'No One Will Know Until This is Actually in Place How it Works'

Yeah, why bother reading legislation before it's passed? A time-honored Democrat tradition. Naturally, the clown who said this will be out of office by then.

Key House and Senate lawmakers approved far-reaching new financial rules early Friday after weeks of division, delay and frantic last-minute dealmaking. The dawn compromise set up a potential vote in both houses of Congress next week that could send the landmark legislation to President Obama by July 4.

Lawmakers pulled an all-nighter, wrapping up their work at 5:39 a.m. -- more than 20 messy, mind-numbing hours after they began Thursday morning.

"It's a great moment. I'm proud to have been here," said a teary-eyed Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.), who as chairman of the Senate Banking Committee led the effort in the Senate. "No one will know until this is actually in place how it works. But we believe we've done something that has been needed for a long time. It took a crisis to bring us to the point where we could actually get this job done."

Never let a good crisis go to waste.

Crazed Sex Poodle Leader Condemns Gore

Geez, you never know what you'll find in your e-mail. For a minute I thought this was a gag.

Dear Mr. JWF,

While we acknowledge that you think your continued use of the term crazed sex poodle in headlines is well within your rights as a respected member of the blogosphere, we urge restraint as we move forward since the board of Crazed Sex Poodles USA has voted to condemn the actions of former Vice President Al Gore, who until recent allegations came to light has been a respected member of our community.

Gore's actions, if true, cast a bad light on those of us who strive to live a quiet life in the shadows, as we're well aware our lifestyle choice is outside mainstream societal norms.

It has been a difficult few days for us dealing with the derision some are heaping upon us and all we ask of you is to show a bit of compassion to our members. We are your friends, your neighbors, your brothers and yes, your sisters. We did not choose to become crazed sex poodles but we live our lives with dignity and just ask to be treated with respect.

As to Mr. Gore, until he comes forth and admits publicly that he indeed is one of us, we feel the need to distance ourselves from him and hope after searching his soul he can redeem himself and perhaps join us in our quest for acceptance.

Sincerely,

Eric B.
President
CSPUSA

P.S. If you and your readers are interested in learning more about us, please visit our homepage at cspusa.org.

Image via here.

Gallup: Conservatives Outnumber Liberals 2 to 1

More grim news for liberals and the Democratic Party.

Conservatives have maintained their leading position among U.S. ideological groups in the first half of 2010. Gallup finds 42% of Americans describing themselves as either very conservative or conservative. This is up slightly from the 40% seen for all of 2009 and contrasts with the 20% calling themselves liberal or very liberal.

The 2010 results are based on eight Gallup and USA Today/Gallup surveys conducted from January through June, encompassing interviews with more than 8,000 U.S. adults. The 42% identifying as conservative represents a continuation of the slight but statistically significant edge conservatives achieved over moderates in 2009. Should that figure hold for all of 2010, it would represent the highest annual percentage identifying as conservative in Gallup's history of measuring ideology with this wording, dating to 1992.

I guarantee the left's reaction will be they're not getting their message out, it's Rush Limbaugh's fault and we'll need balance in the media.

Prosecutors Seek 16-20 Years for Obama Fundraiser Pal

Shhh. Be very, very quiet. A hotshot Democrat fundraiser and good buddy of Barack Obama is about to head off to the federal pen for a couple of decades. And no, it's not Rod Blagojevich.

Federal prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence that could approach 20 years for Hassan Nemazee, a former fundraiser for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton who admitted to a $292 million bank fraud.

Nemazee, 60, pleaded guilty on March 18 to three counts of bank fraud and one count of wire fraud in connection with loan transactions involving Bank of America Corp, Citigroup Inc and HSBC Holdings Plc.

He also agreed to forfeit his interests in property and accounts, including a 2007 Cessna aircraft and 2008 Maserati.

In a Wednesday evening court filing, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in New York said a 188- to 235-month prison term is appropriate, reflecting federal sentencing guidelines.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 30 before U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein in Manhattan.

