Craig Cheslog

YOU NOT BE A CUB FAN AFTER OVER 20 YEARS! THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE. BUT ARIK WILL HAVE FUN WITH DADDY.

In the last three days, I flew on four flights. And was searched four times. How is it that a petite, harmless looking white female is chosen "at random" so frequently? With 2 searches for each time I "cleared security", I was searched 100% more than if *every* passenger were searched upon entering the airport. They seemed to take a long time with each search, perhaps hesitant to ask yet another passenger to submit to a thorough inspection; during one search, my flip-flops were examined for 5 minutes (including an x-ray exam) to ensure they were clear of any hidden objects.

if Bush has over-reached, then do what the constitution requires of us - impeachment.

JP:

I think we need to rely on Congress to take an aggressive oversight role. I believe that is the proper avenue for this debate, at least for now.

I don't think Bush's proposals are "high crimes and misdemeanors." While I wish the president would back off, it is time for Congress to fulfill its Constitutional function.

Nice quotes, I feel the same way!

As long as most of Americans are 'asleep at thee wheel' when it comes to interest in politics, there is no end to what will happen. I never imagined that a Conservative would be so instrumental in ripping away the rights of the American people.

Next stop, the interent!

Thiss good news for your dad and you. But I still think beer is a waste of good money. Maybe the beer is way your Dad is healthy for a "Older Cheslog"!

These actions from the Justice Department are a bit dicey.

I don't think it has much to do with conservatism or liberalism. It is hubris and paternalism.

Either way, it has to stop.

My best,

-- Craig

Hardly a surprise. Texas "justice" has had more than a few black eyes lately, as Bob Herbert (NYTimes) has catalogued:
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/opinion/columns/

A nice site, you've got some good material here
:-)

Huh? I thought those personality traits were pretty much SOP for politicians.

I wouldn't say that such traits are SOP for politicians. Good people do enter politics for the right reasons.

More important, the successful jerks in the political game learn how to hide their worst traits in public.

A fact Cuomo clearly has yet to accept.

My best,

-- Craig

An interesting site, nice one!

Nor is the problem necessarily as big as the amount of ink spilled about it would suggest.

The Miami Herald missed one of the biggest issues with electronic voting - lack of paper trail. The bottom line is that electronic voting requires voters to trust software. Any one who uses or develops software on a regular basis knows that software can be buggy, or worse yet, intentionally manipulated.

Any electronic voting system needs to generate a paper confirmation slip which the voter would confirm (not by signing, however, since the vote must be kept anonymous) and then deposit in an old fashioned locked box. The boxes of paper ballots would be available for post-election recounts, media review, etc.

I wonder why Florida chose to disregard the viewpoint of Rebecca Mercuri? (http://www.notablesoftware.com/evote.html, http://www.notablesoftware.com/RMstatement.html)

Paul:

That is an excellent point. It is a great question Florida elections officials should answer.

-- Craig

Hi, this is a cool site. I just came to you through BlogSnob. :)

Don't think it's a recipe for chaos at all. Very rarely will any party be willing to take thier establsihed candidate out of a race and put in anyone else, and when they do, the likely outcome will be voter rejection of such a gambit.

For instance, much mention has been made of the N.Y. governor's race: why not just gut McCall and put in someone else? I mean, he has this scandal and he didn't have a chance before -- now he's toast? there is NO chance that the Dems will pressure him to drop out and replace him with someone else. This just isn't going to become a trend.

The N.J. Supreme Court followed well established principles of legeslative interpretation and their own previously establsihed caselaw. Their decision was non-partisan (as you know, most of them are Republicans). Their decision was correct.

Dear Tom:

One quick clarification: while six of the seven NJ justices were appointed by a Republican, four are Democrats, two are Republicans, and one is an independent.

I do worry about the precedent this sets. Political operatives are trained to take advantage of loopholes like this one. It may take an election cycle for this opportunity to sink in, but if the parties do not feel they will face voter retribution for such shenanigans, we'll see this again soon.

I write this as someone who wants the Democrats to retain control of the Senate. But while this NJ decision is wrapped in a "voters rights" blanket, the fact is that the voters in NJ knew that the Torch was ethically challenged when they renominated him in their primary.

The party bosses already control far too much of this process. Now we are going to allow them to overrule primary decisions because of poor polling a little more than a month out from an election?

