'n beans.  And ham -- country, sliced, sugar-cured, smoked, boiled, baked or fried -- is an all-time favorite! 

I even speak pig-latin.  U-day u-yah? 

I admit I have pig heroes, too.  What woman doesn't identify with Miss Piggy, eh?  And Babe --- one of my favorite movies!  What ahh-be-deet-ahh-be-deet child of Saturday cartoons doesn't remember Porky Pig? 

And if you ever collected Beanie Babies, you surely had a Squealer or a Knuckles in your collection, right?

You get the picture, I hope. 

Whether playing "This little pig went to market" on baby toes or reading "Three Little Pigs" in pre-school --- pigs are simply part of our culture.

Not always in a positive light, either.

Like .... I frequently think of Michael Moore and Rosie O'Donnell as pig prototypes.  Congressman John Murtha fits the same image.  And so does Henry Waxman.  Especially Henry Waxman. Man, I'm talking epitome when referring to Waxman.  

I even grew up with pigs.  Literally.  We raised them.  Every fall, neighbors came in for a pig-killing.  Men butchered them; women cooked or wrapped the meat.  Sausage, livermush, pigs feet, intestines, brains, bacon, fatback, ham, ham hocks -- the works.   

I still have a scar on my knee from crawling over a broken bottle under the pig pen.  But that's another story.

When I left PHILCAG in TayNinh (S. Vietnam), I was feted at a large banquet.  The main dish was a roasted pig.  As guest of honor, I was supposed to have dibs on plucking the eyes from the critter that lay on the platter in front of me.  Uh uh.  I  relinquished that honor to my host.  Some things even a pork-lover won't eat.

For those offended by things piggish -- how do they ignore the Chinese calendar?  Where do they get leather?  What do they eat with eggs?  How do they season their pinto beans?  What do they do with their slop?   And if they own souped-up motorcycles do they also call them "hogs?"

This is probably boaring boring to most readers.  I'll just close by saying --

 

 

 

 

MSM -- drive-by media, as Rush L. calls it -- missed the true message on March 17.   Even if they had been looking for 30,000 Eagles, they wouldn't have seen them in one gathering on Saturday. 

Why?

Because the Eagles were not clustered enmass.  Instead, they were at every memorial and momument or lining the streets and sidewalks.

Michelle Malkin was among them and compiled this video.

 

Washington, DC, March 17, 2007:

First the clowns ....

While 30,000 Americans lined the streets and walk-ways or stood in silent guard at our Memorials.

.... occasionally responding to the clowns:

pfffffffffffth.

Finally -- after 40 years --  A.N.S.W.E.R. receives an "answer" they can understand.

Live Blog of the Gathering
Join the Honor the Gathering of Eagles Blogroll

 

UPDATED AS NEWS IS AVAILABLE!

Blogging the live broadcast  from DC ... (Freedom Fighter, I think is the broadcast -- I'll give live streams credit later when I can identify them.)

11:35 Email read from a female soldier thanking GOE for out-numbering protesters 3-1 ...

11:40 Live from sidewalk: Groups shouting ... presence of riot police --- chanting "USA" in background with boooos at protesters ...

11:47 Reference again about police presence .... individuals asked to speak online ... speakers can't hear ... former soldiers talking about their reasons for being there .... background noise is deafening.

11:50 Someone shouting "I'm just a man" (man sounds stoned ...) moonbat invited to speak:  argument ensues with moonbat and person with mic .... wow -- glad they closed the mic -- intense exchange of profanity. (Talkin' the talk ain't the same as walkin' the walk, bud.)

11:52 broadcasters taking break (Folks in DC need one as well.)

11:54  Reading headlines (the break continues .... this is not a peace march, btw -- based on the exchanges between Eagles and protesters.)  Eagles are winning, for those keeping score.  (In case you just clicked in, this is NOT a re-run of a past Super Bowl game.)

11:55 Foxnews notes that the Eagles have landed .... commentary from studio control that this may be the turning point in attitudes toward the war .... (Hang on to your, feathers, Fox.  You ain't seen nuttin' yet!!!)

