Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
Rumor: WAVZ about to flip?
quote[Scott Fybush at NorthEast Radio Watch is reporting that Clear Channel-owned WAVZ in New Haven, CT may drop liberal talk for sports talk this week:
And is the end of progressive talk coming at Clear Channel's WAVZ (1300 New Haven) sometime this week? We're hearing that sports talk will be the new format there, any day now.
If Clear Channel does indeed flip the format of WAVZ (1300AM), it would almost be unsurprising, since the small, 1000 watt frequency has never really been heavily promoted and has never carried any local programming. The signal is limited in that it is a bit staticy in neighboring Bridgeport, roughly 19 miles to the west. Thanks to the saltwater of the Long Island Sound, the signal does bounce across to parts of Long Island. It is basically designated as a local signal for New Haven, the #110 ranked Arbitron ratings market.
Incidentally, the current progressive talk format replaced sports talk in November 2004. Prior to that, they played adult standards.]
Fuckers! They'll never compete against WFAN or WTIC, as they didn't when they were Fox Sports before.
At least we might get the last two ours of Stephanie Miller from WLIS and WMRD out of Middletown and Old Saybrook.
WMRD is 2500 Watts Daytime (46 Night) Here's their predicted coverage map*:
*Source.
WLIS is 5000 Watts Daytime (500 Night). Here's their predicted coverage map**:
**Source.
And is the end of progressive talk coming at Clear Channel's WAVZ (1300 New Haven) sometime this week? We're hearing that sports talk will be the new format there, any day now.
If Clear Channel does indeed flip the format of WAVZ (1300AM), it would almost be unsurprising, since the small, 1000 watt frequency has never really been heavily promoted and has never carried any local programming. The signal is limited in that it is a bit staticy in neighboring Bridgeport, roughly 19 miles to the west. Thanks to the saltwater of the Long Island Sound, the signal does bounce across to parts of Long Island. It is basically designated as a local signal for New Haven, the #110 ranked Arbitron ratings market.
Incidentally, the current progressive talk format replaced sports talk in November 2004. Prior to that, they played adult standards.]
Fuckers! They'll never compete against WFAN or WTIC, as they didn't when they were Fox Sports before.
At least we might get the last two ours of Stephanie Miller from WLIS and WMRD out of Middletown and Old Saybrook.
WMRD is 2500 Watts Daytime (46 Night) Here's their predicted coverage map*:
*Source.
WLIS is 5000 Watts Daytime (500 Night). Here's their predicted coverage map**:
**Source.
Air America to be sold; Franken leaving
quote[Big changes are coming at Air America Radio, including the departure of its biggest star, Al Franken.
The liberal talk radio network has been in bankruptcy since last fall. Now it's being sold to a real estate company, pending approval of a bankruptcy court. The S-L Green Realty Corporation is run by the brother of New York City politician Mark Green, who's a frequent Air America guest.
As for Franken, his last show will be February 14th. There's no official word on why the one-time "Saturday Night Live" star is leaving. But Franken told The Associated Press earlier this month he was looking into a possible Senate run.]
Good news all around. Maybe more stations will now carry Big Ed live!
The liberal talk radio network has been in bankruptcy since last fall. Now it's being sold to a real estate company, pending approval of a bankruptcy court. The S-L Green Realty Corporation is run by the brother of New York City politician Mark Green, who's a frequent Air America guest.
As for Franken, his last show will be February 14th. There's no official word on why the one-time "Saturday Night Live" star is leaving. But Franken told The Associated Press earlier this month he was looking into a possible Senate run.]
Good news all around. Maybe more stations will now carry Big Ed live!
Friday, January 26, 2007
Cheney Out, Condi In???
quote[ The CC Insider/InDecider has just heard more rumors (see earlier posts) from a SECOND reliable source that Dick Cheney will be stepping down as Vice President and will be replaced as Vice President by Condoleezza Rice. And now we're hearing that she would like to be on the ticket as the GOP VP candidate in '08.
According to our rumor-meister, John Negroponte will be filling Condi's current position as Secretary of State. Negroponte is currently the Director of National Intelligence (the first person ever to hold the few-years-old position) and the former US Ambassador to Iraq.
If these rumors are true, this is all interesting for several reasons:
* Condi would be the first African American and first woman in the White House, which would certainly take some of the wind out of the Dems Clinton/Obama sails.
* If Rice were on the GOP ticket, it would--in some sense--make an incumbant VP, which could be good or bad. (Remember, Bush currently has a 33% approval rating.)
* With Rice, Clinton and Obama all vying for a White House position, it would make it a virtual lock that we'd finally break the African American and/or woman barrier in '08.
* It would put someone with close ties to the Iraqi situation in a very high administrative seat.
* It would be only the second time in history that an acting Vice President was like totally in love with the sitting President. (See Garret Hobart/William McKinley.)]
It makes sense. Now, before you criticize the source, I must remind you that they nailed Rummy's resignation and all other outlets laughed at them.
