Hoekstra Calls For Bi-Partisanship

I find it amusing that one of the staunchest right wing neocon hacks called for political unity today while speaking to the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce.

"When members of the parties try to work together, you get hammered by the extremes in both parties for working together,"

"With a radical middle, we can focus on getting things done

Perhaps we should look at the facts:

* Hoekstra voted with President Bush 87% of the time.
* Hoekstra voted the GOP party line 94% of the time.

These 2 statistics were calculated in 2005. Since then, Hoekstra's votes have been strongly GOP, thus you can infer that the percentage is much higher now. Perhaps Hoekstra understands that the GOP ship is sinking like the Titanic and his only hope is to call for "unity" in order to keep his job. Perhaps he had an epiphany and decided his voting and legislation really is driving the people of his district and this Nation further and further down.
He also tosses in this gem of a quote about illegal immigrants:

"Right now, Federal Express tracks millions of packages moving around the country every day. I can't believe the federal government can't track aliens working here the same way...The technology exists. We just need to go out and do it."

Ah yes, comparing human beings to packages being shipped (of course by a non-union company) to and fro across this great country of ours. Can you feel the humanity?

Hoekstra votes for torture

Yesterday the House approved legislation (HR 2082: Intelligence Authorization Act) banning the use of waterboarding by CIA agents during interrogation. The bill requires that all agents follow the Army Field Manual's interrogation "standard", which does not include torture. Pete Hoekstra voted no. His no vote equals his support of torture methods to be used by Americans, human rights violations and all. Hoekstra has towed this line all along. In 2005, in closed door meetings with Bush Sled Dog Dems Senator Joe Lieberman(then a Dem), Congresswoman Jane Harman, and fellow neo-con Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) Pete helped delete a measure to restrict extreme interrogation methods.

Pete says terrorism suspects:

"are not normal enemy combatants," adding: "They don't wear a uniform. We shouldn't be applying military rules to the intelligence community."

If Pete had his way we wouldn't apply any rules.

In a previous post on The Audacity I quoted Hoekstra. For posterity I will again. (full transcript HERE)

HUME: I want to draw you out on something that has become an issue
in the campaign. It came up particularly in the debate that Fox News
did in questions to Senator McCain and others.

And that is this question of what the administration, CIA and people
who are involved in it called enhanced interrogation techniques.
Senator McCain says -- he is in a position, presumably, to know what
they are. He believes they're torture. You're familiar by virtue of your
--I'm not going to ask you to describe any classified information, but
you know what the methods are. Do you believe they're torture?

HOEKSTRA: I don't believe they're torture, no.

NIE reports Iran halted nuclear weapons program in 2003

The National Intelligence Estimate reports today that Iran halted it's nuclear weapons program over 4 years ago, that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon, that Iran has not restarted it's nuclear weapons program, and that Iran is less determined to develop nuclear weapons than had been assumed since 2005.

Pete Hoekstra would like you to believe they are the next great threat. Just like in Iraq in 2006 when Hoekstra and ousted Senator Rick Santorum claimed they found proof of WMDs in Iraq. In September 2006 UN's IAEA inspectors investigating Iran's nuclear capability called Hoekstra's report on Iran "outrageous and dishonest" and said that the report contained "erroneous, misleading and unsubstantiated statements."

Bush said today "that while the latest intelligence report is "positive news," they won't abandon their strategy of applying "intensified international pressure" on Iran."

From a Faux News interview March 2007

WALLACE: Congressman Hoekstra, just briefly, because we have to move on to other subjects, your feelings about Iran and how much you really know about what's going on there.

HOEKSTRA: Well, we don't know a lot about some of the specifics, but I think if you take a look at the bigger picture, their activities with the nuclear weapons program, their relationships with Hamas, Hezbollah, their activities in Iraq, Iran is clearly somebody that we need to be very, very concerned about.

The fear mongering continues....

FISA funtime hour with Joe Klein and Pete Hoekstra

Joe Klein's error riddled FISA piece in TIME magazine had many in the blogosphere in an uproar. But who fed him the information that he didn't bother to check? Why it's (drumroll please....wait for it, you'll be shocked I'm sure.....) The Lying Dutchman Pete Hoekstra!

Pete "outed" himself as Klein's source (shocked aren't you!) in an oped in the National Review . He backs his good buddy Joe Klein and continues to woo us with gems like these:

"The issue is not nor has it ever been about surveillance of Americans, as some Democrats have irresponsibly suggested."

The straw-man complaint of the Left, however, is that Americans who talk to targeted foreigners in foreign countries might incidentally have their conversations intercepted.

Oh it just goes on and on and on.

More on the Klein deal at Firedoglake The Next Hurrah and DKos

Hoekstra offers up "Bugs and Bunnies" intelligence

In a press release regarding Gov. Granholm creating a panel to analyze climate change's effect on MI Pete says:

“The intelligence community is currently using its assets and experts to study the worldwide impact of climate change, and I would be more than willing to share their findings with Governor Granholm."

But in May 2007 he blasted the idea of using our resources to study the effects of climate change on the United States. Pete said

"Now House Democrats want to return to the days when the CIA wasted valuable resources on "bugs and bunnies". Let other federal agencies, as more than a dozen already do, cover the "bugs and bunnies." But let our spies be spies."

That's our Pete...always caring about the environment and always reaching across the aisle!

Pete Hoekstra's desire for endless war - Religious crusade or war profiteering?

(Welcome to guest blogger MichiganGirl...crossposted with permission from MichiganLiberal and dailyKos)

I've been asking myself a question for quite awhile, "What drives Pete Hoekstra's desire for eternal war?

Is it possible that the infinite statements from Pete Hoekstra (Lying Dutchman MI-02) like this:

"Our nation faces a serious and ongoing threat from radical, militant jihadists. I fear that some believe that by pushing a date certain for withdrawal from Iraq we will somehow make the radical jihadist threat just go away."

"As the radical Islamists themselves have made clear, it will not, and we need to remain engaged to counter this threat."

Might have something to do with this little fact:

Before the run-up to the Iraq War the lying Dutchman hadn't received campaign contributions from the Defense industry. However, starting in 2003 that all changed.

In fact, Hoekstra's list of campaign contributors changed a LOT...

Pete Hoekstra's Campaign Contributions from the Defense Industry:

2008 Election Cycle

1. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $5,000
2. LOCKHEED MARTIN EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $5,000
3. SAIC VOLUNTARY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $4,000
4. WASHINGTON GROUP INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEDefense $1,000
5. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
6. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
7. UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
8. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
9. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
10. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
11. SWALES AND ASSOCIATES INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
12. GOODRICH CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
13. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $1,000
14. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $1,000
15. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $1,000
16. SI INTERNATIONAL INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
17. SI INTERNATIONAL INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
18. SAIC VOLUNTARY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
19. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
20. BAE SYSTEMS INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BAE SYSTEMS USA PAC) Defense (British Defense Contractor accused of “longstanding, widespread pattern of bribery allegations.”) $1,000
21. EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC Defense $1,000
22. Soimar, Michael
Muskegon, MI 49441
L3 Communications/PRESIDENT (Defense) $500 07/31/2007
23. Meade, Richard
Falls Church, VA 22042
BKSH & Associates/Director (Lobbying firm for Blackwater USA) $250 03/31/2007
24. Bos, Lisa
Washington, DC 20003
Cassidy & Associates/Senior Associate ( Lobbying Firm for Phillips Morris and Pakistan) $250 03/31/2007
25. Bos, Lisa
Washington, DC 20003
Cassidy & Associates/Senior Associate ( Lobbying Firm for Phillips Morris and Pakistan) $1,000 09/30/2007
26. Shields, Mary
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Cassidy & Associates/Executive VP ( Lobbying Firm for Phillips Morris and Pakistan) $500 09/30/2007

