Nicks NotesNicks NotesPolitics, Entertainment, Sports, and the rest of the world, seen through the eyes of a New York Twentysomething Articles
Reid Shows Some Leadership
2007-11-17 03:02:00 Harry Reid actually stood up to President Bush. Reid is vowing to keep the Senate in session during Thansgiving break to prevent any recess appointment.It's a shrewed, smart, calculating political move I applaud Reid for doing this and taking a stand.Hopefully, he wont back down on this one. More About: Congress , Leadership , Harry Reid , Some
Happy Hour
2007-11-16 22:57:00 -WE WANT THE DEMOCRATS TO GET THE TROOPS OUT OF IRAQ AND THEY WON'T, but we just don't want them to do it by cutting funding or we'll elect Republicans.-We like that other anti-gay, anti-choice, anti-freedom of religion uptight guy too, you know, the one who isn't Mormon.-Move over Red Cross and Red Crescent, here comes Jihad to the Rescue.-And now everyone can breathe a collective sigh of relief.-Curtis Silwa wants to run for New York City Public Advocate...so he can fire himself.-Ahhh, the unintended consequences of the pro-life obsession.-Perhaps if he had an decency to live by any of them, Rudy Giuliani would know they're actually called Commandments. The sad reality; the group of conservative lawyer lemmings clapped anyway.-One is a globally respect Nobel Laureate, the other the most unpopular leader in American history...Karma's a bitch ain't it. -Mr. Big Man Fiscal Conservative and his minions don't want Democrats spending your hard earned taxpayer money...unless they... More About: Happy Hour , Happy , Hour
And You Thought Iran Was Bad?
2007-11-16 10:30:00 From Saudi Arabia , our partners in peace, our partners in the War on Terrorism.President Bush actually held hands with the leader of the country that condones this.And we stand idly by a let it happen. Some superpower we are. More About: Iran , Thought , Islamic fundamentalism
Houses Passes Electronic Surveillance Bill
2007-11-16 08:18:00 The bill wasn't what Bush wanted. It strengthens court oversight over surveillance of suspected terrorists, but does not include immunity to telecommunications corporations who assisted in eavesdropping American citizens.So if you helped the government committ a crime, you're not getting away with it.The vote was 227-189Five Republicans voted in favor;John Duncan (R-Tennessee)Jeff Flake (R-Arizona)Wayne Gilcrest (R-Maryland)Bob Inglis (R-South Carolina)Wayne Jones (R-North CarolinaFive Democrats voted against;John Barrow (D-Georgia)Mike Capuano (D-Massachusetts)Nick Lampson (D-Texas)Mike Michaud (D-Maine)Jose Serrano (D-New York)Capuano, Michaud and Serrano oppose any bill authorizing government surveillance. Other opponents, such as Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) and Ron Paul (R-Texas) were not present.Interestingly enough, Democrats picked up the votes of some of their usual dissenters on national security, like Dan Boren (D-Oklahoma), Jim Marshall (D-Georgia) and Gene Taylor (D-Missi... More About: Congress , Electronic , Surveillance , Houses , War on Terrorism
Republican Wakes Up: Iraqi Government Needs No More Money
2007-11-16 06:39:00 I always liked Lindsey Graham, even when he endorsed the neofascist principles of the Republican party.He's right here, there needs to be political change in Iraq , and if we're going to keep our troops there, then dammit, we're going to push this country's government to get their damn act together. More About: Congress , Government , Money
The Illusion of Success
2007-11-16 06:16:00 If the surge has produced anything, it's produced an excellent illusion that Iraq is under a great transformation. Do I think that's true? Not really. It seems to me all we did is plug a leak with our finger and the only way to keep it the leak from starting up again is to keep our finger there forever.But that's not how the people will see it. I'm convinced of this. Americans very easily change their minds on issues and then blame the politicians who just did what they wanted. Remember, nearly two-thirds of Americans supported the Iraq war and nearly two-thirds of Congress voted for it. Now we don't want it anymore and what do we do? We blame Bush, Congressional Republicans and Congressional Democrats. We should be blaming ourselves for buying the administration's excellent work of fiction and letting our post-9/11 emotions get the best of us. Are we going to do it again? Are we going to buy the idea that this "success" forces us to stay in Iraq another five years, elect a Pr... More About: Iran , Iraq War , Pakistan , Success
I'll Be Pro-Life If You Vote For Me!