Paul Shechtman, a lawyer for Nemazee, did not immediately return a call on Thursday seeking comment.

Bharara cited several factors justifying the proposed sentence. These included the 12-year time period for the fraud, the size of the losses, and Nemazee's use of the stolen money to fund "an extremely lavish lifestyle" and also "to build up his reputation, including as a political kingmaker."

Nemazee was one of the top "bundlers" of contributions to Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, according to the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org.

He typically donated more than $100,000 annually to Democrats including Clinton, now U.S. secretary of state.

He'll be missed, especially by greedy Democrats around election season.

Meanwhile, Obama sinks further in the polls. Maybe he needs to get out and hit some golf balls or something.

Don't Miss the G20 Feminist Picnic

Surely a fun time to be had by all. I never knew those womenfolk had it so rough up in Canada.

Because women, children, and trans people bear the brunt of violence, war, racism, colonialism, ageism, economic inequality, and climate degradation. The G8/G20 as an organization profits from and proliferates all of these problems.

Because Indigenous women are disproportionately victimized, incarcerated, and denied basic rights in Canada and across the world.

Because women and their families are displaced by war, by privatization and climate disasters caused by government and corporate
actions, and are forced to migrate with their families to survive and
thrive, only to be faced with criminalization and racism in Canada.

If you manage to miss this eevnt, you can always catch up later at the Shout Out for Global Justice gathering.

I'm sure they'll find something to complain about. Meanwhile, on SUnday there'll be a Make Believe Tea Party.

The make believe tea party is meant to be an autonomous medium risk action that can happen simultaneously throughout the G20 Demo on Sunday afternoon at around 3:33 pm.

The burning of currency may be incorporated into whatever situation one finds themselves in at the time and be accompanied by a brief declaration thru speech, song, dance, performance art, spiritual ceremony, comedy skit, whatever. If ye do burn be sure to do it with campfire common sense & care. The mbt party will occur in Toronto and can easily be celebrated in other communities as well.

Participants are responsible for supplying their own money and own reason(s) for rejecting said currency. If you like the idea but can't afford to burn a Canadian five dollar bill then acquire ahead of time a less expensive denomination from one of the G20 countries. Burning a Canadian or American note of currency probably increases the risk of arrest. The author of this action is not aware of anyone ever being charged for burning money and knows for a fact that USA legal tender is not fire resistant.

The fun then culminates later Sunday with Fire Works for Prisons.

Prison is everywhere; it is nothing more than a reflection of the society in which we live. It is a daily threat and reality that has permeated every facet of society. With the deepening of surveillance, the integration of police forces, the increased use of private security, the existence of courts, repression and isolation, the walls of prison are already built around us. If we don’t accept this miserable life offered to us, they’ll always have room for us in their overcrowded cells.

In the streets, prisons, psychiatric institutions, detention centres, there are those who do not come to peace with their exploitation. We desire to stand with comrades and accomplices who refuse to accept this reality, who refuse to be defeated by the System, who taste freedom in the ashes of prisons. We want to shed our fear and together confront the prison apparatus. We want to expand our solidarity in struggle against prison. We want people to join us and directly confront the systems of social control. We want to be everything prison isn’t: uncontrollable, joyful, creative…

We are encouraging people to come organized with intention, to make this project their own. Bring what you want to the demo: plans, noisemakers, banners, chants, and above all your passion for freedom. Confrontation is welcome.

Victim of Crazed Sex Poodle Looking for a Payday?

The question I have is will she'll accept carbon credits in lieu of cash?

A masseuse who accused Al Gore of being a "crazed sex poodle" and of groping her in a hotel room is preparing to come forward and sell her story -- for $1 million.

Sources tell Page Six the so-far unidentified Oregon woman is ready to publicly reveal herself and heap more embarrassment on the former vice president in return for a seven-figure media deal. And she intends to use the pants she wore on the night of the alleged incident -- supposedly stained with Gore's DNA and stored in a bank safety-deposit box -- as evidence against Gore, who recently split with wife Tipper.