2006 Election Cycle

27. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $5,000
28. LOCKHEED MARTIN EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $5,000
29. LOCKHEED MARTIN EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $5,000
30. EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC Defense $5,000
31. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $4,000
32. EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC Defense $4,000
33. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $3,500
34. FRIENDS OF ISRAEL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE - FRIPAC Foreign Lobby $2,500
35. ITT INDUSTRIES PAC (ITTPAC) Defense $2,500
36. SAIC VOLUNTARY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $2,000
37. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $2,000
38. SAIC VOLUNTARY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $2,000
39. BAE SYSTEMS INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BAE SYSTEMS USA PAC) Defense (British Defense Contractor) $2,000
40. GREENBERG TRAURIG LLP PAC Lobbying Firm $1,000 (Bush/Abramoff Lobbying Firm Abramoff worked at Geenberg Traurig.)
41. EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC Defense $1,000
42. UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
43. UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
44. UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
45. LORAL SPACECOM CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY FUND Defense $1,000
46. LORAL SPACECOM CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY FUND Defense $1,000
47. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
48. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $1,000
49. SAIC VOLUNTARY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
50. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $1,000
51. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $1,000
52. ITT INDUSTRIES PAC (ITTPAC) Defense $1,000
53. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
54. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
55. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
56. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
57. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
58. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
59. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
60. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
61. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
62. GOODRICH CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
63. GOODRICH CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
64. GOODRICH CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
65. BAE SYSTEMS INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BAE SYSTEMS USA PAC) Defense (British Defense Contractor) $1,000
66. BAE SYSTEMS INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BAE SYSTEMS USA PAC) Defense (British Defense Contractor) $1,000
67. BAE SYSTEMS INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BAE SYSTEMS USA PAC) Defense (British Defense Contractor) $1,000
68. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
69. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
70. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
71. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
72. DIGITALGLOBE PAC INC Satellites/Defense $1,000
73. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
74. ADCS INC. PAC Brent Wilkes' Company $1,000 (Money given to charity a year after the donation was made.)
75. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
76. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
77. SI INTERNATIONAL INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
78. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $472
79. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $472
80. Gray, Charles
Huntsville, AL 35802
R&G International Inc./Defense Sale $500 07/26/2005
81. Bauer, Fred
Holland, MI 49424
GENTEX/CEO (Defense) $1,000 04/26/2006
82. Bauer, Fred
Holland, MI 49424
GENTEX/CEO (Defense) $1,000 11/03/2006
83. Bauer, Fred
Holland, MI 49424
GENTEX/CEO (Defense) $1,000 08/23/2005
84. Bauer, Lois
Holland, MI 49424
HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER Defense (Wife of Gentex CEO) $1,000 08/23/2005
85. Bauer, Lois
Holland, MI 49424
HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER Defense (Wife of Gentex CEO) $1,000 11/03/2006
86. Bauer, Lois
Holland, MI 49424
HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER Defense (Wife of Gentex CEO) $1,000
87. Soimar, Michael
Muskegon, MI 49442
L3 Communications/PRESIDENT (Defense) $500 04/10/2006
88. Weinberg, Bruce
Spring Lake, MI 49456
L3 Communications/Vice President (Defense) $500 03/14/2005
89. Allen, Terry
Fairfax, VA 22032
Alexander Strategy Group/Partner (Blackwater USA Lobbying Firm) $1,000 02/15/2005
90. Behrends, Paul
Sterling, VA 20165
Alexander Strategy Group/EXECUTIVE (Blackwater USA Lobbying Firm) $500 03/31/2005
91. Behrends, Paul
Sterling, VA 20165
Alexander Strategy Group/EXECUTIVE (Blackwater USA Lobbying Firm) $500 07/26/2005
92. Hall, Gary
Alexandria, VA 22309
The Potomac Advocates/Partner (Defense Industry Lobbying Firm) $1,000 11/08/2005
93. Nichols, William
Fairfax Station, VA 22039
Potomac Advocates/Partner (Defense Industry Lobbying Firm) $1,000 03/31/2006
94. Palowitch, Andrew
Mc Lean, VA 22102
SAIC/EXECUTIVE (Defense) $500 12/31/2005
95. Thomas, John
Reston, VA 20190
SAIC/EXECUTIVE (Defense) $500 12/31/2005
96. Prince, Erik D.
Mc Lean, VA 22102
Blackwater USA Business Owner $1,000 03/31/2005
97. Sojka, Gary
Springfield, VA 22150
Potomac Advocates/Partner (Defense Industry Lobbying Firm) $1,000 03/31/2006
98. Bos, Lisa
Washington, DC 20002
Cassidy & Associates/Senior Associate ( Lobbying Firm for Phillips Morris and Pakistan) $500 09/30/2005
99. Mihalke, Michael
Washington, DC 20007
Alexander Strategy Group/Partner (Blackwater USA Lobby Firm) $1,000 02/15/2005
100. Neal, Laura
Washington, DC 20016
Cassidy & Associates/VP ( Lobbying Firm for Phillips Morris and Pakistan) $250 10/21/2005
101. Smith, Duncan Campbell
Washington, DC 20037
Blank Rome LLP/Associate (Defense Industry Lobbying Firm) $500 04/26/2005
102. Prior, Lawrence
Poway, CA 92064
SAIC/EXECUTIVE (Defense) $500 12/31/2005
103. Shea, K. Stuart
San Diego, CA 92121
SAIC/SENIOR VP (Defense) $750 11/30/2005
104. Wilkes, Brent
Poway, CA 92064
Group W Advisors/PRESIDENT (LOBBYIST) $1,000 02/15/2005 (Duke Cunningham defense industry briber)
105. Buckham, Edwin
Frederick, MD 21702
Alexander Strategy Group/Partner (Blackwater USA Lobbying Firm) $1,000 02/15/2005
106. Cox, Larry
Harwood, MD 20776
SAIC/EXECUTIVE (Defense) $500 12/31/2005
107. Flajser, Steven
Bethesda, MD 20817
Loral Space & Communications/Vice P (Defense) $500 06/30/2006
108. Ford, Carl
Germantown, MD 20874
Cassidy & Associates/Executive VP ( Lobbying Firm for Phillips Morris and Pakistan) $500 09/30/2005
109. McNamara, Dan
Silver Spring, MD 20904
Cassidy & Associates/VP ( Lobbying Firm for Phillips Morris and Pakistan) $500 10/21/2005
110. Shields, Mary
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Cassidy & Associates/Executive VP ( Lobbying Firm for Phillips Morris and Pakistan) $500 09/30/2005

