****************************************************************
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
BHUTTO'S PREMONITION IN TEXT SPK
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 6:52 AM
To: Siegel, Mark
Subject: MOST URGENT ATTENTION.
Mark,
Nothing will, God willing happen. Just wanted u to know if
it does in addition to the names in my letter to Musharaf of
Oct 16nth, I wld hold Musharaf responsible. I have been
made to feel insecure by his minions and there is no way
what is happening in terms of stopping me from taking
private cars or using tinted windows or giving jammers
or four police mobiles to cover all sides cld happen without him.
B
Are we sure it was Al Qaeda?
To: Siegel, Mark
Subject: MOST URGENT ATTENTION.
Mark,
Nothing will, God willing happen. Just wanted u to know if
it does in addition to the names in my letter to Musharaf of
Oct 16nth, I wld hold Musharaf responsible. I have been
made to feel insecure by his minions and there is no way
what is happening in terms of stopping me from taking
private cars or using tinted windows or giving jammers
or four police mobiles to cover all sides cld happen without him.
B
Are we sure it was Al Qaeda?
HUCKABEE REALLY IS CRAZY
Jim Tankersley, at the Chicago Tribune's blog The Swamp, writes a post titled "Huckabee's muzzle control problem," and scores a minor scoop on a bizarre incident at "pheasant-hunting expedition" by Huckabee in Iowa on Wednesday. A reporter asked why he hadn’t invited Cheney along, and Huckabee said, "Because I want to survive all the way through this."
Tankersley writes, "Huckabee’s party turned toward a cluster of reporters and cameramen and, when they kicked up a pheasant, fired shotgun blasts over the group’s heads." He added: "This, friends, is dangerously bad hunting form.”
"Your Swamp correspondent, the son of a longtime hunter education instructor, grew up plying the corn rows and stream banks of rural Oregon with a Labrador retriever and a Mossberg 20-gauge pump shotgun. On our hunts for pheasant, grouse and quail, merely swinging a gun barrel in the general direction of another person was grounds for day-long banishment to the truck (which smelled like wet dog)."
"Suffice to say, if any of our hunting mates had pulled a stunt like Huckabee’s yesterday, we never would have invited them back. It’s the sort of behavior that drives safety-conscious hunters up the wall, because it reinforces a reckless, gun-totin’ stereotype."
"My colleague James Oliphant reports that Huckabee’s party was about 75 yards away from the press corps Wednesday when a pheasant jumped up and flew toward the reporters, drawing several shots. 'That was too close,' he reports a cameraman saying."
Perhaps Huckabee missed hunter’s safety classes – Arkansas only requires them for hunters born after 1968 – but the etiquette on this point is clear.
“Never point a firearm at yourself or others,” the International Hunter Education Association declares in its Basic Safety Rules. Later, it adds, “Never point your firearm at something you do not intend to shoot. Make sure you positively identify what you are shooting at and know what lies in front of and beyond it.”
Huckabee emerged happily from his hunt, three dead pheasants in tow, Oliphant reports. Asked for a metaphor to describe the hunt, he replied, "Don't get in my way. This is what happens."
Tankersley writes, "Huckabee’s party turned toward a cluster of reporters and cameramen and, when they kicked up a pheasant, fired shotgun blasts over the group’s heads." He added: "This, friends, is dangerously bad hunting form.”
"Your Swamp correspondent, the son of a longtime hunter education instructor, grew up plying the corn rows and stream banks of rural Oregon with a Labrador retriever and a Mossberg 20-gauge pump shotgun. On our hunts for pheasant, grouse and quail, merely swinging a gun barrel in the general direction of another person was grounds for day-long banishment to the truck (which smelled like wet dog)."
"Suffice to say, if any of our hunting mates had pulled a stunt like Huckabee’s yesterday, we never would have invited them back. It’s the sort of behavior that drives safety-conscious hunters up the wall, because it reinforces a reckless, gun-totin’ stereotype."
"My colleague James Oliphant reports that Huckabee’s party was about 75 yards away from the press corps Wednesday when a pheasant jumped up and flew toward the reporters, drawing several shots. 'That was too close,' he reports a cameraman saying."
Perhaps Huckabee missed hunter’s safety classes – Arkansas only requires them for hunters born after 1968 – but the etiquette on this point is clear.
“Never point a firearm at yourself or others,” the International Hunter Education Association declares in its Basic Safety Rules. Later, it adds, “Never point your firearm at something you do not intend to shoot. Make sure you positively identify what you are shooting at and know what lies in front of and beyond it.”
Huckabee emerged happily from his hunt, three dead pheasants in tow, Oliphant reports. Asked for a metaphor to describe the hunt, he replied, "Don't get in my way. This is what happens."
Sunday, December 23, 2007
The Chris Matthews Show - December 23, 2007
*******************************
The Chris Matthews Show
December 23, 2007
*******************************
Matthews: Best Move of 2007!
Katty: Obama peaks just before iowa caucus
Rather: Rudy 9/11
Matthews: i agree!
Norah: women hate Hillary
Sully: Ron Paul rulez he's teh real conservative!!!!
Tweety: Worst move!!!?
Rather: Edwards - he's too angry!!!
Norah: Fred Thompson forgetting to have any ideas
Matthews: so sad
Sully: Democrats could have been a real 5th column and ended the war
Katty: GOP lost all hispanics for years
Tweety: Most Ballsy Move!!!
Katty: Rudy takes phone call in speech so dumb
Rather: Romney saying "varmints" that frog won't fly
Norah: Obama is stinky i love empty gossip like that
Tweety: she's martha mitchell!!!
Sully: Mitt is stupid and Michelle is a force of black female nature
Matthews: Foot in Mouth award!!
Kay: Hillary had the worst moment talking about drivers' licenses
Sully: agreeed it has killed her campaign
Norah: Craig is still in teh senate - it shows how tolerant the GOP is now
Rather: Gonzalez is evil
Tweety: strange bedfellows
Kay: what the fuck is with teh GOP nominating a gay friendly abortionist
O'Donell: the Dick Cheney and Barack Obama are cousins story
Tweety: i'm replacing you with a ficus
Tweety: Jarring Moment!
Rather: ann coulter's admits she is an anti semite althohgh she wishes she could take it back
Sully: no i disagree it's when she attacked gays
Katty: dan she doesn't want to take it back
Sully: that's right and she didn't you're naïve
Norah: hah ha funniest moment Kucinich said he was beamed aboard a spaceship and had sex with a six foot red headed alien!!
Tweety: there's a difference betwen saying you saw something in teh sky you couldn't identify and you saw a UFO -- that implies you believe in intelligent life in teh universe
Kay: looking at you tweety i doubt it myself
Matthews: Zinger of teh Year!
O'Donnell: Hillary attacking evil men was so spontaneous and reminding us of Bill Clinton having sex with monica ha ha ha ha
Sully: she has a devilish cackle!!
Matthews: HA HA HA HA HA HAHA HA
Sully: when Obama zapped her by saying he was looking forward to having her advise him it was as brilliant as the time Reagan quoted a line from one of his movies
Matthews: i loved that plagiarising senile bastard
Matthews: Best Year of 2007?
Sully: bob gates has won teh war for us
Rather: al gore and petreaus he had great PR whether is lasts or not
O'Donnell: yes the general even if he fails it's a sweet story - USA!! USA!!
Kay: al gore you dumbass
Matthews: Worst Year in 07!!
Katty, Rather: Baseball
Tweety: roger clemens is still hawt
O'Donnell: Nifong poor white boyz!
Sully: briteny spears
Tweety: hey she's the responsible one!!
Biggest Event in 2007 ?!?!?!
Kay: decline in the dollar yur killing me
Rather: sub prime crisis remember this is the tip of iceberg which is rapidly melting by the way
Sully: America lost it's soul in 2007 but we did gain the suburbs of Iraq
Tweety: aren't the "The Left are all Traitors" guy?
Sully: hey my soul was lost years ago peckerhaid
The Chris Matthews Show
December 23, 2007
*******************************
Matthews: Best Move of 2007!
Katty: Obama peaks just before iowa caucus
Rather: Rudy 9/11
Matthews: i agree!
Norah: women hate Hillary
Sully: Ron Paul rulez he's teh real conservative!!!!
Tweety: Worst move!!!?
Rather: Edwards - he's too angry!!!
Norah: Fred Thompson forgetting to have any ideas
Matthews: so sad
Sully: Democrats could have been a real 5th column and ended the war
Katty: GOP lost all hispanics for years
Tweety: Most Ballsy Move!!!
Katty: Rudy takes phone call in speech so dumb
Rather: Romney saying "varmints" that frog won't fly
Norah: Obama is stinky i love empty gossip like that
Tweety: she's martha mitchell!!!
Sully: Mitt is stupid and Michelle is a force of black female nature
Matthews: Foot in Mouth award!!
Kay: Hillary had the worst moment talking about drivers' licenses
Sully: agreeed it has killed her campaign
Norah: Craig is still in teh senate - it shows how tolerant the GOP is now
Rather: Gonzalez is evil
Tweety: strange bedfellows
Kay: what the fuck is with teh GOP nominating a gay friendly abortionist
O'Donell: the Dick Cheney and Barack Obama are cousins story
Tweety: i'm replacing you with a ficus
Tweety: Jarring Moment!
Rather: ann coulter's admits she is an anti semite althohgh she wishes she could take it back
Sully: no i disagree it's when she attacked gays
Katty: dan she doesn't want to take it back
Sully: that's right and she didn't you're naïve
Norah: hah ha funniest moment Kucinich said he was beamed aboard a spaceship and had sex with a six foot red headed alien!!
Tweety: there's a difference betwen saying you saw something in teh sky you couldn't identify and you saw a UFO -- that implies you believe in intelligent life in teh universe
Kay: looking at you tweety i doubt it myself
Matthews: Zinger of teh Year!
O'Donnell: Hillary attacking evil men was so spontaneous and reminding us of Bill Clinton having sex with monica ha ha ha ha
Sully: she has a devilish cackle!!
Matthews: HA HA HA HA HA HAHA HA
Sully: when Obama zapped her by saying he was looking forward to having her advise him it was as brilliant as the time Reagan quoted a line from one of his movies
Matthews: i loved that plagiarising senile bastard
Matthews: Best Year of 2007?
Sully: bob gates has won teh war for us
Rather: al gore and petreaus he had great PR whether is lasts or not
O'Donnell: yes the general even if he fails it's a sweet story - USA!! USA!!
Kay: al gore you dumbass
Matthews: Worst Year in 07!!
Katty, Rather: Baseball
Tweety: roger clemens is still hawt
O'Donnell: Nifong poor white boyz!
Sully: briteny spears
Tweety: hey she's the responsible one!!
Biggest Event in 2007 ?!?!?!
Kay: decline in the dollar yur killing me
Rather: sub prime crisis remember this is the tip of iceberg which is rapidly melting by the way
Sully: America lost it's soul in 2007 but we did gain the suburbs of Iraq
Tweety: aren't the "The Left are all Traitors" guy?
Sully: hey my soul was lost years ago peckerhaid
Friday, December 21, 2007
GOT MLK?
Boston Globe:
Mitt Romney went a step further in a 1978 interview with the Boston Herald. Talking about the Mormon Church and racial discrimination, he said: "My father and I marched with Martin Luther King Jr. through the streets of Detroit."
NBC First Read:
Admitting that he didn't see the march with his own eyes, he said, "I 'saw' him in the figurative sense."
"The reference of seeing my father lead in civil rights," he said, "and seeing my father march with Martin Luther King is in the sense of this figurative awareness of and recognition of his leadership."
"I've tried to be as accurate as I can be," he continued, smiling firmly. "If you look at the literature or look at the dictionary, the term 'saw' includes being aware of -- in the sense I've described."
The questioning did not relent. "I'm an English literature major," he insisted at one point. "When we say I saw the Patriots win the World Series, it doesn't necessarily mean you were there." (He meant the Super Bowl, of course.)
Mitt Romney went a step further in a 1978 interview with the Boston Herald. Talking about the Mormon Church and racial discrimination, he said: "My father and I marched with Martin Luther King Jr. through the streets of Detroit."
NBC First Read:
Admitting that he didn't see the march with his own eyes, he said, "I 'saw' him in the figurative sense."
"The reference of seeing my father lead in civil rights," he said, "and seeing my father march with Martin Luther King is in the sense of this figurative awareness of and recognition of his leadership."
"I've tried to be as accurate as I can be," he continued, smiling firmly. "If you look at the literature or look at the dictionary, the term 'saw' includes being aware of -- in the sense I've described."
The questioning did not relent. "I'm an English literature major," he insisted at one point. "When we say I saw the Patriots win the World Series, it doesn't necessarily mean you were there." (He meant the Super Bowl, of course.)
Thursday, December 20, 2007
JON STEWART AND STEPHEN COLBERT WILL RETURN IN JANUARY
Stewart and Colbert to Return Without Writers
Comedy Central’s pair of popular news satirists, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, will return to their television shows on Jan. 7, two months after production was suspended because of a writers’ strike.
Mr. Stewart, host of “The Daily Show,” and Mr. Colbert, host of “The Colbert Report,” will have to improvise their monologues and interviews without the help of their writing staffs.
Comedy Central’s pair of popular news satirists, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, will return to their television shows on Jan. 7, two months after production was suspended because of a writers’ strike.
Mr. Stewart, host of “The Daily Show,” and Mr. Colbert, host of “The Colbert Report,” will have to improvise their monologues and interviews without the help of their writing staffs.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Vladimir Putin - Time's Person of the Year
And the runners-up are:
#5 Gen. Petreaus
#4 Hu Jintao
#3 JK Rowling
#2 Al Gore
Time Magazine's Person of the Year
**** Vladimir Putin ****
Interesting because despite Time's insistence to the contrary, it has come to be seen as an honor. They don't give to "bad, but influential guys" (i.e., Hitler, Stalin) anymore.
Until now.
