Read it and weep with happiness. Okay, it’s not gold, but it’s something kinda shiny
“In a sign of the continuing partisan division of the nation, more than two-in-five (42%) voters say that, if it is found that President Bush did not tell the truth about his reasons for going to war with Iraq, Congress should hold him accountable through impeachment. While half (50%) of respondents do not hold this view, supporters of impeachment outweigh opponents in some parts of the country.
Among those living in the Western states, a 52% majority favors Congress using the impeachment mechanism while just 41% are opposed; in Eastern states, 49% are in favor and 45% opposed. In the South, meanwhile, impeachment is opposed by three-in-five voters (60%) and supported by just one-in-three (34%); in the Central/Great Lakes region, 52% are opposed and 38% in favor.
Impeachment is overwhelmingly rejected in the Red States—just 36% say they agree Congress should use it if the President is found to have lied on Iraq, while 55% reject this view; in the “Blue States” that voted for Massachusetts Democrat John Kerry in 2004, meanwhile, a plurality of 48% favors such proceedings while 45% are opposed.”
There’s more here (Zogby Link)
And from Xinhuanet (Link):
“LOS ANGELES, June 29 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush's latest address to call Americans to stand firm in Iraq drew the smallest US TV audience of his tenure, according to a study released in New York on Wednesday.
Nielsen Media Research, a media tracking company headquartered in New York, US, said that an estimated 23 million television viewers tuned in to Bush's half hour speech on the Iraq war on Tuesday night.
That combined on the four main US broadcast networks and three leading cable news channels networks that carried the speech, the New York based media tracking company added.”
Thursday, June 30
Absolutely The Ironic Headline Of The Day:
Bush Wants Answers on Iranian Leader's Past
WASHINGTON -- "The Bush administration today demanded that the Iranian government clarify the role of President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the 1979 storming of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and the prolonged hostage crisis that followed". The rest is in The LA Times.
'Course the headline I'd really like to see:
"Buttfuckboy Finally Admits Copping Out On Guard Duty"
WASHINGTON -- "The Bush administration today demanded that the Iranian government clarify the role of President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the 1979 storming of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and the prolonged hostage crisis that followed". The rest is in The LA Times.
'Course the headline I'd really like to see:
"Buttfuckboy Finally Admits Copping Out On Guard Duty"
Who Loves Ya, Baby?
Keep in mind the fuss and flurry about the Terry Schiavo case and how all life is sacred even if it’s barely a life and we must do everything possible to save every single one of God’s creations. Remember how Dr. Frist diagnosed Schiavo via a four year old video and how sure his diagnosis as a doctor became? Oh yeah, until the autopsy results came in and all. With all this "life is sacred" and we can’t abort babies and we can’t use embryonic stem cells to cure deadly diseases and all the other righteous bullshit, seems on some fronts that sacred, precious, gotta save it, god’s gift, life could be a guinea pig if needed.
You’ll notice, when you read the list of those who voted against Sen. Boxer’s amendment(see Liz's post below), a few names you might recall from the world of save the children even before they are children. Save the egg and save the sperm, but once they unite and grow and shoot through the slide of life, hey what the hell? From that point on they are fair game. Do what you like with them and their mommies too. If they live long enough, through the hell of the experimentation, then you can push them into a school that probably won’t teach them shit, and later there’s always the opportunity to serve in the meat grinder known affectionately and patriotically as the war in Iraq. According to Rumsfeld, this war could go on another twelve years so a kid who is now about six years old still might have a chance to meet and greet bleed in Iraq.
So when you wonder who loves ya baby, just remember that love began in the mother’s womb and it doesn’t go a step beyond. As soon as you are a viable baby you’re on your own. Once you slide out and see the light of day, you may also see the darkness of pesticide experimentation. God creates humans for pesticide experimentation? According to 37 Republican Senators, I guess so.
You’ll notice, when you read the list of those who voted against Sen. Boxer’s amendment(see Liz's post below), a few names you might recall from the world of save the children even before they are children. Save the egg and save the sperm, but once they unite and grow and shoot through the slide of life, hey what the hell? From that point on they are fair game. Do what you like with them and their mommies too. If they live long enough, through the hell of the experimentation, then you can push them into a school that probably won’t teach them shit, and later there’s always the opportunity to serve in the meat grinder known affectionately and patriotically as the war in Iraq. According to Rumsfeld, this war could go on another twelve years so a kid who is now about six years old still might have a chance to meet and greet bleed in Iraq.
So when you wonder who loves ya baby, just remember that love began in the mother’s womb and it doesn’t go a step beyond. As soon as you are a viable baby you’re on your own. Once you slide out and see the light of day, you may also see the darkness of pesticide experimentation. God creates humans for pesticide experimentation? According to 37 Republican Senators, I guess so.
Ok this is not ha ha funny but...
In the Senate: To prohibit the use of funds by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to accept, consider, or rely on third-party intentional dosing human studies for pesticides or to conduct intentional dosing human studies for pesticides.
Vote Counts: YEAs 60
NAYs 37
Not Voting 3
If you go and look at the 37 who voted to support the use of human pesticide testing, it's the prolifers! But wait... they are only pro-life if a corporation can't make money off it.
The Culture of Life administration had "lifted a partial moratorium imposed in 1998 by the Clinton administration on using human testing for pesticide approvals. Under the change, political appointees are refereeing on a case-by-case basis any ethical disputes over human testing." (WaPo)
Corporations always trump human beings. And don't you forget it!
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Vote Counts: YEAs 60
NAYs 37
Not Voting 3
If you go and look at the 37 who voted to support the use of human pesticide testing, it's the prolifers! But wait... they are only pro-life if a corporation can't make money off it.
By a 60-37 vote, the Senate approved a provision from Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., that would block the EPA from relying on such testing _ including 24 human pesticide experiments currently under review _ as it approves or denies pesticide applications. (WaPo)
The Culture of Life administration had "lifted a partial moratorium imposed in 1998 by the Clinton administration on using human testing for pesticide approvals. Under the change, political appointees are refereeing on a case-by-case basis any ethical disputes over human testing." (WaPo)
Corporations always trump human beings. And don't you forget it!
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Time Magazine to Hand Over Reporter Notes
By PAT MILTON
Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- "Time Inc. said Thursday it would comply with a court order to deliver the notes of a reporter threatened with jail in the investigation of the leak of an undercover CIA officer's name".
Read the rest here.
Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- "Time Inc. said Thursday it would comply with a court order to deliver the notes of a reporter threatened with jail in the investigation of the leak of an undercover CIA officer's name".
Read the rest here.
Entertainment News
Honestly I don't really give a shit about entertainment news but this is just too too...
As per Crooks and Liars recently
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As per Crooks and Liars recently
Tom Cruise criticized NBC ''Today'' show host Matt Lauer on Friday when Lauer mentioned Cruise's earlier criticism of Brooke Shields for taking anti-depressants. Cruise told Lauer he didn't know what he was talking about. ''You don't know the history of psychiatry. I do,'' Cruise said.Tom Cruise is busy making a name for himself as the rudest person in hollywood...
Asked in an interview Wednesday with the German daily Bild if he believes in little green men, or whatever form they may take, Cruise said: "Yes, of course. Are you really so arrogant as to believe we are alone in this universe?" -NewsdayCruise is so arrogant that we can only hope that there are no other life forms like himself anywhere else.
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Wednesday, June 29
This Just In...
You know how the MSM really didn't cover the Downing Street Memos all that much until we made a big stink about it and they still sort of kind of covered it? Well it seems that Tony Blair is attempting to downplay their significance and of course, now the story is all over the news. The story is all over google. Go figure
And don't forget to read afterdowningstreet.org for all your DSM updates.
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(AP) British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Wednesday that the "Downing Street memos" paint a distorted picture and insisted that the Iraq war was not predetermined by the United States.
"People say the decision was already taken. The decision was not already taken," he said in an interview with The Associated Press. Blair added that he was "a bit astonished" at the intensive coverage the leaked memos, which suggested British officials had doubts about the case for war, have received in the United States.
read the rest
And don't forget to read afterdowningstreet.org for all your DSM updates.
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The daughters should serve
by Jimmy Breslin
June 29, 2005
Newsday.com
June 29, 2005
Newsday.com
If George W. Bush wants young people to get into this war so much, why doesn't he send his two daughters over to Iraq and fight for their country?
Read today what Bush has to say about fighting in Iraq. Read it on a day when we still have three women killed in Iraq, one from the Bronx.
The Bush daughters are 23, and at the Republican National Convention in New York last summer, they were a whirlwind at night. They looked as fit to fight for their country as any high school dropout.
This is an eminently fair thought. We have today the dead body of a young Latina woman from the Bronx. She comes home when it is clear that it is time for Bush to put up his own.
"Exactly! That's what I want to know," says Fiorela Valdez, sister of the dead young woman Marine, Ramona Valdez. "He doesn't have any family over there so he don't care. None of them do. I don't know of one daughter of one of them who's over in Iraq fighting the war."
read on
freedom tower unveiled
Very nice but did they have to call it the Freedom Tower?This is New York, goddammit. We don't name shit "freedom" this or "freedom" that. We have the Statue of Liberty already. Enough is enough.
Isn't it just too fucking ironic that they want to name the WTC replacement tower after what we LOST on 9/11? Oh they just keep spitting in New York's face. Keep it up, wiseguys. Keep it up.
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UPDATE: Today Newsday has a lovely flyover animation of the new
Snark Of The Day (Although John does sound a little serious)
From Counterpunch:
An Open Letter to Secretary Johanns
Put a Photo of Mad Cow #2 on a Milk Carton
By JOHN STAUBER
Dear Secretary Johanns,
Is there any truth to the rumor that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will soon print a photo of U.S. mad cow #2 ("Cow Jane Doe") onto the side panel of milk cartons?
Is it true that the USDA is so lost and desperate to find the herd she came from that you are turning to the tried-and-true milk carton method? Are you hoping that some member of the milk-drinking or cow-milking public will recognize her image on a carton and call you?
Using the milk carton method sounds like a good idea at this oh-so-late date, seven months after this mad cow first tested positive, and seven months after she then tested negative at your state-of-the-art (and I do mean art!) USDA lab.
Lots of news reports have suggested that Cow Jane Doe was from Texas, so you could probably save taxpayer money by just printing her picture on Lone Star State milk cartons. (Maybe she belonged to some of the those tough Texas cattlemen who sued Oprah for trying to warn us about mad cow in the USA back in 1996; that would be sweet western justice, indeed!)
Just have USDA print these words under her bovine image on the milk carton: "Do you recognize me? I'm a mad cow probably from Texas. If I look familiar, please call USDA Secretary Mike Johanns at 1-800-MadCow#2 and tell him all about me."
Finally, is anyone's USDA job on the line for gross incompetence and suspected corruption in this case of the missing mad cow? Or is this one of those national security-type snafus where nobody is held accountable and whoever should be will instead receive a Medal of Freedom from former Texas governor George Bush?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Sincerely,
John Stauber
John Stauber works for the Center for Media and Democracy, a nonprofit organization based in Madison, Wisconsin. He is the co-author of Mad Cow USA.
An Open Letter to Secretary Johanns
Put a Photo of Mad Cow #2 on a Milk Carton
By JOHN STAUBER
Dear Secretary Johanns,
Is there any truth to the rumor that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will soon print a photo of U.S. mad cow #2 ("Cow Jane Doe") onto the side panel of milk cartons?
Is it true that the USDA is so lost and desperate to find the herd she came from that you are turning to the tried-and-true milk carton method? Are you hoping that some member of the milk-drinking or cow-milking public will recognize her image on a carton and call you?
Using the milk carton method sounds like a good idea at this oh-so-late date, seven months after this mad cow first tested positive, and seven months after she then tested negative at your state-of-the-art (and I do mean art!) USDA lab.
Lots of news reports have suggested that Cow Jane Doe was from Texas, so you could probably save taxpayer money by just printing her picture on Lone Star State milk cartons. (Maybe she belonged to some of the those tough Texas cattlemen who sued Oprah for trying to warn us about mad cow in the USA back in 1996; that would be sweet western justice, indeed!)
Just have USDA print these words under her bovine image on the milk carton: "Do you recognize me? I'm a mad cow probably from Texas. If I look familiar, please call USDA Secretary Mike Johanns at 1-800-MadCow#2 and tell him all about me."
Finally, is anyone's USDA job on the line for gross incompetence and suspected corruption in this case of the missing mad cow? Or is this one of those national security-type snafus where nobody is held accountable and whoever should be will instead receive a Medal of Freedom from former Texas governor George Bush?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Sincerely,
John Stauber
John Stauber works for the Center for Media and Democracy, a nonprofit organization based in Madison, Wisconsin. He is the co-author of Mad Cow USA.
I Just Love Charlie Rangel
Hannity on his dumb show last night (via Crooks and Liars) said that Democrats are "playing politics" and Charlie Rangel (D) NY, explains that Iraq war was planned long before 9/11... which we already know. Colmes was awesome and brought out proof. Hannity after hearing proof, still accuses Rangel of being a conspiracy theorist. This is not a Democrat/Republican thing. It's a willful ignorance vs truth telling thing. When will they get it?
I wonder how much Sean Insanity is paid to bark for the bushistas? Or maybe he is just stoopid. Here's a link to the video (WMV)
I wonder how much Sean Insanity is paid to bark for the bushistas? Or maybe he is just stoopid. Here's a link to the video (WMV)
Why Isn't Novak Going To Jail?
Robert Novak actually outed Valerie Plame in writing yet he is not facing jail. He is not being forced to reveal his source. Who is protecting him in the White House? Who told him to go ahead and out Ms Plame in retaliation for her husband, former ambassador Joseph C. Wilson's, claim that bush exaggerated evidence and that there was no yellow cake uranium sale between Niger and Iraq? Someone must have told him that they'd watch his back.
Judith Miller didn't write anything about this. The courts know who she spoke to in the government about the story so how come no one is asking them? How can she be responsible for a national security crime when it was Bob Novak who outed a CIA agent? How come the whole administration isn't issued a subpoena to testify as to who deliberately outed Ms Plame?
How obvious is this administration in its contempt for the media? Perhaps this gives us a clue as to why the media has appeared to be so complicit with the propaganda of the government and willing to blindly go along with the war when the reasons spewed by the government leading up to the war were indeed lies.
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Judith Miller didn't write anything about this. The courts know who she spoke to in the government about the story so how come no one is asking them? How can she be responsible for a national security crime when it was Bob Novak who outed a CIA agent? How come the whole administration isn't issued a subpoena to testify as to who deliberately outed Ms Plame?
How obvious is this administration in its contempt for the media? Perhaps this gives us a clue as to why the media has appeared to be so complicit with the propaganda of the government and willing to blindly go along with the war when the reasons spewed by the government leading up to the war were indeed lies.
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Not the 9/11 Thing Again
Well I couldn't watch it so I read the transcript and as usual bushie declared that Iraq happened because of 9/11. He has a very short memory. He also tried to make it sound like we wouldn't have invaded Iraq unless there was a 9/11. Those of us who have followed everything coming out of this administration since the get go know that they have changed their story ad nauseum and even those who started paying attention recently have realized that bushie is so full of shit you can't believe anything he says anymore. Obviously bushie did not believe the 9/11 Commission Report. This calls for the citizens to demand another 9/11 Commission.If this war is so important, I would like to see bushie's daughters and all the bush relatives of military age to enlist at once, get their arses over there to Iraq and kick some butt just to show the American people that this war is worth the sacrifice.
