"Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said relief agency response to Hurricane Wilma will "be better" Thursday after residents waited for hours the day before for basic supplies such as water, ice and gasoline.
"Today is going to be better, tomorrow is going to be better than today, and the day after tomorrow will be even better," Bush said during a Wednesday news conference."
Just plug in "Iraq", "Terror", "The Economy", 'The Debt", "Supreme Court", "Ethics" and anything else, and the story just pretty much writes itself with this family, doesn't it?
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
AFTER THE REVOLUTION
MY MOVIE QUOTE OF THE DAY
"After the Revolution,
I Will Buy Fiztgerald a New Cat."
"After the Revolution,
I Will Buy Fiztgerald a New Cat."
Wal-Mart Seeks "Healthy" Employees
A memorandum to the Board of Directors of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has provoked quite a bit of reaction. It also could have implications for patient and employee privacy. The memo suggests that Wal-Mart take steps to hire healthy employees, get their employees healthier, and even discourage non-healthy employees from ever getting a job at Wal-Mart.
Not because you need to be healthy to work at Wal-Mart -- but to cut down on Wal-Mart's insurance costs.
But this is what anti-discrimination and privacy laws were designed to prevent.
We often hear that even small employers with group health plans will be unaffected by one sick employee. And that should be true for a large one, too. But what if an employer is so large that they can see extensive savings by implementing a corporate-wide, generalized effort to weed out employees who might cause their insurance rates to rise? Given the role that employers have in paying for health insurance and health care, not to mention other costs to employers from sick employees (lost time, lost productivity) this is a trend that we will see again.
Key Quotes from the Memo:
“Given the significant savings from even a small improvement in the health of our Associate base, Wal-Mart should seek to attract a healthier workforce.”
Some of the memo's recommendations:
• Design all jobs to include some physical activity (e.g. all cashiers do some cart gathering);
• Offer savings via the Discount Card on health foods (e.g., fruits and vegetables);
• Offer benefits that appeal to healthy Associates (e.g., an education offering targeted at students)
Other key quotes:
“A healthier workforce will lead to lower insurance costs, lower absenteeism through fewer sick days, and higher productivity.”
“It will be far easier to attract and retain a healthier workforce than to change behavior in an existing one.”
“These moves would also dissuade unhealthy people from coming to work at Wal-Mart.”
Not because you need to be healthy to work at Wal-Mart -- but to cut down on Wal-Mart's insurance costs.
But this is what anti-discrimination and privacy laws were designed to prevent.
We often hear that even small employers with group health plans will be unaffected by one sick employee. And that should be true for a large one, too. But what if an employer is so large that they can see extensive savings by implementing a corporate-wide, generalized effort to weed out employees who might cause their insurance rates to rise? Given the role that employers have in paying for health insurance and health care, not to mention other costs to employers from sick employees (lost time, lost productivity) this is a trend that we will see again.
Key Quotes from the Memo:
“Given the significant savings from even a small improvement in the health of our Associate base, Wal-Mart should seek to attract a healthier workforce.”
Some of the memo's recommendations:
• Design all jobs to include some physical activity (e.g. all cashiers do some cart gathering);
• Offer savings via the Discount Card on health foods (e.g., fruits and vegetables);
• Offer benefits that appeal to healthy Associates (e.g., an education offering targeted at students)
Other key quotes:
“A healthier workforce will lead to lower insurance costs, lower absenteeism through fewer sick days, and higher productivity.”
“It will be far easier to attract and retain a healthier workforce than to change behavior in an existing one.”
“These moves would also dissuade unhealthy people from coming to work at Wal-Mart.”
Monday, October 24, 2005
SIR, WE’VE LOST MARGARET THATCHER
Yep, even the iron Lady herself has turned on the war
in Iraq. Claims she was never for it.
"I was a scientist before I was a politician. And as a
scientist I know you need facts, evidence and proof -
and then you check, recheck and check again."
"The fact was that there were no facts, there was no
evidence, and there was no proof. As a politician the
most serious decision you can take is to commit your
armed services to war from which they may not return."
-- Margaret Thatcher
If they lost her, they've got big problems.
******************************************************************
in Iraq. Claims she was never for it.
"I was a scientist before I was a politician. And as a
scientist I know you need facts, evidence and proof -
and then you check, recheck and check again."
"The fact was that there were no facts, there was no
evidence, and there was no proof. As a politician the
most serious decision you can take is to commit your
armed services to war from which they may not return."
-- Margaret Thatcher
If they lost her, they've got big problems.
******************************************************************
WHAT KIND OF GRADUATION CEREMONY DO THEY HAVE ?
What did the head of Canada’s spy agency say Iraq has
become?
(A) “A fledgling democracy”
(B) “An experiment in developing a civilization”
(C) “A relatively peaceful war zone”
(D) “A place I hope to vacation – someday”
(E) “The envy of the Middle East”
(F) "A post-graduate faculty for terrorism"
Answer: F
******************************************************************
become?
(A) “A fledgling democracy”
(B) “An experiment in developing a civilization”
(C) “A relatively peaceful war zone”
(D) “A place I hope to vacation – someday”
(E) “The envy of the Middle East”
(F) "A post-graduate faculty for terrorism"
Answer: F
******************************************************************
It's Always Miller Time
Bill Keller, posted on Poynter.org, his thoughts on the whole Judith Miller
fiasco.
Emphasis added:
Date/Time:
10/21/2005 4:06:23 PM
Title:
Memo from NYT executive editor Bill Keller
“In the end, I’m pretty sure I would have concluded
that we had to fight this case in court. For one
thing, we were facing an insidious new menace in these
blanket waivers, ostensibly voluntary, that
Administration officials had been compelled to sign.
But IF I HAD KNOWN the details of Judy’s entanglement
with Libby, I’d have been MORE CAREFUL in how the
paper articulated its defense, and perhaps more
willing than I had been to support efforts aimed at
exploring compromises.
Dick Stevenson has expressed the larger lesson here in
an e-mail that strikes me as just right:
“I think there is, or should be, a contract between
the paper and its reporters. The contract holds that
the paper will go to the mat to back them up
institutionally -- but only to the degree that the
reporter has LIVED UP TO HIS OR HER END OF THE
BARGAIN, specifically to have conducted him or herself
in a way consistent with our LEGAL, ETHICAL, AND
JOURNALISTIC STANDARDS, to have been OPEN and CANDID
with the paper about sources, mistakes, conflicts and
the like, and generally to deserve having the
reputations of all of us put behind him or her. In
that way, everybody knows going into a battle exactly
what the situation is, what we’re fighting for, the
degree to which the facts might counsel compromise or
not, and the degree to which our collective
credibility should be put on the line.”
I’ve heard similar sentiments from a number of
reporters in the aftermath of this case.
There is another important issue surfaced by this
case: how we deal with the inherent conflict of
writing about ourselves. This paper (and, indeed, this
business) has had way too much experience of that over
the past few years. Almost everyone we’ve heard from
on the staff appreciates that once we had agreed as an
institution to defend Judy’s source, it would have
been wrong to expose her source in the paper. Even if
our reporters had learned that information through
their own enterprise, our publication of it would have
been seen by many readers as authoritative -- as
outing Judy’s source in a backhanded way. Yet it is
EXCRUCIATING to WITHHOLD INFORMATION of value to our
readers, especially when rival publications are
unconstrained. I don’t yet see a clear-cut answer to
this dilemma, but we’ve received some thoughtful
suggestions from the staff, and it’s one of the
problems that we’ll be wrestling with in the coming
weeks.
Best, Bill”
###
Fascinating. My translation:
“Judith Miller, through an endless series of lies,
deceits, and underhanded behavior, has not only
prevented the Times from reporting news for the last
few years, and compelled it to actively print lies,
she also forced every employee of the paper to sink to
her level, and get them to defend her, at the cost of
the own reputations. Further, she may have embroiled
the Times in criminal conspiracy and coverup, and to
this very day refuses to be honest with her colleagues
even after they have fought for her at great cost to
themselves.
Because of a complete lack of a sense of ethics or
management at the Times, a once fine newspaper is now
regarded a cheap, bought-and-paid-for propaganda tool,
used to destroy innocent people who would dare
challenge a government misleading its own people to go
to war. Once no longer trusted, an information source
can not function. The New York Times has shredded its credibility
through misplaced loyalty and fear of political payback.
Its shattered remains litter the sidewalks of New York, as do the careers
of everyone once associated with this travesty.”
Did I miss anything?
******************************************************************
fiasco.
Emphasis added:
Date/Time:
10/21/2005 4:06:23 PM
Title:
Memo from NYT executive editor Bill Keller
“In the end, I’m pretty sure I would have concluded
that we had to fight this case in court. For one
thing, we were facing an insidious new menace in these
blanket waivers, ostensibly voluntary, that
Administration officials had been compelled to sign.
But IF I HAD KNOWN the details of Judy’s entanglement
with Libby, I’d have been MORE CAREFUL in how the
paper articulated its defense, and perhaps more
willing than I had been to support efforts aimed at
exploring compromises.
Dick Stevenson has expressed the larger lesson here in
an e-mail that strikes me as just right:
“I think there is, or should be, a contract between
the paper and its reporters. The contract holds that
the paper will go to the mat to back them up
institutionally -- but only to the degree that the
reporter has LIVED UP TO HIS OR HER END OF THE
BARGAIN, specifically to have conducted him or herself
in a way consistent with our LEGAL, ETHICAL, AND
JOURNALISTIC STANDARDS, to have been OPEN and CANDID
with the paper about sources, mistakes, conflicts and
the like, and generally to deserve having the
reputations of all of us put behind him or her. In
that way, everybody knows going into a battle exactly
what the situation is, what we’re fighting for, the
degree to which the facts might counsel compromise or
not, and the degree to which our collective
credibility should be put on the line.”
I’ve heard similar sentiments from a number of
reporters in the aftermath of this case.
There is another important issue surfaced by this
case: how we deal with the inherent conflict of
writing about ourselves. This paper (and, indeed, this
business) has had way too much experience of that over
the past few years. Almost everyone we’ve heard from
on the staff appreciates that once we had agreed as an
institution to defend Judy’s source, it would have
been wrong to expose her source in the paper. Even if
our reporters had learned that information through
their own enterprise, our publication of it would have
been seen by many readers as authoritative -- as
outing Judy’s source in a backhanded way. Yet it is
EXCRUCIATING to WITHHOLD INFORMATION of value to our
readers, especially when rival publications are
unconstrained. I don’t yet see a clear-cut answer to
this dilemma, but we’ve received some thoughtful
suggestions from the staff, and it’s one of the
problems that we’ll be wrestling with in the coming
weeks.
Best, Bill”
###
Fascinating. My translation:
“Judith Miller, through an endless series of lies,
deceits, and underhanded behavior, has not only
prevented the Times from reporting news for the last
few years, and compelled it to actively print lies,
she also forced every employee of the paper to sink to
her level, and get them to defend her, at the cost of
the own reputations. Further, she may have embroiled
the Times in criminal conspiracy and coverup, and to
this very day refuses to be honest with her colleagues
even after they have fought for her at great cost to
themselves.
Because of a complete lack of a sense of ethics or
management at the Times, a once fine newspaper is now
regarded a cheap, bought-and-paid-for propaganda tool,
used to destroy innocent people who would dare
challenge a government misleading its own people to go
to war. Once no longer trusted, an information source
can not function. The New York Times has shredded its credibility
through misplaced loyalty and fear of political payback.
Its shattered remains litter the sidewalks of New York, as do the careers
of everyone once associated with this travesty.”
Did I miss anything?
******************************************************************
FIDDLING WHILE A CITY WAS DESTROYED
August 31, Marty Bahamonde, FEMA Regional Director frantically e-mailed
Mike Brown to tell him that thousands are evacuees were gathering in the streets with no food or water and that "estimates are many will die within hours."
"Sir, I know that you know the situation is past
critical," Bahamonde wrote.
Three hours after sending that e-mail,
Brown's press secretary wrote back that
Brown couldn’t response immediately.
Why?
(A) He was speaking with the White House about
response coordination with military.
(B) He was working with the state National Guard
authorities on rescue efforts.
(C) He was busy directing the Coast Guard relief and
supply mission.
(D) He was in a meeting with local police, fire and
rescue departments.
(E) He was organizing a massive effort with the Red
Cross, other charities, churches, businesses, and
individuals.
(F) He was eating dinner.
Answer: F
"We now have traffic to encounter to go to and from a
location of his choise (sic), followed by wait service
from the restaurant staff, eating, etc. Thank you."
******************************************************************
Mike Brown to tell him that thousands are evacuees were gathering in the streets with no food or water and that "estimates are many will die within hours."
"Sir, I know that you know the situation is past
critical," Bahamonde wrote.
Three hours after sending that e-mail,
Brown's press secretary wrote back that
Brown couldn’t response immediately.
Why?
(A) He was speaking with the White House about
response coordination with military.
(B) He was working with the state National Guard
authorities on rescue efforts.
(C) He was busy directing the Coast Guard relief and
supply mission.
(D) He was in a meeting with local police, fire and
rescue departments.
(E) He was organizing a massive effort with the Red
Cross, other charities, churches, businesses, and
individuals.
(F) He was eating dinner.
Answer: F
"We now have traffic to encounter to go to and from a
location of his choise (sic), followed by wait service
from the restaurant staff, eating, etc. Thank you."
******************************************************************
IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES, IT WAS THE END OF TIMES
TRUE or FALSE:
Wolf Blitzer recently hosted a show on CNN where he
and guests, including Pat Robertson, seriously debated
the question, as headlined, “Are We Living in the End
Times?”
Answer:
True
******************************************************************
Wolf Blitzer recently hosted a show on CNN where he
and guests, including Pat Robertson, seriously debated
the question, as headlined, “Are We Living in the End
Times?”
Answer:
True
******************************************************************
Et Tu, Burt?
"I heard Colin Powell tell the United Nations there
are weapons of mass destruction. I totally believed
him. I love this guy. He's like a hero. This was such
a bad, bad blemish mark on his life, that he was so
wronged.
"Then we go into Iraq. It looked like the heroic,
right thing to do.”
“It was the wrong thing to do. There was fabricated
information. There are no weapons of mass
destruction."
–– Burt Bacharach
"Stuff just kept going more wrong and more wrong here
as I was writing."
"Who Are These People?" sung by Elvis Costello,
expresses his disillusionment with the war in Iraq,
and forcefully asks, "Who are these people that keep
telling us lies and how did these people get control
of our lives and who'll stop the violence 'cause it's
out of control? Make 'em stop."
are weapons of mass destruction. I totally believed
him. I love this guy. He's like a hero. This was such
a bad, bad blemish mark on his life, that he was so
wronged.
"Then we go into Iraq. It looked like the heroic,
right thing to do.”
“It was the wrong thing to do. There was fabricated
information. There are no weapons of mass
destruction."
–– Burt Bacharach
"Stuff just kept going more wrong and more wrong here
as I was writing."
"Who Are These People?" sung by Elvis Costello,
expresses his disillusionment with the war in Iraq,
and forcefully asks, "Who are these people that keep
telling us lies and how did these people get control
of our lives and who'll stop the violence 'cause it's
out of control? Make 'em stop."
Friday, October 21, 2005
Judith Miller's Amnesia Worthy of Soap Opera
"When asked if she had ever left the impression with sources, including Mr. Libby, that she had access to classified information after leaving her assignment in Iraq, Ms. Miller said she could not recall.
“I don’t remember if I ever told him I was disembedded,” she said. “I might not have.” But she added, “I never misled anybody.”
-- Katharine Seelye’s, New York Times, October 20
"New York Times reporter Judith Miller told the federal grand jury in the CIA leak case that she might have met with I. Lewis (Scooter) Libby on June 23, 2003 only after prosecutors showed her Secret Service logs that indicated she and Libby had indeed met that day in the Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House, according to attorneys familiar with her testimony."
-- Murray Waas in National Journal
“I don’t remember if I ever told him I was disembedded,” she said. “I might not have.” But she added, “I never misled anybody.”
-- Katharine Seelye’s, New York Times, October 20
"New York Times reporter Judith Miller told the federal grand jury in the CIA leak case that she might have met with I. Lewis (Scooter) Libby on June 23, 2003 only after prosecutors showed her Secret Service logs that indicated she and Libby had indeed met that day in the Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House, according to attorneys familiar with her testimony."
-- Murray Waas in National Journal
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Court: Spyware Can Be Trespass
In a federal case pending in Illinois, (Sotelo v. DirectRevenue) a judge has accepted the idea that placing spyware can result in a tort claim of trespass to chattels.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiff alleged that the defendant deceptively placed software on his computer, which allowed them to track the user and place targered pop-up ads on the computer.
The court denied a motion to dismiss the claim of trespass to chattels. The court accepted the claim that the allegation of the placement of, and damage done by, the spyware interfered with the plaintiff's personal resources to the degree required by the tort.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiff alleged that the defendant deceptively placed software on his computer, which allowed them to track the user and place targered pop-up ads on the computer.
The court denied a motion to dismiss the claim of trespass to chattels. The court accepted the claim that the allegation of the placement of, and damage done by, the spyware interfered with the plaintiff's personal resources to the degree required by the tort.
Pirro Breaks Out the Child Molesting Talking Points
According to Newsday, on Tuesday Jeanine Pirro said in a speech, "That's a difference between Democrats and Republicans _ we don't want them next door molesting children and murdering women," referring to sex offenders.
Apparently this was in a Chemung County Republicans. She was referring to legislation that would civilly confine violent sex offenders after their prison sentences end, which is pending in the Democratic-controlled state Assembly.
It may seem a little early to break out the child molesting talking points, but the election is the first week of November.
Of 2006.
Yes, it is a little early for such talk and Clinton's people had a response:
"Ms. Pirro's comment is an affront to common decency and an outrageous insult to the five and a half million law-abiding Democrats in our state. With statements like these, Ms. Pirro's campaign is rapidly going from an embarrassment to a disgrace."
-- Clinton adviser Howard Wolfson.
The next day Pirro's campaign manager, Brian Donahue, she does not believe Democrats want sexual predators living next door to anyone. Well, that's just great! "This quote is out of context."
Aren't they always?
"She's conveying a sense of frustration associated with it because she believes that unless this legislation is passed, we are allowing sex offenders to prey on the innocent. The bill "is being held up for partisan reasons by the Democratic leadership." said Pirro's spokesman.