2004 Election Cycle

111. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $5,000
112. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $5,000
113. LOCKHEED MARTIN EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $4,000
114. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $3,000
115. EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC Defense $3,000
116. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $3,000
117. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $3,000
118. SRA INTERNATIONAL INC FUND FOR BETTER IT GOVERNMENT Defense (Data Mining) $2,000
119. EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC Defense $2,000
120. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $2,000
121. EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC Defense $1,000
122. HALLIBURTON COMPANY PAC Defense $1,000
123. EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC Defense $1,000
124. EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC Defense $1,000
125. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
126. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
127. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
128. ITT INDUSTRIES PAC (ITTPAC) Defense $1,000
129. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
130. BAE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BAE SYSTEMS USA PAC) Defense $1,000 (British Defense Contractor accused of “longstanding, widespread pattern of bribery allegations.”)
131. BAE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BAE SYSTEMS USA PAC) Defense $1,000 (British Defense Contractor accused of “longstanding, widespread pattern of bribery allegations.”)
132. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
133. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
134. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
135. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
136. LOCKHEED MARTIN EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
137. LOCKHEED MARTIN EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
138. DYNCORP FEDERAL PAC - AN AFFILIATE OF COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION PAC Defense (Military Contractor and competitor to Blackwater USA.) $1,000
139. ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC EMPLOYEE CITIZENSHIP FUND Defense (Weapons manufacturer) $1,000
140. EARTHWATCH INCORPORATED D/B/A DIGITALGLOBE PAC (DIGITALGLOBE PAC) Satellites $500
141. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $500
142. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $500
143. LOCKHEED MARTIN EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $500
144. Doyle, Frederick
Evergreen, CO 80439
Space Imaging Corp/EXECUTIVE (Satellite Imaging) $250 09/27/2004
145. Nichols, John
Washington, DC 20002
The Potomac Advocates/Partner (Defense Industry Lobbying Firm)$769 09/30/2004
146. Bauer, Lois
Holland, MI 49424
HOMEMAKER HOMEMAKER $1,000 06/09/2003 (Wife of Gentex CEO)
147. Babiak, Nicholas
Arlington, VA 22205
Skylet Inc. PRESIDENT (Defense Industry Lobbying Firm) $250 10/31/2003
148. Dodd, Joseph
Mc Lean, VA 22102
Space Imaging Corp EXECUTIVE $500 09/27/2004
149. Prince, Erik D.
Mc Lean, VA 22102
Blackwater USA BUSINESS OWNER $1,000 08/24/2004
150. Jacques, Steven
La Plata, MD 20646
Jacques and Associates CONSULTANT $500 11/10/2003 (Defense)
151. Lawrence, Taylor
Annapolis, MD 21403
Northrop Grumman Vice President $250 06/30/2004
152. Peckham, Gardner
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
BKSH & Associates Managing Director (Lobbying firm for Blackwater USA) $500 09/27/2004
153. Wilson, Thomas
Clarksville, MD 21029
EXECUTIVE Swales Aerospace $200 10/05/2004
154. Wilson, Thomas
Clarksville, MD 21029
EXECUTIVE Swales Aerospace $500 10/07/2003
155. Allen, Terry
Fairfax, VA 22032
The Alexander Strategy Group (Blackwater USA lobbying firm) $250 07/27/2004

Of course, I could be wrong... Pete's desire for never ending war could have something to do with the fact that an awful lot of his personal wealth is tied up in the defense, energy, and intelligence related industries?

I used to think that Pete's desire for endless war was because he was just a crazy fundamentalist religious fanatic... Well that is what I used to think, until I spent some time looking at Pete's campaign and personal finances. Then I realized that Pete isn't so much crazy as he is just a greedy soulless **** that is profiteering off the blood of our soldiers and the blood of the Iraqi and Afghani people.

My sincerest hope is that whomever happens to end up the next President of these United States will ensure that those who have used their power and influence to profit off the death and destruction of war are held accountable and punished accordingly.

Pete Hoekstra votes against Veterans

Quite a busy quarter for the Lying Dutchman. First it was children and now among many others it is Veterans. Who doesn't Pete vote against? HR 3043 among many other things, provides for veterans:

$231 million for Veterans' Employment and Training programs to assist returning veterans to find and train for jobs
$23.6 million for the Homeless Veterans' Program.
$10 million for those veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries (TBI), for their rehabilitation, hospital care and long-term support.
$3.4 billion for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

I wonder if he mentioned this when we was giving a speech in Holland,MI for Veteran's Day? For the men and women who give all for our country, this is how your Congressman repays your service.

But on Hoekstra's government website he says:

We cannot forget their sacrifices that make our freedoms possible. The commitment in Congress to meeting the needs of America’s veterans is strong...I look forward to continuing to work to ensure that the men and women who have served, are serving or will serve in the U.S. military receive the compensation and assistance they deserve.

Maybe he forgot...and maybe what he says and what he does are two completely different things.

hat tip to GSMSO for the info, visit her site HERE

"TurtleGate"- Granholm puts Hoekstra in check

Continuing his media assault over the turtle fence in Muskegon, Pete sent a letter to Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm. To which Gov. Granholm responded. Here's the blow by blow point for point.

Pete said:

I am writing to request that you convene a working group to study how the State can better allocate funds from its budget. I am willing to volunteer my time and effort to help determine how to more effectively spend federal dollars coming into the state(snip)

The Honorable Governor Jennifer Granholm with a shap jab!

I speak for many in the state capitol rejecting your offer to convene a state budget working group, and instead urge you to focus on the vast amount of unfinished federal business, including your rejection of ommon-sense, bipartisan children's health care legislation.

WHAM
Pete said:

The fence will run along a stretch of highway that lies in the congressional district I represent, and despite my being aware of the remedy the fence seeks to provide, I am alarmed at the lack of prioritization demonstrated by this allocation of funding.

The Gov with a nice uppercut

On the US 31 project the Michigan Department of Transportation responded in writing to your concerns June 1, 2005, by pointing out that federal transaportation law requires states to expend a portion of their federal highway funds on non-construction purposes and expressly allows environmental mitigation to reduce wildlife mortality. At the time, you were in the congressional majority and a key participant debating final decisions on this federal transportation law. You could have used your position to change the law to disallow wildlife protection. Did you attempt to change the law, and if so, why were you not successful?

Oooooh that's gotta hurt!
Pete said:

As you know, approximately one-third of Michigan’s budget comes from federal funding. Yet, at no time have I nor any of my federal counterparts – to my knowledge – been approached about providing greater flexibility with the allocation of federal dollars.

Granholm with a right...and a left and another right!

In fact, I believe you were present at the May 2003 hearing of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee when I came to Washington and testified on the federal transportation bill and specifically asked for more state flexibility under federal highway laws.

Pete is weaving and bobbing...he doesn't look like he's gonna make it

Your elected leaders in Lansing have not had the luxury you have had of repeatedly rubberstamping unbalanced federal budgets. In fact the federal budgets of the past several years have grown at an average annual rate of more than seven percent since 2002, while Michigan's general fund spending was lower in 2007 than it was in 2002. With all due respect, I do not believe your state budget advice would advance our state's budget or economic climates.

Pete is out!!! Granholm is the winner!!!

We dub thee...."TurtleGate"

The newest diversionary tactic being used by the Hoekstra camp is making waves in West Michigan. A 4 foot fence is being erected along US-31 in Muskegon for the purpose of diverting turtles from the highway.

two state-protected turtle species -- the wood and Blanding's turtle -- are among those being victimized on the highway, along with one of special concern, the Eastern box. Snappers, painted and map turtles also are common victims.