Putin isn't just anti-democratic, he is very likely a ruthless murderer.
As far as Gore being snubbed," it really wasn't expected from Time. Joe Klein's employer is on something of anti-truth tear lately, and their track record clearly favors Republican politicians.
#5 Gen. Petreaus
#4 Hu Jintao
#3 JK Rowling
#2 Al Gore
Time Magazine's Person of the Year
**** Vladimir Putin ****
Interesting because despite Time's insistence to the contrary, it has come to be seen as an honor. They don't give to "bad, but influential guys" (i.e., Hitler, Stalin) anymore.
Until now.
Putin isn't just anti-democratic, he is very likely a ruthless murderer.
As far as Gore being snubbed," it really wasn't expected from Time. Joe Klein's employer is on something of anti-truth tear lately, and their track record clearly favors Republican politicians.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Krugman - Who's Naive?
Paul Krugman calls Barack Obama naive with regard to his health care plan, in contrast to John Edwards. ("Big Table Fantasies." Krugman argues that Edwards wants to fight entrenched businesses, while Obama wants to work with them. One could argue one approach is as naive as another, but the crux of Krugman's argument seems to be not that Obama does not understand that the businesses need to be fought, because Krugman quotes Obama saying they do, but that Obama does not have a plan to do so:
He writes:
As a result, drug and insurance companies — backed by the conservative movement as a whole — will be implacably opposed to any significant reforms. And what would Mr. Obama do then? "I’ll get on television and say Harry and Louise are lying," he says. I’m sure the lobbyists are terrified.
Well, yes, presumably drug and insurance companies will be also be implacably opposed to any significant reforms proposed by John Edwards as well.
What will Edwards do? Krugman does not say.
So who is really naive?
He writes:
As a result, drug and insurance companies — backed by the conservative movement as a whole — will be implacably opposed to any significant reforms. And what would Mr. Obama do then? "I’ll get on television and say Harry and Louise are lying," he says. I’m sure the lobbyists are terrified.
Well, yes, presumably drug and insurance companies will be also be implacably opposed to any significant reforms proposed by John Edwards as well.
What will Edwards do? Krugman does not say.
So who is really naive?
Steve Adubato Delivers A Cheap Shot
Steve Adubato, billed by MSNBC as a "Media Analyst" has written a whining screed titled Former President Unfairly Targets Media, defending that increasingly discredited institution, the American political media.
He writes:
This is incredibly misleading and pathetically poor journalism. (In the same column, amazingly enough, he accuses Clinton of "cheap shot" attacks on Barack Obama). What is his case, that the silly incident faked up by the right press as "Travelgate" wasn't investigated enough? That not enough has been written about the non-existent scandal called Whitewater? That Hillary is hiding something about the most public policy proposal to come of the Clinton White House? That Hillary Clinton had Vince Foster murdered because he knew too much the missing billing records?
Seriously, it's as if Abudato rolled out of bed pulled out a story from 1993.
This is not to defend Hillary Clinton - her campaign can answer these charges and put forward her case to be the next president. But Adubato caught our eye because the truth matters - at least to us, if not to him.
We've seen enough of Adubato to know he is not a complete jackass, but he evidently lazy, and damm cavalier about throwing around dark accusations about Vince Foster's death. Which, by the way, Steve, were dropped even by Rush Limbaugh and Rupert Murdoch, so you're late to the party, as well a discredit to your profession, whatever it is.
He writes:
"Bill and Hillary want the media to focus on are only the positive aspects of her experience but won’t say a word about such topics as “Travelgate;” “Whitewater;” exactly how Vince Foster died; missing billing records; or Hillary’s role as architect of the failed effort for universal healthcare."
This is incredibly misleading and pathetically poor journalism. (In the same column, amazingly enough, he accuses Clinton of "cheap shot" attacks on Barack Obama). What is his case, that the silly incident faked up by the right press as "Travelgate" wasn't investigated enough? That not enough has been written about the non-existent scandal called Whitewater? That Hillary is hiding something about the most public policy proposal to come of the Clinton White House? That Hillary Clinton had Vince Foster murdered because he knew too much the missing billing records?
Seriously, it's as if Abudato rolled out of bed pulled out a story from 1993.
This is not to defend Hillary Clinton - her campaign can answer these charges and put forward her case to be the next president. But Adubato caught our eye because the truth matters - at least to us, if not to him.
We've seen enough of Adubato to know he is not a complete jackass, but he evidently lazy, and damm cavalier about throwing around dark accusations about Vince Foster's death. Which, by the way, Steve, were dropped even by Rush Limbaugh and Rupert Murdoch, so you're late to the party, as well a discredit to your profession, whatever it is.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
The Chris Matthew Show - December 15, 2007
******************************************
The Chris Matthew Show
December 15, 2007
******************************************
Matthews: Obama will win Iowa!
Rather: no Edwards will
Kay: dem voters are very excited about Edwards he’s populist
Matthews: iowans don't like nasty like hillary
Kay: but they really want to win so they like it when hillary is tough
Tweety: she's ticklish, tight and desperate
O'Donnell: she's stopped smiling and she's annoyed at the uppity black man
Matthews: she sicced mark penn on Barack
O'Donnell: she's in meltdown
Sullivan: she's incompetent and if she has to fight she's loses it
Tweety: maybe it's her time of the month
Rather: we tend to fixate on teh inbred crackers in iowa what about the alligators in florida??
Penn: who, me bring up cocaine? i would never talk about cocaine hillary hates to talk about cocaine!
Kay: that fat disgusting man is repulsive
Sullivan: Clinton was a liar about drug use and Hillary is a racist
O'Donnell: my name is Norah O'Donnell and i am the dumbest person on teevee
Rather: damm Obama classy when he testifies
Sullivan: those fucking 5th columnists are dividing this nation!
Tweety: why do white women hate hillary?
Sullivan: she is so nasty - like i want my candidates to be
Tweety: so you were wrong?
Sullivan: so i am consistent and at least i don't hate america
Kay: it's simple you dumbasses male = tough; female = shrill
O'Donnell: hillary cannot possibly win if she loses iowa on the hand i think she can win it all because she has volunteers in other states but then again Obama has a lot of money
Tweety: i have houseplants smarter than you
Tweety: this reminds me of a movie where i get to smear hillary with a cheap sexist gender and generation stereotype - Ha!!!
Tweety: ha ha ha -- this is just like the movie "Election" ha ha Barack Obama is the big black man on campus ha!
Kay: congrats tweety - you're sexist, racist, ageist, and shallow
Matthews: ha! I love it!
Tweety: omg!! Huckabee is a religious hate-filled ignorant whack-job!!!!
Sully: you mean provenance not providence
Tweety: whatever
Sullly: he went to bible college and speaks their own....umm…
Tweety: idiom?
Sully: right
Kay: he sold the tires on his house to buy a dishwasher
Kay: this election is going to about the economy
Rather: hillary will fire that fat asshole mark penn
O'Donnell: oooh jenna may get married in the white house or maybe not
Matthews: you're a true idiot aren't you?
Sullivan: the GOP party will panic and turn to john mccain
Matthews: so he wins new hampshire
Sully: no
Matthews: smarter guests pleeze!
Matthews: who do the others want to run against?
Rather: huckabee
Sullivan: romney
Kay: edwards
O'Donnell, Sulllivan and Rather: clinton
Tweety: why
Panel: she's so hated she will united the GOP party
Tweety: who will you vote for Little Roy?
Roy: i hate america so I said fuck citizenship in yur evil empire
The Chris Matthew Show
December 15, 2007
******************************************
Matthews: Obama will win Iowa!
Rather: no Edwards will
Kay: dem voters are very excited about Edwards he’s populist
Matthews: iowans don't like nasty like hillary
Kay: but they really want to win so they like it when hillary is tough
Tweety: she's ticklish, tight and desperate
O'Donnell: she's stopped smiling and she's annoyed at the uppity black man
Matthews: she sicced mark penn on Barack
O'Donnell: she's in meltdown
Sullivan: she's incompetent and if she has to fight she's loses it
Tweety: maybe it's her time of the month
Rather: we tend to fixate on teh inbred crackers in iowa what about the alligators in florida??
Penn: who, me bring up cocaine? i would never talk about cocaine hillary hates to talk about cocaine!
Kay: that fat disgusting man is repulsive
Sullivan: Clinton was a liar about drug use and Hillary is a racist
O'Donnell: my name is Norah O'Donnell and i am the dumbest person on teevee
Rather: damm Obama classy when he testifies
Sullivan: those fucking 5th columnists are dividing this nation!
Tweety: why do white women hate hillary?
Sullivan: she is so nasty - like i want my candidates to be
Tweety: so you were wrong?
Sullivan: so i am consistent and at least i don't hate america
Kay: it's simple you dumbasses male = tough; female = shrill
O'Donnell: hillary cannot possibly win if she loses iowa on the hand i think she can win it all because she has volunteers in other states but then again Obama has a lot of money
Tweety: i have houseplants smarter than you
Tweety: this reminds me of a movie where i get to smear hillary with a cheap sexist gender and generation stereotype - Ha!!!
Tweety: ha ha ha -- this is just like the movie "Election" ha ha Barack Obama is the big black man on campus ha!
Kay: congrats tweety - you're sexist, racist, ageist, and shallow
Matthews: ha! I love it!
Tweety: omg!! Huckabee is a religious hate-filled ignorant whack-job!!!!
Sully: you mean provenance not providence
Tweety: whatever
Sullly: he went to bible college and speaks their own....umm…
Tweety: idiom?
Sully: right
Kay: he sold the tires on his house to buy a dishwasher
Kay: this election is going to about the economy
Rather: hillary will fire that fat asshole mark penn
O'Donnell: oooh jenna may get married in the white house or maybe not
Matthews: you're a true idiot aren't you?
Sullivan: the GOP party will panic and turn to john mccain
Matthews: so he wins new hampshire
Sully: no
Matthews: smarter guests pleeze!
Matthews: who do the others want to run against?
Rather: huckabee
Sullivan: romney
Kay: edwards
O'Donnell, Sulllivan and Rather: clinton
Tweety: why
Panel: she's so hated she will united the GOP party
Tweety: who will you vote for Little Roy?
Roy: i hate america so I said fuck citizenship in yur evil empire
Friday, December 14, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
MAYBE KUCINICH WAS RIGHT ABOUT THAT UFO
NASA Forced to Turn Over Files on '65 UFO
A federal ruling requires the space agency to turn over any records it might have related to a 1965 incident in a small Pennsylvania town
Link to Full Story
The U.S. government says nothing of note happened in this small town in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania at 4:47 p.m. on Dec. 9, 1965. A meteor may have passed by, but no alien ship or Russian space probe fell to Earth, as many here believe.
Still, Bill Bulebush, 82, says he knows what he saw, heard and smelled, despite the doubts of the government and others in this community 40 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.
"I looked up and saw it flying overhead and it was sizzling," said Bulebush, a retired truck driver. "I found it in the woods down there [in a valley] and I got to it 15 to 20 minutes after it landed. I saw it 10 to 15 feet away from behind a big tree -- because I was worried it might blow up -- and it smelled like sulfur or rotten eggs and was shaped like a huge acorn, about the size of a VW."
Other people said that shortly afterward, dozens of Army soldiers and three members of the Air Force showed up; later that night a flatbed military truck took the object away.
Despite such accounts, the government has been "trying to make it out like we're a bunch of liars," Bulebush said. But now he and his fellow believers may have their best chance yet to prove their case.
A recent settlement in a 4-year-long Freedom of Information Act court battle requires NASA to meticulously comb its files for documents about the Kecksburg incident.
The lawsuit was filed in December 2003 in the District of Columbia by Leslie Kean, a freelance journalist, with financial support from the SciFi Channel, which ran a show that year titled "The New Roswell: Kecksburg Exposed."
A federal ruling requires the space agency to turn over any records it might have related to a 1965 incident in a small Pennsylvania town
Link to Full Story
The U.S. government says nothing of note happened in this small town in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania at 4:47 p.m. on Dec. 9, 1965. A meteor may have passed by, but no alien ship or Russian space probe fell to Earth, as many here believe.
Still, Bill Bulebush, 82, says he knows what he saw, heard and smelled, despite the doubts of the government and others in this community 40 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.
"I looked up and saw it flying overhead and it was sizzling," said Bulebush, a retired truck driver. "I found it in the woods down there [in a valley] and I got to it 15 to 20 minutes after it landed. I saw it 10 to 15 feet away from behind a big tree -- because I was worried it might blow up -- and it smelled like sulfur or rotten eggs and was shaped like a huge acorn, about the size of a VW."
Other people said that shortly afterward, dozens of Army soldiers and three members of the Air Force showed up; later that night a flatbed military truck took the object away.
Despite such accounts, the government has been "trying to make it out like we're a bunch of liars," Bulebush said. But now he and his fellow believers may have their best chance yet to prove their case.
A recent settlement in a 4-year-long Freedom of Information Act court battle requires NASA to meticulously comb its files for documents about the Kecksburg incident.
The lawsuit was filed in December 2003 in the District of Columbia by Leslie Kean, a freelance journalist, with financial support from the SciFi Channel, which ran a show that year titled "The New Roswell: Kecksburg Exposed."
Sunday, December 09, 2007
The Chris Matthews Show - December 9, 2007
Matthews: Hillary Clinton used to be nice and now she's mean - oh my god!!!
Gregory: interesting
Matthews: she's unattractive and nasty!
Gregory: she can't compete with him on soaring rhetoric but she's more electable
Norris: Oprah isn't just a celebrity she's also a black corporation and a book club
Matthews: she empowered me to trash hillary
Matthews: Obama is a strapping young man how can ugly Hillary compete with his raw sexuality??
Matthews: wow he's so black and handsome and electable
Norris: he's a movie star they love him
Matthews: I'm in love
Parker: they are fleeing from hillary because she's not the most electable
Ignatius: raw competence is not exciting
Matthews: she's shrill and mean and nasty and this will backfire
Gregory: you gotta play hardball
Parker: but she's a horrible ball buster
Norris: she hit him with the brass knuckles that's bad
Matthews: ha ha mormons are eager goody-two shoes I love it!!!
