Archive for July, 2007

I’ve been on the road having somewhat of a summer vacation. MotoGP was the first destination. A few pics until I can get more time to post…

Very fast motorcycles….

Casey Stoner… 2007 MotoGP Winner

Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden rounding turn 7 in the qualifying round. You wouldn’t think this was a casual run they way these guys were riding.

After the long ride, home for a couple days… back on the road. Nice shot of Hood I thought.

First night stop, McMenamins in Forest Grove Or. What a very cool place.

More later…

Yeah, Rossi’s guy has some great ideas…

Look, if you want to support Rossi, that is fine. But really, didn’t the Wa. Republicans go bitchin about our gov’s stance on crime and how loose it was being played? Maybe DDT is the answer to Catholic priests?

I have one big question… at what point do we stop tolerating sexual abuse in the church and hold them accountable like the rest of us? Do we just let it go because of perceived “statutory limitations”?

Yeah, he has some great ideas alright…

I just got back from a 2300 mile motorcycle ride to Laguna Seca. Much to do but I will be posting on the trip and some of the interesting happenings, as well as a digital ton of pictures.

Is it ever good to be home.

This has already been posted over on Horsesass and The Stranger’s Slog, but in case you missed it…

I know good republicans who find it hard to believe there are whack jobs like this in their party. And I know good republicans who know all about them (I also know a few whacked out Democrats). But this is the madness we all face. And it stands right next to Dino Rossi. Advising him. That is scary…

It’s another hot, hot day and it’s gonna get hotter. I heard 110 by Friday. No, this isn’t a weather report. It’s a reminder that Drinking Liberally in the Tri-Cities is tonight! So along with the hot weather, come on down and have some hot conversation over a cold one!

Drinking Liberally in the Tri-Cities
O’Callahans - Shilo Inn
50 Comstock Rd.
Richland

The Drinking Liberally web site has dates and times for 210 chapters in 44 states (plus DC). And if you don’t find a chapter near you…start one!

That’s right… the list is hers and hers to do with as she wishes. This could be interesting stuff. It appears the list was not part of the indictment and is considered personal property. Without the government able to argue its relevance to seize it, Palfrey, who may be free to do with the list as she chooses, is not seeking monetary gain (an argument prosecutors use to prevent profit from illegal activity of sorts), but rather plans to give the list away freely.

Umm… wow!

[via Citizens for Legitimate Government.]

Come celebrate an early 4th of July tonight at Drinking Liberally in the Tri-Cities. I heard through the grapevine there are some newcomers so come on down an celebrate Democracy… one pint at a time!

Cheers!

Drinking Liberally in the Tri-Ciies
O’Callahan’s - Shilo
50 Comstock Rd. Richland

Not in the Tri-Cities? For a full list of Drinking Liberally organizations check out Drinkingliberally.org

“When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose.” ~ Bob Dylan

That seems to be the consensus with the Bush sentence commute of Lewis Libby. Bush, a President with historically low poll numbers and a history of disregarding the rule of law has done what everyone expected. Not much I could write here that already hasn’t been written. Editor and Publisher has rounded up listing of editorials from around the nation. Relatively few would call this compassionate but rather a blatant misuse of power. Again, nothing new there. Just the ongoing theme of the Bush administration.

Marcy Wheeler notes the fact that Libby was protecting Bush and Cheney and this predictable outcome:

But is there really nothing to lose? I suppose that depends on how lucid the general public is at the end of day. Or should I say how lucid Republicans can become, and how quickly they can distance themselves from the thuggery that has taken over the much of their party. This latest transaction, and I will call it a transaction simply because it was payment by the Bush administration for loyalty, stands out as yet more proof that the current power in the Republican party believes it is above the same laws that govern you and I, and rank and file Republicans should beware. This will come back in 2008. Ironically, the same part of the population up in arms about the laws of immigration or criminal penalties not being consistently enforced will get tired of hearing one thing and getting another. That hard right strain of the party, already moving toward isolation will stray and the more moderate will be dismayed. It’s contradiction and hypocrisy will confuse the message to the point right leaning folks just might give up.

I don’t know if it will fracture the party, but it certainly makes the rethug speak incoherent.

And another Dylan lyric comes to mind…

When you think that you lost everything, you find out you can always lose a little more.

More interesting reading:

Darryl has some interesting thoughts over at HA

The General makes some comparisons

Watch “The Water Girls” downplay the issue. Very revealing that somehow this was a waste of time… you know, that rule of law thing.

More interesting stuff at Americablog

And Bush will probably take it a step further.

Update: A note on the matter from Washington’s 8th CD Candidate, Darcy Burner:

All Men Created Equal?

Tomorrow we celebrate the ratification of the Declaration of Independence, adopted on this day July 4, 1776.

Yesterday afternoon, President Bush commuted the sentence of Vice President Cheney’s former Chief of Staff and good friend, Scooter Libby.

Libby has been tried and convicted of the crimes of perjury and obstruction of justice. He had been the firewall that prevented Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald from learning whether or not the crime of leaking a covert agent’s identity for political purposes went as high as the Vice President or even the President.

So, are all men created equal or not? Or are President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and their friends and protectors above the law? President Bush seems to think so. This commutation of Libby’s sentence, this get-out-of-jail-free card, undermines the rule of law, the foundation upon which this country was created.

And is our 8th District Congressman, Dave Reichert, going to stand up for justice? Or does he think it’s just fine that President Bush subverted the rule of law when he commuted Scooter Libby’s sentence yesterday?

When Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence it included a litany of grievances against King George, most related to refusing to abide by the rule of law.

When the President of the United States subverts the laws of this country and the results of our court system, he skates dangerously close to the behavior that caused our founding fathers to rebel against the King George of their time. As the Declaration of Independence says, “A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.”

Busy weekend for me with a ride on Friday and camping the rest of the weekend. Between all the riding/driving on Friday I think I put in 600 miles.

But I have to share Fossil Oregon. Amazing route on a motorcycle and I’m half tempted to call in sick tomorrow and run it again.
Here is the map (click & save for larger image):

Twisties galore. If they were calories, I’d been a hefty 300lbs by end of the day.

Entering the valley towards Fossil is like dropping down into a cavernous hole in the earth. The descent seems to go on forever.

Despite the early rain, which didn’t quit until Bickleton… and almost immediately after I decided to put on the rain gear, the scenery was fantastic. And of course you actually got to see why they called it “Fossil” anyway. The large cliffs were leftovers from when The Big Flood came through and killed everyone but those faithful boat people and their pets… honest! (do I get the job yet?)

Another great ride.