According to Newsday, "State Assemblyman David Koon, a Rochester-area Democrat whose 18-year-old daughter was kidnapped, raped and murdered in 1993, called Pirro's comments "total malarkey."
"Civil confinement should be out there, but it doesn't define Republicans and Democrats," Koon said, adding that "there are a lot of Democrats out there who believe in it."
Whatever the outcome of this legislation, the whole debate does suggest something about Jeanine, aside from her lack of ethics and her foundering campaign.
She should've run for a statewide office. She's a well-known prosecutor who's probably knowledgeable on criminal justice issues, which often impact other local political decision-making, like police department budgets, family court, welfare, poverty, drug policy, education, urban planning... But these are all local and state issues, as is criminal prosecution in general.
What's her stance on the war in Iraq? Scandal in White House? Harriet Miers? Federal and international environmental issues? Social Security? Federal spending? Taxes? CAFTA? The WTO? North Korea? Taiwan? Chechnya?
Jeanine: Drop out now. Run for Assembly. Then you can propose all the civil confinement bills you want.
Or maybe she doesn't really care about anything. Maybe she's just a cheap smear artist, an incompetent hack with a love of the spotlight.
Apparently this was in a Chemung County Republicans. She was referring to legislation that would civilly confine violent sex offenders after their prison sentences end, which is pending in the Democratic-controlled state Assembly.
It may seem a little early to break out the child molesting talking points, but the election is the first week of November.
Of 2006.
Yes, it is a little early for such talk and Clinton's people had a response:
"Ms. Pirro's comment is an affront to common decency and an outrageous insult to the five and a half million law-abiding Democrats in our state. With statements like these, Ms. Pirro's campaign is rapidly going from an embarrassment to a disgrace."
-- Clinton adviser Howard Wolfson.
The next day Pirro's campaign manager, Brian Donahue, she does not believe Democrats want sexual predators living next door to anyone. Well, that's just great! "This quote is out of context."
Aren't they always?
"She's conveying a sense of frustration associated with it because she believes that unless this legislation is passed, we are allowing sex offenders to prey on the innocent. The bill "is being held up for partisan reasons by the Democratic leadership." said Pirro's spokesman.
According to Newsday, "State Assemblyman David Koon, a Rochester-area Democrat whose 18-year-old daughter was kidnapped, raped and murdered in 1993, called Pirro's comments "total malarkey."
"Civil confinement should be out there, but it doesn't define Republicans and Democrats," Koon said, adding that "there are a lot of Democrats out there who believe in it."
Whatever the outcome of this legislation, the whole debate does suggest something about Jeanine, aside from her lack of ethics and her foundering campaign.
She should've run for a statewide office. She's a well-known prosecutor who's probably knowledgeable on criminal justice issues, which often impact other local political decision-making, like police department budgets, family court, welfare, poverty, drug policy, education, urban planning... But these are all local and state issues, as is criminal prosecution in general.
What's her stance on the war in Iraq? Scandal in White House? Harriet Miers? Federal and international environmental issues? Social Security? Federal spending? Taxes? CAFTA? The WTO? North Korea? Taiwan? Chechnya?
Jeanine: Drop out now. Run for Assembly. Then you can propose all the civil confinement bills you want.
Or maybe she doesn't really care about anything. Maybe she's just a cheap smear artist, an incompetent hack with a love of the spotlight.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Fake Tip in Holland Shuts Down Baltimore
Blame the Dutch!!
BALTIMORE, Maryland (CNN) -- Information about a possible threat that shut down the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel on Tuesday came from a source in the Netherlands, a senior U.S. official said.
The closures came about as a result of a "threat of undetermined credibility to an unspecified tunnel in the Baltimore area," said Kevin Perkins, head of the FBI's Baltimore office.
According to U.S. officials, the alert was triggered by a report that a shipment of explosives was heading into the city's harbor disguised as cocoa. The explosives then would have been used to build a truck bomb to be detonated inside the targeted tunnel, officials said.
"At this point in time we don't have any evidence that suggests this threat is credible," Perkins said. "However, we are continuing our investigation. We have to follow this to the end."
BALTIMORE, Maryland (CNN) -- Information about a possible threat that shut down the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel on Tuesday came from a source in the Netherlands, a senior U.S. official said.
The closures came about as a result of a "threat of undetermined credibility to an unspecified tunnel in the Baltimore area," said Kevin Perkins, head of the FBI's Baltimore office.
According to U.S. officials, the alert was triggered by a report that a shipment of explosives was heading into the city's harbor disguised as cocoa. The explosives then would have been used to build a truck bomb to be detonated inside the targeted tunnel, officials said.
"At this point in time we don't have any evidence that suggests this threat is credible," Perkins said. "However, we are continuing our investigation. We have to follow this to the end."
Monday, October 17, 2005
Judy Gives Herself Away
“I interviewed Mr. Libby for a second time on July 8, two days after Mr. Wilson
published his essay ATTACKING THE ADMINISTRATION on the
Op-Ed Page of The Times..."
-- Judith Miller
He did no such thing. Judy's bias is showing.
published his essay ATTACKING THE ADMINISTRATION on the
Op-Ed Page of The Times..."
-- Judith Miller
He did no such thing. Judy's bias is showing.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Bush Popularity Among African Americans Hits All Time Record
BUSH HITS 98TH PERCENTILE IN
POPULARITY AMONG BLACKS
"All Time Record, Experts Say"
"According the White House, Bush's popularity among African Americans is now in the 98th percentile, which is an all-time record for any President, regardless of party. Sources in the White House say it is a reflection of all that Bush has done for blacks and other minorities, as well the American people, since he took office."
POPULARITY AMONG BLACKS
"All Time Record, Experts Say"
"According the White House, Bush's popularity among African Americans is now in the 98th percentile, which is an all-time record for any President, regardless of party. Sources in the White House say it is a reflection of all that Bush has done for blacks and other minorities, as well the American people, since he took office."
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Words of Wisdom from the Next Justice
"This is the wish
That should have been sent
Before your birthday
Came and went"
John Jay
John Marshall
Salmon P. Chase
John Marshall Harlan
Oliver Wendell Holmes
Charles Evans Hughes
Louis Brandeis
William Howard Taft
Benjamin Cardozo
Hugo Black
Felix Frankfurter
William O. Douglas
Harlan Fisk Stone
Robert Jackson
Earl Warren
Warren Burger
Thurgood Marshall
William Brennan
Sandra Day O'Connor
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
* Harriet Miers *
That should have been sent
Before your birthday
Came and went"
John Jay
John Marshall
Salmon P. Chase
John Marshall Harlan
Oliver Wendell Holmes
Charles Evans Hughes
Louis Brandeis
William Howard Taft
Benjamin Cardozo
Hugo Black
Felix Frankfurter
William O. Douglas
Harlan Fisk Stone
Robert Jackson
Earl Warren
Warren Burger
Thurgood Marshall
William Brennan
Sandra Day O'Connor
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
* Harriet Miers *
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
LBJ and The Court
I saw an interesting story this weekend.
It seems Lyndon Johnson really wanted to appoint an African-American to the Court, to his credit. But there weren't any vacancies.
So he decided to create one.
He nominated Ramsey Clark to his Attorney General, then told him, "You can't be Attorney General if your Daddy is on the Supreme Court. He's gonna have to step down."
So Justice Clark resigns the Court at only 67 years of age, and Thurgood Marshall becomes the 1st black Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
The LBJ was one tricky operator, that's for sure.
One of my problems with Bush is that not only do I disagree with combination of corporatism and militarism, he isn't nearly clever enough to pull something like this off.
It seems Lyndon Johnson really wanted to appoint an African-American to the Court, to his credit. But there weren't any vacancies.
So he decided to create one.
He nominated Ramsey Clark to his Attorney General, then told him, "You can't be Attorney General if your Daddy is on the Supreme Court. He's gonna have to step down."
So Justice Clark resigns the Court at only 67 years of age, and Thurgood Marshall becomes the 1st black Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
The LBJ was one tricky operator, that's for sure.
One of my problems with Bush is that not only do I disagree with combination of corporatism and militarism, he isn't nearly clever enough to pull something like this off.
Just Another Quiet Day In Iraq
From Juan Cole:
Guerrilla violence killed 18 persons in Iraq on Monday, including one US GI.
Protesters in Ramadi said they had not yet seen the offical text of the constitution and think the government is conspiring to keep it from them, according to the Washington Post. Many in Baghdad also say they have not seen it.
Guerrilla violence killed 18 persons in Iraq on Monday, including one US GI.
Protesters in Ramadi said they had not yet seen the offical text of the constitution and think the government is conspiring to keep it from them, according to the Washington Post. Many in Baghdad also say they have not seen it.
Allawi Government Implicated in Massive Theft
Ever since he delivered that ridiculous speech to Congress, I had Allawi pegged as an untrustworthy prop of the Administration.
Now comes this story.
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -
"Iraq has issued arrest warrants against the defense minister and 27 other officials from the U.S.-backed government of former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi over the alleged disappearance or misappropriation of $1 billion in military procurement funds."
Now comes this story.
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -
"Iraq has issued arrest warrants against the defense minister and 27 other officials from the U.S.-backed government of former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi over the alleged disappearance or misappropriation of $1 billion in military procurement funds."
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Miers Was Picked Because She is the "Right" Religion
"To persuade the right to embrace Ms. Miers's selection
despite her lack of a clear record on social issues,
representatives of the White House put Justice Hecht
on at least one conference call with influential
social conservative organizers on Monday to talk about
her faith and character. "
- The New York Times, 10/05/2005
This says alot about what's wrong with our system. She has no judicial, or philosophical, or constitutional record to speak of, so they try to sell her to their supporters with this crap about her being the "right" religion -- in other words, this all about outlawing abortion.
What's really twisted here is they want someone with very specific personal views, and they want her to impose those views, BECAUSE they are her personal views.
In other words, they want her to legislate from the bench, which is what they constantly say they DON'T want. That's truly screwed up.
despite her lack of a clear record on social issues,
representatives of the White House put Justice Hecht
on at least one conference call with influential
social conservative organizers on Monday to talk about
her faith and character. "
- The New York Times, 10/05/2005
This says alot about what's wrong with our system. She has no judicial, or philosophical, or constitutional record to speak of, so they try to sell her to their supporters with this crap about her being the "right" religion -- in other words, this all about outlawing abortion.
What's really twisted here is they want someone with very specific personal views, and they want her to impose those views, BECAUSE they are her personal views.
In other words, they want her to legislate from the bench, which is what they constantly say they DON'T want. That's truly screwed up.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Why the Right Wing is So Mad
This is zero sum game for the Right.
It's a one-time-only, lifetime appointment.
This is the whole reason they supported Bush beginning in 1998 and 1999. It's why they gave him money, volunteered, wrote letters, editorials, lied again again, It's why they stole the 2000 election, why the supported Swift Boating, the Iraq war, and the other insane nonsense Bush and Rove pull.
All so they could have this ONE thing. Justice Sunday I and II. This is what it was all about. No second chance. This was it.
And Bush blows it all by nominating a 60 year old woman who was his very efficient secretary.
It's as if Jed Barlett had nominated Mrs. Landingham.
The wing nuts went through too much crap to put up with this now.
It's a one-time-only, lifetime appointment.
This is the whole reason they supported Bush beginning in 1998 and 1999. It's why they gave him money, volunteered, wrote letters, editorials, lied again again, It's why they stole the 2000 election, why the supported Swift Boating, the Iraq war, and the other insane nonsense Bush and Rove pull.
All so they could have this ONE thing. Justice Sunday I and II. This is what it was all about. No second chance. This was it.
And Bush blows it all by nominating a 60 year old woman who was his very efficient secretary.
It's as if Jed Barlett had nominated Mrs. Landingham.
The wing nuts went through too much crap to put up with this now.
MIERS UNITES REPUBLICANS
They All Dislike Her
Senator Lincoln Chafee said he planned to apply a more skeptical standard to the next nominee because of the balance of the court and might even oppose a jurist similar to Judge Roberts. "I will be looking very carefully," he said, at the next nominee's views on privacy rights, separation of church and state and the scope of federal power.
On the conservative side of the party, Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas has said he would vote against a nominee who was not "solid and known" on cultural issues like abortion, same-sex marriage and religion in public life.
"If the president doesn't nominate a solid nominee, that is going counter to what he campaigned on," Mr. Brownback said, before this morning's nomination announcement. And if such a nominee "involves a contentious battle, then let it be."
Why are Chafee and Brownback such obstructionists?
Senator Lincoln Chafee said he planned to apply a more skeptical standard to the next nominee because of the balance of the court and might even oppose a jurist similar to Judge Roberts. "I will be looking very carefully," he said, at the next nominee's views on privacy rights, separation of church and state and the scope of federal power.
On the conservative side of the party, Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas has said he would vote against a nominee who was not "solid and known" on cultural issues like abortion, same-sex marriage and religion in public life.
"If the president doesn't nominate a solid nominee, that is going counter to what he campaigned on," Mr. Brownback said, before this morning's nomination announcement. And if such a nominee "involves a contentious battle, then let it be."
Why are Chafee and Brownback such obstructionists?
What Is John Roberts' Shoe Size?
Bush looked high and low for the most qualified person he could find to sit on America’s highest court, and settled on…. his lawyer.
Quick -- what is John Roberts' shoe size?
You don't know? I guess Bush never considered it that important.
But at a 1996 awards ceremony, he called Harriet Miers a "a pit bull in size 6 shoes."
Very funny. Cute, but like Bush's habit of bestowing nicknames, also crass and demeaning. Would he have something similar about a man?
Regarding Harriet Miers: Frankly, she doesn't appear to be qualified.
Apparently, she’s a devout member of the Bush Cult of Personality, and was even George Bush's personal lawyer in Texas. Later, after he was elected Governor, he gave the job of running the Texas Lottery.
Then she followed him to Washington, where she served as to serve as staff secretary, the person who controls every piece of paper that crosses the president's desk. Then it was on the Counsel's Office.
Apart from many years in private practice in Dallas, that's it.
This is who he picks for the Supreme Court.
No clerking with the Supreme Court. No clerking with an appellate court. No arguing before the Supreme Court. No significant legal scholarship.
Even if one is known as one of the most powerful lawyers in America -- let us say, the number personal injury lawyer in Texas, the best tax attorney in D.C., the most outstanding environmental lawyer in California, the best criminal defense attorney in New York -- this would not necessarily qualify someone for U.S. Supreme Court
Is Harriet Miers qualified for the job of interpreting the U.S. Constitution - our founding legal and political document for the rest of the country, rendering decisions that will have effects for decades, if not centuries?
At this point, the answer appears to be no.
Quick -- what is John Roberts' shoe size?
You don't know? I guess Bush never considered it that important.
But at a 1996 awards ceremony, he called Harriet Miers a "a pit bull in size 6 shoes."
Very funny. Cute, but like Bush's habit of bestowing nicknames, also crass and demeaning. Would he have something similar about a man?
Regarding Harriet Miers: Frankly, she doesn't appear to be qualified.
Apparently, she’s a devout member of the Bush Cult of Personality, and was even George Bush's personal lawyer in Texas. Later, after he was elected Governor, he gave the job of running the Texas Lottery.
Then she followed him to Washington, where she served as to serve as staff secretary, the person who controls every piece of paper that crosses the president's desk. Then it was on the Counsel's Office.
Apart from many years in private practice in Dallas, that's it.
This is who he picks for the Supreme Court.
No clerking with the Supreme Court. No clerking with an appellate court. No arguing before the Supreme Court. No significant legal scholarship.
Even if one is known as one of the most powerful lawyers in America -- let us say, the number personal injury lawyer in Texas, the best tax attorney in D.C., the most outstanding environmental lawyer in California, the best criminal defense attorney in New York -- this would not necessarily qualify someone for U.S. Supreme Court
Is Harriet Miers qualified for the job of interpreting the U.S. Constitution - our founding legal and political document for the rest of the country, rendering decisions that will have effects for decades, if not centuries?
At this point, the answer appears to be no.
Friday, September 30, 2005
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
BENNETT:
"All right, well, I mean, I just don't know. I would not argue for the pro-life position based on this, because you don't know. I mean, it cuts both -- you know, one of the arguments in this book Freakonomics that they make is that the declining crime rate, you know, they deal with this hypothesis, that one of the reasons crime is down is that abortion is up. Well --"
CALLER:
"Well, I don't think that statistic is accurate."
BENNETT:
"Well, I don't think it is either, I don't think it is either, because first of all, there is just too much that you don't know. But I do know that it's true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could -- if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down. That would be an impossible, ridiculous, and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down. So these far-out, these far-reaching, extensive extrapolations are, I think, tricky."
-- BILL BENNETT, September 28, 2005
"All right, well, I mean, I just don't know. I would not argue for the pro-life position based on this, because you don't know. I mean, it cuts both -- you know, one of the arguments in this book Freakonomics that they make is that the declining crime rate, you know, they deal with this hypothesis, that one of the reasons crime is down is that abortion is up. Well --"
CALLER:
"Well, I don't think that statistic is accurate."
BENNETT:
"Well, I don't think it is either, I don't think it is either, because first of all, there is just too much that you don't know. But I do know that it's true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could -- if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down. That would be an impossible, ridiculous, and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down. So these far-out, these far-reaching, extensive extrapolations are, I think, tricky."
-- BILL BENNETT, September 28, 2005
NOT AGAIN WITH BILL BENNETT
Even giving Bill Bennett full benefit of the doubt, I
have two specific objections to what said. Even
conceding he’s an “intellectual,” and sometimes
oddball hypotheses are thrown out from time, to time,
he was still dishonest, and to my mind, racist.
First, Bennett is now claiming he was actually arguing
against the idea of aborting blacks or anybody, that
he was in fact refuting such an argument, one made in
“Freakonomics” and presumably by liberals everywhere.
But that’s not just wrong, it’s disingenuous and
dishonest. In fact, his later foot-in-mouth problems
stem from this.
It’s true that the book does make
the argument that legalization of abortion is the
reason for the sudden drop in crime in 1990s. And
it might be correct. This
makes pro-life conservatives unhappy, but it pleases
those who think there’s an underclass of undesirable
people we’d all be better off without – i.e., racists.
Now, people who are pro-choice obviously do not, and
never have, suggested this as a reason to support
abortion rights.
This argument exists only in the fevered imagination
of Bill Bennett. What’s odd is how he swings back and
forth in the course of this discussion. First, he
cites the book. Then he says he disagrees with it.
