DATE-5/24/05
News conference late yesterday, John McCain, announced that all 14 of the "bipartisan" group of senators, would vote for cloture (IE stop the debate and move on to an up or down vote) for three nominees: Priscilla Owens, Janice Rogers Brown and Bill Pryor. Two nominees, Henry Saad, and William Mayers are not part of the agreement of the "gang of fourteen" for a vote of cloture and the Senators will "vote their conscience" on these nominees.
Judicial filibusters will not occur in the future unless there are "extraordinary" circumstances.
Majority leader Bill Frist did NOT agree to this. However, the Dems in that group can certainly vote for cloture without any input from Frist. If they are true to their word, then the scheduled showdown for tomorrow will NOT happen. Frist had scheduled a vote on cloture for Priscilla Owens at that time and per this agreement as delineated in the press conference enough Dems would be breaking with the party to provide a 60 vote passage on cloture, a majority and also past the super-majority required for a filibuster.
The showdown, the so-called "nuclear" option, is effectively pushed off into the future when the radical Dems determine a very qualified nominee should be filibustered for "extraordinary" reasons. Hey, they refused to give the three they have no agreed to an up and down vote for many months now. All of a sudden their principles are shoved aside and they'll allow it?
Or are the Dems afraid of stopping Senate business with such a grand show as was scheduled tomorrow.
Who is George Soros against? That will determine those "extraordinary" circumstances.
A Dashing Man in a Cape Visits Washington
Hamid Karzai visited President Bush yesterday and together they held a press conference.
The crux of which was that Afghanistan has reduced its poppy crop by 30%. A statistic that many laugh at. The country does, so it was announced, have the ability to produce a handsome pomegranate and honeydew melon crop. Until pomegranates and melons bring in as much as opium, it ain’t gonna happen.
At any rate it was a diplomatic nicety and myself must comment that of all the foreign leaders and their many modes of dress not to mention headgear, it is Karzai who is the most handsome. Yesterday he wore a fine brocade cape that was positively luscious. Of course no American man would be caught dead in such a thing and frankly if an American man showed up at my door thus dressed I’d slam it shut.
Still, Karzai carries it off.
Important stuff here that The Old Media overlooks.
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Update Idaho Murders
The Idaho murders, where three people were found bound and bludgeoned to death, continues to mystify.
As of now the only major speculation that I can make at this time, along with the authorities, is that this was no stranger crime.
Pics of the two missing children as well as all three victims are in yesterday’s daily update, scroll down.
From interviews with various family members and the investigators, we can conclude that there was heavy use of methamphetamines by the female victim; that the father, Steve Groene, did not do well in the polygraph test and he himself knows that the police have him under suspicion. Steve Groene, the father of the missing children and one of the murder victims, has no alibi for the time of the murders.
There is an older son who is in jail. And another son who has a girlfriend and children of his own.
Steve Groene allegedly lives with his mother-in-law and has had custody battles with the female victim in the past. He might have a motive and he would have a reason to abscond with the children whereas a stranger would have likely killed everyone.
But would the man deliberately murder his 13 year old son?
Because that would have to be the case if he is guilty.
There’s also unanswered questions about the attendees at a barbecue the murder victims had earlier in the day. In this instance the investigators aren’t talking.
There’s even whispers about this “Bob” fellow who phoned in the 911 call.
This is always the case this early into a murder investigation. Everyone involved in any way with the victims is suspect until cleared. This case is a bit unique in that there are living witnesses (I assume they are alive for now) out there somewhere.
Below some snippets from various sources I’ve compiled about this case.
From KREM:
Reward offered for missing Idaho children
06:05 PM PDT on Saturday, May 21, 2005
From KING Staff and Wire Reports
Wolfinger said investigators believe the killings were not random acts of violence and are now convinced the children were in the house when the violence took place.
Kootenai County Coroner Dr. Robert West told Spokane, Wash., television reporters that preliminary toxicology results indicated the presence of "illicit drugs" in the two adults, but not in the 13-year-old. West did not elaborate on what types of drugs were found.
Authorities have received pledges of more than $70,000 for a reward fund and will work through the Secret Witness program in Spokane, Wash., to offer payments for useful information and tips, he added.
From Fox News-Thanks to Kris on Yahoo groups for summary:
Fox News (Geraldo):
Steve Groene is the ex-husband of the murdered Brenda Groene, and father of the two missing children. He says he has submitted to a polygraph, DNA and urinalysis.... apparently, he's become the latest person of interest.
