Thursday, January 25, 2007

Ding!

  • Last night my shower was interrupted to look at Howl spooning Sophie and licking her head. There would have been a picture if they didn't start biting each other as soon as the camera was focused.
  • Brings a whole new meaning to "tortoise shell".

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Monday, January 22, 2007

Different Things To Me

  • Saw a Russian Tortoise at the pet store. I picked up the health tips broshure for the little guy. Sadly, a couple of obvious signs that he was unhealthy was on the sheet.* His shell was all pock-marked and the skin on his legs was awfully flaky. The sign said that he would live to be 50. I just hope that he's 49 and half and looking for a little peace and quiet at the pet store. Afterall, it was probably a long trip from Russia.
  • Envigorating walk thru the cold at the new outside mall.
  • Having a sink and dishwaher come back.
  • The possibilities of Great Dane Puppies.
  • Live violin and guitar music with brunch.
  • The goldfish video.
  • Finding good stuff at the library.
*Didn't really need the sheet to see that.

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Friday, January 19, 2007

Wanna Read Something Really Scary?

Feinstein Concerned over Resignation of at Least Seven US Attorneys Senator Feinstein to question Attorney General Gonzalez at Judiciary Committee Hearing later this week
By: Feinstein office
Published: Jan 17, 2007 at 08:48

In a speech on the Senate Floor, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today expressed concern about the fact that a number of U.S. Attorneys have been asked by the Department of Justice to resign their positions prior to the end of their terms and without cause.

In a little noticed provision included in the Patriot Act reauthorization last year, the Administration's authority to appoint interim U.S. Attorneys was greatly expanded. The law was changed so that if a vacancy arises the Attorney General may appoint a replacement for an indefinite period of time – thus completely avoiding the Senate confirmation process

Senators Feinstein, Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) last week introduced the Preserving United States Attorney Independence Act, which would prevent further circumvention of the Senate's constitutional prerogative to confirm U.S. Attorneys and restore appointment authority to the appropriate District Courts.

The full text of Senator Feinstein's floor statement follows.

Recent newspaper articles have detailed the circumstances surrounding the departure of several U.S. Attorneys across the country:

- Politicizing Prosecutors: "United States attorneys are so powerful that their impartiality must be beyond question. One way to ensure that is to require them to submit to questions from the Senate, and face a confirmation vote." New York Times – 1/15/07.

- U.S. Attorney Vacancies Spark Concerns: "As the Bush administration enters its last two years, a number of U.S. attorneys are departing, causing concern that some high-profile prosecutions may suffer. As many as seven U.S. attorneys. . . are leaving or being pushed out." Wall Street Journal – 1/16/07.

- Lam is Asked to Step Down: "The Bush administration has quietly asked San Diego U.S. Attorney Carol Lam, best known for her high-profile prosecutions of politicians and corporate executives, to resign her post, a law enforcement official said." San Diego Union Tribune – 1/12/07.

- Nevada U.S. Attorney Given Walking Papers: "The Bush administration has forced Daniel Bogden out of his position as U.S. attorney for the District of Nevada, Nevada's two senators said Sunday." Las Vegas Review Journal – 1/16/07.

The following is a transcript of Senator Feinstein's floor speech:

"Mr. President, I have introduced an amendment on this bill which has to do with the appointment of U.S. Attorneys. This is also the subject of the Judiciary Committee's jurisdiction, and since the Attorney General himself will be before that committee on Thursday, and I will be asking him some questions, I speak today in morning business on what I know so much about this situation.

Recently, it came to my attention that the Department of Justice has asked several U.S. Attorneys from around the country to resign their positions -- some by the end of this month -- prior to the end of their terms not based on any allegation of misconduct. In other words, they are forced resignations.

I have also heard that the Attorney General plans to appoint interim replacements and potentially avoid Senate confirmation by leaving an interim U.S. Attorney in place for the remainder of the Bush administration.

How does this happen? The Department sought and essentially was given new authority under a little known provision in the PATRIOT Act Reauthorization to appoint interim appointments who are not subject to Senate confirmation and who could remain in place for the remainder of the Bush administration.

To date, I know of at least seven U.S. Attorneys forced to resign without cause, without any allegations of misconduct. These include two from my home State, San Diego and San Francisco, as well as U.S. Attorneys from New Mexico, Nevada, Arkansas, Texas, Washington and Arizona.

In California, press reports indicate that Carol Lam, U.S. Attorney for San Diego, has been asked to leave her position, as has Kevin Ryan of San Francisco. The public response has been shock. Peter Nunez, who served as the San Diego U.S. Attorney from 1982 to 1988, has said, ‘This is like nothing I've ever seen in my 35-plus years.'