According to our rumor-meister, John Negroponte will be filling Condi's current position as Secretary of State. Negroponte is currently the Director of National Intelligence (the first person ever to hold the few-years-old position) and the former US Ambassador to Iraq.
If these rumors are true, this is all interesting for several reasons:
* Condi would be the first African American and first woman in the White House, which would certainly take some of the wind out of the Dems Clinton/Obama sails.
* If Rice were on the GOP ticket, it would--in some sense--make an incumbant VP, which could be good or bad. (Remember, Bush currently has a 33% approval rating.)
* With Rice, Clinton and Obama all vying for a White House position, it would make it a virtual lock that we'd finally break the African American and/or woman barrier in '08.
* It would put someone with close ties to the Iraqi situation in a very high administrative seat.
* It would be only the second time in history that an acting Vice President was like totally in love with the sitting President. (See Garret Hobart/William McKinley.)]
It makes sense. Now, before you criticize the source, I must remind you that they nailed Rummy's resignation and all other outlets laughed at them.
Bush The "Decider" Again...
quote[President Bush, on a collision course with Congress over
Iraq, said Friday "I'm the decision-maker" about sending more troops to the war. He challenged skeptical lawmakers not to prematurely condemn his buildup.
"I've picked the plan that I think is most likely to succeed," Bush said in an Oval Office meeting with senior military advisers.]
Is he really that fucking arrogant??? Or is he just really that fucking stupid???
Iraq, said Friday "I'm the decision-maker" about sending more troops to the war. He challenged skeptical lawmakers not to prematurely condemn his buildup.
"I've picked the plan that I think is most likely to succeed," Bush said in an Oval Office meeting with senior military advisers.]
Is he really that fucking arrogant??? Or is he just really that fucking stupid???
ABC News Exclusive: Murder in a Teapot
quote[British officials say police have cracked the murder-by-poison case of former spy Alexander Litvinenko, including the discovery of a "hot" teapot at London's Millennium Hotel with an off-the-charts reading for Polonium-210, the radioactive material used in the killing...
The official says investigators have concluded, based on forensic evidence and intelligence reports, that the murder was a "state-sponsored" assassination orchestrated by Russian security services.]
Like we didn't know...
The official says investigators have concluded, based on forensic evidence and intelligence reports, that the murder was a "state-sponsored" assassination orchestrated by Russian security services.]
Like we didn't know...
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Run, Al, Run
quote[A stiff vice president campaigns on his administration's legacy of unprecedented prosperity. Looks terrible on TV. Bows out, following a disputed vote count. Then, two terms later, with no incumbent in the race, he re-enters the fray. Promises to change the course of a disastrous war founded on lies. And charges to victory. I'm referring, of course, to the 1968 campaign of Richard Milhous Nixon. But four decades later, history has a chance to repeat itself for Albert Arnold Gore.
If the Democrats were going to sit down and construct the perfect candidate for 2008, they'd be hard-pressed to improve on Gore. Unlike Hillary Clinton, he has no controversial vote on Iraq to defend. Unlike Barack Obama and John Edwards, he has extensive experience in both the Senate and the White House. He has put aside his wooden, policy-wonk demeanor to emerge as the Bush administration's most eloquent critic. And thanks to An Inconvenient Truth, Gore is not only the most impassioned leader on the most urgent crisis facing the planet, he's also a Hollywood celebrity, the star of the third-highest-grossing documentary of all time.]
He'd get my vote...again.
If the Democrats were going to sit down and construct the perfect candidate for 2008, they'd be hard-pressed to improve on Gore. Unlike Hillary Clinton, he has no controversial vote on Iraq to defend. Unlike Barack Obama and John Edwards, he has extensive experience in both the Senate and the White House. He has put aside his wooden, policy-wonk demeanor to emerge as the Bush administration's most eloquent critic. And thanks to An Inconvenient Truth, Gore is not only the most impassioned leader on the most urgent crisis facing the planet, he's also a Hollywood celebrity, the star of the third-highest-grossing documentary of all time.]
He'd get my vote...again.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Microwaves turn kitchen cloths into germ killers
quote[Two minutes in the microwave can kill 99 per cent of the germs harboured by kitchen sponges, scientists have found.
Dishcloths and sponges are known to breed microbes such as E. coli and salmonella, that can cause potentially lethal food poisoning.
But researchers in the U.S. have found that the microwave is an effective weapon against them.]
Now I've got a new thing to add to my kitchen repertoire.
Dishcloths and sponges are known to breed microbes such as E. coli and salmonella, that can cause potentially lethal food poisoning.
But researchers in the U.S. have found that the microwave is an effective weapon against them.]
Now I've got a new thing to add to my kitchen repertoire.
Bush health plan would gut current cover
quote[U.S. President George W. Bush's proposed health-insurance plan will raise taxes while helping only a few people, and may eviscerate existing coverage, critics said on Wednesday.
Bush, in his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, proposed taxing many employer-sponsored health plans and giving tax breaks to people who want to buy insurance as individuals, as a way to give more Americans access to health insurance.]