Tuesday, June 28
"Vengeance Is Mine, Saith The...Land Developers"?
Chap named "My Pet Goat" blogging over at the Dark Wraith Forums tipped me off to this delectable morsel:
"Could a hotel be built on the land owned by Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter? A new ruling by the Supreme Court which was supported by Justice Souter himself itself might allow it. A private developer is seeking to use this very law to build a hotel on Souter's land.
"Justice Souter's vote in the "Kelo vs. City of New London" decision allows city governments to take land from one private owner and give it to another if the government will generate greater tax revenue or other economic benefits when the land is developed by the new owner.
"Clements, CEO of Freestar Media, LLC, points out that the City of Weare will certainly gain greater tax revenue and economic benefits with a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road than allowing Mr. Souter to own the land.
"The proposed development, called "The Lost Liberty Hotel" will feature the "Just Desserts Café" and include a museum, open to the public, featuring a permanent exhibit on the loss of freedom in America. Instead of a Gideon's Bible each guest will receive a free copy of Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged."
Check out the entire article at Free Nation.
"Could a hotel be built on the land owned by Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter? A new ruling by the Supreme Court which was supported by Justice Souter himself itself might allow it. A private developer is seeking to use this very law to build a hotel on Souter's land.
"Justice Souter's vote in the "Kelo vs. City of New London" decision allows city governments to take land from one private owner and give it to another if the government will generate greater tax revenue or other economic benefits when the land is developed by the new owner.
"Clements, CEO of Freestar Media, LLC, points out that the City of Weare will certainly gain greater tax revenue and economic benefits with a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road than allowing Mr. Souter to own the land.
"The proposed development, called "The Lost Liberty Hotel" will feature the "Just Desserts Café" and include a museum, open to the public, featuring a permanent exhibit on the loss of freedom in America. Instead of a Gideon's Bible each guest will receive a free copy of Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged."
Check out the entire article at Free Nation.
In Their Own Words:
Dahr Jamail received this letter from an Iraqi who asked him to pass it on to the American people:
"From an Iraqi citizen to the American people:
"We always have thought that you are citizens; away from the savageness which controls many people in the world because you suffered from the injustice of your own occupation more than two hundred and fifty years ago. Therefore, you picked up weapons against the occupiers until you forced him to go out of your state which was a great victory for you.
"Naturally, this occupier was giving unreasonable justifications for his stay in your country. Like any occupation, no country ever admit that they occupy some land but always says that they are a liberator of the people who are then unable to govern themselves and so on…
"Such reasons cannot change the origin of occupation.
"Nowadays, your army is occupying our homeland, destroying our homes and killing our men, women, and our children. The occupation is leaving this country full of chaos to the point we are now facing so many disasters, including suffering from looting and robbery.
"Sudden attacks and cruel murders have been perpetrated by your army who then prevent all people from submitting judicial complaints. This encourages all soldiers to kill thoughtlessly without any threat of trial.
"We have seen our Holy Quran desecrated by soldiers, but you continue to say your soldiers do not do what the Mogul and Barbarians did in the lands they occupied.
"Your soldiers did many immoral acts but your government leaders have done even more.
"We, the Iraqi people, do not put the responsibility of this on your shoulders because you are a people and not your government. But when the people have a decision in the fate of their country and decide to go in a direction which only benefits the government, this means that the people are satisfied with their governments’ actions.
"When you elected Mr. Bush for the second time, this was a declaration from you of being satisfied with all his acts in violation of the holiness of a state which shares a place with yours in the United Nations Security Council
"Has the age of occupation returned back to a place where agreements and treaties and international laws which forbid aggression are useless? When the people who chose to defend their land and reject the occupier are then described by your government as a terrorist? How long have you heard that an occupation which continues will have no resistance against it? Do you refer to the patriots of your own country as terrorists in your history books?
"Have you ever heard that there is a peaceful occupation? One that ended in victory for the occupier?
"American people, please remember the land of Iraq and remember the Iraqi people and think of yourselves as if you were in our place. In this way you will realize what Iraqis suffer.
"I am an Iraqi who bears no grudge against any person all over the world. We simply wish that other people may realize our suffering now, especially the people who do not support their thoughtless governments and their aggressive acts. For the people who support these corrupted governments will be responsible for them, and history will hold them responsible for allowing this tragedy to have occurred.
"This will be a shame on their ancestors who will not be able to hide this black page of history.
"Thank to the American people for listening attentively, and I am wishing you reasonableness and the ability to comprehend the truth".
"From an Iraqi citizen to the American people:
"We always have thought that you are citizens; away from the savageness which controls many people in the world because you suffered from the injustice of your own occupation more than two hundred and fifty years ago. Therefore, you picked up weapons against the occupiers until you forced him to go out of your state which was a great victory for you.
"Naturally, this occupier was giving unreasonable justifications for his stay in your country. Like any occupation, no country ever admit that they occupy some land but always says that they are a liberator of the people who are then unable to govern themselves and so on…
"Such reasons cannot change the origin of occupation.
"Nowadays, your army is occupying our homeland, destroying our homes and killing our men, women, and our children. The occupation is leaving this country full of chaos to the point we are now facing so many disasters, including suffering from looting and robbery.
"Sudden attacks and cruel murders have been perpetrated by your army who then prevent all people from submitting judicial complaints. This encourages all soldiers to kill thoughtlessly without any threat of trial.
"We have seen our Holy Quran desecrated by soldiers, but you continue to say your soldiers do not do what the Mogul and Barbarians did in the lands they occupied.
"Your soldiers did many immoral acts but your government leaders have done even more.
"We, the Iraqi people, do not put the responsibility of this on your shoulders because you are a people and not your government. But when the people have a decision in the fate of their country and decide to go in a direction which only benefits the government, this means that the people are satisfied with their governments’ actions.
"When you elected Mr. Bush for the second time, this was a declaration from you of being satisfied with all his acts in violation of the holiness of a state which shares a place with yours in the United Nations Security Council
"Has the age of occupation returned back to a place where agreements and treaties and international laws which forbid aggression are useless? When the people who chose to defend their land and reject the occupier are then described by your government as a terrorist? How long have you heard that an occupation which continues will have no resistance against it? Do you refer to the patriots of your own country as terrorists in your history books?
"Have you ever heard that there is a peaceful occupation? One that ended in victory for the occupier?
"American people, please remember the land of Iraq and remember the Iraqi people and think of yourselves as if you were in our place. In this way you will realize what Iraqis suffer.
"I am an Iraqi who bears no grudge against any person all over the world. We simply wish that other people may realize our suffering now, especially the people who do not support their thoughtless governments and their aggressive acts. For the people who support these corrupted governments will be responsible for them, and history will hold them responsible for allowing this tragedy to have occurred.
"This will be a shame on their ancestors who will not be able to hide this black page of history.
"Thank to the American people for listening attentively, and I am wishing you reasonableness and the ability to comprehend the truth".
He Doesn't Pay Attention To Polls
But I like this one.
Luckily Scottie reminded us of that fateful day in 2001 that we Americans keep forgetting about, in order to get us ready for his boss's speech tonight:
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The ABC News/Washington Post poll showed that 51 percent of Americans disapprove of the two-term president's overall performance, with 40 percent strongly disapproving.Yesterday at a WH Press briefing, a reporter asked Scottie: "But why is public support dropping so much?"
Comparatively, former president Bill Clinton's highest strong disapproval rating peaked at 33 percent in 1994, while the strong disapproval rating for Bush's father George H.W. Bush reached 34 percent in 1992, according to the poll.
Has anyone seen grizzly war images on their television screens? I haven't.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we're a nation at war, and war is something that is very tough. It is tough to see the images of violence on the screens of our televisions. The terrorists, all they can do is try to -- as Secretary Rumsfeld and General Abizaid talked about yesterday, all they can do is seek to grab headlines by spreading their destruction and fear and violence and attacking innocent civilians. They have no vision to offer, they have no alternative to offer the Iraqi people. All they seek to do is spread an ideology of hatred and oppression.
And so when you see those images on your TV screens, people are rightly disturbed by those images...
Luckily Scottie reminded us of that fateful day in 2001 that we Americans keep forgetting about, in order to get us ready for his boss's speech tonight:
I keep forgetting that we are blowing up Iraq because we were attacked on 9/11. Silly me.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think if you go back to September 11th -- remember, on September 11th the threats of the 21st century were brought to our shores. We saw in a very clear way the threats that we face on that day.
And the President said shortly after the attacks of September 11th that this is a long struggle that we're going to be in, that this is a different kind of war, one which we have never seen before. And we do face a determined and ruthless enemy, an enemy that has no regard for innocent human life. That's the nature of the enemy that we're up against. That's the nature of the enemy that the President will be talking about in his remarks tomorrow night.
And the President made it clear after September 11th that some will want us to grow complacent and forget about, or put the attacks off as a distant memory. But it does require patience and resolve to see this struggle through to the end. We have no option but to defeat the terrorists, and the terrorists will be defeated.
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Chinese Government Emulates American Government--Underreports Death Tolls
Subtitle: Who Leads In The Race To Kill Humans--Disease or George?
BEIJING -- "Avian flu has killed 5,000 wild birds in China's northwest, the World Health Organization said Tuesday, five times the number previously reported by the Chinese government". AP/Wash.Post story here.
"US military personnel who died in German hospitals or en route to German hospitals have not previously been counted. They total about 6,210 as of 1 January, 2005". That story by Brian Harring is here.
BEIJING -- "Avian flu has killed 5,000 wild birds in China's northwest, the World Health Organization said Tuesday, five times the number previously reported by the Chinese government". AP/Wash.Post story here.
"US military personnel who died in German hospitals or en route to German hospitals have not previously been counted. They total about 6,210 as of 1 January, 2005". That story by Brian Harring is here.
In Case You Needed Proof We're Losing The War In Iraq...
"After weeks of delicate negotiation involving a former Iraqi minister and senior tribal leaders, a small group of insurgent commanders apparently came face to face with four American officials seeking to establish a dialogue with the men they regard as their enemies".
The complete article is at International Clearing House.
Apparently, we're not losing the Colombian war as evidenced by these comments:
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) -- Colombia's main leftist rebel group offered on Monday to swap three kidnapped American defense contractors for two guerrilla leaders jailed in the United States, but the U.S. government immediately rejected the proposal".
You can read the AP article here.
The complete article is at International Clearing House.
Apparently, we're not losing the Colombian war as evidenced by these comments:
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) -- Colombia's main leftist rebel group offered on Monday to swap three kidnapped American defense contractors for two guerrilla leaders jailed in the United States, but the U.S. government immediately rejected the proposal".
You can read the AP article here.
Monday, June 27
Oh They DID plan for after the war
Patricia sent this to me from Dahr Jamail Dispatch:
PoP: Guess there was some planning for after the war, but not the kind that was needed.
Liz: Ah... we're playing god!
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"Herbert Docena, researcher with the group 'Focus on the Global South'
who has studied Iraq's reconstruction and political transition pointed to the economic and political forces behind the invasion and occupation of Iraq.
”As early as February 2003, the U.S. had finished drafting what the Wall Street Journal called 'sweeping plans to remake Iraq's economy in the US's image',” Docena said. ”Just as the U.S. bombed out and physically obliterated almost all of Iraq's ministries, the plan entails the repeal of almost all of its current laws and the dismantling of its existing institutions, except those that already fit in with the U.S. design.”
PoP: Guess there was some planning for after the war, but not the kind that was needed.
Liz: Ah... we're playing god!
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New Rule: No Ten Commandments In Courthouses
Today a split Supreme Court struck down Ten Commandments displays in courthouses Monday, ruling that two exhibits in Kentucky cross the line between separation of church and state because they promote a religious message. I agree.
Honestly, the 10 commandments don't have a hell of a lot to do with our laws... humans would have figured out the difference between good and bad without the bible. Why judges felt the need to post a religious statement at their courthouses still beats me. Perhaps they felt that the threat of hell fire would be a better deterrent than jail... I don't know. I covered this stuff at length previously and analyzed the biblical chapters that refer to the 10 Commandments and cross posted it at "Was Blind But Now I See".
The funny part is that if America really adopted the "You shall not covet" commandment, our economy would collapse.
UPDATE: Oh wait, you CAN display the 10 Commandments on government land but NOT in court. Here are the details... and they are very vague.
AND
A 6-foot-granite monument on the grounds of the Texas Capitol — one of 17 historical displays on the 22-acre lot — was determined to be a legitimate tribute to the nation's legal and religious history.
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Honestly, the 10 commandments don't have a hell of a lot to do with our laws... humans would have figured out the difference between good and bad without the bible. Why judges felt the need to post a religious statement at their courthouses still beats me. Perhaps they felt that the threat of hell fire would be a better deterrent than jail... I don't know. I covered this stuff at length previously and analyzed the biblical chapters that refer to the 10 Commandments and cross posted it at "Was Blind But Now I See".
The funny part is that if America really adopted the "You shall not covet" commandment, our economy would collapse.
UPDATE: Oh wait, you CAN display the 10 Commandments on government land but NOT in court. Here are the details... and they are very vague.
AND
A 6-foot-granite monument on the grounds of the Texas Capitol — one of 17 historical displays on the 22-acre lot — was determined to be a legitimate tribute to the nation's legal and religious history.
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Good Morning and See Ya Later
Mr. Pop and I will be away for a couple of days. He will be doing Mr. Pop work and I will be having fun and chilling for a bit.
While I’m away, I want you guys to please be sweet to one another. See you later in the week.
I’ll leave you with Dahr Jamail’s most recent report:
"The jury of conscience has just released its recommendations after the culminating session of the World Tribunal on Iraq came to its conclusion. I’ll post the news story I wrote on this later, which will provide more details.
"I will add now, as a preface to a letter I received just now from an Iraqi who asked me to pass it on to the American people, that the jury made the following recommendations:
"The recommendations made by the jury included the demand for an immediate, unconditional withdraw of all occupation forces, the governments of the coalition to pay full compensation to Iraqis for any and all damages, and that all laws, contracts, treaties and institutions created under the occupation that Iraqi people deem harmful or un-useful to them be banished.
"Other recommendations included immediate investigations of crimes against humanity for Mr. George Bush, Tony Blair, and every other president of countries belonging to the coalition. In addition, the jury called for a process of accountability to begin to bring justice to journalists and media outlets that lied and promoted the violence against Iraq, as well as including corporations who have profited from the war".
Go here Iraq Dispatches to read the rest.
While I’m away, I want you guys to please be sweet to one another. See you later in the week.
I’ll leave you with Dahr Jamail’s most recent report:
"The jury of conscience has just released its recommendations after the culminating session of the World Tribunal on Iraq came to its conclusion. I’ll post the news story I wrote on this later, which will provide more details.
"I will add now, as a preface to a letter I received just now from an Iraqi who asked me to pass it on to the American people, that the jury made the following recommendations:
"The recommendations made by the jury included the demand for an immediate, unconditional withdraw of all occupation forces, the governments of the coalition to pay full compensation to Iraqis for any and all damages, and that all laws, contracts, treaties and institutions created under the occupation that Iraqi people deem harmful or un-useful to them be banished.
"Other recommendations included immediate investigations of crimes against humanity for Mr. George Bush, Tony Blair, and every other president of countries belonging to the coalition. In addition, the jury called for a process of accountability to begin to bring justice to journalists and media outlets that lied and promoted the violence against Iraq, as well as including corporations who have profited from the war".
Go here Iraq Dispatches to read the rest.
