[Crossposted from Latino Político]

Undisclosed sources have reported that late this afternoon, while singing his daily-shower rendition of the 2007 NeoCon Hit Bomb Bomb Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran, GOP Presidential Contender John McCain of Arizona was suddenly overcome by a nuclear reaction of an idea for the solution to winning the Global War on Terror™.

Let's engage in some omphaloskepsis, shall we?

It's Friday, many peeps are coming off the YearlyKos wave (not me, I was chained to my desk), and an explosion of kinetic energy has hit blogtopia (yes, skippy coined that phrase).  Actually, that's quite presumptive of me to say, isn't it?  I should clarify that my role has seemingly been shifted into a higher gear.  I'll get to the specifics in a jif, but want to begin with some thoughts that are stewing in my head.

Crossposted from Latino Político

The College Republicans are up to their dirty tricks again.

A Boise State University group has angered Latino leaders and other organizations by promoting a speech with a "food stamp drawing" that requires climbing through a hole in a fence and offering fake identification for a chance to win a dinner at a Mexican restaurant.j

[snip]

The flyer on the College Republicans' Web site is headlined "America's Illegal Alien Invasion" and has a picture of Vasquez as well as examples of a resident alien card, a Texas Health and Human Services Medicaid Card, Idaho driver's license and Social Security card.

It also contains an image of a highway caution sign that has a couple running while dragging a young child.

Above the sign at a slanted angle is "Celebrate Cesar Chavez Week."

continued...

I am writing today in response to the new advertisement by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), entitled Secure, which the DSCC unveiled earlier this week as part of the fall election campaign.  According to the DSCC's blog, From the Roots, you are promoting this commercial as a way to "make the nation safer and challenging GOP opponents on their national security stance."

Your Communications Director's decision to include the segment regarding illegal immigrants alongside imagery depicting the 2005 London train bombings, Osama bin Laden, and leaders of Iran and North Korea is nothing short of despicable.  At a time when thousands of local activists are working to engage and register new voters, many of them Latinos, to support you in the fall elections, this type of fear-mongering does nothing to instill confidence in Democrats' ability to advocate for the forgotten communities of this nation.

continued...

Things got heated around 2pm when they burned a Mexican flag, clearly trying to instigate a violent outburst.  Tedski from Rum, Romanism and Rebellion has more on the antics of these hate-mongers:

more below the fold...

He was a posthumous recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994 under the Presidency of Bill Clinton and was nominated for a Congressional Gold Medal in 2004 by leaders of the Democratic Party. Buildings, schools and streets across the United States have been renamed in his honor.

Here in Tucson, the city government is considering an official holiday to commemorate and honor his mission.  Even the U.S. Congress has a bill calling for a federal holiday, which is probably collecting dust somewhere in Speaker Hastert's office.

So who was this humble man on a mission of justice?

sígame...

Recognizing that by speaking together their message is stronger, 75 minority members of Congress have announced the formation of a new caucus to address their collective concerns.

Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus are creating a new group that will include all of their members. The Tri-Caucus will not replace the existing caucuses.  

[snip]

The caucuses members total about 75. While the groups are open to lawmakers from any party, the caucuses members are all Democrats, which limits their power because Republicans are in the majority in Congress. - linkage

more below...

Today's focus for the Twelve Days for Justice Protest revolves around Samuel Alito's consistent advocacy for corporate interests over workers' rights and the environment.  Judge Alito's views are consistent with the Bush Administration's which is proving to be a danger to our global climate and the health of the country's job numbers.

Links to previous diaries, today's sample form letter to send to the Senate Judiciary Committee and contact information for the Senators below the fold...

I think it's safe to declare victory for Operation Yellow Feather's original objective.  We have "Mean Jean" Schmidt on the run!

Schmidt, who sent Murtha a note of apology on Friday moments after her speech, said in a statement Tuesday that she never intended to attack Murtha personally.