What the hell is wrong with Bush??? Does he just enjoy fucking with us???
Bush, in his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, proposed taxing many employer-sponsored health plans and giving tax breaks to people who want to buy insurance as individuals, as a way to give more Americans access to health insurance.]
What the hell is wrong with Bush??? Does he just enjoy fucking with us???
Bush health plan would gut current cover
quote[U.S. President George W. Bush's proposed health-insurance plan will raise taxes while helping only a few people, and may eviscerate existing coverage, critics said on Wednesday.
Bush, in his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, proposed taxing many employer-sponsored health plans and giving tax breaks to people who want to buy insurance as individuals, as a way to give more Americans access to health insurance.]
What the hell is wrong with Bush??? Does he just enjoy fucking with us???
Bush, in his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, proposed taxing many employer-sponsored health plans and giving tax breaks to people who want to buy insurance as individuals, as a way to give more Americans access to health insurance.]
What the hell is wrong with Bush??? Does he just enjoy fucking with us???
PETA foes salivate at cruelty trial
quote[Today, two employees of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, a radical animal-rights group that opposes meat-eating, are on trial for the strangest of charges: killing animals.]
W.T.F.
W.T.F.
Senate Rejects Minimum Wage Bill
quote[The 54 “yes” votes were six short of the number needed to shut off debate and move on to consideration of the bill, which easily passed in the House two week ago. That bill would increase the wage to $7.25 from the current $5.15 in three steps, but without tax breaks. Today’s vote, while disappointing to those who want to raise the minimum wage at once and with no accompanying tax provisions, was hardly a surprise. A substantial number of senators had indicated they wanted to tie a wage increase to tax breaks for small businesses, to help offset the costs of the increase.]
Great...
Great...
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
State of the Union Address Drinking Game 2007
| EVENT | # of Drinks |
| Every time he says.... | |
| “The state of our union is strong…” (or some version of this) | 1 +1 if he breaks down in tears |
| "the American people" | 1 |
| troops | small 1 |
And so on...
Ed Schultz Blasts Clinton's Staff, Sends Out Photo With Obama
quote[Hillary Clinton is off and running. Great! What does it mean for progressive talk and the audience?Loyal listeners to the Ed Schultz show have helped us propel into the top 10 of syndicated talk shows in the industry. We are proud of that and our recent numbers coming back show we are beating Sean Hannity is numerous markets. What we do works.
Convincing Hillary Clinton and her arrogant handlers of that is a different battle in itself. We are known for connecting with the newsmakers as well as any talk show.
Many of you have requested hearing from Hillary on progressive talk especially The Ed Schultz Show. I want you to know our producer James Holm tirelessly works the contacts and has repeatedly tried to connect with Clinton's people.
Cutting to the chase, Hillary's people treat us like dirt. We are constantly disregarded, told things that aren't true, and given speculation an interview might happen someday.
Quite frankly, I'm sick of it. This morning I watched Hillary Clinton tell CNN she is accessible. What? To the TV cameras yes, to the base of loyal listeners on progressive talk radio, absolutely not!
Reaching over 2.5 million listeners who are engaged in changing the country I believe qualifies us for some attention. I realize Hillary is an international figure and star but this pattern of treatment to The Ed Schultz Show has been an on-going pattern which tells me all they care about is her mug on TV.
The conservatives have done wonders with audio continually talking to and solidifying their base. It's apparent to me radio is minor to the people surrounding this leading candidate.
When Wendy and I see Hillary from time to time she is more than respectful, likeable, and seemingly interested in how we are doing. But when it comes to supplying any workable connection to helping progressive talk it all falls short.
Hillary tells us how much she cares about progressives on radio but we just don't get the love. I just thought as listeners you might want to know this.]
Ned Lamont all over again???
Hours before State of Union, Bush approval drops to low of 28 percent
quote[President Bush will deliver his State of the Union address Tuesday night to a nation that's strongly opposed to his plan for increasing troops in Iraq and deeply unhappy with his performance as president, according to a CBS News poll.
Mr. Bush’s overall approval rating has fallen to just 28 percent, a new low, while more than twice as many (64 percent) disapprove of the way he's handling his job.]
Not that it will affect him any...
Mr. Bush’s overall approval rating has fallen to just 28 percent, a new low, while more than twice as many (64 percent) disapprove of the way he's handling his job.]
Not that it will affect him any...
Friday, January 19, 2007
House Democrats beat 100-hour clock
quote[Hickory, dickory dock, the Democrats beat the clock.
They passed their six-bill, 100-hour agenda with 13 hours to spare.
The last of "Six for '06" bills that Democrats promised voters in the fall passed shortly after 6 p.m. Thursday, about 87 hours after the 110th Congress opened Jan. 4.
"This was only the beginning," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said at a news conference hailing her party's accomplishment more than two hours before the final vote, which came on an energy bill.
Pelosi's "game" clock showed only 42 hours and 15 minutes of the 100 hours had elapsed when the roll call ended on the energy bill, which would reimpose $15 billion in fees, royalties and taxes on the oil industry.]