Matthews: a lot of people though Romney gave a great speech
Gregory: you mean you did
Matthews: yes i and the other people in my head
Gregory: crazy cultish beliefs are a subject he's comfortable with
Matthews: he got weepy on the Continental Congress - alot of people were moved
Norris: you mean you were moved
Matthews: yes
Ignatius: he was cautious there was no inner man it was all positioning but Huckabee is more passionate
Matthews: i loved it - he's so sexy
Parker: it was all about self pity
Matthews: Huckabee - back off my man!!!!
Gregory: aren't you a big liar?
Bush: i only was told Iran was a country last week - i was told there was some information i was not told what it was
Matthews: he tells people who give him bad news dood you covered your ass
Matthews: alot of people think-
Gregory: you mean *you* think
Matthews: right
Gregory: he's a moron
Matthews: is he stupid or a liar
Parker: ever since the 16 words they haven't told Bush anything
Igantius: no this is a non-story after all the Iranains could have been lying about not having a bomb
Matthews: well then why talk about WWIIII
Ignatius: because you can't trust those wacked out turbaned persians
Matthews: good point David
Gregory: he was being very prudent by saying we have to attack to avoid WWIII until all the information was in
Parker: the Western DNC will endorse Obama
Gregory: New sanctions against Iran!!!
Norris: candidates will not give my donuts on NPR debate
Matthews: ha that sucks
Ignatius: Syria are our new BFFs
Matthews: cia tortures people and hides it
Parker: use your imagination
Gregory: don't give away our best stuff!
Ignatius: they destroyed the tapes because torture is like masturbation -- everyone does it and enjoys it but no likes to see it or talk about it
Gregory: interesting
Matthews: she's unattractive and nasty!
Gregory: she can't compete with him on soaring rhetoric but she's more electable
Norris: Oprah isn't just a celebrity she's also a black corporation and a book club
Matthews: she empowered me to trash hillary
Matthews: Obama is a strapping young man how can ugly Hillary compete with his raw sexuality??
Matthews: wow he's so black and handsome and electable
Norris: he's a movie star they love him
Matthews: I'm in love
Parker: they are fleeing from hillary because she's not the most electable
Ignatius: raw competence is not exciting
Matthews: she's shrill and mean and nasty and this will backfire
Gregory: you gotta play hardball
Parker: but she's a horrible ball buster
Norris: she hit him with the brass knuckles that's bad
Matthews: ha ha mormons are eager goody-two shoes I love it!!!
Matthews: a lot of people though Romney gave a great speech
Gregory: you mean you did
Matthews: yes i and the other people in my head
Gregory: crazy cultish beliefs are a subject he's comfortable with
Matthews: he got weepy on the Continental Congress - alot of people were moved
Norris: you mean you were moved
Matthews: yes
Ignatius: he was cautious there was no inner man it was all positioning but Huckabee is more passionate
Matthews: i loved it - he's so sexy
Parker: it was all about self pity
Matthews: Huckabee - back off my man!!!!
Gregory: aren't you a big liar?
Bush: i only was told Iran was a country last week - i was told there was some information i was not told what it was
Matthews: he tells people who give him bad news dood you covered your ass
Matthews: alot of people think-
Gregory: you mean *you* think
Matthews: right
Gregory: he's a moron
Matthews: is he stupid or a liar
Parker: ever since the 16 words they haven't told Bush anything
Igantius: no this is a non-story after all the Iranains could have been lying about not having a bomb
Matthews: well then why talk about WWIIII
Ignatius: because you can't trust those wacked out turbaned persians
Matthews: good point David
Gregory: he was being very prudent by saying we have to attack to avoid WWIII until all the information was in
Parker: the Western DNC will endorse Obama
Gregory: New sanctions against Iran!!!
Norris: candidates will not give my donuts on NPR debate
Matthews: ha that sucks
Ignatius: Syria are our new BFFs
Matthews: cia tortures people and hides it
Parker: use your imagination
Gregory: don't give away our best stuff!
Ignatius: they destroyed the tapes because torture is like masturbation -- everyone does it and enjoys it but no likes to see it or talk about it
Thursday, December 06, 2007
DOES SWEEPING OBSCENITY BILL GO TO FAR?
The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bill saying that anyone offering an open Wi-Fi connection to the public must report illegal images including "obscene" cartoons and drawings--or face fines of up to $300,000.
That broad definition would cover individuals, coffee shops, libraries, hotels, and even some government agencies that provide Wi-Fi. It also sweeps in social-networking sites, domain name registrars, Internet service providers, and e-mail service providers such as Hotmail and Gmail, and it may require that the complete contents of the user's account be retained for subsequent police inspection.
By insightful tech blogger Declan McCullagh.
Click here for the full article.
That broad definition would cover individuals, coffee shops, libraries, hotels, and even some government agencies that provide Wi-Fi. It also sweeps in social-networking sites, domain name registrars, Internet service providers, and e-mail service providers such as Hotmail and Gmail, and it may require that the complete contents of the user's account be retained for subsequent police inspection.
By insightful tech blogger Declan McCullagh.
Click here for the full article.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
WEAK ECONOMY MEANS NO RECESSION, SAY EXPERTS
a UCLA Anderson forecast says the nation and state will be saved by some apparent weak spots in the economy.
Real estate crash or not, the U.S. economy and California will escape recession in 2008, a UCLA study released today predicts.
Despite rising oil prices, sinking housing prices and a turbulent stock market, the national economy will be saved by some of its apparent weak spots, the quarterly UCLA Anderson forecast stated.
What's the good news?
* The loss of 3 million manufacturing jobs early this decade means there is little room to cut more positions.
* Most of the damage to the economy from the housing slump will be over by the end of next year.
* The weak dollar will help U.S. exports, aiding manufacturers in Southern California.
* Consumer spending will drop, but much of the effect will be felt by other countries as U.S. imports of their products decline.
Real estate crash or not, the U.S. economy and California will escape recession in 2008, a UCLA study released today predicts.
Despite rising oil prices, sinking housing prices and a turbulent stock market, the national economy will be saved by some of its apparent weak spots, the quarterly UCLA Anderson forecast stated.
What's the good news?
* The loss of 3 million manufacturing jobs early this decade means there is little room to cut more positions.
* Most of the damage to the economy from the housing slump will be over by the end of next year.
* The weak dollar will help U.S. exports, aiding manufacturers in Southern California.
* Consumer spending will drop, but much of the effect will be felt by other countries as U.S. imports of their products decline.
HERE'S $250. NOW SHUT UP AND WRITE
On Tuesday, the Writers Guild of America responded to last week's studio proposal on streaming shows online with a tiered compensation system based on how often a show is viewed. Streaming is the free delivery of programming online.
Writers rejected the studios' proposal of a single fixed payment of less than $250 a year for reuse of an hourlong program. Instead, the guild proposed a sliding scale by which in the first year they would fetch $632 for the first 100,000 views, with pay rates increasing at each 100,000 views thereafter. After the first year, writers would get a residual based on 2.5% of the revenue collected by the show distributor.
By Richard Verrier and Claudia Eller, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
Writers rejected the studios' proposal of a single fixed payment of less than $250 a year for reuse of an hourlong program. Instead, the guild proposed a sliding scale by which in the first year they would fetch $632 for the first 100,000 views, with pay rates increasing at each 100,000 views thereafter. After the first year, writers would get a residual based on 2.5% of the revenue collected by the show distributor.
By Richard Verrier and Claudia Eller, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
British Jerry Springer Blasphemy Suit Fails
The High Court ruled on Wednesday that a Christian activist may not prosecute a BBC executive under blasphemy laws over the corporation's screening of "Jerry Springer - The Opera".
Based on U.S. television host Jerry Springer's brash talk show, the musical depicts Jesus being referred to as "a little bit gay" and features Eve attempting to fondle his genitals.
The British public broadcaster's decision to air the show in 2005 sparked demonstrations, a record number of complaints from viewers and a heated debate about whether freedom of expression was more important than religious sensitivities.
Based on U.S. television host Jerry Springer's brash talk show, the musical depicts Jesus being referred to as "a little bit gay" and features Eve attempting to fondle his genitals.
The British public broadcaster's decision to air the show in 2005 sparked demonstrations, a record number of complaints from viewers and a heated debate about whether freedom of expression was more important than religious sensitivities.
British To Consider Using Batons on Child Inmates
The British government will consider allowing staff at young offenders institutions in England and Wales to use batons to control children as young as 15.
Staff are currently allowed to use them only against those aged 18 and over, but that policy is to be reviewed.
The Prison Officers Association says its members need more protection from a rising number of assaults and to help bring situations quickly under control.
But critics fear the move could be counter-productive and fuel violence.
Staff are currently allowed to use them only against those aged 18 and over, but that policy is to be reviewed.
The Prison Officers Association says its members need more protection from a rising number of assaults and to help bring situations quickly under control.
But critics fear the move could be counter-productive and fuel violence.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Mike Huckabee Attacks Hillary Clinton
"Now, whether we need to send somebody to Mars, I don't know. But I'll tell you what: If we do, I've got a few suggestions, and maybe Hillary could be on the first rocket to Mars."
-- Mike Huckabee, November 28 2007, Republican Debate on CNN.
Such a funny guy, that Mike Huckabee.
-- Mike Huckabee, November 28 2007, Republican Debate on CNN.
Such a funny guy, that Mike Huckabee.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
White House Sold to Abu Dhabi For $2.5 Billion
Nov. 27 (Bloomberg) The United States of America will sell the White House, and receive a $2.5 billion cash infusion from Abu Dhabi to replenish capital after record spending coupled with excessive tax cuts, officials announced today.
"Clearly, the U.S. has a problem with capital adequacy." said Giyas Gokkent, head of research at National Bank of Abu Dhabi PJSC, Abu Dhabi's biggest bank by market value. "Abu Dhabi has seen an opportunity to get purchase one of the most famous properties and addresses in the World."
The White House, located in Washington, D.C., and home to many U.S. Presidents, has seen such historic residents as Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and Richard Nixon. George Bush was preparing to move across the street to the Blair House, but sources indicate that an agreement has been reached which will allow the U.S. President to remain in residence while leasing it from Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi will convert the East Wing into a showcase for Abu Dhabi business and tourism, as well as Muslim and Arabic history.
"Clearly, the U.S. has a problem with capital adequacy." said Giyas Gokkent, head of research at National Bank of Abu Dhabi PJSC, Abu Dhabi's biggest bank by market value. "Abu Dhabi has seen an opportunity to get purchase one of the most famous properties and addresses in the World."
The White House, located in Washington, D.C., and home to many U.S. Presidents, has seen such historic residents as Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and Richard Nixon. George Bush was preparing to move across the street to the Blair House, but sources indicate that an agreement has been reached which will allow the U.S. President to remain in residence while leasing it from Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi will convert the East Wing into a showcase for Abu Dhabi business and tourism, as well as Muslim and Arabic history.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Why Does Joe Klein Hate the Truth?
Many people have to tried to figure out why Joe Klein lies so much, and so brazenly.
He thinks liberals hate America. That's true.
It's a generational, anti-Woodstock thing. True.
He loves conservatives, because he thinks of them as "grown up." True.
As a journalist he thinks it's his job to present both sides of the truth.
But it is a mystery as to why even the worst journalists, the most hyperpartisan, the most devoted slavist stenographer of right wing conservatives, like Joe Klein, would not even be a bit interested in the truth.
Does it mean nothing to him?
Why not try printing only the truth, no spin?
Just for a month -- see how it works out for you.
It's about estasblishing a Culture of Truth.
Either you do or you don't.
Joe Klein does not.
He thinks liberals hate America. That's true.
It's a generational, anti-Woodstock thing. True.
He loves conservatives, because he thinks of them as "grown up." True.
As a journalist he thinks it's his job to present both sides of the truth.
But it is a mystery as to why even the worst journalists, the most hyperpartisan, the most devoted slavist stenographer of right wing conservatives, like Joe Klein, would not even be a bit interested in the truth.
Does it mean nothing to him?
Why not try printing only the truth, no spin?
Just for a month -- see how it works out for you.
It's about estasblishing a Culture of Truth.
Either you do or you don't.
Joe Klein does not.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
TWO-HEADED CAT DOING JUST FINE
Vets believe the cat, which has two mouths, two noses and four eyes, may have two brains, as one face can go to sleep while the other remains awake and it can blink independently on each one.
"When he purrs it is like he is purring in stereo," the cat's owner said.
Full Story
"When he purrs it is like he is purring in stereo," the cat's owner said.
Full Story
GOOD FENCES
Man 'attempted sex with fence'
in London park
A drunken man broke into a central London park and attempted to have sex with a fence, a court heard.
Daniel French, 24, made "sexual motions" towards metal railings in Leicester Square Gardens after being challenged by police in the early hours of Sunday morning, Westminster Magistrates' Court was told.
"He said words to the effect of: 'I'm going to have sex with that fence'," said Philip Lemoine, prosecuting.
in London park
A drunken man broke into a central London park and attempted to have sex with a fence, a court heard.
Daniel French, 24, made "sexual motions" towards metal railings in Leicester Square Gardens after being challenged by police in the early hours of Sunday morning, Westminster Magistrates' Court was told.
"He said words to the effect of: 'I'm going to have sex with that fence'," said Philip Lemoine, prosecuting.
AND YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE HAVING A BAD DAY
Kenyan herdsman who fought off a lion attack dies
after being attacked by a pack of hyenas.
Moses Lekalau, 35, was walking home in the Maralal safari area north-east of Nairobi when the lion leapt out at him. Exhausted by his struggle, he lacked the strength to fight off a subsequent attack by hyenas.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Joe Klein = Hysterical
Joe Klein, one of a group of bloggers over at "Swampland," gets hysterical here.