The he makes his outrageous statement suggesting he
very much DOES agree with it.
Either way, he’s setting up this intellectual straw man
and knocking it down, which is what the right wing does all
the time, to the bafflement of normal people
everywhere.
The other objection I have has to do with his
out-of-the-blue statement “you could abort every black
baby in this country, and your crime rate would go
down.”
Why bring race into it? The book “Freakonomics” does
not mention race in any way. Why not use the word
“poor” or “urban” or “White” or “Christian”?
Why is it, in the heat of the moment, Bennett reached
into the back of his brain and pulled out “black”? Is
it because, somewhere, deep down, Bill Bennett equates
criminals with blacks and all blacks with criminals?
Was Bennett advocating aborting all black babies, like
some kind of modern-day Heinrich Himmler? Probably
not, though there are supporters of his who might.
But when asked by enterprising ABC reporter Jake
Tappper why he linked blacks and crime, according to
Tapper, “Bennett told me on the phone that race was on
his mind because of recent stories in the media about
New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.”
That’s just great.
I’m done with these people.
Bennett is useless chronic gambler who lectures other
people about morality, who has parlayed one tiny
Reagan Cabinet position into a hack career writing
about virtue and other concepts alien to him. He was
the Brownie of his day. Whatever else he is, he is
now officially an idiot and we should all devote the
remainder of our time on earth to ignoring whatever he
says.
******************************************************************
have two specific objections to what said. Even
conceding he’s an “intellectual,” and sometimes
oddball hypotheses are thrown out from time, to time,
he was still dishonest, and to my mind, racist.
First, Bennett is now claiming he was actually arguing
against the idea of aborting blacks or anybody, that
he was in fact refuting such an argument, one made in
“Freakonomics” and presumably by liberals everywhere.
But that’s not just wrong, it’s disingenuous and
dishonest. In fact, his later foot-in-mouth problems
stem from this.
It’s true that the book does make
the argument that legalization of abortion is the
reason for the sudden drop in crime in 1990s. And
it might be correct. This
makes pro-life conservatives unhappy, but it pleases
those who think there’s an underclass of undesirable
people we’d all be better off without – i.e., racists.
Now, people who are pro-choice obviously do not, and
never have, suggested this as a reason to support
abortion rights.
This argument exists only in the fevered imagination
of Bill Bennett. What’s odd is how he swings back and
forth in the course of this discussion. First, he
cites the book. Then he says he disagrees with it.
The he makes his outrageous statement suggesting he
very much DOES agree with it.
Either way, he’s setting up this intellectual straw man
and knocking it down, which is what the right wing does all
the time, to the bafflement of normal people
everywhere.
The other objection I have has to do with his
out-of-the-blue statement “you could abort every black
baby in this country, and your crime rate would go
down.”
Why bring race into it? The book “Freakonomics” does
not mention race in any way. Why not use the word
“poor” or “urban” or “White” or “Christian”?
Why is it, in the heat of the moment, Bennett reached
into the back of his brain and pulled out “black”? Is
it because, somewhere, deep down, Bill Bennett equates
criminals with blacks and all blacks with criminals?
Was Bennett advocating aborting all black babies, like
some kind of modern-day Heinrich Himmler? Probably
not, though there are supporters of his who might.
But when asked by enterprising ABC reporter Jake
Tappper why he linked blacks and crime, according to
Tapper, “Bennett told me on the phone that race was on
his mind because of recent stories in the media about
New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.”
That’s just great.
I’m done with these people.
Bennett is useless chronic gambler who lectures other
people about morality, who has parlayed one tiny
Reagan Cabinet position into a hack career writing
about virtue and other concepts alien to him. He was
the Brownie of his day. Whatever else he is, he is
now officially an idiot and we should all devote the
remainder of our time on earth to ignoring whatever he
says.
******************************************************************
BROWNIE, YOU REALLY ARE A WEASEL, AREN’T YOU?
******************************************************************
Another one I’m done with is this character Mike
Brown. One might have a touch of sympathy for a guy
who, after all, was put in charge of an agency he knew
nothing about and had no experience in; one that the
Bush administration gutted and hated anyway; and faced
a uniquely large natural disaster; and on top of that,
has been made the scapegoat for everything from FEMA’s
natural limits to the loss national guard troops to
not breaching the levees to Bush’s cluelessness.
On the other hand, his testimony before Congress this
week stunned even Republicans with his gyrations into
total weaselness. There was no real apology, no real
acknowledgement of mistakes, no real suggestions on what to
do better.
Just remarks like this:
"My biggest mistake was not recognizing by Saturday
that Louisiana was dysfunctional.”
And this:
"I very strongly personally regret that I was unable
to persuade Gov. Blanco and Mayor Nagin to sit down,
get over their differences, and work together. I just
couldn't pull that off."
As the kids say, give me a break. Bear in mind, the
man was under oath. This doesn’t even pass the laugh
test. This is the equivalent of saying, “I work too
hard” in a job interview.
No one buys the image of a desperate
Brown, begging Blanco and Nagin, not to be petty, to
get along, and save all the innocent people!
Blanco & Nagin are politicians in the same state, from
the same political party, and who frequently work
together. And Brown was gonna get them to work
together!
Let’s cut to the chase. Take it away, Chris:
"I'm happy you left. That kind of look in the lights
like a deer tells me you weren't capable of doing that
job."
-- Republican Congressman Christopher Shays
******************************************************************
Another one I’m done with is this character Mike
Brown. One might have a touch of sympathy for a guy
who, after all, was put in charge of an agency he knew
nothing about and had no experience in; one that the
Bush administration gutted and hated anyway; and faced
a uniquely large natural disaster; and on top of that,
has been made the scapegoat for everything from FEMA’s
natural limits to the loss national guard troops to
not breaching the levees to Bush’s cluelessness.
On the other hand, his testimony before Congress this
week stunned even Republicans with his gyrations into
total weaselness. There was no real apology, no real
acknowledgement of mistakes, no real suggestions on what to
do better.
Just remarks like this:
"My biggest mistake was not recognizing by Saturday
that Louisiana was dysfunctional.”
And this:
"I very strongly personally regret that I was unable
to persuade Gov. Blanco and Mayor Nagin to sit down,
get over their differences, and work together. I just
couldn't pull that off."
As the kids say, give me a break. Bear in mind, the
man was under oath. This doesn’t even pass the laugh
test. This is the equivalent of saying, “I work too
hard” in a job interview.
No one buys the image of a desperate
Brown, begging Blanco and Nagin, not to be petty, to
get along, and save all the innocent people!
Blanco & Nagin are politicians in the same state, from
the same political party, and who frequently work
together. And Brown was gonna get them to work
together!
Let’s cut to the chase. Take it away, Chris:
"I'm happy you left. That kind of look in the lights
like a deer tells me you weren't capable of doing that
job."
-- Republican Congressman Christopher Shays
******************************************************************
INCOMPETENTS ABROAD
I’m done with Karen Hughes, too. It’s over. I mean,
this is the person we sent, out of all the Americans
we could have chosen, to go over to the Middle East
and improve the image of the U.S. So she’s been
meeting with people, nominally sympathetic, but all
they do is barrage her with questions about Iraq, and
U.S. military action, and stuff like that, and she
wants to talk about how great the U.S. is. It’s very
frustrating.
So this week she had this to say:
“I had one person at one lunch raise the issue of the
President mentioning God in his speeches. And I asked
whether he was aware that previous American presidents
have also cited God, and that our Constitution cites
“one nation under God.” He said “well, never mind”
and went on to something else. So he sort of was
trying to equate that with the terrorists’
(inaudible). So I explained that I didn’t really think
that was something you could equate. And he sort of
dropped it and moved on. He was one of the opposition
leaders in Egypt.”
Ye gods. We’ve sent a moron to improve America’s
image, and she promptly destroys it.
Look, no one is saying she has speak fluent Arabic
(although it might help) or have a thorough knowledge
of the Koran.
But for the love of god, how do you think it looks
when this Egyptian knows more about our Constiutuion
that our representative does? That “never mind,” is
purely dismissive, knowing he’s either dealing with
kook, an ignoramus, or a liar.
Now he knows how we all feel.
******************************************************************
this is the person we sent, out of all the Americans
we could have chosen, to go over to the Middle East
and improve the image of the U.S. So she’s been
meeting with people, nominally sympathetic, but all
they do is barrage her with questions about Iraq, and
U.S. military action, and stuff like that, and she
wants to talk about how great the U.S. is. It’s very
frustrating.
So this week she had this to say:
“I had one person at one lunch raise the issue of the
President mentioning God in his speeches. And I asked
whether he was aware that previous American presidents
have also cited God, and that our Constitution cites
“one nation under God.” He said “well, never mind”
and went on to something else. So he sort of was
trying to equate that with the terrorists’
(inaudible). So I explained that I didn’t really think
that was something you could equate. And he sort of
dropped it and moved on. He was one of the opposition
leaders in Egypt.”
Ye gods. We’ve sent a moron to improve America’s
image, and she promptly destroys it.
Look, no one is saying she has speak fluent Arabic
(although it might help) or have a thorough knowledge
of the Koran.
But for the love of god, how do you think it looks
when this Egyptian knows more about our Constiutuion
that our representative does? That “never mind,” is
purely dismissive, knowing he’s either dealing with
kook, an ignoramus, or a liar.
Now he knows how we all feel.
******************************************************************
IT’S MILLER TIME!
Yeah, it’s been a pretty good week for liberals.
First Tom DeLay is indicted and then Judy Miller is
freed from jail for contempt, which means she’s going
to testify, finally, before the grand jury (damm,
they’re everywhere, aren’t they?) about who in the
White House broke the law and revealed Valerie Plame’s
name.
What’s funny is the Times has been whining daily about
how unjust it is that she’s in jail, and she could
never reveal her source without the world coming to an
end.
Here’s what they wrote in August:
“As of today, Judith Miller has spent more time behind
bars to protect privileged information than any other
New York Times journalist. Reporters from other news
organizations have endured longer jail time in the
same important cause over the years, but for us and we
hope for others, it should be clear after 41 days in a
Virginia jail that Ms. Miller is not going to change
her mind. She appears unwavering in her mission to
safeguard the freedom of the press to do its job
effectively.
If she is not willing to testify after 41 days, then
she is not willing to testify. It's time for the judge
and the prosecutor to let Ms. Miller go.”
Well guess what. Judy testified TODAY.
As other bloggers have noted, there’s no good way to
spin this. She caved. They say now she finally got a
waiver from Scooter Libby.
But Libby says, it’s the same waiver her gave her A
YEAR AGO.
One blogger said of Scooter:
“I don’t have much good to say about the vice
president’s chief of staff, but I don’t doubt that he
knows the difference between being coerced and acting
on his own free will.
How deep is the Times’ contempt for its readers that they really
think they’ll buy the “Oh, Judy finally has the right waiver” line?”
******************************************************************
First Tom DeLay is indicted and then Judy Miller is
freed from jail for contempt, which means she’s going
to testify, finally, before the grand jury (damm,
they’re everywhere, aren’t they?) about who in the
White House broke the law and revealed Valerie Plame’s
name.
What’s funny is the Times has been whining daily about
how unjust it is that she’s in jail, and she could
never reveal her source without the world coming to an
end.
Here’s what they wrote in August:
“As of today, Judith Miller has spent more time behind
bars to protect privileged information than any other
New York Times journalist. Reporters from other news
organizations have endured longer jail time in the
same important cause over the years, but for us and we
hope for others, it should be clear after 41 days in a
Virginia jail that Ms. Miller is not going to change
her mind. She appears unwavering in her mission to
safeguard the freedom of the press to do its job
effectively.
If she is not willing to testify after 41 days, then
she is not willing to testify. It's time for the judge
and the prosecutor to let Ms. Miller go.”
Well guess what. Judy testified TODAY.
As other bloggers have noted, there’s no good way to
spin this. She caved. They say now she finally got a
waiver from Scooter Libby.
But Libby says, it’s the same waiver her gave her A
YEAR AGO.
One blogger said of Scooter:
“I don’t have much good to say about the vice
president’s chief of staff, but I don’t doubt that he
knows the difference between being coerced and acting
on his own free will.
How deep is the Times’ contempt for its readers that they really
think they’ll buy the “Oh, Judy finally has the right waiver” line?”
******************************************************************
THE BROTHERS BENNETT
*****************************************************************
This is pretty funny. Judith Miller’s lawyer is Bob
Bennett, Bill Bennett’s brother. So he’s on CNN
today, bening asked about Judy’s suddenly changing her
mind about selling out her confidential source. So
the reporter naturally asks about Bob and his plan to
abort all black babies.
WOLF BLITZER: “Have you discussed this issue with
him?”
BOB BENNETT:
“Well, no, and, Wolf, let me say, I am rather
disappointed at you for not telling me you would ask
me about that. This was about Judy Miller, and I think
that's a courtesy you could have extended to me. What
I would emphasize is Bill's comment that such a
position would be morally reprehensible, I think it's
largely making a mountain out of a molehill.
I mean, I suppose I'll get in trouble by saying that
it's well established that MEN ARE MORE VIOLENT THAT
WOMEN are more violent than women and so maybe if we
ABORT ALL MALE BABIES, we would have a safer world.”
Thanksgiving at that house must some kind politically
incorrect marathon.
******************************************************************
This is pretty funny. Judith Miller’s lawyer is Bob
Bennett, Bill Bennett’s brother. So he’s on CNN
today, bening asked about Judy’s suddenly changing her
mind about selling out her confidential source. So
the reporter naturally asks about Bob and his plan to
abort all black babies.
WOLF BLITZER: “Have you discussed this issue with
him?”
BOB BENNETT:
“Well, no, and, Wolf, let me say, I am rather
disappointed at you for not telling me you would ask
me about that. This was about Judy Miller, and I think
that's a courtesy you could have extended to me. What
I would emphasize is Bill's comment that such a
position would be morally reprehensible, I think it's
largely making a mountain out of a molehill.
I mean, I suppose I'll get in trouble by saying that
it's well established that MEN ARE MORE VIOLENT THAT
WOMEN are more violent than women and so maybe if we
ABORT ALL MALE BABIES, we would have a safer world.”
Thanksgiving at that house must some kind politically
incorrect marathon.
******************************************************************
THE WHEELS ARE COMING OFF THE BUS
******************************************************************
Clearly, something is happening. The modern
Republican party has become a parody of Big Spending,
War, Incompetence, Cronyism and Corruption.
Consider this exchange from Joe Scarborough, former
Republican member of Congress, on his tv show.
SCARBOROUGH: “Let me ask you this. After, what‘s it
been now, 11 years, have Republicans become what they
hate? That‘s what Americans think…”
Later...
SCARBOROUGH:
“There has been the belief for some time
that Republicans have slowly morphed into the
Democrats. Now, that‘s not coming from me. That‘s
coming from “The National Review,” that says it‘s hard
to tell the difference between the Republican Party of
2005 and the Democratic Party of 1994. I mean, that‘s
coming from other conservative sources.”
The wheels really are coming off. The spending, the
pork, the obvious corruption – it’s just embarrassing.
******************************************************************
Clearly, something is happening. The modern
Republican party has become a parody of Big Spending,
War, Incompetence, Cronyism and Corruption.
Consider this exchange from Joe Scarborough, former
Republican member of Congress, on his tv show.
SCARBOROUGH: “Let me ask you this. After, what‘s it
been now, 11 years, have Republicans become what they
hate? That‘s what Americans think…”
Later...
SCARBOROUGH:
“There has been the belief for some time
that Republicans have slowly morphed into the
Democrats. Now, that‘s not coming from me. That‘s
coming from “The National Review,” that says it‘s hard
to tell the difference between the Republican Party of
2005 and the Democratic Party of 1994. I mean, that‘s
coming from other conservative sources.”
The wheels really are coming off. The spending, the
pork, the obvious corruption – it’s just embarrassing.
******************************************************************
GOD KILLS THOUSANDS: FILM AT 11
This is also from Scarborough’s show this week:
(Note: This has been edited for length)
SCARBOROUGH: “You have said a lot of things that have
shocked a lot of people. Explain to me why you think
that Katrina was God‘s wrath.”
HANK ERWIN, ALABAMA STATE SENATOR:
“Well, I think, if you look at what‘s going on, this
whole region has always known that, with the church,
that New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are known for
sin.”
“And if you go to a church and you read your Bible,
you are always told avoid sin and that there‘s
judgment for sin. And I just think that, in my
analysis—and I can‘t speak for everybody, but I
believe that, if you look at the factors, that you had
a city that was known for sin—the signature of New
Orleans is the French Quarter, Bourbon Street. It is
known for sin. And you have a Bible that says God
will judge sin, you can put two and two together and
say, it may not be the judgment of God, but it sure
looks like the footprint.”
So, I just told my friends, in an opinion, I think it
could be the judgment of God on the Gulf Coast and on
New Orleans. And I would urge the good folks that are
the innocent victims to rally and rebuild that city
and get a new signature.”
SCARBOROUGH:
“I have got to ask you this, Senator. I was on the
ground in Mississippi. We certainly saw the pictures
out of Louisiana. I saw young children, 15-month-old
babies, who were suffering. I saw, in New Orleans,
young children. I mean, you look on TV, you see young
babies dying on the sidewalk of heat exhaustion.
Certainly, these babies aren‘t sinful, are they?
Should they be made to pay for the sins of tourists
from Florida that go over and gamble in New Orleans
and Biloxi?”
ERWIN: “Well, I think you need to understand that,
whenever—wherever sin goes, the sins of a few can
affect the innocence of many.”
SCARBOROUGH:
“But, you know, Senator—you know, Senator, though, I
mean, the thing about the New Orleans—the New Orleans
storm is that it was the French Quarter that seemed to
be spared of devastation.”
ERWIN:
“Well, I understand that, and I think the lord sent
them a message that we need to turn around or we may
have another hurricane come. And I just think the
people who have been going in there, the church people
have been going into the French Quarter for years,
appealing for the people to turn around and get back
right with God. So, I think the message needs to go
even stronger, please turn around, so we never have to
go through this again.”
Sorry for the length, but that man is a STATE SENATOR,
for pete’s sake.
(Note: This has been edited for length)
SCARBOROUGH: “You have said a lot of things that have
shocked a lot of people. Explain to me why you think
that Katrina was God‘s wrath.”