In 42.25 hours no less!!
They passed their six-bill, 100-hour agenda with 13 hours to spare.
The last of "Six for '06" bills that Democrats promised voters in the fall passed shortly after 6 p.m. Thursday, about 87 hours after the 110th Congress opened Jan. 4.
"This was only the beginning," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said at a news conference hailing her party's accomplishment more than two hours before the final vote, which came on an energy bill.
Pelosi's "game" clock showed only 42 hours and 15 minutes of the 100 hours had elapsed when the roll call ended on the energy bill, which would reimpose $15 billion in fees, royalties and taxes on the oil industry.]
In 42.25 hours no less!!
asshole antiques dealer sues homeless people for $1M
quote[An antiques dealer sued four homeless people, seeking to keep them away from his store on a fashionable shopping street because, he says, they alienate customers and block window displays.
Store owner Karl Kemp also seeks $1 million from the four, named in the lawsuit as John Doe, Bob Doe, John Smith and Jane Doe.]
What a dick!
Store owner Karl Kemp also seeks $1 million from the four, named in the lawsuit as John Doe, Bob Doe, John Smith and Jane Doe.]
What a dick!
NBC President: O'Reilly 'sad and pathetic'
quote[O'Reilly has said NBC News, as an organization, has gone sharply to the left.
He cited the network's decision last fall to begin referring to the sectarian violence in Iraq as a civil war, a phrase the Bush administration has resisted.
He made his displeasure clear in a recent interview with NBC's Andrea Mitchell, then later talked to a body language consultant who said Mitchell looked uncomfortable.
"I think it's really kind of sad and pathetic, some of the things that he's been lobbing at us these days," Capus told reporters Wednesday. "I don't quite understand it. I assume it's because Keith Olbermann has had such tremendous growth and there's real momentum behind Keith's broadcast."]
Yeah, because Chris Matthews, Joe Scarborough, Tucker Carlson, and Rita Cosby are SO slanted to the left! Gimme a break!
He cited the network's decision last fall to begin referring to the sectarian violence in Iraq as a civil war, a phrase the Bush administration has resisted.
He made his displeasure clear in a recent interview with NBC's Andrea Mitchell, then later talked to a body language consultant who said Mitchell looked uncomfortable.
"I think it's really kind of sad and pathetic, some of the things that he's been lobbing at us these days," Capus told reporters Wednesday. "I don't quite understand it. I assume it's because Keith Olbermann has had such tremendous growth and there's real momentum behind Keith's broadcast."]
Yeah, because Chris Matthews, Joe Scarborough, Tucker Carlson, and Rita Cosby are SO slanted to the left! Gimme a break!
Ex-Rice speechwriter: She doesn't have 'vaguest notion' of Middle East history
quote["The reason that I cite some of these other times, like Europe, is that it is so clear in everybody's mind that the United States and its allies came out victorious at the end of the Cold War," she said in Kuwait. "But if you...look at the events that ultimately lead to that, you would have thought that this was failing every single day between 1945-1946 and probably 1987 or 1988."
Her contention is while things may look bad now in Iraq and elsewhere in the region, history is on the administration's side. She pushed a similar argument to reporters last month. The Middle East is "moving toward something that I am quite certain will not have a full resolution and that you will not be able to fully judge for decades," she said.
Critics dismiss Ms. Rice's references to the Cold War as both convenient and a sign of her limited frame of reference. The challenges facing Europe in 1946, they say, bear little similarity to those of the Middle East in the 21st century.
"The administration's reservoir of historical analogies seems limited to the 1914-1991 period. And it's all about Europe," said Adam Garfinkle, a former Rice speechwriter who edits the foreign-policy journal The American Interest. "No one in a senior position in this administration seems to have even the vaguest notion of modern Middle Eastern history.]
I think he hit the nail on the head!
Her contention is while things may look bad now in Iraq and elsewhere in the region, history is on the administration's side. She pushed a similar argument to reporters last month. The Middle East is "moving toward something that I am quite certain will not have a full resolution and that you will not be able to fully judge for decades," she said.
Critics dismiss Ms. Rice's references to the Cold War as both convenient and a sign of her limited frame of reference. The challenges facing Europe in 1946, they say, bear little similarity to those of the Middle East in the 21st century.
"The administration's reservoir of historical analogies seems limited to the 1914-1991 period. And it's all about Europe," said Adam Garfinkle, a former Rice speechwriter who edits the foreign-policy journal The American Interest. "No one in a senior position in this administration seems to have even the vaguest notion of modern Middle Eastern history.]
I think he hit the nail on the head!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Another reason to never shop Wal-Mart: A Photo Essay
quote[Upon entering around 8:30pm, I was completely blown away by how disgusting this entire store was, I had to go out to my car and grab my camera. I could not believe my eyes. This place was absolutely filthy.
It appeared that nothing had been cleaned, stocked or put back where it belonged for weeks. The shelves were empty and had every imaginable type of spilled product crusted on and completely ignored for what must have been several days.