11:56  Streamers have trouble broadcasting .... feed may be lost at noon.

11:57  Back to DC ..... guy who "was just a man" has been arrested ... for resisting arrest!  hee hee.

11:58:  Speaker: wants America to know that Eagles want peace AFTER victory.  Protesters are being humiliated by being unable to desecrate memorials .... Gooooo, Eagles!!!!!

11:59  Chanting "USA" begins again ....

12:00 first 30 newsfeeds are all pro-Eagles ....

off-air

Back online -- Kitt Jarrell audio stream (12:32)

12:33 at THE WALL with "thousands and thousands" of Eagles .... lots of security (on foot and in the air) ...people going thru metal detectors ...  has been listening to moonbat announcements: "if anyone tries to arrest you, head-butt them."   Stupid fools.  Scalp vs. riot gear:  guess who wins.

12:34  Someone called CJ now speaking  .... a sea of red, white and blue as opposed to the ANSWER side with yellow, anti-American signs, terrorist flags, etc. Cindy Sheehan has just spoken to a small group of fluffs .... full report will be made at PalTalk tonight ....

FoxNews:  reporting from the protesters' area -- not as many protesters gathered as anticipated .... Too bad, FoxNews --- keep the cameras rolling and watch for some to crawl out of the sewer before 2 pm.  Why do these newscasters sound disappointed???!!! 

BACK AT 1:12 pm

Photos are coming in at Free Republic .... Guys look cold ------- but they ARE standing shoulder-to-shoulder .....  So proud of them ALL.

Live discussion is going on at FreeRepublic .... Sign up and join in --

C-Span will be covering the protesters beginning at 2:00 ( in 45 minutes).  I'll keep blogging as it unfolds.  I watched C-Span this morning .... must have called them two dozen times --- lines busy.  Even the dimocrat line.  I wanted to say something snippy about NOT covering the Gathering of Eagles.  At least two pro-Eagles calls got thru ....

Please understand that as one who worked in Vietnam -- I may get emotional, yet I'll try to speak in socially acceptable terms ..... Be warned that I have little to no respect for jihad jane, formerly hanoi jane. 

1:17:  Going surfing ......

BACK AT 1:30 --

Just read one poster's comment that cell phone service in the DC area may have been blocked by feds (which might explain loss of live streams) due to concerns about hanky-panky and disruptions ....

If you haven't seen the photos being posted --- you need to head over to the FreeRepublic forum ..... Photos of flags and people shoulder-to-shoulder are chilling ....

I've scanned all cable channels and net streams ---- not an image at this time .... I'm disappointed in FoxNews referring to the GATHERING of EAGLES as "counter-protesters" ........... Those participating are MORE than "counter-protesters" --- they are legitimate Americans --------- not a pack of hired-protesters with their store-bought signs and international funding.  

Back later.

1:43 pm  back with cup of soup ..... which makes me think that the EAGLES must be getting cold .... bless them.

Soup reminds me of a star-lit night in 1968 on the perimeter at Tay Ninh.  We had been under attack for 8-days .... Three of us decided to "do something," so we borrowed a coffee urn and brewed a pot to take to those on guard duty.  As we crossed from PHILCAG to the TayNinh base, the rounds began to fall around us.  No -- we weren't using headlights --- we were driving a "mule."  It was just one of those "dr pepper" times when Charlie decided to lob a few mortars across the perimeter .... Anyway ---- we hopped into the closest bunker as a round pounded into the sandbags.  Frightening, to say the least. It was a while before out hands stopped shaking and we could serve coffee ....

Today would be a good day to serve coffee to the guys 'n gals who are Eagled Up! in DC.

2:00 C-Span coverage .... Opening speaker blows her lines ---- guy steps up and blabbers something I couldn't understand.  "Troops Home Now" is the chant -- I mean, A.N.S.W.E.R.  (snort snort)  Things are not beginning so good.

