Bill Bennett, Racist

quote[Addressing a caller's suggestion that the "lost revenue from the people who have been aborted in the last 30 years" would be enough to preserve Social Security's solvency, radio host and former Reagan administration Secretary of Education Bill Bennett dismissed such "far-reaching, extensive extrapolations" by declaring that if "you wanted to reduce crime ... if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down." Bennett conceded that aborting all African-American babies "would be an impossible, ridiculous, and morally reprehensible thing to do," then added again, "but the crime rate would go down."]

This story, which is really taking fire across the country, was first noticed by the producer over at the Ed Schultz Show, who then alerted Media Matters.

By the way, don't listen to the righties who are trying to spin this as being taken out of context. Media Matters has the full segment. Judge for yourself.

(P.S. Ed just announced that, starting Oct. 17, his show will be carried by Armed Forces Radio. So Jay, you may get to finally hear him).

Cats In Sinks

Anti-evolution Attacks on the Rise: Is Your State Safe?

quote["Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…"
-- From the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution]

BREAKING: After Indictment, DeLay Grossly Distorts Role With TRMPAC

quote[Tom DeLay wants you to believe he was completely in the dark about TRMPAC’s activities. Here’s what DeLay said tonight on Hardball:

That’s TRMPAC. That’s not me…I was simply, along with four other elected officials, on an advisory board. They used my name as headliners for fundraisers and I had no idea what they were doing.

The facts suggest otherwise:

DELAY SAID TRMPAC WAS HIS IDEA: “U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land, said Wednesday that it was his idea to create Texans for a Republican Majority.” [Austin American Statesman, 3/10/05]

DELAY ADMITTED HE WAS A “CREATOR, ADVISOR AND FUNDRAISER” FOR TRMPAC: “House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said Wednesday he served as a creator, adviser and fund-raiser to a Texas-based political action committee now under state criminal investigation.” [Houston Chronicle, 3/10/04]

TRMPAC LITERATURE NAMES DELAY AS ORGANZATION “LEADER”: “Q: Who is Leading Texas for a Republican Majority? A: The leadership of the PAC includes Rep. Tom DeLay…” [TRMPAC, Q&A For Potential Media Inquires]

EVIDENCE SUGGESTS DELAY WAS INVOLVED IN COLLECTING CORPORATE CONTRIBUTIONS: “Documents, which were entered into evidence last week in a related civil trial in Austin, the state capital, suggest that Mr. DeLay personally forwarded at least one large corporate check to the committee, Texans for a Republican Majority, and that he was in direct contact with lobbyists for some of the nation’s largest companies on the committee’s behalf.” [New York Times, 3/9/05]

DELAY PARTICIPATED IN TRMPAC FINANCE COMMITTEE CONFERENCE CALLS [TRMPAC, 10/5/02]]

Burn, baby, burn!

Delay's Successor Is Hippocritical Gay Republican (Rep. David Dreier-CA)

quote[A Republican congressman from California who has repeatedly voted against gay rights measures is said to be gay himself, and at least three MediaNews Group newspapers are said to have instructed its reporters not to ask questions about the congressman's sexuality or how it relates to public policy.]

I wonder how the religious fundicrats are going to react to this.

UPDATE: Republicans replace gay Dreier with Blunt as House Majority Leader
quote[Today, the National Stonewall Democrats issued the following statement on the hurried election of Congressman Roy Blunt (R-MO) as House Republican Leader (abruptly replacing anti-gay gay Republican David Dreier who was the choice earlier):

“Roy Blunt is flamboyantly out in his opposition to equal protections for gay and lesbian Americans. He is a leading anti-gay advocate in Congress, and we are convinced that he will continue the corruptive policies of Tom Delay on issues of equality as he is aided in his duties by Congressman Dreier.”
- Eric Stern, Executive Director, National Stonewall Democrats

Congressman Roy Blunt (R-MO) was elected House Majority Leader by Republican leaders after former House Republican Leader Tom Delay (R-TX) stepped down from the position after being criminally indicted.

This morning, Republicans in Congress let it be known that Congressman David Dreier (R-CA) was to be selected as House Republican Leader, with some duties being shared by Congressman Blunt. However, after much speculation over the record of Congressman Dreier, it was announced that Blunt would become the new House Republican Leader but that Congressmen David Dreier and Eric Cantor (R-VA) would share in some of those duties.]

FEMA Fucked Up, Let Me Count The Ways

quote[The hasty appeal yielded one of the most controversial contracts of the Hurricane Katrina relief operation, a $236 million agreement with Carnival Cruise Lines for three ships that now bob more than half empty in the Mississippi River and Mobile Bay. The six-month contract -- staunchly defended by Carnival but castigated by politicians from both parties -- has come to exemplify the cost of haste that followed Katrina's strike and FEMA's lack of preparation.