Sunday, June 26
The US: We are NOT as bad as Nazi's, Pol Pot or Stalin
“They’re living in the tropics. They’re well fed. They’ve got everything they could possibility want,” said Dick Cheney about Gitmo, called America's Gulag by Amnesty International. Why he and Lush Bimbo make Gitmo sound so fabulous that senior citizens who are eating dog food should be begging for admission.
When Dick Durbin said "If I read this to you, and did not tell you that it was an FBI agent describing what Americans had done to prisoners in their control, you would most certainly believe this must have been done by the Nazis, Soviets in their gulags or some mad regime--Pol Pot or others--that had no concern for human beings," right wingers went insane.
How could any American use the word Nazi when describing something as American as torture? Most people had to go to the internets and look up Pol Pot but they knew that we couldn't possibly be anything like the Nazi's because we haven't killed 6 million Jews yet. The wingers went insane over Durbin's last comparison comment ... but you see it didn't matter one bit what the FBI man described. Wingers simply do not care about torture because you know the drill, "We were attacked on 9/11 and we can do anything we want now. Fuck you."
"Our men and women in uniform go out of their way to treat detainees humanely, and they go out of their way to uphold the values and the laws that we hold so dear in this country," McClellan said.
Well then who are the people who are "not being all that nice" to the prisoners if they are not our men and women in uniform?
When I read that Congress had nothing better to do than to come up with an amendment that bans flag burning, I got an overwhelming urge to burn a flag. I have never wanted to do that before, but for some reason, now that it will become a crime so serious that they had to make an amendment banning it because nothing else is really very important these days, I just can't seem to get the thought out of my head. I do hope that they will take this all the way and ban all graven images of the stars and stripes because those on the verge of death on 9/11 would have wanted it that way.
Last week bush's brain declared to the NY Conservative Party: that "Liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers." Conservatives, he said, "saw the savagery of 9/11 and the attacks and prepared for war."
Democrats went nuts this time. They most certainly did not offer therapy. Liberals I know didn't offer therapy either. From what I remember, the US went marching off to Afghanistan by October and I didn't hear Democratic politicians screaming about that. For me, everything Rove said was very telling. He implied that conservatives are hot headed pricks, the Joe Pesci's of 'Goodfellas', who shoot first and think later... maybe. Don't apologize Karl. Your point was well taken.
.
When Dick Durbin said "If I read this to you, and did not tell you that it was an FBI agent describing what Americans had done to prisoners in their control, you would most certainly believe this must have been done by the Nazis, Soviets in their gulags or some mad regime--Pol Pot or others--that had no concern for human beings," right wingers went insane.
How could any American use the word Nazi when describing something as American as torture? Most people had to go to the internets and look up Pol Pot but they knew that we couldn't possibly be anything like the Nazi's because we haven't killed 6 million Jews yet. The wingers went insane over Durbin's last comparison comment ... but you see it didn't matter one bit what the FBI man described. Wingers simply do not care about torture because you know the drill, "We were attacked on 9/11 and we can do anything we want now. Fuck you."
"Our men and women in uniform go out of their way to treat detainees humanely, and they go out of their way to uphold the values and the laws that we hold so dear in this country," McClellan said.
Well then who are the people who are "not being all that nice" to the prisoners if they are not our men and women in uniform?
When I read that Congress had nothing better to do than to come up with an amendment that bans flag burning, I got an overwhelming urge to burn a flag. I have never wanted to do that before, but for some reason, now that it will become a crime so serious that they had to make an amendment banning it because nothing else is really very important these days, I just can't seem to get the thought out of my head. I do hope that they will take this all the way and ban all graven images of the stars and stripes because those on the verge of death on 9/11 would have wanted it that way.
Last week bush's brain declared to the NY Conservative Party: that "Liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers." Conservatives, he said, "saw the savagery of 9/11 and the attacks and prepared for war."
Democrats went nuts this time. They most certainly did not offer therapy. Liberals I know didn't offer therapy either. From what I remember, the US went marching off to Afghanistan by October and I didn't hear Democratic politicians screaming about that. For me, everything Rove said was very telling. He implied that conservatives are hot headed pricks, the Joe Pesci's of 'Goodfellas', who shoot first and think later... maybe. Don't apologize Karl. Your point was well taken.
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Saturday, June 25
Sea Turtle in a Swimming Pool or Just Another Saturday at My House
About an hour ago, Mr. Pop got a call informing him that a green sea turtle (link for neat photo) crawled out of the Atlantic Ocean last night to dig her nest cavity and lay her eggs beneath the sand of the beach. There was a small problem. She crawled onto the beach, over the dune and into the back area of a beachfront condominium There she proceeded to lumber through a gap in the fence surrounding the condo’s swimming pool and then she plunged into the swimming pool. Not knowing how to use the steps she remains there in the pool. Mr. Pop is on his way to pick up a net and then to rescue the damsel in distress. I believe he said that the turtle nested in the sand near the pool before she took her dip.
Ha Ha! Mr. Pop thought the biggest thing facing him this morning was mowing our yard. “A sexually mature green sea turtle weighs 200-350 pounds with a carapace length of 2.5 feet. Adults grow to a carapace length of 3.5 feet and weigh an average of 400 pounds.” (link)
I’ll let you know how this all works out and hopefully there will be pictures that I can share. All the local media folks are scrambling to get their share of the excitement.
Ha Ha! Mr. Pop thought the biggest thing facing him this morning was mowing our yard. “A sexually mature green sea turtle weighs 200-350 pounds with a carapace length of 2.5 feet. Adults grow to a carapace length of 3.5 feet and weigh an average of 400 pounds.” (link)
I’ll let you know how this all works out and hopefully there will be pictures that I can share. All the local media folks are scrambling to get their share of the excitement.
College Republicans Channel Themselves to Iraq War
(Or Tiffanee is Just Begging for a Snarking)
Well I tell you what, things are a lot different this morning. Strange things are happening.
First we find that young college Republicans are channeling combat from home. Okay, yeah, it requires drinking a couple of gallons of cheap beer first, but it can happen.
Here’s an example of the channeling from Crooks and Liars (Link):
"I physically probably couldn't do a whole lot" in Iraq, said Tiffanee Hokel, 18, of Webster City, Iowa, who called the war a moral imperative. She knows people posted in Iraq, but she didn't flinch when asked why she wouldn't go. "I think I could do more here," Hokel said, adding that she's focusing on political action that supports the war and the troops.
"We don't have to be there physically to fight it," she said.
Now stop laughing, I think Miss Hokel (and yes, her last name doesn’t help her case) is dead serious. She can stay here in the states and do a whole hell of a lot to stop the insurgency in Iraq. She’s cheap to keep too. No uniform, no MREs, no bandages, no up-armored vehicle required and no chance of a flag draped coffin in her future. Okay, there is the expense of the cheap beer, (link) but there is also “moral imperative”. Miss Hokel feels that she "physically probably couldn’t do a whole lot" in Iraq. Bless her heart, she has so little self-confidence. Sure you could, Tiffanee. You would make lovely cannon fodder just like all the rest. If you were in Iraq you could get a real camouflage suit. You and your pals wouldn’t have to buy the fake stuff they sell at the mall. You can do it Tiffanee--we believe in you--and don’t forget the “moral imperative”. That sounds so much nicer than "war", doesn’t it?
Yes, Miss Hokel is a warrior not amongst warriors, unless of course you count her fellow Yellow Elephants.
We need more battlefield photos of these young Republicans as they virtually wage their battle against those who hate our virtual and sadly disappearing freedom. They are staging now from a convention hall. The troops are ready for combat, a bit tipsy perhaps, but shit happens.
While Miss Hokel is engaged in virtual combat, "Washington has for the first time acknowledged to the United Nations that prisoners have been tortured at US detention centers in Guantanamo Bay, as well as Afghanistan and Iraq, a UN source said."(Link) Miss Hokel doesn’t have to worry about being taken prisoner by the enemy since she’s pretty safe at the mall on most days. There’s not been a lot of combat action reported from The Gap front. But ya’ never know. Enemy insurgents could storm the sale rack and buy up all the peasant blouses. You gotta stay on top of everything these days.
To make matters a bit worse, if that’s possible, “An Italian judge has ordered the arrest of 13 officers and operatives of the CIA on charges that they seized an Egyptian cleric on a Milan street two years ago and flew him to Egypt for questioning, Italian prosecutors and investigators said Friday.” (Link) Oops. CIA gets caught with thirteen fingers in the Italian cookie jar. How do you say criminals in Italian?
So as Miss Hokel and her buds sweat and pee, but never bleed in their pretend war, all hell is breaking out in the real world. Nice work, young Repulsive-icons college kiddos. Just keep doing the dirty work of promoting the war and drinking cheap-ass beer. I’m sure the men and women who are ACTUALLY SERVING IN THE MILITARY appreciate your efforts as you are “focusing on political action that supports the war and the troops”. When the, for real don’t cha know, soldiers are dodging bullets in 112 degree temperature in a land where most people hate their guts, I’m sure it makes life easier for them just knowing that a group of college kids are comfortably, virtually, fighting along with them from the comfort of home. And like Miss Hokel said, “We don't have to be there physically to fight it.” Ain’t it the truth Miss Hokel, ain’t it the truth. I for one appreciate your service, especially your lip service which is just as transparent as your dedication. Carry on, soldier.
Well I tell you what, things are a lot different this morning. Strange things are happening.
First we find that young college Republicans are channeling combat from home. Okay, yeah, it requires drinking a couple of gallons of cheap beer first, but it can happen.
Here’s an example of the channeling from Crooks and Liars (Link):
"I physically probably couldn't do a whole lot" in Iraq, said Tiffanee Hokel, 18, of Webster City, Iowa, who called the war a moral imperative. She knows people posted in Iraq, but she didn't flinch when asked why she wouldn't go. "I think I could do more here," Hokel said, adding that she's focusing on political action that supports the war and the troops.
"We don't have to be there physically to fight it," she said.
Now stop laughing, I think Miss Hokel (and yes, her last name doesn’t help her case) is dead serious. She can stay here in the states and do a whole hell of a lot to stop the insurgency in Iraq. She’s cheap to keep too. No uniform, no MREs, no bandages, no up-armored vehicle required and no chance of a flag draped coffin in her future. Okay, there is the expense of the cheap beer, (link) but there is also “moral imperative”. Miss Hokel feels that she "physically probably couldn’t do a whole lot" in Iraq. Bless her heart, she has so little self-confidence. Sure you could, Tiffanee. You would make lovely cannon fodder just like all the rest. If you were in Iraq you could get a real camouflage suit. You and your pals wouldn’t have to buy the fake stuff they sell at the mall. You can do it Tiffanee--we believe in you--and don’t forget the “moral imperative”. That sounds so much nicer than "war", doesn’t it?
Yes, Miss Hokel is a warrior not amongst warriors, unless of course you count her fellow Yellow Elephants.
We need more battlefield photos of these young Republicans as they virtually wage their battle against those who hate our virtual and sadly disappearing freedom. They are staging now from a convention hall. The troops are ready for combat, a bit tipsy perhaps, but shit happens.
While Miss Hokel is engaged in virtual combat, "Washington has for the first time acknowledged to the United Nations that prisoners have been tortured at US detention centers in Guantanamo Bay, as well as Afghanistan and Iraq, a UN source said."(Link) Miss Hokel doesn’t have to worry about being taken prisoner by the enemy since she’s pretty safe at the mall on most days. There’s not been a lot of combat action reported from The Gap front. But ya’ never know. Enemy insurgents could storm the sale rack and buy up all the peasant blouses. You gotta stay on top of everything these days.
To make matters a bit worse, if that’s possible, “An Italian judge has ordered the arrest of 13 officers and operatives of the CIA on charges that they seized an Egyptian cleric on a Milan street two years ago and flew him to Egypt for questioning, Italian prosecutors and investigators said Friday.” (Link) Oops. CIA gets caught with thirteen fingers in the Italian cookie jar. How do you say criminals in Italian?
So as Miss Hokel and her buds sweat and pee, but never bleed in their pretend war, all hell is breaking out in the real world. Nice work, young Repulsive-icons college kiddos. Just keep doing the dirty work of promoting the war and drinking cheap-ass beer. I’m sure the men and women who are ACTUALLY SERVING IN THE MILITARY appreciate your efforts as you are “focusing on political action that supports the war and the troops”. When the, for real don’t cha know, soldiers are dodging bullets in 112 degree temperature in a land where most people hate their guts, I’m sure it makes life easier for them just knowing that a group of college kids are comfortably, virtually, fighting along with them from the comfort of home. And like Miss Hokel said, “We don't have to be there physically to fight it.” Ain’t it the truth Miss Hokel, ain’t it the truth. I for one appreciate your service, especially your lip service which is just as transparent as your dedication. Carry on, soldier.
Friday, June 24
You Simply Must Hear This
Today the author of the Hillary bashing book, Ed Klein was on Air America with Al Franken and Joe Conason. Man you should have heard Al and Joe question him. From what I could gather, the book is based on hearsay and the author had no intention of checking to see if what he wrote was in fact true. Crooks and Liars has the audio. Yay!
Once again, the Associated Press shows its prejudice.
The headline reads: "Female U.S. Marines Ambushed in Iraq".
Notice the "triggering" words: "Female" "Ambushed" designed to enflame the emotions?
The story's here.
Notice the "triggering" words: "Female" "Ambushed" designed to enflame the emotions?
The story's here.
The Day America Died
By DOUG THOMPSON
"America as a free nation died Thursday. Death came without mercy at the hands of the United States Supreme Court which ruled, in a split 5-4 decision, that a city has the right to steal an American citizen’s property without due course and turn it over to private developers.
"Death came to America after a prolonged period of life support. The United States has, for too long, been in a persistent vegetative state, brought on by a government that has abandoned the protections once guaranteed by the Constitution. The Bush administration, using fear of terrorism as a political sledgehammer, has stripped Americans of the right to counsel, the right to privacy and threatened even freedom of expression by suggesting that anyone who dares disagree with Dubya’s extremist right-wing views is a traitor to the flag".
Read the rest at Capitol Hill Blue.
"America as a free nation died Thursday. Death came without mercy at the hands of the United States Supreme Court which ruled, in a split 5-4 decision, that a city has the right to steal an American citizen’s property without due course and turn it over to private developers.
"Death came to America after a prolonged period of life support. The United States has, for too long, been in a persistent vegetative state, brought on by a government that has abandoned the protections once guaranteed by the Constitution. The Bush administration, using fear of terrorism as a political sledgehammer, has stripped Americans of the right to counsel, the right to privacy and threatened even freedom of expression by suggesting that anyone who dares disagree with Dubya’s extremist right-wing views is a traitor to the flag".
Read the rest at Capitol Hill Blue.
Another Voice
Kristen Breitweiser writes Karl Rove’s “Understanding of 9/11”
“More to the point, Karl when you say, “Conservatives saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and prepared for war,” what exactly did you do to prepare for your war? Did your preparations include: sound intelligence to warrant your actions; a reasonable entry and exit strategy coupled with a coherent plan to carry out that strategy; the proper training and equipment for the troops you were sending in to fight your war? Did you follow the advice of experts such as General Shinseki who correctly advised you about the troop levels needed to actually succeed in Iraq? No, you didn't.”
Read it all
“More to the point, Karl when you say, “Conservatives saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and prepared for war,” what exactly did you do to prepare for your war? Did your preparations include: sound intelligence to warrant your actions; a reasonable entry and exit strategy coupled with a coherent plan to carry out that strategy; the proper training and equipment for the troops you were sending in to fight your war? Did you follow the advice of experts such as General Shinseki who correctly advised you about the troop levels needed to actually succeed in Iraq? No, you didn't.”