During the spring migration, hundreds of turtles die while trying to cross the highway in search of nesting sites in the Muskegon River marsh. State officials said they believe this section of U.S. 31 is Michigan's deadliest stretch of road for turtles and statistics put it on par with some of the nation's worst turtle kill zones."Highway turtle mortalities in these lowland areas tend to be mostly female turtles migrating to nesting grounds leaving behind a mostly male population of turtles, which is very detrimental to maintaining a sustainable turtle population," said Gary Noble, MRWA chairman. "Turtle mortality surveys were conducted during 2005 and 2006 confirmed that this stretch of U.S. 31 accounts for some of the highest adult turtle mortalities recorded nationwide."

Ohhh Pete Hoekstra thought he just found his cover for his Not One, Not Two, But THREE NO VOTES ON SCHIP.

U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, calls the $318,000 fences a poor use of money that could be better used on road construction in Muskegon County.

But in fact the money can't be used for road construction. The money is from federal enhancement funds dedicated for environmental and aesthetic improvements specifically.
Bill Shreck, MDOT's state director of communications says:

"We are required by federal law to spend these funds on enhancement projects and this is a project that improves safety while finding a solution to a problem that goes beyond transportation, MDOT partnered with the DNR and the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly to find the most cost-effective solution."

Mike O'Malley, MDOT Transportation Planning manager:

"This fence is a low-cost solution when you consider the potential safety, environmental and economic impacts that could arise if the situation were allowed to continue, MDOT is required by federal and state law to protect threatened and endangered species."

See also: Hoekstra flips the bird to the environment for the sake of posturing by LiberalLucy front page at MichiganLiberal.com
More to come soon...

Students protest Hoekstra in Grand Rapids

Courtesy of Media Mouse

On Monday, ACTIVATE/SDS held a Critical Mass bike ride in solidarity with the "No War, No Warming" protests taking place in Washington DC (http://www.nowarnowarming.org). Here in Grand Rapids, the Critical Mass bike ride visited a fundraiser being held in East Grand Rapids for Representative Pete Hoekstra as well as the Harvey Hummer dealership on 28th Street. Similar solidarity protests were held around the country, including in Detroit. The Critical Mass ride began shortly after 5:30pm, following the distribution of stenciled patches reading "No War, No Warming" and a brief announcement explaining that the bike ride would be going to a fundraiser being held for consistently pro-war Congressman Pete Hoekstra. The 25-35 cyclists then assembled on Sheldon before beginning the ride to the Hoekstra fundraiser. The ride to the East Grand Rapids home of Dave and Linda Mehney was fairly uneventful with the Mass received generally favorable reactions from motorists and pedestrians. When the group entered the East Grand Rapids neighborhood of the Mehneys, energy rose considerably, with the group chanting "No War, No Warming" and telling people in SUVs to ride a bike instead. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the Mehneys have given over $90,000 to Republican candidates for federal office. This fundraiser featured a $1,000 per couple "private reception" with Hoekstra and a general $250 per person reception. Once the group arrived at the Mehneys' home, they were greeted by signs for Pete Hoekstra's campaign featuring a bike and the slogan "Securing America's Future." Some of the cyclists rode through the circle driveway, booing and chanting "No War, No Warming" and "Stop Funding the War," while others in the group placed leaflets on the cars of attendees criticizing Hoesktra's continued funding of the occupation of Iraq ($462 billion) and his opposition to the recent State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) legislation ($35 billion). Hoekstra's staffers--who were chatting somewhat frantically on their cell phones--quickly came out and told the group to get off the private property.

BRAVO!!! This is the third protest aimed at Hoekstra in as many weeks that I have seen or heard of(the others linked in the last diary). We as citizens must speak out against our supposed "representative" and demand change.

Hoekstra votes against SCHIP....AGAIN!

Here's the headline to put out. Why does Pete Hoekstra hate American children? In a recent poll 81% favor expanding SCHIP. 74% say they would be willing to pay more taxes to expand SCHIP. Is everyone getting this?? Not Pete Hoekstra. Pete votes for what Pete believes in. Not you. Not children. Not the people of the United States of America. Who does Hoekstra represent? The insurance industry has given the Lying Dutchman $46,930 in his time in office. Can't afford to take your child to the doctor? Hoekstra says tough luck. Maybe we can do what the Huckster says and "unleash the free market". Michigan's 2nd Congressional District deserves better and should expect better.

The people of MI-2 tried to make their voice heard here and here.

Hoekstra's FISA amendment voted down

Ugghhh...OK so I was talking to somebody yesterday and said isn't it terrible that we judge these bills based on if they are not as bad as the previous. But fact is this bill isn't as bad as the temporary bill. It still has problems, like too much leverage for bushco. But a little ray of sunshine peeked through this week

The Committee rejected an amendment by Ranking Member Congressman Pete Hoekstra of Michigan to permanently extend the “Protect America Act,” the Administration’s surveillance bill that passed in August, and to grant retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies involved in the President’s warrantless surveillance programs.

Chairman Reyes explained that the rejection of this amendment is due to the failure of the White House to first provide documents that would reveal the nature and extent of the President’s warrantless surveillance programs. “Before you can forgive someone,” Chairman Reyes stated, “you need to know what you are forgiving.”

That and Pete Hoekstra says republicans were only given 24 hours on a Monday (Oh the Horror! Sounds like the Patriot Act!) to review the bill before the vote. Thank goodness for small miracles I say.

Hoekstra's worn out FISA talking point

Here we go again Pete says...

the flawed bill has no liability protections for patriotic companies that may have heeded the government’s request to help protect the nation at its time of greatest need.

Bush says:

that he will not sign the bill if it does not give retroactive immunity to U.S. telecommunications companies that helped conduct electronic surveillance without court orders.

Pete says:

“By not including retroactive liability protection,” said Representative Peter Hoekstra of Michigan, ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, “Democrats are trying to resolve their differences with the administration on the backs of patriotic American companies that only wanted, and continue to want, to help keep our nation safe.”

From August of this year in an interview with Paul Gigot for Wall Street Journal's: Journal Editorial Report:

"These are companies who were doing the patriotic thing....They were helping the U.S. government, the American people, get the information that we believe we needed to keep us safe. They voluntarily participated, and now that the program is exposed, they've been open to all kinds of lawsuits."

They broke the law. Even though the clowns in power asked them to do it. That doesn't make it OK.

I did find this wonderful little snippet from his press release though:

"It could open a door for massive civil liberties violations by Congress.."

Pardon my language but since when has Pete Hoekstra even given a sh*t about our civil liberties??? Trick question...He doesn't. It's a classic political trick of attacking your opponent's strong suit. I'm not buying it, and I sure as hell hope you aren't either.

Links to other stories on the same thing:
Michael Roston at Huffington Post
Declan McCullagh at CNET News

Erik Prince and Blackwater and Hoekstra Oh My!

Congressman Pete Hoekstra is unusually silent on the issue that has been investigated the past few weeks. Namely Blackwater and it's run and gun security operations in Iraq and the lack of oversight or even rule of law. A memorandum to the Committee on Government Oversight and Reform on October 1st lists the following incidents as grounds for an investigation

* Blackwater has been involved in 195 "escalation of force" incidents since 2005, an average of 1.4 shooting incidents per week. From January 2005 to April 2007, Blackwater employees used their weapons 168 times, compared to 102 times for rival DynCorp and 36 for rival Triple Canopy during that same time frame.