2007-11-16 04:52:00 Big man...Big Man!Giuliani, who stands up for abortion rights, stands up for gay rights, stands up for stem-cell research will appoint judges who believe otherwise just so 25% of the country will vote for him.Really Rudy, if you're so damn tough, loose being real instead of winning being fake.I'm looking at you too Hillary. More About: Life , Rudy Giuliani , Pro-Life , Vote , Same-Sex Marriage
Debate Open Thread
2007-11-16 04:39:00 No, I didn't watch itWell, I watched a piece of it...I like Wolf Blitzer, but he seems to think he's doing a simultaneous interview on The Situation Room instead of moderating a debate.Clinton bounced back, although I don't think she did that bad last time minus the immigration question. I don't think any of these guys can debate, which scares me when they're up against the bloodthristy bastards on the GOP side. I feel like Giuliani will tear these guys apart and the idiot population will buy his crap.I'm worried. More About: Open , Debate , Thread
IL-14: Hastert Resigning, Really This Time
2007-11-15 22:43:00 He will step down at some point this year.Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert bid his colleagues farewell in a final speech Thursday, expressing worry about the "breakdown of civility" in politics.Funny, considering it was under his Speakership that the breakdown in civility began.Hastert's resignation will trigger a Special Election, perhaps the most contentious one so far in the 110th Congress. (MA-05 was pretty contentious, but to me, it was never a question who would win, it was just by how much).Hastert's seat was considered a potential Demcoratic pickup in 2008. If Hastert is gone by January 1st, Governor Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, may schedule a special election for the seat on February 5th, the same day as the Democratic primary, which may bring out a slew of Democratic voters who are out for Obama, their native son, increasing the chances of a Democratic pickup.HOWEVERFebruary 5th may just be a primary election day, setting up two candidates for a later general election... More About: Barack Obama , Time , Aster , Signing
The Price of Family
2007-11-15 22:16:00 Hey, gas prices may be skyhigh, but I'll just bitch and moan cause ain't nothing gonna keep me from eating turkey and watching Uncle Tommy get drunk and call Cousin Tiffany a slut. More About: Family , Gas Prices , Price
Houses Passes War Funding Bill
2007-11-15 06:06:00 Bill requires the President to begin withdrawing troops in 30 days with the goal of complete withdrawal by December, 2008.He will, of course, veto it.It passed 218-203-1Four Republicans voted Yea;Walter Jones (R-North Carolina)Phil English (R-Pennsylvania)Christopher Shays (R-Connecticut)Jim Walsh (R-New York)Wayne Gilchrest (R-Maryland) a known war opponent, voted nay.Fifteen Democrats voted Nay;Tom Allen (D-Maine)- opposes all fundingBrian Baird (D-Washington)- supports funding, after opposing it in the pastDan Boren (D-Oklahoma)Jim Cooper (D-Tennessee)Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) opposes all fundingNick Lampson (D-Texas)Jim Marshall (D-Georgia)Jim Matheson (D-Utah)Michael McNulty (D-New York)- opposes all fundingMike Michaud (D-Maine)- opposes all fundingVic Snyder (D-Arkansas)Pete Stark (D-California)- opposes all fundingJohn Tanner (D-Tennessee)Gene Taylor (D-Mississippi)John Lews (D-Georgia) voted Present. More About: Congress , Iraq War , Houses , Funding , Bill
Spitzer Drops License Plan, A Note on Immigration
2007-11-14 18:36:00 Thank God.This is a contentious plan that saw no short-term effects to the voting public and little long-term effects to justify forcing it into law against massive public opposition. The voting public, whether it be because of racism, xenophobia, or just that it aggravates them that illegal immigrants found their way to America easier than their ancestors, do not show sympathy with immigrants who come here illegally.It is true that some immigrants are forced, by economic or political means, to come to the United States illegally, and most come here looking for a decent living and not to take advantage of our social services. Sure some illegal immigrants are forced into slave labor just to keep themselves in the country, but the American people do not show sympathy with their plight.Americans see their country has something that needs to be earned. Their ancestors sold everything they had to get on overcrowded, dirty boats for weeks at a time only to come to Ellis Island and be forc... More About: Immigration , Note , Eliot Spitzer , Plan , Spitzer