To critics, the price is exorbitant. If the ships were at capacity, with 7,116 evacuees, for six months, the price per evacuee would total $1,275 a week, according to calculations by aides to Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.). A seven-day western Caribbean cruise out of Galveston can be had for $599 a person -- and that would include entertainment and the cost of actually making the ship move.

"When the federal government would actually save millions of dollars by forgoing the status quo and actually sending evacuees on a luxurious six-month cruise it is time to rethink how we are conducting oversight. A short-term temporary solution has turned into a long-term, grossly overpriced sweetheart deal for a cruise line," said Coburn and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) in a joint statement yesterday calling for a chief financial officer to oversee Katrina spending.]

Halliburton Sponsored A Katrina Reconstruction Summit

quote[As fiscal hawks surrendered, would-be government contractors were meeting in the Hart Senate Office Building to figure out how to get a share of the money. A "Katrina Reconstruction Summit," hosted by Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) and sponsored by Halliburton, among others, brought some 200 lobbyists, corporate representatives and government staffers to a room overlooking the Capitol for a five-hour conference that included time for a "networking break" and advice on "opportunities for private sector involvement."

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) sent his budget director, Bill Hoagland, who cautioned that federal Katrina spending might not exceed $100 billion. But John Clerici, from a law firm that helped sponsor the event, told the group that spending would "probably be larger" than $200 billion. "It's going to be spent in a fast and furious way," Clerici said.

Sipping coffee from china cups and munching on doughnuts, the corporate crowd heard Joe McInerney, president of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, predict: "I think we'll see Mardi Gras in New Orleans to some extent this year."]

This fucking disgusts me!

FEMA Plans to Reimburse Faith Groups for Aid

quote[After weeks of prodding by Republican lawmakers and the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said yesterday that it will use taxpayer money to reimburse churches and other religious organizations that have opened their doors to provide shelter, food and supplies to survivors of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.]

Bottom line: Only give to the Red Cross if you don't want Pat Robertson getting your money.

Cindy Sheehan Won't Pay Fine For "Demonstrating Without A Permit"

quote[Sheehan writes:

Karl Rove (besides being a very creepy man) outed a CIA agent to punish her husband for showing up George’s lies about Niger yellowcake. Dick Cheney's old company is reaping profits beyond anyone's wildest imaginations in their no-bid contracts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and New Orleans. John Negroponte's activities in South America are very shady and murderous. Rumsfeld and Gonzales are responsible for illegal and immoral authorization, encouragement, and approval of torture. Not to mention, violating the Geneva Conventions, torture endangers the lives and wellbeing of our service men and women in Iraq. Along with the above-mentioned minions, Condi Rice lied through her teeth in the insane run-up to the invasion.

The list of crimes this administration has committed is extensive, abhorrent, and unbelievable. Yet we were arrested for exercising our first amendment rights, and these people are running free to enjoy their lives of crime and to wreak havoc on the world.

The fine for "demonstrating without a permit" is $75.00. I won't pay it. My court date is November 16 th. Any lawyers who want to help me challenge an unconstitutional law?]

Good for her!

JEFF GANNON AT PRO-WAR RALLY

quote[Jeff Gannon (nee Guckert) at the Sunday Pro-War rally attended by 400 people. On Saturday 150,000+ attended the anti-war rally and march. Gannon is the former prostitute who was uncovered as a fraud in the White House press pool.

Organizers of the Pro-war rally expected up to 20,000, leaving them
approximately 19,600 short oF their original estimate.]

Rumsfeld Briefs the President (A Joke)

Donald Rumsfeld is giving the president his daily briefing.


He concludes by saying: "Yesterday, 3 Brazilian soldiers were killed."


"OH NO!" the President exclaims. "That's terrible!"


His staff sits stunned at this display of emotion, nervously watching as the President sits, head in hands.


Finally, the President looks up and asks, "How many is a brazillion?"

Accepting No Responsibility, Former FEMA Director Blames Others

quote["My biggest mistake was not recognizing by Saturday that Louisiana was dysfunctional," two days before the storm hit, Brown told the panel.]

What a loser!

If everyone else is responsible, then shouldn't he, as the man supposedly in charge, accept the majority of blame?

Katrina's Next Victim - American labor

quote[So let me spell out what's going on: President Bush has authorized the robber barons to use illegal aliens to rebuild the damage done by Katrina. Bush Inc. won't have to worry about breaking immigration laws because they exempted themselves. NO LAW, NO WORRY! Companies such as Haliburton will reap immense profits from their contracts while low paid illegal aliens toil in the disease infested flood waters of New Orleans.]