I hope I'm wrong, but the precedent is quite dangerous.

My best,

-- Craig

This article is a joke and the writer (if you can call him that) obviously has an agenda. Absurd.

Joe:

If only this were absurd. There have been numerous media reports about the problems facing the air marshal program. You can recognize the problem or ignore it.

By the way, all writers have agendas. I regret that this obvious fact of life surprises you.

My best,

-- Craig

If US want to disarm Iraq, it must disarm itself
because they do have weapons of mass distruction.
India and Pakistan displayed their own nucluer weapons and UN said nothing. I think UN must redefine itself clearly as to whether its a US organisation or what?

By the way thanks to North Korea for saving what seemed like another world war.

By the way thanks to North Korea for saving another world war

By the way thanks to North Korea for saving what seemed like another world war.

By the way thanks to North Korea for saving what seemed like another world war.

I heard an interesting theory today (on CNN, I believe) from an ex-police chief. His thought was that Chief Moose, being no slouch in the police field, managed a splendid acting job regarding several of these "leaks." He believes it is entirely possible that necessary information was intentionally "leaked" to the press instead of being officially disseminated in order to allow the police to appear in public and get the dialogue going with the sniper by being able to say things like "We're SO sorry this info leaked out. We didn't mean to upset you. Can you call back, please?" while getting the info out there. Until Chief Moose weighs in, if he ever does, we have no way of knowing if this was his actual course of action, but, then again, we don't know that it wasn't...... (It is interesting, though, given that the combination of leaked info and getting the suspects to call back and spill a bit too much info was what did them in in the end.....)

Baraka said that 4,000 Isreali workers were told to stay home. Although what Baraka said is still a lie, he did not point out a religion, but a country.

I wonder if changing the tax code to favor corporate dividends over capitol gains would result in more honest corporate accounting.

werd up, that is the dumbest thing i have ever heard. let the people live. that n this cellphone bullshit.

Sycho KiD
Queens NYC since my birth n always

Dear Mr. Morrison,
I read your article of Nov. 18th and I know that many prohibited items got through the checkpoints as soon as the new screeners took over. While the contract screeners were testing and training to get their jobs back, the new screeners were inexperienced on the x-ray machines! They needed to get certified for the x-ray before they got on the checkpoint. It took them several attempts to get certified while the public was passing through the checkpoints and that included the leads and supervisors!! After the incumbent screeners got back, they were used primarily on the x-ray machines because the mobile screeners were burnt out. The mobile screeners knew how bad the new screeners were on the x-ray machines so they had to carry the blunt of the x-ray time, After six weeks at my airport, the new screeners still need more x-ray time to catch more prohibited items. The checkpoints should have never been taken over by inexperienced personnel all at one time. That was a dangerous situation for the traveling public.

Many good screeners lost their jobs because of the testing. We did need SOME personnel changes but not the massive overhaul that took place at taxpayer expense. Those of us, who did pass, didn’t even have a lead or supervisor job open to us because inexperienced people took the positions. The new screeners are starting to wear down with the traveling public already. They just saw a government position and did not really know what the job entailed. They are NOT any better than the old screeners. My new uniform changes the public’s view of me but not my ability to do my job, which I really enjoy. Next week starts the busy holiday season and you should check the long lines then and see how the new screeners wear down. Since I have been back to work, I have seen more lazy people because all the new screeners want to be in management and not screen passengers. The TSA hasn’t even started testing screeners with the TIP Program on the x-ray machines yet because they know there will be a high failure rate. The old screeners were tested three times each a day by Globe. If they failed, they had to be retrained before they could get back on the checkpoint. If they failed TSA testing, it was a three-day suspension without pay. After the second TSA failure on a test, it was termination! The new screeners are going to drop like flies when that happens.

The INS should have taken the blame for the 911 hijackings and not the screeners. Box-cutters were allowed before 911! The INS should have kept a better track of the hijackers visas and even the serial sniper in the D.C. area would have not been able to kill all those people. The old screeners were made scapegoats. A funny thing happened the other day at the airport. This employee at the airport told me,” I’m glad you people are in charge now because you are friendlier than the other screeners,” I told her,” I’m the same guy who changed your tire in the employee parking lot and you said Hello to me ever since. Now with a white uniform you don’t remember me!” She was really embarrassed! Wearing white or being white does seem to make the public think they are better protected.

