Thursday, March 11, 2004

Cassandra Wanders Odds and Ends Rangel Misses An Opportunity Bush Changes The Subject The Republicans Piss Off the Wrong People Charlie Rangel, a helluva nice guy and a snappy dresser, smart as they come and yet... There he is on NightLine The Bushie who was on serves up a juicy softball, right over the plate, moving in SloMo, "Kerry slashed the intelligence budget..." Ted the Head goes to a commercial promising Charlie his turn in 90 seconds that's all the time in the world to spit on your hands, hitch your pants, cock the bat and get ready to swing for the bleachers And... And... Charlie bunts to the third baseman. (What's with the sports analogies all of a sudden?) Rangel said something along the lines of: "Long legislative career...complicated issues...Bush is changing the subject..." His response was so meaningless and fumphering our brains tuned out. So, the question is, how hard would it have been for Rangel to point out that in 1995 it was discovered that the National Reconnaisance Office (they're the guys with the satellites) had squirreled away $1 billion dolars of the funds they had been appropriated. They got the money because they said they needed to spend it, if they didn't spend it, but instead hid it away from the Pentagon and every oversite agency, they had asked for too much money. So, John Kerry introduced a bill to cut their future appropriations by $1 billion dollars. Bob Kerrey and Arlen Specter co-sponsored a similar bill. That's the "slashing" of the intelligence budget. And that's what Rangel should have said. ............................................................................................ Q: "Considering the reaction of a number of people, including families of 9/11 victims, wouldn't it make sense to remove the images of Ground Zero and the flag draped coffin from the President's ads?" A: "The President believes that the events were 9/11 were a defining moment in his presidency and that he has every right to talk about 9/11." Say What? Who the hell said "don't talk about 9/11?" We ought to talk about 9/11. Some people want to talk about Mr. Bush's leadership or his declaration of a "war on terrorism." Some people want to talk about what could or should have been done to prevent the attack Or where Mr. Bush was that day. Or why he is doing all he can to impede the 9/11 coommission. Or why he has broken his promises to fully fund police and firemen. All that should be talked about BUT... THAT WASN'T THE QUESTION! Why use the images of ground zero and a coffin filled with remains in your ads? Talk all you want about 9/11, but have some respect and keep your promise not to politicize this terrible thing. Take credit for what you've done take blame for what you failed to do And keep your ad agency away from ground zero! ............................................................................................. And speaking of those victims' families... Do the Bushies really want to start a fight with them? Many of those families are unhappy with the use of 9/11 images in Bush ads. Bush could have reacted by saying: "The terrible events of 9/11 are so important to us all that we have to discuss them in this election. But, I can see that the use of images of Ground Zero is painful to the families of those we have lost. And so, I have asked my re-election committee to remove those images from my advertisments." Boy, that would show class, and caring, and all sorts of other good things. Instead the Bush people tried to dismiss the complainers: They're a bunch of lefties. They're Kerry supporters. They were coached by Democrats. They were paid by Theresa Heinz. Some who complained were, in fact, Kerry backers. Some were undecided. Some were Bush supporters. And right now, one hell of a lot of them are pissed. No one likes to be dismissed or mischaracterized or accused of having secret motives. Some of these people were a bit unhappy with Bush before the ads were made. They felt that Bush was impeding the 9/11 commission. This didn't improve their moods. Are these really the enemies that Bush wants to have? Do the Republicans really want to see hundreds of 9/11 families staging a silent protest outside the convention in New York City next September? Ya gotta wonder... Is the Bush camp's sense of absolute entitlement, their belief in their own perpetual rightness their over-reaction to any disagreement... is all that gonna bite them in the ass? Cassandra is brought to you by The Republican National Committee   We'll get it right next time. 8:29:35 PM    comment []

Cassandra Applauds Racicot Makes It To Finals Comedy Segment of American Idol Marc Racicot, Chairman of Bush-Cheney 04,  brought down the house with his "High Dudgeon" act last night. Even normally unpleasable Simon Cowell was overcome by laughter, saying: "Look, funny is funny and this guy is great!" Using John Kerry's whispered "These guys are the most crooked, you know, lying group I've ever seen. It's scary," as a springboard, Racicot's feigned outrage was the hit of the evening. Racicot began with: "Senator Kerry's statement today in Illinois was unbecoming of a candidate for the presidency of the United States of America, and tonight we call on Senator Kerry to apologize to the American people for this negative attack." That brought howls from the audience, with none louder than Adam Clymer. Clymer then did an imitation of George Bush's famous line from the 2000 campaign.: "There's Adam Clymer, major league asshole from The New York Times." Cowell couldn't resist taking the Cheney role. growling back "Oh, yeah, big time." But the two quickly quieted down when they realized that Racicot wasn't done, all this was only a build-up to his punchline: "On the day that Senator Kerry emerged as his party's presumptive nominee, the president called to congratulate him. That goodwill gesture has been met by attacks and false statements." The "goodwill" line caused the audience to erupt in a full two minutes of applause, foot-stomping and whistles of appreciation. Cassandra is brought to you by The Comedy Channel .  You'll laugh so hard you'll shit! 10:20:43 AM    comment []

Cassandra Predicts You Heard It Here First Shhhhhh, Don't Tell Bill! In late October expect to see William Safire announce that he's sitting this election out. He'll give his reasons that he can't vote for Bush, throw in a slam at Kerry, and sit on his thumbs. Cassandra is brought to you by eXcilliva .  Helps Break Up The Gas. 2:44:35 AM    comment []