"While I strongly disagree with his policy, neither Representative Bubp nor I ever wished to attack Congressman Murtha," she said. "I only take exception to his policy position."

Bubp said in a statement of his own Tuesday that his conversation with Schmidt "was based strictly on the proposal to immediately withdraw our troops from Iraq and the consequences of such a proposal."

Schmidt declined during an interview on Cincinnati radio station WLW to discuss her fellow Republican's denial: "I was repeating words. I am not going to get into that debate."

Neither Schmidt nor Bubp returned calls left at their offices Tuesday.

An update on the protest coalition and links to the downloads below the fold:

VICTORY news from the Tucson Citizen:

Ward 3

Kathleen Dunbar (Rep): 21511
38.43%

Karin Uhlich (Dem): 34395
61.45%

Ward 5

Steve Leal (Dem): 40501
97.49%

Ward 6

Fred Ronstadt (Rep): 19495
34.67%

Nina Trasoff (Dem): 36662
65.19%

Proposition 100 (Mayor & Council raises)

Yes: 27317
49.09%
No: 28325
50.91%

Proposition 400 (Home rule)

Yes: 30348
62.65%
No: 20417
37.35%

(emphasis mine)

Yesterday the Washington Post ran an article that gave us some new players from Dick Cheney's office who are under investigation from Fitzgerald.  Susanhu has a BooTrib frontpage story on two of them--David Wurmser and Catherine/Cathie/Kathy Martin; catnip also did some sleuthing on John Hannah, who has apparently flipped and is now aiding the investigation.

This diary will be a springboard of information regarding a new cast-member, Jennifer Millerwise Dyck, who has served in several PR positions that are key to unraveling the aspens. (picture taken from pbs.org archives)

More below...

[I did a DKos search but couldn't find anything, I feel strongly that this needs to be on the radar screen]

As many of you already know, this week the U.S. Senate received another Immigration Reform bill (PDF file at link).  The title of the diary is appropriate because it was sponsored by two Republicans--Jon Kyl (AZ) and John Cornyn (TX).  

Apparently these two border-state senators decided now would be a good time to give the middle finger to the tens of thousands of latinos and progressives in their states because this bill is full of hubris.  Compare and contrast it to the Kennedy-McCain bi-partisan bill sponsored and you will see what I mean.

Below the fold I will outline some of the provisions of their Comprehensive Enforcement and Immigration Reform Act of 2005.

From the Boston Globe:

The officer, Captain Leslie J. McCoy, who had commanded Guantanamo since March 2003, was the subject of an investigation into inappropriate personnel and administrative practices unrelated to the base's detention camp for suspected terrorists.

[snip]

McCoy was relieved of his duties Saturday by Rear Admiral Annette E. Brown, the region commander, who had ''lost confidence in his ability to effectively lead," Dooling said.

More Guantanamo outrage below the fold...

The campaign has already been picked up by Salon's Daou Report as well as being featured at Left of the Dial

What are you waiting for?  Join the blogger coalition and denounce torture.  Details and 4th of July downloads below the fold.

Details below the fold...

All snark aside, I wanted to take this opportunity to raise awareness in the BooTrib community about the true meaning of Cinco de Mayo as well as the deliberate attempt to hijack the cultural celebration.

Follow me...

Crossposted at BooMan Tribune

Action Needed!

Contact Gov. Napolitano to VETO SB1342.  With the recent developments in the Arizona legislature, you have every reason to be concerned that your vote may not count in the 2006 election and beyond. Unfortunately our Secretary of State, Janet Brewer, and her Republican colleagues in the legislature have blocked all legislative efforts at amending a voting equipment and procedures bill (SB 1342) that would require a voter verifiable ballot from electronic voting machines.  This unfortunate bill goes a step further and gives Jan Brewer the power to authorize the use of uncertified voting equipment! Despite valiant and at times passionate attempts by Representative Ted Downing and his Democratic colleagues in the Arizona House this bad bill is on its way to the Governor's desk.

More below...