A source told us, "She's ready to come forward and sell the story with even more salacious details. But she wants $1 million. Her attorney is shopping for a deal, and while there are many media outlets interested, there are negotiations going on because the price tag is way too high."

If the big lummox is thinking clearly he might want to just man up and fork over some dough to keep her quiet. Granted, Gore's media pals will do their best to keep this as hush-hush as possible.

I wonder what the esteemed "journalists" on their little chatterbox site are yapping about today?

Burger Diplomacy

Barack Obama must hate the crap his wife has him eat at the White House. No wonder he's constantly fleeing for sporting events and making burger runs.

So what is it with Ray’s Hell Burger? Could it be winning the White House Burger Battle?

Let’s ask the president of Russia. We know President Obama is a fan.

On a sweltering summer day in Washington on Thursday, President Obama passed on lunch from White House chefs to take his Russian counterpart, Dmitri Medvedev, across the Potomac to Ray’s, a hamburger establishment in Arlington, Va.

Mr. Obama might almost qualify as a Ray’s regular: he and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. went there on a surprise lunch run last year.

Mr. Obama had a cheddar cheeseburger with onions, lettuce, tomato, and bread-and-butter pickles, and a bottle of iced tea to wash it down. Mr. Medvedev also ordered the cheddar burger, but he added jalapenos, onions and mushrooms, and paired it with a bottle of Coca-Cola.

Translators stayed close at hand to keep the conversation going as the two world leaders sat down to eat in shirt sleeves (Mr. Obama even unbuttoned his cuffs). They all walked out afterward to cheers from the other patrons.

Oooh, Obama even unbuttoned his cuffs!

Swoon!

Did Obama also have dijon mustard on this trip or did he settle for the French's we see on the table?

Cavuto Interview With Chris Christie: 'They Misevaluated This Governor'

More harsh truth from America's Most Beloved Governor. Most illuminating near the end how the Democrats tried to roll him but he didn't take the bait. Now wonder people love this guy.

CAVUTO: This invariably leads to folks saying you side with the rich, when you…vetoed a millionaires tax actually would have affect those earning as little as $400,000. It was immediately met with you in pride that you were on the side of fat cats. The New Jersey Education Association president said: “The choice could not be more stark, tax cuts for millionaires or full school funding for New Jersey kids.”

CHRISTIE: Well, let’s be clear, the millionaires tax, as they called it, was allowed to expire by Governor Jon Corzine and the Democrats in the legislature in December of last year, before I was even governor. And what I said was, if they wanted to pass that tax, it was their choice to extend this tax. They chose not to, because they wanted to play politics. And they thought, wait, we can get a twofer here, you know. We can raise the taxes and get more money to spend, to expand our programs and we can force the governor to do something we know he doesn’t want to do and said he won’t do, which is raise taxes on anyone in New Jersey. And I said to them, you made your choice. You don’t want to take the revenue when you had a governor who would sign it, you’re not going to get it now, because raising taxes on businesses in New Jersey, which that would have done, any division within New Jersey, is not what’s going to make our private sector grow. We already have the worst tax burden of any citizens in America, when you combine all of our taxes. So raising taxes on anybody, because believe me, today, they’re going to raise taxes on those people, next year they’ll come back and raise taxes on somebody else. And then it’s going to get into your pocket. So I’m going to have stay on the line and say, no, we can do this by cutting spending and reducing the size of government. That’s what I was committed to doing. All these other things are just politics and false choices. And I think they thought that a governor like Jon Corzine, who, when they pushed, I would fall over. They misevaluated this governor.

You can see parts 2 and 3 on the interview here.

'It Only Took a Couple of Seconds, But it Changed Donovan’s Life Forever'

Talk about a golden goal. While that dramatic goal of his Wednesday lifted the United States to the knockout round of the World Cup, it's also elevated Landon Donovan into an economic stratosphere normally reserved for international superstars of the game.