The 'Produce' section was unspeakable. Empty bins with crusty scraps of produce were everywhere. Rotten fruit and wilted vegetables had random merchandise strewn about amongst them throughout their containers. A carton of orange juice sat on the shelf of Windex.
The rest of the store was just as bad. A bottle of dishwashing detergent sat next to cans of soup. Shelves of sugar were a granulated spilled mess. What appeared to be dry cat food was spilled underneath the shelf of fabric softener, and a partially consumed BlowPop had cemented itself to the shelf amongst the Febreze bottles.]
The "fresh" peaches were particularly disgusting...
It appeared that nothing had been cleaned, stocked or put back where it belonged for weeks. The shelves were empty and had every imaginable type of spilled product crusted on and completely ignored for what must have been several days.
The 'Produce' section was unspeakable. Empty bins with crusty scraps of produce were everywhere. Rotten fruit and wilted vegetables had random merchandise strewn about amongst them throughout their containers. A carton of orange juice sat on the shelf of Windex.
The rest of the store was just as bad. A bottle of dishwashing detergent sat next to cans of soup. Shelves of sugar were a granulated spilled mess. What appeared to be dry cat food was spilled underneath the shelf of fabric softener, and a partially consumed BlowPop had cemented itself to the shelf amongst the Febreze bottles.]
The "fresh" peaches were particularly disgusting...
Saudis Endorse New U.S. Strategy for Iraq
quote[Saudi Arabia endorsed the goals of President Bush’s new strategy for Iraq today. But in carefully worded comments, the Saudi foreign minister indicated deep concern about whether the Shiite-led government in Baghdad can halt sectarian violence and protect Sunni interests.
“We agree fully with the goals set by the new strategy, which in our view are the goals that — if implemented — would solve the problems that face Iraq,” said Prince Saud al-Faisal, the foreign minister.]
WWIII anyone? Saudi Arabia is predominantly Sunni. If they get involved with Iraq, Iran will follow, and the whole region will ignite.
“We agree fully with the goals set by the new strategy, which in our view are the goals that — if implemented — would solve the problems that face Iraq,” said Prince Saud al-Faisal, the foreign minister.]
WWIII anyone? Saudi Arabia is predominantly Sunni. If they get involved with Iraq, Iran will follow, and the whole region will ignite.
Russian Admiral Says U.S. Navy Prepares Missile Strike on Iran
quote[U.S. Navy nuclear submarines maintaining vigil off the coast of Iran indicate that the Pentagon’s military plans include not only control over navigation in the Persian Gulf but also strikes against Iranian targets, a former commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Eduard Baltin has told the Interfax news agency.
“The presence of U.S. nuclear submarines in the Persian Gulf region means that the Pentagon has not abandoned plans for surprise strikes against nuclear targets in Iran. With this aim a group of multi-purpose submarines ready to accomplish the task is located in the area,” Admiral Baltin said.]
Double fuck...
“The presence of U.S. nuclear submarines in the Persian Gulf region means that the Pentagon has not abandoned plans for surprise strikes against nuclear targets in Iran. With this aim a group of multi-purpose submarines ready to accomplish the task is located in the area,” Admiral Baltin said.]
Double fuck...
Kuwait media: U.S. military strike on Iran seen by April
quote[U.S. might launch a military strike on Iran before April 2007, Kuwait-based daily Arab Times released on Sunday said in a report.
The report, written by Arab Times' Editor-in-chief Ahmed al-Jarallah citing a reliable source, said that the attack would be launched from the sea, while Patriot missiles would guard all Arab countries in the Gulf.
Recent statements emanating from the United States indicated the Bush administration's new strategy for Iraq doesn't include any proposal to make a compromise or negotiate with Syria or Iran, added the report.
The source told al-Jarallah that U.S. President George W. Bush recently had held a meeting with Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other assistants in the White House, where they discussed the plan to attack Iran in minute detail.]
Fuck...
The report, written by Arab Times' Editor-in-chief Ahmed al-Jarallah citing a reliable source, said that the attack would be launched from the sea, while Patriot missiles would guard all Arab countries in the Gulf.
Recent statements emanating from the United States indicated the Bush administration's new strategy for Iraq doesn't include any proposal to make a compromise or negotiate with Syria or Iran, added the report.
The source told al-Jarallah that U.S. President George W. Bush recently had held a meeting with Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other assistants in the White House, where they discussed the plan to attack Iran in minute detail.]
Fuck...
Former Regan Navy Secretary To Dliver Official Dem Response To SOTU
quote[Freshman Sen. Jim Webb will deliver the Democrats' response next Tuesday to President Bush's State of the Union address.
The selection was made Tuesday by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, said Webb spokeswoman Jessica Smith.
Webb's upset victory over Republican Sen. George Allen was the decisive race in giving the Democrats control of Congress in last year's midterm elections.]
This should be interesting. I wonder if the networks will show it this time???
The selection was made Tuesday by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, said Webb spokeswoman Jessica Smith.
Webb's upset victory over Republican Sen. George Allen was the decisive race in giving the Democrats control of Congress in last year's midterm elections.]
