Dive Into History This Summer with The Federalist Papers

WITH ALL THE ATTENTION placed on math and science scores in our schools, it seems that the study of history and civics gets lost in the fray. Now more than ever kids need to know history--especially American history--in order to function properly in our society. If we focused our attention more on civics and government, then perhaps our kids would actually vote when they turned 18.

Anyway, enough with my rant. If you want to get more acquainted with the founding of our nation, Democracy for America is hosting a summer reading group on The Federalist Papers. This week starts with #10. The group will cover 6 papers and last for 6 weeks. I think this is an excellent idea and I'm going to be printing out my copy tonight.

New Jersey Moves Its Primary

NEW JERSEY ACTING GOVERNOR RICHARD CODEY signed a bill into law today that would move the New Jersey primaries of both parties up from June to the last Tuesday in February, according to the Gloucester County Times.

This is a big move for us New Jerseyans, who can actually feel like we're playing a part in primary politics when we choose our nominee. By the time June rolls around, we already know who's going to lead the party into the general election.

However, it's startling that so many state primaries occur around the same time, most notably on Super Tuesday. Conglomeration for power is scary and more states will feel pressured to move up their primary dates in order to remain significant.

Also, another requirement enacted by the new law: electronic voting machines must have a paper record of all votes cast.

Hmm...could it be that simple?

Yes.

In Other News: Rove and Plame-gate? Could Rove Be Indicted?

LAWRENCE O'DONNELL of The Huffington Post reports that, though difficult, levying charges against someone who intentionally reveals the identity of a covert agent is indeed still possible and Karl Rove could be indicted.

The statute indicates that, in order for one to be convicted of such a charge, the following must be proven:

1. That subject must have been a covert agent at the time of exposure.
2. The exposer had to have known the subject was a covert agent.
3. The exposer had to have known the covert agent was taking measures to reveal his/her identity.
4. The exposer had to have had authorized access to the covert agent's information.

Based on the information we currently know, these four prongs certainly leave enough wiggle room for Rove to squeal out of. However, there are definitely several pieces missing from the puzzle; namely, 8 blank (due to containing classified information) pages from Circuit Court Judge David Tatel's court opinion on the ruling as to whether reporters Judith Miller and Matt Cooper should be forced to reveal their sources. Tatel, according to O'Donnell, reluctantly sided with the prosecution because of “the gravity of the suspected crime.”

And the basis for O'Donnell's decision is located in those 8 blank pages.

G8 Released Statement on Today's London Attack

THE G8 released an official statement on today's brutal terrorist attack in London.

Show Anglo-American Solidarity

I'VE chosen to display the Union Jack as a sign of solidary with the British. Having experienced New York first-hand on 9/11, I'm familiar with the scary and surreal realities of terrorism and my thoughts are with the British and their families. I travel the New York City subway and the thought of being trapped in one of those cars is truly frightening.

It will be interesting to see Britain's response to this. Will they act like the Spanish, who vehemently demanded a withdrawal from Iraq after the Madrid attacks last year, or will they still stand with America? I hope it's the latter, we have to take action against these barbarians.

Terror Group Claims London Blasts

THE SECRET GROUP OF AL QAEDA OF JIHAD IN EUROPE claims responsibility for the coordinated attacks on London this morning. On their Web site, they claim that "Britain is now burning with fear, terror and fright from the north to the south, east and west."

According to Tony Blair, the G-8 summit in Scotland will continue as planned. He left for London but will return to Scotland later in the evening.

I think a certain quote from the British prime minister pretty much sums up the mentality of these savages.

"It's particularly barbaric that this has happened on a day when people are meeting to try and help the problems of poverty in Africa,'' Blair said.

Fred Thompson 2008?

TODAY PRESIDENT BUSH announced that former Senator Fred Thompson will oversee the process of sheparding the yet-to-be-chosen judicial nominee for the Supreme Court.

If I were running the Republican Party, I would have to strongly urge Senator Thompson to run in 2008. He has everything that could make him presidential--eloquent, yet he speaks from the heart; he's from the South; he sounds genuine and is smart enough to be president. In my opinion, he's even a stronger "anti-politician" than George W. Bush!

I, however, am not a Republican, let alone leading the GOP so I'm not in favor of it. We've seen enough actors-turned-politicians and I'd like someone who has a little more experience than a one-term senator.

In my opinion, I don't think any of the leading contenders of both parties will end up in the general election of 2008. There are so many Hillary-haters out there that it would be foolish for the Democrats to put her up front. Perhaps McCain will run again, but I have a feeling an outsider is going to step into the national spotlight this time around. Fred Thompson is from the South. He has Christian moral values (or is at least perceived as having them). He's not a pretty-boy nor can he be seen as such. He's rugged and a little raw and that's how the South will appeal to him.

For the Democrats, Joe Biden has already mentioned his intention of running. I'm not familiar with his politics, but he seems like an attractive alternative to Senator Clinton, who it seems everybody but Joe Biden is counting on as a shoe-in for the Democratic nomination.

We'll see what happens. It's too early to tell.

First Post!

Welcome to my blog! This is my first entry; I hope there will be many many more to come.

My blog, "Loosen the Beltway," involves my rambling thoughts on politics, the state of the geopolitical universe, and life(work) in one of the greatest metropolitan areas of the world, New York.

Sit back, feel free to comment, and enjoy my latest ramblings!