There is no 9/11 conspiracy you morons.

quote[I've been getting a lot of email lately from people sending me this stupid 9/11 conspiracy video called "Loose Change." I've tried to ignore it for months now, but you morons keep forwarding it to me, and I keep having to add more email addresses to my spam filter. The ironic part is that I'm a huge conspiracy nut, and even I can't stomach this bullshit. For example, I believe that there is a small, reptile-like creature called Chupacabra that sucks the blood of goats in Mexico. Area 51? Hell yes. Roswell? Pass me the Kool-Aid. But "Loose Change" elevates bullshit to an artform. Watching this video is like being bukakked with stupid.

Unlike others who debunk 9/11 conspiracy theories, or "cons" for short, I'm not going to bother with going through intricate point-by-point rebuttals, or pointing out the hundreds of factual inaccuracies and outright lies in this "documentary," because I don't need to. In fact, I can debunk the entire story with one simple observation:]

Maddox is great!

Lieberman Camp Feels Heat From Solar Slip

quote[Stock footage of the sun hovering over gently lapping waves turned out to be a sunset, not the metaphorically superior image of a sunrise. Sunrise, sunset. Why does it matter, you might ask?

One reason is the adamant response of Dan Gerstein, Lieberman's new spokesman, to the teasing by Ned Lamont's campaign that the setting sun was an apt metaphor for Lieberman, who is running as a petitioning candidate after losing the Democratic primary to Lamont.]

LOL. This is too funny!

Bush Team Casts Foes as Defeatist, Can't Cite Evidence

quote[Pressed to support these allegations, the White House yesterday could cite no major Democrat who has proposed cutting off funds or suggested that withdrawing from Iraq would persuade terrorists to leave Americans alone. But White House and Republican officials said those are logical interpretations of the most common Democratic position favoring a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq.]

There should be more journalists like this!

Olbermann Slams Rumsfeld Over Fascist Comment

Rock on!!

Stephen King, John Grisham To Stump For Webb

quote[Pretty cool. Now, it's time for some bad puns and other plays on book titles. Will Stephen King's support for Jim Webb "Carrie" a lot of weight, fueling a "Storm of the Century" in Virginia, politically speaking? Will the receiving line at this event be a "Long Walk" or a "Dead Zone?" Will George Allen and Dick Wadhams feel "Misery" or "Rage" upon hearing news of this event? (quick answer: Wadhams has already attacked Jim Webb for reading, writing, and probably 'rithmetic too; hey Dick, has George Allen ever read a book in his life?).

As far as John Grisham is concerned, I wonder if he has a "Painted House" in Charlottesville, and whether this fundraiser will be "A Time to Kill" money-wise for the Webb campaign. Will Grisham be a major "Rainmaker" for Jim Webb with his "Summons" to Charlottesville? Oh, and what kind of food will Grisham serve? The king of "Torts?" Ha.]

Cool news, but the puns were killing me.

Source of C.I.A. Leak Said to Admit Role

quote[Richard L. Armitage, a former deputy secretary of state, has acknowledged that he was the person whose conversation with a columnist in 2003 prompted a long, politically laden criminal investigation in what became known as the C.I.A. leak case, a lawyer involved in the case said on Tuesday.]

I guess they can't bring charges on him, though, since he was known by the FBI even before Fitzgerald was appointed.

Local Republicans May Begin to Back Lieberman

quote[Local Republican committees are starting to follow the lead of their rank and file in Connecticut by abandoning the quixotic Senate candidacy of Republican Alan Schlesinger. On August 11th, the Killingworth Republican Town Committee voted to withdraw its endorsement of Schlesinger.

A dozen more may follow, including at least one town that raises more money than any other for Republican causes around the state, Greenwich. The question for most towns will be whether to include the “L-word” in their resolutions. Some want to endorse Lieberman, who’s drawn significant Republican support since his narrow 1988 upset of disagreeable Republican Lowell P. Weicker, Jr, now an unaffiliated voter.

There are few gatherings more earnest than meetings of the 169 Republican town committees in Connecticut. The decision to bolt formally from a Republican candidate for the United States Senate to a three-term incumbent Democrat turned independent will cause much debate among party activists, who have stood by the parade of no-hopers the party has nominate for the Senate in the past decade.]

Unbelievable.

Kerry alleges misconduct in 2004 Ohio vote

quote[Sen. John Kerry didn't contest the results at the time, but now that he's considering another run for the White House, he's alleging election improprieties by the Ohio Republican who oversaw the deciding vote in 2004.]

A little late, dontcha' think?