Speaker is rasping about the troops who have lost their lives -- reference to Bush .... he references that he is a grad of an Air Force OCS ..... Reckon?  His mummy must be proud.  Don't know his name.  He has bronchitis or something.  Cameras are scanning a yellow line of posters .... Can't read them.  He must be a singer --- he's calling for the small crowd to chant "hip hop, not war" ..... not many are responding.  Now he calls on everyone to be united in the name of all children.  Good call, bubba.  You need to be home with yours.  Rev. Lennox Yearwood is his name.

Now someone is speaking in tongues.  Muslim Mahdi Bray at the podium to introduce a whiny- voiced Muslim leader --- a woman from NC ... talking too fast.  If I can't understand her, no one there can, either.  There are so few in attendance ---- blame it on Bush, I guess.  Note to self:  check out how a woman gets to speak as a "muslim" .... Maybe she's a member of the Women's MUSLIM Auxillary or something like that ....

2:11 ..... she's still talking .... no more than a few hundred (if that many) appear present.  Now cameras are scanning folks spread out on the hill .... lots of green grass is visible.  Wonder if those standing in front of podium are paid more than those standing at the back?  Maybe they are simply standing closer to the hot air.  Brrrrrrrrr ....

Some bearded guy in granny glasses speaks .... (his shiny bald head must be releasing lots of body heat) .... Ranting about stats from the war --- all Bush's fault.  Talking about civil liberties and who is being denied such at home -- and at Walter Reed.   He says not to trust the Democrat Party.  Smart man.  But not smart enuff to wear a hat on his bald head.

He's Michael Letwin from NYC ..... sounds as if he has brought his own cheering section ----- others are simply huddled on the hillside ....

Those hillside scans make me think of JFK in Dallas ....

Now a woman is speaking ------ Cynthia McKinney!!!!!   whoopie do.  She's changed her hairstyle.  Nice earrings.  Has she gained weight?  Still a big-mouth, though.  She's just asked for some money back --- I'm not sure whether it's backpay she wants or some of that lost war $$$$.

2:18  ... Another woman introduces Michael Berg -- father of a civilian contractor executed in Iraq.  He's nice-looking .... well-spoken.  Not sure what he's saying .... (my neighbor came in -- and left quickly, fortunately.)  Polite applause for Mr. Berg .... Why would he blame Bush for his son being executed by terrorists? 

Next guy:  representing Appeal for Redress -- Jonathan Hutto, co-founder .... the Navy guy, I think .... justice to America and the working class ... and the people ... and Katrina victims ... and civil rights organizations .... and wants everyone to join to end the war.  He introduces a Marine ..... (scan to crowd shows many more leaving)

The marine Stg. Liam Madden, ret., talks about being NOT timid .... taking action .... griping about congress.  He's wearing a military shirt with beads ----- needs a shave.  He ain't no Marine!  Crowd cheers at something.  Not sure why.  He keeps talking about passion, stinging signs, how minds must grasp urgency .... how we should show sincere love for peace.  How we should show symbolic protest to tangible resistence.  Huh?  I think he's been sucking on those beads ......

Now a bearded wonder is at the mic ..... ugly beard -- Darrell Anderson leads a chant with 3 background chanters.   Dang.  Where's Tammy Faye when you need a tamborine player, eh?  Maybe that half-nekkid guy playing bongos will show up ....

Darrell's followed by a sniper (former?) Named Garett Reppenhagen --- the guy who spoke on C-Span this morning .... Scrubby beard.  Now he's reading to us (them?) .... not sure the sound-system is working .... folks are milling and talking amongst themselves .... bored?  Guys on the stage are nodding in agreement.  At least somebody can hear him.  Crowd cheers as he exits.  It's obvious the natives are becoming restless .... HURRY-HURRY-COLD-AS-HELL-OUT-HERE.  Shifting from foot to foot.  How much you think those kids are being paid to stand out there in their high school letter-jackets? 

Older man in beret tries unsuccessfully to start a chant about stoping war .... Every now and them someone waves a poster.  Elliot Adams.  Older guy.  Criticizing congress ----- "we will return" ..... oh, my!   When, pray tell ? .... Referencing butcher, baker, candlestick maker.  (I think they left earlier.)  Wants us to talk with everyone so when we return, we'll reach from here to San Francisco.  Corrects small crowd of chanters.  He needs to walk amongst his listeners and shake their hands -- do anything to get the ole blood circulating.  They're giving him cold stares.  eh. eh.