Bush Rocks!

Bush Rocks!

AS a teenager i know that a lot of us like to critisize everything aroung us and the government is no exception, but i fell the only way to can have the right to critisize the government is if your active in changing it. at this point in our lives the only way we can change the government is by voting and to voice our opinion on election day.
Fay

It is sad that good works are so quickly forgotten when someone gets into trouble. Trent Lott has been a good friend to Mississippians as well as faithful to his country.
I think his comment has been taken completely as a chance for the few who like to keep the race issues stirred to a stink.
Has anyone stopped to think what good he has done for the economy of Mississippi? Has anyone thought what it could mean for us if he remains in the top position? Think of the Raytheon contracts he has brought the state. Without his pull we would not have gotten Nissan. Pascagoula is reaping rewards of his work. I could go on, but you get the meaning.
I think the media interveiwing any and everyone just to keep the "story" alive is a big reason that Mr. Lott has caught so much grief.
Now really, Do you think Mr. Lott is a racist????
I don't.
J. Crane
Walnut Grove,Ms

People need to have some type of way to correct "wrongs", but there has to be some sanity to the system. If you are disabled for life, then maybe a few million is right for you. But for the majority of cases where theres hardly anything wrong they should get a much smaller sum. Doctors shouldn't have to be afraid to practice.

Of course it is about oil! Look at the the people on the planes that hit the WTC and the Pentagon, 95% of them were from Saudi Arabia, but because we get oil from them we leave them and instead decide to go after Iraq....

Okay, I'm done ranting

Dear Candidate Dean, We here in NH are encouraged
that you are running for President.
We urge you to speak out against the future war
in Iraq this oil-driven president of the US is leading us into.
On January 18, 2003 people will again be demonstrating for peace in Washington, D.C. and it
would be wonderful if you would join them and speak out about the perils of a war.
The only person who has spoken out before this is
Mr. Sharpton, and we need you to be there and speak out also. Look at the love everyone was showing for Paul Wellstone because he spoke up.
Please be there on the 18th. Thank you.
I'd be there too but at age 82 it's a bit of a journey to take the bus to D.C. and back all in 24
hours.
Most sincerely, Helen L. Crowe, Claremont, NH

i think he's cocky, if you will.

Craig,
As a fellow deficit hawk, I agree with you and the Concord Coalition 100%.
I'm e-mailing you my anti-tax-cut column from the Jan. 12 Philadelphia Inquirer. Keep up the drumbeat.
Douglas Pike

Now my question is did he do this because this would be his last chance, or did he really mean it?

Douglas:

Thank you for sending the link to your excellent column. I comment about it here.

Future generations will not take kindly to our refusal to prepare for the boomers impending retirement.

I feel very strongly towards this issue and hope to start some kind of group at my college to discuss and also push for this possible 28th amendment. I hope to get feedback from all the people that I meet.

absolutely we should be sceptical. And it's seemed to me that because the administration has been using any pretext whatsoever to justify anterior geopolitical goals, that perhaps no evidence would be forthcoming. but now what do we do with:

"But while in public the inspectors were celebrating their discovery of the artillery shells, in private experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna were digesting the details of a substantially more significant find - the blueprint of Saddam's nuclear weapons project.

On the same morning that a team of inspectors had found the 12 artillery shells, another team of nuclear weapons experts had paid a surprise visit to the homes of two of Saddam's leading nuclear physicists who worked for Iraq's top secret for the Ministry of Military Industrialisation (MMI)."

from
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/01/19/wirq219.xml

(p.s. great weblog, craig!)

HELLO HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY I AM A STUDENT AT SELMA HIGH SCHOOL AND OUR AMERICAN GOV TEAHCER ASK US TO FIND THE DIFF IN POLITICAL AND POLITICS IF YOU CAN PLEASE TELL ME THANK

How insightful. I think there is also the fear of forwarding a projection of a sense of assimilation with African American culture in America. That has conservative America shaking in their sleep. There is a latent fear of reprisal by Africans Americans for the past/current state of affairs. And so their fears keep them from fullu accepting the profound work of MLK. Isn't it interesting that we actually celebrate his birthday on a day that is actually not his birthday. And isn't just as interesting the General Lee's birthday precedes MLK's by four days. The two celebrations could not be further apart in ideologies.