Read it all
Proof That Liberals Are What Karl Rove Said They Are
by Ken "Help, I'm Stuck In the Closet and Can't Get Out" Mehlman
Then the newswire goes on to PROVE that liberals are weenies... or whatever...
Anyway, I don't see what is wrong with the PROOF that many people wanted the government to act with restraint. It's not like we were invaded by a country... and on 9/12 and 9/13, there was no proof of who was responsible. Is it supposed to be a bad thing that not all Americans are trigger happy?
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WASHINGTON, June 23 /U.S. Newswire/ -- "It's outrageous that the same Democrats who stood by Dick Durbin's libeling of our military are now expressing faux outrage over Karl Rove's statement of historical fact. George Soros, Michael Moore, MoveOn and the hard left were wrong after 9/11, just as it was wrong for Democrat leaders to stand by and remain silent after Dick Durbin made his deplorable comments." (RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman)
Then the newswire goes on to PROVE that liberals are weenies... or whatever...
Liberal Third Party Groups Urged Restraint, Blamed America:Notice how they used the internets to back up their thesis. You can read the whole thang here .
Immediately After 9/11, MoveOn.Org Petition Urged "Moderation And Restraint" And Use Of "International Judicial Institutions."
-- "We, The Undersigned, Citizens And Residents Of The United States Of America ... Appeal To The President Of The United States, George W. Bush ... And To All Leaders Internationally To Use Moderation And Restraint In Responding To The Recent Terrorist Attacks Against The United States." (MoveOn.Org Website, "MoveOn Peace,"
http://web.archive.org/web/20021127190638/peace.moveon.org/petition.php3, Posted 9/13/01, Accessed 6/23/05)
-- "We Implore The Powers That Be To Use, Wherever Possible, International Judicial Institutions And International Human Rights Law To Bring To Justice Those Responsible For The Attacks, Rather Than The Instruments Of War, Violence Or Destruction." (MoveOn.Org Website, "MoveOn Peace,"
http://web.archive.org/web/20021127190638/peace.moveon.org/petition.php3, Posted 9/13/01, Accessed 6/23/05)
-- "(W)e Demand That There Be No Recourse To Nuclear, Chemical Or Biological Weapons, Or Any Weapons Of Indiscriminate Destruction, And Feel That It Is Our Inalienable Human Right To Live In A World Free Of Such Arms." (MoveOn.Org Website, "MoveOn Peace,"
http://web.archive.org/web/20021127190638/peace.moveon.org/petition.php3, Posted 9/13/01, Accessed 6/23/05)
Just After 9/11, Liberal Filmmaker Michael Moore Derided "Terror And Bloodshed" Committed By Americans. (David Brooks, Op-Ed, "All Hail Moore," The New York Times, 6/26/04)
-- Just After 9/11, Moore Blamed America's "Taxpayer-Funded Terrorism" And Bush Administration For Terrorist Attacks. "We abhor terrorism - unless we're the ones doing the terrorizing. We paid and trained and armed a group of terrorists in Nicaragua in the 1980s who killed over 30,000 civilians. That was OUR work. You and me....Let's mourn, let's grieve, and when it's appropriate let's examine our contribution to the unsafe world we live in." (Michael Moore Website Archive, "Death, Downtown," Posted 9/12/01, http://www.michaelmoore.com, Accessed 7/27/04)
Anyway, I don't see what is wrong with the PROOF that many people wanted the government to act with restraint. It's not like we were invaded by a country... and on 9/12 and 9/13, there was no proof of who was responsible. Is it supposed to be a bad thing that not all Americans are trigger happy?
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Liberal Soldiers Fight and Die too, Mr. Rove
Perhaps Mr. Rove believes all American soldiers are conservatives. When he made his callous remarks about the differences in liberals and conservatives, he failed to exclude the liberal soldier. He also failed to exclude the liberal soldier’s family. Mr. Rove made a large mistake because he apparently forgot that liberal soldiers bleed and die in war just like conservative soldiers do.
What does the family of the liberal soldier feel when they read that Mr. Rove said, "Liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers," and "Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 and the attacks and prepared for war."? What does the liberal soldier feel when he reads those words?
Mr. Rove said, "Conservatives saw what happened to us on 9/11 and said we will defeat our enemies. Liberals saw what happened to us and said we must understand our enemies." What does that say to the liberal soldier and to his family back home?
While many conservatives are quick to object to anything they deem to be unpatriotic or not supportive of our troops, will they object now? Now that Mr. Rove has said what he did about liberals, will the conservatives attack him for being unpatriotic because he made such statements about liberal soldiers? Will they demand an apology from Mr. Rove? Will they point out that such statements by Mr. Rove play into the hands of our enemy and undercut our soldiers’ determination? Will they object to some of our soldiers being described as liberals who "saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers"? We’ll see.
When Mr. Rove made his statements about his perception of liberals and conservatives he forgot to take into consideration that there is a war going on. While he berates liberals, liberal soldiers are dying in the war that is being fought for fabricated reasons. Those fabricated reasons were created by conservatives who "saw the savagery of 9/11 and the attacks and prepared for war." They prepared for a war that included liberals and conservatives, Mr. Rove.
What does the family of the liberal soldier feel when they read that Mr. Rove said, "Liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers," and "Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 and the attacks and prepared for war."? What does the liberal soldier feel when he reads those words?
Mr. Rove said, "Conservatives saw what happened to us on 9/11 and said we will defeat our enemies. Liberals saw what happened to us and said we must understand our enemies." What does that say to the liberal soldier and to his family back home?
While many conservatives are quick to object to anything they deem to be unpatriotic or not supportive of our troops, will they object now? Now that Mr. Rove has said what he did about liberals, will the conservatives attack him for being unpatriotic because he made such statements about liberal soldiers? Will they demand an apology from Mr. Rove? Will they point out that such statements by Mr. Rove play into the hands of our enemy and undercut our soldiers’ determination? Will they object to some of our soldiers being described as liberals who "saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers"? We’ll see.
When Mr. Rove made his statements about his perception of liberals and conservatives he forgot to take into consideration that there is a war going on. While he berates liberals, liberal soldiers are dying in the war that is being fought for fabricated reasons. Those fabricated reasons were created by conservatives who "saw the savagery of 9/11 and the attacks and prepared for war." They prepared for a war that included liberals and conservatives, Mr. Rove.
Thursday, June 23
Rove Says He Knows About the Motives of Liberals and He Sucks!
"Liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers," Rove said. "Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 and the attacks and prepared for war."
-Karl Rove-
And he also said
“Conservatives saw what happened to us on 9/11 and said we will defeat our enemies. Liberals saw what happened to us and said we must understand our enemies."
Rove also denounced Sen. Dick Durbin's comments comparing interrogation at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp to the methods of Nazis and other repressive regimes. He said the statements have been broadcast throughout the Middle East, putting American troops in greater danger. Durbin has since apologized for the remarks.
"No more needs to be said about the motives of liberals," Rove said.”
So that’s it huh? The attacks of 9-11 gave them the excuse to go to war? Sure sounds like it.
He insinuates, and not lightly, that liberals are the enemy of the United States and our troops. Can we slap him with a defamation of character lawsuit? Can we just slap the hell out of him?
This is a despicable comment coming from Rove and HE OWES LIBERALS AN APPOLOGY, NOW!
Call the white house and tell them so! 202-456-1111
.
-Karl Rove-
And he also said
“Conservatives saw what happened to us on 9/11 and said we will defeat our enemies. Liberals saw what happened to us and said we must understand our enemies."
Rove also denounced Sen. Dick Durbin's comments comparing interrogation at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp to the methods of Nazis and other repressive regimes. He said the statements have been broadcast throughout the Middle East, putting American troops in greater danger. Durbin has since apologized for the remarks.
"No more needs to be said about the motives of liberals," Rove said.”
So that’s it huh? The attacks of 9-11 gave them the excuse to go to war? Sure sounds like it.
He insinuates, and not lightly, that liberals are the enemy of the United States and our troops. Can we slap him with a defamation of character lawsuit? Can we just slap the hell out of him?
This is a despicable comment coming from Rove and HE OWES LIBERALS AN APPOLOGY, NOW!
Call the white house and tell them so! 202-456-1111
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Local Governments May Seize Homes and Businesses
The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that local governments may seize people's homes and businesses — even against their will — for private economic development.
“It was a decision fraught with huge implications for a country with many areas, particularly the rapidly growing urban and suburban areas, facing countervailing pressures of development and property ownership rights.
The 5-4 ruling represented a defeat for some Connecticut residents whose homes are slated for destruction to make room for an office complex.
They argued that cities have no right to take their land except for projects with a clear public use, such as roads or schools, or to revitalize blighted areas.
As a result, cities now have wide power to bulldoze residences for projects such as shopping malls and hotel complexes in order to generate tax revenue.”
More
“It was a decision fraught with huge implications for a country with many areas, particularly the rapidly growing urban and suburban areas, facing countervailing pressures of development and property ownership rights.
The 5-4 ruling represented a defeat for some Connecticut residents whose homes are slated for destruction to make room for an office complex.
They argued that cities have no right to take their land except for projects with a clear public use, such as roads or schools, or to revitalize blighted areas.
As a result, cities now have wide power to bulldoze residences for projects such as shopping malls and hotel complexes in order to generate tax revenue.”
More
Jesse says it for me and probably for you too
“TVNL Editor's Comments: Yesterday all 3 cable news networks aired live the entire press conference held by the parents of the Boy Scout who was missing and has been found. They also covered the second live press conference later in the day. In contrast none of these networks covered a single minute of the Downing Street Memo hearings involving 104 members of Congress.
News? This is of national interest? How do you think the parents feel? They feel great. Do we need to know more? Do we need any details at all? Do we need live and immediate coverage of this information as it unfolds or would a summarized report suffice? This story belongs in the bylines, not in the headlines and it surely does not merit complete live national coverage. The on-scene reporters keep asking questions. It is like they are finally getting to play reporter. It is comical to watch. Too bad they can not practice their skills on real news stories. Think about it! – Jesse,”
Check out TVNewsLIES You might also want to sign up for his daily newsletter too.
News? This is of national interest? How do you think the parents feel? They feel great. Do we need to know more? Do we need any details at all? Do we need live and immediate coverage of this information as it unfolds or would a summarized report suffice? This story belongs in the bylines, not in the headlines and it surely does not merit complete live national coverage. The on-scene reporters keep asking questions. It is like they are finally getting to play reporter. It is comical to watch. Too bad they can not practice their skills on real news stories. Think about it! – Jesse,”
Check out TVNewsLIES You might also want to sign up for his daily newsletter too.
DSM Updates
While the right continues to pretend that the Downing Street Memo means nothing, it seems to be getting an awful lot of attention... even negative attention is attention... Watergate started as a trickle.
- Scott Ritter suggests that the war in Iran has already started, much like the war in Iraq started before it was declared. Interesting read.
- Robert Steinbeck of the Miami Herald suggests that Americans are inching closer to a reckoning: "The American public is inching tentatively toward a reckoning unlike any this nation has ever experienced. The oh-so-clever Bush administration strategists and their quasi-media acolytes, who have kept the reckoning at bay with a deft combination of we're-at-war patriotic fervor and fear-the-evil-liberals rhetoric, are running out of parlor tricks."
- And check out this interview with Sam Gardiner, a War College professor. (I didn't know there was a war college.) I watched something on the Science Discovery Channel about how the government controls the masses just yesterday. I thought all that stuff was conspiracy theory but it isn't. Luckily they can't brainwash all of us.
- Scott Ritter suggests that the war in Iran has already started, much like the war in Iraq started before it was declared. Interesting read.
- Robert Steinbeck of the Miami Herald suggests that Americans are inching closer to a reckoning: "The American public is inching tentatively toward a reckoning unlike any this nation has ever experienced. The oh-so-clever Bush administration strategists and their quasi-media acolytes, who have kept the reckoning at bay with a deft combination of we're-at-war patriotic fervor and fear-the-evil-liberals rhetoric, are running out of parlor tricks."
- And check out this interview with Sam Gardiner, a War College professor. (I didn't know there was a war college.) I watched something on the Science Discovery Channel about how the government controls the masses just yesterday. I thought all that stuff was conspiracy theory but it isn't. Luckily they can't brainwash all of us.
Gardiner: In the summer of 2003, we know from the Downing Street Memo that the Administration was talking about justifying a war by arguing that Iraq was the nexus of terrorism and WMD.Thanks to Shakespeare's Sister, The Big Brass Alliance and Afterdowningstreet.org
The terrorism argument was what propaganda literature would refer to as the big lie. The Administration’s objective was to make enough arguments connecting Iraq to terrorism and Bin Laden that the American people would believe Iraq was behind the 9/11 attacks. They used a technique called the excluded middle. Iraq supports terrorists. The attacks were by terrorists. Iraq must been behind the 9/11 attacks.
Okay, it’s a little off color but what the hell?
Here’s your smile for today, just incase you haven’t found one yet.
I must thank Idgie over at Fried Green Tomatoes. I swiped that joke from her while she was out tending her tomato garden.
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Three women, one German, one Japanese and a Hillbilly, were sitting naked in a sauna.
Suddenly there was a beeping sound. The German pressed her forearm and the beep stopped. The others looked at her questioningly. “That was my pager”, she said. “I have a microchip under the skin of my arm.”
A few minutes later, a phone rang. The Japanese woman lifted her palm to her ear. When she finished, she explained, “That was my mobile phone. I have a microchip in my hand.”
The Hillbilly woman felt decidedly low tech. Not to be outdone, she decided she had to do something just as impressive. She stepped out of the sauna and went to the bathroom. She returned with a piece of toilet paper hanging from her behind. The others raised their eyebrows and stared at her.
The Hillbilly woman finally said, “Well, will you look at that. I’m getting’ a fax.”
I must thank Idgie over at Fried Green Tomatoes. I swiped that joke from her while she was out tending her tomato garden.
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Save Our Flag
Regarding the amendment to ban flag burning, because the House must have nothing better to than create smoke screens, Rep. Randy (Duke) Cunningham, R-Calif. decided to politicize 9/11 once again as Republicans who support the war like to do even though they are talking out of their asses and no one in NY would think of this... not even NY Republicans such as myself: "Ask the men and women who stood on top of the Trade Center... Ask them and they will tell you: pass this amendment."
"Pass this amendment. Don't burn our flag. Oh God No!"
.... oh yes, I am certain that the folks who died at the WTC on 9/11 were thinking of the fucking flag as they faced their death. I think of the flag every day. Not. Most of the New Yorkers I have spoken to who watched the 9/11 disaster live on television were thinking, "What the fuck did bush do to cause this! I'm getting the hell out of here!"
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"Pass this amendment. Don't burn our flag. Oh God No!"
.... oh yes, I am certain that the folks who died at the WTC on 9/11 were thinking of the fucking flag as they faced their death. I think of the flag every day. Not. Most of the New Yorkers I have spoken to who watched the 9/11 disaster live on television were thinking, "What the fuck did bush do to cause this! I'm getting the hell out of here!"
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Wives should be doing all the chores so the man can make more money
Oh my gawd, according to Britain's Institute for Social and Economic Research, it's scientifically proven and economical for us ladies to stay home and do all the chores while our man goes off to work. You see, if he doesn't have to worry about household stuff, he can focus more on his job, which of course is more important than anything else. A married man, assuming his wife is devoted to housewifery full time, can earn up to 3% more than his single counterpart, assuming that the single counterpart actually does all his chores and doesn't live with his mother.