Suicide By Cop
2007-11-14 00:01:00 I backed them over the Amadou Diallo case, I even back them over the Sean Bell caseBut this is in no way the cops' fault. This was suicide by cop. This kid was menally ill. He was suicidal and he led everyone around him to believe he was armed and dangerous.The only question I have is...20 rounds???? Have we not learned anything from Diallo. More About: Suicide
Tancredo's Appeal To The Ignorant
2007-11-13 19:22:00 Cause nothing makes you vote for a guy more than seeing an ad with a bomb in a shopping mall before the holiday season. Those scary villainous Islamic Mexican terrorists!What do you expect from a man who thinks nuking Mecca will actually STOP terrorism, rather than exacerbate it. More About: Tom Tancredo , Appeal
Monday Afternoon Amusement
2007-11-12 21:43:00 -Ok, now everyone in Georgia can stop worrying, the Governor is praying, that should solve everything.-The Pope is coming to America to stop priests from touching little children...and say a mass or two.-Conservatives like Fox News, country music and movies where things blow up, Liberals like everything else.-Max out your credit card at the Woodfield Mall or Sherman Oaks Galleria, put yourself into thousands of dollars in debt, or the terrorists win. -McCain 's mom tells us Mormons bribe people, even know the Mayor of Salt Lake City who was accused of doing it, was a Catholic.-I'm the King of Spain BITCH! Don't make us colonize your sorry ass again!-Gordon Brown , haven't you learned from your predecessor, the British Prime Minister is supposed to obey his lord and master in Washington, D.C. C'Mon, man, even the French are taking orders from us now. More About: Mitt Romney , War on Terrorism , Homeland Security
Senate Rankings: Week of November 11th
2007-11-11 23:55:00 Solid Democrat:ArkansasDelawareIllinoisIowaMass achusettsMichiganMontanaNew JerseyRhode IslandWest VirginiaLikely Democrat:South DakotaVirginiaLean Democrat:New HampshireNew MexicoSlight Lean Democrat:LouisianaColoradoTossup:Minnesot aSlight Lean Republican:MaineOregonLean Republican:KentuckyLikely Republican:AlaskaIdahoNebraskaNorth CarolinaOklahomaTexasSolid Republican:AlabamaGeorgiaKansasMississipp iSouth CarolinaTennesseeWyomingWyoming (Barasso) More About: Senate , Week , November , November 11th , Senat
NM-Sen: Udall Is Running
2007-11-11 01:01:00 US Representative Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) is officially running for the US Senate seat being vacated by Pete DomeniciUdall had originally decided not to run, but has since changed his mind. Udall has polled stronger than any other New Mexico Democrat, minus Governor Richardson.Udall represents Northern New Mexico, including Santa Fe and Taos and part of Eastern New Mexico, includin Clovis, in the House. He is the son of Stewart Udall, former Arizona congressman and Secretary of the Interior during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations and the nephew of Mo Udall, Stewart's brother who also was an Arizona congressman and a Presidential candidate in 1976.Udall's candidancy means all three members of the New Mexico House delegation are running. Republicans Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce are also running. Udall has polled over Wilson and Pearce in the double digits in recent polling.Udall is less certain than Mark Warner in Virginia, but more certain than his cousin, Mark Udall in ... More About: Running
WY-AL: Cubin to retire
2007-11-10 06:24:00 Two in one dayWyoming's Barbara Cubin, who barely won reelection last year in a state where Bush won 69% of the vote, is retiring next year.This is good for the GOP, as the seat is risky with Cubin, but safe without her. More About: Retire , Tire
