I haven't seen this diaried, so if it has I apologize.  It's really a short because what else can you say?  

The Texas Republicans held their State Convention this past weekend.  And what was the pin being sold at the Republicanmarket booth?  

I think we all know Bob Perry the master fund man for Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and of course big time Texas Republican?  Well it seems like he may be busy this election defending his own name.  

It comes as no surprise, but the White House actually has a dcoument describing how to keep demonstrators out of Presidential events.

I wish I could say I'm surprised that it's in writing, but nothing surprises with this group anymore. From the ACLU's website:

Just two choice White House directives on how to deal with protestors:
Read the whole thing, sorry it's a pdf file:

http://www.aclu.org/...

"First, as always, work with the Secret Service and hav them ask the local police department to designate a protest area where demonstrators can be placed, preferably not in view of the event site or motorcade route."  

"The rally squad’s task is to use their signs and banners as shields between the demonstrators and the main press platform.  If the demostrators are yelling, rally squads can begin and led supportive chants to drown out the protestors (USA! USA! USA!)"

Don't believe me read below the fold.....

http://www.aclu.org/...

Ok so let's cut through the BS of this administration, our goal was to elimininate Sadam Hussein as a threat that had WMD. We did that with the sacrifice and commitement from our troops. They performed heroically and made us all very proud.

Sadam is now gone, no longer a threat to the US or the world, if he ever was, so I say we were victourious.

They've done what they were expected to do.  Stop raising the bar for our troops, it's now up to the Iraqi's.  

Why can't any Democrat say just that "Our Troops won! They completed their mission 100%. They cannot be expected to form a Democratic Government where it's not wanted."  Is that really that difficult?

Let's support the troops by acknowleding the accomplished their mission, and accept that we need to support our troops by getting them out.  

I didn't watch either GOP/Dem debate, for me it's too early to pick a Dem, and I would never support any of the GOP.  But that said, I do venture over into wingnutophere to get a understanding of their thoughts.

Here's what I found at my favorite wingnut site. Townhall's lead story is Ann Coulter discussing the debate, but not the GOP debate, but the Democratic debate from last week.  

http://www.townhall.com/...

"I just woke up from watching the Democrats' debate last Thursday, and I am rested and ready to report!"

It's not just SMU faculty fighting the G.W. Bush Presidential library, but others as well.
From WFAA Channel 8 in Dallas/Ft  Worth.
http://www.wfaa.com/...

Not that anyone needs it, but want to have another reason to dislike Bush?

Want to know why our foreign policy sucks? This President doesn't give a shit.  You think when he travels the world he'd be trying to rebuild allicances and improving our image.

From the NYT http://www.nytimes.com/...

Clinton's visit in 2000.

"In 2000, tens of thousands of Hanoi’s residents poured into the streets to witness the visit of the first American head of state since the end of the Vietnam War. Mr. Clinton toured the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature, grabbed lunch at a noodle shop, argued with Communist Party leaders about American imperialism and sifted the earth for the remains of a missing airman."

This election cycle was very exciting, I gave as much as I could. It was under $500.00, but was really painful.  I wish I could have done more!

Trust me itwas worth every penny I spent, and hope the Democrats will make it even more valuable.

Sorry if this has been posted, but Bill Maher delivers the best talking points I've heard!

Watch the YouTube video!  These are absolutely the best!

http://www.youtube.com/... Use them and use them often!!!

I'm still trying to pick my jaw off the floor, I've read about most of what is in this article by Garry Wills, but I have never read an article that connected all of the dots of the past 6 years.

If this doesn't scare the shit out of you I don't know what will.  A few tidbits below. Please read it and share!

http://www.nybooks.com/...  

I haven't seen anyone write about this, but I think it is quite interesting with the NIE story at the forefront we now find out that the Saudis are going to build a border wall.

I read earlier about Newsweek scrapping their plan to ditch their 'Losing Afghanistan' article, I never realized it was just for their US readers!

Now I love Annie Liebowitz's photography, but why is the rest of the world seeing a different front cover story than us in the US?

I just saw this Discovery ad for Ted Koppel's upcoming show "The Price of Security"  I was looking forward to watching, but look at this ad.

I've seen the ad several time before this is the first I've noticed this but isn't the picture towards the end the same as PT911?  I've trying to figure out what's up with this.  

I'm pretty much a regular here, but haven't seen much here about the 6th district race here in Texas. Since Joe Barton is chairman of the Engergy and Commerce Committee this is one of the most seats to win.

I'll do more diaries on Joe Barton this week, as he's a piece of work and don't here much about him.  But read his web site and you'll understand.

This is a very conservative district, go figure, but the fighting Dem David T. Harris could use your support.  

http://www.followmetodc.com/

Let's take back this country!

I have been trying to understand all the rage being brought upon the New York Times.  I have to admit with everything that we've learned about what this administration has done I wasn't shocked.

I also wasn't so shocked because I recall hearing about a program to track down finances by tracking international records.

But I am shocked at how the right has reacted.   I know the media was outraged at Judy Miller's jailing, but here we have people publishing addresses to "hunt reporters down.", and they say nothing?  Just don't get understand them lately any way.

Read below the fold:

OK, I live in Texas, but please don't blame me for most of our Congress Varments. I only have to live with Joe Barton, but that's another diary. The people in Texas District 22 have no representation until the Novemeber election. Of course that's thanks to Gov. Perry and of course the local Republican Party. And of course Tom DeLay who continue to collect campaign funds, while celebrating with lobbyists on Primary night.  Politics down there were started by Tom DeLay, so need I say more.

I just hope the hurricane season is kind to all of us, especially those in TX District 22.

I know there's been a lot of talk about the high cost of gasoline and I know there are a lot of alternatives to correct the problem.  I also know it's a real issue for lot's of Americans, myself included.

I drive about 50 miles each day to work, and when it costs me $36.00 dollars every 10 days to fill my tank, I feel fortunate.  I know the person before me spent $85.00 to fill their tank, and that makes me nervous.  

He made it official today announcing he's in the race.  

http://www.chrisbell.com/blog/072805_announcement

He'll have a tough race ahead of him, and he recognizes that.  This should be a fun race to watch.  

Especially the republican primaries with Rick Perry and Carole Keaton Strayhorn.  I'm sure there will be a few Rove tactics pulled, and I'm sure it's going to cost them both a fortune just to win the primary.

He is going to officially launch his campaign on August 14 in Austin.