War and Oil

It was not a good day for the Democratic majority nor the party generally speaking.

Beguiled by the veto paradigm set forth by the White House early in the war-funding debate, the leadership in the Senate has decided to give the president his money, with no withdrawal deadline attached.

We argued long ago that Democrats could not win the funding debate without making it clear their purpose was to END THE WAR. Otherwise, we said, they would have not only been open to charges of abandoning the troops in the field, but guilty of them as well.

By not funding the war, the Democrats should have made clear the president's veto was superfluous because the WAR WAS OVER, but they never got on top of the argument and now have disappointed activists, soldiers and the American people in their ability to play politics on a moral issue to which there is no proper and contrary response.

Nuff said.

Meanwhile, Move.org is circulating a petition calling on Congress to draft legislation making price-gouging at the gas pumps a federal crime.

Anarcho-syndical in nature, highwayscribery is not too big on the proliferation of further federal crimes; there are enough already to generate the largest prison population in the world, but sometimes we support MoveOn just because.

They claim to have received an uncommonly large and quick response to their request and so we're heeding their request to do the "liberal blog" thing and ask you to sign the thing.

Click here. and keep heart.

Here's remembering you Sargent Packer:

Gov. Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on Death of Clovis Soldier

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. Steven M. Packer of Clovis , CA :

"Today, California mourns the tragic loss of Sergeant Packer. Steven's courageous devotion in serving our country is a reminder that our lives and liberties are well-protected by the men and women of our nation's armed forces. Maria and I wish to express our sincere condolences to his family and friends and we will pray for their comfort during this difficult time."

Sgt. Packer, 23, died May 17 as a result of wounds suffered when his dismounted patrol encountered an improvised explosive device in Rushdi Mullah, Iraq . He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum , N.Y.

In honor of Sgt. Packer, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.