Cards played right, Donovan could be looking at a payday of at least $10 million.

Landon Donovan’s career will never be same after his dream World Cup goal – and neither will his bank balance.

Donovan’s memories of his injury-time goal against Algeria that kept the United States in the tournament are priceless. But there is also a very tangible side effect to that unforgettable moment, both to the midfielder’s wealth and his future prospects.

“It only took a couple of seconds, but it changed Donovan’s life forever,” said sports economics and advertising expert Paul Ridley, owner of leading London sports business firm Paul Ridley Limited. “Donovan is going to be a hot commodity after this and as long as he is managed correctly, $10 million is very attainable.”

The blueprint is there.

“Donovan can copy a little bit from David Beckham,” said Ridley, who launched Manchester United’s in-house television channel and has clients in Britain and the U.S. “He needs to carefully select the brands he wants to be associated with and make sure they fit his image – Brand Landon if you like.”

So, get used to seeing Donovan on your television screens for quite some time. The soccer buzz that accompanies a World Cup will obviously dissipate after the tournament ends and the American sports scene returns to its typical state.

Yet Donovan’s dramatic strike with just seconds remaining at Loftus Versfeld Stadium sent his star soaring and will greatly increase his marketability. He has gone from being just a soccer player, albeit America’s most famous one, to a clutch performer on the biggest stage of all.

And $10 million could be just the tip of the iceberg, compared to the money Donovan could earn playing club soccer in Europe.

Paul McCartney: Some People Don't Believe in Climate Aarming - Like Those Who Don't Believe There Was a Holocaust'

Washed-up musician does the full Ellen Goodman and gives a tongue-bath to Obama.

How cute.

THE shocking images of oil-covered wildlife and ruined beaches across the Gulf of Mexico have horrified millions.
But passionate green campaigner Sir Paul McCartney believes the environmental disaster may have a silver lining, with the search for clean, renewable energy now being pushed forward.

The Beatles legend said: "Sadly we need disasters like this to show people. Some people don't believe in climate warming - like those who don't believe there was a Holocaust.

Seems Paulie's really got the hots for the deeply unpopular Golfer-in-Chief.

He beams: "It was such an honour. I'd heard of the prize - it's the biggest for popular music in the US. When the President gave it to me, I was so touched. I'm a huge Obama supporter. I really love him.

"When it was the election I was praying he would win and dreading John McCain or Sarah Palin getting in. It was like, 'No, America - you don't need that right now.' I'd read Obama's books and had an opportunity to talk to him there, in the White House, where I'd never been before.

A few weeks ago this aging cretin insulted George W. Bush while Obama laughed.

I guess McCartney needn't worry about album boycotts since he's still living off a legacy from more than 40 years ago, about the time he authored anything worth listening to.

Great News: Provincetown Schools Now Handing Out Condoms to Kids of Any Age

Can't say I'm surprised by this--it is Provincetown, after all--but seriously, is some nurse going to be handing condoms to a 7-year-old if he asks for one, assuming the kid even knows what one is? Are they going to have kids sizes available?

Students in Provincetown – from elementary to high school – will be able to get free condoms at school, under a policy passed earlier this month, even though their parents might object.

“We know that sexual experimentation is not limited to an age, so how does one put an age on it?” said Superintendent Beth Singer, who wrote the policy unanimously passed two weeks ago by the Cape Cod town's School Committee.

“It’s about availability; we’re not handing 'em out like M&M’s,” said committee chairman Peter Grosso.

It's about availability? So if they're out the little kiddies go on a waiting list until some are available?

The policy, which requires school nurses to supply condoms to any student who asks, was met with criticism by some parents, particularly over the possibility of preschoolers acquiring condoms. But Singer insists that if an especially young child requests a condom, the nurse will ask the student’s motive and act accordingly.