Another Miserable Failure For Bush

quote[An extraordinary appeal to Americans from the Bush administration for money to help pay for the reconstruction of Iraq has raised only $600 (£337), The Observer has learnt. Yet since the appeal was launched earlier this month, donations to rebuild New Orleans have attracted hundreds of millions of dollars.]

That is way too fucking funny!

Links Of Note:

As of today, I am adding some links that I find noteworthy to the sidebar on The Daily Link!

Eventually, I might even get around to using banners. So, if you've got one readily available, let me know.

I'll summarize what I've got so far below.

If I missed your site, and you'd like to exchange links, please leave a comment to this post, or email me at plunderer.dailylink@gmail.com

(A comment will probably get your link up faster, however)

1) Sensibly Eclectic
What's going on?
News, Alterna-news,
Exclusive Articles, Ideas,
Opinions, And much more!

2) Ned Lamont For Senate!
It's time to dump Lieberman and the other republicrats!

3) BeatThatDrum.Com
Thoughtful news, views, and commentary.

4) Senihele
The ramblings of a renegade republican.

5) RightOnNews.com
......Truth, the Anti-Drudge

6) The Ed Schultz Show
America's #1 progressive talk show host. If you haven't heard him, give him a try and you'll get hooked.

New Orleans: Prisoners Abandoned to Floodwaters

quote[Human Rights Watch called on the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct an investigation into the conduct of the Orleans Sheriff's Department, which runs the jail, and to establish the fate of the prisoners who had been locked in the jail. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, which oversaw the evacuation, and the Orleans Sheriff's Department should account for the 517 inmates who are missing from list of people evacuated from the jail.]

Good God, that is sick!

Guardsmen Sense Ghostly Presence In New Orleans

quote[The presence of the supernatural and the influence of voodoo long have been synonymous with New Orleans.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, members of the U.S. military are saying that there's something spooky going on and it's not just images of death and destruction that's haunting them.

By all accounts, the Sophie B. Wright Middle School in New Orleans sits empty and evacuated except for military personnel who have taken over the campus as a staging site for missions around the battered city.

But the men in uniform have the feeling that they're not alone. It prompted a chaplain to utter this directive: "In the name of Jesus Chris, I command you Satan to leave the dark areas of this building."]

Watch the video. It's pretty freaky.

Fake plane emergency lets Gambians see match

quote[A plane carrying Gambian soccer fans to Peru made an unauthorized detour and faked a fuel emergency to land in time for the West African nation's game in a world youth tournament, officials said on Wednesday.

The Rum Air plane carrying 289 fans bypassed immigration formalities in Lima by landing in the northern city of Piura about two hours before the African youth champions kicked off against Qatar in the World Under-17 Championship on Tuesday.]

WTF???

A Few Clips To Watch:

First, is Jimmy Carter on how how Bush broke his three promises in creating FEMA. Namely,

1) FEMA will be governed by competent individuals.

2) FEMA will always be an independent organization.

3) FEMA will be adequately funded.

The second clip, which should probably get your blood boiling, is Phil Donahue really taking on Bill O'Lielly. I really liked Phil's charge, but there was a point where I REALLY wanted to punch Bill in the face.

Cold-war device used to cause Katrina?

quote[An Idaho weatherman says Japan's Yakuza mafia used a Russian-made electromagnetic generator to cause Hurricane Katrina in a bid to avenge itself for the Hiroshima atom bomb attack — and that this technology will soon be wielded again to hit another U.S. city.]

LOL! This guy is a nut.

Justice O'Connor May Delay Retirement

quote[Senator Arlen Specter, Republican of Pennsylvania, said he talked to Justice O'Connor about staying on the high court. ``She's prepared to do that'' through the court's term ending in June, Specter said. The president ``was noncommittal,'' Specter said. ``The body language was not very positive,'' Specter said.

Specter said the delay would give Congress and the rest of America more time to know John Roberts as chief justice. ``When we know a little more about Judge Roberts it's going to be easier with the next'' nomination, Specter said.]

I hope she stays on...

Scandal Visits the White House

quote[The Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal reached into the White House yesterday, picking off President Bush's top procurement official -- who just barely had time to resign before being arrested.

The federal charges against David Safavian stem from his tenure as chief of staff of the General Services Administration, predating his arrival at the White House a year ago. But his arrest nonetheless draws renewed attention to the ongoing corruption and influence-peddling inquiry swirling around Abramoff, a lobbyist well known for his connections to conservative Republicans in the White House and Congress.

