secretary of state

Wow South Carolina is really ahead of the curve on fighting terrorism. I expect Osama is already packing up shop:

Terrorists who want to overthrow the United States government must now register with South Carolina's Secretary of State and declare their intentions -- or face a $25,000 fine and up to 10 years in prison.

The state's "Subversive Activities Registration Act," passed last year and now officially on the books, states that "every member of a subversive organization, or an organization subject to foreign control, every foreign agent and every person who advocates, teaches, advises or practices the duty, necessity or propriety of controlling, conducting, seizing or overthrowing the government of the United States ... shall register with the Secretary of State."

There's even a $5 filing fee.

That’s amazing and it comes from one of the reddest states in the union. We should do this with everything. Require drug dealers, murderers, rapists and whoever else to pre-register. That would get rid of any need for defense or law enforcement. Of course the bad side is all that added bureaucracy in our government.

Wait?

Republicans are adding bureaucracy?

Yup – again the hypocrisy stinks, but that stench is overshadowed by the over all reeking of stupidity from this idiotic law. And to think the Republicans want America to take them seriously on combating terrorism. Hell you got a better chance of Mark Sanford keeping it in his pants.

It’s always a happy day when you see some racist sack of crap relinquish his power:

A Louisiana justice of the peace who refused to marry a couple because the bride was white and groom was black resigned Tuesday.

Keith Bardwell, who is white, quit the post with a one-sentence statement to Louisiana Secretary of State Jay Dardenne and no explanation of his decision: "I do hereby resign the office of Justice of the Peace for the Eighth Ward of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, effective November 3, 2009.

Don’t worry Mr. Bardwell, I’m sure FOX News is working on a job offer for you.

I’m still catching up on all the news of Honduras, but I found this article to not be that newsworthy:

The Obama administration worked in recent days to prevent President Manuel Zelaya's ouster, said a senior U.S. official. The State Department, in particular, communicated to Honduran officials on the ground that President Barack Obama wouldn't support any nondemocratic transfer of power in the Central American country.

"We had some indication that a move against Mr. Zelaya was afoot," said a U.S. official briefed on the diplomacy. "We made it clear it was something we didn't support."

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined Obama Sunday in criticizing the Honduran coup and calling for the restoration of the democratic process.

Sounds logical. Any sort of coup leads to political instability in a nation, and we don’t need anymore instability in the world right now. Like I said, not really news. Well not really until you start reading how the right is taking it:

Figures... Barack Obama meddled and worked to prevent the ouster of this leftist tinpot dictator.
...When a Leftist dictator's career is on the line, Obama finds reason to meddle.
When Iranian democracy protesters are slaughtered on the street, Obama refuses to insert himself into the "debate."

The Huffington Post’s Jason Linkin does his best to become a Matt Drudge. Referring to this exchange from Sunday’s MTP when Obama was asked about New York's open Senate Seat:

MR. BROKAW: You still have some appointments to make coming up, and there's also a good deal of consideration here in Illinois about who will replace you in the Senate. But in New York this weekend the big buzz is Caroline Kennedy in the United States Senate, perhaps as the appointment to fill the seat that Hillary Clinton is expected to vacate if she gets confirmed as secretary of state.

PRES.-ELECT OBAMA: And?

MR. BROKAW: Is that a good idea?

PRES.-ELECT OBAMA: Well, let me tell you this. Caroline Kennedy has become one of my dearest friends and is just a, a wonderful American, a wonderful person. But the last thing I want to do is get involved in New York politics. I've got enough trouble in terms of Illinois politics.

Linkins alludes to this:

Now, if, say, the Obama camp was aware of the Fitzmas probe on Blago at the time of the interview, that forgotten moment takes on an added bit of frisson, doesn't it?

Talk about a long shot at trying to make a story. Go there and read the comments – Linkin’s is getting his ass handed to him.

I really want to see a Senator Franken. Think of how much fun CSpan will be then:

According to data just released by the Minnesota Secretary of State, Al Franken has gained a net of 43 votes on the first day of that state's recount process. Norm Coleman had a lead of 215 voters over Franken in Minnesota's certified, pre-recount tally; that margin is now 172 votes.

Minnesota reports that it has thus far re-counted 15.49 percent of its ballots. If the first day's results are indicative of the pace that the candidates will maintain throughout the recount process, Franken would gain a net of 278 votes over Colmean, giving him a narrow victory. For any number of reasons, however, the results reported thus far may not be indicative of future trends.

Nate goes on to say that there are still the more Democratic strongholds to be counted and those could come out in our favor. Talk about a nail biter.

Here is another fine choice for Secretary of State Obama is considering:

Eyewitness News 4 has learned Gov. Bill Richardson met with the Barack Obama transitional team Friday in Chicago about a possible position as Secretary of State.

Richardson, the former secretary of energy in the Clinton administration, is considered a top contender for secretary of state.

Democrat insiders say Richardson, along with Sen. Hillary Clinton, both met with the Obama team Friday for Obama's top cabinet post.

I have always really liked Bill Richardson. I believe he is firm enough, yet likeable enough to do a great job as our top diplomat. Add to that the fact he was our ambassador to the UN under Clinton, he also posses the experience of Hillary.