He calls a recent statement by John Edwards "demagogic nonsense," and "dreadful."
What did Edwards say?
Apparently, this:
Garance Franke-Ruta of The American Prospect also flips out, writing:
Can put away the fainting couches and calm down for a second?
As far as I can tell, John Edwards promised in a campaign ad to "use [his] power as president" to try an effect a change in policy. Last time I checked, that was somewhere in the general job description. If someone can show how that is unconstitutional, or demagogic, I sure would like to see it.
To be fair, Franke-Rute is also very worried that Edwards is in effect proposing to give:
Oh my god! The power to push bills on Congress!
Why, that could lead to the President having a role in the legislative process! Or influencing Congress!
You can see what the next Democratic President is in for now.
If he, or she, so much as dares to propose a bill to Congress, Joe Klein will go on tv wearing a tricorn hat, carrying a fife and drum, with a bloody bandage around his head, and start sobbing about the Constitution until his beard is soaking wet.
He calls a recent statement by John Edwards "demagogic nonsense," and "dreadful."
What did Edwards say?
Apparently, this:
“When I’m president I’m going to say to members of Congress and members of my administration, including my cabinet: I’m glad that you have health care coverage and your family has health care coverage. But if you don’t pass universal health care by July of 2009 – in six months – I’m going to use my power as president to take your health care away from you. There’s no excuse for politicians in Washington having health care when you don’t have health care."
Garance Franke-Ruta of The American Prospect also flips out, writing:
"Edwards' above promise is very likely unconstitutional, and someone running against him ought to have the nerve to say so. It's ridiculous for a lawyer running for president to turn a promise to violate the law into a platform plank. I nominate former constitutional law professor Barack Obama, especially as the Hillary Clinton campaign hasn't been willing to elevate any of her competitors by going negative on them.
People in Iowa may like Edwards' rhetoric on this -- and they do, which is why his campaign has made this ad -- but Democratic voters there are also smart enough to understand that this is a promise to strengthen executive power at the expense of the Congress..."
Can put away the fainting couches and calm down for a second?
As far as I can tell, John Edwards promised in a campaign ad to "use [his] power as president" to try an effect a change in policy. Last time I checked, that was somewhere in the general job description. If someone can show how that is unconstitutional, or demagogic, I sure would like to see it.
To be fair, Franke-Rute is also very worried that Edwards is in effect proposing to give:
"George Bush and Dick Cheney and every future Republican president the power to push bills on Congress..."
Oh my god! The power to push bills on Congress!
Why, that could lead to the President having a role in the legislative process! Or influencing Congress!
You can see what the next Democratic President is in for now.
If he, or she, so much as dares to propose a bill to Congress, Joe Klein will go on tv wearing a tricorn hat, carrying a fife and drum, with a bloody bandage around his head, and start sobbing about the Constitution until his beard is soaking wet.
LAMEST TAKE-DOWN OF THE WEEK
Rep. Jim McGovern, who has endorsed Hillary Clinton, attempts a critique of Barack Obama over the Huffington Post. See here: McGovern at HuffPo
This piece, which is exclusively about Obama's appearance on Meet the Press, includes lots of quotes from Tim Russert.... and zero quotes from Barack Obama.
To be sure, he quotes Russert selectively quoting Obama, from over three years ago, and then proceeds to paraphrases Obama from Sunday, but never quotes what Obama actually said.
He also implies Obama has not always been against the war (which is a reason, apparently, to support Clinton) and then suggest Obama lack maturity.
As take-downs go, this is truly lame.
This piece, which is exclusively about Obama's appearance on Meet the Press, includes lots of quotes from Tim Russert.... and zero quotes from Barack Obama.
To be sure, he quotes Russert selectively quoting Obama, from over three years ago, and then proceeds to paraphrases Obama from Sunday, but never quotes what Obama actually said.
He also implies Obama has not always been against the war (which is a reason, apparently, to support Clinton) and then suggest Obama lack maturity.
As take-downs go, this is truly lame.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
TORTURE: I CAN NOT BUT HATE
This declared indifference, but as I must think, covert real zeal for the spread of torture, I can not but hate.
I hate it because of the monstrous injustice of torture itself.
I hate it because it deprives our republican example of its just influence in the world — enables the enemies of free institutions, with plausibility, to taunt us as hypocrites — causes the real friends of freedom to doubt our sincerity, and especially because it forces so many really good men amongst ourselves into an open war with the very fundamental principles of civil liberty—criticizing the Declaration of Independence, and insisting that there is no right principle of action but self-interest.
- Abraham Lincoln on slavery, Peoria, 1854; substituting the word "torture" for "slavery."
I hate it because of the monstrous injustice of torture itself.
I hate it because it deprives our republican example of its just influence in the world — enables the enemies of free institutions, with plausibility, to taunt us as hypocrites — causes the real friends of freedom to doubt our sincerity, and especially because it forces so many really good men amongst ourselves into an open war with the very fundamental principles of civil liberty—criticizing the Declaration of Independence, and insisting that there is no right principle of action but self-interest.
- Abraham Lincoln on slavery, Peoria, 1854; substituting the word "torture" for "slavery."
Monday, November 12, 2007
Dear George Herbert Walker Bush: You Can Go Away Now
Seriously. Get lost.
I read in the venerable USA Today that:
Former president George H.W. Bush forcefully defended his son's handling of the Iraq war Thursday, saying critics of the current president have forgotten the "extraordinary brutality" of deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
"Do they want to bring back Saddam Hussein, these critics?" the elder Bush told USA TODAY in a rare interview. "Do they want to go back to the status quo ante? I don't know what they are talking about here. Do they think life would be better in the Middle East if Saddam were still there?"
Ok, listen up. I rarely write original posts anymore (outside of Bobblespeak Translations) but I survived the Bush pere Presidency, and there is a reason America voted his whiny ass out of office once already. We don't want to hear from him anymore.
First, you have to understand the Bush never really wanted to be President in the first place. Oh, he deeply desired it, as the pinnacle of achievement in America, and he being such a blue-blooded patrician, felt he deserved it, and America was deserving of him. But unlike say, FDR, Johnson, Reagan, JFK, or Clinton, he lacked both a desire to actually do something with the office -that is a vision - ("the vision thing") and the light and common touch all those men brought the job.
After briefly and forgettably serving in various jobs like head of the CIA, ambassador to the UN and envoy to China, the media pronounced him qualified and he was off.
But his heart wasn't really in it, and certainly not in politics. So he turned to people like Lee Atwater, and told us that Dukakis wanted to bring down America, that his dog knew more than Bill Clinton, and mocked Al Gore as Ozone Man.
His flailing and jabbering were not an accident. He had no political skills because he had no politics, other than "you people should be governed by you betters - me." Ever see HW Bush in his debate against Geraldine Ferraro? He was so inept it was horrifying ("whine on, harvest moon!")
Like other amateurs, he assumed that this is what politicians do - lie and smear people. He was able to keep campaigning separate from governing, though it also revealed a cold hearted naked ambition for power divorced from ethics or ideology.
So Bush could be vicious, but he was not brainless, and left Saddam Hussein in power, a defensible position then and now.
According the article:
The elder Bush reacted testily when asked about criticism of his son. "I don't reminisce with … my friends like you about what my son does or doesn't do," Bush said. But "I think we forget even today the extraordinary brutality of Saddam Hussein."
What can one say?
Poppy, fuck you.
Bush is upset, of course, because his son is being criticized, and his Presidency is now largely regarded as a colossal failure.
But there is more to it than that. 8 years ago, George HW Bush's presidency was associated in lockstep with Ronald Reagan's. Now it will forever be linked with his son's.
In other words, George W has not only trashed his own legacy, but his father's as well.
I understand that's upsetting, and I certainly wish the nation (and the world) had been spared this raging Oedipal conflict these last 7 years.
But no, Poppy, we haven't forgotten that Saddam was brutal, just I assume you haven't forgotten that you left that brutal guy in power to continue his brutality.
So please go away now, and take your fellow ancient, weepy, self-pitying, best friend Don Imus, and your fixer/consigliere James Baker, and your Nazi sympathizing -ancestors, and your criminal sons, and their wastrel families, with you, to whatever fresh hell nature has designated for name of Bush to dwell in forever and for all time.
I read in the venerable USA Today that:
Former president George H.W. Bush forcefully defended his son's handling of the Iraq war Thursday, saying critics of the current president have forgotten the "extraordinary brutality" of deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
"Do they want to bring back Saddam Hussein, these critics?" the elder Bush told USA TODAY in a rare interview. "Do they want to go back to the status quo ante? I don't know what they are talking about here. Do they think life would be better in the Middle East if Saddam were still there?"
Ok, listen up. I rarely write original posts anymore (outside of Bobblespeak Translations) but I survived the Bush pere Presidency, and there is a reason America voted his whiny ass out of office once already. We don't want to hear from him anymore.
First, you have to understand the Bush never really wanted to be President in the first place. Oh, he deeply desired it, as the pinnacle of achievement in America, and he being such a blue-blooded patrician, felt he deserved it, and America was deserving of him. But unlike say, FDR, Johnson, Reagan, JFK, or Clinton, he lacked both a desire to actually do something with the office -that is a vision - ("the vision thing") and the light and common touch all those men brought the job.
After briefly and forgettably serving in various jobs like head of the CIA, ambassador to the UN and envoy to China, the media pronounced him qualified and he was off.
But his heart wasn't really in it, and certainly not in politics. So he turned to people like Lee Atwater, and told us that Dukakis wanted to bring down America, that his dog knew more than Bill Clinton, and mocked Al Gore as Ozone Man.
His flailing and jabbering were not an accident. He had no political skills because he had no politics, other than "you people should be governed by you betters - me." Ever see HW Bush in his debate against Geraldine Ferraro? He was so inept it was horrifying ("whine on, harvest moon!")
Like other amateurs, he assumed that this is what politicians do - lie and smear people. He was able to keep campaigning separate from governing, though it also revealed a cold hearted naked ambition for power divorced from ethics or ideology.
So Bush could be vicious, but he was not brainless, and left Saddam Hussein in power, a defensible position then and now.
According the article:
The elder Bush reacted testily when asked about criticism of his son. "I don't reminisce with … my friends like you about what my son does or doesn't do," Bush said. But "I think we forget even today the extraordinary brutality of Saddam Hussein."
What can one say?
Poppy, fuck you.
Bush is upset, of course, because his son is being criticized, and his Presidency is now largely regarded as a colossal failure.
But there is more to it than that. 8 years ago, George HW Bush's presidency was associated in lockstep with Ronald Reagan's. Now it will forever be linked with his son's.
In other words, George W has not only trashed his own legacy, but his father's as well.
I understand that's upsetting, and I certainly wish the nation (and the world) had been spared this raging Oedipal conflict these last 7 years.
But no, Poppy, we haven't forgotten that Saddam was brutal, just I assume you haven't forgotten that you left that brutal guy in power to continue his brutality.
So please go away now, and take your fellow ancient, weepy, self-pitying, best friend Don Imus, and your fixer/consigliere James Baker, and your Nazi sympathizing -ancestors, and your criminal sons, and their wastrel families, with you, to whatever fresh hell nature has designated for name of Bush to dwell in forever and for all time.
Kremlin to Invest in Hi Tech Companies
While the dollar, and U.S. bridges, are in free fall, the Russian Government is going to spend some of their vast oil and gas profits investing in hi tech startups - essentially venture capital to jump start Russia's businesses interests in the 21st century.
Or even more simply, they are spending some of their profits from one sector to expand into other sectors - diversifying, in other words - should the day ever come when oil and gas are not so profitable.
Seem pretty smart.
Full story here
Or even more simply, they are spending some of their profits from one sector to expand into other sectors - diversifying, in other words - should the day ever come when oil and gas are not so profitable.
Seem pretty smart.
Full story here
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
What Color is this Revolution?
New York Times:
Benazir Bhutto, who arrived in Islamabad today,
has pledged to lead a major protest on Friday. Pakistan’s
chief justice also urged defiance today.
Benazir Bhutto, who arrived in Islamabad today,
has pledged to lead a major protest on Friday. Pakistan’s
chief justice also urged defiance today.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Livingston Group Sues Candidate for Defamation for Revealing Ties to CACI
A Washington lobbying shop filed a $1 million defamation suit Friday against the Democratic Party of Virginia and a legislative candidate over an ad that links the firm to the abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.
The ad in question said, “Tim Hugo’s lobbying firm represents the ones who were responsible for torture abuses at Abu Ghraib.”
The Livingston Group said it formally represented CACI International, which provided civilian interrogators to assist military personnel at the notorious Iraqi prison. The firm said CACI hired Livingston to lobby Congress on a different issue and has not been a client since 2004, a year before Hugo joined the lobbying shop.
“The Livingston Group was extremely upset that anyone would link them to companies involved in the Abu Ghraib incident,” said Ben DiMuro, a Livingston attorney.
Apparently they were hoping to keep it a secret.
The ad in question said, “Tim Hugo’s lobbying firm represents the ones who were responsible for torture abuses at Abu Ghraib.”
The Livingston Group said it formally represented CACI International, which provided civilian interrogators to assist military personnel at the notorious Iraqi prison. The firm said CACI hired Livingston to lobby Congress on a different issue and has not been a client since 2004, a year before Hugo joined the lobbying shop.
“The Livingston Group was extremely upset that anyone would link them to companies involved in the Abu Ghraib incident,” said Ben DiMuro, a Livingston attorney.
Apparently they were hoping to keep it a secret.
Friday, November 02, 2007
I CAN HAZ COLLECTORS ITEM?
J.K. Rowling has completed her first book not to feature teen wizard Harry Potter -- an illustrated collection of magical fairy stories titled "The Tales of Beedle the Bard."
Only seven copies of the book are being printed, Rowling said Thursday. One will be auctioned next month to raise money for a children's charity, while the others have been given away as gifts.
Rowling drew the illustrations herself and provided the handwriting for the five stories that make up the collection of fairytales.