I feel so guilty now.
Not.
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I feel so guilty now.
Not.
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Pentagon Creating Student Database
The article says,
"The Defense Department began working yesterday with a private marketing firm to create a database of high school students ages 16 to 18 and all college students to help the military identify potential recruits in a time of dwindling enlistment in some branches..."
...The new database will include personal information including birth dates, Social Security numbers, e-mail addresses, grade-point averages, ethnicity and what subjects the students are studying...
...Some information on high school students already is given to military recruiters in a separate program under provisions of the 2002 No Child Left Behind Act..."
The article also explains how dangerous it is for the DoD to gather SS#'s because of the problem with identity theft. Privacy advocates are livid.
Well I certainly hope that the College Republicans are all contacted first. The people who should be recruited are those who support this cluster fuck that bush started. They shouldn't pick on our children who haven't even had a chance to grow up yet. How cruel and barbaric. Recruit people from 35-55 who voted for this evil war monger and his minions. Take 'em all. Take Ann Cutler and Michelle Mannequin, put Lush Bimbo on the front lines along with Insanity and O'Lielly. I'll go to Iraq before they can take my kid. But I won't go unless bush fights beside me.
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"The Defense Department began working yesterday with a private marketing firm to create a database of high school students ages 16 to 18 and all college students to help the military identify potential recruits in a time of dwindling enlistment in some branches..."
...The new database will include personal information including birth dates, Social Security numbers, e-mail addresses, grade-point averages, ethnicity and what subjects the students are studying...
...Some information on high school students already is given to military recruiters in a separate program under provisions of the 2002 No Child Left Behind Act..."
The article also explains how dangerous it is for the DoD to gather SS#'s because of the problem with identity theft. Privacy advocates are livid.
Well I certainly hope that the College Republicans are all contacted first. The people who should be recruited are those who support this cluster fuck that bush started. They shouldn't pick on our children who haven't even had a chance to grow up yet. How cruel and barbaric. Recruit people from 35-55 who voted for this evil war monger and his minions. Take 'em all. Take Ann Cutler and Michelle Mannequin, put Lush Bimbo on the front lines along with Insanity and O'Lielly. I'll go to Iraq before they can take my kid. But I won't go unless bush fights beside me.
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Rep. Cunningham instructs House to channel 9-11 victims
During the debate yesterday regarding a constitutional amendment to outlaw flag burning, the following comment was made.
"Ask the men and women who stood on top of the Trade Center," said Rep. Randy (Duke) Cunningham, R-Calif. "Ask them and they will tell you: pass this amendment."
What the hell was this guy thinking? Did he run that comment by his brain before he said it out loud?
I didn’t make it up, you can read it right here at Yahoo News.
"Ask the men and women who stood on top of the Trade Center," said Rep. Randy (Duke) Cunningham, R-Calif. "Ask them and they will tell you: pass this amendment."
What the hell was this guy thinking? Did he run that comment by his brain before he said it out loud?
I didn’t make it up, you can read it right here at Yahoo News.
"Cruel and Unusual" by Bob Herbert
Writing today about Jeb’s bizarre actions
NY Times (link)
“Eleven days before she died, Tom DeLay declared: "Terri Schiavo is not brain dead. She talks and she laughs, and she expresses happiness and discomfort. Terri Schiavo is not on life support."
Senator Tom Coburn, a Republican and a physician from Oklahoma, said: "All you have to do is look at her on TV. Any doctor with any conscience can look at her and know that she does not have a terminal disease and know that she has some function."
Speaking of brain damage, uh, Hello?
Read all of Mr. Herbert’s op-ed piece and rest assured that we’re not the only ones who think this is just so wrong. Bernie McCabe, the state attorney for Pinellas County doesn’t appear to be enthusiastically into this endeavor either.
NY Times (link)
“Eleven days before she died, Tom DeLay declared: "Terri Schiavo is not brain dead. She talks and she laughs, and she expresses happiness and discomfort. Terri Schiavo is not on life support."
Senator Tom Coburn, a Republican and a physician from Oklahoma, said: "All you have to do is look at her on TV. Any doctor with any conscience can look at her and know that she does not have a terminal disease and know that she has some function."
Speaking of brain damage, uh, Hello?
Read all of Mr. Herbert’s op-ed piece and rest assured that we’re not the only ones who think this is just so wrong. Bernie McCabe, the state attorney for Pinellas County doesn’t appear to be enthusiastically into this endeavor either.
More of the "Last Throes" and A Training Ground for Future Throes
Everyone remembers Dick Cheney’s comment about the insurgents being in their "last throes". Then there was the reporter who asked Scottie how long a throe lasts. Well, looks to me like the "last throes" have the potential to last a long time; too long. As of last night, 32 more innocent Iraqis are no longer in their last death throes.
"BAGHDAD, IRAQ - Four car bombs exploded at dusk Wednesday, killing at least 23 people, including sidewalk diners and passengers at a bus station. The coordinated attacks served as a chilling reminder of how potent militants remain in the capital despite around-the-clock American and Iraqi troop patrols.
"In all, at least 32 people were killed across Iraq, including a prominent Sunni law professor assassinated by gunmen. Jassim al-Issawi was a former judge who put his name forward at one point to join the committee drafting Iraq's constitution. The assassination appeared aimed at intimidating Sunni Arabs willing to join Iraq's efforts to create a stable political system".
More at The Houston Chronicle.
Training Ground for Last Throes? Mr. Cheney might have it all wrong. The insurgents appear to be in the throes of birth, not death.
Iraq is now a terrorist training ground, CIA says:
"A classified report from the U.S. spy agency says Iraqi and foreign fighters are developing a broad range of deadly skills, from car bombings and assassinations to tightly coordinated conventional attacks on police and military targets, the official said.
"Once the insurgency ends, Islamic militants are likely to disperse as highly organized battle-hardened combatants capable of operating throughout the Arab-speaking world and in other regions including Europe.
"Fighters leaving Iraq would primarily pose a challenge for their countries of origin including Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
"But the May report, which has been widely circulated in the intelligence community, also cites a potential threat to the United States".
Yahoo News (link)
"BAGHDAD, IRAQ - Four car bombs exploded at dusk Wednesday, killing at least 23 people, including sidewalk diners and passengers at a bus station. The coordinated attacks served as a chilling reminder of how potent militants remain in the capital despite around-the-clock American and Iraqi troop patrols.
"In all, at least 32 people were killed across Iraq, including a prominent Sunni law professor assassinated by gunmen. Jassim al-Issawi was a former judge who put his name forward at one point to join the committee drafting Iraq's constitution. The assassination appeared aimed at intimidating Sunni Arabs willing to join Iraq's efforts to create a stable political system".
More at The Houston Chronicle.
Training Ground for Last Throes? Mr. Cheney might have it all wrong. The insurgents appear to be in the throes of birth, not death.
Iraq is now a terrorist training ground, CIA says:
"A classified report from the U.S. spy agency says Iraqi and foreign fighters are developing a broad range of deadly skills, from car bombings and assassinations to tightly coordinated conventional attacks on police and military targets, the official said.
"Once the insurgency ends, Islamic militants are likely to disperse as highly organized battle-hardened combatants capable of operating throughout the Arab-speaking world and in other regions including Europe.
"Fighters leaving Iraq would primarily pose a challenge for their countries of origin including Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
"But the May report, which has been widely circulated in the intelligence community, also cites a potential threat to the United States".
Yahoo News (link)
Pentagon Creating Student Database
Recruiting Tool For Military Raises Privacy Concerns
Wash. Post (link)
"The Defense Department began working yesterday with a private marketing firm to create a database of high school students ages 16 to 18 and all college students to help the military identify potential recruits in a time of dwindling enlistment in some branches.
"The program is provoking a furor among privacy advocates. The new database will include personal information including birth dates, Social Security numbers, e-mail addresses, grade-point averages, ethnicity and what subjects the students are studying."
Please read the rest of the article
Wash. Post (link)
"The Defense Department began working yesterday with a private marketing firm to create a database of high school students ages 16 to 18 and all college students to help the military identify potential recruits in a time of dwindling enlistment in some branches.
"The program is provoking a furor among privacy advocates. The new database will include personal information including birth dates, Social Security numbers, e-mail addresses, grade-point averages, ethnicity and what subjects the students are studying."
Please read the rest of the article
Wednesday, June 22
I'm in favor of this if it will also be a crime for the president of the United States to wipe his ass with a copy of the Constitution
WASHINGTON (AP) -- "The House on Wednesday approved a constitutional amendment that would give Congress the power to ban desecration of the American flag, a measure that for the first time stands a chance of passing the Senate as well".
You can read the rest at:
Dumshits outnumber halfwits
You can read the rest at:
Dumshits outnumber halfwits
South Asia Heat Wave Kills At Least 375
By Nita Bhalla
BOMBAY (Reuters) - "At least 375 people have died from sunstroke and dehydration in a month-long heat wave sweeping India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh, as South Asia endures one of its hottest summers on record, authorities said.
"Temperatures hit 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in some parts of South Asia this week, parching fields, emptying dams and drying river beds ahead of the annual monsoon.
"Freak weather extended as far as northern China, where the heat set off explosives at a chemical plant in Shanxi province that injured hundreds".
Here's the rest:
BOMBAY (Reuters) - "At least 375 people have died from sunstroke and dehydration in a month-long heat wave sweeping India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh, as South Asia endures one of its hottest summers on record, authorities said.
"Temperatures hit 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in some parts of South Asia this week, parching fields, emptying dams and drying river beds ahead of the annual monsoon.
"Freak weather extended as far as northern China, where the heat set off explosives at a chemical plant in Shanxi province that injured hundreds".
Here's the rest:
Science Under Siege By Bushistas
And the ACLU is fed up. Good. So am I. What alarms me most is that our schools must suck so much more than I ever thought, with so many Americans rejecting science. It almost reeks of a conspiracy.
Read the executive summary here (PDF).
Read the report here (PDF).
Read the press release.
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"Academic freedom and scientific inquiry have come under sustained assault since September 11, 2001. Spurred by misguided and often disingenuous security concerns, the Bush Administration has sought to impose growing restrictions on the free flow of scientific information, unreasonable barriers to the use of scientific materials, and increased monitoring of and restrictions on foreign university students." ACLU Website
Read the executive summary here (PDF).
Read the report here (PDF).
Read the press release.
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Obstructionist and Damned Proud of It!
Last night on Hardball, Rove referred to Democrats as “obstructionist”, over and over. He used it in such a way as to insinuate that anyone who was an obstructionist should be regarded as someone who was an enemy to the country.
My dictionary defines obstructionist as “one who obstructs progress”. Nothing wrong with that.
You see, not all progress is good and not all obstructions are bad. Crossing a railroad track just as the train is approaching is not a good idea. That’s why the crossbars come down, to obstruct your progress and prevent you from being hit by a train. The obstruction of your progress by the crossbars saves your life. See, there are times when obstructions may prevent a negative outcome. And, there are times when further progress could be deadly.
I don’t mind being called an obstructionist. There is nothing wrong with trying to prevent our country from heading into a train wreck. I believe as Democrats we should all embrace the term “obstructionist”, and be proud and willing to stand up against the progress of anything that we believe to be detrimental to our country. Be an obstructionist, and be damned proud of it.
My dictionary defines obstructionist as “one who obstructs progress”. Nothing wrong with that.
You see, not all progress is good and not all obstructions are bad. Crossing a railroad track just as the train is approaching is not a good idea. That’s why the crossbars come down, to obstruct your progress and prevent you from being hit by a train. The obstruction of your progress by the crossbars saves your life. See, there are times when obstructions may prevent a negative outcome. And, there are times when further progress could be deadly.
I don’t mind being called an obstructionist. There is nothing wrong with trying to prevent our country from heading into a train wreck. I believe as Democrats we should all embrace the term “obstructionist”, and be proud and willing to stand up against the progress of anything that we believe to be detrimental to our country. Be an obstructionist, and be damned proud of it.
Bad Genes. Good Genes
Interesting story about Political Leanings And Genetics at the Seattle Post Intelligencer. A study says that your party affiliation has to do with your upbringing in most cases while your political leanings are genetic.
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Political scientists have long held that people's upbringing and experience determine their political views....I'm a left leaning registered republican who never voted Republican. My relatives and family are right leaning Republicans who only voted for JFK because he was Catholic. The relatives are wealthy overachievers. I was adopted, was an underachiever but I had the good genes... and I inherited their money. heh
But on the basis of a new study, a team of political scientists is arguing that people's gut-level reaction to issues such as the death penalty, taxes and abortion is strongly influenced by genetic inheritance....
Environmental influences such as upbringing, the study suggests, play a more central role in party affiliation as a Democrat or Republican, much as they do in a person's affiliation with a sports team.
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Jeb Shows His Ignorance, Again
Palm Beach Post (link):
"Gov. Jeb Bush made clear his opposition to using embryonic stem cells for medical research as scientists gathering Tuesday for the world's largest biotechnology convention said stem cells could provide cures for a variety of diseases.
"I think taking a life to create a life is a huge contradiction morally," Bush said during a visit to BIO 2005."
Well yeah Jeb, it would be “a huge contradiction” if that were the plan, which it isn’t. It might be helpful to know your subject before giving your opinion. No one has proposed “taking a life to create a life”. The hope is that with research using embryonic stem cells we will be able to improve and prolong the lives of suffering, already existing, human beings.
Meanwhile, The Real Story:
"Two Boca Raton teens living with juvenile diabetes urged members of Congress Tuesday to support stem-cell research, which they said could lead to a cure for their disease.
"Samantha Stevens, 15, and Zach Ullman, 17, were among 150 other children who have juvenile diabetes who lobbied for research money. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation sponsored the event."
The article continues in the Palm Beach Post:
Just When Florida Thought it Couldn’t Get Worse, It Could!
"Randall Terry, the anti-abortion activist who was a prominent voice in the losing battle to keep Terri Schiavo alive, said Tuesday he's going ahead with a Republican primary challenge of state Sen. Jim King in northeast Florida.
"King drew the ire of social conservatives this year when he and eight other Republican senators blocked legislation that aimed to reconnect Schiavo's feeding tube. Terry was spokesman for Schiavo's parents, who wanted their brain-damaged daughter to continue receiving nutrition." More:
"Gov. Jeb Bush made clear his opposition to using embryonic stem cells for medical research as scientists gathering Tuesday for the world's largest biotechnology convention said stem cells could provide cures for a variety of diseases.
"I think taking a life to create a life is a huge contradiction morally," Bush said during a visit to BIO 2005."
Well yeah Jeb, it would be “a huge contradiction” if that were the plan, which it isn’t. It might be helpful to know your subject before giving your opinion. No one has proposed “taking a life to create a life”. The hope is that with research using embryonic stem cells we will be able to improve and prolong the lives of suffering, already existing, human beings.
Meanwhile, The Real Story:
"Two Boca Raton teens living with juvenile diabetes urged members of Congress Tuesday to support stem-cell research, which they said could lead to a cure for their disease.
"Samantha Stevens, 15, and Zach Ullman, 17, were among 150 other children who have juvenile diabetes who lobbied for research money. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation sponsored the event."
The article continues in the Palm Beach Post:
Just When Florida Thought it Couldn’t Get Worse, It Could!
"Randall Terry, the anti-abortion activist who was a prominent voice in the losing battle to keep Terri Schiavo alive, said Tuesday he's going ahead with a Republican primary challenge of state Sen. Jim King in northeast Florida.