According to the majority staff, Blackwater operatives fired the first shot in 80 percent of those cases, though its contract with the State Department only permits the use of "defensive" force.

* A single Blackwater security contractor costs the government $1,222 every day to guard U.S. civilian personnel, or $445,000 per year. That's six times the cost of getting a U.S. Army soldier to perform the same function. As P.W. Singer observed last week, private security companies increasingly exist to free up tasks for U.S. troops, ensuring a sort of dependence on contracting occurs for a military coping with the strain of deployments for two wars.

* The State Department's attitude to Blackwater shootings is most often a directive to compensate the victim's family, "rather than to insist upon accountability or to investigate Blackwater personnel for potential criminal liability."

* Blackwater's initial contract to protect U.S. diplomats in Iraq, in 2003, was a no-bid contract. So was its 2004 successor. On that one, Blackwater stood to earn a maximum of $338 million, but actually received $488 million from State between June 2004 and June 2006. In total, Blackwater has earned upwards of $1 billion in government contracts since 2001.

Given these are only the documented misdeeds of Blackwater USA and more are sure to follow.

Today the House passed HR 2740, MEJA expansion and Enforcement Act, a bill that would make contractors in combat zones subject to prosecution in US courts. The bill passed overwhelmingly, damn near could have had a voice vote 389-30. Hoekstra voted NO. One of only 30 members of Congress to vote against the bill. Oh but there's more. Seems his buddy Erik Prince (of darkness) is also from Holland, MI. It also seems that he paid for his government cover up by putting the dough in the right coffers:

NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE (R) $20,000
primary 07/27/07
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE (R) $25,000
primary 08/05/05
HOEKSTRA, PETER (R)
House (MI 02)
PETER HOEKSTRA FOR CONGRESS $1,000
primary 03/31/05
HOEKSTRA, PETER (R)
House (MI 02)
PETER HOEKSTRA FOR CONGRESS $1,000
general 08/24/04
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE (R) $25,000
primary 07/14/04
HOEKSTRA, PETER (R)
House (MI 02)
PETER HOEKSTRA FOR CONGRESS $500
primary 09/21/99

What's wrong Pete? Contractor got your tongue?

As state shutdown looms Pete weighs in...sort of

Showing his solidarity to the republicans in the Michigan legislature Hoekstra issued this press release In which he states:

"..raising taxes in Michigan is the wrong solution for a state that leads the nation in unemployment and businesses and families are leaving for better economic environments in other parts of the country."

So what does Hoekstra think will fix the budget? What does he think will work? Ummmm, yeah that's the problem, he doesn't say anything. No ideas to help the state he represents. Just more posturing, and no real ideas. Pete is a reel that just plays over and over and over.

Meanwhile we face a state government shutdown. Here's what will happen (hat tip to LiberalLucy)

AGRICULTURE: All Department of Agriculture activities will stop during a government shutdown, except livestock vehicle inspections at the Mackinac Bridge, which are required to maintain the Upper Peninsula's Tuberculosis-free designation for cattle. During the shutdown, food safety inspections, recall effectiveness checks, gas pump inspections, animal disease monitoring, and migrant labor camp inspections will stop; agriculture export and cattle movement permits will not be issued; and horse racing will shutdown. Exports from Michigan to foreign countries would essentially cease should state government shut down. Commodities affected include dry beans, logs and lumber, nursery stock, grain, fruits, and vegetables.

THE COURTS: The Michigan Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals will continue to operate with a limited staff to handle emergency matters.

CIVIL RIGHTS: All Department of Civil Rights activities will stop during a government shutdown. Residents wishing to file a discrimination complaint will be able to leave a message at 1-800-482-3604 with the details of their complaint. For purposes of meeting the 180-day legal requirement, the message will constitute an official notice of the intention to file a complaint. Residents calling Civil Right's Crisis Response Hotline to report a hate crime or bias incident may also leave a message, although they are encouraged to contact local law enforcement for immediate assistance.

COMMUNITY HEALTH: A number of operations within the Department of Community Health will be maintained to ensure that the health of our citizens is protected. State mental health facilities will remain open with reduced staffing, though involuntary, non-court admissions will be suspended. Critical laboratory services will operate to ensure newborn screenings are completed in a timely manner, and threats of immediate harm can be addressed. Limited Medicaid support will be available to approve emergency medical prior-authorizations and review exception requests for medications and medical procedures. The DCH also will maintain the toll-free number to register nursing home complaints of a serious nature.

CORRECTIONS: Department of Corrections functions will continue as needed to protect the safety of Michigan citizens. The state's prisons, prison camps, and parole/probation monitoring will continue to operate, though at a reduced staffing level. Administrative operations outside of the prisons will shut down.

EDUCATION: All Department of Education operations will shut down, except for the Michigan School for the Deaf. If Department of Education employees have not returned to work by mid-October, the state school aid payment due on October 22 will not be made.

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY: The Department of Environmental Quality will maintain only limited staff during the shutdown period to meet U.S. Department of Homeland Security air- monitoring requirements and process critical drinking water samples to address the most immediate public health concerns. All other department functions will shut down. This means no permits (air quality, surface water discharge, wetlands, dredging, etc.) will be processed and no environmental complaints will be received or investigated. The Pollution Emergency Alerting System will be operational, but the department will have extremely limited ability to respond to emergencies reported through that system.

HISTORY, ARTS & LIBRARIES: All Department of History, Arts and Libraries operations will shut down except security and emergency monitoring services at the Mackinac Island Airport and public areas. The Library of Michigan, the Michigan Historical Museum, and historic sites around Michigan will be closed. Mackinac Island paid admission sites will close and garbage and manure pick-up and road maintenance will cease.

HUMAN SERVICES: Critical Department of Human Services' operations will be maintained to protect the safety of children, families, and vulnerable adults. Most local offices will remain open with a small percentage of field staff on the job to respond to child protective services and adult protective services emergencies; make emergency foster care placements; and process emergency payments for evictions, lack of utilities, lack of food, etc. Cash assistance, food assistance, child day care, adoption subsidies, and foster care payments will continue, but no new applications will be processed (except for emergencies as described above). Child support payments received from non-custodial parents will be sent to families; and the state's juvenile justice facilities will operate and will be staffed to protect the safety of residents.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: A limited number of Department of Information Technology personnel will be needed to maintain state operating systems and to provide technical support for those services that will continue.

LABOR & ECONOMIC GROWTH: The majority of Department of Labor & Economic Growth operations will be shut down. Most of the unemployment insurance agencies will be closed, however, unemployment checks will continue to be processed and new applications can be made over the phone or via the Internet. In addition, the Michigan Career & Technical Institute in Plainwell and the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center in Kalamazoo will continue to provide education and training for disabled individuals.

LOTTERY & GAMING: Lottery sales will end at the close of business on September 30, 2007. Players will not be able to purchase or redeem winning tickets. Minimal staff will maintain drawings due to the advance sale of tickets. State gaming inspectors will be idled as well, forcing the state-licensed casinos in Detroit to close.

MANAGEMENT & BUDGET: A limited number of Department of Management and Budget personnel will maintain state-owned buildings.

MICHIGAN STATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: The Michigan State Housing Development Authority will be closed during shutdown and all operations will stop.

MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS: The MVA State Finance and State Human Resource offices will be closed. The state's two veterans' homes in Grand Rapids and Marquette will continue operating with reduced staffing but will maintain the minimum staffing as required by law. The Youth Challenge Program will also remain operational but with minimum staff. Feeding and education will be provided by the Battle Creek Public Schools, an established partner of the Challenge Program. The state's 44 National Guard armories, six National Guard training sites, and National Guard administrative offices are federally funded and will remain open.

NATURAL RESOURCES: All DNR operations will be shut down, except a minimal crew to maintain the state's six fish hatcheries and a small contingent of forest firefighters needed to continue containment operations at the Sleeper Lakes fire in the Upper Peninsula and to respond to other fire emergencies. Shutdown will require that all state parks, recreation areas, DNR visitor centers and state forest campgrounds be closed, including day use areas. Citizens with camping reservations at a state park or recreation area during the duration of the shutdown will be eligible for a refund. The sale of hunting and fishing licenses may be delayed if technical problems with the state server prevent processing, and gated boat access sites will not be accessible. In addition, timber will not be marked for sale or sold. The archery deer season set to open on October 1 will proceed, however, deer check stations will not be operating.

SECRETARY OF STATE: Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land has indicated that branch offices will be closed during the shutdown. Online or mail transactions will not be processed, as well.

STATE POLICE: The Michigan State Police will continue to protect Michigan citizens during shutdown. Though all MSP posts will be closed to the public, a limited number of troopers will be maintained to provide critical law enforcement services across the state. Administrative and specialized operations will be curtailed, resulting in the cessation of crime lab services, commercial vehicle enforcement, drug and criminal investigations, detective services, disaster assistance, and casino gaming oversight.

TRANSPORTATION: All road construction, routine maintenance, and administrative operations will stop. The state's rest areas will be closed. In addition, six of the state's lift bridges, in compliance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations, will be locked in the up position, allowing only water traffic to pass. Those bridges are located in Manistee, Bay City, St Joseph, Port Huron and Detroit. The Mackinac Bridge, the International Bridge, and Blue Water Bridge will remain operational.

TREASURY: Department of Treasury operations, including student loan disbursements and financial aid payments, the Michigan Education Trust, and the Michigan Education Savings Plan programs would cease during a shutdown. Revenue sharing payments to local units of government will be delayed if the shutdown continues through mid-October. A limited number of staff would be maintained to process critical payments, including cash assistance, unemployment benefits, and debt service.

Updates and FAQ can be found here.

This blog has always been about Pete Hoekstra, but this is of great importance to all of us in Michigan. If Pete doesn't have a reasonable solution to move this state forward, then he should worry about his busy schedule carrying the water for Bush in Washington.

Anti Union Hoekstra votes no on FAA Reauthorization Act

As I was reading the summary I was trying to figure out why Hoekstra voted against this bill, besides him voting against most funding bills. So I dug a little deeper...

The House-passed legislation includes binding arbitration language for contract disputes, providing for a fair collective bargaining process between the FAA and its unions. "The House was vigilant in its efforts to improve the negotiating process," said Brantley(The Professional Airways Systems Specialists,(AFL-CIO), President Tom Brantley). "By passing a bill that creates a fair collective bargaining process, House lawmakers have sent a clear message to the FAA that it cannot unilaterally impose working conditions on its employees."

and dug some more..

NATCA President Patrick Forrey said he views the bill's amendment as an important step toward putting fairness back into the collective bargaining process." "The FAA unilaterally imposed work and pay rules on controllers last Labor Day weekend, exacerbating a critical staffing shortage that even the Department of Transportation and Office Inspector General validated in a recent report," he said. "Morale has suffered; the mass exodus has left controllers working for longer periods of time, causing fatigue and loss of focus, which the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) has said is a major safety concern."

But the brunt of the bill is that it would provide for modernization of air traffic control systems and maintain airports without imposing user fees. Instead they will make a small increase in jet fuel tax (5 cents).

"The leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and aviation subcommittee refused to be bullied by the airlines or accept the FAA's claims of poverty," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "They took a reasoned, rational look at what needed to be done and how to pay for it, and delivered a solution that promotes the interests of all segments of aviation.

So....maybe, just maybe Pete voted no because the bill supports fair collective bargaining and unions. But that's just my guess.

Pete Hoekstra backs Bush in trip to Iraq

Surprise, surprise!

"I believe it is important to be successful in Iraq, and I believe that in Gen. Petraeus and the strategy he has outlined, we have the best chance we have for success,"

So he supports the plan of letting the troops that were added as the "surge" return, when the military knew that was the timeline they had planned all along. See... that's not a withdrawl.

I keep hearing and reading success but what is the main goal? Last month Hoekstra said he doesn't want democracy in Iraq but security and stability. But the way I see it, we took that away when we started dropping bombs. Don't get me wrong, Saddam Hussein wasn't a good man by any means, but the basis of this war was and still is a lie. If we went to Iraq to free the people, if that was the idea, then we should be in a lot of countries right now by this logic. It's all a sham. Don't buy it.

Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-Ohio is on the same trip, here's what he thinks:

"what he’s seen in Iraq this week reinforces his belief that President Bush’s troop surge isn’t working and the time has come for redeployment “in a big way.” “I don’t know that the surge has returned the dividend (expected).”

He advocates "not a quick withdrawal of troops,” but the creation of a plan to bring soldiers home as “quickly as possible.” He doesn’t think the situation in Iraq will further improve if U.S. troops remain there.

“The situation here is bleak,It’s actually scary.”

Oh yeah, Rock out to this great video.... moe. Tailspin very fitting...

Pete Hoekstra and Michigan republicans ready to stay in Iraq

Today General Petraeus will report on the "situation" in Iraq. I think we all know how that will go. But for a more in depth analysis of this report watch the following video released by the National Security Network



In an article from today's Detroit Free Press Pete Hoekstra says

"he just hopes the report leads to a discussion about what America's real threats are in the Middle East and around the world from "radical Jihadists" and how the nation is going to address them -- and not just with troops in Iraq."

This sounds alot like what he said in a memo released to republicans on February 10, 2007 on the eve of the "surge" debate:

"If we let Democrats force us into a debate on the surge or the current situation in Iraq, we lose."

Hoekstra continues to beat the drum for more war and more conflict around the globe under the auspice of "radical jihadists". I wonder why that is? Maybe because a large amount of his campaigns have been funded by defense contractors since the start of the war in Iraq.


General Dynamics $20,000
Northrop Grumman $18,250
GENTEX Corp $17,950
Boeing Co $17,000
Lockheed Martin $16,500
Raytheon Co $16,444
L-3 Communications $6,000

Who do you think Pete Hoekstra represents when he votes?

Fellow Michigan republicans had this to say:
Rep. Candice Miller

the report has the "potential to be a historic pivot on the way forward," providing a chance to better define the troops' mission and odds of victory. She's willing to give the troop surge more time if there's enough evidence of success.

Rep. Mike Rogers

"he expects there could be some troop withdrawals when a "strategic change" is announced"

Rep. Tim Walberg

"I'd love to be able to say that we will continue the surge and in light of the impact, we'll start a drawdown of the troops," "I would hope that I could say that."

Rep. Vern Ehlers

"Certainly it would be silly to remove troops at a time when it appears things are turning around,"

It seems they have already made up their mind.