I think what Bloomberg has done is the best thing. I don't need to be breathing in the smoke that is blown out by people who do smoke. If you read up on second-hand smoke it is the most horrible thing. Although it isn't a proven fact, I'm sure everything they are saying is accurate. It's your right to smoke and do what every you wish, but it is also mine not to be involved and have to inhale the smoke.

I think what Bloomberg has done is the best thing. I don't need to be breathing in the smoke that is blown out by people who do smoke. If you read up on second-hand smoke it is the most horrible thing. Although it isn't a proven fact, I'm sure everything they are saying is accurate. It's your right to smoke and do what every you wish, but it is also mine not to be involved and have to inhale the smoke.

What about BPI (boost-phase intercept)? Do you think it is viable? Why not spend a little money and time on it?

Isn't it scarry?

What I find funny though is you can go to the website and donate money to help the national debt. If every person in the country "donated" $1,000 I don't believe it would change by even 1%! Give me a break......

It seems to me that we're having trouble getting our act together largely because we can't agree that terrorism needs to be stopped at the source. If we don't do that, no amount of preparedness on the home front will matter in the long run. The terrorists will eventually get the WMDs they want, and they'll eventually use them against us right here. Take the fight to them--that's the way to win.

It is worse than satire.

There is new science out that shows that drugs do not cause addiction. Pain causes addiction.

http://www.sierratimes.com/03/01/20/simon.htm - the politics of pain

World Peace? Of course that is what we will have after the whole world starts nuking each other.

If you think Mexico has always been a close ally and friend of the U.S., you haven't been following history for the past several hundred years. Our relationship has at the least been contentious. See http://lonewacko.com/blog/archives/000321.html for a discussion of the predecessor to the Krugman column. There are several links at the end of http://lonewacko.com/blog/archives/000293.html which you might find enlightening.

Bush is trying to stay out of the public spot light, because he doesn't want any "tough" questions.

Blaine:

There's no doubt about that. But conducting press conferences and answering to the media and the American people is part of the job.

Bush can ignore calls for more press conferences. Those of us who think that such accountability is important need to keep making this point regardless.

My best,

-- Craig

Shocking, truly shocking. Here's evidence of problems someone else had at another protest:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/030305/168/3fgvq.html

Say, is there any proof available of the problems the AJC lady had? You know, like pictures or something? I mean, there were a lot of photogs there, including from the AJC, one would think there'd be at least one pic or two.

Shocking, truly shocking. Here's evidence of problems someone else had at another protest:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/030305/168/3fgvq.html

Say, is there any proof available of the problems the AJC lady had? You know, like pictures or something? I mean, there were a lot of photogs there, including from the AJC, one would think there'd be at least one pic or two.

Shocking, truly shocking. Here's evidence of problems someone else had at another protest:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/030305/168/3fgvq.html

Say, is there any proof available of the problems the AJC lady had? You know, like pictures or something? I mean, there were a lot of photogs there, including from the AJC, one would think there'd be at least one pic or two.

I strongly believe that the Democratic Party must go back to its roots [serving those who truly need, etc.]in order to survive as a political force in this country...Gov. Dean seems to be the first democrate in years to hold to this idea...if he doesn't get more exposure and get his/the Democratic ideal out there we may be forced again to support another so so democratic contender to face Bush...Bush will be beatable in 04 if we can get a true demo. candidate!!!
George St.George

I strongly believe that the Democratic Party must go back to its roots [serving those who truly need, etc.]in order to survive as a political force in this country...Gov. Dean seems to be the first democrate in years to hold to this idea...if he doesn't get more exposure and get his/the Democratic ideal out there we may be forced again to support another so so democratic contender to face Bush...Bush will be beatable in 04 if we can get a true demo. candidate!!!
George St.George

u suc

Sometimes I listen to C_SPAN while working & remember hearing those kinds of comments last fall, around the time Bush pushed his Iraq agenda through Congress. It's hard to imagine someone being against the war for this reason, even if it were true.

Just started a blog this week-- if you have time, I'd appreciate any feedback you have.

Hi. I am appalled at the rancorous media response to Ms. Maines’ criticism of Bush. If you agree, please sign and forward this open letter.