Two "vicious" guard dogs at the residence, in the home at the time of the deaths....who did not attack the killer(s). Must have known them.
"Exchanged words" several times about Brenda's meth use in front of the children.
Steve Groene Admits to severe argument with ex-
wife on Friday.
I don’t have sourcing for the following but it is from a local paper:
"I couldn't have asked for a better family," Jesse Groene said Thursday morning from the Kootenai County Jail, where the 18-year-old has been
for three months for allegedly shoplifting a shirt from Wal-Mart and stealing a Jeep. He also was wanted on a warrant for charges of battery and assault.
McKenzie (ed-this is the father of the adult male victim-Mark McKenzie) confirmed that his son and Brenda Groene were cousins but it remained unclear if the couple were first cousins.
Jesse Groene said Mark McKenzie had been a family friend for years, even when his parents were married.
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Court News:Clothes and the Defendant; Underage Abortion
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Yesterday the supreme court ruled that criminal defendants will not be allowed to wear shackles at either a trial or a penalty hearing.
Which surprised me as I thought that was already the case.
Many are screaming that such a policy leaves our courts in danger from runaway criminals such as Brian Nichols in that Atlanta court shootout.
Bullhockey.
Court houses should protect themselves. If they haven’t re-thought the protection element, especially in view of the Nichols’ episode, than they’re still wallowing in bureaucratic lack of forethought. With today’s technology there’s no reason a few electrodes can’t be placed somewhere on the defendant’s body. Electrodes that can be zapped by a cell phone or remote radio. Human monitors of all ingress and egress from court houses should push the zap button if they notice anything untoward from the defendant as he/she is being transported, in civilian clothes, to and from the courtroom.
It shouldn’t surprise that the sight of a human in shackles is prejudicial. Yes, I know they are murderers but assuming we get over the court safety issue, even murderers deserve to be judged as an equal by other human beings. Who are NOT dressed in chains and shackles.
If you get my drift.
Scotus has also agreed to a hearing on a law requiring parental permission for abortions on underage daughters.
The argument for striking down this law is that often there are young girls impregnated by their own fathers or family members. The notification might put the young female’s life in danger as such perpetrators often don’t want these nefarious activities known. Or a desperate youngster in a situation might run off or even give birth to a live baby and leave it in a trash bin.
It’s a stretch and I suppose it DOES happen.
My question is-if the law is struck down than why should parents be notified of ANY medical procedure? If a fifteen year old needs, say, an appendectomy, than why make the parents sign? That same fifteen year old could have an abortion in states with no laws against, no questions asked.
On the Filibuster
WE CAN END IT NOW...OR THEY'LL END IT LATER
"If Republicans don't now end the filibustering of judges, and minority Republicans one day start filibustering judges nominated by a Democratic president, the Democratic Senate majority will end it then."
- Columnist Tod Lindberg
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Dem (naturally) Vetoes English as First Language in Arizona
INGLES NO, ESPANOL SI
"Gov. Janet Napolitano (Arizona Democrat) vetoed a bill Monday that would have made English the state's official language and required that government business be conducted in English."
- Associated Press, 5/9/05
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Public Broadcasting-It’s Time to Stop Funding It
LIBERAL TV
"The government should stop funding PBS altogether. The last thing the United States needs is state-sponsored television. But that's the only way Democratic ideas can win in the marketplace....if you and I are paying for it."
- Talk show host Neal Boortz
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Dr. Seuss on Being Yourself
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because people who mind don't matter, and people who matter don't mind." - Theodor Seuss Geisel
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On a Personal Note
Husband recently purchased a guitar.
No I do not know what he’s going to do with a guitar. I do know we have an entire room in this house dubbed “the music room”. It is being filled methodically with music stuff, huge amplifiers, keyboards, that sort of thing.
As of yet I’ve not heard one musical note. When myself needs a piano I just shout out “I need a piano!” and boom, the Belgian shepherd will stand in front of me in such a manner that I can “play” the piano, “beat” the drums, and even bang the cymbals, right there on the big long dog back so obligingly provided.
Well her back really doesn’t make any noise but I’ll have a ball being a one woman band as the tune belts out on the kitchen CD player. As for the dog, she thinks it’s some sort of weird massage but she seems to like it.
As for husband, well pic of his beloved guitar is below.
Maybe someday he’ll write me a love song.
