Happy New Years!

Many thanks to everyone who stopped by in 2008, especially to the commenter's who showed love & support and even you libs out there who can't stand my conservative ass. May each and every one of you have a very happy, healthy and prosperous new years!

Vicki Iseman Sues New York Times Over McCain Smear Piece

Good:

A lobbyist who was romantically linked to Sen. John McCain in a New York Times article has sued the paper for $27 million, saying the story has damaged her career and "sense of personal self-worth."

Vicki Iseman sued the New York Times Company and writers and editors who worked on the front-page story, which she said falsely intimated she had an affair with the senator and used their relationship to gain perks for her clients.

"The damage to Ms. Iseman caused by the story has continued to the present and has not abated," the lawsuit said. "The article destroyed the heart and soul of Ms. Iseman's professional identity and sense of personal self-worth."

The Times issued a statement saying it stands by the story, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

From the same publication that said nothing about John Edwards affair until the National Enquirer broke it, the Times proved once again that their journalistic standards are non-existent with an unsubstantiated hit piece that served no purpose other than to sully John McCain's reputation and hurt his chances of winning the presidency. Now they should be made to pay for it.

Wanda Sykes: More Gay Than Black

In case you hadn't heard b-list comedian Wanda Sykes recently "came out" as gay in the midst of the heated Prop 8 unrest initiated by gay intolerance. Now most gays I read about about claim they were "born that way", but apparently for Wanda it took almost 40 years for her to realize her "sexual orientation". Yeah, right. Anyway having followed Sykes career since her days hanging around Chris Rock, I can't recall any instance of Sykes' involvement in say, issues greatly affecting Black women such as breast cancer, HIV rates, abortion or crime. But Gay Wanda (who now has a major role playing a lesbo on "The New Adventures of Old Christine") has no problem putting herself front and center of the mostly white, liberal, racist, male LGBT movement and because of that they're so proud of her:

Each year, The Advocate names its People of the Year, “a handful of names that made headlines, made a difference, or simply made us talk.” They just released a couple of names as a teaser and one of them is actress and comedian Wanda Sykes.

Sykes has always been an outspoken supporter of gay rights. Having previously kept her sexuality private, Sykes came out at a rally in Las Vegas after California Proposition 8 was passed.

She cited the passing of Proposition 8 as the catalyst behind her decision to come out:

We took a huge leap forward and then got dragged 12 feet back. I felt like I was being attacked, personally attacked — our community was attacked… Now, I gotta get in their face. I'm proud to be a woman. I'm proud to be a black woman, and I'm proud to be gay.

It is a refreshing sign that not all magazines that tout themselves as serving the gay and — ahem — lesbian community have been suffering from a cognitive disconnect.

Rod Blagojevich Has Every Right To Pick Senate Seat

CNN.com:

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Tuesday will name former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate, sources familiar with the decision say.

Burris' appointment would fill President-elect Barack Obama's former Senate seat. Blagojevich is to announce his choice at a news conference at 3 p.m. ET.

Burris, 71, is African-American. Earlier this month, he said that despite the scandal associated with the seat, he wanted the job.

Burris does not have to be formally approved by the Senate to be appointed by Blagojevich. But the Senate could refuse to seat Burris, or it could seat him and investigate the manner in which he was appointed, and unseat him if senators discover any wrongdoing.

Two Democratic officials tell CNN that Senate Democratic leaders are planning to block Blagojevich's appointment of Roland Burris to the Senate seat.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, has recently threatened not to seat anyone the governor appoints and has called for Blagojevich, a Democrat, to step down.

The governor was arrested this month on federal corruption charges and has since ignored calls to resign.

Where's Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson when you need 'em? Rod Blagojevich is NOT GUILTY of anything, he's being investigated for alleged wrongdoing with the opinion here being that he's also being scapegoated for the longstanding political corruption that exists in Illinois. As Governor, Blago has sole authority to fill Obama's old seat with anyone if his choosing. No matter how they try to spin it Harry Reid and his cronies have no right to try and block Roland Burris from a Senate chair. Right now the U.S. Senate has ZERO Black members, that's an embarrassment in of itself. Let's see how the leadership of the party in which 90% of Blacks vote looks if and when they attempt to block a Black man from serving on the Senate.

Laura Bush Quote of the Day!

"If Saddam Hussein had been there, the man wouldn't have been released. And he probably, you know, would have been executed. It was an assault. And that's what it is. And it would be an assault to anyone. The President laughed it off. He wasn't hurt. He's very quick. As you know, he's a natural athlete. And that's it. But on the other hand, it is an assault, and I think it should be treated that way, and I think people should think of it that way. [As] bad as the incident is, it is an indication of progress. It is a sign that Iraqis feel a lot freer to express themselves."

- First Lady Laura Bush on the shoe-throwing incident involving President Bush

Politiks As Usual: In The News 12/29/08

Barack Obama Bristles As The Bubble Closes In

Israel Deploys Tanks And Troops Around Gaza

The Awkward Co-Dependence Of Blacks And Liberal Democrats

Curable Disease Kills Thousands Of Children Every Year In Africa

Children's Book Depicts Santa Fighting Global Warming

Court Of Appeals Upholds Ruling Against Illinois' "Choose Life" License Plates

Study: Murders Among Black Youths Have Risen Sharply Since 2000

Jeb Bush Signals That He's Poised To Run For Senate

Americans Drop Dead As Police Get Taser-Happy

Letter To The Editor: Free Ignacio Ramos And Jose Compean

Rahm Emanuel Facing Possible Subpoena From Blagojevich Attorney

CNN.com:

The Illinois House panel considering impeachment charges against Gov. Rod Blagojevich has received a letter from the governor's attorney urging the panel to issue subpoenas to more than a dozen potential witnesses, including incoming White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.

Steve Brown, spokesman for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, confirms to CNN that the impeachment panel received the letter from Blagojevich attorney Ed Genson.

"The committee has taken that letter under advisement," said Brown, noting the panel's next meeting is Monday morning.

Even if the panel moved ahead with such subpoenas, however, they could still be blocked by prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, who has previously expressed concern about the impeachment panel interfering with his ongoing criminal probe.

Nevertheless, the maneuvering by Blagojevich's camp could provide a distraction for President-elect Barack Obama and top aides just days after they tried to turn the page on the matter by issing an internal investigation claiming no wrongdoing by the transition team.

Genson, Blagojevich's attorney, did not immediately return a call seeking comment on his letter.

Barack tried to throw a blanket on this mess by conducting his own investigation that pretty much concluded that Emanuel did no wrong here. Good thing Gov. Blagojevich isn't having it. Democratic corruption in Illinois has been going on for too long now, it's about time the feds get involved and do something about it because Rod Blagojevich is being scapegoated.