“If that were to happen, we would deal with it in a professional and appropriate way,” she said. “I don’t anticipate that this policy is going to affect youngsters. It’s there for adolescents. ... We do know from research” that children now have sex at a younger age.

Jeanmarie Kaeselau, 41, who has a fifth- and an eighth-grader in the school system, said today that she is uncomfortable with the policy, which takes effect next school year.

“That’s a little weird,” she said, adding that she would be "uncomfortable" if her fifth-grade son came home with a condom. “I’d rather have him come to me.”

Sorry to let Ms. Kaeselau in on a little secret, but your kid won't be coming to you asking for a condom.

This is just another school district deciding it know better than parents and they're overstepping the role that schools serve, or at least used to.

Plus it's a total waste of funds since if you've ever been in Provincetown you'll know condoms are available pretty much anywhere, so if any youngsters want them they can just walk into a store a buy them, no questions asked.

H/T Spitfire Murphy.

'I Get Hit On By Women All the Time'

I can understand her denying it, but if you look like Ed Rendell you might want to retain an air of mystery just to give folks the impression you got the name Fast Eddie for a reason. Probably the best-looking babe you'll ever be linked with, so milk it, dude.

GOV. RENDELL and Kirstin Snow, a former beauty queen who heads the state's Commonwealth Media Services, deny rumors that they are having an affair, according to a story in the July issue of Philadelphia magazine.

The story by the magazine's features editor, Robert Huber, doesn't do much more than announce the rumors publicly and then allow Rendell and Snow to deny them. The story says "several prominent people" think Rendell is having an affair, but they declined to be quoted by name.
Rendell and Snow, who were interviewed for the story, declined to comment about it yesterday.

The three-page article includes a full-page portrait of a grinning Rendell seated with a smiling Snow standing behind him, resting her arms on his shoulders.

The photo was taken in October at the Commonwealth Media Services studio, in Harrisburg, when Rendell posed for the magazine's November "Power" issue. Rendell appeared alone on the cover of that issue.

Apparently Rendell fancies himself quite the chick magnet.

_ "You know, like a lot of people in politics, I get hit on by women all the time," Rendell says. "There are political groupies just like there are sports groupies. I got hit on when I was 260 every bit as much as when I'm 200."

Dumbest NY Times Column Ever?

Gail Collins has churned out a lot of idiotic columns over the years, but this takes the cake. Seriously, an entire column devoted to what she thinks would be Gen. McChrystal's Twitter messages?

Huh?

Someone might want to let this dunce know tweets are limited to 140 characters. The first entry from "Day 2" would never have gone through.

Forget for a minute how juvenile this approach to writing a column is. The content is indecipherable, meaningless and totally incoherent. Isn't there an editor available at the Times to send this junk back to Collins and let her know even a grade school newspaper wouldn't print such dreck?

Hard to Believe This Disguise Didn't Fool Anyone

I'm thinking maybe if he skipped the glasses he'd have gotten away with it.

Wearing an Afro wig, baseball cap, woman’s clothes and spectacles, this was the appearance of the kingpin at the centre of violence in Jamaica when he was finally arrested.

Described as one of the world’s most dangerous drugs barons, Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, was on his way to a police station, accompanied by a preacher, when he was detained.

Coke, who is balding and usually wears a beard, was clean-shaven and travelling in a car that also contained a pink wig, police said.

The 42-year-old was born into gang royalty, allegedly running a smuggling operation that supplied drugs up and down the US East Coast. He is said to have used the proceeds to cast himself as a Jamaican Robin Hood, and his power grew to rival that of the prime minister.

That apparent reign was at an end last night, with Coke behind bars at a secret location and facing almost certain extradition to the US.

The threat of extradition sparked a week of violence in May that killed 76 people, but his capture after a month-long manhunt was surprisingly peaceful.

Salma Hayek's Gravity Defying Stunt

A little palate cleanser after that lurid tale of the crazed sex poodle. It must have been at least a few days since we offered up some cheesecake and honestly you can't do much better than this. How that outfit stays up is anyone's guess.