Happy Hour
2007-11-09 22:15:00 -How could you put me on trial?I truimphed over adversity! I'm the 9/11 hero guy! Do you hate America that much? But...remember 9/11? If you put me in jail, the terrorists win.-No, Georgia can go f*&% itself, we're Florida and we need the water so our lawns outside our McMansions can be green and lush. After all, we're only surronded on water on THREE sides, not FOUR.-Terrorists are threatening to stage a coup in Pakistan , so it goes without saying Musharraf will have to put a Western-educated female advocate of democracy until house arrest.-AMERICA SUPPORT THE ADVANCEMENT OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY, AND WILL FIGHT TYRANTS WHEREVER THEY ARE...except South Asia. -Gee, if we try to pull out of Iraq in the middle of the Veterans Day clearance sale, we might piss off a few dozen people in Oklahoma.-Hey, Even Republicans see little green men.-The death penalty is a deterrent, even when they never use it, at least that's what New Jersey Republicans say.-Giuliani says he has experien... More About: Congress , Iraq War , Rudy Giuliani
NJ-03: Saxton to retire
2007-11-09 21:24:00 A huge blow to the GOP.Saxton's district is D+3. Bush narrowly lost it, but Corzine and Menendez both won it.State Senator John Adler is running as a Democrat for the seat. While there are some Republican state legislators in the district, Adler is running in what would be a Democratic year in an open Democratic seat.Giuliani is the only thing that can save Republicans here, and even then, this district is in South Jersey; Cherry Hill and Mount Holly, and not in North Jersey where Giuliani is strong.Slight Lean Democrat. More About: Retire , Tire
Bush's First Override
2007-11-08 19:06:00 I'm sure he's thrilled.The Senate joined the House in giving Bush his first override of a veto, of the water projects bill. The Senate voted to overrie 79-14, joining the House, which voted on Tuesday to override 361-54.The news would cover it, but of course OJ Simpson is arriving at a courthouse in Las Vegas, so they're a little busy right now. More About: Congress , George W
Well, Well, Well
2007-11-08 06:32:00 Turns out the possibility that one day Iran may develop one nuke isn't the biggest concern for us after all. More About: Pakistan , Foreign Policy , Well
Music Memory Jar: November 8, 1997
2007-11-08 05:00:00 Mary McAleese is elected President of Ireland...her presidency remains. Ramzi Yousef is found guilty of masterminding the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center...his prison term remainsA very pregnant Iowa woman Bobbi McCaughey gives birth to seven children at once...yes seven children...her utereus remainsA high school freshman finds solace by sitting in his attic window at night, looking out over New York City and listening to the music of Marilyn Manson, Filter, Silverchair, Korn, and yes, Metallica. Ten years later...well...The Memory Remains More About: Music , November
House Passes ENDA
2007-11-08 04:07:00 That is the Employee Non-Discrimination Act that prevents employers from firing people because of their sexual orientation.In a perfect world, a law like this would be moot and just more unnecessary government intervention, but even my semi-libertarian heart can't overlook the fact that the LGBT community is treated like second class citizens in much of this country. Like I always say, if Americans are going to act like children, the government should treat them like children.35 Republicans voted for the bill;Judy Biggert (R-Illinois)Mary Bono (R-California)John Campbell (R-California)Mike Castle (R-Delaware)Tom Davis (R-Virginia)Charlie Dent (R-Pennsylvania)Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-Florida)Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Florida)David Drier (R-California)Jeff Flake (R-Arizona)Vito Fossella (R-New York)Rod Frelinghuysen (R-New Jersey)Jim Gerlach (R-Pennsylvania)Wayne Gilchrest (R-Maryland)Davd Hobson (R-Ohio)Mark Kirk (R-Illinois)Joe Knollenberg (R-Michigan)Randy Kuhl (R-New York)Frank LoBiondo... More About: Congress , House
