October 03, 2005
The President Been Berry, Berry Good To Me
In the White House that hero worshipped the president, Miers was distinguished by the intensity of her zeal: She once told me that the president was the most brilliant man she had ever met. (Quote from former Bush speechwriter David Frum)
I like baseball. I played Little League / Pony League / Colt League baseball for nearly ten years (ages 6-15, beginning of my career documented here). I didn't have a great arm, but as a left-handed pitcher, I was crafty in changing speeds and locating the ball. I didn't have great power, but I managed to spray the ball around. Even as a skinny pre-teen, I was remarkably slow, but I learned how to run the bases. I can still play softball with a decent amount of coordination, even if the body is a little heavier and slower.
In addition, I am a diehard Astros fan. I am pretty well aware of all of the players on the team, catch games on TV or in person whenever I can, and can actually fill out a box score and explain the action to baseball amateurs. I have baseball cards from my favorite team that extend back to the hideous Orange Breakout uniforms of the late 70s and early 80s.
Therefore, I think I should be added to the Astros playoff roster when they begin their NLDS series with the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.
And when you go 0-4 with 4 K's, you drop a routine pop fly in left field, and you accidentally mess with Jeff Bagwell's lucky bat, we'll tell you: you're doing a heck of a job, Norby.
Meek and inexperienced Bush toady. Miers' job will be following Scalia's orders.
Posted by: EssJay at October 3, 2005 09:18 AMit'll be okay, cos like the supremes' famed antony scalia and clarence thomas rotation, roger clemens will pitch every start for you.
Posted by: dexter at October 3, 2005 10:17 AMlike drayton mclane, bush has never had to suffer for his mistakes (c;mon - lose 300+ rbi's over the season and still make the playoffs?). hopefully, that will soon end for one of them, and it's not going to be the 'stros.
Posted by: paperpusher at October 3, 2005 10:52 AMHey, wait a minute! I doubt very much that you're qualified to start for the ...
Oooooooohhhhhh. Are you trying to make a point or something?
Posted by: jpb at October 3, 2005 01:01 PMLet's see.... old family friend, White House Staff Secretary, and a fiesty woman?
You mean he's nominated Miss Landingham from The West Wing?
Posted by: Otto Man at October 3, 2005 02:27 PMSome possible insight into the choice:
April 6, 2004
Texas Consumers Kept In Dark over Auto Loan Overcharges Because of Legislation Signed by Then-Texas Gov. Bush
Consumer Group Calls for Texas Governor, Legislature to Repeal Law
AUSTIN, Texas – Two consumer groups today called on the Texas Legislature to repeal a unique law – passed under former Gov. George Bush – that blocks Texas consumers from recovering $6 billion in overcharges on car loans and allows dealers to keep kickbacks secret.
The 1999 law allows auto dealers to pocket kickbacks from lenders in exchange for inflating the interest rates on car loans, without disclosing the kickbacks to car buyers. Using court records and insider information from whistleblowers, consumer groups and attorneys have found overcharges ranging from hundreds of dollars to more than $15,000. These kickbacks have led to higher-priced auto loans for consumers, even when the consumers have good credit. The law makes Texas the only state in the nation to specifically permit non-disclosure of the dealer kickbacks from lenders.
While the scams are now making national headlines, most don’t know that Lt. Governor Rick Perry helped to push this last-minute "stealth" legislation (76 (R)HB 2180- by Sen. Sibley, Rep. Averitt) through the Legislature, and then-Texas Gov. George Bush signed it. Public Citizen and Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety (CARS) are now calling on the Legislature to repeal the law during the upcoming special session on school finance.
"This legislation is a billion dollar bonus to car dealers, many of whom have contributed heavily to Bush’s campaign," said Tom "Smitty" Smith, director of Public Citizen’s Texas office. "It should be repealed immediately. Lawmakers should ensure that there is equality and openness in our lending system. The current law favors the auto dealers, not Texas consumers."...
...Harriet Miers’ law firm represented the defendants of the litigation, which included auto dealers in Texas. At the time, she was president of Locke, Purnell, Rain & Harrell, where she worked from 1972 until 1999. Currently Miers is assistant to President Bush and his staff secretary. -END
The question remains, what does Bush have in store for Miers? I can't wait to find out.
Posted by: wittbelle at October 3, 2005 04:15 PMBut she's a "pit bull in size-6 shoes," a compliment that earned Bush the daydreaming google eyes from Ms. Miers.
This is another unrequited passion a la Condi. What is with this man's mojo?
Posted by: Pepper at October 3, 2005 07:20 PMThis is another unrequited passion a la Condi. What is with this man's mojo?
Some women just like 'em dumb and strong. I mean, six thousand Billy Ray Cyrus fans can't be wrong.
Posted by: Otto Man at October 3, 2005 07:29 PMThis rules. It's like watching a fight between two rival frat guys. It sucks that one of the douchebags will win, but in the end, bloody disgraced frat guy, and what's wrong with that?
Posted by: drew at October 3, 2005 08:51 PMBut will she still be a toady once she has a lifetime gig? Henry II thought Thomas Beckett was his boy, but once he became Archbishop of Canturbury , he became the pope's boy. Miers could move on and forget about Georgie Porgie if she wants.
Posted by: dinkytown at October 4, 2005 04:08 PM"I mean, six thousand Billy Ray Cyrus fans can't be wrong."
Oh contraire, mon frere, 62,040,606 voters can be wrong.