More photos at the link, but don't scroll too far down since they inexplicably throw in a couple of photos of some pigs from the Jersey Shore, which completely ruins the vibe.

Al Gore: 'Crazed Sex Poodle'

You can bet your last cent if this were a Republican the howls of cover-up would be echoing across the land. But since it is he who shall save the planet, nothing will happen. All we now know for sure is the public Al Gore sure as heck looks a lot different that what appears to be a lurid, sinister abuser of women. For shame, Manbearpig, for shame.

A Portland massage therapist gave local police a detailed statement last year alleging that former Vice President Al Gore groped her, kissed her and made unwanted sexual advances during a late-night massage session in October 2006 in a suite at the upscale Hotel Lucia.

The woman told investigators that she informed two friends and kept the clothes she wore that night, including her black pants with stains on them. But Portland police didn't contact any of the woman's friends, obtain the potential evidence or interview anyone at the hotel, records show.

"The case was not investigated any further because detectives concluded there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations," the Portland Police Bureau said in a prepared statement Wednesday, responding to inquiries from all over the world after the National Enquirer broke the story on its website.

In her detailed Jan. 8, 2009, statement to a Portland sexual assault investigator, the woman said she was called to the hotel about 10:30 p.m. Oct. 24, 2006, to provide a massage for Gore, who was registered under the name "Mr. Stone." Once inside his ninth-floor suite, she said he pushed her hand to his groin, fondled her buttocks and breasts, tongue-kissed her and threw her down on the bed as she tried to thwart his advances.

She also said Gore had finished a beer and opened a bottle of Grand Marnier while she was in the room.

While the Police Bureau considers it a closed case, it said it would reopen it if new evidence is received.

Portland police spokeswoman Detective Mary Wheat said police didn't go to the hotel or talk to the woman's friends because it wouldn't help prove or disprove the woman's allegations.

"We're not disputing Al Gore was in the hotel room with this woman," Wheat said. "The two people in that room were Mr. Gore and this woman. If a bellhop came in and saw something, that would be different."

The Multnomah County district attorney's office was aware that the woman's attorney filed a complaint with police about two months after the encounter, but the woman didn't show up for three scheduled interviews with police investigators. At that time, police were told the woman didn't want to proceed with a criminal case and would pursue a civil case instead.

The details are almost too much to contemplate and we may now have a new nickname for Gore.

While giving Gore an abdominal massage, she said he demanded that she go lower and soon grabbed her right hand and shoved it under the sheet.

"I felt like I was dancing on the edge of a razor," she told Detective Molly Daul.

She tried to use an acupressure technique to relax Gore and thought she may have nearly put him to sleep. She went into the bathroom to wash up and came out to pack up.

That's when, she says, Gore wrapped her in an "inescapable embrace" and fondled her back, buttocks and breasts as she was trying to break down her massage table.

She called him a "crazed sex poodle" and tried to distract him, pointing out a box of Moonstruck chocolates on a nearby table. He went for the chocolates and then offered her some, cornering her, fondling her and shoving his tongue in her mouth to french kiss as he pressed against her.

She said he tried to pull her camisole strap down.

She said she told him to stop it. "I was distressed, shocked and terrified."

She said she was intimidated by his physical size, calling him "rotund," described his "violent temper, dictatorial, commanding attitude" -- what she termed a contrast from his "Mr. Smiley global-warming concern persona."

Later, she said, he tried to lure her into the bedroom to hear pop star Pink's "Dear Mr. President" on his iPod dock. She said Gore sat on one end of the bed and motioned for her to join him.

Suddenly, she said, he "flipped me on my back, threw his whole body face down over a top me, pinning me down."

She said she loudly protested, "Get off me, you big lummox!"

The therapist said she injured her left leg and knee and sought medical care for several months.

The therapist later told detectives she did not call the police because she was afraid she wouldn't be believed. "I deeply feared being made into a public spectacle and my work reputation being destroyed," she said.