It'll be hard for me to support him again in a bid for the Presidency.

Kerry alleges misconduct in 2004 Ohio vote

quote[Sen. John Kerry didn't contest the results at the time, but now that he's considering another run for the White House, he's alleging election improprieties by the Ohio Republican who oversaw the deciding vote in 2004.]

A little late, dontcha' think?

It'll be hard for me to support him again in a bid for the Presidency.

It's Over For The Sox, Let's Hope Ortiz Is Okay

quote[A season slipping away took another crushing turn last night, even before a ragtag team of Red Sox was beaten, 9-0, by the Oakland Athletics.
Article Tools

About 20 minutes before the first pitch, David Ortiz was scratched from a starting lineup that once again was missing Manny Ramírez. ``He isn't feeling well," said PR man Peter Chase, who had been briefed on Ortiz's condition in the dugout by Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein.

But it wasn't until after the game that manager Terry Francona revealed that Ortiz had experienced another episode involving an apparent irregular heartbeat, the one that had sent him to the hospital overnight during the recent Yankees series.]

Bush White House to be subpoenaed by wiretap lawyers

quote[Two attorneys representing claimants in a lawsuit over wiretapping by the National Security Agency will subpoena the White House today, RAW STORY has learned.

Bruce Afran and Carl Mayer, who represent hundreds of plaintiffs in lawsuits against Verizon, AT&T, and the US Government, will announnce today that they are serving both the Bush administration and Verizon with subpoenas.

The announcement is due to arrive at 4:30 PM, outside of Verizon headquarters in New York, RAW STORY has confirmed.]

Somehow, they'll get out of this.

Democratic Online Consultants Turn Down Lieberman, Republicans Step up

quote[CONNECTICUT SENATOR JOE LIEBERMAN IS searching for a firm to manage his campaign's Web site for the upcoming election--and coming up short.

So far, two Democratic Web site consultants have turned down the campaign because they don't want to cross party lines. Lieberman, who recently lost the Democratic primary for Senate to challenger Ned Lamont, is now running as an Independent. Lieberman's campaign did not return calls for comment.]

I can't believe he still hasn't figured this out yet. It really shows how out of touch he is with reality.

Anyone with half a brain, and his cash, would have had his website in top-notch shape well before the primary, not three weeks later.

RIP: Maynard Ferguson May 4, 1928 - August 23, 2006

quote[Walter "Maynard" Ferguson, one of the most influential musicians and band leaders in the history of Jazz, passed away August 23rd at 8:00 pm Pacific Time at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, California. He was 78 years old. His death was the result of kidney and liver failure brought on by an abdominal infection. Mr. Ferguson's four daughters, Kim, Lisa, Corby, Wilder and other family members were at his side when he passed away after this brief illness. He spoke by phone with his friend and manager Steve Schankman from St. Louis, longtime tour manager Ed Sargent, and friend, and fellow trumpeter Arturo Sandoval.]

Being a trumpet player, I idolized this guy (along with Doc Severson) as a kid. I got to see a show of his when I was younger, and the show was pure electricity.

He also was famous for not knowing how to actually read sheet music. I'm not sure if this is true or not, but he played up on the rumor during the concert I attended. He made a statement about how ridiculous it was to say such a thing, then he played a little bit before, finally, another band member walked over to his music stand, shook his head, and turned the music sheet upside down.

He will be sorely missed.

-P

Some in G.O.P. Want Yet Another War

quote[The complaints, expressed privately in recent weeks, surfaced in a Congressional report about Iran released Wednesday. They echo the tensions that divided the administration and the Central Intelligence Agency during the prelude to the war in Iraq.

The criticisms reflect the views of some officials inside the White House and the Pentagon who advocated going to war with Iraq and now are pressing for confronting Iran directly over its nuclear program and ties to terrorism, say officials with knowledge of the debate.]

These idiots really are completely insane.

Lieberman to Campaign With Republicans Today

quote[Because nobody could have predicted it — Joe Lieberman will be campaigning with GOP candidates Jodi Rell and Rob Simmons today at the Groton sub base (the one that Holy Joe claims to have singlehandedly saved). Simmons, you’ll remember, is the GOP candidate running against Democrat Joe Courtney for one of those hotly contested Connecticut House seats. You know, the ones where the Democrat is supposed to be helped by Lieberman’s indy bid, right? At least according to the DCCC and the email that reader ems forwarded to us yesterday:]

So what is he? A repub. or a dem.?