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Thoughts On Life .........
1) I can please only one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow
isn't looking good either.
2) Never put off until tomorrow what you can avoid doing altogether.
3) Everyone has a right to be stupid. Some just abuse the privilege.
4) On the keyboard of life, always keep one finger on the escape key.
5) Please, Lord, let me prove that winning the lottery won't spoil me.
6) Does vacuuming count as Aerobic Exercise?
7) Young at Heart. Slightly Older in Other Places.
8) Time is Nature's way of making sure that everything doesn't go wrong
at once.
9) The trouble with being in the rat race is that even if you win,
you're still a rat.
10) I loathe people who keep dogs. They are cowards who haven't got the
guts to bite people themselves.
11) If swimming is so good for your figure, how do you explain whales?
12) Don't say I am out of shape. "Round" is a shape.
13) There's no speed limit on the Information Superhighway.
14) It is much easier to apologize than to ask permission.
15) There are two rules for ultimate success in life.
1) Never tell everything you know.
2)
15) Do unto others, then run.....................
Reflections on life
Here's some things to think about.
Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected.
I'm not into working out. My philosophy is no pain, no pain.
I'm in shape. Round is a shape.
I'm desperately trying to figure out why Kamikaze pilots wore helmets.
Do you think illiterate people get the full effect of alphabet soup?
I've always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific.
Ever notice when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you, but when you
take him in a car, he sticks his head out the window?
Ever notice that anyone going slower than you is an idiot, but anyone going
faster than you is a maniac?
You have to stay in shape. My mother started walking five miles a day when
she was 60. She's 97 now, and we have no idea where she is.
I have six locks on my door, all in a row. When I go out, I lock every other
one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks,
they are always locking three of them.
One out of every three Americans is suffering from some form of mental
illness. Think of two of your best friends. If they are OK, then it must be
you.
They show you how detergent takes out bloodstains. I think if you've got a
tee shirt with bloodstains all over it, maybe your laundry isn't your
biggest problem.
Ask people why they have deer heads on their walls, and they tell you it's
because they're such beautiful animals. I think my wife is beautiful, but I
only have photographs of her on the walls.
A lady came up to me on the street, pointed at my suede jacket and said,
"Don't you know a cow was murdered for that jacket?" I said, "I didn't know
there were any witnesses. Now, I'll have to kill you too."
Future historians will be able to study at the Jimmy Carter Library, the
Gerald Ford Library, the Ronald Reagan Library, and the Bill Clinton Adult
Bookstore.
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Andy Rooney's tips for telemarketers
Three Little Words That Work !!
(1)The three little words are: "Hold On, Please..."
Saying this, while putting down your phone and walking off (instead of hanging-up immediately) would make each telemarketing call so much more time-consuming that boiler room sales would grind to a halt.
Then when you eventually hear the phone company's "beep-beep-beep" tone, you know it's time to go back and hang up your handset, which has efficiently completed its task.
These three little words will help eliminate telephone soliciting.
(2) Do you ever get those annoying phone calls with no one on the other end?
This is a telemarketing technique where a machine makes phone calls and records the time of day when a person answers the phone.
This technique is used to determine the best time of day for a "real" sales person to call back and get someone at home.
What you can do after answering, if you notice there is no one there, is to immediately start hitting your # button on the phone, 6 or 7 times, as quickly as possible. This confuses the machine that dialed the call and it kicks your number out of their system. Gosh, what a shame not to have your name in their system any longer !!!
(3) Junk Mail Help:
When you get "ads" enclosed with your phone or utility bill, return these "ads" with your payment. Let the sending companies throw their own junk mail away.
When you get those "pre-approved" letters in the mail for everything from credit cards to 2nd mortgages and similar type junk, do not throw away the return envelope.
Most of these come with postage-paid return envelopes, right?
It costs them more than the regular 37 cents postage "IF" and when they receive them back.
It costs them nothing if you throw them away! The postage was around 50 cents before the last increase and it is according to the weight. In that case, why not get rid of some of your other junk mail and put it in these cool little, postage-paid return envelopes.
I have been doing this for years, and I get very little junk mail anymore.
On Bill Maher
Referring to my gossip post last week which mentioned Maher and the status of his palimony suit:
Maher's decidely straight, but too busy screwing Playboy Bunnies and hanging with Hef to get married.
I think he will someday -- just like the bachelor Rock Hudson played in Pillow Talk. Oh, wait, that doesn't help the "not gay" viewpoint, does it?