Only seven copies of the book are being printed, Rowling said Thursday. One will be auctioned next month to raise money for a children's charity, while the others have been given away as gifts.
Rowling drew the illustrations herself and provided the handwriting for the five stories that make up the collection of fairytales.
It's Official: Hollywood Writers Will Strike
This afternoon leaders of the Writer's Guild will send out a press release announcing the strike and details of how the strike will work, which includes picketing for several hours per day by members.
The Screen Actors Guild supports the strike.
The Teamsters may support as well.
At issue: residuals over DVD sales, internet broadcasts, and other new sources of revenue.
The Screen Actors Guild supports the strike.
The Teamsters may support as well.
At issue: residuals over DVD sales, internet broadcasts, and other new sources of revenue.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"I was an English professor who became a psychiatrist
and a driving force behind it was my awareness that
James Joyce had a daughter who had schizophrenia."
Link to full story
"I was an English professor who became a psychiatrist
and a driving force behind it was my awareness that
James Joyce had a daughter who had schizophrenia."
Link to full story
GREAT MOMENTS IN BUSINESS
Supermarket loses $10 million in online scam
A supermarket chain received e-mails supposedly from Frito-Lay and American Greetings asking to change their bank accounts. They did--but no one checked.
Supervalu, one of the biggest supermarket chains in the US, which owns the Albertsons chain, was told to wire all future payments to new bank accounts. So they did. Now they're trying to get it back.
A supermarket chain received e-mails supposedly from Frito-Lay and American Greetings asking to change their bank accounts. They did--but no one checked.
Supervalu, one of the biggest supermarket chains in the US, which owns the Albertsons chain, was told to wire all future payments to new bank accounts. So they did. Now they're trying to get it back.
Monday, October 29, 2007
HEAD TURNING QUOTE OF THE DAY
Tony Snow:
"If You Make the Mistake
of Lying to the Press, You're Dead"
Okay....
"If You Make the Mistake
of Lying to the Press, You're Dead"
Okay....
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
SHINING A LIGHT ON FASCISM IN ARIZONA
A Maricopa County Superior Court will hold a hearing on Wednesday to decide if the the records of a grand-jury investigation into the Phoenix New Times newspaper should be unsealed.
The County Attorney, Andrew Thomas, says he has closed the investigation and dropped the underlying charges against the alternative weekly newspaper. This was only after newspaper writers, lawyers, bloggers, and people interested in freedom in general made a fuss.
Thomas said he will not contest the public-records request by The Arizona Republic and Channel 12 to have the case unsealed.
"The application to unseal the grand-jury material is intended to help the public understand what in the world necessitated this protracted investigation of a newspaper on a misdemeanor charge," said Republic attorney David Bodney. "We hope to determine if there was a misuse of process or power by the special prosecutor. And if there was abuse, to make sure it doesn't happen again."
Well put.
The County Attorney, Andrew Thomas, says he has closed the investigation and dropped the underlying charges against the alternative weekly newspaper. This was only after newspaper writers, lawyers, bloggers, and people interested in freedom in general made a fuss.
Thomas said he will not contest the public-records request by The Arizona Republic and Channel 12 to have the case unsealed.
"The application to unseal the grand-jury material is intended to help the public understand what in the world necessitated this protracted investigation of a newspaper on a misdemeanor charge," said Republic attorney David Bodney. "We hope to determine if there was a misuse of process or power by the special prosecutor. And if there was abuse, to make sure it doesn't happen again."
Well put.
PUSHING BACK AGAINST CREEPING FASCISM
Apparently papers which are members of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies (AAN) are now providing links on their Web sites to websites which list the home address of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
They are doing this in solidarity with the Phoenix New Times, whose founders were arrested and jailed last week.
An excerpt from a press AAN release:
Last week, Phoenix New Times' founders Michael Lacey and Jim Larkin were arrested and jailed after the paper published a story about the grand jury and subpoenas they had received that demanded detailed Internet records of any person who had visited the newspaper's website since 2004, as well as all notes and records from any reporter who had written about the sheriff in the preceding three years.
After Larkin and Lacey were arrested an outpouring of shock and anger accompanied widespread media coverage of the case. The response created a groundswell of support for New Times. The charges were dropped less than 24 hours later after Thomas admitted that his office had made "serious missteps" in the case.
"The actions of Mr. Thomas and Sheriff Arpaio in this case are beyond outrageous," said AAN Executive Director Richard Karpel. "They abused their offices by engaging in Gestapo-like tactics designed to silence a newspaper that has been highly critical of them in the past."
Added AAN First Amendment Chair Tim Redmond, executive editor of the San Francisco Bay Guardian: "Our association and its members won't tolerate this sort of attack on the right of a member paper to publish information that is and ought to be public record."
"This was a victory for the First Amendment, the constitution and for our readers right to read our newspaper without the government spying upon them," said Larkin and Lacey in a joint statement. "As the Federal press shield legislation moves from the House to the Senate, we hope people will remember what happened to reporters, editors and readers in Phoenix."
They are doing this in solidarity with the Phoenix New Times, whose founders were arrested and jailed last week.
An excerpt from a press AAN release:
Last week, Phoenix New Times' founders Michael Lacey and Jim Larkin were arrested and jailed after the paper published a story about the grand jury and subpoenas they had received that demanded detailed Internet records of any person who had visited the newspaper's website since 2004, as well as all notes and records from any reporter who had written about the sheriff in the preceding three years.
After Larkin and Lacey were arrested an outpouring of shock and anger accompanied widespread media coverage of the case. The response created a groundswell of support for New Times. The charges were dropped less than 24 hours later after Thomas admitted that his office had made "serious missteps" in the case.
"The actions of Mr. Thomas and Sheriff Arpaio in this case are beyond outrageous," said AAN Executive Director Richard Karpel. "They abused their offices by engaging in Gestapo-like tactics designed to silence a newspaper that has been highly critical of them in the past."
Added AAN First Amendment Chair Tim Redmond, executive editor of the San Francisco Bay Guardian: "Our association and its members won't tolerate this sort of attack on the right of a member paper to publish information that is and ought to be public record."
"This was a victory for the First Amendment, the constitution and for our readers right to read our newspaper without the government spying upon them," said Larkin and Lacey in a joint statement. "As the Federal press shield legislation moves from the House to the Senate, we hope people will remember what happened to reporters, editors and readers in Phoenix."
Virgin of the Rocks
Bidding on a pebble picked up on a New Zealand beach reached $26,700 after the owner declared she wouldn't take less that $50,000 for the small rock.
The 1 cm stone was discovered last year by Christchurch woman Lisa-Marie Corlet on Kaikoura's South Beach.
According to stuff.co.nz, she didn't realize the significance of the find until she got home, when she saw an image of Mary on the stone.
Corlet, however, decided to hang onto the Holy Mother as a "good-luck charm". She confirmed: "I got it and I started having an awesome run of luck."
She now says: "I won't take less than $50,000 for it. If someone is willing to pay $28,000 for a piece of toast, I'm sure someone out there would pay at least that for rock."
The 1 cm stone was discovered last year by Christchurch woman Lisa-Marie Corlet on Kaikoura's South Beach.
According to stuff.co.nz, she didn't realize the significance of the find until she got home, when she saw an image of Mary on the stone.
Corlet, however, decided to hang onto the Holy Mother as a "good-luck charm". She confirmed: "I got it and I started having an awesome run of luck."
She now says: "I won't take less than $50,000 for it. If someone is willing to pay $28,000 for a piece of toast, I'm sure someone out there would pay at least that for rock."
HI, TECH SUPPORT?
This month, Timothy Scott Short allegedly stole a computer and printer used for producing driver's licenses.
However, the stolen PC has a lock that prevents its unauthorized use and its key was stored elsewhere. Without the software on the PC, the printer won't print licenses. Needless to say that this is not the kind of printer you can pick up at CompUSA.
Two days after the theft, Digimarc's tech help line got a call from someone named "Scott" who wanted to buy software for the same model of printer that was stolen. The tech staff tipped off the Secret Service, who listened to a recording of the caller's voice and recognized it as Short's from another, unrelated investigation.
A Secret Service agent said the printer's only use is the manufacture of licenses, and added that the personal information for as many as 500 Missouri residents was on the PC.
Short was charged with felony possession of "document-making implements" Short faces 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
CNET News Story
However, the stolen PC has a lock that prevents its unauthorized use and its key was stored elsewhere. Without the software on the PC, the printer won't print licenses. Needless to say that this is not the kind of printer you can pick up at CompUSA.
Two days after the theft, Digimarc's tech help line got a call from someone named "Scott" who wanted to buy software for the same model of printer that was stolen. The tech staff tipped off the Secret Service, who listened to a recording of the caller's voice and recognized it as Short's from another, unrelated investigation.
A Secret Service agent said the printer's only use is the manufacture of licenses, and added that the personal information for as many as 500 Missouri residents was on the PC.
Short was charged with felony possession of "document-making implements" Short faces 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
CNET News Story
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
SWEEPING SENATE BILL IMMUNIZES IPS, SEARCH ENGINES, E-MAIL PROVIDERS FOR SPYING
"A new Senate bill would protect not only telephone companies from lawsuits claiming illegal cooperation with the National Security Agency. It would retroactively immunize e-mail providers, search engines, Internet service providers and instant-messaging services too.
Link to story on CNET
The broad language appears in new legislation that a Senate committee approved by a 13-to-2 vote on Thursday during a meeting closed to the press and public. It enjoys the support of the panel's Democrats and Republicans.
It goes further in crafting an impenetrable legal shield than similar proposals in the House of Representatives, such as the so-called Restore Act (PDF), which immunizes only "communications service providers." Bowing to pressure from President Bush, House Democrats postponed a vote on the Restore Act last week.
The broader Senate bill (PDF) would sweep in Web sites, e-mail providers and more. "My suspicion is the scope of the immunity provision is the most revealing way to assess the scope of the underlying authority," said Marc Rotenberg, director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center."
Link to story on CNET
The broad language appears in new legislation that a Senate committee approved by a 13-to-2 vote on Thursday during a meeting closed to the press and public. It enjoys the support of the panel's Democrats and Republicans.
It goes further in crafting an impenetrable legal shield than similar proposals in the House of Representatives, such as the so-called Restore Act (PDF), which immunizes only "communications service providers." Bowing to pressure from President Bush, House Democrats postponed a vote on the Restore Act last week.
The broader Senate bill (PDF) would sweep in Web sites, e-mail providers and more. "My suspicion is the scope of the immunity provision is the most revealing way to assess the scope of the underlying authority," said Marc Rotenberg, director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center."
MIKE HUCKABEE AND A CULTURE OF TRUTH
Via Josh Marshall's TPM:
Isn't lying a sin?
"presidential candidate and former Arkansas Governoer Mike Huckabee, himself a Baptist minister, actually told a crowd yesterday that "most" of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were "clergymen."
"As these folks at Politifact.com point out, one out of 56 were clergymen."
Isn't lying a sin?
Monday, October 22, 2007
NASA TAKES CUES FROM AIRPLANE II
Buck Murdock:
"Lieutenant...How would you handle this?"
Lieutenant:
"We could try ignoring it, sir."
Buck Murdock:
"I see..... Pretend nothing has happened and hope everything's all right in the morning?"
Lieutenant:
"Just a thought, sir."
Buck Murdock:
"I've considered that. There's got to be a better angle."
*****************************************************************
NASA WITHHOLDS SAFETY INFORMATION
"Lieutenant...How would you handle this?"
Lieutenant:
"We could try ignoring it, sir."
Buck Murdock:
"I see..... Pretend nothing has happened and hope everything's all right in the morning?"
Lieutenant:
"Just a thought, sir."
Buck Murdock:
"I've considered that. There's got to be a better angle."
*****************************************************************
NASA WITHHOLDS SAFETY INFORMATION
(AP) -- Anxious to avoid upsetting air travelers, NASA is withholding results from an unprecedented national survey of pilots that found safety problems like near collisions and runway interference occur far more frequently than the government previously recognized.
Link to AP Story
NASA gathered the information under an $8.5 million safety project, through telephone interviews with roughly 24,000 commercial and general aviation pilots over nearly four years. Since ending the interviews at the beginning of 2005 and shutting down the project completely more than one year ago, the space agency has refused to divulge the results publicly.
Just last week, NASA ordered the contractor that conducted the survey to purge all related data from its computers.
The Associated Press learned about the NASA results from one person familiar with the survey who spoke on condition of anonymity because this person was not authorized to discuss them.
A senior NASA official, associate administrator Thomas S. Luedtke, said revealing the findings could damage the public's confidence in airlines and affect airline profits. Luedtke acknowledged that the survey results ''present a comprehensive picture of certain aspects of the U.S. commercial aviation industry.''
GIGANTIC TRASH ISLAND FLOATING IN PACIFIC
An enormous island of trash twice the size of Texas is floating in the Pacific Ocean, somewhere between San Francisco and Hawaii.
Chris Parry, with the California Coastal Commission, said the so-called 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch', "has been growing a brisk rate since the 1950s," The San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday.
The floating pile of trash is 80 percent plastic, and weighs more than 3.5 million tons.
Link to story
Chris Parry, with the California Coastal Commission, said the so-called 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch', "has been growing a brisk rate since the 1950s," The San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday.
The floating pile of trash is 80 percent plastic, and weighs more than 3.5 million tons.
Link to story
HYDROGEN CARS ROLL OUT NY, LA & DC
This is interesting.....
Chevrolet is in the midst of launching "Project Driveway," an ambitious program where more than 100 fuel cell electric vehicles will be put in the hands of select consumers for the largest market test ever of its kind.
Link to CNET story
Testing will take place over the next several months in the Los Angeles, New York, and Washington D.C. metro areas. Drivers range from average consumers to business owners to policy makers. Chevy reps also promise that some cars will go into the hands of "celebrities," but no names have been dropped yet.