Someone's mom is now speaking .... Anita Dennis.  Who knew?  Bush killed someone who committed suicide.  PTSD victim?   Blame Bush.  Sad.

Moderator thanks the heroes (?) who have spoken up.  Not sure who he is .... talking about the coalition here today.  He rattles off the names of a few, but they must be back at the hotel.  Some coalition.

Someone with thick accent is now speaking .... something about 1968 .... war in Iraq is lost, etc., bring troops home .... names candidates who are using the war (Obama and McCain) for personal gain ..... Who is he?  War is illegal .... bring'em home.  Mounzer Sleiman is his name -- from the National Council of Arab Americans .... Hell --- let HIM go home.

Now speaking is Eric LeCompte from School of Americas Watch .... They need some canned cheers .... HA!!! He refers to the hundreds of thousands who are here today .... uhhhhh --- they're certainly not standing in front of him!  ROFL  His hand gesture is not in sync with his words .... you don't jab your hand like a knife when you're talking about peace and love  .... Well, most people don't.  Reckon he's just trying to break the ice off the podium? 

Some gal is talking about the size of the crowd ..... duh.  She's screaming into the mic .... introducing Ramsey Clark.  Horns blowing ..... (Actually, it's only cars passing behind the stage.)

Clark looks cold. He just lied.  Guess it's ok for a lawyer to lie, though .... This is NOT the place to be today, fool .... snicker.  Don't care for him.  International Action Center Founder .... former AG for Johnson.  Do-little-big-bucks attorney who represents lots of Middle Eastern folks and countries.  Now he's talking about Iran's nuke power and how they couldn't hurt us if they had them -- We're the ones with the star war programs, etc. .... Somebody hire the man to go back to the Middle East.  Send a mic with him.  Let him rally some troops in the streets of Tehran.  Now he's talking impeachment ....... quotes "miles to go before we sleep" (Interesting that he quotes Robert Frost on a cold and snowy day, eh?)  Impeachment is the first step, he says --- blah blah blah. 

Now some gal is leading an Impeach Bush/Cheney chant ..... She's hyperventilating.  I think she just spit on herself.

Man is now talking about the war machine ..... introducing someone .... muffled speech ---

Muslim American Society president Esam Omesh is speaking about the deaths ... #### of Iraqi deaths caused by Bush .... talking about voices of rationality, reason, morality, etc. .... and how Americans must join muslims .... uh huh.  Wonder if he hears these voices often?  They have meds for that, you know.

Announcement:  child is missing.  Run, Forrest, Run ....

2:49 .... Katrina Orgainzer (speaking in tongues again -- must go to the same church as that woman from NC) .... elderly black man named Malik Rahim .... now in English speaking about Bush's lies and challenging Bush to find the truth about what happened in New Orleans .... This guy is an idiot.  A hurricane happened and the mayor sat on his butt while buses flooded.  Wants to know why Bush didn't get the people out when he knew storm was coming ... In next breath, he's inviting troops down to Nawlins for beer .... Man's gotta be on something -- his thin jacket is open!!!  He introduces the woman with him.  She waves a gloved hand at the 25 people standing in front of her.

Cindy will be next .... first, they pass the $$$$ buckets to pay for the event.  Dang.  I thought Soros paid for this!!!  What about all those international donations?  The online campaigns????  Watch it ------ somebody will steal one of those buckets!  Or set one on fire to get warm.

