Take a minute to read an article about the College Republican National Convention by Max Blumenthal.
Generation Chickenhawk - The Nation
By the time I encountered Cory Bray, a towering senior from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, the beer was flowing freely. “The people opposed to the war aren’t putting their asses on the line,” Bray boomed from beside the bar. Then why isn’t he putting his ass on the line? “I’m not putting my ass on the line because I had the opportunity to go to the number-one business school in the country,” he declared, his voice rising in defensive anger, “and I wasn’t going to pass that up.”
Attack of the College Republicans - Wonkette
A fascinating column appeared in the Washington Post today. Take a few minutes to read the column.
Taking Aim At Soros Is Hardly Politic - Washington Post (Subscription Required)
If you need a login to the Washington Post (and don’t want to sign-up), visit BugMeNot.com.
Some Republican lawmakers don’t think George Soros should be permitted to purchase a Major League Baseball team because he’s too liberal and he has some wacky notions. I must have been napping, and that’s why I missed the part where we became a country in which Democrats are no longer allowed to buy things.
If lawmakers start banning people from owning ballclubs just because of their politics or because they have a few woo-woo ideas, there are going to be a lot of shuttered ballparks. Anybody who tries to say that MLB owners should meet a certain standard of political correctness will get knocked back on their butts every time by two simple words: Marge Schott.
Ex-GOP chairman opens bid for Senate - Omaha World-Herald
Kramer pledges conservative leadership - Lincoln Journal Star
Former state GOP head Kramer enters Senate race - Kearney Hub
NEGOP Civil War Gets even Hotter - Nebraska Democratic Party Blog
To defeat Nelson, who Bush has called a Democrat he can work with, Kramer said he will need to show that he will be an even stronger ally for the president.
“Over the course of the next 18 months it’s my job to convince Nebraskans that not only am I someone that the president will be able to work with but someone that the president will be able to count on,” Kramer said.
It sounds like Kramer’s campaign slogan will be “Vote for Kramer. I will be a rubber stamp for the Republican Party.” The only thing I know about this guy is he is the former GOP chairman. I’m waiting for the campaign to update KramerForSenate.com so I can figure out why this guy wants to run for senate.
It will be interesting to see how David Kramer and Don Stenberg differentiate each other during the primary. Kramer is starting to position himself as the bigger pushover. Sadly, that tactic might work. “Vote for me! I have no spine and will vote for whatever President Bush pushes down my throat.”
A biography of David Kramer can be found on his employer’s website.
In an attempt to keep his name in the newspaper, Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Dave Nabity has called for a special legislative session to pass the Cabela’s bill.
Nabity wants special session on Cabela’s bill - Omaha World-Herald
Nabity calls for special session for ‘Cabela’s Bill’ - Lincoln Journal-Star
A few of Nabity’s reasons for a special session are listed below.
Nabity said Kansas gave tax incentives to Cabela’s and Iowa offered incentives to attract a Bass Pro Shop to Council Bluffs.
“Iowa beats us, they get the development we’re not smart enough to get because we played politics with it. They (Cabela’s) deserve to get the same types of incentives in Nebraska they got in Kansas.”
I think Nabity is smart guy, but comparing the Cabela’s situation in Nebraska to the Bass Pro Shop situation in Council Bluff’s is pretty stupid. Let me explain why. The Bass Pro Shop did not have to pay a single dime for land and they virtually received a 130,000 square-foot store for free. That doesn’t sound like an incentive package to me; that sounds like a legal bribe. Does Nebraska plan on doing the same thing for Cabelas? I don’t think so.
How could Council Bluffs afford to give the Bass Pro Shop $20 million in incentives? If you frequent this blog, then you know how. Say it with me folks… “THE CASINOS!”
Omaha World-Herald
The Southwest Iowa Foundation, a local nonprofit group, provided land. An arm of the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce secured a $20 million loan to finance construction. The Iowa West Foundation, supported by casino revenues, provided $3 million to help cover the city’s costs to buy the building.
I didn’t hear the State of Iowa or the City of Council Bluffs mentioned at all in this “incentive package.” It sounds like all the work was done by the private sector. Mr. Nabity, a huge reason Iowa “beats us” in economic development is because they have groups like the Iowa West Foundation with money lying around for economic development reasons. Comparing the situation in Nebraska to the situation in Council Bluffs is like comparing apples to oranges.
In November, Nebraska voters rejected expanded gambling. The College Democrats have never taken a position on expanded gambling because some of our members didn’t support the proposal in November.
Yesterday, the Council Bluffs City Council approved an Extreme Makeover: Bayliss Park Edition. The park will undergo a $5 million makeover that includes a $750,000 fountain and pavilion. Where in the world does Council Bluffs get $5 million to improve one park? The casinos of course!