And for a White House so desperate to build public confidence in its ability to respond to the Gulf Coast disaster, it doesn't exactly help that the man who up until Friday was overseeing contracting policy for the multi-billion dollar relief effort has now been charged with lying and obstructing a criminal investigation.]

I am sooo shocked!

Hurry Up And Fill Up Your Tanks

quote["We could be looking at gasoline lines and $4 gas, maybe even $5 gas, if this thing does the worst it could do," said energy analyst Peter Beutel of Cameron Hanover. "This storm is in the wrong place. And it's absolutely at the wrong time," said Beutel.]

Is it ironic that I was just listening to REM's, "It's The End Of The World As We Know It?"

A Prius meets a Hummer at the gas pumps

Immigration memo intended for Rove arrives on Democrat's fax

quote[Larisa Alexandrovna

An immigration memo intended for embattled White House advisor Karl Rove arrived instead on the fax machine of a Democratic congressman, RAW STORY can reveal.

The congressman who received the fax opted not to comment, and asked that his name not be used.

The focus of Smith's memo, addressed to "Hon. Karl Rove," is on immigration politics.
Advertisement

"Immigration needs to be considered in the context of: (1). Media Bias, (2). Animosity toward the president and (3) the feelings of the Republican base," Smith's memo states.

Smith is a member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims as well as the Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity. No issues regarding the legislative jurisdiction of these committees are mentioned.

Smith goes on to suggest that "Liberals can easily and accurately be painted as opposing enforcement." His office did not return a call seeking comment.]

Clinton launches withering attack on Bush on Iraq, Katrina, budget

quote[Former US president Bill Clinton sharply criticised George W. Bush for the
Iraq War and the handling of Hurricane Katrina, and voiced alarm at the swelling US budget deficit.

Breaking with tradition under which US presidents mute criticisms of their successors, Clinton said the Bush administration had decided to invade Iraq "virtually alone and before UN inspections were completed, with no real urgency, no evidence that there were weapons of mass destruction."]

It's about time...

Bush Katrina Ratings Fall After Speech

quote[Thirty-five percent (35%) of Americans now say that President Bush has done a good or excellent job responding to Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. That's down from 39% before his speech from New Orleans.]

More good news!

Bush labeled 'a--hole' in new Google bomb

quote[President Bush is the target of a new "Google bomb" where he's labeled an "a-- hole" in a vulgar filmstrip when the graphic term is entered into the popular search engine.

A song and video critical of the president, his Cabinet and high-profile conservatives such as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Ann Coulter appear as the sole result in Google searches when the words "a-- hole" with a space between the words are put into Google's engine, and the "I'm feeling lucky" button is punched.

A Google bomb is an attempt to influence the ranking of a given site in results returned by the Google search engine.

After a brief video about the impact of Hurricane Katrina, online surfers are treated to a musical series of photos of the conservatives, with captions mocking them for their perspective on current events.]

Thanks to Mr. Baggypants! Great find.

And make sure to check out the actual video. I personally, don't thinnk it's too vulgar. Rather, I think it's right on point.

Who's in Charge? Karl Rove!

quote["Republicans said Karl Rove, the White House deputy chief of staff and Mr. Bush's chief political adviser, was in charge of the reconstruction effort."

Rove's leadership role suggests quite strikingly that any and all White House decisions and pronouncements regarding the recovery from the storm are being made with their political consequences as the primary consideration. More specifically: With an eye toward increasing the likelihood of Republican political victories in the future, pursuing long-cherished conservative goals, and bolstering Bush's image.

That is Rove's hallmark.]

This just gets more and more disgusting.

Diebold System One of Greatest Threats Democracy Has Ever Known

quote[Identifies U.S. Homeland Security 'Cyber Alert' Prior to '04 Election Warning Votes Can be 'Modified Remotely' via 'Undocumented Backdoor' in Central Tabulator Software!

In exclusive stunning admissions to The BRAD BLOG some 11 months after the 2004 Presidential Election, a "Diebold Insider" is now finally speaking out for the first time about the...

In exclusive stunning admissions to The BRAD BLOG some 11 months after the 2004 Presidential Election, a "Diebold Insider" is now finally speaking out for the first time about the alarming security flaws within Diebold, Inc's electronic voting systems, software and machinery. The source is acknowledging that the company's "upper management" -- as well as "top government officials" -- were keenly aware of the "undocumented backdoor" in Diebold's main "GEM Central Tabulator" software well prior to the 2004 election. A branch of the Federal Government even posted a security warning on the Internet.]

And you thought we were a democracy...

