Virginia Ready to Fry a Woman

MoonHowler

Dead woman walking–Convicted killer Teresa Lewis is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection this Thursday, September 30. If the execution goes through, Lewis will be the first woman to be executed in Virginia since 1912.

Lewis was convicted of killing her husband and stepson for $250,000 in insurance money. Death penalty activists say that Lewis is being treated unfairly because the 2 gunman who killed the victims only got life in prison.

According to the Richmond Times Dispatch:

Lewis, then 33, plotted with her then-22-year-old lover, Matthew Shallenberger, and his friend Rodney Fuller to murder her husband and stepson on Oct. 30, 2002. Killed were Julian Lewis, 51, and C.J. Lewis, 25, a soldier visiting the Lewises’ mobile home.

She was to be the beneficiary of her stepson’s $250,000 life insurance policy should he and her husband die. She left a door unlocked so Shallenberger and Fuller could enter early that morning. The two arrived armed with shotguns paid for by Teresa Lewis. She left the bedroom and waited in the kitchen during the shooting.

The gunfire over and her husband dying, Lewis retrieved his wallet from their bedroom and divided the money with the killers. She waited 45 minutes before calling for help, but Julian Lewis lived long enough to tell a deputy sheriff, “My wife knows who done this to me.”

Teresa Lewis, Shallenberger and Fuller pleaded guilty. The judge sentenced Shallenberger and Fuller to life and Lewis, whom he called “the head of this serpent,” to death.

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A Few BAD Men

MoonHowler

Every war must produce a rogues gallery–rogue troops who dishonor and shame our country. Stories of these pitiful few, unfortunately, seem to take on a life of their own and almost define the war, like stories of My Lai and Lt. Calley during the Vietnam War. Abu Ghraib certainly got its fair share of publicity during the heat of the Iraq War. Now a few bad men seem to be tarnishing the work of all those brave men and women who have served in Afghanistan.

The front page of the Washington Post tells a horror story of rogue soldiers who killed Afghans for sport. The father of one of the men accused tried to alert the army after being told of atrocities by his son on the Internet. The father reported that he had been rebuffed and now his son stands accused along with others. The military has also been accused of ignoring warnings.

 
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Paper and Video Trails: Not a Girl’s Best Friend

MoonHowler

Much has been made of Christine O’Donnell’s surprising win over the former governor of Delaware, Mike Castle for Republican senate candidate. It appeared that even O’Donnell was surprised herself. Why has so much been made over O’Donnell rather than the others, especially the guy with the porno email? Simple. Christine O’Donnell has a paper/video trail a mile long. She is not obscure.

O’Donnell is an attractive 41 year old woman who has appeared at least 22 times on Bill Maher’s show, Politically Incorrect. O’Donnell was the Christian Activist on the panel. Additionally, she ran at least once against Joe Biden for senator. She has been a spokesperson for Concerned Women for American, and she was the president and founder of S.A.L.T. (Savior’s Alliance for Lifting the Truth). People know too much about her.

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Candidate Barnett for the 10th Congressional District

MoonHowler

I was just sitting here thinking that I probably wouldn’t even go to the polls this year. Then I remembered that someone was running against Frank Wolf, the perpetual Republican congressman for my district. Granted, I had to go look up to see who was running. Local democrats must be hibernating again.

The locals and I have this annual get-together. I call them up to see if they are running anyone. They say yes, and I remind them that their website isn’t mentioning that person, they fix it 2 weeks before the election and then after the election, back in to hibernation.

Candidate Jeff Barnett has offices in many localities, except Prince William County and Manassas.

Frank Wolf needs to start thinking about term limits. I am all for a change here. Wolf has never met a weapon he hasn’t voted for.

What’s a Dad to Do?

MoonHowler

There’s a story on all the cable channels today about the father of a handicapped child who got so upset and enraged over his child being bullied that he got on the school bus, asked his child to point out her tormentors, and verbally blasted the kids hazing his daughter.