The Case Against Lieberman

quote[Mr. Lieberman may have violated Section 9-368c "Misrepresentation of Contents of a Petition." He claimed to the secretary of the state's office that he wanted to start a new political party called "Connecticut for Lieberman" within 12 hours after losing a Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate. He has absolutely no intent of forming a legitimate third party. He keeps calling himself a "petitioning Democrat" when he knows that state law prohibits the use of the name Republican or Democrat in the name of third parties. He continues to publicly state that he is a registered Democrat and that he would align himself with the Democrats if he would win in November. He is trying to undermine our state laws about the creation of legitimate third parties by forming this fraudulent association. He has no party rules. He nominated, seconded and accepted his own nomination. He has no third party platform so his association cannot be about any new ideas. He is just trying to contest and challenge the results of a fair election on Aug. 8, 2006, on the grounds that he lost. He is unfairly trying to run twice for the same U.S. Senate seat within three months. This cannot be tolerated in Connecticut electoral politics.]

He makes a compelling case.

Don't Download This Song!

Wierd Al has a new CD coming out. Enjoy!

Lieberman and Lamont Tied in Connecticut

quote[Joe Lieberman and Ned Lamont are in a statistical tie in the race for United States Senate in Connecticut according to the latest survey from the American Research Group. Among likely voters in November, 44% say they would vote for Lieberman, 42% say they would vote for Lamont, 3% say they would vote for Alan Schlesinger, and 11% are undecided.

Lieberman leads Lamont 57% to 18% among enrolled Republicans and 48% to 38% among unaffiliated (independent) voters. Lamont leads Lieberman 65% to 30% among enrolled Democrats.

A total of 56% of likely voters have a favorable opinion of Lieberman and 41% have an unfavorable opinion of Lieberman. A total of 47% of likely voters have a favorable opinion of Lamont and 34% have an unfavorable opinion of Lamont.]

Joementum is on a downward spiral!

Lieberman's Independent Run Questioned By Democrats

quote[Critics asked a New Haven election official to remove Sen. Joe Lieberman from the Democratic Party on Monday, a request which could potentially lead to a hearing in which the longtime Democrat would have to argue that he still adheres to the principles of the party.]

Ooh! Is this getting ugly!

Lieberman adds GOP firepower

quote[Sen. Joe Lieberman has hired a political consultant, Josh Isay, who helped Mayor Bloomberg, a Republican, get elected.

Lieberman also hired GOP pollster Neil Newhouse, who lists popular Republican Gov. Jodi Rell of Connecticut among his clients.

Lieberman, who must appeal to Republicans and unaffiliated voters to beat Democrat Ned Lamont and Republican Alan Schlesinger in November, touted the new hires as proof of his campaign's bipartisanship.

Liz Dupont-Diehl, Lamont's campaign spokeswoman, said the hirings show Lieberman just wants to "hold onto power."

Lieberman is running as an independent after losing the Democratic nomination to Lamont. ]

Why am I not surprised?

Free Music Video! In The News

Kris Kristofferson has just released a great new anti-war song. Listen to it free at the link above.

Is Lieberman “The New Dick Cheney”

quote["I’m concerned that [Lieberman] is making a Republican case," Kerry told ABC News’ "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" in an exclusive appearance.

Kerry accused the 2000 Democratic vice presidential candidate of "adopting the rhetoric of Dick Cheney," on the issue of Iraq.

"Joe Lieberman is out of step with the people of Connecticut," Kerry added, insisting Lieberman’s stance on Iraq, "shows you just why he got in trouble with the Democrats there."

Kerry called Lieberman’s independent bid a "huge mistake" and applauded businessman-turned-politician Lamont as "courageous" for challenging Lieberman on the war.]

I hope LIEberman quits.

NSA eavesdropping program ruled unconstitutional

quote[A federal judge ruled Thursday that the government's warrantless wiretapping program is unconstitutional and ordered an immediate halt to it.]

It's about time!

Lamont Gaining Ground On LIEberman

quote[Lieberman leads Lamont among registered voters 49 percent to 38 percent. Republican Alan Schlesinger gets support from 4 percent.

That's an improvement for Lamont, who trailed Lieberman 51 percent to 27 percent in a three-way race in a July 20 Quinnipiac poll. That survey of registered voters showed Schlesinger with 9 percent.]

It's a tough race.

Senior Dems Increasingly Angry At Lieberman

quote[A group of Senate Democrats is growing increasingly angry about Sen. Joe Lieberman’s (D-Conn.) campaign tactics since he lost the Democratic primary last week.

If he continues to alienate his colleagues, Lieberman could be stripped of his seniority within the Democratic caucus should he defeat Democrat Ned Lamont in the general election this November, according to some senior Democratic aides.

