Tuesday 24 May 2005

Frist Wary Of New Compromise
May Continue With Justice Sundays; Seeks 'End of Days' Commitment

Through the efforts of 14 bipartisan senators, a compromise was reached on President Bush's judicial nominees and the Senate will move forward with the vote for confirmation, avoiding both a derisive filibuster or the unprecedented changing of Senate rules, the derided 'Nuclear Option'.

However, Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) is wary of the new compromise and wants a clear definition of the element around the Democrats' right to filibuster under 'extraordinary circumstances. Frist, essentially, was building his run for the presidency on this judicial nominee issue and was clearly reaching out to the conservative Christian right wing of the Republican Party.

Frist is threatening to conduct more Justice Sundays and wants an 'End of Days' guideline to what the extraordinary circumstances will be for the Democrats to invoke a filibuster over a judicial nominee.

Frist remains out on bail and is facing charges of the Patriot Act violations for his threatened use of the 'Nuclear Option (See The Garlic 11 May 2005 - Dems Seek Arrest, Charges of Senate Leader Frist, and Others).

Frist has called on Dr. James Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family, Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council, to assist Frist in drafting the 'extraordinary circumstances" clause of the compromise. Both men helped organize the first Justice Sunday event, which was dubbed, "The Filibuster Against People of Faith"

Frist wants an 'End of Days' scenario in place as the only definition of the 'extraordinary circumstances'. Frist, reportedly, has the backing of the While House for this harsh definition.

Senate Minority Leader, Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) was disappointed with Frist, charging him with continuing to "pander to the right" and vowed a fight over this clause of the compromise.

"He can throw all the fire and brimstone at us that he wants to" said an angry Reid. "He needs to look at the polls and what the American people are saying … The Senate is a joke right now and he's creating his own 'End of Days' scenario if he continues down this path".

It is being reported that Frist, in a symbolic gesture, flushed a copy of the compromise down a Senate toilet late last night.


Apple To Support Podcasting
Believes More Apple Dissent To Be Thwarted With New Support

At the 3rd D: All Things Digital Conference in San Diego this week, sponsored by the Wall Street Journal, Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced that iTunes 4.9, the newest release of the popular music downloading application will feature integrated support for Podcasting.

Jobs was dismissive of the growing popularity of Podcasting, describing it as "Wayne's World for radio" but did remain upbeat to the phenomenon. Jobs also discussed the prospects of placing iTunes on telephones.

Intergrating Podcating with iTunes is the continuation of Apple's campaign to thwart and stamp down any dissent or negativity associated with the range of Apple's products and services (See The Garlic 10 March 2005 - Apple Takes Blog Ruling As New Club On Criticism and Dissent).

The new features for podcasting with iTunes 4.9, will have similar software to the newer iPods that are outfitted with special senors to detect a batch of keywords related to dissent about Apple. Much like the iPods, the new podcasting features will send a signal - much like a Lojack - for Apple to dispatch a lawyer to serve the podcasters with a lawsuit.

For those who upgrade to and/or download the new iTunes 4.9, and listen to a podcast on an either the iTune website or an iPod, a special button will be available that will take them directly to the iSqueal Hotline, so they can report any Apple dissent they hear being broadcast.