HANK ERWIN, ALABAMA STATE SENATOR:
“Well, I think, if you look at what‘s going on, this
whole region has always known that, with the church,
that New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are known for
sin.”
“And if you go to a church and you read your Bible,
you are always told avoid sin and that there‘s
judgment for sin. And I just think that, in my
analysis—and I can‘t speak for everybody, but I
believe that, if you look at the factors, that you had
a city that was known for sin—the signature of New
Orleans is the French Quarter, Bourbon Street. It is
known for sin. And you have a Bible that says God
will judge sin, you can put two and two together and
say, it may not be the judgment of God, but it sure
looks like the footprint.”
So, I just told my friends, in an opinion, I think it
could be the judgment of God on the Gulf Coast and on
New Orleans. And I would urge the good folks that are
the innocent victims to rally and rebuild that city
and get a new signature.”
SCARBOROUGH:
“I have got to ask you this, Senator. I was on the
ground in Mississippi. We certainly saw the pictures
out of Louisiana. I saw young children, 15-month-old
babies, who were suffering. I saw, in New Orleans,
young children. I mean, you look on TV, you see young
babies dying on the sidewalk of heat exhaustion.
Certainly, these babies aren‘t sinful, are they?
Should they be made to pay for the sins of tourists
from Florida that go over and gamble in New Orleans
and Biloxi?”
ERWIN: “Well, I think you need to understand that,
whenever—wherever sin goes, the sins of a few can
affect the innocence of many.”
SCARBOROUGH:
“But, you know, Senator—you know, Senator, though, I
mean, the thing about the New Orleans—the New Orleans
storm is that it was the French Quarter that seemed to
be spared of devastation.”
ERWIN:
“Well, I understand that, and I think the lord sent
them a message that we need to turn around or we may
have another hurricane come. And I just think the
people who have been going in there, the church people
have been going into the French Quarter for years,
appealing for the people to turn around and get back
right with God. So, I think the message needs to go
even stronger, please turn around, so we never have to
go through this again.”
Sorry for the length, but that man is a STATE SENATOR,
for pete’s sake.
MCLELLAN BRIEFING OF THE WEEK
******************************************************************
Q: Is the President concerned that there's a stench of
corruption around the Republican establishment in
Washington?
MR. McCLELLAN: Terry, I don't think you can make such
a broad characterization. There are some instances of
individual situations, and we'll let those -- the
legal process proceed in those instances.
Q: But he's not -- he doesn't take it as seriously as
he takes other allegations of wrongdoing?
MR. McCLELLAN:I didn't say that; you said that.
Q: He did take it seriously?
MR. McCLELLAN: There's a legal process in place to
address these matters.
Q Does he still have confidence in Leader DeLay? And
what does he think the impact of this will be on his
agenda?
MR. McCLELLAN: I just expressed his views. Again, the
President considers him a good ally and a friend who
we have worked with very closely to get things done
for the American people.
Q: Does he still have confidence in him?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
Q: Does he still have confidence in him?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, Leader DeLay is going to work to
address this issue. He has put out a statement by his
office. I think our views are very clear, in terms of
our relationship with the Congressman.”
Q: Is the President concerned that there's a stench of
corruption around the Republican establishment in
Washington?
MR. McCLELLAN: Terry, I don't think you can make such
a broad characterization. There are some instances of
individual situations, and we'll let those -- the
legal process proceed in those instances.
Q: But he's not -- he doesn't take it as seriously as
he takes other allegations of wrongdoing?
MR. McCLELLAN:I didn't say that; you said that.
Q: He did take it seriously?
MR. McCLELLAN: There's a legal process in place to
address these matters.
Q Does he still have confidence in Leader DeLay? And
what does he think the impact of this will be on his
agenda?
MR. McCLELLAN: I just expressed his views. Again, the
President considers him a good ally and a friend who
we have worked with very closely to get things done
for the American people.
Q: Does he still have confidence in him?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
Q: Does he still have confidence in him?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, Leader DeLay is going to work to
address this issue. He has put out a statement by his
office. I think our views are very clear, in terms of
our relationship with the Congressman.”
MCLELLAN BRIEFING OF THE WEEK, PART TWO
Because once just isn’t enough:
Q: “All you say is, don't finger-point, the American
people want answers.”
MR. McCLELLAN: "That's not what I said.”
Q: “The American people want answers to what happened
and what went wrong –“
MR. McCLELLAN: “You're absolutely wrong. The American
people recognize that sometimes here in Washington,
people get all focused on the bickering and the
finger-pointing, they get into this charged
atmosphere. The President is –“
Q: “Maybe they could be focused on more than one thing
at the same time.”
MR. McCLELLAN: “The President is trying to elevate the
discourse, and we are. We're doing that, as well,
Bill. And that's what we're getting: the facts.
"As I just pointed out, there are some people that
thought things were happening initially in the
immediate aftermath of the storm that now turn out to
be not true. And we need to let the facts be gathered
and let the facts come out, and that's exactly what
we're doing.”
Q: “The facts would include what went wrong, wouldn't
they?”
Q: “All you say is, don't finger-point, the American
people want answers.”
MR. McCLELLAN: "That's not what I said.”
Q: “The American people want answers to what happened
and what went wrong –“
MR. McCLELLAN: “You're absolutely wrong. The American
people recognize that sometimes here in Washington,
people get all focused on the bickering and the
finger-pointing, they get into this charged
atmosphere. The President is –“
Q: “Maybe they could be focused on more than one thing
at the same time.”
MR. McCLELLAN: “The President is trying to elevate the
discourse, and we are. We're doing that, as well,
Bill. And that's what we're getting: the facts.
"As I just pointed out, there are some people that
thought things were happening initially in the
immediate aftermath of the storm that now turn out to
be not true. And we need to let the facts be gathered
and let the facts come out, and that's exactly what
we're doing.”
Q: “The facts would include what went wrong, wouldn't
they?”
This is Progress?
“The number of Iraqi army battalions that can fight
insurgents without U.S. and coalition help has dropped
from THREE to ONE, top U.S. generals told Congress
yesterday, adding that the security situation in Iraq
is too uncertain to predict large-scale American troop
withdrawals anytime soon.
Gen. George W. Casey Jr., who oversees U.S. forces in
Iraq, said there are fewer Iraqi battalions at "Level
1" readiness than there were a few months ago.”
******************************************************************
insurgents without U.S. and coalition help has dropped
from THREE to ONE, top U.S. generals told Congress
yesterday, adding that the security situation in Iraq
is too uncertain to predict large-scale American troop
withdrawals anytime soon.
Gen. George W. Casey Jr., who oversees U.S. forces in
Iraq, said there are fewer Iraqi battalions at "Level
1" readiness than there were a few months ago.”
******************************************************************
REMARKABLY LIKE A CIVIL WAR
If this isn't civil war, you could've fooled me.
"A senior U.S. Marine commander said Monday that
insurgents loyal to militant leader Abu Musab
al-Zarqawi had taken over at least five key western
Iraqi towns on the border with Syria and were forcing
local residents to flee."
"In an interview, Lt. Col. Julian Alford, commander of
the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines Regiment stationed
outside the western Iraqi town of al Qaim, said
insurgents in the area had been distributing flyers
they called "death letters," in which they ordered
residents of this western corner of volatile Anbar
province to leave -- or face death.
"Basically, the insurgents say if they don't leave
they will... behead them," said Alford, who took
command this month of about 1,000 Marines stationed in
the dusty desert area populated by roughly 100,000
Sunni Arabs."
******************************************************************
"A senior U.S. Marine commander said Monday that
insurgents loyal to militant leader Abu Musab
al-Zarqawi had taken over at least five key western
Iraqi towns on the border with Syria and were forcing
local residents to flee."
"In an interview, Lt. Col. Julian Alford, commander of
the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines Regiment stationed
outside the western Iraqi town of al Qaim, said
insurgents in the area had been distributing flyers
they called "death letters," in which they ordered
residents of this western corner of volatile Anbar
province to leave -- or face death.
"Basically, the insurgents say if they don't leave
they will... behead them," said Alford, who took
command this month of about 1,000 Marines stationed in
the dusty desert area populated by roughly 100,000
Sunni Arabs."
******************************************************************
Monday, September 26, 2005
Did I Say $200 Billion? I meant less. A lot less.
(Reuters) - U.S. government spending to repair Hurricane Katrina damage may turn out to be just half of early estimates, or about $100 billion, the Senate Majority Leader's chief budget aide said on Monday.
Bill Hoagland, who works for Tennessee Republican Sen. BillFrist (news, bio, voting record), also said congressional leaders would shortly ask lawmakers to find additional spending cuts to help pay for hurricane disaster aid, but added: "It's going to be tough."
At a conference on Katrina reconstruction, Hoagland said an estimate frequently cited on Capitol Hill that federal recovery costs would hit $200 billion "has no basis in analysis."
He warned that Congress, which in six days this month approved $62.3 billion in emergency aid to Gulf Coast states, should be more careful before rushing through another disaster assistance package that the White House is expected to request in October.
"The number could at the end of the day be closer to $100 billion as opposed to $200 billion," Hoagland told the conference organized by Equity International, a business development firm, and held in a Senate office building.
The rate of government spending so far was slower than anticipated, Hoagland said. So far, just $16 billion of the emergency government aid actually had been allocated, he said.
"The rate of expenditure today is not what was reported early on -- $2 billion a day -- but something like $700 million a day. So I'm not sure how fast this will go, but it does suggest that there are some restrictions on the way the money is flowing out to those who are in need," he said.
Hoagland said estimates for what would probably be the biggest chunk of federal spending -- repairs to public infrastructure -- were not in yet, partly because some areas hit by Hurricane Katrina in late August had been hit again during the weekend by Hurricane Rita.
Congressional leaders would step up efforts to find ways to pay for hurricane aid, he said. Before Hurricane Katrina, congressional leaders were hoping to make $35 billion in spending cuts over five years."
Bill Hoagland, who works for Tennessee Republican Sen. BillFrist (news, bio, voting record), also said congressional leaders would shortly ask lawmakers to find additional spending cuts to help pay for hurricane disaster aid, but added: "It's going to be tough."
At a conference on Katrina reconstruction, Hoagland said an estimate frequently cited on Capitol Hill that federal recovery costs would hit $200 billion "has no basis in analysis."
He warned that Congress, which in six days this month approved $62.3 billion in emergency aid to Gulf Coast states, should be more careful before rushing through another disaster assistance package that the White House is expected to request in October.
"The number could at the end of the day be closer to $100 billion as opposed to $200 billion," Hoagland told the conference organized by Equity International, a business development firm, and held in a Senate office building.
The rate of government spending so far was slower than anticipated, Hoagland said. So far, just $16 billion of the emergency government aid actually had been allocated, he said.
"The rate of expenditure today is not what was reported early on -- $2 billion a day -- but something like $700 million a day. So I'm not sure how fast this will go, but it does suggest that there are some restrictions on the way the money is flowing out to those who are in need," he said.
Hoagland said estimates for what would probably be the biggest chunk of federal spending -- repairs to public infrastructure -- were not in yet, partly because some areas hit by Hurricane Katrina in late August had been hit again during the weekend by Hurricane Rita.
Congressional leaders would step up efforts to find ways to pay for hurricane aid, he said. Before Hurricane Katrina, congressional leaders were hoping to make $35 billion in spending cuts over five years."
Bush Can't Get HIMSELF Adequate Body Armor
So now Bush can't even get himself proper body armor? Can we all finally agree that he doesn't have any idea what he's doing?
Would you trust your safety to this man?
"Potentially Flawed Armor Bought for President Bush, Elite Troops"
By JOHN SOLOMON, AP
WASHINGTON (Sept. 26) - Federal prosecutors are investigating whether a maker of bulletproof vests endangered lives, including President Bush's, by concealing potentially deadly flaws in the body armor sold to the government and police agencies.
A whistle-blower from the company, Second Chance Body Armor Inc., of Central Lake, Mich., testified this month that the Secret Service tested and bought some of the defective vests for the president and first lady Laura Bush.
The Pentagon also obtained the same armor for elite troops who guard generals, according to transcripts obtained by The Associated Press.
Many sales occurred well after Second Chance had been alerted that the Japanese-made Zylon synthetic material in the vests was degrading faster than expected from heat, light and moisture exposure, allowing bullets to potentially penetrate the armor, according to the whistle-blower's testimony and other company documents....
[SNIP]
By 2001, Second Chance's research chief, Aaron Westrick, was pleading unsuccessfully with his company's president to replace the vests after his own tests showed them degrading, the memos show.
"Lives and our credibility are at stake," Westrick wrote then-Second Chance president Richard Davis in a Dec. 18, 2001, memo. "We will only prevail if we do the right things and not hesitate. This issue should not be hidden for obvious safety issues and because of future litigation."
...."Second Chance customers were not alerted to the problems until September 2003 _ after a California police officer was shot to death wearing the vest and a Pennsylvania officer was seriously wounded."
..."Throughout 2001 and 2002, agencies from the Pentagon to local police bought vests from Second Chance, records show. The company now says more than 100,000 Zylon vests it sold are in question, and the government said it bought at least 40,000."
In summer 2002, company executives prepared a memo for their board of directors recommending two stark options.
"Solution 1: We continue to operate as though nothing is wrong until one of our customers is killed or wounded or Germany, Japan, Dupont or some other entity exposes the Zylon problem," the memo said.
Under a category "Downfalls" for that option, the memo warned an officer wearing one of the vests might be killed. "In the eyes of law enforcement, we will either be stupid for not knowing or greedy and uncaring for knowing and not doing anything about it," the memo said.
The second option recommended the company publish an ad "denouncing" the vests and "decline to make them" unless customers knew of the problem and still wanted them.
"...It is apparent that Toyobo was duped by Second Chance," Kent Jarrell, a U.S. spokesman for Toyobo, said Sunday. "We were shocked by the level of Second Chance's deception when their behavior was finally uncovered because of documents that surfaced in litigation and through investigation."
..."The president had Zylon Ultima armor and his wife had it, if I recollect, and they took a look at it ... I believe it was the Secret Service put the armor through some special tests and went with it, bought it," Westrick testified in a Sept. 9 transcript obtained by The Associated Press."
"...Westrick was told Bush wore Zylon-protection during the 2001 inauguration and during a 2002 event with police that his boss attended, according to legal professionals familiar with the case."
Would you trust your safety to this man?
"Potentially Flawed Armor Bought for President Bush, Elite Troops"
By JOHN SOLOMON, AP
WASHINGTON (Sept. 26) - Federal prosecutors are investigating whether a maker of bulletproof vests endangered lives, including President Bush's, by concealing potentially deadly flaws in the body armor sold to the government and police agencies.
A whistle-blower from the company, Second Chance Body Armor Inc., of Central Lake, Mich., testified this month that the Secret Service tested and bought some of the defective vests for the president and first lady Laura Bush.
The Pentagon also obtained the same armor for elite troops who guard generals, according to transcripts obtained by The Associated Press.
Many sales occurred well after Second Chance had been alerted that the Japanese-made Zylon synthetic material in the vests was degrading faster than expected from heat, light and moisture exposure, allowing bullets to potentially penetrate the armor, according to the whistle-blower's testimony and other company documents....
[SNIP]
By 2001, Second Chance's research chief, Aaron Westrick, was pleading unsuccessfully with his company's president to replace the vests after his own tests showed them degrading, the memos show.
"Lives and our credibility are at stake," Westrick wrote then-Second Chance president Richard Davis in a Dec. 18, 2001, memo. "We will only prevail if we do the right things and not hesitate. This issue should not be hidden for obvious safety issues and because of future litigation."
...."Second Chance customers were not alerted to the problems until September 2003 _ after a California police officer was shot to death wearing the vest and a Pennsylvania officer was seriously wounded."
..."Throughout 2001 and 2002, agencies from the Pentagon to local police bought vests from Second Chance, records show. The company now says more than 100,000 Zylon vests it sold are in question, and the government said it bought at least 40,000."
In summer 2002, company executives prepared a memo for their board of directors recommending two stark options.
"Solution 1: We continue to operate as though nothing is wrong until one of our customers is killed or wounded or Germany, Japan, Dupont or some other entity exposes the Zylon problem," the memo said.
Under a category "Downfalls" for that option, the memo warned an officer wearing one of the vests might be killed. "In the eyes of law enforcement, we will either be stupid for not knowing or greedy and uncaring for knowing and not doing anything about it," the memo said.
The second option recommended the company publish an ad "denouncing" the vests and "decline to make them" unless customers knew of the problem and still wanted them.
"...It is apparent that Toyobo was duped by Second Chance," Kent Jarrell, a U.S. spokesman for Toyobo, said Sunday. "We were shocked by the level of Second Chance's deception when their behavior was finally uncovered because of documents that surfaced in litigation and through investigation."
..."The president had Zylon Ultima armor and his wife had it, if I recollect, and they took a look at it ... I believe it was the Secret Service put the armor through some special tests and went with it, bought it," Westrick testified in a Sept. 9 transcript obtained by The Associated Press."
"...Westrick was told Bush wore Zylon-protection during the 2001 inauguration and during a 2002 event with police that his boss attended, according to legal professionals familiar with the case."
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Roberts Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee
The Senate Judiciary Committee today approved the nomination of John Roberts as the next Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
Three Democrats voted with ten Republicans for a vote of 13-5.
Five Democrats -- Senators Dianne Feinstein of California, Joseph Biden of Delaware, Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, Charles Schumer of New York and Dick Durbin of Ilinois voted against his nomination.
Republicans who voted yes:
Sen. Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania
Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, Utah
Sen. Charles Grassley, Iowa
Sen. Jon Kyl, Arizona
Sen. Mike DeWine, Ohio
Sen. Jeff Sessions, Alabama
Sen. Lindsey Graham, S. Carolina
Sen. John Cornyn, Texas
Sen. Sam Brownback, Kansas
Sen. Tom Coburn, Oklahoma
Democrats who voted yes:
Sen. Patrick Leahy, Vermont
Sen. Herbert Kohl, Wisconsin
Sen. Russ Feingold, Wisconsin
Democrats who voted no:
Sen. Edward Kennedy, Massachusetts
Sen. Joseph Biden, Delaware
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, California
Sen. Charles Schumer, New York
Sen. Richard Durbin, Illinois
Three Democrats voted with ten Republicans for a vote of 13-5.