"King drew the ire of social conservatives this year when he and eight other Republican senators blocked legislation that aimed to reconnect Schiavo's feeding tube. Terry was spokesman for Schiavo's parents, who wanted their brain-damaged daughter to continue receiving nutrition." More:
The Mystery Continues
By Bob Kemper
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJ-C link)(free registration)
Published on: 06/21/05
Washington — "Ralph Reed won't be in the Senate hearing room Wednesday. But the role the Republican candidate for Georgia lieutenant governor played in blocking gambling in Alabama six years ago will be examined closely in the Senate Indian Affairs Committee's third hearing into whether Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff defrauded six casino-operating Indian tribes.
"Three leaders of the Choctaw tribe of Mississippi will headline the hearing, the committee announced Monday. Several associates of Abramoff and his partner, Michael Scanlon, are scheduled to testify, but Reed isn't among the listed witnesses.
"The Choctaw tribe, an Abramoff client, is at the center of a controversy over whether Abramoff, Reed and Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, used proceeds from the Choctaws' casino to fund opposition to a state lottery and video poker machines in neighboring Alabama that threatened the Choctaws' gambling monopoly in the area.
"The Choctaws had paid Abramoff $7 million since 1995, in part, to help quash competition.
"At the request of Abramoff, the Mississippi Indians sent $1.15 million to Norquist's anti-tax group, Americans for Tax Reform, in Washington.
"Norquist then sent most of that money on to anti-gambling groups in Alabama that, with help from Reed, defeated the state lottery in 1999 and video poker machines in 2000.
"The Alabama groups, including the Christian Coalition's state chapter, turned the money over to Reed and his company, Century Strategies, to pay for the campaign and his consulting services. Reed and the Choctaws said the money used to pay for the Alabama campaigns came from the tribe's nongambling revenue.
"The Indian Affairs Committee, led by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), also is examining Reed's role in shutting down Indian casinos in Texas under a similar arrangement with Abramoff. Reed has said he was unaware that the Texas campaign, which targeted the Tigua Indians in El Paso and another Indian casino near Houston, was funded with gambling proceeds".
(I believe this will be on c-span today.)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJ-C link)(free registration)
Published on: 06/21/05
Washington — "Ralph Reed won't be in the Senate hearing room Wednesday. But the role the Republican candidate for Georgia lieutenant governor played in blocking gambling in Alabama six years ago will be examined closely in the Senate Indian Affairs Committee's third hearing into whether Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff defrauded six casino-operating Indian tribes.
"Three leaders of the Choctaw tribe of Mississippi will headline the hearing, the committee announced Monday. Several associates of Abramoff and his partner, Michael Scanlon, are scheduled to testify, but Reed isn't among the listed witnesses.
"The Choctaw tribe, an Abramoff client, is at the center of a controversy over whether Abramoff, Reed and Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, used proceeds from the Choctaws' casino to fund opposition to a state lottery and video poker machines in neighboring Alabama that threatened the Choctaws' gambling monopoly in the area.
"The Choctaws had paid Abramoff $7 million since 1995, in part, to help quash competition.
"At the request of Abramoff, the Mississippi Indians sent $1.15 million to Norquist's anti-tax group, Americans for Tax Reform, in Washington.
"Norquist then sent most of that money on to anti-gambling groups in Alabama that, with help from Reed, defeated the state lottery in 1999 and video poker machines in 2000.
"The Alabama groups, including the Christian Coalition's state chapter, turned the money over to Reed and his company, Century Strategies, to pay for the campaign and his consulting services. Reed and the Choctaws said the money used to pay for the Alabama campaigns came from the tribe's nongambling revenue.
"The Indian Affairs Committee, led by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), also is examining Reed's role in shutting down Indian casinos in Texas under a similar arrangement with Abramoff. Reed has said he was unaware that the Texas campaign, which targeted the Tigua Indians in El Paso and another Indian casino near Houston, was funded with gambling proceeds".
(I believe this will be on c-span today.)
Tuesday, June 21
the really, really important issues
There is war, poverty, pollution, and all kinds of terrible, important controversies out there, but I want to redirect your attention to exactly where it belongs: Me.
My students are confounded by the prospect that someone can discuss issues facing gays and lesbians and not be one herself. It doesn't matter that I am not or if I am, but one student was really, really worried about it.
Last night I was discussing the full faith and credit clause of the U.S. Constitution and its implications for gay/lesbian/same sex partners and marriage. I was discussing how if a couple is married in VT/MA that couple is married in all 50 states. I had discussed earlier how Lawrence v. Texas came down on the side of privacy in the bedroom and that the government should not be interested in what consenting adults do in their beds.
One student said, well doesn't that mean that two men could marry and then have wives, too? And I said no, that would be bigamy. Why would they want to have a wife? I am married to my husband and I can't be married to another person at the same time.
My student looked me in the eye before every other student in the room and asked me, "Are you a lesbian?"
I said, "What?"
He said, "Are you a lesbian?"
I said, "That would come as some surprise to my husband. Hey, who I sleep with is none of your business."
He said, "Well, my English is poor."
I continued my class. I am a professional. We wrapped it up. They have a test tomorrow night.
I have never been so stunned in my life. Just because I explained the controversy surrounding gay/lesbian marriage and I didn't advocated the stoning of sodomites, this young man assumes he can ask me if I am a lesbian.
I enjoyed my C.J. Craig moment when like the gaggle of the press corps on The West Wing asked her if she was a lesbian and she said, "It is none of your business." But I am rattled because I am human and I suppose he meant that as an insult. As if it is an insult to be a lesbian.
My hair is short, I mean Annette Benning short. I wear mannish clothes and lots of very nice jewelry. Did this student think that only nubile, long haired, dress wearing, women with a baby at her breast aren't lesbians? I mean I know lesbians who look like June Cleaver and ones that look like Barbi Dolls.
I mean WTF? I don't care if people have carnal knowledge of a Xerox machine. Why would my student ask me something like that? How could what I do in my bedroom be his business? How? What just happened to me? Why am I just dumbstruck?
My students are confounded by the prospect that someone can discuss issues facing gays and lesbians and not be one herself. It doesn't matter that I am not or if I am, but one student was really, really worried about it.
Last night I was discussing the full faith and credit clause of the U.S. Constitution and its implications for gay/lesbian/same sex partners and marriage. I was discussing how if a couple is married in VT/MA that couple is married in all 50 states. I had discussed earlier how Lawrence v. Texas came down on the side of privacy in the bedroom and that the government should not be interested in what consenting adults do in their beds.
One student said, well doesn't that mean that two men could marry and then have wives, too? And I said no, that would be bigamy. Why would they want to have a wife? I am married to my husband and I can't be married to another person at the same time.
My student looked me in the eye before every other student in the room and asked me, "Are you a lesbian?"
I said, "What?"
He said, "Are you a lesbian?"
I said, "That would come as some surprise to my husband. Hey, who I sleep with is none of your business."
He said, "Well, my English is poor."
I continued my class. I am a professional. We wrapped it up. They have a test tomorrow night.
I have never been so stunned in my life. Just because I explained the controversy surrounding gay/lesbian marriage and I didn't advocated the stoning of sodomites, this young man assumes he can ask me if I am a lesbian.
I enjoyed my C.J. Craig moment when like the gaggle of the press corps on The West Wing asked her if she was a lesbian and she said, "It is none of your business." But I am rattled because I am human and I suppose he meant that as an insult. As if it is an insult to be a lesbian.
My hair is short, I mean Annette Benning short. I wear mannish clothes and lots of very nice jewelry. Did this student think that only nubile, long haired, dress wearing, women with a baby at her breast aren't lesbians? I mean I know lesbians who look like June Cleaver and ones that look like Barbi Dolls.
I mean WTF? I don't care if people have carnal knowledge of a Xerox machine. Why would my student ask me something like that? How could what I do in my bedroom be his business? How? What just happened to me? Why am I just dumbstruck?
Preparing for the Supreme Struggle
"Like hostile nations on the edge of apocalypse, Washington's political right and left are on code red over a Supreme Court vacancy that does not yet exist.
"Conservative groups held a briefing last week at the National Press Club and promised to spend more than $20 million promoting whomever President Bush nominates to replace Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, should the ailing chief justice retire at the end of the court's term in June, as many expect. The liberal group People for the American Way countered with the threat of its 45-computer war room on M Street and a coalition of 70 other groups to fight back".
And
"In the meantime, Republicans close to the preparations say that the White House has assembled research on some 20 Supreme Court candidates, with more intensive research on a handful of the most mentioned, all federal appellate judges and all conservative: J. Michael Luttig and J. Harvie Wilkinson III of Virginia, Michael W. McConnell of Colorado, John G. Roberts Jr. of the District of Columbia, Samuel A. Alito Jr. of New Jersey and Emilio M. Garza of Texas.The White House also plans mock hearings in which the nominee will field aggressive questions from a "murder board", or a phalanx of lawyers and administration officials playing senators on the Judiciary Committee".
There’s more: New York Times link
"Conservative groups held a briefing last week at the National Press Club and promised to spend more than $20 million promoting whomever President Bush nominates to replace Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, should the ailing chief justice retire at the end of the court's term in June, as many expect. The liberal group People for the American Way countered with the threat of its 45-computer war room on M Street and a coalition of 70 other groups to fight back".
And
"In the meantime, Republicans close to the preparations say that the White House has assembled research on some 20 Supreme Court candidates, with more intensive research on a handful of the most mentioned, all federal appellate judges and all conservative: J. Michael Luttig and J. Harvie Wilkinson III of Virginia, Michael W. McConnell of Colorado, John G. Roberts Jr. of the District of Columbia, Samuel A. Alito Jr. of New Jersey and Emilio M. Garza of Texas.The White House also plans mock hearings in which the nominee will field aggressive questions from a "murder board", or a phalanx of lawyers and administration officials playing senators on the Judiciary Committee".
There’s more: New York Times link
A Friend In Mourning
Unthinkable news, unspeakable sorrow. My friend's husband has died.
Mutual acquaintances ask, "How is she doing?" I stammered one of several answers: She is devastated. She's crying a lot. She is hanging on. She's going to be okay. She will never be the same. She's doing as well as can be expected.
There is nothing false in any of these statements, and yet none of them ring true. Even when I rattled off the whole list, something essential is missing, something about the terrible grief now etched in her sweet voice, audible, even in the moments when I can hear her smile at one of our small shared understandings.
It's understandable for people to feel helpless in light of her grief. But just saying, "I'm so sorry," when death pulls at you with that kind of force, every gesture of connection to the living counts for a lot.
It's an important distinction, because mourning is a real place in time, the precise location where "the valley of the shadow" is not a metaphor but a parallel universe.
She is in mourning, the phrase is, in mourning--indicating a location, which is at some distance from those of us who are not. When I talk to her I bite my tongue to keep from trying to cheer her up. Instead, I offer words and gestures that I know cannot releave her raw pain, but sometimes, the least you can do is also the most.
I'm holding you both in the light, my dear friend.
Mutual acquaintances ask, "How is she doing?" I stammered one of several answers: She is devastated. She's crying a lot. She is hanging on. She's going to be okay. She will never be the same. She's doing as well as can be expected.
There is nothing false in any of these statements, and yet none of them ring true. Even when I rattled off the whole list, something essential is missing, something about the terrible grief now etched in her sweet voice, audible, even in the moments when I can hear her smile at one of our small shared understandings.
It's understandable for people to feel helpless in light of her grief. But just saying, "I'm so sorry," when death pulls at you with that kind of force, every gesture of connection to the living counts for a lot.
It's an important distinction, because mourning is a real place in time, the precise location where "the valley of the shadow" is not a metaphor but a parallel universe.
She is in mourning, the phrase is, in mourning--indicating a location, which is at some distance from those of us who are not. When I talk to her I bite my tongue to keep from trying to cheer her up. Instead, I offer words and gestures that I know cannot releave her raw pain, but sometimes, the least you can do is also the most.
I'm holding you both in the light, my dear friend.
...and now in XXXL & XXXXL!
Anntichrist S. Coulter reports that we now know "what Fatfuck wears to the porn store."
Lush Bimbo's I Heart Gitmo line is ever expanding:
I Got My Free Koran and Prayer Rug at G'itmo
The Club G'itmo - What Happens in G'itmo Stays in G'itmo
The Club G'itmo - Your Tropical Retreat from the Stress of Jihad
The Club G'itmo - My Mullah went to Club G'itmo and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt
It's at: store.rushlimbaugh.com, if you need to see it to believe it.
.
Lush Bimbo's I Heart Gitmo line is ever expanding:
I Got My Free Koran and Prayer Rug at G'itmo
The Club G'itmo - What Happens in G'itmo Stays in G'itmo
The Club G'itmo - Your Tropical Retreat from the Stress of Jihad
The Club G'itmo - My Mullah went to Club G'itmo and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt
It's at: store.rushlimbaugh.com, if you need to see it to believe it.
.
Arnold's Popularity is Plunging
Remember that night on Jay Leno when we heard, "I can promise you that when I go to Sacramento, I will pump up Sacramento." Oh god yes... pump it up!I really can't believe the latest news is true. Arnold is America's favorite action hero and governator. He's so strong, muscular and articulate. What more could an American ask for in a politician?
Arnold understands the plight of blondes. In an article in Esquire he said, "As much as when you see a blonde with great tits and a great ass, you say to yourself, 'Hey, she must be stupid or must have nothing else to offer,' which maybe is the case many times. But then again there is the one that is as smart as her breasts look, great as her face looks, beautiful as her whole body looks gorgeous, you know, so people are shocked." Thanks for standing up for us blondes Arnie. We always get a bad rap.
And he's so modest about his manhood, ""The cock isn't a muscle so it doesn't grow in relation to the shoulders, say, or the pectorals. You can't make it bigger through exercise, that's for sure."
According to the SF Chronicle, "Less than a third -- 31 percent -- of the state's adults approve of the job the governor is doing in Sacramento, down from 54 percent in February. The numbers are only slightly better among registered voters, 37 percent of whom are happy with Schwarzenegger's performance and 53 percent dissatisfied."
The article goes on to say, "But Schwarzenegger's high-profile battle with the Democrat-led Legislature and his continuing disputes with groups representing California teachers, nurses and public employees have taken a toll. Only 16 percent of registered Democrats approve of the job the governor is doing, while his support among nonpartisan voters has shrunk to 35 percent, down from 48 percent four months ago."
.
Arnold had better start "humping and pumping" again.
.
Bush Administration Wants Us to Think of Vietnam Now?
Vietnamese Leader to Meet With Bush Washington Post link
Whose idea was this? What a damned good idea to bring up the memories of Vietnam right now. Which genius in the white house thought this would be a positive move. Now, when the Iraq war is looking like the ugly stepsister of the war in Vietnam, along with all its hideous memories, might not be the best time to put that war back in the spotlight. Someone must have had a scheduling problem. Why not invite all the amputees from the Vietnam war to the white house too? I would think that the last damned thing this administration would want to do now is to remind the country of the last time we went into a war and came out with nothing to show for it but dead and wounded American soldiers. Let’s see--what else does this era and the Vietnam era have in common?
Whose idea was this? What a damned good idea to bring up the memories of Vietnam right now. Which genius in the white house thought this would be a positive move. Now, when the Iraq war is looking like the ugly stepsister of the war in Vietnam, along with all its hideous memories, might not be the best time to put that war back in the spotlight. Someone must have had a scheduling problem. Why not invite all the amputees from the Vietnam war to the white house too? I would think that the last damned thing this administration would want to do now is to remind the country of the last time we went into a war and came out with nothing to show for it but dead and wounded American soldiers. Let’s see--what else does this era and the Vietnam era have in common?