Election Night Recap
2007-11-07 16:10:00 It was a pretty good day for Democrats, with some exceptions here and there;In the big race of the year; Kentucky's Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher lost reelection in a landslide, being defeated by former Lieutenant Governor Steve Beshear, a Democrat, 59%-41%. Beshear even carried the heavily Republican Cincinnatti suburbs, which Fletcher carried by over 20 points in 2003. Kentucky's Lieutenant Governor-elect Dan Mongiardo was Senator Jim Bunning's 2004 opponent who nearly ousted him, earning a surprising 49% of the vote.Democratic State Auditor Crit Luallen won her reelection campaign in a similar landslide, and, according to some sources, is being touted as an opponent to Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, the Senate Minorty Leader, next year.In Mississippi, Democrat John Eaves Jr. lost the Governor's race to incumbent Republican Haley Barbour, but Barbour's 58%-42% victory is smaller than most had expected. Barbour's key to victory lay along the state's Gulf Coast, whe... More About: Night , Election , Recap , Suffolk County , Staten Island
Polls vs. Mood
2007-11-06 20:50:00 Conventional wisdom points to an inevitable Clinton vs. Giuliani race, which seems to lean ever so slightly to Hillary, but when you feel the true pulse of America, it's hard to find anyone who is truly behind one of the other.I've heard many times in conversations with family and friends that a vote for one is against the other "Giuliani's a fascist, so I'll have to vote for Clinton" or "Clinton is wishy-washy, so I'll have to vote to Giuliani, even though he's just like Bush"Why not vote for either? This election is a year from being over, and a lot can happen in a year. Remember, if you will, of the inevitability of Edmund Muskie in 1972, Ted Kennedy in 1980, Gary Hart in 1984, Paul Tsongas in 1992 and Howard Dean in 2004.Andrew Sullivan feels the pulse of America;There are only two candidates who effectively respond to this desire for change of direction abroad and repair at home. They are Barack Obama for the Democrats and Ron Paul for the Republicans. The voters most eng... More About: Hillary Clinton , Mitt Romney , Polls
MN-Sen: Franken, Ciresi Strong
2007-11-06 05:54:00 Survey USA;Coleman (R)- 46%Franken (D)- 45%Coleman (R)- 44%Ciresi (D)- 44%Coleman is surprisingly weak, and Franken is surprisingly strong. Ciresi doesn't really shock me. Rasmussen's numbers are a little more believable;Coleman (R)- 49%Franken (D)- 42%Coleman (R)- 46%Ciresi (D)- 43%Tossup More About: Strong
VA-Sen: Warner, Mark Still Dominates
2007-11-06 05:42:00 Even without Tom Davis in the race;Survey USA;Warner , Mark (D)- 57%Gilmore (R)- 35%Likely Democrat More About: Mina , Domin
Women At The Helm
More articles from this author:2007-11-06 05:32:00 One year before what could be what may be the most important election in American history, the people of the United States of America are faced with the real possibility their next leader, and the next leader of the world's only superpower, may very well be a woman.A woman in charge is not necessarily a new concept to our nation; 20 States have elected women governors, including large states like Texas and New Jersey. Numerous large American cities such as Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Dallas, Kansas City and Atlanta have all elected women mayors. Women have been at the helm of powerful companies, including Hewlett Packard and Kraft Foods, but a woman at the head of everything, sitting in the Oval Office with the title "Commander-in-Chief?" The closest Americans ever got to having a woman in the White House was in 1984, when New York Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro was chosen as the running mate of Former Vice President Walter Mondale, the Mondale/Ferraro ticket... More About: Hillary Clinton , Helm 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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