Five Democrats -- Senators Dianne Feinstein of California, Joseph Biden of Delaware, Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, Charles Schumer of New York and Dick Durbin of Ilinois voted against his nomination.
Republicans who voted yes:
Sen. Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania
Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, Utah
Sen. Charles Grassley, Iowa
Sen. Jon Kyl, Arizona
Sen. Mike DeWine, Ohio
Sen. Jeff Sessions, Alabama
Sen. Lindsey Graham, S. Carolina
Sen. John Cornyn, Texas
Sen. Sam Brownback, Kansas
Sen. Tom Coburn, Oklahoma
Democrats who voted yes:
Sen. Patrick Leahy, Vermont
Sen. Herbert Kohl, Wisconsin
Sen. Russ Feingold, Wisconsin
Democrats who voted no:
Sen. Edward Kennedy, Massachusetts
Sen. Joseph Biden, Delaware
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, California
Sen. Charles Schumer, New York
Sen. Richard Durbin, Illinois
Friday, September 16, 2005
THAT MUST HAVE BEEN QUITE A RIDE
I got this note from the ASPCA:
“Working on a grid system, our five teams of three
rescuers each waded through waist-high, fetid water,
pulling boats loaded with equipment and supplies,
successfully avoiding injury on fallen tree limbs and
downed power lines.
This hot, sticky, frustrating day netted 25 cats, 14
dogs, one pet snake and a gentleman who been
overlooked by earlier rescuers.”
*****************************************************************
“Working on a grid system, our five teams of three
rescuers each waded through waist-high, fetid water,
pulling boats loaded with equipment and supplies,
successfully avoiding injury on fallen tree limbs and
downed power lines.
This hot, sticky, frustrating day netted 25 cats, 14
dogs, one pet snake and a gentleman who been
overlooked by earlier rescuers.”
*****************************************************************
To Bush, People are Just Props
HEY BIG SPENDER
Early estimates are that the cost of rebuilding the
Gulf Coast next year alone could more than the entire
cost of the Iraq war thus far.
Doesn’t make you feel good?
*****************************************************************
ALL PEOPLE ARE JUST PROPS TO HIM
“I am going to defend the people who are on the front
line of saving lives. Those Coast Guard kids pulling
people out of the -- out of the floods are -- did
heroic work. The first responders on the ground,
whether they be state folks or local folks, did
everything they could. There's a lot of people that
are -- have done a lot of hard work to save lives.”
-- George W. Bush
No one was attacking the Coast Guard. Bush is such a
coward, that just as when war supporters chant “you
have to support the troops,” Bush is going dodge his
terrible record from the Huricane by hiding behind the
heroism of other people.
*****************************************************************
THE WHEELS ARE COMING OFF THE BUS
"Katrina's winds have unspun the spin of the Bush
machine, particularly the crucial idea that he is a
commanding commander in chief. In the Newsweek Poll,
only 17 percent of Americans say that he deserves the
most blame for the botched early response to Katrina.
But, for the first time, less than a majority -- 49
percent -- say he has 'strong leadership qualities,'
down from 63 percent last year. That weakness, in
turn, dragged down his job-approval rating -- now at
38 percent, his lowest ever -- as well as voters'
sense of where the country is headed. By a 66-28
margin, they say they are 'dissatisfied,' by far the
gloomiest view in the Bush years, and among the worst
in recent decades."
–– Howard Fineman, Newsweek
*****************************************************************
THIS IS THE GUY THEY DIDN’T FIRE
"It was on Tuesday that the levee — may have
been overnight Monday to Tuesday — that the
levee started to break,"
-- DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff to Tim
Russert.
“The New Orleans office of the National Weather
Service issued a flash flood warning at
8:14 a.m. Monday, saying "a levee breach
occurred along the industrial canal at Tennessee
Street. 3 to 8 feet of water is expected due to
the breach."
*****************************************************************
Early estimates are that the cost of rebuilding the
Gulf Coast next year alone could more than the entire
cost of the Iraq war thus far.
Doesn’t make you feel good?
*****************************************************************
ALL PEOPLE ARE JUST PROPS TO HIM
“I am going to defend the people who are on the front
line of saving lives. Those Coast Guard kids pulling
people out of the -- out of the floods are -- did
heroic work. The first responders on the ground,
whether they be state folks or local folks, did
everything they could. There's a lot of people that
are -- have done a lot of hard work to save lives.”
-- George W. Bush
No one was attacking the Coast Guard. Bush is such a
coward, that just as when war supporters chant “you
have to support the troops,” Bush is going dodge his
terrible record from the Huricane by hiding behind the
heroism of other people.
*****************************************************************
THE WHEELS ARE COMING OFF THE BUS
"Katrina's winds have unspun the spin of the Bush
machine, particularly the crucial idea that he is a
commanding commander in chief. In the Newsweek Poll,
only 17 percent of Americans say that he deserves the
most blame for the botched early response to Katrina.
But, for the first time, less than a majority -- 49
percent -- say he has 'strong leadership qualities,'
down from 63 percent last year. That weakness, in
turn, dragged down his job-approval rating -- now at
38 percent, his lowest ever -- as well as voters'
sense of where the country is headed. By a 66-28
margin, they say they are 'dissatisfied,' by far the
gloomiest view in the Bush years, and among the worst
in recent decades."
–– Howard Fineman, Newsweek
*****************************************************************
THIS IS THE GUY THEY DIDN’T FIRE
"It was on Tuesday that the levee — may have
been overnight Monday to Tuesday — that the
levee started to break,"
-- DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff to Tim
Russert.
“The New Orleans office of the National Weather
Service issued a flash flood warning at
8:14 a.m. Monday, saying "a levee breach
occurred along the industrial canal at Tennessee
Street. 3 to 8 feet of water is expected due to
the breach."
*****************************************************************
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
FUN FACT OF THE WEEK
In the first day of his confirmation hearings, John
Roberts pledged that he understood that “It's my job
to call balls and strikes, and not to pitch."
The next day Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens
threw out the first pitch at the Chicago Cubs game at
Wrigley field.
*****************************************************************
SUPREME COURT QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Sen. Joe Biden:
“Judge Roberts' answers are "misleading."
Sen. Arlen Specter:
"The answers may be misleading but they are his
answers."
*****************************************************************
REMEMBER, YOU’RE UNDER OATH
This week, at the confirmation hearing, Senator Chuck
Schumer asked John Roberts this question:
“Let me ask you, then -- this hypothetical: And
that is that it came to our attention, Congress',
through a relatively and inexpensive, simple
process, individuals were now able to clone
certain species of animals, maybe an arroyo toad.
Didn't pass over state lines; you could somehow
do it without doing any of that. Under the
commerce clause, can Congress pass a law
banning even noncommercial cloning?”
Aren’t you glad you didn’t go to law school?
*****************************************************************
SUPREME COURT HEARING
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Which of the following occurred during John Robert’s
confirmation hearing?
(A) Roberts answered whether he thought Marbury v.
Madison was correctly decided.
(B) Joe Biden said he was jealous of Roberts’ hair.
(C) Ted Kennedy sang, “Oh, Danny Boy”.
(D) Arlen Specter reminded everyone that he invented
the Lone Gunman theory.
(E) Senator Brownback asked whether Roberts had ever
been a fetus.
(F) John Roberts’ wife fell asleep.
ANSWER: F
The others did not happen. As far as I know.
*****************************************************************
YOU CAN’T ARGUE WITH THAT
Bill O’Reilly:
“The truth of the matter is our correspondents at Fox
News can’t go out for a cup of coffee in Baghdad.”
Condi Rice:
“Bill, that’s tough. It’s tough. But what — would they
have wanted to have gone out for a cup of coffee when
Saddam Hussein was in power?”
I imagine this later exchange:
"Mr. President, you're about to leave office with the
lowest approval ratings of any President in modern
history. Iraq is in the middle of vicious civil war,
we have record defcits, gas is $5 per gallon, and our
network correspondents can't even walk the streets of
New Orleans because the city, under the temporary rule
of Halliburton, has become a disease-infested swamp of
failed casinos. What is your response?"
President Bush:
"That’s tough. It’s tough. But what — would they have
wanted to have gone out in the streets when the city
was under 20 feet of water?"
-–– January, 2009
*****************************************************************
YES, WE’RE STILL IN IRAQ
In case your mind was on other things, hundreds of
people were killed in Iraq this week. Literally.
The number of people killed by massive waves of
bombers on Wednesday ALONE has risen to 150, and
hundreds more were injured.
It was the worst one day toll since the fall of Saddam
in 2003.
*****************************************************************
In the first day of his confirmation hearings, John
Roberts pledged that he understood that “It's my job
to call balls and strikes, and not to pitch."
The next day Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens
threw out the first pitch at the Chicago Cubs game at
Wrigley field.
*****************************************************************
SUPREME COURT QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Sen. Joe Biden:
“Judge Roberts' answers are "misleading."
Sen. Arlen Specter:
"The answers may be misleading but they are his
answers."
*****************************************************************
REMEMBER, YOU’RE UNDER OATH
This week, at the confirmation hearing, Senator Chuck
Schumer asked John Roberts this question:
“Let me ask you, then -- this hypothetical: And
that is that it came to our attention, Congress',
through a relatively and inexpensive, simple
process, individuals were now able to clone
certain species of animals, maybe an arroyo toad.
Didn't pass over state lines; you could somehow
do it without doing any of that. Under the
commerce clause, can Congress pass a law
banning even noncommercial cloning?”
Aren’t you glad you didn’t go to law school?
*****************************************************************
SUPREME COURT HEARING
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Which of the following occurred during John Robert’s
confirmation hearing?
(A) Roberts answered whether he thought Marbury v.
Madison was correctly decided.
(B) Joe Biden said he was jealous of Roberts’ hair.
(C) Ted Kennedy sang, “Oh, Danny Boy”.
(D) Arlen Specter reminded everyone that he invented
the Lone Gunman theory.
(E) Senator Brownback asked whether Roberts had ever
been a fetus.
(F) John Roberts’ wife fell asleep.
ANSWER: F
The others did not happen. As far as I know.
*****************************************************************
YOU CAN’T ARGUE WITH THAT
Bill O’Reilly:
“The truth of the matter is our correspondents at Fox
News can’t go out for a cup of coffee in Baghdad.”
Condi Rice:
“Bill, that’s tough. It’s tough. But what — would they
have wanted to have gone out for a cup of coffee when
Saddam Hussein was in power?”
I imagine this later exchange:
"Mr. President, you're about to leave office with the
lowest approval ratings of any President in modern
history. Iraq is in the middle of vicious civil war,
we have record defcits, gas is $5 per gallon, and our
network correspondents can't even walk the streets of
New Orleans because the city, under the temporary rule
of Halliburton, has become a disease-infested swamp of
failed casinos. What is your response?"
President Bush:
"That’s tough. It’s tough. But what — would they have
wanted to have gone out in the streets when the city
was under 20 feet of water?"
-–– January, 2009
*****************************************************************
YES, WE’RE STILL IN IRAQ
In case your mind was on other things, hundreds of
people were killed in Iraq this week. Literally.
The number of people killed by massive waves of
bombers on Wednesday ALONE has risen to 150, and
hundreds more were injured.
It was the worst one day toll since the fall of Saddam
in 2003.
*****************************************************************
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
BUSH TO DELIVER MESSAGE BY BULLHORN
September 14, 2005 (Dateline: Washington)
(NEWS) President Bush will deliver his entire message to the nation Thursday night while shouting into a bullhorn, sources close the White House say. According to anonymous sources, the President is trying to recapture the support of the nation he received immediately following September 11. The President "feels he is more imposing and leader-like with the bullhorn," a source said. In fact, said one senior aide, the President often conducts meetings with the bullhorn. "He started an informal meeting the other day yelling 'I can hear you!'" the aide said. "It was crazy. But that's Bush."
Presidential historians say this would be the first time a President has addressed the nation in this fashion. The President's address is Thursday evening.
(NEWS) President Bush will deliver his entire message to the nation Thursday night while shouting into a bullhorn, sources close the White House say. According to anonymous sources, the President is trying to recapture the support of the nation he received immediately following September 11. The President "feels he is more imposing and leader-like with the bullhorn," a source said. In fact, said one senior aide, the President often conducts meetings with the bullhorn. "He started an informal meeting the other day yelling 'I can hear you!'" the aide said. "It was crazy. But that's Bush."
Presidential historians say this would be the first time a President has addressed the nation in this fashion. The President's address is Thursday evening.
Senator Brownback, Moron
I was just listening to Senator Brownback of Kansas in the Roberts hearing going on and on about much he really, really cared about the plaintiffs in Roe v. Wade, and the other cases. How no one else cared for them but him, and the other anti-choicers. And the then he called her "Sandra McCorvey" three times. "Sandra McCorvey, "Sandra McCorvey," "Sandra McCorvey ..."
It's NORMA McCorvey, moron....
It's NORMA McCorvey, moron....
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Does the Truth Even Matter Any More?
From Larry Johnson posting on Josh Marshall's TPM Cafe:
SORTING OUT OPINION FROM FACT ON KATRINA
By Larry Johnson
"While watching the MSNBC program, CONNECTED, COAST TO COAST with Ron Reagan, a man from the Evergreen Foundation was on air spinning the myth that the President had to "beg" the Governor of Louisiana to take action. Having been on this show several times I called one of the bookers, Susan Durrwatcher, to alert her to the fact that this man was misrepresenting what happened. I offered Susan the following objective, documented facts (see timeline below). Susan thanked me for my "opinion" and said "we just have a different perspective". Stunned, I asked her by what standard of journalism that an objective fact was mere opinion? I asked her to simply look at the documents and correct the record. She declined. I asked her to remove me from the MSNBC list of contacts. I'm sure MSNBC won't miss me and I am certain I will have a happy life without having to subject myself to their unprofessional approach to journalism."
So MSNBC has given up on the truth.
Oh well. It was an outdated concept anyway.
SORTING OUT OPINION FROM FACT ON KATRINA
By Larry Johnson
"While watching the MSNBC program, CONNECTED, COAST TO COAST with Ron Reagan, a man from the Evergreen Foundation was on air spinning the myth that the President had to "beg" the Governor of Louisiana to take action. Having been on this show several times I called one of the bookers, Susan Durrwatcher, to alert her to the fact that this man was misrepresenting what happened. I offered Susan the following objective, documented facts (see timeline below). Susan thanked me for my "opinion" and said "we just have a different perspective". Stunned, I asked her by what standard of journalism that an objective fact was mere opinion? I asked her to simply look at the documents and correct the record. She declined. I asked her to remove me from the MSNBC list of contacts. I'm sure MSNBC won't miss me and I am certain I will have a happy life without having to subject myself to their unprofessional approach to journalism."
So MSNBC has given up on the truth.
Oh well. It was an outdated concept anyway.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Looters in the News
.
QUESTION OF THE DAY
This headline appears in today's "New York Times"
"HANDS FULL, OFFICIALS ARE HELPLESS AGAINST LOOTERS"
What is it about?
(A) Halliburton's fraud and theft of millions of your tax dollars
(B) Jack Abramoff, Tom Delay and the corruption in culture of corruption they created in Washington
(C) The billions in cash missing in Iraq
(D) The hundreds of tons of weapons Bush let fall into the hands of terrorists
(E) Poverty stricken Americans on the brink of mass death, abanonded by their government
Answer: E
QUESTION OF THE DAY
This headline appears in today's "New York Times"
"HANDS FULL, OFFICIALS ARE HELPLESS AGAINST LOOTERS"
What is it about?
(A) Halliburton's fraud and theft of millions of your tax dollars
(B) Jack Abramoff, Tom Delay and the corruption in culture of corruption they created in Washington
(C) The billions in cash missing in Iraq
(D) The hundreds of tons of weapons Bush let fall into the hands of terrorists
(E) Poverty stricken Americans on the brink of mass death, abanonded by their government
Answer: E
Monday, August 29, 2005
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Rumsfeld said he did not know how to
explain an increase in U.S. casualties in
Iraq from roadside bombs, "other than the
fact that they [insurgents] obviously are
becoming more sophisticated in developing,
in large measure, explosive devices which
have greater lethality."
But he said that while some roadside bombs
have been deadlier, the "overwhelming majority"
of them — about 75 percent — "are not effective
at all" and cause no casualties."
What a relief.
****************************************************************
explain an increase in U.S. casualties in
Iraq from roadside bombs, "other than the
fact that they [insurgents] obviously are
becoming more sophisticated in developing,
in large measure, explosive devices which
have greater lethality."
But he said that while some roadside bombs
have been deadlier, the "overwhelming majority"
of them — about 75 percent — "are not effective
at all" and cause no casualties."
What a relief.
****************************************************************
CREEPING FASCISM, PART XV
This is what fascism looks like.
“Meeting briefly with reporters Monday aboard Air
Force One, Trent Duffy, a White House spokesman
subbing for Scott McClellan, said that President Bush
believes that those who want the U.S. to begin to
change course in Iraq DO NOT WANT AMERICA TO WIN the
overall "war on terror."
Not that they disagree as to how to win. No. If you
want to change course in Iraq, it’s because you don’t
want to win.
This is, I’m afraid to say, fascism.
Duffy said that Bush "can understand that people don't
share his view that we must win the war on terror, and
we cannot retreat and cut and run from terrorists, but
he just has a different view. He believes it would be
a fundamental mistake right now for us to cut and run
in the face of terrorism, because if we've learned
anything, especially from the 9/11 Commission Report,
it is that to continue to retreat after the Cole,
after Beirut and Somalia is to only empower terrorists
and to give them more recruiting tools as they try to
identify ways to harm Americans.”
It was Ronald Reagan who scampered out of Beirut.
And Bush based his entire "foreign policy" of his 2000 campaign for President on NOT getting U.S. forces involved in, or in places or situatuations like Somalia. "I don't believe in nation building."
What the hell....
****************************************************************
“Meeting briefly with reporters Monday aboard Air
Force One, Trent Duffy, a White House spokesman
subbing for Scott McClellan, said that President Bush
believes that those who want the U.S. to begin to
change course in Iraq DO NOT WANT AMERICA TO WIN the
overall "war on terror."
Not that they disagree as to how to win. No. If you
want to change course in Iraq, it’s because you don’t
want to win.
This is, I’m afraid to say, fascism.