Monday, June 20
Here's a Suggestion:
Once a day, click on Today in Iraq. This is what you'll see for today:
"Monday, June 20, 2005
War News for Monday, June 20, 2005
Bring 'em on: As many as twenty policemen killed and fifty wounded in suicide bomb attack during roll call at police headquarters in Arbil. This other news link puts the dead at forty.
Bring 'em on: Twenty three people killed and thirty six wounded in a suicide bomb attack on a restaurant popular with Iraqi security forces a few hundred yards from the Green Zone in Baghdad.
Bring 'em on: Five Iraqi security force members killed in car bomb attack in Baghdad.
Bring 'em on: US soldier killed in IED attack in Tal Afar.
Bring 'em on: The bodies of seven executed Iraqis found late Saturday in Baghdad.
Bring 'em on: US Marine killed by small arms fire near the Syrian border."
Then, copy it and send it to: president@whitehouse.gov and vice.president@whitehouse.gov
Day after day after day...
Oh, and don't forget to send it to the editors of your local newspapers and news organizations. Some of the ones I have include info@AP.org, PoliticalPoints@cbsnews.com, openforum@denverpost.com, letters@dmreg.com, comments@foxnews.com, foreigneditor@independent.co.uk, nightly@nbc.com, national@nytimes.com, nightline@abcnews.com, jlewers@press-citizen.com, opinion@press-citizen.com, opinions@qctimes.com, editpage@seattlepi.com, letters@smh.com.au, letters@tnr.com, onlinejournal@wsj.com, letters@washpost.com, etc.
As Jello Biafra once said, "Become The Media".
"Monday, June 20, 2005
War News for Monday, June 20, 2005
Bring 'em on: As many as twenty policemen killed and fifty wounded in suicide bomb attack during roll call at police headquarters in Arbil. This other news link puts the dead at forty.
Bring 'em on: Twenty three people killed and thirty six wounded in a suicide bomb attack on a restaurant popular with Iraqi security forces a few hundred yards from the Green Zone in Baghdad.
Bring 'em on: Five Iraqi security force members killed in car bomb attack in Baghdad.
Bring 'em on: US soldier killed in IED attack in Tal Afar.
Bring 'em on: The bodies of seven executed Iraqis found late Saturday in Baghdad.
Bring 'em on: US Marine killed by small arms fire near the Syrian border."
Then, copy it and send it to: president@whitehouse.gov and vice.president@whitehouse.gov
Day after day after day...
Oh, and don't forget to send it to the editors of your local newspapers and news organizations. Some of the ones I have include info@AP.org, PoliticalPoints@cbsnews.com, openforum@denverpost.com, letters@dmreg.com, comments@foxnews.com, foreigneditor@independent.co.uk, nightly@nbc.com, national@nytimes.com, nightline@abcnews.com, jlewers@press-citizen.com, opinion@press-citizen.com, opinions@qctimes.com, editpage@seattlepi.com, letters@smh.com.au, letters@tnr.com, onlinejournal@wsj.com, letters@washpost.com, etc.
As Jello Biafra once said, "Become The Media".
I Don’t Even Know These People
I don’t know a single person in Iraq, no Americans and no Iraqis. So, why should I care how many are dying? I mean, how can I cry about the death of someone I don’t even know? But, I do cry sometimes and it’s because it seems to me that every single one of these deaths might well have not occurred had it not been for my country electing the man who started it all.
Here in the US if a man murders a little kid we rise up in anger and disgust. Most of us had never met the little kid, but still it’s a heinous crime and everyone goes ballistic. There are little kids being killed in Iraq, and I don’t think enough people care. That’s why I cry for them, because there needs to be more crying for them. They are little kids I don’t even know but they deserve to be cried for and thought about. Also little kids’ moms and dads are getting killed in Iraq every day. Iraqi kids and American kids are losing their moms and dads. That makes me cry, but I don’t know those kids and I didn’t know their parents.
There are needless deaths occurring all over the world every day but I don’t cry for those people. Why are the deaths in this war different? Maybe it’s because I feel so guilty. We should have done more to prevent this war, but I don’t know what we could have done. We, along with so many around the world, tried to keep it from happening, but it did. I wish we could stop it. I sure do wish we could have prevented it and now I sure do wish we could end it.
A whole lot of people have died and are dying in Iraq, people I don’t even know. With all my heart, I care.
Here in the US if a man murders a little kid we rise up in anger and disgust. Most of us had never met the little kid, but still it’s a heinous crime and everyone goes ballistic. There are little kids being killed in Iraq, and I don’t think enough people care. That’s why I cry for them, because there needs to be more crying for them. They are little kids I don’t even know but they deserve to be cried for and thought about. Also little kids’ moms and dads are getting killed in Iraq every day. Iraqi kids and American kids are losing their moms and dads. That makes me cry, but I don’t know those kids and I didn’t know their parents.
There are needless deaths occurring all over the world every day but I don’t cry for those people. Why are the deaths in this war different? Maybe it’s because I feel so guilty. We should have done more to prevent this war, but I don’t know what we could have done. We, along with so many around the world, tried to keep it from happening, but it did. I wish we could stop it. I sure do wish we could have prevented it and now I sure do wish we could end it.
A whole lot of people have died and are dying in Iraq, people I don’t even know. With all my heart, I care.
A Few Little Wishes
I wish that there would be an extra special place in hell for whomever invented those little motorized scooters that sound like a lawnmower on steroids. That little machine that tortures everyone within its noise range, which by the way is a big range. That little machine that goes warp speed and takes kids around blind corners on the road.
I wish that Senator Biden would stop saying that they need to put pvc pipes in the homes in Iraq to run the sewer straight into the Tigris River. There’s gotta be a better way for them to dispose of raw sewage than to dump it into the river.
I wish that, until she says something new or worth repeating, no one would video or audio tape Condi Rice.
Ditto that last wish for bush and everyone in his cabinet.
I wish that everyone who endorses the prison and the conditions at Guantanamo, was there.
I wish the next president of the US would discard, destroy and determine that there is no “War on Terror”. Call it over and done. Otherwise our country will forever be in a state of war. You cannot win a war waged against everyone who causes a particular emotion. We do not need to be fighting a war against an emotion using the world and our country as our battlefield. A war against terror will never end; how could it? There will always be someone in the world who wants to harm someone else. Meanwhile this “war” is serving as an excuse to do some pretty awful things here, and around the world.
I wish that Senator Biden would stop saying that they need to put pvc pipes in the homes in Iraq to run the sewer straight into the Tigris River. There’s gotta be a better way for them to dispose of raw sewage than to dump it into the river.
I wish that, until she says something new or worth repeating, no one would video or audio tape Condi Rice.
Ditto that last wish for bush and everyone in his cabinet.
I wish that everyone who endorses the prison and the conditions at Guantanamo, was there.
I wish the next president of the US would discard, destroy and determine that there is no “War on Terror”. Call it over and done. Otherwise our country will forever be in a state of war. You cannot win a war waged against everyone who causes a particular emotion. We do not need to be fighting a war against an emotion using the world and our country as our battlefield. A war against terror will never end; how could it? There will always be someone in the world who wants to harm someone else. Meanwhile this “war” is serving as an excuse to do some pretty awful things here, and around the world.
WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.
It's getting scarier and scarier by the day. Talk to people, pick up a local newspaper, watch Faux News: If you don't support Gitmo then you're unpatriotic. We invaded and blew up Iraq to bring peace to the world. The war in Iraq is retaliation for 9/11 this week. In order to maintain our freedom, we must submit to closer scrutiny by the government. Remain very afraid of evil brown people who hate us. Science is being attacked by the creationists and sex ed today is just plain misleading.
What happened to my country? It was never perfect as there were always greedy swine running the show, but for most of us, we felt we could go about our business without fear of government interference. Even when the Russians hated us, we weren't under such scrutiny.
Once sane neighbors and friends who became easily influenced by the cable news and mass propaganda have lost their minds. They are paranoid shells of their former selves. They feel like they are under attack by an evil left agenda. It's the most amazing spectacle of a collective mind fuck since pre-war Germany. Hatred, anger and fear is part of the American psyche even more than it was during the cold war. Thank God for God, eh?
If my dad were alive today, he'd croak.
.
What happened to my country? It was never perfect as there were always greedy swine running the show, but for most of us, we felt we could go about our business without fear of government interference. Even when the Russians hated us, we weren't under such scrutiny.
Once sane neighbors and friends who became easily influenced by the cable news and mass propaganda have lost their minds. They are paranoid shells of their former selves. They feel like they are under attack by an evil left agenda. It's the most amazing spectacle of a collective mind fuck since pre-war Germany. Hatred, anger and fear is part of the American psyche even more than it was during the cold war. Thank God for God, eh?
If my dad were alive today, he'd croak.
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Summer Moon Illusion
The moon (like a testicle) hangs low in the sky all this week. It's the lowest hanging moon in 18 years and it will appear especially inflated!
Be sure to check out all the details at the NASA website here. You won't want to miss this.
Be sure to check out all the details at the NASA website here. You won't want to miss this.
This Is What The Associated Press Considers Important This Morning
I'd give you a link to it (The Iowa City Press-Citizen) but in a few minutes it'll change to something even more chickenshit and mundane.
Top national and international headlines
From the Associated Press
Suicide Bomber Kills 20 at Iraq Police HQ
Goss Claims He Has Idea Where Bin Laden Is
Rice Makes Case for Democracy in Egypt
Parents of Missing Boy Scout Seek Help
Sen. Robert C. Byrd Laments KKK Connection
Scientists Find Early Signs of Alzheimer's
Crude Oil Prices Hit New Intraday High
Prank Against Tom Cruise Leads to Arrest
Grapefruit May Make Women Seem Younger
Spurs Nip Pistons 96-95 in OT, Lead Series
Top national and international headlines
From the Associated Press
Suicide Bomber Kills 20 at Iraq Police HQ
Goss Claims He Has Idea Where Bin Laden Is
Rice Makes Case for Democracy in Egypt
Parents of Missing Boy Scout Seek Help
Sen. Robert C. Byrd Laments KKK Connection
Scientists Find Early Signs of Alzheimer's
Crude Oil Prices Hit New Intraday High
Prank Against Tom Cruise Leads to Arrest
Grapefruit May Make Women Seem Younger
Spurs Nip Pistons 96-95 in OT, Lead Series
Sunday, June 19
I GUESS IN 60 YEARS OR SO WE'LL DISCOVER THE TRUTH ABOUT THE NAPALMING OF FALLUJAH AND THE RADIATION FALLOUT IN IRAQ OF URANIUM DEPLETED WEAPONS
Japan Paper Runs Censored A-Bomb Stories
By KENJI HALL
Associated Press Writer
TOKYO (AP) -- "An American journalist who sneaked into Nagasaki soon after the Japanese city was leveled by a U.S. atomic bomb found a "wasteland of war" and victims moaning from the pain of radiation burns in downtown hospitals.
"Censored 60 years ago by the U.S. military, George Weller's stories from the atom bombed-city surfaced this month in a series of reports in the national Mainichi newspaper".
You can read the entire article (of all places) here from the Associated Press.
By KENJI HALL
Associated Press Writer
TOKYO (AP) -- "An American journalist who sneaked into Nagasaki soon after the Japanese city was leveled by a U.S. atomic bomb found a "wasteland of war" and victims moaning from the pain of radiation burns in downtown hospitals.
"Censored 60 years ago by the U.S. military, George Weller's stories from the atom bombed-city surfaced this month in a series of reports in the national Mainichi newspaper".
You can read the entire article (of all places) here from the Associated Press.
Quote of the Week:
"Things aren't getting better; they're getting worse. The White House is completely disconnected from reality. It's like they're just making it up as they go along. The reality is that we're losing in Iraq." -- Nebraska Republican Senator Chuck Hagel
Yep. Things are gittin' shaky. Although I don't believe the business about "rats deserting a sinking ship" is appropriate just yet. I guess the proper term of reference (the one used by the good little boys and girls in the main stream media) is "distancing". But I'd be worried too if I had to run for reelection next year. Anyhow, you can read more about Sen. Hagel at U.S.News & World Report.
Yep. Things are gittin' shaky. Although I don't believe the business about "rats deserting a sinking ship" is appropriate just yet. I guess the proper term of reference (the one used by the good little boys and girls in the main stream media) is "distancing". But I'd be worried too if I had to run for reelection next year. Anyhow, you can read more about Sen. Hagel at U.S.News & World Report.
Father’s Day Killing and Injury Report
Reuters (link)
There are fewer fathers this afternoon than there were yesterday afternoon and probably there will be even fewer by tomorrow afternoon. Most likely there will be many fewer by next Father’s Day.
“In Baghdad, a suicide bomber eluded a month-long crackdown and killed at least 16 people and wounded 29, many of them police and security guards eating lunch, when he walked into a busy restaurant close to the Green Zone government compound.”
And
"Operation Spear ... will break on the rock of Iraqi solidarity," the Muslim Clerics Association said in a statement, reflecting anger at U.S. military tactics.
"The chief doctor at the area's main hospital in Qaim, Hamdi al-Alusi, said he had seen 10 bodies and treated 17 wounded. Most of those hurt were women and children, he said.
"Remaining residents in Qaim said some families had left before the fighting to live in tents in the desert.”
And
“There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Sunday's bombing of the Baghdad restaurant, on a street protected by police checkpoints near an entrance to the government compound.
"The one-room, street-front restaurant was completely devastated with scarcely a stick of blood-spattered furniture intact. Human remains lay on the sidewalk. "Ibn Zanbour," or "Son of the Wasp," was a lively and well-known halt on a strip of grill and kebab establishments along a shaded sidewalk.
"The U.S. military command blames Zarqawi for a surge in violence since the Shi'ite- and Kurdish-dominated government took office in April. Since then more than 1,000 Iraqis and some 120 U.S. troops have been killed in rebel attacks.”
And
“A suicide car bomb attack on a police convoy in Baghdad killed five people and wounded 22, police sources said.
"Three people died and seven were wounded when gunmen opened fire at a market in Iskandariya, just south of the capital.
"Near Tikrit, Saddam's home town north of Baghdad, a suicide bomber killed three Iraqi soldiers and wounded nine on Sunday when he drove his car at an army patrol, police said.
"In Mosul, one civilian was killed and eight were wounded when two mortar rounds fell close to the city hall, police said. “
Notice how Father’s day wasn’t played up so much this year? Maybe they didn’t want us to remember all the fathers who have died in Iraq. Maybe they would like us not to concentrate on all those flag draped caskets, the ones with fathers inside. This will be a lot of families’ first Father’s Day without their dad. I’m thinking about those wives and those kids today. For them Father’s Day isn’t Happy.
There are fewer fathers this afternoon than there were yesterday afternoon and probably there will be even fewer by tomorrow afternoon. Most likely there will be many fewer by next Father’s Day.
“In Baghdad, a suicide bomber eluded a month-long crackdown and killed at least 16 people and wounded 29, many of them police and security guards eating lunch, when he walked into a busy restaurant close to the Green Zone government compound.”
And
"Operation Spear ... will break on the rock of Iraqi solidarity," the Muslim Clerics Association said in a statement, reflecting anger at U.S. military tactics.
"The chief doctor at the area's main hospital in Qaim, Hamdi al-Alusi, said he had seen 10 bodies and treated 17 wounded. Most of those hurt were women and children, he said.
