The Money Game

Now here is a story I wish you were hearing a bit more about in the press. How much money John McCain's wife has.

Kerry got pummeled about his wife's fortune during the 2004 election. Clinton has even been criticized for not giving up the details of her income sooner. (She released her income tax statement last week, showing that she and the former Prez have done just fine thank you since leaving office.)

So what is the deal? Do we just EXPECT that the GOP candidate is going to be loaded and don't question it? Let's face it, no politician gets very far without having some money, either their own or what gets donated to them. Obviously, we have a long history of politicians having their own money—FDR, JFK, Reagan, the Bushes—all were wealthy beyond the ordinary American.

Yet McCain doesn't seem to be getting the grief that Kerry did? Why is that? The Washington Post estimated last year that the McCain's net worth was between $25-$38 million. (Hey McCains—Interested in adopting a slightly older, U.S. liberal? I can suck it up and help on the campaign.) Much of that wealth comes from Cindy McCain, whose daddy founded a beer distributing company, Hensley & Co.

If you are interested in a more detailed look at the McCain's and their moola, CNN has a recent piece about it.

Environment-Schmenvironment

It would appear that our fearless leader is at it again—this time he is giving the environment a big FU so he can continue to build his board fence, which may keep those nasty Mexican critters on their side of the line, but won't do jack about people wanting to come live the American dream. (And yes in case you are wondering, I AM hugging a tree while I write this.)

I don't know if the major networks have tackled this one much but the Washington Post had a piece on it April 2, as well as the Chicago Tribune and Britain's Independent—maybe we do still need newspapers after all.

Anyway, according to the W. Post's piece more than 20 environmental laws are being waived to finish up the last 470 odd miles of this monstrosity by the end of 2008.  Mr. Homeland Security, Michael "Skeletor" Chertoff said that they had no choice but to bypass the "standard environmental reviews."

"Criminal activity at the border does not stop for endless debate or protracted litigation," said Chertoff. Gosh Beav, really? Well then, sure, don't let a silly thing like a rule or law get in your way then. Just do what you want, that is what this administration has always done.

The land that this section of the fence will cut through includes areas of the Colorado River, the Peloncillo Mountians, as well as many national parks, wildlife refuges and other wilderness areas. Hasta la vista jack rabbits!

Meanwhile, two environmental groups—Sierra Club and Defenders of Wildlife—have asked the Supreme Court to review the constitutionality of the administration's waiver. Not that I would hold my breath about Thomas, Scalia and the boys deciding that plants and animals are good anytime soon.