Duffy said that Bush "can understand that people don't
share his view that we must win the war on terror, and
we cannot retreat and cut and run from terrorists, but
he just has a different view. He believes it would be
a fundamental mistake right now for us to cut and run
in the face of terrorism, because if we've learned
anything, especially from the 9/11 Commission Report,
it is that to continue to retreat after the Cole,
after Beirut and Somalia is to only empower terrorists
and to give them more recruiting tools as they try to
identify ways to harm Americans.”
It was Ronald Reagan who scampered out of Beirut.
And Bush based his entire "foreign policy" of his 2000 campaign for President on NOT getting U.S. forces involved in, or in places or situatuations like Somalia. "I don't believe in nation building."
What the hell....
****************************************************************
OK, THIS LOOKS BAD
Yes, in Iraq right now it looks like every ideal we
may have had is rapidly disappearing in a sandstorm of
political and religious power struggles. In other
words, exactly what I predicted would happen. I’ve
warned over and over that democracy in Iraq would very
likely produce a fundamentalist Muslim government, if
not one actively hostile to the U.S.
And what then?
I also predicted back in 1991 -- yes, really -- that
an occupation would produce a violent armed power
struggle among various political factions jockeying
for power. I based this staggering insight on my
guess that that’s what would happen here if another
country invaded the U.S.
Anyway, both things are happening right now. And it
was only this January, with all the purple fingers,
that things looked so good.
At the State of the Union address, Bush managed a
totally staged “improvised” moment with an Iraqi woman
named Safia Taleb al-Souhail and an American woman
whose son, ironically, was killed in Iraq. All of
America wept as they embraced.
The Washington Post captured it the next day:
“When Norwood started to pull back, the
chain from her son's dog tags, which she
had been holding, became entangled in
al-Souhail's accoutrements. The women had
to disentangle themselves on live television,
the awkwardness lending the moment an
unrehearsed charm. It was, by any measure, magic.”
-- The Washington Post, “The Moment That
America Embraced”, February 4, 2005
Out of the tens of millions of people in Iraq, Bush
had Safia Taleb al-Souhail sit next to Laura Bush to
show how happy Iraqis were that we invaded.
(Admittedly a great improvement over the 2004 guest
Laura had, that crook, Ahmed Chalabi).
And how does Safia Taleb al-Souhail feel now?
"When we came back from exile, we thought
we were going to improve rights and the position
of women. But look what has happened -- we
have LOST all the gains we made over the last
30 years. It's a BIG DISAPPOINTMENT."
--- Safia Taleb al-Souhail, Iraq's ambassador
to Egypt, Reuters interview, August 24, 2005
Oh well. Win some, lose some…
****************************************************************
may have had is rapidly disappearing in a sandstorm of
political and religious power struggles. In other
words, exactly what I predicted would happen. I’ve
warned over and over that democracy in Iraq would very
likely produce a fundamentalist Muslim government, if
not one actively hostile to the U.S.
And what then?
I also predicted back in 1991 -- yes, really -- that
an occupation would produce a violent armed power
struggle among various political factions jockeying
for power. I based this staggering insight on my
guess that that’s what would happen here if another
country invaded the U.S.
Anyway, both things are happening right now. And it
was only this January, with all the purple fingers,
that things looked so good.
At the State of the Union address, Bush managed a
totally staged “improvised” moment with an Iraqi woman
named Safia Taleb al-Souhail and an American woman
whose son, ironically, was killed in Iraq. All of
America wept as they embraced.
The Washington Post captured it the next day:
“When Norwood started to pull back, the
chain from her son's dog tags, which she
had been holding, became entangled in
al-Souhail's accoutrements. The women had
to disentangle themselves on live television,
the awkwardness lending the moment an
unrehearsed charm. It was, by any measure, magic.”
-- The Washington Post, “The Moment That
America Embraced”, February 4, 2005
Out of the tens of millions of people in Iraq, Bush
had Safia Taleb al-Souhail sit next to Laura Bush to
show how happy Iraqis were that we invaded.
(Admittedly a great improvement over the 2004 guest
Laura had, that crook, Ahmed Chalabi).
And how does Safia Taleb al-Souhail feel now?
"When we came back from exile, we thought
we were going to improve rights and the position
of women. But look what has happened -- we
have LOST all the gains we made over the last
30 years. It's a BIG DISAPPOINTMENT."
--- Safia Taleb al-Souhail, Iraq's ambassador
to Egypt, Reuters interview, August 24, 2005
Oh well. Win some, lose some…
****************************************************************
WHAT WOULD THE QUEER EYE GUYS SAY?
The new visitor's locker room at Iowa's Kinnick
Stadium is entirely pink, even all the urinals. The
tradition was started by in the 1980s by the football
coach Hayden Fry, a former psychology major who hoped
that the unmanly color would weaken visiting teams.
The color scheme has been continued and brightened in
the stadium -- with a color called dubbed "Innocence."
Pretty silly, right?
The Iowa Hawkeyes have won a record 18 straight home
games.
****************************************************************
Stadium is entirely pink, even all the urinals. The
tradition was started by in the 1980s by the football
coach Hayden Fry, a former psychology major who hoped
that the unmanly color would weaken visiting teams.
The color scheme has been continued and brightened in
the stadium -- with a color called dubbed "Innocence."
Pretty silly, right?
The Iowa Hawkeyes have won a record 18 straight home
games.
****************************************************************
AND WHILE WE’RE ON THE SUBJECT OF SCREWUPS
Pat Robertson has already apologized for calling for
the assassination of Hugo Chavez, president of
Venezuela.
"If he thinks we're trying to assassinate him,
I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it"
He then compared himself the Protestant theologian,
Dietrich Bonhoffer, who participated in an
unsuccessful plan to assassinate Adolf Hitler:
But the right wing has finally written this cuckoo
off, so maybe I should just drop it.
Then again, there is the Robertson Hit Parade:
This month he prayed to God that "additional vacancies
occur within the Supreme Court."
But aren’t those lifetime appointments? Oh, I get it.
Then there’s my favorite, after September 11th:
Falwell: "What we saw on Tuesday, as terrible as it
is, could be miniscule if, in fact, God continues to
lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to
give us probably what we DESERVE."
Robertson: "Well, Jerry, that's my feeling. I think
we've just seen the antechamber to terror, we haven't
begun to see what they can do to the major
population."
Falwell:
"The ACLU has got to take a lot of blame for this. And
I know I'll hear from them for this, but throwing
God...successfully with the help of the federal court
system...throwing God out of the public square, out of
the schools, the abortionists have got to bear some
burden for this because God will not be mocked and
when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, WE
MAKE GOD MAD."
"I really believe that the pagans and the abortionists
and the feminists and the gays and the lesbians who
are actively trying to make that an alternative
lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way, all
of them who try to secularize America...I point the
thing in their face and say you HELPED THIS HAPPEN."
Robertson: "I totally concur.”
Then there’s Pat on Scotland:
“Scotland is a Dark Land. In Scotland, you can't
believe how strong the homosexuals are. It's just
unbelievable,"
–- Pat Robertson, June 2, 1999.
The funny thing about that was he said at the very
moment his US bank was trying to do a $48 million deal
with the Bank of Scotland.
Said his embarrassed spokesman: "This deal is not
about Pat Robertson, the religious leader. This is
about Pat Robertson, the businessman."
The deal did not go through.
Then there’s his book, “The New World Order” from
1991, where he outlined a plot to impose "a new order
for
the human race" dating back to 1776, when Bavarian
scholar Adam Weisphaut founded the Order of the
Illuminati a secret society of "atheists and
Satanists" that, Robertson asserts, was dedicated to
"the elevation to world leadership of a group of
hand-picked 'adepts' or `Illuminati'. The still
control the world today.
And he has a new theory on who killed Abraham Lincoln.
Really?
"It is my belief that John Wilkes Booth was in the
employ of the European bankers."
That’s Pat.
Finally, there’s Pat views on the Equal Rights
Amendment.
I’ve always loved this quote:
"The work of a secret feminist agenda
that is not about equal rights for women.
It is about a socialist, anti-family political
movement that encourages women to leave
their husbands, kill their children, practice
witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become
lesbians."
–– Pat Robertson.
****************************************************************
the assassination of Hugo Chavez, president of
Venezuela.
"If he thinks we're trying to assassinate him,
I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it"
He then compared himself the Protestant theologian,
Dietrich Bonhoffer, who participated in an
unsuccessful plan to assassinate Adolf Hitler:
But the right wing has finally written this cuckoo
off, so maybe I should just drop it.
Then again, there is the Robertson Hit Parade:
This month he prayed to God that "additional vacancies
occur within the Supreme Court."
But aren’t those lifetime appointments? Oh, I get it.
Then there’s my favorite, after September 11th:
Falwell: "What we saw on Tuesday, as terrible as it
is, could be miniscule if, in fact, God continues to
lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to
give us probably what we DESERVE."
Robertson: "Well, Jerry, that's my feeling. I think
we've just seen the antechamber to terror, we haven't
begun to see what they can do to the major
population."
Falwell:
"The ACLU has got to take a lot of blame for this. And
I know I'll hear from them for this, but throwing
God...successfully with the help of the federal court
system...throwing God out of the public square, out of
the schools, the abortionists have got to bear some
burden for this because God will not be mocked and
when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, WE
MAKE GOD MAD."
"I really believe that the pagans and the abortionists
and the feminists and the gays and the lesbians who
are actively trying to make that an alternative
lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way, all
of them who try to secularize America...I point the
thing in their face and say you HELPED THIS HAPPEN."
Robertson: "I totally concur.”
Then there’s Pat on Scotland:
“Scotland is a Dark Land. In Scotland, you can't
believe how strong the homosexuals are. It's just
unbelievable,"
–- Pat Robertson, June 2, 1999.
The funny thing about that was he said at the very
moment his US bank was trying to do a $48 million deal
with the Bank of Scotland.
Said his embarrassed spokesman: "This deal is not
about Pat Robertson, the religious leader. This is
about Pat Robertson, the businessman."
The deal did not go through.
Then there’s his book, “The New World Order” from
1991, where he outlined a plot to impose "a new order
for
the human race" dating back to 1776, when Bavarian
scholar Adam Weisphaut founded the Order of the
Illuminati a secret society of "atheists and
Satanists" that, Robertson asserts, was dedicated to
"the elevation to world leadership of a group of
hand-picked 'adepts' or `Illuminati'. The still
control the world today.
And he has a new theory on who killed Abraham Lincoln.
Really?
"It is my belief that John Wilkes Booth was in the
employ of the European bankers."
That’s Pat.
Finally, there’s Pat views on the Equal Rights
Amendment.
I’ve always loved this quote:
"The work of a secret feminist agenda
that is not about equal rights for women.
It is about a socialist, anti-family political
movement that encourages women to leave
their husbands, kill their children, practice
witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become
lesbians."
–– Pat Robertson.
****************************************************************
ONE LITTLE MISTAKE
Speaking of embarrassing screw ups, Fox News (who
else?) now admits it wrongly labeled some innocent
Americans and terrorists.
On August 7, John Loftus, a former U.S. prosecutor,
(all around nut?) said that a man living in the U.S.
named Iyad K. Hilal, was the leader of a terrorist
group with ties to those responsible for the July 7
bombings in London.
He then gave out the man’s home address, on
television.
Fox News also put satellite photos of the house and
DIRECTIONS TO THE HOUSE online.
Trouble is, the guy had moved out three years ago.
Randy and Ronnell Vorick live there now. Oops.
Of course, they’ve been harassed, yelled at, and
threatened every day since then.
Last weekend, someone spray-painted "Terrist" on their
home.
Loftus, the Fox News guy, said he gave out the address
to help local police.
As one blogger put it: “Tip for former prosecutor
Loftus: if you want to help the police, call the
police.”
And as another blogger wrote:
"Terrist." That pretty much sums
up what you need to know about the
Fox News audience, doesn't it?
***************************************************************
else?) now admits it wrongly labeled some innocent
Americans and terrorists.
On August 7, John Loftus, a former U.S. prosecutor,
(all around nut?) said that a man living in the U.S.
named Iyad K. Hilal, was the leader of a terrorist
group with ties to those responsible for the July 7
bombings in London.
He then gave out the man’s home address, on
television.
Fox News also put satellite photos of the house and
DIRECTIONS TO THE HOUSE online.
Trouble is, the guy had moved out three years ago.
Randy and Ronnell Vorick live there now. Oops.
Of course, they’ve been harassed, yelled at, and
threatened every day since then.
Last weekend, someone spray-painted "Terrist" on their
home.
Loftus, the Fox News guy, said he gave out the address
to help local police.
As one blogger put it: “Tip for former prosecutor
Loftus: if you want to help the police, call the
police.”
And as another blogger wrote:
"Terrist." That pretty much sums
up what you need to know about the
Fox News audience, doesn't it?
***************************************************************
BUSH IS LOSING IT
Having seen his body language this week, especially in
Idaho, I think Bush might finally be losing it.
Here’s Bush on why war is hopeful:
“And the reason why that's important is, is that we've
had a -- we had a policy that just said, let the
dictator stay there, don't worry about it. And as a
result of dictatorship, and as a result of tyranny,
resentment, hopelessness began to develop in that part
of the world, which became the -- gave the terrorists
capacity to recruit. We just cannot tolerate the
status quo. We're at war. And so this is a hopeful
moment.”
Got that?
Here’s Bush on women’s rights:
Question: “If it's rooted in Islam, as it seems it
will be, is that still -- is there still the
possibility of honoring the rights of women?”
THE PRESIDENT:
“I talked to Condi, and there is not -- as I
understand it, the way the constitution is written is
that women have got rights, inherent rights recognized
in the constitution, and that the constitution talks
about not "the religion," but "a religion."
Twenty-five percent of the assembly is going to be
women, which is a -- is embedded in the constitution.”
Oh, ok. “A religion.” Could be anything. Wicca,
Anglican, Scientology….
Here he is telling everyone the Sunnis will accept the
Constitution:
Bush: “I will tell you I spoke with Secretary Rice
twice this morning, who has been in touch with our
ambassador on the ground. And she is hopeful that
more and more Sunnis will accept the constitution.
Again, I repeat to you that we're watching an amazing
event unfold, and that is the writing of a
constitution which guarantees minority rights, women's
rights, freedom to worship, in a part of the world
that had only -- in a country that had only known
dictatorship.”
Ok, nothing he said there is true.
The Constitution DOES NOT guarantee women’s rights or
other minority rights.
The Iraqis set a deadline of midnight Friday to agree
to a Constitution.
It was rejected by the Sunnis.
*****************************************************************
Idaho, I think Bush might finally be losing it.
Here’s Bush on why war is hopeful:
“And the reason why that's important is, is that we've
had a -- we had a policy that just said, let the
dictator stay there, don't worry about it. And as a
result of dictatorship, and as a result of tyranny,
resentment, hopelessness began to develop in that part
of the world, which became the -- gave the terrorists
capacity to recruit. We just cannot tolerate the
status quo. We're at war. And so this is a hopeful
moment.”
Got that?
Here’s Bush on women’s rights:
Question: “If it's rooted in Islam, as it seems it
will be, is that still -- is there still the
possibility of honoring the rights of women?”
THE PRESIDENT:
“I talked to Condi, and there is not -- as I
understand it, the way the constitution is written is
that women have got rights, inherent rights recognized
in the constitution, and that the constitution talks
about not "the religion," but "a religion."
Twenty-five percent of the assembly is going to be
women, which is a -- is embedded in the constitution.”
Oh, ok. “A religion.” Could be anything. Wicca,
Anglican, Scientology….
Here he is telling everyone the Sunnis will accept the
Constitution:
Bush: “I will tell you I spoke with Secretary Rice
twice this morning, who has been in touch with our
ambassador on the ground. And she is hopeful that
more and more Sunnis will accept the constitution.
Again, I repeat to you that we're watching an amazing
event unfold, and that is the writing of a
constitution which guarantees minority rights, women's
rights, freedom to worship, in a part of the world
that had only -- in a country that had only known
dictatorship.”
Ok, nothing he said there is true.
The Constitution DOES NOT guarantee women’s rights or
other minority rights.
The Iraqis set a deadline of midnight Friday to agree
to a Constitution.
It was rejected by the Sunnis.
*****************************************************************
CREEPING FASCISM, PART XIV
***************************************************
Cindy Sheehan has really gotten to Bush. Even though
she wasn’t even still there, he fled Texas for Idaho –
on vacation from his vacation? – to find another
Mother who could talk about how proud she is to have
her sons in Iraq. Of course, they’re all still alive.
Here’s Bush on the anti-Cindy:
“There are few things more difficult in life than
seeing a loved one go off to war, and here in Idaho, a
mom named Tammy Pruitt knows that feeling six times
over."
"Tammy has four sons serving in Iraq right now with
the Idaho National Guard, Eric, Evan, Greg, and Jeff.
Last year, her husband Leon and another son Aaron
returned from Iraq where they helped train Iraqi
firefighters in Mosul."
"Tammy says this, -- and I want you to hear this -- I
know that if something happens to one of the boys,
they would leave this world doing what they believe,
what they think is right for our country. And I guess
you couldn’t ask for a better way of life than giving
it for something you believe in?"
"America lives in freedom because of families like the
Pruitts.”
###
I have a few reactions to this fascist nuttiness.
First, this is what I’ve been saying for more than a
year now. American is slowly making a transition from
an upstart former British colony bound by certain
Democratic ideals like "Free Speech" and "Government
of the People" to a more traditional, Asian or
European-style country, bound by national codes like
Church, Nationalism, Patriotism, Language, the Flag,
and of course, Militarism.
This, ironically, at a time when Europe has itself
matured and moved on to a Post-Nationalism existence,
whle the Middle East is just beginning it’s
Post-Colonial Phase.
Also, I really can’t think of anything so ridiculous
as to announce that you would be happy to have a child
die for your country, except, perhaps, that you don’t
know why, just that they were “doing what they
believe” and “what is right for our country.”
Finally, you have to see the live footage of this
speech to get the full effect. Bush is not emotive,
or weepy, like he sometimes is. He is very
aggressive. He is shouting. This is meant as a
direct slap at Cindy Sheeehan.
The chilling part is where he pauses, for no reason,
and says: “I WANT YOU TO HEAR THIS”
What the hell does that even mean?
When he says the last line, he is practically yelling
and pounding the podium.
It was truly bizarre.
*****************************************************************
Cindy Sheehan has really gotten to Bush. Even though
she wasn’t even still there, he fled Texas for Idaho –
on vacation from his vacation? – to find another
Mother who could talk about how proud she is to have
her sons in Iraq. Of course, they’re all still alive.