"Remaining residents in Qaim said some families had left before the fighting to live in tents in the desert.”
And
“There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Sunday's bombing of the Baghdad restaurant, on a street protected by police checkpoints near an entrance to the government compound.
"The one-room, street-front restaurant was completely devastated with scarcely a stick of blood-spattered furniture intact. Human remains lay on the sidewalk. "Ibn Zanbour," or "Son of the Wasp," was a lively and well-known halt on a strip of grill and kebab establishments along a shaded sidewalk.
"The U.S. military command blames Zarqawi for a surge in violence since the Shi'ite- and Kurdish-dominated government took office in April. Since then more than 1,000 Iraqis and some 120 U.S. troops have been killed in rebel attacks.”
And
“A suicide car bomb attack on a police convoy in Baghdad killed five people and wounded 22, police sources said.
"Three people died and seven were wounded when gunmen opened fire at a market in Iskandariya, just south of the capital.
"Near Tikrit, Saddam's home town north of Baghdad, a suicide bomber killed three Iraqi soldiers and wounded nine on Sunday when he drove his car at an army patrol, police said.
"In Mosul, one civilian was killed and eight were wounded when two mortar rounds fell close to the city hall, police said. “
Notice how Father’s day wasn’t played up so much this year? Maybe they didn’t want us to remember all the fathers who have died in Iraq. Maybe they would like us not to concentrate on all those flag draped caskets, the ones with fathers inside. This will be a lot of families’ first Father’s Day without their dad. I’m thinking about those wives and those kids today. For them Father’s Day isn’t Happy.
Father's Day with The Preznit
Father's Day Dinner with the G. Dubya Bush Family
Starring: Dubya, Laura, Jenna and Not Jenna as the twins
Twins: Happy Father's Day Daddy. We got you a book for Father's Day.
Dubya: You teach a child to read and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.
I'm glad the First Lady is here. It's an unusual job where all you've got to do is walk down from your living room and come to work. I'm really proud of Laura.
Jenna: Mommy taught us to read.
Dubya: She is a fabulous First Lady. I was a lucky man when she said, yes, I agree to marry you. I love her dearly, and I'm proud of the job she's doing on behalf of all Americans. Just like I love my brother.
Not Jenna: Daddy, you love me don't you?
Dubya: I think Jeb and I were touched by what it means to be sitting at a table with a daughter who has said, I've got a responsibility to my mom.
Twins: Daddy we hope you like the book we got you. What was your favorite book of all time?
Dubya: Sometimes when I sleep at night I think of "Hop on Pop".
Jenna: Quite frankly Daddy, I think you spend entirely too much time thinking about Granddaddy and Saddam. I learned in college that this war thing is so bogus.
Dubya: After all, this is a guy that tried to kill my dad at one time. God told me to strike at al Qaida and I struck them, and then he instructed me to strike at Saddam, which I did..
Jenna: But Daddy, I miss spending time with you!
Dubya: I've been to war. I've raised twins. If I had a choice, I'd rather go to war.
Laura: George!
Not Jenna: I'm looking forward to working in Washington this summer. I can't wait to finally have a real job.
Dubya: The best way to relieve families from time is to let them keep some of their own money.
Jenna: We only get to keep some of it?
Dubya: When you have your own money, it means you've got more money to spend.
Jenna: huh?
Laura: You know what your father says. "...work is incredibly important. Work leads to dignity."
Jenna: You just want me to be too tired to go out at night.
Laura: Your secret service agents are exhausted, girls.
Not Jenna: Dad, how is the war in Iraq going? Are the Iraqi's happy to be free now?
Dubya: I think war is a dangerous place. Freedom frightens people who are terrorists.
Not Jenna: Dad, I'm scared for the future of our country... for the future of the world.
Dubya: God loves you, and I love you. And you can count on both of us as a powerful message that people who wonder about their future can hear.
Jenna: b-but... people are dying.
Dubya: We can help somebody who hurts by hugging a neighbor in need.
One of my hardest parts of my job is to console the family members who have lost their life.
Laura: It's so nice that we can spend Father's Day together as a family. Our twins are all grown and have graduated from college.
Dubya: Yes, that's a -- first of all, Mom, you're doing -- that's tough. But it's -- I appreciate that. I appreciate the idea of you wanting to give your children the education from you and the mom.
Laura: You're welcome?
Dubya: And it all starts with the human element, the thing that matters most in life, and that is our faiths and our families and our respected loves as dads for our daughters.
Not Jenna: What about the environment, Dad? People keep saying that our family doesn't care about it. I want to do something good for the environment.
Dubya: I'm so thankful, and so gracious -- I'm gracious that my brother Jeb is concerned about the hemisphere as well.
Laura: I am too George. How about you, Jenna?
Jenna: I hope to snag a rich guy, get married and have lots of babies.
Dubya: It's important for us to explain to our nation that life is important. It's not only life of babies, but it's life of children living in, you know, the dark dungeons of the Internet.
Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream.
Jenna: huh?
Not Jenna: Can we go fishing in the cement pond after dinner?
Dubya: I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully.
Not Jenna: Daddy, I'm concerned that some people think you don't know what you're talking about.
Dubya: I know what I believe. I will continue to articulate what I believe and what I believe -- I believe what I believe is right.
Jenna: Yeah, people say you're a war monger.
Dubya: I know all the war rhetoric, but it's all aimed at achieving peace.
We're in for a long struggle, and I think Texans understand that. And so do Americans.
Not Jenna: I don't think Americans understand what we believe in Texas.
Dubya: There's America, and then there's Texas.
Not Jenna: That's what I'm talking about.
Dubya: I like to tell people, Laura and I are proud to be Texas -- own a Texas ranch, and for us, every day is Earth Day.
Not Jenna: But Daddy... I have a question for you...
Dubya: I'm the master of low expectations. If I answer questions every time you ask one, expectations would be high. And as you know, I like to keep expectations low.
Jenna: Dad, is there a chance I could be president some day? Maybe after my kids are grown? I worked hard in school. I'd like to make a difference in the world.
Dubya: I can assure you, when I was a senior in high school, I never sat in an audience saying, gosh, if I work hard I'll be President of the United States.
Laura: The twins take after me, George.
Not Jenna: You were right, Jenn. We should have given him "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back".
------
All Bush quotes were actually said by our president at one time or another. They were taken out of context much like the religious right takes the Bible out of context. -The Mgmt.
This story was originally posted at blondesense last year on Father's day.
Starring: Dubya, Laura, Jenna and Not Jenna as the twins
Twins: Happy Father's Day Daddy. We got you a book for Father's Day.
Dubya: You teach a child to read and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.
I'm glad the First Lady is here. It's an unusual job where all you've got to do is walk down from your living room and come to work. I'm really proud of Laura.
Jenna: Mommy taught us to read.
Dubya: She is a fabulous First Lady. I was a lucky man when she said, yes, I agree to marry you. I love her dearly, and I'm proud of the job she's doing on behalf of all Americans. Just like I love my brother.
Not Jenna: Daddy, you love me don't you?
Dubya: I think Jeb and I were touched by what it means to be sitting at a table with a daughter who has said, I've got a responsibility to my mom.
Twins: Daddy we hope you like the book we got you. What was your favorite book of all time?
Dubya: Sometimes when I sleep at night I think of "Hop on Pop".
Jenna: Quite frankly Daddy, I think you spend entirely too much time thinking about Granddaddy and Saddam. I learned in college that this war thing is so bogus.
Dubya: After all, this is a guy that tried to kill my dad at one time. God told me to strike at al Qaida and I struck them, and then he instructed me to strike at Saddam, which I did..
Jenna: But Daddy, I miss spending time with you!
Dubya: I've been to war. I've raised twins. If I had a choice, I'd rather go to war.
Laura: George!
Not Jenna: I'm looking forward to working in Washington this summer. I can't wait to finally have a real job.
Dubya: The best way to relieve families from time is to let them keep some of their own money.
Jenna: We only get to keep some of it?
Dubya: When you have your own money, it means you've got more money to spend.
Jenna: huh?
Laura: You know what your father says. "...work is incredibly important. Work leads to dignity."
Jenna: You just want me to be too tired to go out at night.
Laura: Your secret service agents are exhausted, girls.
Not Jenna: Dad, how is the war in Iraq going? Are the Iraqi's happy to be free now?
Dubya: I think war is a dangerous place. Freedom frightens people who are terrorists.
Not Jenna: Dad, I'm scared for the future of our country... for the future of the world.
Dubya: God loves you, and I love you. And you can count on both of us as a powerful message that people who wonder about their future can hear.
Jenna: b-but... people are dying.
Dubya: We can help somebody who hurts by hugging a neighbor in need.
One of my hardest parts of my job is to console the family members who have lost their life.
Laura: It's so nice that we can spend Father's Day together as a family. Our twins are all grown and have graduated from college.
Dubya: Yes, that's a -- first of all, Mom, you're doing -- that's tough. But it's -- I appreciate that. I appreciate the idea of you wanting to give your children the education from you and the mom.
Laura: You're welcome?
Dubya: And it all starts with the human element, the thing that matters most in life, and that is our faiths and our families and our respected loves as dads for our daughters.
Not Jenna: What about the environment, Dad? People keep saying that our family doesn't care about it. I want to do something good for the environment.
Dubya: I'm so thankful, and so gracious -- I'm gracious that my brother Jeb is concerned about the hemisphere as well.
Laura: I am too George. How about you, Jenna?
Jenna: I hope to snag a rich guy, get married and have lots of babies.
Dubya: It's important for us to explain to our nation that life is important. It's not only life of babies, but it's life of children living in, you know, the dark dungeons of the Internet.
Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream.
Jenna: huh?
Not Jenna: Can we go fishing in the cement pond after dinner?
Dubya: I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully.
Not Jenna: Daddy, I'm concerned that some people think you don't know what you're talking about.
Dubya: I know what I believe. I will continue to articulate what I believe and what I believe -- I believe what I believe is right.
Jenna: Yeah, people say you're a war monger.
Dubya: I know all the war rhetoric, but it's all aimed at achieving peace.
We're in for a long struggle, and I think Texans understand that. And so do Americans.
Not Jenna: I don't think Americans understand what we believe in Texas.
Dubya: There's America, and then there's Texas.
Not Jenna: That's what I'm talking about.
Dubya: I like to tell people, Laura and I are proud to be Texas -- own a Texas ranch, and for us, every day is Earth Day.
Not Jenna: But Daddy... I have a question for you...
Dubya: I'm the master of low expectations. If I answer questions every time you ask one, expectations would be high. And as you know, I like to keep expectations low.
Jenna: Dad, is there a chance I could be president some day? Maybe after my kids are grown? I worked hard in school. I'd like to make a difference in the world.
Dubya: I can assure you, when I was a senior in high school, I never sat in an audience saying, gosh, if I work hard I'll be President of the United States.
Laura: The twins take after me, George.
Not Jenna: You were right, Jenn. We should have given him "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back".
------
All Bush quotes were actually said by our president at one time or another. They were taken out of context much like the religious right takes the Bible out of context. -The Mgmt.
This story was originally posted at blondesense last year on Father's day.
Opposites Distract Opposites Distract
Let’s take a look at what this administration says and what it does. We all yawn and remember the infamous line that went, I’m a uniter, not a divider. This president is an absolute divider as evidenced by his stubbornness and his refusal to discuss any ideas but his own. Never is there a hint of consideration for any point of view other than his own. This refusal to cooperate with or even consider any suggestion from the other side has become a distraction so many times. Changing social security over to private accounts is a perfect example. He has been like a snake oil salesman traveling from city to city trying to sell his wares. Even though few have bought into his scheme, he continues to try to sell it rather than try to change and improve it. His determination to sell a faulty product has distracted the country from any other possibilities for a solution to the problem and also from more important and more imminent issues.
The war in Iraq is another of his flawed products but sadly this one did sell. A lot of Americans bought his war and it has kept our country distracted from domestic issues that should have been addressed. But, unfortunately we literally can’t afford to do that now. He distracted with talk of peace while waging war. He says that democracies do not attack other countries, while at the same time he engages our democracy in an invasion of a sovereign land. He distracts with peace in order to wage war.
He also speaks of freedom and democracy while at the same time removing freedom in the name of security. He tells us we are safer but the truth is our freedom is not safe from him. Many are convinced that in order to be safe you must give up your rights. Are we locking others out or are we locking ourselves in? He distracts with the word “freedom” while he confines us. So while he sings of the wonders of freedom and democracy he has distracted the nation from seeing that he is undoing both.
Let’s also talk about religion. He claims to be a religious man but it’s not religion as we would describe it. His religion doesn’t conform to any dictates of a religion we could respect. His “religion” condones actions that run contrary to kindness, forgiveness, patience and understanding. What religion would condone invading and occupying a country based on lies? What religious person would snicker at a woman’s appeal to have her life spared before her execution? He uses religion to distract and disarm while his actions are not at all that of a religious nature and fall closer to that of an evil nature While he crows of, and distracts with words of compassion, his actions are the very opposite..
Race is another of his distractions. While he gives the assumption that he does not have a racial bias, his administration uses race when it benefits their cause. Think back to the campaign when republicans suggested that John McCain was the father of a black child and used it in such a way to make that a negative factor. This past week gave Republicans a perfect opportunity to display their compassion for African Americans but many failed to acknowledge the crimes of the past. Where were the president’s obedient Republicans last week? They always seem to obey bush; did they obey him last week? If they didn’t, it would be one of the very rare times they haven’t.
So while this president and this administration speak one language, their actions portray another. While they distract the nation with one proposition, they are slyly enforcing another. Peace means war and love means hate. In this administration opposites truly do distract.
The war in Iraq is another of his flawed products but sadly this one did sell. A lot of Americans bought his war and it has kept our country distracted from domestic issues that should have been addressed. But, unfortunately we literally can’t afford to do that now. He distracted with talk of peace while waging war. He says that democracies do not attack other countries, while at the same time he engages our democracy in an invasion of a sovereign land. He distracts with peace in order to wage war.
He also speaks of freedom and democracy while at the same time removing freedom in the name of security. He tells us we are safer but the truth is our freedom is not safe from him. Many are convinced that in order to be safe you must give up your rights. Are we locking others out or are we locking ourselves in? He distracts with the word “freedom” while he confines us. So while he sings of the wonders of freedom and democracy he has distracted the nation from seeing that he is undoing both.
Let’s also talk about religion. He claims to be a religious man but it’s not religion as we would describe it. His religion doesn’t conform to any dictates of a religion we could respect. His “religion” condones actions that run contrary to kindness, forgiveness, patience and understanding. What religion would condone invading and occupying a country based on lies? What religious person would snicker at a woman’s appeal to have her life spared before her execution? He uses religion to distract and disarm while his actions are not at all that of a religious nature and fall closer to that of an evil nature While he crows of, and distracts with words of compassion, his actions are the very opposite..
Race is another of his distractions. While he gives the assumption that he does not have a racial bias, his administration uses race when it benefits their cause. Think back to the campaign when republicans suggested that John McCain was the father of a black child and used it in such a way to make that a negative factor. This past week gave Republicans a perfect opportunity to display their compassion for African Americans but many failed to acknowledge the crimes of the past. Where were the president’s obedient Republicans last week? They always seem to obey bush; did they obey him last week? If they didn’t, it would be one of the very rare times they haven’t.
So while this president and this administration speak one language, their actions portray another. While they distract the nation with one proposition, they are slyly enforcing another. Peace means war and love means hate. In this administration opposites truly do distract.
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