In recent days, Lieberman has rankled Democrats in the upper chamber by suggesting that those who support bringing U.S. troops home from Iraq by a certain date would bolster terrorists’ planning attacks against the U.S. and its allies. He also sparked resentment by saying last week on NBC’s Today show that the Democratic Party was out of the political mainstream.]

His goos is almost cooked.

Security Scare Forces Plane To Land At Logan

quote[A United Airlines flight, heading from London to Virginia, was diverted to Boston because a 60-year-old woman got into an altercation with two other passengers.

Previous reports that the woman was carrying a screwdriver and matches were incorrect. The incident has no link to terrorism.]

FEAR!

Remember: the terrorists will kill you if you don't vote for Lieberman or the republicans!

Jon Stewart Apologizes To Geraldo

quote[I guess Geraldo forgot what his talk show was like. Little old ladies slipping on ice would be serious compared to some of the stuff he use to do. Stewart and Colbert do revisit some classic TDS clips they have on Geraldo.

This was great to watch last night. I guess after a day of hearing "how the terrorists are after us", I was due for some serious comedy. Maybe Geraldo will go on TDS to accept Jon’s apology.]

This was a great clip!

VP: Lieberman loss helps al Qaeda

quote[In a telephone conference late yesterday, Cheney praised Lieberman as a "good man," that the Vice President has "a good deal of respect for."

"The thing that's partly disturbing about [Lieberman's loss] is the fact that," Cheney told reporters from Jackson, Wyoming, "our adversaries, if you will, in this conflict, and the al Qaeda types--they clearly are betting on the proposition that ultimately they can break the will of the American people in terms of our ability to stay in the fight and complete the task."]

Give me an F-ing break!

I'm A Student Of History

quote[The point is, we see a pattern emerging, in which Condoleezza Rice (Ph.D., Graduate School of International Studies, University of Denver) invokes her academic credentials to evade responsibility for decisions that she's made or for policies that she's helped devise.]

And that should qualify her to know how badly she's fucking up this world.

Lieberman Already Coming Up WIth Excuses

quote[Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman, locked in a battle with an anti-war challenger in the nation's most closely watched primary race Tuesday, accused his opponent's supporters of hacking his campaign Web site and e-mail system.

Lamont, campaigning early Tuesday afternoon in Bridgeport, said he knew nothing about the accusations. "It's just another scurrilous charge," he said.]

Lordy, Lordy...

The Rowland Experience-Guest Commentary From Shawna

As I sat in the Rusty Scupper one night,
I saw a concerning sight.
My jaw hit the floor,
I almost ran out the door;
but instead, I began to write.
Red wine in one hand,
portfolio in the other,
his suit nicely tailored,
not a word to anyone did he utter.
While deep in concentration he was approached by two men.
Mind you, the time...was well after ten!
They shook hands with each another and exchanged a few glances;
hey, maybe the meeting was legit, but then again, what are the chances?
Off they walked, away from the nonexistent crowd,
onto the empty restaurant patio --silent understanding, NO ONE ELSE ALLOWED!
Those around me began to whisper, snicker and stare,
but opinions of the "suspicious" meeting, they didn't want to share.
I questioned my dad and his response was sadly sincere,
"Yes that's ex-governor Rowland, and unfortunately we're used to politicians
like him around here."

Thanks, Shawna. Well done.

Media Masturbation Over CT Primary

quote["Connecticut is going to be the only place in the country Tuesday where you can vote on the war," said Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews." Matthews, who will visit some polling places today, talk to some voters and then broadcast his show from New Haven this evening, said the state has been given a unique opportunity.

"The great thing for people voting Tuesday in Connecticut is that their votes are going to count," he said. "This is a rare, if not unique, opportunity for voters," he added. "And for me, elections like this are like Christmas morning."]

I just voted. Can you guess who it was for?

What to Do With Hotel Soap

quote[The following letters are taken from an actual incident between a London
hotel and one of its guests. The Hotel ended up submitting the letters
to the London Sunday Times!]

This may be old, but I thought it was very funny.

Lieberman Cuts Into Lamont's Lead

quote[U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, fighting for his political survival, appears to be cutting into challenger Ned Lamont's lead the day before Connecticut's Democratic primary election, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Monday.

The poll shows Lamont, a wealthy Greenwich businessman, with a slight lead of 51 percent to 45 percent over Lieberman among likely Democratic voters heading into Tuesday's primary.]

I still predict a Lamont win.