Here’s Bush on the anti-Cindy:
“There are few things more difficult in life than
seeing a loved one go off to war, and here in Idaho, a
mom named Tammy Pruitt knows that feeling six times
over."
"Tammy has four sons serving in Iraq right now with
the Idaho National Guard, Eric, Evan, Greg, and Jeff.
Last year, her husband Leon and another son Aaron
returned from Iraq where they helped train Iraqi
firefighters in Mosul."
"Tammy says this, -- and I want you to hear this -- I
know that if something happens to one of the boys,
they would leave this world doing what they believe,
what they think is right for our country. And I guess
you couldn’t ask for a better way of life than giving
it for something you believe in?"
"America lives in freedom because of families like the
Pruitts.”
###
I have a few reactions to this fascist nuttiness.
First, this is what I’ve been saying for more than a
year now. American is slowly making a transition from
an upstart former British colony bound by certain
Democratic ideals like "Free Speech" and "Government
of the People" to a more traditional, Asian or
European-style country, bound by national codes like
Church, Nationalism, Patriotism, Language, the Flag,
and of course, Militarism.
This, ironically, at a time when Europe has itself
matured and moved on to a Post-Nationalism existence,
whle the Middle East is just beginning it’s
Post-Colonial Phase.
Also, I really can’t think of anything so ridiculous
as to announce that you would be happy to have a child
die for your country, except, perhaps, that you don’t
know why, just that they were “doing what they
believe” and “what is right for our country.”
Finally, you have to see the live footage of this
speech to get the full effect. Bush is not emotive,
or weepy, like he sometimes is. He is very
aggressive. He is shouting. This is meant as a
direct slap at Cindy Sheeehan.
The chilling part is where he pauses, for no reason,
and says: “I WANT YOU TO HEAR THIS”
What the hell does that even mean?
When he says the last line, he is practically yelling
and pounding the podium.
It was truly bizarre.
*****************************************************************
Monday, August 22, 2005
Public Opinion Turns Against Bush
The month of August is definitely seeing a distinct change in public attitudes and coverage of Bush and the war...
This from CNN coverage of Bush's rall-round-the-flag speech at the VFW:
"Between 400 and 500 people gathered at an anti-war rally in Pioneer Park, about three blocks from the Salt Palace where Bush spoke. "It's like Vietnam all over again, and I opposed that, too," said George Muller of Salt Lake City, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel dressed in desert fatigues.
Muller, who said he served from 1961-2002, said that he was pleased to see so many people at the rally, and that he believed there has been a shift in the country's attitude toward the war.
"That's what it's going to take -- veterans groups, veterans and mothers who have lost kids speaking out," Muller said."
This from CNN coverage of Bush's rall-round-the-flag speech at the VFW:
"Between 400 and 500 people gathered at an anti-war rally in Pioneer Park, about three blocks from the Salt Palace where Bush spoke. "It's like Vietnam all over again, and I opposed that, too," said George Muller of Salt Lake City, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel dressed in desert fatigues.
Muller, who said he served from 1961-2002, said that he was pleased to see so many people at the rally, and that he believed there has been a shift in the country's attitude toward the war.
"That's what it's going to take -- veterans groups, veterans and mothers who have lost kids speaking out," Muller said."
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
The Lie About Senator Clinton
Either you believe in a Culture of Truth, or you don't.
Some radical right wing sites have dredged up a story that first started going around right after Hillary Clinton was sworn in. That she had refused to meet with a group of visiting Gold Star Mothers, and was the only politician to do so. of coure, this is just the sort of story her enemies love, but if you know anything about Hillary Clinton, you know how silly it is.
The headline of the hoax stories reads:
Hillary Snubs Gold Star Mothers
"New York chapter president Shirley Jones and member Mary Wheeler, both of upstate New York, told Behan they had been in Washington visiting Senate offices. The only office that refused to meet with the Gold Star Mothers was none other than New York Senator Hillary Clinton. She and her staff simply refused to meet with them."
The real organizationhas put out a statement reading:
"The American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., deeply regret the misunderstanding about Senator Hillary Clinton. The two mothers who visited Washington did not have an appointment with the Senator and she was not in her office on that day. We would appreciate it if the e-mails and negative comments about Senator Clinton would cease."
What else is there left to say?
Of course, this old, debunked hoax has new relevance with the Cindy Sheehan Vigil continuing, although it seems odd to repeat a false story about Hillary refusing to meet with mothers of veterans and in the same breath defend the President for (really) doing the very same thing.
Some radical right wing sites have dredged up a story that first started going around right after Hillary Clinton was sworn in. That she had refused to meet with a group of visiting Gold Star Mothers, and was the only politician to do so. of coure, this is just the sort of story her enemies love, but if you know anything about Hillary Clinton, you know how silly it is.
The headline of the hoax stories reads:
Hillary Snubs Gold Star Mothers
"New York chapter president Shirley Jones and member Mary Wheeler, both of upstate New York, told Behan they had been in Washington visiting Senate offices. The only office that refused to meet with the Gold Star Mothers was none other than New York Senator Hillary Clinton. She and her staff simply refused to meet with them."
The real organizationhas put out a statement reading:
"The American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., deeply regret the misunderstanding about Senator Hillary Clinton. The two mothers who visited Washington did not have an appointment with the Senator and she was not in her office on that day. We would appreciate it if the e-mails and negative comments about Senator Clinton would cease."
What else is there left to say?
Of course, this old, debunked hoax has new relevance with the Cindy Sheehan Vigil continuing, although it seems odd to repeat a false story about Hillary refusing to meet with mothers of veterans and in the same breath defend the President for (really) doing the very same thing.
Monday, August 15, 2005
WHY YOUR CAT HATES YOU
Scientists discovered last week that all cats have a
genetic defect.
Cats lack the ability to taste sweet carbohydrates.
The genetic defect is common to both domestic cats and
their wild cousins, like tigers and cheetahs.
"That's why the cat is SO CRANKY. The big cats have
to hunt down all this food, and they don't even have
any sweet dessert. No wonder they're always roaring."
Well, I’m glad there’s a reason.
I like this part:
"We spent about THREE YEARS trying
to track down why cats cannot taste sweet."
–– Joseph G. Brand, associate
director at the Monell Chemical
Senses Center in Philadelphia.
Time well spent, I’m sure.
*****************************************************************
genetic defect.
Cats lack the ability to taste sweet carbohydrates.
The genetic defect is common to both domestic cats and
their wild cousins, like tigers and cheetahs.
"That's why the cat is SO CRANKY. The big cats have
to hunt down all this food, and they don't even have
any sweet dessert. No wonder they're always roaring."
Well, I’m glad there’s a reason.
I like this part:
"We spent about THREE YEARS trying
to track down why cats cannot taste sweet."
–– Joseph G. Brand, associate
director at the Monell Chemical
Senses Center in Philadelphia.
Time well spent, I’m sure.
*****************************************************************
A LESSON IN WHAT NOT TO DO
The term “rocky start” was made for Jeanine Pirro’s
announcement that she’s running against Hillary.
First, she had a horrifically long 32 second pause
while she frantically hunted for a piece of paper. It
made her look foolish and was the lead story here the
next day. Then in her press conference, she could not
answer:
* Whether she would take money from her husband
* Why her husband’s picture was not one of 103 photos
on her web site
* How much money eliminating the estate tax and
continuing the tax cuts would add to the federal budget
deficit.
* Whether she would withdraw troops from Iraq
* Whether Lebanon is a democracy
* Her own position on abortion
Her excuse:
“It's my first day on the campaign.”
Also her last?
*****************************************************************
announcement that she’s running against Hillary.
First, she had a horrifically long 32 second pause
while she frantically hunted for a piece of paper. It
made her look foolish and was the lead story here the
next day. Then in her press conference, she could not
answer:
* Whether she would take money from her husband
* Why her husband’s picture was not one of 103 photos
on her web site
* How much money eliminating the estate tax and
continuing the tax cuts would add to the federal budget
deficit.
* Whether she would withdraw troops from Iraq
* Whether Lebanon is a democracy
* Her own position on abortion
Her excuse:
“It's my first day on the campaign.”
Also her last?
*****************************************************************
SPORTS QUESTION OF THE WEEK
The Australian National Rugby Team filled out
questionnaires as part of a team bonding session this
week, which were leaked to the media. What question
were they asked?
(A) “Why do you like rugby?”
(B) “What is your favourite non-sporting activity?”
(C) “What historical figure would you like to meet?”
(D) “How do you think the team could improve?”
(E) “Which teammate would you eat if we were forced to
resort to cannibalism?”
Answer: E
Actually, I'm paraphrasing - I don't the exact question asked.
Whatever it was, the quiz was inspired by the Uruguayan
rugby team which crashed in the Andes in 1972,
and inspired the movie “Alive,' with Ethan Hawke.
One player said that he would chose a particular
teammate for dessert because, he reasoned, "The amount
of sweets he puts in, it's got to rub off in his meat
somewhere."
Definitely something you need to know AHEAD of time.
****************************************************************
questionnaires as part of a team bonding session this
week, which were leaked to the media. What question
were they asked?
(A) “Why do you like rugby?”
(B) “What is your favourite non-sporting activity?”
(C) “What historical figure would you like to meet?”
(D) “How do you think the team could improve?”
(E) “Which teammate would you eat if we were forced to
resort to cannibalism?”
Answer: E
Actually, I'm paraphrasing - I don't the exact question asked.
Whatever it was, the quiz was inspired by the Uruguayan
rugby team which crashed in the Andes in 1972,
and inspired the movie “Alive,' with Ethan Hawke.
One player said that he would chose a particular
teammate for dessert because, he reasoned, "The amount
of sweets he puts in, it's got to rub off in his meat
somewhere."
Definitely something you need to know AHEAD of time.
****************************************************************
GO, JAKE GO!
Jake Pokonosky finished 72nd among more than 500
swimmers on during the 10th annual Alcatraz
Invitational, a 1.2-mile swim from the island to San
Francisco.
What is unusual about Jake Pokonosky?
(A) He once tried to escape from Alcatraz by swimming.
(B) He’s 93 years old.
(C) He was bitten by a shark halfway through the race.
(D) He’s the United States Secretary of State for
Far Eastern Affairs.
(E) He’s a Golden Retriever.
Answer: E
“Jake was the only non-human in Sunday's 1.2-mile swim
from the infamous prison island to the San Francisco
shore. The 65-pound Golden Retriever swam across the
cold, choppy water in a time of 41 minutes and 45
seconds.
Organizers from the South End Rowing Club which puts
on the annual event say it was the first known
crossing of the water by a dog. The crowd cheered as
Jake made his way onto solid ground, shook off water
and dodged a woman who tried to put a medal around his
neck.”
swimmers on during the 10th annual Alcatraz
Invitational, a 1.2-mile swim from the island to San
Francisco.
What is unusual about Jake Pokonosky?
(A) He once tried to escape from Alcatraz by swimming.
(B) He’s 93 years old.
(C) He was bitten by a shark halfway through the race.
(D) He’s the United States Secretary of State for
Far Eastern Affairs.
(E) He’s a Golden Retriever.
Answer: E
“Jake was the only non-human in Sunday's 1.2-mile swim
from the infamous prison island to the San Francisco
shore. The 65-pound Golden Retriever swam across the
cold, choppy water in a time of 41 minutes and 45
seconds.
Organizers from the South End Rowing Club which puts
on the annual event say it was the first known
crossing of the water by a dog. The crowd cheered as
Jake made his way onto solid ground, shook off water
and dodged a woman who tried to put a medal around his
neck.”
WHEN DEMOCRATS FIGHT BACK
Why did Rush Limbaugh say Paul Hackett went to Iraq?
(A) To “fight for freedom”
(B) To “liberate people”
(C) To “save America”
(D) To “stop terrorism”
(E) To “pad his resume”
Answer: E
Why? Because Hackett is a Democrat, of course.
Hackett’s response:
“That's typical for that fat ass drug addict to come
up with something like that.”
"I went to Iraq because I wanted to serve my country
and be with my Marines. Ask him why his phone lines
were clogged up. That's because he was getting
thousands of calls from veterans from this war and
other wars who were clogging up his phone lines,
giving him an earful."
“I was on drill this weekend, I've got to tell you, he
lost a lot of Republican supporters with his
comments.”
*****************************************************************
(A) To “fight for freedom”
(B) To “liberate people”
(C) To “save America”
(D) To “stop terrorism”
(E) To “pad his resume”
Answer: E
Why? Because Hackett is a Democrat, of course.
Hackett’s response:
“That's typical for that fat ass drug addict to come
up with something like that.”
"I went to Iraq because I wanted to serve my country
and be with my Marines. Ask him why his phone lines
were clogged up. That's because he was getting
thousands of calls from veterans from this war and
other wars who were clogging up his phone lines,
giving him an earful."
“I was on drill this weekend, I've got to tell you, he
lost a lot of Republican supporters with his
comments.”
*****************************************************************
Baghdad Mayor Deposed in Coup
"BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug. 9 - Armed men entered Baghdad's
municipal building during a blinding dust storm on
Monday, deposed the city's mayor and installed a
member of Iraq's most powerful Shiite militia."
You read that right. Armed men deposed the Mayor
of Baghdad in a violent coup this week. What’s
interesting is that they claim they have to right to
do it, because they won elections in January.
I don’t know what’s going on. But it does seem like
Iraq is sliding into civil war.
****************************************************************
municipal building during a blinding dust storm on
Monday, deposed the city's mayor and installed a
member of Iraq's most powerful Shiite militia."
You read that right. Armed men deposed the Mayor
of Baghdad in a violent coup this week. What’s
interesting is that they claim they have to right to
do it, because they won elections in January.
I don’t know what’s going on. But it does seem like
Iraq is sliding into civil war.
****************************************************************
Too Much Time on His Hands?
According to a story dated August 12, 2005, in
Canberra, Shane Willmott is working with mice.
Training them, to be specific.
To surf.
“He has trained three mice, named Harry, Chopsticks
and Bunsen, to surf small waves on tiny mouse-size
surf boards at beaches on the country's Gold Coast.
The mice are put through rigorous bathtub training and
then some have their fur dyed when it is time to hit
the beach.”
"Usually if he is surfing big waves, I usually colour
his hair up. Because he's white, when he gets in the
whitewash it's hard to find him," Willmott said.
Harry, Chopsticks and Bunsen live in miniature
custom-made villas and own specially made jet skis.”
Is there no end to the benefits of a sound graduate
education??
*****************************************************************
Canberra, Shane Willmott is working with mice.
Training them, to be specific.
To surf.
“He has trained three mice, named Harry, Chopsticks
and Bunsen, to surf small waves on tiny mouse-size
surf boards at beaches on the country's Gold Coast.
The mice are put through rigorous bathtub training and
then some have their fur dyed when it is time to hit
the beach.”
"Usually if he is surfing big waves, I usually colour
his hair up. Because he's white, when he gets in the
whitewash it's hard to find him," Willmott said.
Harry, Chopsticks and Bunsen live in miniature
custom-made villas and own specially made jet skis.”
Is there no end to the benefits of a sound graduate
education??
*****************************************************************
WHERE THE OLD WORLD MEETS THE NEW
Of course it’s well known that Hindus respect, if not
actually worship, cows. And that cows wander the
streets. And that they’re pretty big. It’s also
well-known that India is a center of high-tech.
Thankfully, these two phenomena have met each other
and presented a solution.
Authorities in New Delhi have started inserting
microchips into cows to tackle the problem of cattle
roaming freely in the streets, officials said on
Thursday, August 11.
The move came after the Delhi High Court slammed civic
authorities this month for failing to round up cows --
considered holy by Hindus.
There are an estimated 35,000 cows and buffalo in the
capital and its surrounding areas.
"Now with a microchip in them, cows can be caught more
quickly," said one official.
Now if we could only do same thing with politicians….
******************************************************
actually worship, cows. And that cows wander the
streets. And that they’re pretty big. It’s also
well-known that India is a center of high-tech.
Thankfully, these two phenomena have met each other
and presented a solution.
Authorities in New Delhi have started inserting
microchips into cows to tackle the problem of cattle
roaming freely in the streets, officials said on
Thursday, August 11.
The move came after the Delhi High Court slammed civic
authorities this month for failing to round up cows --
considered holy by Hindus.
There are an estimated 35,000 cows and buffalo in the
capital and its surrounding areas.
"Now with a microchip in them, cows can be caught more
quickly," said one official.
Now if we could only do same thing with politicians….
******************************************************
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Bush Cousins Endorsed Kerry
With all this talk about Cindy Sheehan's alleged cousins and who knows who else allegedly signing some letter with the usual crap - support our troops, when what they mean is, worship George Bush - it's worth noting all the Bush cousins who endorsed John Kerry.
They even created a web site, www.bushrelativesforkerry.com.
Their slogan was: 'Because blood is thicker than oil!"
They wrote:
''As the election approaches, we feel it is our responsibility to speak out about why we are voting for John Kerry, and to do our small part to help America heal from the sickness it has suffered since George Bush was appointed President in 2000. We invite you to read our stories, and please, don't vote for our cousin!"
They were all apparently related to Prescott Bush, George W's grandfather.
The Texas and New England sides of the families are not all that close.
''I can't describe us as particularly close to the Bush family," said one cousin.
''I've never met George W. Bush and don't particularly care to."
They even created a web site, www.bushrelativesforkerry.com.
Their slogan was: 'Because blood is thicker than oil!"
They wrote:
''As the election approaches, we feel it is our responsibility to speak out about why we are voting for John Kerry, and to do our small part to help America heal from the sickness it has suffered since George Bush was appointed President in 2000. We invite you to read our stories, and please, don't vote for our cousin!"
They were all apparently related to Prescott Bush, George W's grandfather.
The Texas and New England sides of the families are not all that close.
''I can't describe us as particularly close to the Bush family," said one cousin.
''I've never met George W. Bush and don't particularly care to."
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Who Are Orville and Wilbur Pirro?
QUESTION OF THE DAY
Who are Orville and Wilbur Pirro?
(A) Jeanine Pirro's other husbands - the ones not convicted of tax evasion
(B) Al Pirro's brothers - also convicted and sentenced to prison
(C) Al and Jeanine's adorable children
(D) A standup comedy team in Westchester, devoted to mocking the Pirros
(E) Pigs
Answer: E
They are the couple's pot bellied pigs, for which the Pirro's built a very expensive wrought iron pen, and which they then illegally deducted from the taxes.
