[courtesy of Blog for America]

Helen Thomas devotes a column to George W. Bush and torture:

Is Congress so cowed that it accepts the statements of a president who has little regard for the truth?

Is there no lawmaker who is appalled about the tarnishing of our image in world opinion? And where are the voices of the other presidential candidates who will inherit the Bush legacy of torture? Why the silence?

I count on the American people to refuse to be shamed any more.

Backbone: it's not just for vertebrates anymore.

Danny
Communications Director

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

From the Chronicle:

Suspended city lawmaker Ed Jew is expected to resign today in a deal to bring an end to a lawsuit and proceedings before the Ethics Commission to oust him from office for allegedly lying about where he lived to become a candidate for the Board of Supervisors in 2006, sources familiar with the arrangement say.

More to come I'm sure.

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Well, it appears, unsurprisingly, that Sen. Don Perata was/is at the center of the "Dump Denham" movement. From Matier and Ross:

Armed with $250,000, Perata launched a recall drive aimed at clipping the Central Valley lawmaker's wings just as he was getting set to run for lieutenant governor.

Now, not only is that run in doubt, but Denham is also fighting just to hold onto his seat - all because of his vote against the state budget. (SF Chron 11/11/07)

Perhaps this gets us one seat closer to 2/3? I know some people will get all upset about using the recall process, but the fact remains that the tool exists. We can't unilaterally disarm; if they use it, so should we.