If you want to show the Dixie Chicks a more dramatic gesture of support, post a copy of this letter at http://dixiechicks.launch.yahoo.com/. If you can’t afford to join the online fan club, you can still voice your support and your prayers. As 2004 approaches, let’s pray for a landslide to bring Bush down!

Dear Ms. Maines,

Thank you for speaking your mind. Thank you for reminding us that this country is still America, at least nominally.

For centuries, the American flag has symbolized freedom and democracy. You have witnessed the international response to the misuse of this banner, and were brave enough to speak of it in the oppressive climate of the Bush regime.

I am proud to be an American, but I am ashamed that my president (or the Supreme Court’s president) has committed us to a course of war. I am also ashamed that there is some justice in the growing international perception of the U.S. as a heedless bully.

Above all, I am ashamed that some of my fellow Americans would rather remain in ignorance of international opinion, and treat a patriot’s criticism as if it were treason.

Sincerely Yours,

Lydia
lyden@netcarrier.com

Does The United NATIONS OVERULE THE CONSTITUTION IN THE CASE OF WAR,LIKE WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH IRAQ THIS PAST WEEK,IS THIS REALLY ILLEGAL AND BY WHOM,THE UN,THE CONSTITION, OR BOTH.

I AM BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS ALL UP TO THE UN,AND THAT THE CONSTITUTION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT,THAT IT'S OLD,AND THE UN IS NEW AND THEY RULE.

THIS HAS NEVER BEEN MY WAY OF THINKING!

Does The United NATIONS OVERULE THE CONSTITUTION IN THE CASE OF WAR,LIKE WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH IRAQ THIS PAST WEEK,IS THIS REALLY ILLEGAL AND BY WHOM,THE UN,THE CONSTITION, OR BOTH.

I AM BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS ALL UP TO THE UN,AND THAT THE CONSTITUTION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT,THAT IT'S OLD,AND THE UN IS NEW AND THEY RULE.

THIS HAS NEVER BEEN MY WAY OF THINKING!

Does The United NATIONS OVERULE THE CONSTITUTION IN THE CASE OF WAR,LIKE WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH IRAQ THIS PAST WEEK,IS THIS REALLY ILLEGAL AND BY WHOM,THE UN,THE CONSTITION, OR BOTH.

I AM BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS ALL UP TO THE UN,AND THAT THE CONSTITUTION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT,THAT IT'S OLD,AND THE UN IS NEW AND THEY RULE.

THIS HAS NEVER BEEN MY WAY OF THINKING!

Does The United NATIONS OVERULE THE CONSTITUTION IN THE CASE OF WAR,LIKE WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH IRAQ THIS PAST WEEK,IS THIS REALLY ILLEGAL AND BY WHOM,THE UN,THE CONSTITION, OR BOTH.

I AM BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS ALL UP TO THE UN,AND THAT THE CONSTITUTION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT,THAT IT'S OLD,AND THE UN IS NEW AND THEY RULE.

THIS HAS NEVER BEEN MY WAY OF THINKING!

You sound like a traitor to me. Please do not question the motives of this administration. George Bush in 2004!! It's gonna be a landslide - or else.

Tied for the lead...with the Cardinals :)

That is, of course a good point. As a Cubs fan, however, I have to celebrate now while I have the chance. :)

Hell yeah!

So Patterson is on pace for what, 324 home runs this year? That should go well with Sosa's pace of 162. :)
This kind of start sure beats that 0-14 start a few years back. That was terrible.
Craig, where are you from? It's always to know there's other Cubs fans blogging!

Kris

It's a sociopathic individual who is "rooting for a quagmire." Rooting for a quagmire and predicting one are two different things.

I do, however, think vomiting on public buildings and the like is going to do the movement more harm than good. And I suspect the people who engage in such activity are grandstanding more than they are "protesting."

I was beginning to wonder if I was the only person to be outraged by that story.... Here's something to ponder... why didn't the REPORTER ask those questions? The story seemed like a cutesy little 'slice of life during war-time' piece of fluff. Some fluff.

Thanks for the link to my Cubs blog!

outrageous. And one suspects it's a ripple effect from the inappropriate proposals for faith-based funding and pronouncements to the tune "(My christian)God has chosen me to lead at this time" coming from the top.