Obviously all the NOW crowd and women's rights advocates will soon be denouncing Gore and offering to assist the woman, right?

Have Californians Seen The Light?

This is going to become one grand pissing contest.

Bid to suspend California's global warming law qualifies for November ballot
The battle over the initiative, launched by Texas oil giants Valero and Tesoro, will pit that industry against environmentalists and the state's clean-tech businesses.

Margot Roosevelt
The Los Angeles Times

California headed for a high-stakes battle over global warming Tuesday, as an oil industry-backed measure to suspend the state's aggressive climate-change law qualified for the November ballot.

The fight will pit the state's powerful environmental organizations and clean-tech businesses against the oil and manufacturing industries. It also arrays many conservative political leaders, including the GOP nominee for governor, Meg Whitman, against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a fellow Republican who regards the global warming law as a key part of his legacy.

Whitman has said she would suspend the global-warming law for one year but has not endorsed the initiative.

The measure, launched six months ago by Texas oil giants Valero Energy Inc. and Tesoro Corp., comes as the industry has fallen under intense scrutiny in the wake of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster.

Under California's law, known as AB 32, the state is setting limits on greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles, oil refineries and other industries, and will probably require that a third of the state's electricity come from renewable sources by 2020, up from about 15% today. New rules under the law would encourage sales of more fuel-efficient cars.

Supporters of the law say it has spurred a large market for solar, wind and other clean energy sources.

But backers of the ballot effort, who are calling their measure "the California Jobs Initiative paint the climate law as "an energy tax." Their initiative would halt enforcement of the law until unemployment in the state, now over 12%, sinks to 5.5% for at least a year.

"AB 32 will impose billions of dollars in higher utility rates and fuel prices on California families when they can least afford it," said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn, and co-chair of the initiative campaign.

Schwarzenegger lashed back Tuesday, saying, "This initiative sponsored by greedy Texas oil companies would cripple California's fastest-growing economic sector, reverse our renewable energy policy and decimate our environmental progress for the benefit of these oil companies' profit margins."

He added, "I will not allow this to happen on my watch."

And if the electorate tells you to phuk off, Ahnold?

Proponents of the measure spent $3 million, more than two thirds of it contributed by the two Texas companies and other energy interests, to gather more than 800,000 signatures to place the measure on the ballot. To qualify, the initiative needed 433,971 signatures, equal to 5% of the ballots cast in the 2006 general election.

"The Texas oil companies think if they can kill their clean energy competition in California, they can do it everywhere," said Steve Maviglio, a spokesman for the initiative's opponents, who set up a campaign committee called Californians for Clean Energy and Jobs.

Valero, which owns two California refineries, has mounted an aggressive campaign against federal efforts to pass climate legislation, including a House bill that was modeled in part on California's law. Environmentalists acknowledge that postponing California's rules to limit greenhouse gases could damage the chances of any federal legislation.

Supporters of the law have marshaled a who's who of the clean-tech world, including 300 companies, to raise money to fight the initiative. "AB 32 is an incubator of innovation," said Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt. The law, he said, would lead to "new job creation in many sectors as business responds to the need for energy-efficient buildings, transportation and a growing portfolio of renewable energy resources."

Although the gulf oil disaster could turn undecided voters against the measure, proponents already face a steep hurdle in the wording that will describe the ballot. The title was set by the office of state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown, a supporter of AB 32 and the Democratic gubernatorial candidate. It will be described on the ballot as follows: "Suspends air pollution control laws requiring major polluters to report and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming until unemployment drops below specified level for full year."

The ballot wording goes on to say the measure "requires the state to abandon implementation of comprehensive greenhouse-gas-reduction program that includes increased renewable energy and cleaner fuel requirements, and mandatory emission reporting and fee requirements for major polluters such as power plants and oil refineries, until suspension is lifted."