Cindy Sheehan is greeted with minimal fan-fare .... Ugly cuss.  Freezing here or what, she asks?!!!  Idiot.  Of course it's freezing.  It's cold as beejezzus.  Even the brass monkeys went home.  When is it going to stop, she asks.  She doesn't want to be marching in her wheelchair.  Wants to stop the bullshit NOW.  (She can start with herself.)  She's naming off something .... not sure what ------ but it's all Bush's fault.  America is not the universe.  It is part of the universe.  (Good point, Cindy.  You come up with that one all by yourself?)  Strangers keep walking across the stage and looking at her funny-like.  Now talking about her son dying for the war machine.  Wants to shut it down.  Wants to stop paying taxes to fund the war .... If congress won't stop the war, we must stop giving them money. .... remind congress they work for us .... and we want GB and RC impeached .... she's having breathing problems or something related to coughing away from the mic .... she's going to be in PA on July 4th and Camp David (?) on Easter .... hummm .... strange lady.  Reckon she'll be in a bunny suit on Easter?  Maybe she can borrow John Kerry's.

2:59 .... hyperventilating woman is back at the mic .... introducing someone who drove 14 hrs to get to DC .... appeals for donation into the buckets that they are passing around ...... Camera flashes to kids running across the parking lot with a red bucket.  (Joking)

Next up is someone from the National Committee to Release the Cuban Five (huh?) .... her name is Gloria La Riva .... These guys were incarcerated during the Clinton Administration, but it's still Bush's fault ....

back shortly ....

3:03 ... La Riva is still telling us about the Cuban Five.  Surely she can see that her audience does not care!  Now she's chastizing the Bush administration for not freeing or not defending or not doing something .... Danged if I know.  Danged if I care.  She should have gotten Clinton to pardon them if they were all that innocent.

Are these folks fillers, or what????  I really think they're folks who came onstage to get warm and were pushed out on the stage to speak .... Where are the hippy headliners?  Where are all the big-name activists?  Too cold for Jane?  I miss Tim and his life-time soul-mate S-square.  Barbra?  Harry?  What a duet they could slaughter, eh?   

Heck -- I was expecting some good old-fashioned war protesting --------- all we have thus far are fly-by special interest groups..... Where are the Singing Fat Ladies in Pink?  Where are the poster-girls?  Buffy boys?  Meanwhile .... La Riva is unsuccessfully shouting a chant ...

Here comes someone named Guiliana Sgrena .... Italian journalist .... Can't understand her .... saying something about Iraq and no electricity or fuel or water.  And being shot or someone being shot (wasn't it her driver?) by US troops.   Not sure what she is telling an unimpressed crowd.  Didn't they hire cheerleaders for their protest?  This is a poor excuse for a rally.  I've seen better protests in the school yard. 

Wonder what's happening back at the memorials? 

More folks are walking away from the area .... talking amongst themselves .....

Eugene Puryear at the mic .... I think he's one of the bus drivers.  (Joke)

Rocky Anderson at the mic .... Mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah ..... Calling for the impeachment of the Prez.  Utah?  Reckon he's Mormon?  Reckon he paid his own way to DC?  I hope the good folks of SL didn't foot the bill for him .... His speech is slurred .... too many hot toddies?  Using lots of 25-cent words .... Folks just standing in frozen silence.  Literally.  Now he's reading behind a chant of "no war" (or is it, "no more?")  No more is more appropriate.  Sit down, Rocky. 

3:14 ..... Getting down to the meat of things now .... An anti-war spokeswoman is at the mic ...... someone's step-mother ..... Melida Arredondo .... Gold Star Families .... no jacket.  Layered in sweaters, though.  Nice earrings.  Wasn't Cynthia Mc wearing the same pair earlier?  ...Talking about citizenship for soldiers ... how flag represents the blood of gold star families .... now talking about breast-feeding .... Breast feeding??? These folks are nutso.  Now the topic is undocumented immigrants.  Uh huh.  Invites everyone to walk the halls of congress Monday ----- (You guys walking those halls better stay clear of Rep. Obey -- he can get testy).

Carlos Arrendondo is now speaking for Gold Star Families ... lost his son in Iraq ... cameras cut to hillside -- it's empty.  Protesters have left the area ... a few remain in front of podium  .... he's referring to the Constitution -- not sure what he is saying .... Don't think anyone else is, either.  I'm sincerely sorry for his loss ....

