1000 buffalo stampede

Congressman Cunningham resigns over bribery charges … news at 11. As if it were actually news, and new news at that.

I’ll give House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi some credit for getting her quote almost correct in jumping on this one. She said (or wrote, apparently):

The case “is just the latest example of the culture of corruption that pervades the Republican-controlled Congress, which ignores the needs of the American people to serve wealthy special interests and their cronies.”

Like I said, my opinion is she almost got it right.

Here’s how I think that’s more accurately stated (change / quotation mine):

The case “is just the latest example of the culture of corruption that pervades the Government, which ignores the needs of the American people to serve wealthy special interests and their cronies.”

Now, that sounds about right.

But, it’s hardly news, is it? Politicians enriching their lives at the expense of their constituents.

In other breaking news, water is wet. Shocking, I know.

Oh yes, I’m sure plenty of said constituents didn’t even notice … what with the rush to stamped their neighbors to make sure they got that XBox 360.

Happy Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate the Holiday, and to those who don’t, um, Happy Thursday!

Among many, many other things, I am thankful that the local coffeehouse, Zocalo, is open this morning (and pretty darn busy at that). Luckily, with the remodel, they’ve got a massive amount of space (not to mention good tea, free wifi, and plenty of electrical outlets). Definitely a good morning for a hot pot of tea.

Interestingly enough, I found this over my morning tea: Myth: Eating turkey makes you sleepy from PhysOrg.com. “There’s reportedly good Thanksgiving news for turkey lovers: Contrary to popular belief, tryptophan in turkey doesn’t cause drowsiness.” … looks like folks might have to stop blaming the turkey, and blaming the, well, just plain over-eating.

Good feasting, ya’all!

Well …

“In Washington, you can ordinarily rely on some basic measure of truthfulness and good faith in the conduct of political debate,” (Vice-President) Cheney said.” (at the Frontiers of Freedom’s 2005 Ronald Reagan Gala. Source: CNN)

Now, that’s funny and ironic.

Well, I can be a little slow sometimes, and fairly off base. I’m sure I’m way off on this one too … Congress calling for the Oil Executives to explain themselves over high oil prices and record profits.

Doesn’t seem to be anything there. After all:

• “Gasoline prices are nearly 20 percent higher than a year ago”
• “consumers are expected to get hit by a jump of 50 percent or more in home heating bills this winter”

These things are understandable … the Iraq and Middle East situations had a terrible effect on oil prices, and that just passes through the chain, right? Everyone takes their lumps… no problem.

Except, of course:

• The industry’s third-quarter profits jumped 62 percent to about $25.9 billion
• Exxon Mobil, the nation’s biggest oil company, posted the largest corporate profit in history in the quarter

Yea, those poor oil companies are really hurting, aren’t they? I mean, it’s not like they’re seeing record profits as a result of everyone’s hardships, right? Ooops… well, I’m sure that they’re taking full advantage of the situation …

No worries – once the Senators and Oil Executives finish their cigars and leave their smokey room, I’m sure they’ll have figured out how to ensure that they can keep posting record profits while whining on about how bad the oil situation has gotten … for everyone else.

For our Robber Barons, the new oil crisis seems to be exactly what they ordered.