This should be interesting. I wonder if the networks will show it this time???
Friday, January 12, 2007
Military analyst believes recent US actions could signal Iran conflict soon
quote["But, also, look at what he said the United States is going to do. As previously reported, several weeks ago, the aircraft carrier, John Stenos, is being dispatched to the Persian Gulf. That gives the United States two aircraft carriers in the Gulf. Round the clock operations. He also, surprisingly, announced that the United States was going to be deploying Patriot anti-missile interceptors to the region. It's difficult to imagine whose missiles those would be shooting down other than Iran. It's looks to me like the United States is, at least, raising its capabilities in preparation for possible military confrontation with Iran."]
I think it's obvious what is coming...
I think it's obvious what is coming...
Thursday, January 11, 2007
House opens stem cell debate: Bush threatens veto
quote[The House kicked off debate on legislation boosting taxpayer-funded research on embryonic stem cells, but ran into a fresh veto threat from President Bush.
Despite bolstering their numbers in November’s elections, supporters of the controversial research - which holds promise for medical cures of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s - acknowledge they lack the two-thirds margin to override another Bush veto.]
This pisses me off. I thought we'd gained enough seats to cover the veto.
Despite bolstering their numbers in November’s elections, supporters of the controversial research - which holds promise for medical cures of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s - acknowledge they lack the two-thirds margin to override another Bush veto.]
This pisses me off. I thought we'd gained enough seats to cover the veto.
Don't Let Them Lose The "IC"
quote[Democrat Party is a political epithet[1] used by some conservative commentators and by some past and present leaders of the Republican Party (including the Republican National Committee, the White House, and President George W. Bush) in speeches and press releases instead of the name (or more precisely, the proper noun) Democratic Party. In terms of usage, "Senator Kerry is a Democrat" is standard, while "Kerry is a Democrat Senator" is controversial because it uses the noun "Democrat" as an adjective.]
Despite being grammatically incorrect, it is quite annoying.
BTW, I am intentionally avoiding discussion of the latest idiot speech today. It won't make a difference to comment on it: the moron in chief will do what he wants anyway, Congress will keep themselves neutered, and it won't change anything except for the number of American lives lost.
Despite being grammatically incorrect, it is quite annoying.
BTW, I am intentionally avoiding discussion of the latest idiot speech today. It won't make a difference to comment on it: the moron in chief will do what he wants anyway, Congress will keep themselves neutered, and it won't change anything except for the number of American lives lost.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
68 Republicans break ranks, vote with Democrats on first bill of 110th Congress
quote[A House bill (H. Res. 1) to implement recommendations suggested by the September 11th Commission passed by a vote of 299 to 128, with eight members of Congress not voting.
Just after 7:15 PM Eastern, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that the bill had passed, and gaveled the end of the vote. Joining 231 Democrats were 68 Republican members of Congress.]
The first hundred hours has started!
Just after 7:15 PM Eastern, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that the bill had passed, and gaveled the end of the vote. Joining 231 Democrats were 68 Republican members of Congress.]
The first hundred hours has started!
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Official: First wave of troops to Iraq by Jan. 30
quote[A first wave of additional U.S. troops will go into Iraq before the end of the month under President Bush’s new plan, a senior defense official said Tuesday.
Up to 20,000 troops will be put on alert and be prepared to deploy under the president’s plan, but the increase in forces on the ground will be gradual, said the official, who requested anonymity because the plans have not yet been announced.]
What a nightmare! I hope Congress can somehow block this.
Just so you know how unpopular this is, only 17% of Americans approve of this surge. That means that half of Bush's base don't even support this!
Up to 20,000 troops will be put on alert and be prepared to deploy under the president’s plan, but the increase in forces on the ground will be gradual, said the official, who requested anonymity because the plans have not yet been announced.]
What a nightmare! I hope Congress can somehow block this.
Just so you know how unpopular this is, only 17% of Americans approve of this surge. That means that half of Bush's base don't even support this!
Former Reagan aide compares Bush to Hitler
quote["Bush is like Hitler," Paul Craig Roberts writes in a column entitled The Surge: Political Cover or Escalation?. "He blames defeats on his military commanders, not on his own insane policy."
"Like Hitler, he protects himself from reality with delusion," Roberts continues. "In his last hours, Hitler was ordering non-existent German armies to drive the Russians from Berlin."]
Ouch!
"Like Hitler, he protects himself from reality with delusion," Roberts continues. "In his last hours, Hitler was ordering non-existent German armies to drive the Russians from Berlin."]
Ouch!
Bush's Surge Would Require Sending Guard, Reserve Units on Second Tours
quote[The nation's top military officials, expecting President Bush to order an increase in the size of the force in Iraq, have concluded that such a buildup would require them to reverse Pentagon policy and send the Army's National Guard and Reserve units on lengthy second tours in Iraq, Defense Department officials said Monday.