The Equinox fuel cell cars run solely on hydrogen, which, at this point in time, is a drawback for the average consumer. Although we produce 40 billion kilograms of hydrogen globally every year -- enough to power 130 million fuel cell-powered cars -- hydrogen fueling stations are still scarce.
he three test metro areas were chosen, in part, because drivers have access to hydrogen filling stations within a reasonable radius of their homes and/or places of business. General Motors reps say building a hydrogen fueling station infrastructure wouldn't be as difficult as some might think; they say the initial investment of about $10 to $15 billion required to put 12,000 stations within two miles of the top 100 urban areas is close to the amount of money being currently spent on maintaining existing oil pipelines and gasoline manufacturing equipment.
Chevrolet is in the midst of launching "Project Driveway," an ambitious program where more than 100 fuel cell electric vehicles will be put in the hands of select consumers for the largest market test ever of its kind.
Link to CNET story
Testing will take place over the next several months in the Los Angeles, New York, and Washington D.C. metro areas. Drivers range from average consumers to business owners to policy makers. Chevy reps also promise that some cars will go into the hands of "celebrities," but no names have been dropped yet.
The Equinox fuel cell cars run solely on hydrogen, which, at this point in time, is a drawback for the average consumer. Although we produce 40 billion kilograms of hydrogen globally every year -- enough to power 130 million fuel cell-powered cars -- hydrogen fueling stations are still scarce.
he three test metro areas were chosen, in part, because drivers have access to hydrogen filling stations within a reasonable radius of their homes and/or places of business. General Motors reps say building a hydrogen fueling station infrastructure wouldn't be as difficult as some might think; they say the initial investment of about $10 to $15 billion required to put 12,000 stations within two miles of the top 100 urban areas is close to the amount of money being currently spent on maintaining existing oil pipelines and gasoline manufacturing equipment.
Tiki
Tiki Barber on MSNBC, as an expert on football, and giving his insight on the New York Giants
Question he is unlikely to be asked:
"Are the Giants a better team without Tiki Barber?"
Question he is unlikely to be asked:
"Are the Giants a better team without Tiki Barber?"
Laura Bush in Middle East
Laura Bush on ABC's Good Morning America, is traveling to the Middle East to "use her popularity to boost the popularity of the United States."
Bush says "the UAE and Kuwait and all those other countries" are strong friends and allies - also she is angry that Myanmar does not have free speech.
Robin Roberts quotes Tom Friedman to Laura Bush.
Laura Bush agrees with Tom Friedman that "we should export hope."
But first we may have to attack Iran.
Bush says "the UAE and Kuwait and all those other countries" are strong friends and allies - also she is angry that Myanmar does not have free speech.
Robin Roberts quotes Tom Friedman to Laura Bush.
Laura Bush agrees with Tom Friedman that "we should export hope."
But first we may have to attack Iran.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
FASCISM IN MARICOPA COUNTRY
This story, out of Phoenix, is a big deal, if you care about press freedom, blogging, or individual rights.
Basically, the Phoenix New Times was investigating the Sheriff's real estate holdings, and in the course of doing so they published his home address. He's been on a vindictive tear ever since:
New York Times, (by David Carr):
"Two executives from Village Voice Media — a company that owns a number of alternative weeklies including The Village Voice, The LA Weekly and The Phoenix Times — were arrested Thursday night in Phoenix on charges that a story published earlier in the day in The Phoenix New Times revealed grand jury secrets.
Michael Lacey, the executive editor, and Jim Larkin, chief executive, where arrested at their homes after they wrote a story that revealed that the Village Voice Media company, its executives, its reporters and even the names of the readers of its website had been subpoenaed by a special prosecutor. The special prosecutor had been appointed to look into allegations that the newspaper had violated the law in publishing the home address of Maricopa Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s home address on its website more than three years ago.
The weekly and its leadership has been in a long running battle with Mr. Arpaio, after the weekly published a series of stories about his real estate dealings.
"They did not have a warrant, but they told me that I was being arrested for unlawful disclosure of grand jury information," Mr. Larkin said by phone from his home early this morning, after he was released from jail. Mr. Lacey remained in jail early this morning. Captain Paul Chagolla, a spokesman for the sheriff did not return a call for comment.
Steve Suskin, legal counsel for Village Voice Media, said that the arrests on misdemeanor charges of the newspaper executives represent an escalation in the conflict between The Phoenix New Times and Sheriff Arpaio, who has received national attention for his reputation for running tough jails.
"It is an extraordinary sequence of events," Mr. Suskin said. "The arrests were not totally unexpected, but they represent an act of revenge and a vindictive response on the part of an out of control sheriff."
Grand jury proceedings are secret. In the story about the ongoing case, Mr. Larkin and Mr. Lacey suggested that the publication of the subpoenas might be viewed as illegal.
"It is, we fear, the authorities’ belief that what you are about to read here is against the law to publish," they wrote. "But there are moments when civil disobedience is merely the last option. We pray that our judgment is free of arrogance.
The subpoena asks for information not only about the newspaper’s reporting, but also the information on readers who may have seen material deemed confidential published on the newspaper’s website, including the internet domain names and browsers used, and any other information about online readers of the publication since Jan. 1, 2004."
From the Arizona Republic:
"It really is overbroad," said Kenneth Fields, a retired Superior Court judge. "And it touches on privacy issues of a lot of people who cannot be the subject of a grand-jury investigation. This is potentially thousands of people."
James Weinstein, professor of constitutional law at Arizona State University, called the subpoena "exquisitely overbroad" and "outrageous."
Weinstein said he has never seen or heard anything like the subpoena, which orders New Times to produce computer records of every person who has visited the New Times Web site in the past four years. "It has got to be unconstitutional," he said.
The Phoenix Times
By Michael Lacey and Jim Larkin:
In a breathtaking abuse of the United States Constitution, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas, and their increasingly unhinged cat's paw, special prosecutor Dennis Wilenchik, used the grand jury to subpoena "all documents related to articles and other content published by Phoenix New Times newspaper in print and on the Phoenix New Times website, regarding Sheriff Joe Arpaio from January 1, 2004 to the present."
Every note, tape, and record from every story written about Sheriff Arpaio by every reporter over a period of years.
In addition to the omnibus subpoena, which referred to our writer Stephen Lemons directly, reporters John Dougherty and Paul Rubin were targeted with individual subpoenas.
More alarming still, Arpaio, Thomas, and Wilenchik subpoenaed detailed information on anyone who has looked at the New Times Web site since 2004.
Every individual who looked at any story, review, listing, classified, or retail ad over a period of years.
The seemingly picayune matter of Sheriff Arpaio's home address getting printed at the bottom of an opinion column on our Internet site — and the very real issue of commercial property investments the sheriff hid from public view — have now erupted into a courtroom donnybrook against a backdrop of illegal immigration disputes, Mexican drug cartels, the Minutemen, political ambition, and turf disputes between prosecutors and the judiciary.
And given the diva-like drama that Arpaio attaches to even the mundane, you can add to the grand jury tension the paranoia of a Keystone Kops assassination "plot" against "America's toughest sheriff."
Behind these operatic and public developments, an ethical stain has spread over the secret proceedings of the grand jury.
Special prosecutor Wilenchik has sabotaged the integrity of the investigation.
Not content with using the hidden power of sweeping grand jury subpoenas, the government's lawyer attempted to get the ear of the sitting judge — out of earshot of New Times' attorneys.
Special prosecutor Wilenchik used a politically potent emissary in a behind-the-curtain attempt to set up a meeting between the judge overseeing the grand jury and Wilenchik.
In a hastily called hearing October 11, the judge labeled Wilenchik's attempt to set up an ex parte discussion "absolutely inappropriate."
In our humble opinion, Wilenchik's clumsy intervention behind the scenes with the judge was well beyond "inappropriate." Wilenchik's behavior raised the issue of an attempt to rig a grand jury already veiled in official secrecy.
In our deliberations, we faced the obvious: A grand jury investigation is a fearsome thing; a tainted grand jury is a tipping point.
We intend now to break the silence and resist."
In a grandiose insult to the Constitution, Arpaio, Thomas, and Wilenchik used the grand jury to subpoena the online profiles of anyone who viewed four specific articles on the sheriff.
The pertinent section of the secret grand jury subpoena reads, in part: "All internet web site information for the Phoenix New Times internet site related to the web pages . . . [four specific articles on the sheriff]. The information should include, but not be limited to: The Internet Protocol addresses of any and all visitors to each page of . . . [four specific articles on the sheriff]. . ."
Energized, perhaps, by this mugging of Constitutional safeguards, Arpaio, Thomas, and Wilenchik then shot the moon. The grand jury subpoena also demands Web site profiles of anyone and everyone who visited New Times online over the past two and a half years, not merely readers who viewed articles on the sheriff.
The actual subpoena is available here: Subpoena on the Phoenix New Times
Basically, the Phoenix New Times was investigating the Sheriff's real estate holdings, and in the course of doing so they published his home address. He's been on a vindictive tear ever since:
New York Times, (by David Carr):
"Two executives from Village Voice Media — a company that owns a number of alternative weeklies including The Village Voice, The LA Weekly and The Phoenix Times — were arrested Thursday night in Phoenix on charges that a story published earlier in the day in The Phoenix New Times revealed grand jury secrets.
Michael Lacey, the executive editor, and Jim Larkin, chief executive, where arrested at their homes after they wrote a story that revealed that the Village Voice Media company, its executives, its reporters and even the names of the readers of its website had been subpoenaed by a special prosecutor. The special prosecutor had been appointed to look into allegations that the newspaper had violated the law in publishing the home address of Maricopa Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s home address on its website more than three years ago.
The weekly and its leadership has been in a long running battle with Mr. Arpaio, after the weekly published a series of stories about his real estate dealings.
"They did not have a warrant, but they told me that I was being arrested for unlawful disclosure of grand jury information," Mr. Larkin said by phone from his home early this morning, after he was released from jail. Mr. Lacey remained in jail early this morning. Captain Paul Chagolla, a spokesman for the sheriff did not return a call for comment.
Steve Suskin, legal counsel for Village Voice Media, said that the arrests on misdemeanor charges of the newspaper executives represent an escalation in the conflict between The Phoenix New Times and Sheriff Arpaio, who has received national attention for his reputation for running tough jails.
"It is an extraordinary sequence of events," Mr. Suskin said. "The arrests were not totally unexpected, but they represent an act of revenge and a vindictive response on the part of an out of control sheriff."
Grand jury proceedings are secret. In the story about the ongoing case, Mr. Larkin and Mr. Lacey suggested that the publication of the subpoenas might be viewed as illegal.
"It is, we fear, the authorities’ belief that what you are about to read here is against the law to publish," they wrote. "But there are moments when civil disobedience is merely the last option. We pray that our judgment is free of arrogance.
The subpoena asks for information not only about the newspaper’s reporting, but also the information on readers who may have seen material deemed confidential published on the newspaper’s website, including the internet domain names and browsers used, and any other information about online readers of the publication since Jan. 1, 2004."
From the Arizona Republic:
"It really is overbroad," said Kenneth Fields, a retired Superior Court judge. "And it touches on privacy issues of a lot of people who cannot be the subject of a grand-jury investigation. This is potentially thousands of people."
James Weinstein, professor of constitutional law at Arizona State University, called the subpoena "exquisitely overbroad" and "outrageous."
Weinstein said he has never seen or heard anything like the subpoena, which orders New Times to produce computer records of every person who has visited the New Times Web site in the past four years. "It has got to be unconstitutional," he said.
The Phoenix Times
By Michael Lacey and Jim Larkin:
In a breathtaking abuse of the United States Constitution, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas, and their increasingly unhinged cat's paw, special prosecutor Dennis Wilenchik, used the grand jury to subpoena "all documents related to articles and other content published by Phoenix New Times newspaper in print and on the Phoenix New Times website, regarding Sheriff Joe Arpaio from January 1, 2004 to the present."
Every note, tape, and record from every story written about Sheriff Arpaio by every reporter over a period of years.
In addition to the omnibus subpoena, which referred to our writer Stephen Lemons directly, reporters John Dougherty and Paul Rubin were targeted with individual subpoenas.
More alarming still, Arpaio, Thomas, and Wilenchik subpoenaed detailed information on anyone who has looked at the New Times Web site since 2004.
Every individual who looked at any story, review, listing, classified, or retail ad over a period of years.
The seemingly picayune matter of Sheriff Arpaio's home address getting printed at the bottom of an opinion column on our Internet site — and the very real issue of commercial property investments the sheriff hid from public view — have now erupted into a courtroom donnybrook against a backdrop of illegal immigration disputes, Mexican drug cartels, the Minutemen, political ambition, and turf disputes between prosecutors and the judiciary.
And given the diva-like drama that Arpaio attaches to even the mundane, you can add to the grand jury tension the paranoia of a Keystone Kops assassination "plot" against "America's toughest sheriff."
Behind these operatic and public developments, an ethical stain has spread over the secret proceedings of the grand jury.
Special prosecutor Wilenchik has sabotaged the integrity of the investigation.
Not content with using the hidden power of sweeping grand jury subpoenas, the government's lawyer attempted to get the ear of the sitting judge — out of earshot of New Times' attorneys.
Special prosecutor Wilenchik used a politically potent emissary in a behind-the-curtain attempt to set up a meeting between the judge overseeing the grand jury and Wilenchik.
In a hastily called hearing October 11, the judge labeled Wilenchik's attempt to set up an ex parte discussion "absolutely inappropriate."
In our humble opinion, Wilenchik's clumsy intervention behind the scenes with the judge was well beyond "inappropriate." Wilenchik's behavior raised the issue of an attempt to rig a grand jury already veiled in official secrecy.
In our deliberations, we faced the obvious: A grand jury investigation is a fearsome thing; a tainted grand jury is a tipping point.
We intend now to break the silence and resist."
In a grandiose insult to the Constitution, Arpaio, Thomas, and Wilenchik used the grand jury to subpoena the online profiles of anyone who viewed four specific articles on the sheriff.