Pete votes against higher education assistance

HR 2669 College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 includes the following assistance for higher education and loan reductions:

Increasing the Purchasing Power of Pell Grants: Authorizes and appropriates additional funding for the program for FY2008-FY2017 to increase the amount of the maximum Pell grant for which a student is eligible by $200 for each of the award years 2008-2009 and 2009-2010, $300 for award year 2010-2011, and $500 for each subsequent award year. Increases the authorized maximum Pell grant to $7,600 for academic year 2008-2009 and by $1,000 increments each academic year thereafter until it stands at $11,600 for academic year 2012-2013. Increases students' Pell grant eligibility by increasing the income protection allowance.

Making Student Loans More Affordable:Phases-in cuts in the interest rate charged undergraduate student borrowers under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) and Direct Loan (DL) programs, thereby reducing such rate from 6.8% in July 2006 to 3.4% in July 2012.

Rewarding Service in Repayment:Provides student loan forgiveness to borrowers under the FFEL or DL programs who serve full-time in areas of national need as: (1) early childhood educators in low-income communities; (2) nurses; (3) critical foreign language specialists who teach in elementary or secondary schools or use such knowledge as federal employees; (4) librarians; (5) highly qualified teachers who teach bilingual education or who teach in schools that enroll a high proportion of disadvantaged students; (6) child welfare workers; (7) speech language pathologists in elementary or secondary schools; (8) National Service participants; (9) school counselors in elementary and secondary schools that enroll a high proportion of disadvantaged students; and (10) public sector employees. Provides up to $1,000 of student loan forgiveness for each year of service, but limits forgiveness to $5,000 in the aggregate.

These are only part of this bill, which will help the people of our country gain the tools to get the jobs so many badly need. With the costs of tuition rising and student loans going through the roof this bill is a big breath of fresh air.

And Hoekstra voted no.

Hoekstra votes against Native American housing assistance

HR 2786:To reauthorize the programs for housing assistance for Native Americans, passed the House on Thursday (9/6/07) 333-75 with major bipartisan support. But our Congressman voted against the bill.

Permits the provision of housing or housing assistance provided through affordable housing activities assisted with grant amounts for: (1) essential (under current law, essential non-Indian) families on Indian reservations and other Indian areas; and (2) local law enforcement officers on Indian reservations or other Indian areas.

Establishes self-determined housing activities for the tribal communities program under which a qualifying tribe may use a portion of its grant amounts for housing activities involving the construction, acquisition, or rehabilitation of housing to benefit the low-income community served by the tribe.

Pete has a history of voting against Native American issues and interests in his time in office including infrastructure and business interests. If you read this and feel compelled to do so, write or call Hoekstra, and ask him why he treats Native Americans like a subclass of society, and not part of the fabric of our country.

District Offices

Holland
184 South River Avenue
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 395-0030
Fax: (616) 395-0271

Muskegon
900 3rd Street, Suite 203
Muskegon, MI 49440
(231) 722-8386
Fax: (231) 722-0176

Cadillac
210 1/2 North Mitchell Street
Cadillac, MI 49601
(231) 775-0050
Fax: (231) 775-0298

Washington, D.C. Office

Washington, D.C.
2234 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-4401
Fax: (202) 226-0779

Hat tip to our friends at Walberg Watch who scooped me on this one.

As election season nears, Pete sings a new song

It just has some of the same old lyrics as reported by the Associated Press and Detroit Free Press (ugghh...yeah I know).

In 2004 and 2005 Hoekstra was fully behind the war and the policy set forth by Bush & Co. Pete changed his talking points to "islamofascists" and Islamic Jihaadists in the months following the surge debate so he could justify the war on his terms. Not on the merits of it's supposed reasoning (that he originally supported).

"The U.S. effort to install a democracy in Iraq within three to five years was a flawed strategy with little chance of succeeding"

He's just realizing this now? No, it's a ploy. He wants to distance himself from the Bush administration (and has been taking potshots at them for about 6 months) without actually changing his stance on the war. Apparently we are all supposed to be impressed that he said what intelligent people were thinking from he beginning of the war. Just remember, if his lips are moving he's probably lying.

Hoekstra, the ranking Republican on the House Select Committee on Intelligence, said as the Iraqi government flounders, he’s changed his original support for the Bush administration’s stated goal of molding a democratic Iraq as a means to stabilize the Middle East. But Hoekstra said he opposes setting a timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops. He said Congress and President George W. Bush must decide on a unified course of action that will stabilize Iraq, based on new intelligence reports and a much-anticipated September status report by the U.S. top commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus.

Of course he opposes the withdrawl of troops. Maybe he wants to explain to the troops what they are there for now. Can we call do-overs?

And just because he can (and maybe has to, I think it's a tick, he just can't help himself) he throws this into the piece:

Radical Islam remains a real threat to the United States, he said, and that Islamic jihadists are using U.S. presence in Iraq for recruiting propaganda.

All the more reason to stay.Right Pete??

Pete leaks classified information in NY Post Op-Ed

Here's the Op-Ed wherein he continues to spin why Americans should lay down and let their constitutional rights be trampled and attack anyone who disagrees with him, with some fear mongering, and just a dash of "radical jihadists" for flavor. In it Pete says:

The 2008 Intelligence Authorization bill cut human-intelligence programs but directed U.S. intelligence agencies to study global climate change.

Here's the kicker. The budget cuts are in the classified portion of the bill.

Dr. Steven Aftergood of the Federation of American Scientists' Project on Government Secrecy,(wiki), says on Raw Story:

"It looks like Rep. Hoekstra is playing games with classification rules by making his claim publicly,I suggest that he go investigate himself.If you live by secrecy, you die by secrecy," he said. "Rep. Hoekstra has been an ardent defender of the secrecy barriers surrounding the intelligence budget and a harsh critic of leaks. Ironically, he now finds himself unable to coherently defend what he claims is a mistaken budget choice.""

Hmm...leaks for political gain...where have I seen that lately?
Pete your past and present prove...you're a varitable sieve for classified information.

Hoekstra versus New York Times Part 2

There's a lot more to this letter to pick apart.

The only real basis for “fear” here is the scare tactics being perpetuated by the Times

But in the next paragraph there is this veiled idea by Hoekstra

First, the legislation was intended to address significant and substantial intelligence gaps that have arisen at a time of enhanced threat of terrorist attack on the United States. The need for the bill was urgent and obvious.

I'm sorry, no one told me to change my Crayola Terror-Meter up to red. I could swear this would be considered "fear mongering". Wait, no, that must be a media source that doesn't agree with you, right?

It is unfortunate that you choose to compound those difficulties with further politicization, fear-mongering, and the suggestion that we simply dismiss the increased threats to American citizens at home and abroad.

Right.

Politicizing- Here's Pete's chance to speak his piece on the SCHIP bill.
Hmm...all he talks about is FISA.
Or the Implementing the 9/11 Commission Bill.
FISA.
Responsible Redeployment From Iraq Act?
FISA... with a heapin' helpin' of radical jihadists thrown in just for good measure.

Hoekstra can spin it any way he wants. We dismiss the increased threats. We don't believe that "radical jihadists" really hate us and want to attack us. I can go on, and on, and on. Just because Hoekstra, Bush or any other neo-con hack keeps pissing in your ears the same worn out catch phrases doesn't mean they are right. It just means they really want something.