Given deep pockets on both sides and the high cost of television advertising, spending on the initiative could reach $150 million, making it one of the most expensive ballot battles in the state's history.

The ballot will also be crowded with other controversial propositions, including an $11-billion state water bond, a measure to legalize and tax marijuana, an initiative to transfer authority over the redistricting of congressional districts from the Legislature to a commission and a measure to fund state parks with an $18 vehicle license fee.

Contact Margot Roosevelt

Busy chasing some strange, al-Gore was unavailable for comment.

Continuing to show how they're out of step with what remains of their membership ...

I agree with Professor Richard Lindzen from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who said: “future generations will wonder in bemused amazement that the early 21st century’s developed world went into hysterical panic over a globally averaged temperature increase of a few tenths of a degree, and, on the basis of gross exaggerations of highly uncertain computer projections combined into implausible chains of inference, proceeded to contemplate a roll-back of the industrial age”. ― Vaclav Klaus, President of the Czech Republic

It's Official: Client No. 9 Now on at 8

It's official. Disgraced former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer and faux conservative Kathleen Parker will be hosting a CNN program.

Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer and 2010 Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Kathleen Parker will co-host a new hour long CNN primetime news program starting in the fall as the nation prepares for the 2010 midterm election, the network announced Wednesday morning.

The yet-to-be-named “roundtable discussion” program will air at 8 p.m. ET replacing Campbell Brown.

“Other cable news channels force-feed viewers one narrow, predictable point of view; in contrast, CNN will be offering a lively roundup of all the best ideas – presented by two of the most intelligent and outspoken figures in the country,” Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S., said in a statement released by the network. “Eliot and Kathleen are beholden to no vested interest – in fact, quite the opposite: they are renowned for taking on the most powerful targets and most important causes.”

Indeed, Spitzer has no narrow or vested interest, except for the Democratic Party.

I give this hot mess six months tops.

Enquirer Bombshell: Al Gore in Sex Attack

The folks at The National Enquirer sure have it out for Al Gore. First the Laurie David story and now this?

ENQUIRER WORLD EXCLUSIVE: AL GORE has been accused of sexually attacking a masseuse in Portland, Oregon - and is named in the official police report about the alleged assault, The ENQUIRER has learned exclusively!

The bombshell story will appear in the new issue of The ENQUIRER and will include the secret police documents, a photo of the woman making the stunning charges and will reveal the shocking details about the pants she saved as evidence!

Our investigative team uncovered the amazing story just weeks after the former Vice President announced that he and wife TIPPER were ending their 40-year marriage - amidst reports she suspected her husband was involved with "a gorgeous massage therapist."

We have verified the 62-year-old former VP was in Portland at the time of the alleged incident - Oct. 24, 2006 - and we saw the $540 massage bill.

Just wondering, does former Clinton lawyer David Kendall still work for the Enquirer?

Yummy: Arizona Restaurant Now Offering Lion Burgers

Animal rights advocates are roaring about it. But since this is simply a cultural homage to South Africa, isn't it racist to complain?

People are feeling the World Cup fever all over the globe. The South Africa tournament has captivated fans, and now a Mesa restaurant is paying homage to the host country with a special menu item. But by offering that item, the owner has received threats.

Cameron Selogie is selling burgers made from lion meat, starting Wednesday at Il Vinaio in Mesa.

The big cat is not illegal to eat in the U.S., and the African lions used to make the burgers were actually raised on a free-range animal farm in the Midwest.

"We have access to some really exotic meats that are USDA-approved. One of the ones that raised eyebrows was lion. And we've had quite a few customers asking us off the cuff, when are we going to serve some lion," says Selogie, owner of Il Vinaio.

Dr. Grey Stafford with the World Wildlife Zoo says that serving a threatened species sends the wrong message. "Of all the plentiful things to eat in this country, for someone to request that or to offer that... I was rather stunned," says Stafford.

"In Africa, they do eat lions. So I assume if it's ok for Africans to eat lion then it should be ok for us," says Selogie.