The pertinent section of the secret grand jury subpoena reads, in part: "All internet web site information for the Phoenix New Times internet site related to the web pages . . . [four specific articles on the sheriff]. The information should include, but not be limited to: The Internet Protocol addresses of any and all visitors to each page of . . . [four specific articles on the sheriff]. . ."
Energized, perhaps, by this mugging of Constitutional safeguards, Arpaio, Thomas, and Wilenchik then shot the moon. The grand jury subpoena also demands Web site profiles of anyone and everyone who visited New Times online over the past two and a half years, not merely readers who viewed articles on the sheriff.
The actual subpoena is available here: Subpoena on the Phoenix New Times
DIDN'T RUSH GO DEAF?
FDA to warn Viagra users of hearing loss
It's not clear that Viagra and other impotency drugs truly trigger hearing loss, but the FDA decides to add a warning about the possible risk after counting 29 reports of the problem since 1996.
PS3 SOLVES MYSTERIES OF THE UNIVERSE
Wired Magazine:
"Suffering from its exorbitant price point and a dearth of titles, Sony's PlayStation 3 isn't exactly the most popular gaming platform on the block. But while the console flounders in the commercial space, the PS3 may be finding a new calling in the realm of science and research.
Right now, a cluster of eight interlinked PS3s is busy solving a celestial mystery involving gravitational waves and what happens when a super-massive black hole, about a million times the mass of our own sun, swallows up a star.
As the architect of this research, Dr. Gaurav Khanna is employing his so-called "gravity grid" of PS3s to help measure these theoretical gravity waves -- ripples in space-time that travel at the speed of light -- that Einstein's Theory of Relativity predicted would emerge when such an event takes place.
It turns out that the PS3 is ideal for doing precisely the kind of heavy computational lifting Khanna requires for his project, and the fact that it's a relatively open platform makes programming scientific applications feasible."
"Suffering from its exorbitant price point and a dearth of titles, Sony's PlayStation 3 isn't exactly the most popular gaming platform on the block. But while the console flounders in the commercial space, the PS3 may be finding a new calling in the realm of science and research.
Right now, a cluster of eight interlinked PS3s is busy solving a celestial mystery involving gravitational waves and what happens when a super-massive black hole, about a million times the mass of our own sun, swallows up a star.
As the architect of this research, Dr. Gaurav Khanna is employing his so-called "gravity grid" of PS3s to help measure these theoretical gravity waves -- ripples in space-time that travel at the speed of light -- that Einstein's Theory of Relativity predicted would emerge when such an event takes place.
It turns out that the PS3 is ideal for doing precisely the kind of heavy computational lifting Khanna requires for his project, and the fact that it's a relatively open platform makes programming scientific applications feasible."
Thursday, October 18, 2007
More Complete Idiocy from Republicans
Today on the House floor, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) gave us all his incredibly clever a acronym for S-CHIP:
Socialized
Clinton-style
Hillarycare for
Illegalsand their
Parents
As Teri Hatcher said on Seinfeld, "I think you're all mentally ill."
Socialized
Clinton-style
Hillarycare for
Illegalsand their
Parents
As Teri Hatcher said on Seinfeld, "I think you're all mentally ill."
George Lucas is Looking for Writers
Sure, now he is....
George Lucas, the Star Wars creator is looking for writers to help pen a live-action series about the lives of robots, according to a story published Wednesday in Los Angeles Times.
Does this mean C-3PO and R2-D2?
Lucas isn't saying yet but the producer/director told the Times that there won't be any Darth Vader or Luke Skywalker.
"The Skywalkers aren't in it, and it's about minor characters," Lucas said in an interview with Times' reporter Geoff Boucher. "It has nothing to do with Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader or any of those people. It's completely different. But it's a good idea, and it's going to be a lot of fun to do."
Mitch McConnell and the Culture of Truth
Louisville Courier-Journal Editorial:
McConnell Versus Truth
McConnell Versus Truth
Mitch McConnell can't have it both ways.
He can't luxuriate in a reputation for personal caution and political control, yet claim he knew nothing about the role his office tried to play in sliming a Baltimore boy and his family when they came forward in support of the SCHIP health care expansion.
By now you know the story: Twelve-year-old Graeme Frost and his sister, Gemma, suffered severe brain injuries in a 2004 car crash and got help from the SCHIP program -- all within the rules, as it turned out, much to the chagrin of would-be right-wing spoilers.
Graeme spoke out when President Bush vetoed the SCHIP expansion bill, which the Republican minority in the House is expect to kill today.
A McConnell aide, Don Stewart, admits he sicced reporters on the Frosts when "trusted" bloggers began to question their authenticity as an income-qualified CHIP program participant. But he says he quickly called off the dogs when he decided there wasn't a story there after all, because the family's situation was legitimate. Mr. Stewart told The Courier-Journal he explained all that to his boss on Thursday.
So Sen. McConnell was deliberately untruthful the next day, when he told WHAS-TV's Mark Hebert, "There was no involvement whatsoever." The senator will object to any suggestion of lying, but what else is it when you knowingly misrepresent facts?
It's clear what Mitch McConnell knew and when he knew it. It's clear he deceived the public when he answered Mr. Hebert as he did about the e-mail sent by his press agent.
Mr. McConnell is so used to Washington-style gamesmanship and inside-the-beltway rules that he has forgotten what constituents back in Kentucky want: the simple truth.
Monday, October 15, 2007
BOEHNER TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY HEALTH CARE
Rep. Boehner now claiming Republicans will have a plan giving "high quality health insurance" to "all Americans."
Tax credits, a bottle of Jack Daniels, a spork,
and a manual titled, "So, You've Decided to Remove Your Own Appendix."
PEOPLE STILL USE AOL?
AOL to cut one-fifth of global work force
Reuters
Reuters
Time Warner Inc's Internet unit AOL will eliminate 2,000 jobs as part of an ongoing restructuring to better focus on boosting online advertising, according to a memo obtained by Reuters on Monday.
The cuts, which begin on Tuesday, amount to about one-fifth of AOL's global work force and are spread across operations in the United States and in Europe, where the company has sold off its Internet access businesses.
DEPT OF DUBIOUS TIMING
"Assassin's Creed" stalks
into stores soon
Video game centered on Crusades-era hit man is among
major releases hitting store shelves in November.
into stores soon
Video game centered on Crusades-era hit man is among
major releases hitting store shelves in November.
Friday, October 12, 2007
YOUR MOVE, BARACK
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s effort to deepen black
support for her presidential candidacy received a boost today
as she won the endorsement of Representative John Lewis
of Georgia, a legend of the civil rights movement.
Lewis is great American. This is a good "get" for Hillary.
support for her presidential candidacy received a boost today
as she won the endorsement of Representative John Lewis
of Georgia, a legend of the civil rights movement.
Lewis is great American. This is a good "get" for Hillary.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
WAITING TIMES FOR MEDICAL CARE???
New York Times:
"Publicly supported dental clinics have months-long waiting lists even for people who need major surgery for decayed teeth. At the pediatric clinic managed by the state-supported University of Florida dental school, for example, low-income children must wait six months for surgery.
In some cases, the results of poor dental care have been deadly. A child in Mississippi and another in Maryland died this year from infections caused by decayed teeth."
Yes, and you thought waiting times for medical care only happened in horrible countries like North Korea, Myanmar, or Sweden.
Seriously, though, there is no shortage of dentists - for people who care afford to pay them.
But since, unlike even other forms of medical care, there are no means for poor people to pay, or get it covered, they simply do without. Only we're not talking about luxuries like an SUV, cable tv, or diabetic check ups. It's basic medical care - and we're leaving a whole group of people behind. These are Americans, if not compassion, how about self-interest and patriotism?
If only the Pentagon could invent a bomb that fixed people's teeth. There'd be no limit to what would we spend...
"Publicly supported dental clinics have months-long waiting lists even for people who need major surgery for decayed teeth. At the pediatric clinic managed by the state-supported University of Florida dental school, for example, low-income children must wait six months for surgery.
In some cases, the results of poor dental care have been deadly. A child in Mississippi and another in Maryland died this year from infections caused by decayed teeth."
Yes, and you thought waiting times for medical care only happened in horrible countries like North Korea, Myanmar, or Sweden.
Seriously, though, there is no shortage of dentists - for people who care afford to pay them.
But since, unlike even other forms of medical care, there are no means for poor people to pay, or get it covered, they simply do without. Only we're not talking about luxuries like an SUV, cable tv, or diabetic check ups. It's basic medical care - and we're leaving a whole group of people behind. These are Americans, if not compassion, how about self-interest and patriotism?
If only the Pentagon could invent a bomb that fixed people's teeth. There'd be no limit to what would we spend...
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
IT'S CALLED A LIFE: GET ONE
Google draws fire over special logos
They honor Sputnik but not U.S. troops, note critics.
.
They honor Sputnik but not U.S. troops, note critics.
.
HAIL CESAR!!!!!!
Embracing epic scope and a broad spectrum of social issues, writer-director-actor Ed Begley Jr.'s well-performed musical tribute reviews the life of late farmworkers' union organizer Cesar Chavez and the late journalist Ruben Salazar.
.
MACARTHUR PARK REPORT DUE
Chief Bratton this morning will present a long-awaited report
on the MacArthur Park clash that left protesters injured.
Sources say he will blame unknown persons who left his cake out
in the rain. "It is particularly infuriating, because I will
never have that recipe again," Bratton is quoted as saying.
.
on the MacArthur Park clash that left protesters injured.
Sources say he will blame unknown persons who left his cake out
in the rain. "It is particularly infuriating, because I will
never have that recipe again," Bratton is quoted as saying.
.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Awwww......
A stray kitten has found a new mother in a golden retriever, who began producing milk for the little feline after hearing its cries. Honey hadn't given birth in 18 months, but after her owner, Jimmy Martin, brought home the kitten, she suddenly found herself playing mom.
"She started licking her and loving her. Within a couple of days, Honey started naturally lactating," said Kathy Martin, Jimmy's wife. "The kitten took right to her, and she started nursing her."
Jimmy Martin noticed the kitten, whom the family dubbed "Precious," about six weeks ago, when she ran in front of his concrete truck. After following her and realizing there was no mother cat in sight, he took her home.
The kitten refused to drink from a bottle, and Jimmy's mother, Ruth Martin, feared Precious would die.
The family initially tried to keep Precious and Honey apart, fearing the dog would play too rough with the little gray-striped kitten. But Honey was elated at Precious' presence, wagging her tail and prancing all over the house trying to sneak a peak at her. Eventually, the family let Honey approach Precious, and the dog immediately took to her.
"She started licking her and loving her. Within a couple of days, Honey started naturally lactating," said Kathy Martin, Jimmy's wife. "The kitten took right to her, and she started nursing her."
Jimmy Martin noticed the kitten, whom the family dubbed "Precious," about six weeks ago, when she ran in front of his concrete truck. After following her and realizing there was no mother cat in sight, he took her home.
The kitten refused to drink from a bottle, and Jimmy's mother, Ruth Martin, feared Precious would die.
The family initially tried to keep Precious and Honey apart, fearing the dog would play too rough with the little gray-striped kitten. But Honey was elated at Precious' presence, wagging her tail and prancing all over the house trying to sneak a peak at her. Eventually, the family let Honey approach Precious, and the dog immediately took to her.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
SOUNDS VAUGELY FAMILIAR
New York Times:
Gen. Pervez Musharraf swept the presidential
vote today, but the Supreme Court will have the
final word on whether the balloting was valid.
*******************************
Gen. Pervez Musharraf swept the presidential
vote today, but the Supreme Court will have the
final word on whether the balloting was valid.
*******************************
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
DO YOU HAVE THE BALLS?
Iran College Asks Bush To Speak
An Iranian university has invited US leader George W Bush to speak following his Iranian counterpart's hostile reception at a US college last week.
"We're not taking it too seriously," said a White House spokeswoman.
She said Mr Bush might have considered the invitation if Iran allowed freedom of expression, did not have nuclear ambitions, and did not threaten Israel.
.
An Iranian university has invited US leader George W Bush to speak following his Iranian counterpart's hostile reception at a US college last week.
"We're not taking it too seriously," said a White House spokeswoman.
She said Mr Bush might have considered the invitation if Iran allowed freedom of expression, did not have nuclear ambitions, and did not threaten Israel.
.
Monday, October 01, 2007
The Chris Matthews Show - September 30, 2007
******************************************
The Chris Matthews Show
September 30, 2007
******************************************
Matthews: omg hillary is going to attack iran!!!
Kay: omg she's very calculating and as a wommin she has to kill someone to prove she's strong!!
Brooks: the silent majority who are tough not weak i luv toughness so i'm going to keep saying toughness voters are toughness they aren't weak cowards like bloggers
Tucker: omg teh dems won't get us out of iraq so crazeee!!
Tweety: she's a shrill harpie -- she's a sharpie
Ignatius: i'm going to put on my serious voice and say Americans understand the world is complex and we must be cautious and invade many countries around the world
Brooks: there is an iran psychosis it's all about jimmy carter - i'm david brooks and I say must not kowtow to iran!! - by which i mean not bombing the shit out of the country - hell you might as well surrender
Tweety: omg is Hillary another George W Bush???
Brooks: luckily she is a very serious person she wants to invade iran which is as well now a very cautious prudent approach
Tweety: are going to war?
Ignatius: we're on a collision course no on can stop it - it's a mystery to me
Matthews: i want a new war!!!
Kay: can we calm down
Matthews: no we must be tough - ergo invade iran
Brooks: Toughness tough
Matthews: tough toughness
Tucker: tough tuff enuf
Ignatius: loud shrill
Matthews: Iran prez says we have no gays
Tweety: omg all the GOP are gay Mahmoud should learn they're everywhere!
Baghdad Bob: Sadaam, you're doing a heck of a job
Ignatius: ha ha no wonder we thought it would be a cakewalk - it's not my fault!!