He went on to say that while the President has the authority to fire a U.S. Attorney for any reason, it is ‘extremely rare' unless there is an allegation of misconduct.

To my knowledge, there are no allegations of misconduct having to do with Carol Lam. She is a distinguished former judge. Rather, the only explanation I have seen are concerns that were expressed about prioritizing public corruption cases over smuggling and gun cases.

The most well-known case involves a U.S. Attorney in Arkansas. Senators Pryor and Lincoln have raised significant concerns about how "Bud" Cummins was asked to resign and in his place the administration appointed their top lawyer in charge of political opposition research, Tim Griffin. I have been told Mr. Griffin is quite young, 37, and Senators Pryor and Lincoln have expressed concerns about press reports that have indicated Mr. Griffin has been a political operative for the RNC.

While the administration has confirmed that 5 to 10 U.S. Attorneys have been asked to leave, I have not been given specific details about why these individuals were asked to leave. Around the country, though, U.S. Attorneys are bringing many of the most important and complex cases being prosecuted. They are responsible for taking the lead on public corruption cases and many of the antiterrorist efforts in the country. As a matter of fact, we just had the head of the FBI, Bob Mueller, come before the Judiciary Committee at our oversight hearing and tell us how they have dropped the priority of violent crime prosecution and, instead, are taking up public corruption cases; ergo, it only follows that the U.S. Attorneys would be prosecuting public corruption cases.

As a matter of fact, the rumor has it -- and this is only rumor -- that U.S. Attorney Lam, who carried out the prosecution of the Duke Cunningham case, has other cases pending whereby, rumor has it, Members of Congress have been subpoenaed. I have also been told that this interrupts the flow of the prosecution of these cases, to have the present U.S. attorney be forced to resign by the end of this month.

Now, U.S. Attorneys play a vital role in combating traditional crimes such as narcotics trafficking, bank robbery, guns, violence, environmental crimes, civil rights, and fraud, as well as taking the lead on prosecuting computer hacking, Internet fraud, and intellectual property theft, accounting and securities fraud, and computer chip theft.

How did all of this happen? This is an interesting story. Apparently, when Congress reauthorized the PATRIOT Act last year, a provision was included that modified the statute that determines how long interim appointments are made. The PATRIOT Act Reauthorization changed the law to allow interim appointments to serve indefinitely rather than for a limited 120 days. Prior to the PATRIOT Act Reauthorization and the 1986 law, when a vacancy arose, the court nominated an interim U.S. Attorney until the Senate confirmed a Presidential nominee. The PATRIOT Act Reauthorization in 2006 removed the 120-day limit on that appointment, so now the Attorney General can nominate someone who goes in without any confirmation hearing by this Senate and serve as U.S. Attorney for the remainder of the President's term in office. This is a way, simply stated, of avoiding a Senate confirmation of a U.S. Attorney.

The rationale to give the authority to the court has been that since district court judges are also subject to Senate confirmation and are not political positions, there is greater likelihood that their choice of who should serve as an interim U.S. Attorney would be chosen based on merit and not manipulated for political reasons. To me, this makes good sense.

Finally, by having the district court make the appointments, and not the Attorney General, the process provides an incentive for the administration to move quickly to appoint a replacement and to work in cooperation with the Senate to get the best qualified candidate confirmed.

I strongly believe we should return this power to district courts to appoint interim U.S. Attorneys. That is why last week, Senator Leahy, the incoming Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, the Senator from Arkansas, Senator Pryor, and I filed a bill that would do just that. Our bill simply restores the statute to what it once was and gives the authority to appoint interim U.S. Attorneys back to the district court where the vacancy arises.

I could press this issue on this bill. However, I do not want to do so because I have been saying I want to keep this bill as clean as possible, that it is restricted to the items that are the purpose of the bill, not elections or any other such things. I ought to stick to my own statement.

Clearly, the President has the authority to choose who he wants working in his administration and to choose who should replace an individual when there is a vacancy. But the U.S. Attorneys' job is too important for there to be unnecessary disruptions, or, worse, any appearance of undue influence. At a time when we are talking about toughening the consequences for public corruption, we should change the law to ensure that our top prosecutors who are taking on these cases are free from interference or the appearance of impropriety. This is an important change to the law. Again, I will question the Attorney General Thursday about it when he is before the Judiciary Committee for an oversight hearing.