Like your civil liberties. For starters...

Hoekstra berates NYT for "disclosing highly classified intelligence"

More on FISA. Look's like NYT made Pete mad....again.
Here's their editorial that set him off.

Here is Hoekstra's rebuttal to the Executive Editor in which he says:

It has been my practice not to deal with the New York Times after its recklessness in repeatedly disclosing highly classified intelligence programs to enemies who seek to attack our nation and because of what I believe was a lack of honesty and integrity in its dealings with me as Chairman of the Committee at that time.

Now Pete, you don't think we already forgot about you releasing information on nuclear bomb technology did you? I know it didn't get play here in repugmedia land Northern Michigan. So just in case anyone forgot, let's catch you up.

The campaign for the Web site was led by the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Representative Peter Hoekstra of Michigan. Last November, he and his Senate counterpart, Pat Roberts of Kansas, wrote to Mr. Negroponte, asking him to post the Iraqi material. The sheer volume of the documents, they argued, had overwhelmed the intelligence community.

What did the experts think about the information you released?

Peter D. Zimmerman, a physicist and former United States government arms scientist now at the war studies department of King’s College, London, called the posted material “very sensitive, much of it undoubtedly secret restricted data.”

Ray E. Kidder, a senior nuclear physicist at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, an arms design center, said “some things in these documents would be helpful” to nations aspiring to develop nuclear weapons and should have remained secret.

In Europe, a senior diplomat said atomic experts there had studied the nuclear documents on the Web site and judged their public release as potentially dangerous. “It’s a cookbook,” said the diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of his agency’s rules. “If you had this, it would short-circuit a lot of things.”

So following that he posted this press release stating:

The approach carries with it risks, but such risks are minimal. It will enable us to better understand information such as Saddam's links to terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and violence against the Iraqi people.

Minimal?

Some of the first posted documents dealt with Iraq’s program to make germ weapons, followed by a wave of papers on chemical arms.

To Pete, compalints about the site “Didn’t sound like a big deal,We were a little surprised when they pulled the plug."

So Pete, I guess that makes you the pot, and New York Times the kettle?

Hoekstra says telecomms' wiretapping involvement is "Patriotic"?

Here's the link to the story.

So... We were all bummed that the Dems caved and passed this legislation. We thought "Hey, at least it's only 6 months." Well, if Shrub and Hoekstra have their way it will only get worse. Here's what the preznit wants:

"When Congress returns in September the Intelligence committees and leaders in both parties will need to complete work on the comprehensive reforms requested by Director McConnell, including the important issue of providing meaningful liability protection to those who are alleged to have assisted our Nation following the attacks of September 11, 2001,"

WOW that's vague! So what he's saying is that we know what they did is unconstitutional, so we're not admitting they did anything illegal, but we want to go reverse in the way back machine and make it legal before we say they did it. Riiiiight.

But our intrepid Congresscritter has something to say in an interview with Paul Gigot for Wall Street Journal's: Journal Editorial Report on Saturday night:

"These are companies who were doing the patriotic thing....They were helping the U.S. government, the American people, get the information that we believe we needed to keep us safe. They voluntarily participated, and now that the program is exposed, they've been open to all kinds of lawsuits."

(read as:voluntarily broke the law)

Patriotic! 9/11! Terror! Terror!

Parrot Pete says following passage of the bill:

"he would use momentum from Congressional Republicans’ efforts to fix FISA to push for comprehensive reform of the law to...obtain retroactive liability for parties who may have aided the government."

Thanks Pete, I wasn't using my civil liberties anyway...

What the ACLU thinks about the FISA program.

Appropriations? We don't need no stinking appropriations!

Let's take a look back....say the last 2 months and see what Pete Hoekstra thinks about recent appropriation bills. We will examine the bill, it's effect on the district and what Pete said and how he voted. Sounds like fun you say?

First up is HR 2643 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008.

Jun 27 - The effort to transfer Camp Swampy into the Huron-Manistee National Forest will receive $215,000 in a House appropriations bill approved today.

"Adding the 1,017-acre tract will help combine tens of thousands of acres into a much larger landscape," said U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland. "It represents an opportunity to preserve a beautiful area of land for future generations. House approval represents the first stage in a long federal appropriations process, but I intend to work to ensure that it remains in the final bill," Hoekstra said. "It would mark the final installment in a long-term effort to acquire the property and bring it under federal protection."

Now you ask how did Pete vote? He must have said Aye!?! Nope. Sorry. But what about the opportunity to preserve a beautiful area, and the federal protection? Hang on, we'll get to that.

The next piece of legislation is HR 3043Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2008.

Ooooh. Look at what our district gets!

West Shore Medical Center in Manistee would receive $150,000 to help expand and renovate the community hospital in a bill passed by the House today.(July 19th)

Right in my hometown! Tell me what else!

A $200,000 federal appropriation has been reserved for Muskegon County’s Access Health..

Gosh! What did Pete say about these wonderful appropriations?

“West Shore Medical Center provides services that help to ensure the health of the rural community and benefit the local economy,” said U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland. “Its expansion and renovation will create a ripple effect that positively impacts local contractors, suppliers and other businesses and services throughout the region.”

It even creates more jobs? Sweet! What about Muskegon?

“Access Health is a national model for providing accessible and affordable health care coverage to the working uninsured,” said U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland. “The success of Access Health helps federal policymakers to better understand how to reduce health care costs while achieving better health outcomes.”

That sounds fantastic! He had to vote for this. It's good stuff! Just look at all the help it will give! Well you say? How did Pete vote? Sorry folks, he voted no again. I'm sure there is a good reason why Hoekstra wouldn't want our district to get the help it needs. You know... because the Michigan economy is doing so well and all.

Maybe third time is a charm. Let's look at HR 3074
Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2008.

This is a dandy. Just look...

Grand Haven Harbor Transit would receive $250,000.
Yates Dial A Ride would receive $250,000.
The Muskegon Area Transit System would receive $250,000.
Michigan would get $43.8 million for transportation and housing projects total.

Whoopee! Come on Pete! You know this is good! Aww man. I guess not good enough. But on your website you said:

“Harbor Transit provides a source of public transportation on which residents and tourists in Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg rely for mobility,” said U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland. “The federal funding would enhance a long-standing federal, state and local partnership that has helped to improve the local quality of life.”

and then you said:

“Reliable public transportation provides freedom and access to personal, educational and professional opportunities,” said U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland. “The federal contribution would help to expand the local system’s scope in the rural Yates Township community.”

and then:

“The Muskegon public transportation system offers personal freedom by creating countywide accessibility,” said U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland. “Muskegon Area Transit has long offered local residents a source of mobility that provides access to area jobs and recreation and reduces emissions into the environment.”

So let's sum this up. Pete voted against:

- Adding 1,017 acres to a National Forest and put it under federal protection
- $150,000 to help expand and renovate a "rural" hospital
- $200,000 for a program that provides health care to the working uninsured
- $750,000 for public transportation in his district
- $43.8 million total for transportation and housing projects in Michigan

Call me crazy, but I think I see a trend here. Pete Hoekstra likes to take credit for all sorts of legislation that helps his district and state on his government website and in the press. But when it comes to votes, Pete Hoekstra does NOT support his district or state. Pete Hoekstra votes against you and what your community needs,PERIOD.