Tweety: omg black voters might vote democrat this time!!!! cynthia tucker yur black what do u think?
Tucker: dood the real problem is that repbuic party hates blacks that's how they got popular but they have to reach out to black and brown voters and its really really stupid
Matthews: why didn't Mitt and Rudy and McCain show up to the debate
Tucker: they're fucking assholes
Katty: they didn't decide to write off teh black vote - it just comes naturally
Tweety: Maccaca!
Ignatius: sadly that made my buddy george allen look stupid - the GOP need black votes
Tweety: well that's not good news for them is it
Brooks: dood just show up at the debate i mean it was tv face time you think i would turn it down - oh no i wouldn't
Ignatius: iran has no nukes
Tweety: i luv it!
Tucker: Dems feel good but the voter ID laws could be a killer
Brooks: omg NCLB is a total failure!
Tweety: wow who would have thought!
Matthews: SCOTUS election issue?
Katty: no
Ignatius: yes cause now we have a majority to end abortion
Brooks: not an election issue
Tucker: only if the court takes on a hot button case but they're not stupid they'll wait until 2009 to take away the rest of your rights
The Chris Matthews Show
September 30, 2007
******************************************
Matthews: omg hillary is going to attack iran!!!
Kay: omg she's very calculating and as a wommin she has to kill someone to prove she's strong!!
Brooks: the silent majority who are tough not weak i luv toughness so i'm going to keep saying toughness voters are toughness they aren't weak cowards like bloggers
Tucker: omg teh dems won't get us out of iraq so crazeee!!
Tweety: she's a shrill harpie -- she's a sharpie
Ignatius: i'm going to put on my serious voice and say Americans understand the world is complex and we must be cautious and invade many countries around the world
Brooks: there is an iran psychosis it's all about jimmy carter - i'm david brooks and I say must not kowtow to iran!! - by which i mean not bombing the shit out of the country - hell you might as well surrender
Tweety: omg is Hillary another George W Bush???
Brooks: luckily she is a very serious person she wants to invade iran which is as well now a very cautious prudent approach
Tweety: are going to war?
Ignatius: we're on a collision course no on can stop it - it's a mystery to me
Matthews: i want a new war!!!
Kay: can we calm down
Matthews: no we must be tough - ergo invade iran
Brooks: Toughness tough
Matthews: tough toughness
Tucker: tough tuff enuf
Ignatius: loud shrill
Matthews: Iran prez says we have no gays
Tweety: omg all the GOP are gay Mahmoud should learn they're everywhere!
Baghdad Bob: Sadaam, you're doing a heck of a job
Ignatius: ha ha no wonder we thought it would be a cakewalk - it's not my fault!!
Tweety: omg black voters might vote democrat this time!!!! cynthia tucker yur black what do u think?
Tucker: dood the real problem is that repbuic party hates blacks that's how they got popular but they have to reach out to black and brown voters and its really really stupid
Matthews: why didn't Mitt and Rudy and McCain show up to the debate
Tucker: they're fucking assholes
Katty: they didn't decide to write off teh black vote - it just comes naturally
Tweety: Maccaca!
Ignatius: sadly that made my buddy george allen look stupid - the GOP need black votes
Tweety: well that's not good news for them is it
Brooks: dood just show up at the debate i mean it was tv face time you think i would turn it down - oh no i wouldn't
Ignatius: iran has no nukes
Tweety: i luv it!
Tucker: Dems feel good but the voter ID laws could be a killer
Brooks: omg NCLB is a total failure!
Tweety: wow who would have thought!
Matthews: SCOTUS election issue?
Katty: no
Ignatius: yes cause now we have a majority to end abortion
Brooks: not an election issue
Tucker: only if the court takes on a hot button case but they're not stupid they'll wait until 2009 to take away the rest of your rights
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
ISN'T THERE LIKE, A WAR GOING ON?
Prompted by parents' complaints about sex and violence in in-flight movies, two congressmen introduced legislation Tuesday calling for airlines to create kid-friendly zones on planes.
***********************************************
***********************************************
CAN I STILL SEARCH FOR "STUPIDITY"?
EU Justice and Security Commissioner Franco Frattini says he is working on plans that would block Web searches for bomb recipes and oblige Internet service providers to prevent access to sites containing them.
At present, crude bomb-making guides are readily available.
"I do intend to carry out a clear exploring exercise with the private sector...on how it is possible to use technology to prevent people from using or searching dangerous words like 'bomb,' 'kill,' 'genocide' or 'terrorism,'" Frattini told Reuters in an interview earlier this month.
**************************
Because terrorists are always Googling "genocide" for tips
At present, crude bomb-making guides are readily available.
"I do intend to carry out a clear exploring exercise with the private sector...on how it is possible to use technology to prevent people from using or searching dangerous words like 'bomb,' 'kill,' 'genocide' or 'terrorism,'" Frattini told Reuters in an interview earlier this month.
**************************
Because terrorists are always Googling "genocide" for tips
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
MORE BAD NEWS FOR LARRY CRAIG
John McTiernan, director of films such as "Die Hard," "The Last Action Hero" and "Medicine Man," has been sentenced to four months in prison after a judge refused his request to withdraw a guilty plea.
McTiernan, 56, pleaded guilty last year to making false statements to FBI agents investigating detective to the stars and super-wiretapper Anthony Pellicano.
He tried to withdraw his guilty plea, claiming insufficient legal representation.
His new legal team argued that "he had just returned from a long trip to Asia when he spoke to an FBI agent, was on antibiotics and had come off anti-depressant medication."
But the judge said the arguments were "completely lacking in credibility".
Source: BBC News
Maybe Larry had jet lag too?
McTiernan, 56, pleaded guilty last year to making false statements to FBI agents investigating detective to the stars and super-wiretapper Anthony Pellicano.
He tried to withdraw his guilty plea, claiming insufficient legal representation.
His new legal team argued that "he had just returned from a long trip to Asia when he spoke to an FBI agent, was on antibiotics and had come off anti-depressant medication."
But the judge said the arguments were "completely lacking in credibility".
Source: BBC News
Maybe Larry had jet lag too?
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
Vitamins and Minerals!
Hundreds of thousands of lunchboxes given away by California state health officials were designed to promote healthful habits, bearing slogans such as "Eat Fruits & Vegetables and Be Active."
There is just one small problem: they contain dangerously high levels of lead.
The California Department of Public Health said Thursday that it was recalling 300,000 green and blue canvas lunch coolers made in China and distributed throughout the state at health fairs and other events since 2004.
There is just one small problem: they contain dangerously high levels of lead.
The California Department of Public Health said Thursday that it was recalling 300,000 green and blue canvas lunch coolers made in China and distributed throughout the state at health fairs and other events since 2004.
I DIDN'T KNOW HARRY WHITTINGTON WORKED FOR MATTEL
"U.S.-based toy giant Mattel Inc. issued an extraordinary apology to China today over the recall of Chinese-made toys."
*
*
Thursday, September 20, 2007
John Roberts to Citizens: Stop Hitting Yourself
During the dedication ceremony of a new building at the Syracuse University Newhouse School of Journalism, which has the words of the First Amendment etched into its windows, Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts addressed the budding young reporters:
"The greatest threat to the rights you see spelled out in front of us is irresponsible use of them. My message to you is very simple: Don't blow it."
...................................................................
Right back at ya, Jack.
"The greatest threat to the rights you see spelled out in front of us is irresponsible use of them. My message to you is very simple: Don't blow it."
...................................................................
Right back at ya, Jack.
ANALOGY OF THE DAY
Today Show, NBC:
"Letting Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visit Ground Zero is like
letting Osama bin Laden visit Ground Zero."
***
"Letting Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visit Ground Zero is like
letting Osama bin Laden visit Ground Zero."
***
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
UNSEEN PHOTOS OF AUSCHWITZ
New York Times:
"In the Shadow of Horror,
SS Guardians Frolic"
Rather than showing the men performing their death camp duties, the photos depict, among other things, a horde of SS men singing cheerily to the accompaniment of an accordionist, Höcker lighting the camp’s Christmas tree, a cadre of young SS women frolicking and officers relaxing, some with tunics shed, for a smoking break.
The album also contains eight photos of Josef Mengele, the camp doctor notorious for participating in the selections of arriving prisoners and bizarre and cruel medical experiments. These are the first authenticated pictures of Mengele at Auschwitz.
The photos provide a stunning counterpoint to what up until now has been the only major source of preliberation Auschwitz photos, the so-called Auschwitz Album. Those photos depict the arrival at the camp of a transport of Hungarian Jews, who at the time made up the last remaining sizable Jewish community in Europe."
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/ 1...g+HKlWGHH8h+Kxg
"In the Shadow of Horror,
SS Guardians Frolic"
Rather than showing the men performing their death camp duties, the photos depict, among other things, a horde of SS men singing cheerily to the accompaniment of an accordionist, Höcker lighting the camp’s Christmas tree, a cadre of young SS women frolicking and officers relaxing, some with tunics shed, for a smoking break.
The album also contains eight photos of Josef Mengele, the camp doctor notorious for participating in the selections of arriving prisoners and bizarre and cruel medical experiments. These are the first authenticated pictures of Mengele at Auschwitz.
The photos provide a stunning counterpoint to what up until now has been the only major source of preliberation Auschwitz photos, the so-called Auschwitz Album. Those photos depict the arrival at the camp of a transport of Hungarian Jews, who at the time made up the last remaining sizable Jewish community in Europe."
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/ 1...g+HKlWGHH8h+Kxg
Monday, September 17, 2007
GREAT MOMENTS IN INSCRUTABILITY
"Greenspan says U.S. not headed for recession"
- Reuters, Monday Sept. 17, 2007 1:07pm EDT
"Greenspan: Recession risk up"
- Reuters, Monday Sept. 17, 2007 4:45pm EDT
*************************************
- Reuters, Monday Sept. 17, 2007 1:07pm EDT
"Greenspan: Recession risk up"
- Reuters, Monday Sept. 17, 2007 4:45pm EDT
*************************************
CHIQUITA FACES $25 MILLION FINE FOR PAYMENTS MADE TO PARAMILITARY GROUPS
Judge Royce Lamberth has confirmed a $25 million fine on banana company Chiquita for having given protection money to Colombian paramilitary groups.
In March, Chiquita pleaded guilty to paying $1.7 million to the United Self Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC).
The firm said its only motive was the safety of its Colombian workers.
DOJ prosecutors said Chiquita Brands International paid the money between 1997 and 2004 to the AUC in return for "protection".
The AUC, which is listed by the US and EU as a terrorist organisation, has carried out massacres and assassinations, although it is now engaged in a peace process in Colombia.
Prosecutors said Chiquita also made payments to Colombia's main left-wing rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).
Is Chiquita a victim, virtually forced to pay off armed gangs to protect its workers, or is it a soulless corporation, willing to do business with any violent or extremists group in order to sell its prodcut? I do not know.
CREEPING FASCISM IS OF NO INTEREST, GOVERNMENT SAYS
The White House and U.S. Department of Justice hired Mark McKinnon’s public relations firm to handle the Bush administration’s varying responses to the firings of nine U.S. attorneys, but the subject “is not a matter of widespread and exceptional media interest,” so the DOJ [claims that it] does not have to release 171 emails and other documents about it, according to a federal [FOI] lawsuit.
New Magazine for the Underserved Class
Next year, The Wall Street Journal will introduce Pursuits, a glossy monthly magazine about the lifestyles of the rich, in hopes of drawing more ads for expensive consumer goods.
Just what we need.
Just what we need.
BADGE OF HONOR?
"Being attacked by the Democratic character assassination machine MoveOn.org is something Rudy Giuliani will wear as a badge of honor."
- Giuliani campaign spokeswoman Katie Levinson
“I wear their scorn as a badge of honor.”
- Vice President Dan Quayle on the media
It's no purple heart, but you take what you can get.
- Giuliani campaign spokeswoman Katie Levinson
“I wear their scorn as a badge of honor.”
- Vice President Dan Quayle on the media
It's no purple heart, but you take what you can get.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
WEAKEST. POWER PLAY. EVER.
Arrested Woman Told Cops:
'I Don't Have To Move, My Uncle Is Tom Tancredo"
:)
'I Don't Have To Move, My Uncle Is Tom Tancredo"
:)
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
DOES RUDY GIULIANI ADVOCATE TERRORIST ATTACKS ON NEW YORK CITY NOW?
Apparently Rudy Giuliani has chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the attacks on America, specifically the Pentagon and the Twin Towers, by spending them with someone who has advocated massive, violent attacks on buildings in New York City, with goal of killing as many innocent people as possible.
What word would Rudy use if it were someone else advocating terrorism?
Disgraceful?
Yes, Mr. former Mayor, you are an uttter disgrace to humanity.
**************************************************************
UPDATE: Apparently, he also supports mass murder in Oklahoma City, and smearing widows of heroes killed on September 11, 2001.
What word would Rudy use if it were someone else advocating terrorism?
Disgraceful?
Yes, Mr. former Mayor, you are an uttter disgrace to humanity.
**************************************************************
UPDATE: Apparently, he also supports mass murder in Oklahoma City, and smearing widows of heroes killed on September 11, 2001.
Gray Whale Population Greatly Reduced
Reuters
The Pacific gray whale population, thought by some experts to have rebounded fully from the ravages of whaling, actually is back to a mere fraction of historic levels, scientists said on Monday.
***
Extreme Family Planning
BERLIN (Reuters)
A German public television network Sunday sacked a popular talk show host and former news presenter after she had praised the Nazi's family policies at a news conference for her new book on child-rearing.
******************************************
Now we know what will get you fired from a network news job in Germany. In America, we are still conducting a long-form experiment in network-news craziness.
A German public television network Sunday sacked a popular talk show host and former news presenter after she had praised the Nazi's family policies at a news conference for her new book on child-rearing.
******************************************
Now we know what will get you fired from a network news job in Germany. In America, we are still conducting a long-form experiment in network-news craziness.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