I am particularly concerned because of the inference in all of this that is drawn to manipulation in the lineup of cases to be prosecuted by a U.S. Attorney. In the San Diego case, at the very least, we have people from the FBI indicating that Carol Lam has not only been a straight shooter but a very good prosecutor. Therefore, it is surprising to me to see that she would be, in effect, forced out, without cause. This would go for any other U.S. Attorney among the seven who are on that list.

We have something we need to look into, that we need to exercise our oversight on, and I believe very strongly we should change the law back to where a Federal judge makes this appointment on an interim basis subject to regular order, whereby the President nominates and the Senate confirms a replacement"





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Thursday, January 11, 2007

Wish List O Rama!

I've done it! I've gone thru Amazon and arranged, editied, craved and clicked! Now I have NINETEEN wish lists to share with you! Yeah...there are others...but I'm not sharing those because, well...it would just ruin too many surprises! I'll leave these links up on the side somewhere.

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Stupid Crap I Must Have!

What a wonderful world Amazon is! First they bring you Crazy Cat Lady. Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Then the Jane Austen Action figure. Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Followed by the thing I now crave!!! Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting THE DELUXE! LIBRARIAN! ACTION! FIGURE!!!

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Meet the hidden princess.

There are just so many things to be happy about today!
  • STORMY WEATHER!!! Ah...it brings a song to my heart.
  • At the restaurant last night, the server brought me an entire box of tea to choose from and then I happily drank four cups of spledid Earl Grey!
  • Filling up the candy bowl at work.
  • Seeing the old tile on the kitchen floor.
  • Discovering a whole aray of stupidly fun crap on Amazon! (Posts later ;) )
  • Pretty Princess Cakes.
  • Feeling the need to cover the world in stickers and fake mustaches.
Buffy's inner self.

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Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Ring Thing

I know what some people are getting as a gift this year.
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Life Rules for 2007

  • Keep things simple. Over complicating, even with the best intentions, can sometimes take away from the meaning of something.
  • Nothing in this world is permament.
  • When you gotta go, you gotta go.
  • The words 'Please' and 'Thank you' do take you places!
  • Floss. Take care of your body so you can enjoy the Earth while you're here.
  • The Earth will revolve around you when you refuse to accept nothing but the best.
  • Send cards on the holidays. Decorate. Add some color.
  • File.
  • You get what you pay for and you get back what you put into it.
  • Women use sex to get love. Men use love to get sex. Everyone does this to some degree.
  • Expect to pay your own way. It's important not to become a mooch; being independent is one of the best things in life.
  • Celebrate the tiny accomplishments! Give a hoot! Skip! Add an extra olive! Dare to eat a peach!
  • Women in love, need to feel needed.
  • Appropriate to the age.
  • Wear clothes that fit you. There is no sense repeatedly squeezing into the pants that fit you and have had the button re-attached four times within the past two months. Break down and buy a new pair of pants. You'll feel better. You'll be able to breathe. And you'll look hott!
  • Timing is everything. Know when to keep silent, know when you are needed, know when you are not helping a situation, know when.
  • Know when to pick your arguments. You will never be considered a pleasant person if you bicker over every little thing then you will never be likable. If you never stand up for yourself then you will be a push over. Just like Thomas Jefferson said "In terms of fashion, swim with the current. In terms of principle, stand like a rock."
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  • 2007: Year of Tea!

    • Shimmying to my new bellydancing work out dvd. Genie Arms! Genie! Genie! Genie!
    • Realizing just how much we have turned into 'cat people'. And annoying all of our friends and family by being so.
    • Using a permament marker makes you realize just how well your nose really works.
    • The phrase 'That is concentrated evil coming out of you' popping into your head and making you giggle.
    • Becoming acutely aware of your new dependance on tea.

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    Tuesday, January 09, 2007

    With Dread Fear, She Asked Me...

    I feel a dire need to get this book. You see my grammar school library never had any books on unicorns. I know because I made sure to ask our librarian every time I was in there for an entire year.