Health Insurance Costs Exceed Annual Minimum-Wage Earnings

quote[This year the survey found that average annual premiums for family coverage grew more than 9% since last year to $10,880. A minimum wage worker earns $10,712 before taxes.]

WTF??

Chavez Takes Bush to Task Over Iraq War

quote[Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez took
President Bush to task in front of a global summit for waging war in
Iraq without U.N. consent and won rousing applause for his critique.
ADVERTISEMENT

The leftist leader told a U.N. summit on Thursday that fighting the war without U.N. authorization showed Washington did not respect the world body. He recommended moving U.N. headquarters to a country that has more regard for the organization.]

Bush Sure Is A Whiz

quote[U.S. President George W. Bush writes a note to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a Security Council meeting at the 2005 World Summit and 60th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York September 14, 2005. World leaders are exploring ways to revitalize the United Nations at a summit on Wednesday but their blueprint falls short of Secretary-General Kofi Annan's vision of freedom from want, persecution and war. REUTERS/Rick Wilking]

What's with the question mark? Is he not sure he has to go? Or is he asking for permission?

Bush Eats Baby, Wears Suit Of Human Skin

quote[Republicans across the nation are scrambling to defend President George W. Bush after he ate a baby during a visit to the White House kitchen early last evening.

Eye witnesses report that the president left the White House residence at around 8:05 p.m. eastern time wearing what appeared to be a crudely stitched "woman suit made from actual women".
He then entered the White House kitchen where he ate a baby with a side order of "a Cobb Salad containing raw puppy heads".

"I'm a baby eater. An eater of babies," the president told reporters this morning in the Rose Garden. "That's my job. My job is to tell the American people what I eat. And I eat babies and puppies while wearing suits of women. At least you know where I stand."]

This was way too funny!

Jim Crow, Alive and Well

quote[U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings is expected to ask Congress soon for authority to waive McKinney-Vento and other key education legislation, such as the 2001 No Child Left Behind law, which holds districts and schools accountable for test scores of students in each racial group. Without a waiver, the penalty for violating McKinney-Vento is to deny states the funding they receive under the act for homeless education. Although the act was enacted in 1987, the desegregation requirement was adopted in 1994 and strengthened in 2001.]

Will they stop at anything??

U.S. Deploys Slide Show to Press Case Against Iran

quote[The PowerPoint briefing, titled "A History of Concealment and Deception," has been presented to diplomats from more than a dozen countries. Several diplomats said the presentation, intended to win allies for increasing pressure on the Iranian government, dismisses ambiguities in the evidence about Iran's intentions and omits alternative explanations under debate among intelligence analysts.]

What? Colin Powell wasn't available?

As bodies recovered, reporters are told 'no photos, no stories'

quote[On Saturday, after being challenged in court by CNN, the Bush administration agreed not to prevent the news media from following the effort to recover the bodies of Hurricane Katrina victims.

But on Monday, in the Bywater district, that assurance wasn't being followed. The 82nd Airborne soldier told reporters the Army had a policy that requires media to be 300 meters -- more than three football fields in length -- away from the scene of body recoveries in New Orleans. If reporters wrote stories or took pictures of body recoveries, they would be reported and face consequences, he said, including a loss of access for up-close coverage of certain military operations.]

Once again the government demonstrates that it simply doesn't care about the law of the land. Isn't this fascism?

New FEMA boss is 'Duct Tape Man'

quote[If Michael Brown’s resignation this afternoon as the head of FEMA was supposed to end the political controversy over the administration’s response to Hurricane Katrina, it probably won't.

In another gesture symbolizing the continued confusion of the federal response, the man President Bush immediately named to succeed “Brownie,” proves to have been the same FEMA official who, two-and-a-half years ago, suggested that Americans stock up on duct tape to protect against a biological or chemical terrorist attack.]

I just knew there was something funny about this guy.

FEMA, La. outsource Katrina body count to firm implicated in body-dumping scandals

quote[Kenyon is a subsidiary of Service Corporation International (SCI), a scandal-ridden Texas-based company operated by a friend of the Bush family. Recently, SCI subsidiaries have been implicated in illegally discarding and desecrating corpses...
...In other words, FEMA and then Blanco outsourced the body count from Hurricane Katrina -- which many believe the worst natural disaster in U.S. history -- to a firm whose parent company is known for its "experience" at hiding and dumping bodies.]

Fucking ridiculous!

I Am Shocked...

quote["To the extent the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility," Bush said.]

I don't think he's ever said those words before.

