Dicky's Doodles &Scribbles

Cartoons,editorials and comment about current events and more.

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Happy John






John McCain is the GOP front runner now, much to the chagrin of such self appointed conservative "leaders" as the bloviating blowhard Rush Limbaugh.
If I were to vote Republican, which I am not, I would go for McCain in a heartbeat over the too slick, too perfect, too arrogant "Morphing" Mitt!

Monday, January 28, 2008

The Surge Is Working?




Tonight the President made his final State of the Union message to the American people and the joint session of Congress. Among other things the President kept up his recent mantra “The surge is working…”
Today a roadside IED killed five U.S soldiers. The surge is working.
Last year was the deadliest year for American forces. The surge is working.
The Iraqi army is still not capable of operating on a large scale on its own. The surge is working.
A new year has begun and there is no progress in the Iraqi Parliament concerning the sticky issues of oil revenue sharing, rebuilding the shattered infrastructure, insuring a fair way for all segments of the population to get real representation in the government and all of the myriad problems of that sad country. The surge is working.
John McCain said we may stay in Iraq for a million years. The surge is working.
The next President will have to deal with Iraq now but needn’t worry. The surge is working.
The economy is headed into the tank but…the surge is working!
What if, four years from now, another 400,000 Iraqis have died in the conflict as well as 5,000 more Americans, will the incumbent President still be saying, “The surge is working?”

Friday, January 25, 2008

New York Times Disses Giuliani





The New York Times yesterday endorsed McCain and Clinton for their party’s nominations.
Frankly, it is a bit unseemly for newspapers to make endorsements and it is especially perplexing when they offer an endorsement for each major party! What does that mean?
However by anyone's measure there are a lot of problems with Rudy Giuliani.
Anyone who might be reading this is likely informed about the candidates for this year’s Presidential race. Rudy's many problems with the GOP base are well known and oft discussed so I wont go into that here. Anyway, that aside, it is interesting to see what the Times had to say, especially since they had formerly endorsed Giuliani for re-election as mayor.
Below is an excerpt from their take on the Rudy Giuliani of today.

What about the man who stood fast on Sept. 11, when others, including President Bush, went AWOL?
That man is not running for president.
The real Mr. Giuliani, whom many New Yorkers came to know and mistrust, is a narrow, obsessively secretive, vindictive man who saw no need to limit police power. Racial polarization was as much a legacy of his tenure as the rebirth of Times Square.
Mr. Giuliani’s arrogance and bad judgment are breathtaking. When he claims fiscal prudence, we remember how he ran through surpluses without a thought to the inevitable downturn and bequeathed huge deficits to his successor. He fired Police Commissioner William Bratton, the architect of the drop in crime, because he couldn’t share the limelight. He later gave the job to Bernard Kerik, who has now been indicted on fraud and corruption charges.
The Rudolph Giuliani of 2008 first shamelessly turned the horror of 9/11 into a lucrative business, with a secret client list, then exploited his city’s and the country’s nightmare to promote his presidential campaign.


Links:
http://thinkprogress.org/
http://salcostello.blogspot.com/
http://midlifemutations.blogspot.com/
http://www.ostroyreport.blogspot.com/
http://fuzzyandblue.blogspot.com/
http://jcdesigns.blogspot.com/
http://majikthise.typepad.com/
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/
http://www.slate.com/
http://www.dailykos.com/
http://www.impeach07.org/
http://sonnyboy3.wordpress.com/2007/08/22/bush-needs-brain-again/

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Bil Clinton Is The Whiner In Chief! Give Me A Break!



Today Bill Clinton is all over the news again whining about how unfair the Obama campaign is treating Hillary. To quote Bill..."Give me a break!"
Obama and Hillary have been dicing each other up, that's not to be un-expected these days. But Bill's spinning and complaining and parsing is very disengenuous and phony.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Bad Bill!



Former President Bill Clinton has been showing an ugly side of his erstwhile charming personality. The Clintons have been doing a "good cop-bad cop" routine on the campaign trail lately and Ole Bill has been "the bad cop."
I think they need to re-think Bill's role. If it were up to me I would send Bill off on a long around the world trip.

"I Have A Dream!..."

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Dem Front Runners Get Down And Dirty!