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    Monday, January 08, 2007

    My Sense of Taste

    If I tell you that I've redecorated and want you to come over to see the new digs - beware. I've been known to have the taste of a black and white movie set director. In theory, it looks great, but certain colors and patterns just should not be seen together. For example, one of the best houses I have ever seen (in the movies) was Pee Wee Herman's in PeeWee's Big Adventure. The front yard was a bit much. I prefer to have a nice layout with a good path to walk if I am to view a collection of lawn gnomes. Sometimes I wonder if that was how they decorated too. By texture and shadows, not by color. So, I took a still from the movie The Philedelphia Story. Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting And I colored over it. Keep in mind that I need to hone my photoshop skills. But, wouldn't it be more interesting if houses really used color? Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

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    Friday, January 05, 2007

    Simply January

    • There is just something about finding out that the clock in your car matches the time on the clock of your local dj.
    • The smell of a new purse.
    • Watching your husband communicate in sign language.
    • Filling the purse with new, clean, delicious items!
    • Notice a giant tuff of hair sticking out of your cat's mouth.
    • Finding that there is nothing wrong with putting a stuffed animal inside of new purse.
    • Gifts arriving that aren't for you.

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    Down in the Pantry

    I'm never sure what to make of this time of year. Especially now what with the weather being so goofy. (Some have referred to it as creepy, but I think it's a good time to stock up the pantry before the giant snowstorm in March.) January always seemed like a very dark month. You know spring is coming, you just have to muzzle thru this dark time. So, I guess 'lost' is an appropriate feeling. Should you feel the time with folly? It's like Halloween except there is no good excuse to eat candy. Speaking of which, how is it that anyone manages to make resolutions for the new year at this time? The northern hemisphere is hunkered down in darkness. Are you really inspired to excercise, or use it as an excuse to go to the gym as an excuse to try out that new Ipod?

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    If you wanna feel all dark and creepy this month without having to get into the horror genre, then might I suggest the following?
    • Finish off the eggnog in front of the fire. You know you don't want it going to waste. Or if you don't have a fireplace, then watch a deep/freaky movie. Like 'Mosquito Coast.'
    • Knit. Seriously. Why not get a head start on next year's gifts? I don't know about you, but the time I feel most inspired for what to get people for Christmas NEXT year is within the first couple of months after the holiday season.
    • Which brings me to the sales. Have you any idea how many stores need to clear out their stock for the spring collection? Seriously! It's almost three weeks after Christmas and there are still sales to be found! Don't forget the calendar club too! Most items are half off and you can find a mighty nice daily calendar for cheapy!
    • Watch documentaries. Go crazy on some non-fiction books. Your body might not want to move, but that's no reason to keep your mind stagnant. You might also find a good cause to fight for this year. I hear global warming is getting a lot of people hot.
    • Overuse your new gadgets. We know you got 'em. So share them. Break them. Annoy your friends with them. It's easier to excercise when you're running away from someone with a camera that threatens to take pictures of your rear and posting them on the internet.

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    Smelly Cats

    I love my cats. Even though they are little stinkers.

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    Thursday, January 04, 2007

    Ruuuun Sophie! Ruuuuuun!

    I've been told that I shouldn't. But it's soooooooo haaaaaaaaaaaaaard to resiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiist!!!
    Howl submitted on his second night with us.
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    Yes, I put cat ears on my cat.

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    Farting Baby.


    Enjoy your day!

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    Your craving goes deeper than that.

    I have urges.
    • Sometimes to rearrange all of the furnitue in the room just to accomodate one more bookshelf.
    • To read the entire archive of one web comic within a two day period.
    • Waste an entire roll of film on pictures of my feet.
    • Post only in bulletins for an entire week because it's easier to read.
    • Eat an entire tub of ice cream while I wait for my french fries to finish baking.

    *I am NOT pregnant.
    Just as Howl gets the urge to reach over and pat Sophie on the head whenever she sneezes.

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    Dracula knows.

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    Wednesday, January 03, 2007

    Me and bright spring fashions!

    It's not springtime yet, but let's imagine for a second that it is. New leaves on the trees, bright skies, big puffy clouds, warm air with a fresh wind. *sigh* Now, on to today's happy!

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    *Cordie.

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    Tuesday, January 02, 2007

    A Year In Pictures

    My how I have grown.

    January

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    February

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    March

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    April
    *Camera stole my soul.

    May
    *moving was involved, eat me.

    June

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    July

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    August

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    September

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    October

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    November

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    December

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    Clearly this points to the fact that I need to post more pictures.


      My Twelve.

    • Alcohol and Col should only be acquaintances.
    • Organization is key.
    • Need to dance with my husband more. Especially to Staying Alive.
    • Warm & Fuzzy are just what the doctor ordered.
    • My cats are in looooooove.
    • Talk low, carry sugar.
    • I think there is a thing as too much chocolate.
    • Writing about the good things in my life makes me happy.
    • Change happens, we all have to deal with it.
    • Take care of your mind and body.
    • Breathe.
    • Make with the happy.

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    ...And Bright

    Have they gotten along? Hehe...you tell me.

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