Under Pentagon policy, Guard and Reserve units have been limited to 24 months of mobilization for the Iraq war. That means most Reserve units that already have been sent to Iraq are ineligible to return. But the Joint Chiefs of Staff have concluded that a significant troop buildup would require the Pentagon to send Guard and Reserve units for additional yearlong tours.]
Good God, this scares me...
Under Pentagon policy, Guard and Reserve units have been limited to 24 months of mobilization for the Iraq war. That means most Reserve units that already have been sent to Iraq are ineligible to return. But the Joint Chiefs of Staff have concluded that a significant troop buildup would require the Pentagon to send Guard and Reserve units for additional yearlong tours.]
Good God, this scares me...
Monday, January 08, 2007
Scientist: NASA found life on Mars -- and killed it
quote[Two NASA space probes that visited Mars 30 years ago may have found alien microbes on the Red Planet and inadvertently killed them, a scientist is theorizing.
The Viking space probes of 1976-77 were looking for the wrong kind of life, so they didn't recognize it, a geology professor at Washington State University said.
Dirk Schulze-Makuch presented his theory in a paper delivered at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Seattle, Washington.
The paper was released Sunday.
Based on a more expansive view of where life can take root, the paper's findings may prompt NASA to look for a different type of Martian life when its next spacecraft to visit Mars is launched later this year, one of the space agency's top scientists said.]
Very interesting. Jay, I hope you get to see this.
The Viking space probes of 1976-77 were looking for the wrong kind of life, so they didn't recognize it, a geology professor at Washington State University said.
Dirk Schulze-Makuch presented his theory in a paper delivered at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Seattle, Washington.
The paper was released Sunday.
Based on a more expansive view of where life can take root, the paper's findings may prompt NASA to look for a different type of Martian life when its next spacecraft to visit Mars is launched later this year, one of the space agency's top scientists said.]
Very interesting. Jay, I hope you get to see this.
Friday, January 05, 2007
FLOUR IN CONDOMS SENT HER TO JAIL
quote[A College Student Spent 3 Weeks in Jail After a Field Test Said She Was Carrying Drugs. She Filed a Lawsuit.
She was a freshman on an academic scholarship at Bryn Mawr College, preparing to fly home to California for Christmas, sleep-deprived, with questions from a calculus exam still racing through her head.
In the space of a few hours on Dec. 21, 2003, Janet Lee landed in a Philadelphia jail cell, where she would remain for three weeks, held on $500,000 bail and facing 20 years in prison on drug charges.
All over flour found in her luggage.]
This story is a little old, but it's so ridiculous I had to post it.
She was a freshman on an academic scholarship at Bryn Mawr College, preparing to fly home to California for Christmas, sleep-deprived, with questions from a calculus exam still racing through her head.
In the space of a few hours on Dec. 21, 2003, Janet Lee landed in a Philadelphia jail cell, where she would remain for three weeks, held on $500,000 bail and facing 20 years in prison on drug charges.
All over flour found in her luggage.]
This story is a little old, but it's so ridiculous I had to post it.
Hannity accused Clinton of "leaking" Obama drug story from Obama memoir
quote[Despite admitting that they had no evidence to support their allegations, Fox News' Sean Hannity and Robert Novak suggested that "dirty political tricks" by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) are behind the recent "leaking" of Sen. Barack Obama's admission that he had used cocaine. But as Democratic strategist Laura Schwartz noted, Obama wrote in a 1995 memoir that he used drugs; she added, "There's no leak." Earlier in the conversation, Novak claimed that "we have no evidence whatsoever that George W. Bush ever used cocaine."]
These lying SOB's have no shame...
These lying SOB's have no shame...
Reid, Pelosi Warn Bush Against Surge
The Following Is The Full Letter:
January 5, 2007
President George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
The start of the new Congress brings us opportunities to work together on the critical issues confronting our country. No issue is more important than finding an end to the war in Iraq. December was the deadliest month of the war in over two years, pushing U.S. fatality figures over the 3,000 mark.
The American people demonstrated in the November elections that they don’t believe your current Iraq policy will lead to success and that we need a change in direction for the sake of our troops and the Iraqi people. We understand that you are completing your post-election consultations on Iraq and are preparing to make a major address on your Iraq strategy to the American people next week.
Clearly this address presents you with another opportunity to make a long overdue course correction. Despite the fact that our troops have been pushed to the breaking point and, in many cases, have already served multiple tours in Iraq, news reports suggest that you believe the solution to the civil war in Iraq is to require additional sacrifices from our troops and are therefore prepared to proceed with a substantial U.S. troop increase.
Surging forces is a strategy that you have already tried and that has already failed. Like many current and former military leaders, we believe that trying again would be a serious mistake. They, like us, believe there is no purely military solution in Iraq. There is only a political solution. Adding more combat troops will only endanger more Americans and stretch our military to the breaking point for no strategic gain. And it would undermine our efforts to get the Iraqis to take responsibility for their own future. We are well past the point of more troops for Iraq.