Don't forget to vote tomorrow!

9/11 Live: The NORAD Tapes

quote[How did the U.S. Air Force respond on 9/11? Could it have shot down United 93, as conspiracy theorists claim? Obtaining 30 hours of never-before-released tapes from the control room of NORAD's Northeast headquarters, the author reconstructs the chaotic military history of that day—and the Pentagon's apparent attempt to cover it up. VF.com exclusive: Hear excerpts from the September 11 NORAD tapes. Click PLAY after each transcript to listen]

A very well written article.

The sound clips are a bit chilling.

US Gen. Abizaid says civil war possible in Iraq

quote[The head of the U.S. Central Command on Thursday said sectarian violence in Baghdad was as bad as he has ever seen and could lead to a civil war.

"Sectarian violence probably is as bad as I've seen it, in Baghdad in particular," Army Gen. John Abizaid told the Senate Armed Services Committee. "If not stopped, it is possible that Iraq could move toward civil war."]

At what point do you just fucking admit that they ARE IN a civil war?

New Poll Shows Lieberman Losing More Ground To Lamont

quote[Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont, a political novice fueled by deep pockets and voters' outrage over the Iraq war, has extended his lead over veteran Sen. Joe Lieberman less than a week before Connecticut's Democratic primary, according to a new poll released Thursday.

Lamont has support from 54 percent of likely Democrat voters in the new Quinnipiac University poll, while Lieberman has support from 41 percent of voters. A similar poll July 20 showed Lamont with a slight advantage for the first time in the campaign.]

Sweet. Joe's done!

Too Hot To Blog

The local news says it's 98 degrees outside. I just checked my thermometer (which, admittedly, is currently in the sun). It's reading 118.

I know that's not right. But, neither is this heat.

Nor is the humidity.

(Link is to something that should cool you off).

Campaigning in Connecticut, Sharpton 'Disappointed' In Lieberman

quote[At a breakfast with ministers in Stamford this morning, the Rev. Al Sharpton said the Iraq war is the defining issue of our time and called U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman the "main cheerleader" for the Democratic caucus on the issue.

"I was disappointed that every time we came out of the huddle, it seemed like my friend Joe had the other team's uniform," Sharpton said.]

Joe's done. Stick a fork in him.

Not a Single Army Combat Team Left Ready to Deploy

quote[The Group stated that two-thirds of the Army's operating force, active and reserve, is now reporting in as unready, and that there is not a single non-deployed Army Brigade Combat Team in the United States that is ready to deploy. The Group said "the bottom line is that our Army currently has no ready, strategic reserve. Not since the Vietnam era and its aftermath has the Army's readiness been so degraded."

The experts said "the administration's willingness to put our nation at such strategic risk is deeply disturbing" and recommended that Congress exercise its oversight responsibilities more effectively and increase funding to restore the Army's readiness to the necessary levels, beginning with amendment to the fiscal year 2007 defense appropriations bill soon to be debated on the floor of the Senate.]

House bill seeks to rescind Iraq war authorization

quote[A piece of legislation sponsored by Democrats in the House of Representatives seeks to withdraw authorization for President George W. Bush to make war in Iraq, RAW STORY has learned.

The Iraq War Powers Repeal Act of 2006, H.R. 5875, was introduced on July 25 by Rep. Lynn Woolsey, a Democrat of California. The bill employs the rationale that since President Bush declared "mission accomplished" in May 2003, the US has been engaged in an occupation, not a war, which Congress never authorized.]

They're wasting their time. This won't go anywhere.

Castro steps down temporarily

quote[Cuban President Fidel Castro, who ruled a communist country on the doorstep of the United States for nearly 50 years, stepped down temporarily after intestinal surgery and handed over power for the first time to his brother, state television announced.

The news sparked street dancing in the Cuban exile district of Miami where Castro's enemies, backed by the United States, yearn for the demise of the West's only communist government and celebrated the clearest sign yet of his failing health.

It was the first time Castro, who will be 80 on August 13, handed over the reins of power since he took office in 1959.

In Cuba, where Castro's guerrillas swept down from the Sierra Maestra hills to overthrow a dictator, word he had been operated on for intestinal bleeding brought uncertainty over the political future of the island nation of 11 million.

Castro said in a statement read out on television that he overexerted himself this month on a trip to a summit of South American leaders in Argentina and celebrations of his 1953 assault on a military garrison.

"This caused an acute intestinal crisis with sustained bleeding that obliged me to face a complicated surgical operation," he said in the "proclamation" read out on Monday night by his personal aide, Carlos Valenciaga.]