25 Mind-Numbingly Stupid Quotes About Hurricane Katrina And Its Aftermath

quote[4) "We've got a lot of rebuilding to do ... The good news is — and it's hard for some to see it now — that out of this chaos is going to come a fantastic Gulf Coast, like it was before. Out of the rubbles of Trent Lott's house — he's lost his entire house — there's going to be a fantastic house. And I'm looking forward to sitting on the porch." (Laughter) —President Bush, touring hurricane damage, Mobile, Ala., Sept. 2, 2005 (Source)]

There's a lot of heartless idiots in our government.

Bush Cronies to Mop Up Katrina

quote[Companies with ties to the Bush White House and the former head of FEMA are clinching some of the administration's first disaster relief and reconstruction contracts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.]

Physician who told Cheney to go Fuck Himself Lost his Home in Katrina, Detained, Cuffed by Cheney's M-16-carrying Goons

quote[So let’s get this straight: A physician with a newborn baby loses most everything he owns in the hurricane, does what most of us WANT to do and “echoes” Cheney’s words he spoke on the Senate floor last year, walks away harmlessly, mission accomplished, and then once the media cameras leave, he is treated like a foreign terrorist as Cheney’s goons waving M-16s handcuff him in front of his destroyed home? Had it not been for the media cameras filming the initial scene, I doubt Cheney’s goons would have just let Marble go after 20 minutes.]

This is seriously fucked up. What's good for the goose isn't good for the gander, I guess.

Infectious Disease Research in and Around New Orleans

quote[Here's a great tip for all reporters looking for a completely new - and extremely important - angle on the situation in New Orleans. As far as I can tell, no one has yet mentioned the biological research labs located in and around NOLA. For example, in nearby Covington, Tulane University runs the Tulane National Primate Research Center, a cluster of Level-3 biological labs containing around 5,000 monkeys, most of which are housed in outdoor cages. According to an article in Tulane University Magazine, "The primary areas of focus today at the Tulane National Primate Research Center are infectious diseases, including biodefense related work, gene therapy, reproductive biology and neuroscience. The Tulane primate center is playing a key role in the federal strategic plan for biodefense research." [Google cache | Memory Hole mirror.]

So what happened to these diseased monkeys living outside in cages? Granted, Covington didn't get hit nearly as hard as NOLA, but it still got hit.

According to the Sunshine Project, which digs up grant proposals and other primary documents from the US biowarfare effort, "Tulane scientists are working with anthrax, plague, and other biological weapons agents."]

I've been on this bandwagon ever since the flood waters hit. It's nice to see that I'm not the only one.

Think Before You Speak

quote[Rep. Baker of Baton Rouge is overheard telling lobbyists: "We finally cleaned up public housing in New Orleans. We couldn’t do it, but God did."]

Perhaps, it should be (for the repugs) more like think and don't speak.

Please, click here to let this jerk know what you think of his insensitive remarks.

FEMA Chief Michael Brown Removed From Katrina Relief

quote[Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Brown is being removed from his role managing Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, The Associated Press has learned.

Brown is being sent back to Washington from Baton Rouge, where he was the primary official overseeing the federal government's response to the disaster, according to two federal officials who declined to be identified before the announcement.

Brown will be replaced by Coast Guard Vice Adm. Thad W. Allen, who was overseeing New Orleans relief and rescue efforts.]

The article also has some of the dirt that Time uncovered over this asshat's phony resume.

No Link, Just The Truth..

Censored, 2006

quote[Every year, project researchers scour the media looking for news that never really made the news, publishing the results in a book, this year titled Censored 2006. Of course, as Project Censored staffers painstakingly explain every year, their "censored" stories aren't literally censored, per se. Most can be found on the Internet if you know where to look. And some have even received some ink in the mainstream press. "Censorship," explains project director Peter Phillips, "is any interference with the free flow of information in society." The stories highlighted by Project Censored simply haven't received the kind of attention they warrant, and therefore haven't made it into the greater public consciousness.]

I think I covered most of these.

FEMA's Blocking Relief Efforts - An Amazing List

Yep, they are doing an amazing job alright!

Bring Them Home Now Tour

Camp Casey is on the road!

Pat Robertson's Katrina Cash

quote[Absolved of his sins, Robertson dug his heels back in African soil. In 1999 he signed an $8 million agreement with Liberian tyrant Charles Taylor that guaranteed Robertson's Freedom Gold Ltd.--an offshore company registered to the same address as his Christian Broadcasting Network--mining rights in Liberia, and gave Taylor a 10 percent stake in the company. When the United States intervened in Liberia in 2003, forcing Taylor and the Al Qaeda operatives he was harboring to flee, Robertson accused President Bush of "undermining a Christian, Baptist president to bring in Muslim rebels to take over the country."