--
Posted by Nicolette to The Kaitlyn Mae Book Blog at 5/14/2005 01:04:46 PM
=====
Confirmed bachelor" used to be code for homosexual. Perhaps like "gay" used to mean cheerful.
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Posted by JAD to The Kaitlyn Mae Book Blog at 5/13/2005 07:49:08 AM
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On Fiction and a Fat Prom Queen
The Fattest Prom Queen post HERE
Ms. Fish,
This is a wonderful story. Thank you for putting it on the Net.
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Compliments are Always Welcome
Hi Kaitlyn Mae's Grandmother:
I am so new to your sight....saw a reference on Free Republic. I love it despite only reading for the last week or so. I am the grandmother of Madeline, Elizabeth and Grace and mother of three and by far, I am the most conservative and sensible member of the family!!!! Consequently, I am loving your site! I live in upstate New York, where the liberals and unions are bankrupting us not only monetarily but accountability as well. We conservatives are an endangered species here in the land of Sen. Cinton and company!!!! Thanks for your site; I've signed up for your updates and look forward to catching up on your past posts when I'm not babysitting, working or volunteering. Kudos to you for your insightful work and grandmotherly devotion.
Grandmother of M.E.G
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More True Crime Strangos
Evidently they never go away. Below a response to my Jonbenet post.
Patfish,
MICHAEL HELGOTH and his still unidentified roommate were the MEN who raped and murdered JonBenet Ramsey! Steve Thomas was a Narcotics undercover cop, not a Homicide Detective. Joe Pelle and others were WITHHOLDING EVIDENCE from Alex Hunter a Felony under FEDERAL LAW! The then-partner of Steve Thomas wrote of the many mistakes his partner Steve Thomas had made of the case. They took down the killer's name at the Marina and He was seen in a light blue van in front of the Ramsey house at 5:45 p.m. and the killer was a man, not a woman! Patsy Ramsey has never been the owner of a PENIS in her life. The killer of JonBenet Ramsey was a thief and he also murdered Michael Helgoth when he thought he was about to break and tell all he knew to the Police.
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On Donald Trump
Apprentice post where I psycho-elaminated Donald Trump.
The two qualities Trump likes the most are people who are confidence and loyalty. If someone lets another contestant cow them or if someone badmouths their team, Trump gets angry.
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Posted by Nicolette to The Kaitlyn Mae Book Blog at 5/14/2005 01:00:16 PM
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Taken to Task for Feeding Onions to Dogs
A reader chastises me for feeding my dogs the remainder of a mushroom and onion recipe referred to in this post:Cooking Sunday-mushrooms and onions.
Reading some of the recipes, I was surprised to find that the author's dogs were eating onions. Onions are toxic to dogs; they cause anemia. Stop doing that.
CMc
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Posted by Caryl McColly to The Kaitlyn Mae Book Blog at 5/11/2005 06:52:45 PM
Why I am shocked!
I have never heard that onions were dangerous for dogs.
So I did some research.
Turns out small amounts of onions do dogs no harm. Below from a question and answer site found by Googling “dogs and onions”.
Onion and Garlic toxicity in dogs and cats
Question: Dr. Richard's,
Thank you for your help with past questions and creating this web site. I have a question about onions and dogs. I read somewhere onions are poisonous for dogs yet onions are often ingredients in dog treats. Is it just raw onions that are so dangerous? What about meat that has been cooked with onions is this dangerous?
What are some things that are toxic for dogs besides chocolate and onions?
Also I own several cats are there foods toxic to them as well?
Kim
Answer: Kim-
Dogs develop hemolytic anemia if they eat enough onions. I don't think that it matters too much whether the onions are cooked or not. The quantity of onions required is high enough that dogs can generally tolerate small doses of onions without any problem and moderate amounts of onion without clinically apparent disease, even though there may be measurable changes on lab test results. Cats are probably a little more sensitive to onion toxicity than dogs are. I can't find an exact quantity of onions required to cause toxicity problems in dogs, but there are several case reports of onion toxicity and they involve whole onions or sizable portions of chopped onions (like a cup or more). I think that feeding dogs meat that has been cooked with onions is pretty safe but you might want to avoid giving them the broth from around something like pot-roast if there were a lot of onions used in the cooking, just to be safe.
Large amounts of garlic will produce similar toxicity problems in both dogs
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