Teams of ‘experts’ are analyzing the situation.  The dad was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.  He said he had complained to the school and nothing was done.  He will now stand trial.  We don’t know what will happen with the daughter or the boys who were throwing stuff on her and pinning her ears back.  The daughter has cerebral palsy and it has been reported that she is on suicide watch.

First off, let’s look at all the sides.   The father is frustrated.  He reports his concern to the school and the horrible behavior towards his daughter continues.  Most of it apparently is happening on the bus.  He is so upset over his inability to protect his child that he loses it and cusses out and threatens the kids who are perpetrating the problem.

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Really, Really Big Government: No Exceptions

MoonHowler

At least 5 senatorial candidates have gone on record, very recently, (no blaming the past) as being very much in favor of what the rest of us would call big government–government intrusion into people’s personal lives–the kind of government intrusion that heretofore has gotten people labeled part of the reactionary fringe. These 5 candidates have stated that they are opposed to abortion even in  cases of rape or incest.

Even those politicians in the pro-life movement, with the except of only a couple of people, have not stated that they think a woman should be forced by the government to bear the child of her rapist. This position is extremism and it certainly isn’t getting government out of people’s business.

Shame on these 5. Women and girls are attacked and sexually abused daily. Those who are exposed to incest have an increased chance of pregnancy because of the repeated behavior. And yes, it does happen, horrifying as it sounds.

This kind of intrusion goes beyond the pale and illustrates that real everyday people aren’t running for office. These people are idealists and social busy bodies who are clueless about some of the hardships of life that face some people daily. If they truly are against big government, they will pull in their horns on this issue. Otherwise they are just as bad as the people they so desperately want to replace or worse. 

Not only will pro choice women shun these candidates, but some who generally consider them pro-life will do the same.  Most people want a safety net in there.  No exceptions for rape and incest  is hardcore extremism.

Additional information from Rachel Maddow

The Rally to Restore Sanity: The Million Moderate March

MoonHowler

Jon Stewart made his big announcement Thursday night:

From CBS:

Jon Stewart announced on “The Daily Show” Thursday night that he’ll hold a rally on the National Mall in Washington D.C., on October 30. He showed some of the signs that organizers would be handing out at the event, which had slogans such as, “9/11 was an Outside Job.” He said the message would be to “take it down a notch for America.” The event is called the “Rally to Restore Sanity,” and is for people who think neither Barack Obama nor George W. Bush is Adolf Hitler.

For fans of “The Daily Show,” the news gets better. Stephen Colbert is participating, too. He’s also holding a rally on October 30. It’s called “The March to Keep Fear Alive,” in keeping with his right-wing talk show host persona on “The Colbert Report.”

At one point, Stewart called his event a “million moderate march.”

Cobert, playing on his right wing skit, has named his rally, “The March to Keep Fear Alive.”

Stewart criticizes extremists on both sides. I think that is his message. His appeal is to the 70-80 percenters. Finally, a rally for me.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
Rally to Restore Sanity
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Jon Stewart on the Primaries: Beyond the Palin

MoonHowler

Some things speak for themselves.  Jon Stewart examines the new winners, O’Donnell and Paladino.

He then goes on with the team to see how the Democrat will blow any chances they have of taking advantage of the situation.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
Tea Party Primaries – Beyond the Palin
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Fenty Wins as a Republican

MoonHowler

fenty

DC mayor Adrian Fenty has won as a write-in candidate for for the Republican Party.   That’s the good news.  The bad news is Fenty is a Democrat and just lost the  primary to rival council Chair Vince Gray.  Fenty has until 4:45 this afternoon to accept the Republican nomination. 