Robertson's scheming hasn't abated one bit. He is accused of violating his ministry's tax-exempt, nonprofit status by using it to market a diet shake he licensed this August to the health chain General Nutrition Corp. (Robertson continues to advertise the shake on his personal website.) He has withstood criticism from fellow evangelicals for investing $520,000 in a racehorse named Mr. Pat, violating biblical admonitions against gambling. He was even accused of "Jim Crow-style racial discrimination" by black employees who successfully sued his Christian Coalition in 2001 for forcing them enter its offices through a back door and eat in a segregated area (Robertson has since resigned).]

Warning: Only read this if you want to be sick.

Exxon's $10B fill-up: Cashing in on crunch

quote[Oil companies came under new fire yesterday when it emerged that ExxonMobil's profits are likely to soar above $10 billion this quarter on the back of the fuel crisis.
That's $110 million a day, and more net income than any company has ever made in a quarter. It's also a stunning 69 percent increase over the same period a year ago and a 34 percent jump from the $7.6 billion Exxon made just last quarter.
``Do you realize President Bush has just given a tax break to ExxonMobil?'' thundered Rep. Ed Markey (D-Malden). ``Of all the companies in the history of the world that needed a tax break, this month, ExxonMobil should be at the bottom of the list.'']

This is seriously fucked up.

Finally, A Heartwarming Story To Come Out Of New Orleans

quote[In the chaos that was Causeway Boulevard, this group of refugees stood out: a 6-year-old boy walking down the road, holding a 5-month-old, surrounded by five toddlers who followed him around as if he were their leader.

They were holding hands. Three of the children were about 2 years old, and one was wearing only diapers. A 3-year-old girl, who wore colorful barrettes on the ends of her braids, had her 14-month-old brother in tow. The 6-year-old spoke for all of them, and he told rescuers his name was Deamonte Love.]

That little boy has more courage an leadership skills than our President.

Storm Survivors Told To 'Expose Themselves'

quote[A group of female hurricane survivors were told to show their breasts if they wanted to be rescued, a British holidaymaker has revealed.Ged Scott watched as American rescuers turned their boat around and sped off when the the women refused.]

The depravity of the human condition sinks ever lower in my mind...

Barbara Bush: Things Working Out 'Very Well' for Poor Evacuees from New Orleans

quote["And so many of the people in the arena here, you
know, were underprivileged anyway, so this--this (she
chuckles slightly) is working very well for them."]

Do any of these assholes have a conscience?

How far from reality can the Bush family possibly be?

How To Help The Victims Of Katrina

These are some of the better charities, IMHO.

American Red Cross
Donations made to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need.
Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).
Send checks to: American Red Cross P.O. Box 37243 Washington, D.C. 20013
Donate Online.

The Salvation Army
"A $100 donation to The Salvation Army will feed a family of four for two days, provide two cases of drinking water and one household clean-up kit, containing brooms, mops, buckets, and cleaning supplies," the website states.
Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY
Donate Online.

Oxfam America
Call 1-800-77-OXFAM
Send checks to: Hurricane Katrina Response and Recovery Fund, 26 West Street, Boston, MA 02111
Donate Online.

Noah's Wish
"We exist to keep animals alive during disasters. That's it." the website states.
Send checks to: Noah's Wish, P.O. Box 997, Placerville, Calif. 95667
Call: 530-622-9313

United Way Relief Fund
Send checks to: United Way of America, P.O. Box 630568, Baltimore, MD 21263-0568
Donate Online.

Feed The Children
A Christian, international, nonprofit relief organization that delivers food, medicine, clothing and other necessities to individuals, children and families who lack these essentials due to famine, war, poverty or natural disaster.
Donate Online.

Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities' niche in disaster relief is to provide long-term recovery work.
Call (800) 919-9338
Donate Online.

Southern Baptist Relief Fund
Southern Baptist efforts are correlated primarily with the American Red Cross, and with other private agencies.
Send checks to: North American Mission Board (NAMB), P.O. Box 116543, Atlanta, GA 30368-6543.
Donate Online.

United Methodist Committee on Relief
United Methodist Committee on Relief is the not-for-profit humanitarian agency of The United Methodist Church
Send checks to: UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068
Call: 800-554-8583
Donate Online.

Episcopal Relief & Development
Call: 1-800-334-7626

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster


Please donate something, anything you can.

Peace...

New Orleans Residents: God's Mercy Evident in Katrina's Wake

quote[“New Orleans now is abortion free. New Orleans now is Mardi Gras free. New Orleans now is free of Southern Decadence and the sodomites, the witchcraft workers, false religion -- it's free of all of those things now," Shanks says. "God simply, I believe, in His mercy purged all of that stuff out of there -- and now we're going to start over again."]