Bluffs park getting a makeover - Omaha World-Herald
Artist selected for Bayliss Park project - Daily Nonpareil
This project was funded in large part by citizens from Nebraska, Iowa, and even more from Nebraska. If you’ve ever been to a casino across the river, then you are aware that many of the cars in the parking lot are from Nebraska. I hope residents of Nebraska (especially those that frequent the casinos) go visit the park after it is finished. If it weren’t for Nebraska, that park wouldn’t be getting a $5 million makeover. Maybe the Council Bluffs City Council can approve a plaque at the park that says “Thank You Nebraska.”
I’ve even contributed some money (after losing $6 at the slots) to the Iowa West Foundation.
On Monday, Douglas County Election Commissioner Carlos Castillo announced he will resign effective June 23.
His time at the Election Commission has been eventful (but not in a good way). His “gross incompetence” during the November election was outlined by an article in the Daily Nebraskan. This is a man whose office didn’t print up enough ballots for the November election. Some people claim that Catillo’s actions denied people the right to vote during the November election. That statement may be a stretch, but many voters were severely inconvenienced. Castillo’s main responsibility was to ensure that elections in Douglas County go smoothly, but he failed. His resignation should be welcome news to Douglas County voters and those severely inconvenienced in November.
Even though Castillo is resigning, it doesn’t mean Douglas County voters can sleep soundly at night. Castillo’s replacement will be selected by Governor Dave Heinemann. Let’s hope Heinemann’s “eye for talent” doesn’t result in another Lorelee Byrd situation.
An un-elected governor is appointing an un-elected person to watch over the voting process. That’s democracy at its finest. The Founding Fathers would be proud.
On Monday, Omaha businessman Dave Nabity formally announced his run for governor.
Nabity says Nebraska needs 2-term leader - Omaha World-Herald
Nabity jumps into governor’s race - Lincoln Journal Star
Here is Nabity’s position on some controversial topics…
I will not support legislation using taxpayer dollars for embryonic stem-cell research in any venue, including UNMC.
Wait it gets better…
Human embryonic stem-cell research is scientifically unnecessary due to the fact that other research methods, which use stem cells from adults to develop treatments for many diseases, have recently been successful. A 1999 article in the British Medical Journal concluded that human embryonic stem cells, “may soon be eclipsed by the more readily available and less controversial adult stem cells.
Wow, Nabity is using data from 1999 to defend his position on stem-cell research. I’m not a scientist but I know a lot changes in 6 years. Did we even have color television in 1999?
Although I’m a strong proponent of states’ rights, over-zealous activist federal judges attempting to redefine marriage have convinced me that a federal Constitutional amendment, defining marriage as between a man and woman, is an amendment I would support.
Let me share with you a couple interesting things I spotted. On Nabity’s website, it said that one of his hobbies is the Great Plains Porsche Club. Why am I not surprised? Nabity is a past State Chairman of the Young Republicans of Nebraska. Also, Nabity has enough family members to field a baseball team (if they let their dog Cocoa play).
So what do you think of Dave Nabity? What does Nabity have to do to have any chance of beating Tom Osborne?
“It seemed like to me they based some of their decisions on the word of—and the allegations—by people who were held in detention, people who hate America, people that had been trained in some instances to disassemble—that means not tell the truth.”
—Our Commander ‘N Chief on May 31, 2005 talking about a report from Amnesty International critical of U.S. detention facilities in Cuba, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Click here to see video of Bush’s comments. The Bushism is at 21:18.
In February, State Senator Nancy Thompson announced she would be leaving the Legislature early to focus on her new job as executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands. Yesterday, she announced she plans to stay in office until her term expires.
Thompson changes mind, will return - Omaha World-Herald
What I found interesting was the article that was written today.
Senator’s move causes stir - Omaha World-Herald
Here are a few of the highlights.
“It’s just incredibly disappointing for her to go back on her word as a public official,” Jones said. “There have been a lot of lives affected by this.”
Let’s not forget that Nancy Thompson was ELECTED to serve a four year term. That is exactly what she plans to do. What would have been “incredibly disappointing” would be an UN-ELECTED Governor appointing a person UN-ELECTED for that position to replace her. Where is the democracy in that?
Mark Quandahl, chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party, said Thompson caused unnecessary effort to replace her and a county commissioner.
“Nebraska now has our own version of the runaway bride,” he said. He added: “I just think it’s inconsiderate.”
I think that could possibly be the worst analogy I have ever heard in Nebraska politics. “Runaway” implies that she is running away from something. Mr. Quandahl what is she running away from? You need to work on your insults a little better. Also, Mr. Quandahl you sound like a sexist pig. If this was man, would you call him a “runaway bride?”