With all the criticism of party switchers, it makes one ponder what Fenty is going to do.  He has brought in some terrific people.  Michelle Rhee has turned DC schools around.  There’s a long way to go, but  she accomplished the turn around.  Police chief Cathy Lanier has been a winner also.  Under her leadership, the DC Police Department has acquired a more professional image and Lanier is always a visible presence.  Will Rhee and Lanier be fired under Gray?  Or will they leave voluntarily?  Both of these women are 2 really good things that have happened to DC. 

Many of us hope Fenty will stay on.  Whose cares what label he uses.  But can a Republican be elected in Democratic DC?

Tea Party Candidates…and the ‘winners’ are…..

MoonHowler

Senator Scott Brown is impressive.  He was ushered in to take the Massachusetts Senate seat held by Edward Kennedy for decades.  Brown also was supported by the local tea party from that region.  He ran as a Republican and appears to be his own person, which is refreshing. 

Sharron Angle(NV) , Carl Paladino(NY), and  Christine O”Donnell (DE) are NOT impressive.  The women mentioned are far right social extremists who simply do not reach the mainstream voter.  O’Donnell has some fairly well documented ethics problems.  She is not new to politics.  Carl Paladino comes out of the gate with pornographic email issues and a problem with racists remarks and jokes.  Angle performs so poorly in front of the media her handlers kept her away from it just to preserve her campaign.  She has said she will debate Harry Reid. 

If the tea party wants to convince the American voter of its prowess and concern for the country, it will have to do a better job offering up candidates.  From an outsider’s point of  view, it looks like the tea party is trotting out old, well used, candidates like O’Donnell who appeared on the Bill Maher Show in the late 90’s.  Frankly, the set of three winners look ridiculous.  If they manage to pull off a win and actually go to the Senate, then the American people will look ridiculous.  Right now, it appears that Beck and Palin are the leadership and the chosen are Angle, O’Donnell, and Paladino.   That selection might appeal to the tea party masses but it doesn’t to the people who aren’t part of a special interest group.  In fact, most I have talked to laughed, and then got very quite because of their concern for their country. 

If the tea party wants to reach American voters, they are going to have to throw in behind candidates who are properly vetted by someone, anyone,  and they are going to have to offer up candidates who address fiscal responsibility issues as a main platform, rather than these extremist social conservatives who just talk the talk about fiscal conservatism.  Regardless of the mood of the country, we need more Scott Browns and no people who are just jokes.  These lastest ‘winners’ are a sure fired way to have defeat snatched from the jaws of victory.

Basking in the Afterglow, Briefly

MoonHowler

Probably no one is happier this morning than Democrats. They know that winning a primary is a whole lot different than winning in a general election. DNC Chairman Tim Kaine has compared the GOP to cannibals, saying that they are turning their energy and ferocity on each other.

According to the Huffington Post:

What we’re seeing in the Republican Party is that they invited the Tea Party in and it’s turning into the Donner Party, in some instances, because they’re turning the energy and the ferocity against each other,” said Kaine in response to a question by the Huffington Post, referring to the infamous group of 19th-century American pioneers who eventually had to turn to cannibalism to survive. He added that the divisions have given Democrats “some great opportunities in races that we wouldn’t have absent the Tea Party candidates.”

Perhaps the person to really watch is Karl Rove. Probably no one knows more about king-making than Karl Rove. Palin is a flash in the pan. Karl Rove knows how to do it for keeps and has built a career on doing just that. Karl Rove has spoken out against Christine O’Donnell and he is furious that Michael Castle has been ousted. Castle was expected to be the candidate who took back the Senate for the Republicans.

Rove to Sean Hannity, as reported in Politico:

“It does conservatives little good to support candidates who, … while they may be conservative in their public statements, do not evince the characteristics of rectitude and sincerity and character that the voters are looking for. … There’s just a lot of nutty things she’s been saying. … I’m for the Republican. But I gotta tell ya: We were looking at eight to nine seats in the Senate [of the 10 needed for the majority]. We’re now looking at seven to eight, in my opinion. This is not a race we’re gonna be able to win.”