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Economic Stimulus





Thursday, January 17, 2008
An Idea For A Quick Cash Infusion Into A Sick Economy

By Dicky Neely

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke was on TV today sounding a cautious note. "Recently, incoming information has suggested that the baseline outlook for real activity in 2008 has worsened and that the downside risks to growth have become more pronounced…I agree fiscal action could be helpful in principle,” said Bernanke.
Many economists, in and out of government, are much less optimistic than Bernanke and either forecast impending recession or say we are beginning one already. Nearly all are in agreement the economy is in need of a quick fix of cash, out in circulation, buying and selling things.
Many ideas are being floated such as rebates and, of course, tax cuts.
So far the type of tax cuts most favored by the Bush administration are income tax cuts which have primarily benefited the upper levels of income. Some studies indicate little of that money found its way directly into the economy.
There is a way to make a tax cut that will have a nearly instant impact and will also immediately work to bring down inflation.
The Federal and State governments could declare a gasoline tax holiday for an indefinite period. This would result in an immediate result, the first time someone fills their tank they would save a considerable amount, The average savings would be around 42.8 cents per gallon. That would add up, if you bought ten gallons that means $4.28 that stays in your pocket. (These price figures are from a website, http://www.gaspricewatch.com/usgastaxes.asp and are from 2005, updated figures would likely mean a higher savings.) This would require no new bureaucracy, no applications, no forms, no paper work and would keep your money right in your own pocket to do with it what you will.
If the gasoline tax vacation was continued for, say, six months or more it would likely have a huge, beneficial effect on inflation.
This is a simple, doable idea and one well worth considering.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

G.W.'s Middle East Trip; Ultimate In Impotence!



President G.W.'s current trip to the Middle East is the manifestation of a lame duck's ultimate impotence.
In a fresh round of violence, probably sparked by his visit, Hamas fired rockets into Israel and the Israelis responded with incursions and strikes into Hamas territory in the Gaza Strip.
Bush praised the Egyptians even while their civil rights record and lack of political freedom and free press exceeds the repression Bush claims exits in Iran.
The countries of the Middle East, as the rest of the world, have their eyes on the coming Presidential election and any hope of real progress until a new administration takes over is probably illusory.
Bush largely ignored the Palestine/Israeli conflict during his terms, especially early on when he might have been able to accomplish something.
Bush has said he saw real hope of a peace plan taking effect "...Before I leave office." Wonder what he is smoking?

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Economy In The Tank. The Bubble Has Burst!!










Links:
http://salcostello.blogspot.com/
http://midlifemutations.blogspot.com/
http://www.ostroyreport.blogspot.com/
http://fuzzyandblue.blogspot.com/
http://jcdesigns.blogspot.com/
http://majikthise.typepad.com/
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/
http://www.slate.com/
http://www.dailykos.com/
http://www.impeach07.org/
http://sonnyboy3.wordpress.com/2007/08/22/bush-needs-brain-again/

Saturday, January 12, 2008

GOP Economic Models


Friday, January 11, 2008

Fred Thompson; South Carolina his Waterloo?





Former Senator Fred Thompson was asked if South Carolina was going to be like Custer's Last Stand for him. He replied "Custer didn't fare too well. I think it will be more like my Waterloo." He looked a bit puzzled and then added "I mean like Wellington's Waterloo." Hmmm ...maybe Richard Nixon was right about Fred Thompson when he said, as revealed on the Watergate tapes, "That Fred Thompson, he's dumb as hell!"

Kipling On Afghanistan...







Click on pic for larger image



The United States just announced plans to send 3,000 Marines to bolster our forces in Afghanistan in preparation for an expected spring offensive by the Taliban.
The current situation in Afghanistan is probably not as rosy as many have been inclined to paint it. While it is improving, the construction of roads, schools, hospitals and many of the things needed to help the people of Afghanistan is lagging behind predictions and is falling short of what is required.
If the Karzai government is ever to stand on its own it must deliver on its promises and must get out from the shadow of the United States.
Afghanistan has a long history of defeating invaders. For the U.S. to have a lasting effect we must be seen as friends and not as invaders and occupiers.
When the Russians pulled out of Afghanistan after their disastrous experience there, they lost over 100,000 soldiers and their puppet government fell as soon as they left, a Russian general was asked about the experience. He quoted some verses from Kipling’s A Young British Soldier, and added “…We should have read more Kipling!”