This nut-jobs give all Christians a bad name. I wish they would just go away.

And what the hell is with the name of the publisher? Agape press??

Thanks to Ohio-Democrat for alerting me of this!

HALIBURTON AWARDED NO-FUCKING BID CONTRACT TO CLEAN UP NEW ORLEAN

quote[The Navy has hired Houston-based Halliburton Co. to restore electric power, repair roofs and remove debris at three naval facilities in Mississippi damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

Halliburton subsidiary KBR will also perform damage assessments at other naval installations in New Orleans as soon as it is safe to do so.]

I am so fucking pissed, I can't even make a comment right now.

CNN Does A Point By Point Blow Contradicting FEMA Response

quote[Diverging views of a crumbling New Orleans emerged Thursday. The sanitized view came from federal officials at news conferences and television appearances. But the official line was contradicted by grittier, more desperate views from the shelters and the streets.

These conflicting views came within hours, sometimes minutes of each of each other, as reflected in CNN's transcripts. The speakers include Michael Brown, chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, evacuee Raymond Cooper, CNN correspondents and others. Here's what they had to say:]

FEMA Directing Donations To Pat Robertson

quote[Robertson’s shell organizations have already collected more than $25 million from the federal government under various “faith based” federal-handout programs. And with millions of distraught citizens looking to FEMA for help in finding reputable organizations to help Katrina survivors, Robertson stands to profit magnificently from the horror that has fallen on New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.]

Is this Bush's way to give his buddies some profit from the face of a national tragedy??

I am disgusted!

FEMA link.

Robertson's "Operation Blessing" is second on the list, right below the Red Cross.

Why the fuck is he being rewarded?

Miracle Mice

quote[SCIENTISTS have created "miracle mice" that can regenerate amputated limbs or damaged vital organs, making them able to recover from injuries that would kill or permanently disable normal animals.

The experimental animals are unique among mammals in their ability to regrow their heart, toes, joints and tail.

And when cells from the test mouse are injected into ordinary mice, they too acquire the ability to regenerate, the US-based researchers say.

Their discoveries raise the prospect that humans could one day be given the ability to regenerate lost or damaged organs, opening up a new era in medicine.]

This is very cool.

Karl Rove Makes Surprise Visit to Camp Casey!

quote[Rove did not meet with any of the dozens of Iraq and Afghan war vets, nor the Gold Star Family members who'd lost loved ones in those wars who were present in Crawford to support Sheehan's request to meet with Bush for an explanation of the "noble cause" that he's suggested their loved ones had died for.]

What an arrogant fucking asshole!

Conservative Paper Blasts Bush Over Katrina Response

quote["A better leader would have flown straight to the disaster zone and announced the immediate mobilization of every available resource to rescue the stranded, find and bury the dead, and keep the survivors fed, clothed, sheltered and free of disease," the editorial declared. "The cool, confident, intuitive leadership Bush exhibited in his first term, particularly in the months immediately following Sept. 11, 2001, has vanished. In its place is a diffident detachment unsuitable for the leader of a nation facing war, natural disaster and economic uncertainty."]

Even the conservatives are starting to realize how inefectual Bush is.

Chaos and Hell: A New Orleans Blog

quote[ He's only hearing bits and pieces. The people in the city are shooting at the police. They're upset that they're not getting help quickly enough. The fireman keep calling because they're under fire. He doesn't understand why the people are shooting at the rescuers. Here it is 5 days ago the Mayor said get out of town and nobody went and now they're pissed.

The National Guard was at the Hilton, but now the Hilton is evacuated. When they said the CBD was gonna get 6 feet of water, it seems like everyone evacuated.

He turned the corner onto Canal Street and it looked like a flea market. People breaking into every store, going to the neutral gound (median) and trading and selling everything.

They broke into Winn Dixie Monday Night. Do they steal food? No. Cigarettes and liquor. Store was a mess. All the meats were going to waste so the districts went over there to salvage food for officers. Many cops have been eating MREs.

The Iberville Housing Projects got pissed off because the police started to "shop" after they kicked out looters. Then they started shooting at cops. When the cops left, the looters looted everything. There's probably not a grocery left in this city.

Over 30 officers have quit over the last 3 days. Out of 160 officers in his district maybe 55 or 60 are working. He hasn't seen several since Sunday. HQ is closed, evacuated. No phones to contact them.

"HQ, be advised, we're going 10 7."

"Ok, y'all coming back on???"

"We don't know."]

Christ, this sounds like pure hell.