Division in the ranks can be a good thing or a bad thing. Division can redefine a party or it can divide and conquer, much like the Ross Perot movement did to catapult Bill Clinton in to the White House. Republicans need to decide if they want to try to usher in a new brand of arch conservatism or if they want to get rid of President Obama in 2012 and Democrats. I doubt if they can accomplish both missions under the same banner.

Some of these fire-brand uber-conservatives who are winning these primaries have won because it is easy to get out a special interest base in a primary. Joe Liebermann is living proof. He lost the primary because of his pro-Iraq war sentiments. The anti-war group came in and tossed him out. Liebermann, a main stream Democrat showed them. He ran as an Independent and retained his seat.

Is Jaws Back?

MoonHowler
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.

‘Jaws Beach’ in the Bahamas was the site of where part of Jaws the Revenge was filmed back in 1987. Now it seems that Jaws has had his revenge. On August 29, Judson Newton and friends developed engine trouble. They called for help. Before it arrived, Newton and a friend tried to swim ashore, leaving 3 of their crew with the disabled boat. Newton and friend were never seen again, despite a massive search effort by officials.

Well, never seen again in one piece. An local investment banker hauled in a 12 foot tiger shark who still had part of a leg in its mouth. Upon further inspection, other parts of limbs were found in its stomach. Finger prints matched those of Judson Newton. Officials are awaiting DNA tests before declaring this New-Jaws the killer. It is unknown if Judson was alive at the time he was eaten.

Jaws Beach might have a tourist problem after this grizzly discover. 

Tiger Shark
Tiger Shark

Defying Gravity Wins 3rd Place on America’s Got Talent

MoonHowler
Credit: Trae Patton/NBC
Credit: Trae Patton/NBC

The VA Tech black light impressionist group, Defying Gravity won 3rd place in America’s got talent in the season finale last night. 

The group are fraternity brothers–Pi Kappa Alpha and got their start performing in a school talent show.  Pretty impressive.  Hokies continue to amaze us. 

They have been asked to play at the Hard Rock Cafe in Vegas on New Years Eve.  When asked about returning to Tech, the answers were iffy.

Now if the football team could only do that well. sigh.

Carl Paladino:I’m not a racist because I say I’m not a racist

MoonHowler

[Update:  Carl Paladino Wins G.O.P.  for Governor in New York]

Carl Paladino is running in the Republican primary for governor of New York.  He is currently tied in polls with the other contender, Rick Lazio. Paladino  has sent emails, shown in the video, that contain hard core pornography, racist references to the president, and other topics that are totally offensive, yet he attempts to defend his actions. Some people just shouldn’t be given a computer. This guy is a misogynist, a racist, and an overall obscene jerk.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Normally a New York primary would be of little importance to the rest of the nation.  However, Paladino stretches the limits of public decency.  One of his platforms is to open welfare dorms in prisons and to teach welfare recipients hygiene.

According to CBS News: 

Republican New York gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino reportedly sent e-mails to numerous associates that included images of bestiality and derogatory characterizations of President Obama, including one offering a video clip of African tribesmen dancing that characterized the video as “Obama Inauguration Rehearsal.”

 The e-mails were obtained by WNYMedia.net, and have been posted here. The site’s managing director, Marc Odien, told the Buffalo Newsthat he had verified that Palidino [sic] had sent many of the “racist and sexist” messages with multiple sources.

 In a statement to TPM Muckraker,Paladino campaign manager Michael Caputo said the candidate had sent “off-color” and “politically incorrect” e-mails in the past.

 “Carl Paladino has forwarded close friends hundreds of email messages he received,” he said. “Many of these emails he received were off color, some were politically incorrect, few represented his own opinion, and almost none of them were worth remembering.”

One interview shows Paladino being interviewed on the way to his car.  He tries that old feeble trick of deflection.  He tries to deflect to the Democrats and what they are doing.  Lame.