When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
An' go to your Gawd like a soldier.
Go, go, go like a soldier,
Go, go, go like a soldier,
Go, go, go like a soldier,
So-oldier ~of~ the Queen!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Republican Debate Sees Most Candidates Wrap Themselves In Mantle Of Ronald Reagan

G.W. Bush Thinks He Is "The King O' The World!"


President Bush was in Palestine Wednesday and predicted that a Mideast peace treaty would be completed by the time he leaves office.
"I'm on a timetable," he told reporters. "I've got 12 months."
Twelve months! He has had seven years and has done little if anything.
This is the President who scornfully attacked former president Bill Clinton as being too much concerned about his legacy. Now the word ’legacy’ appears to be on the mind of this the lamest of lame ducks.
This so-called advocate of bringing democracy to the Middle East has a bit of a problem in Palestine where an election brought to power Hamas, a group Bush calls a terrorist organization. So he has a meeting with Mahmoud Abbas, the man who was overturned by that election. After the Hamas victory Abbas promptly formed a separate government dividing the Palestinian Authority territory.
Hamas took over the volatile Gaza Strip in June of last year.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

The Prez Has No Clothes



I have run this cartoon before but I have thought of no better metaphor for this presidency.

Monday, January 07, 2008

Younger Voters To Play Big Role In '08 Elections


Pic: Young voters in Iowa eat pizza at a caucus party

Young voters are going to be a big factor in the elections this year. 57% of voters in the Democratic caucuses in Iowa were 17-29. 50% of voters nationwide will be in this age group in the 2008 Presidential election.
Barack Obama seems poised to be the main beneficiary of this youth movement. In fact, it seems Obama is generating more interest and support from younger voters than any other candidate since Robert Kennedy’s campaign ended tragically in 1968.
This can only be a good thing. The zeal and enthusiasm of youth is a necessary ingredient if the old political order is to be over turned, or at least dented severely!

Sunday, January 06, 2008

Independent and Undecided Voters To Sway Election

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Candidates Ask For Change

Friday, January 04, 2008

Huckabuck Wins GOP Caucuses In Iowa



Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee won the GOP portion of the Iowa caucuses yesterday. This came as a shock to Mitt Romney and many in the so-called Republican Establishment. Though Romney far outspent Huckabee he trailed far behind in the totals.
The "Aw shucks" candidate, Ole Huckabuck,connected with Republicans as a more genuine candidate than the too-perfect, styled and pressed Romney. Not bad for a guy who believes the earth was created in six days around six thousand years ago by the spirit in the sky.

Obama Wins In Iowa!


Barack Obama scored an historic upset win in the Iowa caucuses yesterday as the long campaign really got underway.
The number of voters on the Democratic side was tremendous. Considering the weather the large turnout is amazing.
Secondly, the numbers of young voters was interesting. This could be the key to the campaign. If younger voters can be energized they could play a significant role in eventual victory.
I think the Democrats are on a good track to win back the White House and enlarge the majorities in Congress but it is no time for complacency. You know the GOP will get down and dirty in the general election.

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Electoral College Should Be Done Away With!





“The electoral college is a ticking time bomb within the constitution," Michael Young, USA Today, May 1998

Once again we are in the four year Presidential election cycle. We used to take pride in the fact that the voters get to make the decision about who will lead the nation. That pride was greatly tarnished in the botched 2000 election which saddled us with the G.W. Bush Presidency. Such a situation would never have occurred if we actually practiced the truly democratic principle of one man, one vote. The election was stolen by the Supreme court decision which favored G.W. Bush and led to his being installed as President. The candidate who became President received the smallest number of votes.
It's time to get rid of the electoral college. It's an anachronism, a holdover from an era when communications took days, weeks and months.
Twice before in U.S. history the winner of the popular vote lost the electoral tally.
This is just wrong and should not happen in these days of advanced communications and computerized data bases.
In each election cycle there are calls for the end to this system but after the elections these fade away.
It's time to put an end to this outdated electoral relic.