Who are Orville and Wilbur Pirro?
(A) Jeanine Pirro's other husbands - the ones not convicted of tax evasion
(B) Al Pirro's brothers - also convicted and sentenced to prison
(C) Al and Jeanine's adorable children
(D) A standup comedy team in Westchester, devoted to mocking the Pirros
(E) Pigs
Answer: E
They are the couple's pot bellied pigs, for which the Pirro's built a very expensive wrought iron pen, and which they then illegally deducted from the taxes.
Administration to Celebrate September 11
It's official: The Administration is planning to throw a party on September 11th.
I've long said here and elsewhere that the Administration still cannot figure out whether they think Sept. 11th was one of the worst says in U.S. history or one of the greatest. From the way they constantly want to remind you that Bush was President on that day, and with constant references to the day, you would think that that the day the U.S. won the lottery or something.
Clearly, all evidence, speeches, policies, suggest that they do believe that Sept. 11 was a great day.
And to show how they feel, how grateful they are for 9/11, they are going to have a big party.
According to news reports:
"The Pentagon would hold a massive march and country music concert to mark the fourth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said in an announcement tucked into an Iraq war briefing today."
"This year the Department of Defense will initiate an America Supports Your Freedom Walk," Rumsfeld said, adding that the march would remind people of "the sacrifices of this generation and of each previous generation".
"The march will start at the Pentagon, where nearly 200 people died on September 11, 2001, and end at the National Mall with a show by country star Clint Black."
"I've never heard of such a thing," said John Pike, who has been a defence analyst in Washington for 25 years and runs GlobalSecurity.org.
People were also confused by the link beween Iraq and 9/11.
"That piece of it is disturbing since we all know now there was no connection," said Paul Rieckhoff, an Iraq veteran who heads Operation Truth, an anti-administration military booster. "I think it's clear that their public opinion polls are in the toilet," he said.
Well, the important thing is march around, show your support, and watch other people sacrifice.
I've long said here and elsewhere that the Administration still cannot figure out whether they think Sept. 11th was one of the worst says in U.S. history or one of the greatest. From the way they constantly want to remind you that Bush was President on that day, and with constant references to the day, you would think that that the day the U.S. won the lottery or something.
Clearly, all evidence, speeches, policies, suggest that they do believe that Sept. 11 was a great day.
And to show how they feel, how grateful they are for 9/11, they are going to have a big party.
According to news reports:
"The Pentagon would hold a massive march and country music concert to mark the fourth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said in an announcement tucked into an Iraq war briefing today."
"This year the Department of Defense will initiate an America Supports Your Freedom Walk," Rumsfeld said, adding that the march would remind people of "the sacrifices of this generation and of each previous generation".
"The march will start at the Pentagon, where nearly 200 people died on September 11, 2001, and end at the National Mall with a show by country star Clint Black."
"I've never heard of such a thing," said John Pike, who has been a defence analyst in Washington for 25 years and runs GlobalSecurity.org.
People were also confused by the link beween Iraq and 9/11.
"That piece of it is disturbing since we all know now there was no connection," said Paul Rieckhoff, an Iraq veteran who heads Operation Truth, an anti-administration military booster. "I think it's clear that their public opinion polls are in the toilet," he said.
Well, the important thing is march around, show your support, and watch other people sacrifice.
Friday, August 05, 2005
SPITTING ON VETERANS
The Right wing just can’t seem stop bashing combat
veterans. First it was Max Cleland, then Wes Clark,
then John Kerry and the infamous purple band aids.
What did Rush Limbaugh call all U.S. soldiers serving
in civilian areas – that is, the most dangerous areas?
A “Staff Puke”.
Really. In fact, he said it several times.
Have all the drugs gone to his head? Has the evil in
him just started to ooze out?
This is a guy, who -- I am not kidding -- got out of
Vietnam because he had a large pimple on his rear end.
He said it in reference to Paul Hackett the Major
running for Congress in Ohio, but he said in reference
to position he held, not to him personally.
Limbaugh was talking to an Navy officer
who called into his radio show. Rush asked what "civilian" affairs
officers do. The guy said they liaison with the local authorities.
"So he wasn't in combat," said Limbaugh
The guy said right, then Limbaugh said “so he was
just a STAFF PUKE.”
So Limbaugh's slur applies to everyone with that job, which happens
to be extremely important and hazardous.
These people make me sick.
***************************************************************
veterans. First it was Max Cleland, then Wes Clark,
then John Kerry and the infamous purple band aids.
What did Rush Limbaugh call all U.S. soldiers serving
in civilian areas – that is, the most dangerous areas?
A “Staff Puke”.
Really. In fact, he said it several times.
Have all the drugs gone to his head? Has the evil in
him just started to ooze out?
This is a guy, who -- I am not kidding -- got out of
Vietnam because he had a large pimple on his rear end.
He said it in reference to Paul Hackett the Major
running for Congress in Ohio, but he said in reference
to position he held, not to him personally.
Limbaugh was talking to an Navy officer
who called into his radio show. Rush asked what "civilian" affairs
officers do. The guy said they liaison with the local authorities.
"So he wasn't in combat," said Limbaugh
The guy said right, then Limbaugh said “so he was
just a STAFF PUKE.”
So Limbaugh's slur applies to everyone with that job, which happens
to be extremely important and hazardous.
These people make me sick.
***************************************************************
This Time, We're Stuck With Bush
IT'S THE OTHER WAY AROUND THIS TIME
“It’s tempting to play the Retreat From
GWOT for laughs, but I can't help
remembering an exchange between
President Kennedy and Gen. Curtis
LeMay during the Cuban missile crisis,
as the United States and the Soviet Union
came as close as they ever came to nuclear war.
The general said, "You're in a pretty bad
fix, Mr. President." The president shot back,
"You're in there with me."
–– Ruth Walker, The Christian Science
Monitor, August 4, 2005
“It’s tempting to play the Retreat From
GWOT for laughs, but I can't help
remembering an exchange between
President Kennedy and Gen. Curtis
LeMay during the Cuban missile crisis,
as the United States and the Soviet Union
came as close as they ever came to nuclear war.
The general said, "You're in a pretty bad
fix, Mr. President." The president shot back,
"You're in there with me."
–– Ruth Walker, The Christian Science
Monitor, August 4, 2005
Question of the Week
Tucked into the egregious pork-laden energy bill
enacted last week was a provision to ease U.S. export
restrictions on:
(A) Sugar
(B) Solar Panels
(C) Electric cells
(D) Soy-based fuel
(E) Hybrid vehicles
(F) Weapons Grade Uranium
Answer: F
From the Washington Post:
“A provision tucked into the 1,724-page energy bill
that Congress is poised to enact today would ease
export restrictions on bomb-grade uranium, a lucrative
victory for a Canadian medical manufacturer and its
well-wired Washington lobbyists.”
“The Burr Amendment -- named for its sponsor, Sen.
Richard Burr (R-N.C.) -- would reverse a 13-year-old
U.S. policy banning exports of weapons-grade uranium
unless the recipients agree to start converting their
reactors to use less-dangerous uranium.”
Just so we’re clear:
The Republican will sell out American security for
money, and the company that benefits isn’t even
American.
enacted last week was a provision to ease U.S. export
restrictions on:
(A) Sugar
(B) Solar Panels
(C) Electric cells
(D) Soy-based fuel
(E) Hybrid vehicles
(F) Weapons Grade Uranium
Answer: F
From the Washington Post:
“A provision tucked into the 1,724-page energy bill
that Congress is poised to enact today would ease
export restrictions on bomb-grade uranium, a lucrative
victory for a Canadian medical manufacturer and its
well-wired Washington lobbyists.”
“The Burr Amendment -- named for its sponsor, Sen.
Richard Burr (R-N.C.) -- would reverse a 13-year-old
U.S. policy banning exports of weapons-grade uranium
unless the recipients agree to start converting their
reactors to use less-dangerous uranium.”
Just so we’re clear:
The Republican will sell out American security for
money, and the company that benefits isn’t even
American.
‘ROIDS – THEY’RE ALL THE RAGE
File the whole Rafael Palmiero thing under “You Can’t
Make This Stuff Up.”
Jose Canseco, who was a big star in the early 1990s,
writes this explosive book about how all these guys in
baseball are using steroids, and names names,
including Mark McGuire. Then they all get hauled
before Congress, and testify under oath.
Surprisingly, although he looks like the Missing Link,
Canseco comes across well, while McGuire refuses to
talk and Sammy Sosa suddenly can’t speak English.
Then there’s Rafael Palmiero, who was named by Canseco
has having used steroids in 1992. He came across very
well, looking every bit the future Republican
politician he is (or was). He (again, under oath)
wagged his finger and said "I have never used
steroids. Period."
This was in March. This week it was announced that in
May, Palmiero had tested positive for a very powerful
steroid called stanozolol. That’s what they caught
Ben Johnson using in 1988. It’s supposed to leave
your system in a month.
Everybody, even Palmiero, possibly, was stunned.
I mean, what are the chances that Jose Canseco would
name the ONE guy, who more than a decade later, would
test positive? This seems to be Raffy’s defense, too.
I mean, he also just got his 3,000 hit a few days
ago. What are the odds?
Said one Congressman: "You've got to remember -- of
all the people who testified, he was probably the most
convincing. So if you asked me who would they catch,
and I were listing a thousand ballplayers, he would be
No. 1,000."
Well, now Congress is looking to charge Palmiero with
perjury. Cause they have noooooothing better to do.
They’ve subpoenaed his test results, everything.
"It's hard for me to reconcile that someone doesn't
know that they have steroids in their body. I'm
extraordinarily skeptical," said committee member Rep.
Christopher Shays, R-Conn.
Funny, but one his defenders is Jose Canseco, who
thinks it must be leftover from a while ago. No way
is Raffy that stupid, he said.
By the way, Jose is currently featured in the reality
show, “The Surreal Life.” He’s the brightest one
there.
***************************************************************
A WINDOW INTO BUSH’S WORLD
Yes, the President really issued this statement AFTER
Palmiero tested positive:
“Well, Rafael Palmeiro is a friend.
He’s the kind of person that’s going to
stand up in front of the klieg lights and
say he didn’t use steroids, and I believe
him. And I still do.”
-- George W. Bush
As "The Daily Show" says, Bush’s lives in world of his
own making. And it’s a nice world.
***************************************************************
Make This Stuff Up.”
Jose Canseco, who was a big star in the early 1990s,
writes this explosive book about how all these guys in
baseball are using steroids, and names names,
including Mark McGuire. Then they all get hauled
before Congress, and testify under oath.
Surprisingly, although he looks like the Missing Link,
Canseco comes across well, while McGuire refuses to
talk and Sammy Sosa suddenly can’t speak English.
Then there’s Rafael Palmiero, who was named by Canseco
has having used steroids in 1992. He came across very
well, looking every bit the future Republican
politician he is (or was). He (again, under oath)
wagged his finger and said "I have never used
steroids. Period."
This was in March. This week it was announced that in
May, Palmiero had tested positive for a very powerful
steroid called stanozolol. That’s what they caught
Ben Johnson using in 1988. It’s supposed to leave
your system in a month.
Everybody, even Palmiero, possibly, was stunned.
I mean, what are the chances that Jose Canseco would
name the ONE guy, who more than a decade later, would
test positive? This seems to be Raffy’s defense, too.
I mean, he also just got his 3,000 hit a few days
ago. What are the odds?
Said one Congressman: "You've got to remember -- of
all the people who testified, he was probably the most
convincing. So if you asked me who would they catch,
and I were listing a thousand ballplayers, he would be
No. 1,000."
Well, now Congress is looking to charge Palmiero with
perjury. Cause they have noooooothing better to do.
They’ve subpoenaed his test results, everything.
"It's hard for me to reconcile that someone doesn't
know that they have steroids in their body. I'm
extraordinarily skeptical," said committee member Rep.
Christopher Shays, R-Conn.
Funny, but one his defenders is Jose Canseco, who
thinks it must be leftover from a while ago. No way
is Raffy that stupid, he said.
By the way, Jose is currently featured in the reality
show, “The Surreal Life.” He’s the brightest one
there.
***************************************************************
A WINDOW INTO BUSH’S WORLD
Yes, the President really issued this statement AFTER
Palmiero tested positive:
“Well, Rafael Palmeiro is a friend.
He’s the kind of person that’s going to
stand up in front of the klieg lights and
say he didn’t use steroids, and I believe
him. And I still do.”
-- George W. Bush
As "The Daily Show" says, Bush’s lives in world of his
own making. And it’s a nice world.
***************************************************************
PRINCE OF DARKNESS PROVES IT: THERE IS A GOD
Oh, how we have longed for this day!
It was an orgiastic blogosphere yesterday, as the most
hated man in America, the Prince of Darkness himself,
Bob Novak, had a meltdown on live TV.
CNN host Ed Henry had on Novak and James Carville to
banter about the day’s events.
But he very cleverly placed a huge copy of “Who’s Who
in America” right in front of Novak. With a Post-It
Note strategically placed.
Novak cited the book in a column published this
Monday, meant to exonerate himself, (and Rove)
suggesting he got Valerie Plame’s name from the book.
But did he check the book? He started sweating as
soon as saw it sitting there.
It’s just like when Tom Cruise brings the airmen into
the courtroom to rattle Jack Nicholson in “A Few Good
Men.” It worked then, too -- he blows a gasket.
Within seconds, with Carville needling Novak over
something trivial, Novak yanked off his microphone and
stormed off the set.
Carville:
"He's gotta show these right-wingers that he's got
backbone, you know. The Wall Street Journal editorial
page is watching you. Show 'em you're tough."
Novak: "Well, I think that's b******t! I hate that."
Novak to Ed Henry: "Just let it go."
Novak rips off microphone and storms off.
Later, Ed Henry apologized to viewers for Novak's
leaving the set "a little early," and then added this
gem:
"I had told him in advance that we were going to ask
him about the CIA leak case. He was not here for me to
be able to ask him about that. Hopefully, we'll be
able to ask him about that in the future."
Guess again.
This is it, people. This is the Right Wing Crack-Up
I’ve been talking about. This revolution will be
televised.
***************************************************************
THIS ISN’T ROCKET SCIENCE
Booster Rockets? Check!
Gizmo control? Check!
Hypertechnical stuff? Check!
Outer Space Gadgets? Check!
Duct Tape? Check!
I watched with fascination the liftoff of the
Discovery on the computer, and later watched on live
tv the attempt to manually fix the shuttle by going
outside and “tugging on it.”
They actually had a hacksaw rigged up with duct tape.
Duct tape -- really?
Isn't this a trillion dollar program?
Hey, whatever works. Don’t leave home without it.
***************************************************************
It was an orgiastic blogosphere yesterday, as the most
hated man in America, the Prince of Darkness himself,
Bob Novak, had a meltdown on live TV.
CNN host Ed Henry had on Novak and James Carville to
banter about the day’s events.
But he very cleverly placed a huge copy of “Who’s Who
in America” right in front of Novak. With a Post-It
Note strategically placed.
Novak cited the book in a column published this
Monday, meant to exonerate himself, (and Rove)
suggesting he got Valerie Plame’s name from the book.
But did he check the book? He started sweating as
soon as saw it sitting there.
It’s just like when Tom Cruise brings the airmen into
the courtroom to rattle Jack Nicholson in “A Few Good
Men.” It worked then, too -- he blows a gasket.
Within seconds, with Carville needling Novak over
something trivial, Novak yanked off his microphone and
stormed off the set.
Carville:
"He's gotta show these right-wingers that he's got
backbone, you know. The Wall Street Journal editorial
page is watching you. Show 'em you're tough."
Novak: "Well, I think that's b******t! I hate that."
Novak to Ed Henry: "Just let it go."
Novak rips off microphone and storms off.
Later, Ed Henry apologized to viewers for Novak's
leaving the set "a little early," and then added this
gem:
"I had told him in advance that we were going to ask
him about the CIA leak case. He was not here for me to
be able to ask him about that. Hopefully, we'll be
able to ask him about that in the future."
Guess again.
This is it, people. This is the Right Wing Crack-Up
I’ve been talking about. This revolution will be
televised.
***************************************************************
THIS ISN’T ROCKET SCIENCE
Booster Rockets? Check!
Gizmo control? Check!
Hypertechnical stuff? Check!
Outer Space Gadgets? Check!
Duct Tape? Check!
I watched with fascination the liftoff of the
Discovery on the computer, and later watched on live
tv the attempt to manually fix the shuttle by going
outside and “tugging on it.”
They actually had a hacksaw rigged up with duct tape.
Duct tape -- really?
Isn't this a trillion dollar program?
Hey, whatever works. Don’t leave home without it.
***************************************************************
Monday, August 01, 2005
Is Robert Novak Really George Costanza?
ROBERT NOVAK
“I have previously said that I never would have written those sentences if Harlow, then-CIA Director George Tenet or ANYBODY else from the agency HAD TOLD ME that Valerie Plame Wilson's disclosure would endanger herself or anybody.”
- Robert Novak, “The Washington Post”
GEORGE COSTANZA
The Boss:
“It has come to my attention that you and the cleaning woman have engaged in sexual intercourse on the desk in your office. Is that correct?”
George Costanza:
“Was that wrong? Should I have not done that? I tell you, I’ve got to plead ignorance on this thing, because if ANYONE HAD SAID ANYTHING TO ME AT ALL when I first started here, that that sort of thing was frowned upon… you know….cause I've worked in a lot of offices, and I tell you people do that all the time.”
It didn't work for George, either. He was fired.
“I have previously said that I never would have written those sentences if Harlow, then-CIA Director George Tenet or ANYBODY else from the agency HAD TOLD ME that Valerie Plame Wilson's disclosure would endanger herself or anybody.”
- Robert Novak, “The Washington Post”
GEORGE COSTANZA
The Boss:
“It has come to my attention that you and the cleaning woman have engaged in sexual intercourse on the desk in your office. Is that correct?”
George Costanza:
“Was that wrong? Should I have not done that? I tell you, I’ve got to plead ignorance on this thing, because if ANYONE HAD SAID ANYTHING TO ME AT ALL when I first started here, that that sort of thing was frowned upon… you know….cause I've worked in a lot of offices, and I tell you people do that all the time.”
It didn't work for George, either. He was fired.
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