Lazy Friday Link Post

Think Progress reports on how 'strong on defense' Republicans defeated a budget amendment that would have included $1.25 billion for port security including container inspection, radiation monitoring, and backup communication systems. They had no problem putting $1.7 billion into the national missile Defense Shield - which doesn't work.

Helen Thomas, veteran White House reporter, has written a book: Watchdogs of Democracy? : The Waning Washington Press Corps and How It Has Failed the Public. It will be released June 20, 2006. I have no idea if it will be good, but it sounds intriguing.

From Newsweek:

"Right now, I wouldn't vote Democratic if Jesus Christ was running." Judy Deats, a Texas Republican, who is standing by Rep. Tom DeLay in his re-election bid despite the fact that his association with lobbyist Jack Abramoff has made him vulnerable to political opposition for the first time in more than 20 years

At least Judy realizes that if Jesus was running, he'd run as a Democrat.

Rep. Henry Waxman has projected (from 2002 numbers) the cost to American Taxpayers for Bush & Cheney's to fly Air Force One around the nation for political fundraisers and campaign appearances for the election of Republican Senators and Congressmen. $7 million. Add to that the cost to local municipalities for security, etc...

The New York Times reports that the shining bastion of democracy and stability in Iraq, the pseudo-Kurdistan in the north, is dealing with its own instabilities. Seems that the population, angry its politicians, burned down some buildings. Perhaps Bush should take note that if enough people are angry with you...

The AP reports that Joe Lieberman doesn't like being called "Bush's favorite Democrat" by his primary opponent, Ned Lamont. My advice? STOP BEING A FUCKING REPUBLICAN LAP DOG!

And finally, to everyone's surprise...
The BBC reports that the Radical Right still. isn't. satisfied.