World Can't Wait! rep rattles off a list of topics .... war, katrina, peace, etc., with call for impeachment .... condemns all Democrat candidates (even Hillary!) .... calls for more protests and resistence .... warns we ain't seen nothin' yet (don't delay our disappointment) ... calls for time when troops refuse to fight blah blah blah .... crowd is getting weak .... One kid's head keeps listing to the right .... signs can't be THAT heavy, can they?  What a bunch of wimps.

Older lady at the mic .... demanding apology from Bush for something .... offers a list of other demands .... Efia Nwangaza from "Not in Our Name" --- where the hell do they find these people?????

A.N.S.W.E.R. coord ..... thanks those who remain in the cold .... Brian Becker.  Camera is scanning the crowd .... some weirdos left .... Their claim to fame: they're being broadcast live on C-Span and Arabian TV.  Ahbejeezus (hee hee).

Mahdi Bray is back at the mic -- must have been more cancellations.  Boring.  Quotes words from an old song .... "I don't wanna be right" .... Guess what?  You ain't right, brother.  Somebody turn the mic off, pleeeeze.

Gonna surf and find out what is going on in the real world.

3:32:  announcement ... someone lost his wallet .... I bet.  Check that bucket they're passing around.

A very loud woman is shouting into the mic .... something about imperialists .... denouncing the war .... wearing a headband .... ears have to be frozen.  Wearing gold loops.  Leah Obias of JusticeNotWar in Philippines .... It has to be warmer in the Philippines.  Why is she on that podium freezing her buns?  No one can understand her.  The crowd is down to zilch .... Talk about getting a cold shoulder.  (snicker)

I bet I'm the only one in the world blogging this flop.

Good.  Someone needs to document it.  C-SPAN thought it important enough to broadcast live.  I bet those air-heads lose the tape .... Bet they're regretting not covering the Eagle Gathering ..... 

How embarrassing for ANSWER et al.  Wonder how much $$$ Soros will give them next time?  They can always blame Bush ....

Now someone from Haiti.  Bet he hates being in this cold weather .... just said it was 80 degrees when he left home this morning.   Ben Depuy.  Former Ambassador .... not sure to what or whom.  He's not wearing shorts, so he's probably not an actor or a good-will ambassador from one of those tourism commercials.  And he's having trouble with his words.  White scraggley beard .... shades .... ball cap ... talking about money Bush pledged to his country -- now quoting Chavez.  So let Chavez fund his country.  Bastard.

Chuck Kauffman ... Nicaragua Network Co-Cordinator.  What the heck --- did they have more cancellations?  No wonder the crowd is leaving. 

So am I. 

Hell, I've stayed this long.  Might as well finish it out.

3:45 .... Maria Magallanes ... Mexico Solidarity Network ..... why do women think they have to scream into the mic????  Voices go up three octaves and words are spattered ....

Larry Holmes .... Troops Out Now ---- suit jacket .... no heavy coat ... immigration -- blah blah blah  How can you trust or believe a man who walks around in a suit jacket in THIS weather? 

Protesters aren't chanting now --- lips aren't even moving .... Eyes are glazed over.  Staring ahead. 

Youth For Truth (put stickers all over Arlington, VA) .... bet the city clean up crews are happy to know who did it.  Maybe they'll dump the debris on the CC campus from which it originated.   Jihan Hafiz is speaking about redressing greivances .... stopping the war .... confronting recruiters .... this is not going well.  And it ain't just the weather.

OK, JIhan --- your 15 minutes of fame are up.  Power to the hand-warmers and fuzzy hats.  Move on, orgie.

Carina Garcia .... proud person who claims to have run the Minute Men off her campus .... right.  Babbling without notes --- not a good sign.  Made a few glitches, but no one noticed.  No one even cared.

Final speaker (there IS a God) .....

3:56 .... from Partnership from Civil Justice .... Mara Verheyden-Hilliard.  Whoever.  Speaking for all of humanity (count me in) .... peace, no violence, no hostilities.  No hot water bottles.  No leg-warmers.  (I made those last two up.)

Right on.  Race you back to the hotel!  What a rally.  Wow.  oohrah.  Damn, it's cold.

And not one word about global warming ....

 

LOTS OF LINKS, ETC. back at GATHERINGOFEAGLES.ORG!