In a recent appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee, General John Abizaid, our top commander for Iraq and the region, said the following when asked about whether he thought more troops would contribute to our chances for success in Iraq:
“I met with every divisional commander, General Casey, the Corps commander, General Dempsey. We all talked together. And I said, in your professional opinion, if we were to bring in more American troops now, does it add considerably to our ability to achieve success in Iraq? And they all said no. And the reason is, because we want the Iraqis to do more. It's easy for the Iraqis to rely upon to us do this work. I believe that more American forces prevent the Iraqis from doing more, from taking more responsibility for their own future.”
Rather than deploy additional forces to Iraq, we believe the way forward is to begin the phased redeployment of our forces in the next four to six months, while shifting the principal mission of our forces there from combat to training, logistics, force protection and counter-terror. A renewed diplomatic strategy, both within the region and beyond, is also required to help the Iraqis agree to a sustainable political settlement . . In short, it is time to begin to move our forces out of Iraq and make the Iraqi political leadership aware that our commitment is not open ended, that we cannot resolve their sectarian problems, and that only they can find the political resolution required to stabilize Iraq.
Our troops and the American people have already sacrificed a great deal for the future of Iraq. After nearly four years of combat, tens of thousands of U.S. casualties, and over $300 billion dollars, it is time to bring the war to a close. We, therefore, strongly encourage you to reject any plans that call for our getting our troops any deeper into Iraq. We want to do everything we can to help Iraq succeed in the future but, like many of our senior military leaders, we do not believe that adding more U.S. combat troops contributes to success.
We appreciate you taking these views into consideration.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
Speaker Nancy Pelosi
January 5, 2007
President George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
The start of the new Congress brings us opportunities to work together on the critical issues confronting our country. No issue is more important than finding an end to the war in Iraq. December was the deadliest month of the war in over two years, pushing U.S. fatality figures over the 3,000 mark.
The American people demonstrated in the November elections that they don’t believe your current Iraq policy will lead to success and that we need a change in direction for the sake of our troops and the Iraqi people. We understand that you are completing your post-election consultations on Iraq and are preparing to make a major address on your Iraq strategy to the American people next week.
Clearly this address presents you with another opportunity to make a long overdue course correction. Despite the fact that our troops have been pushed to the breaking point and, in many cases, have already served multiple tours in Iraq, news reports suggest that you believe the solution to the civil war in Iraq is to require additional sacrifices from our troops and are therefore prepared to proceed with a substantial U.S. troop increase.
Surging forces is a strategy that you have already tried and that has already failed. Like many current and former military leaders, we believe that trying again would be a serious mistake. They, like us, believe there is no purely military solution in Iraq. There is only a political solution. Adding more combat troops will only endanger more Americans and stretch our military to the breaking point for no strategic gain. And it would undermine our efforts to get the Iraqis to take responsibility for their own future. We are well past the point of more troops for Iraq.
In a recent appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee, General John Abizaid, our top commander for Iraq and the region, said the following when asked about whether he thought more troops would contribute to our chances for success in Iraq:
“I met with every divisional commander, General Casey, the Corps commander, General Dempsey. We all talked together. And I said, in your professional opinion, if we were to bring in more American troops now, does it add considerably to our ability to achieve success in Iraq? And they all said no. And the reason is, because we want the Iraqis to do more. It's easy for the Iraqis to rely upon to us do this work. I believe that more American forces prevent the Iraqis from doing more, from taking more responsibility for their own future.”
Rather than deploy additional forces to Iraq, we believe the way forward is to begin the phased redeployment of our forces in the next four to six months, while shifting the principal mission of our forces there from combat to training, logistics, force protection and counter-terror. A renewed diplomatic strategy, both within the region and beyond, is also required to help the Iraqis agree to a sustainable political settlement . . In short, it is time to begin to move our forces out of Iraq and make the Iraqi political leadership aware that our commitment is not open ended, that we cannot resolve their sectarian problems, and that only they can find the political resolution required to stabilize Iraq.
Our troops and the American people have already sacrificed a great deal for the future of Iraq. After nearly four years of combat, tens of thousands of U.S. casualties, and over $300 billion dollars, it is time to bring the war to a close. We, therefore, strongly encourage you to reject any plans that call for our getting our troops any deeper into Iraq. We want to do everything we can to help Iraq succeed in the future but, like many of our senior military leaders, we do not believe that adding more U.S. combat troops contributes to success.
We appreciate you taking these views into consideration.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Pentagon: Troop Escalation ‘More Of A Political Decision Than A Military One’
quote[Just weeks ago, CentCom commander Gen. John Abizaid told Congress “I met with every divisional commander, General Casey, the core commander, General Dempsey, we all talked together. And I said, in your professional opinion, if we were to bring in more American Troops now, does it add considerably to our ability to achieve success in Iraq? And they all said no.”]
Vietnam all over again???
Vietnam all over again???
Bush to call for 20,000 more troops
quote[In a guest column in Wednesday's Wall Street Journal President Bush addressed a range of issues. On Iraq he said he'll reveal his new strategy in the coming days.
Administration officials tell NBC News it will involve sending some 20,000 additional U.S. troops to Iraq.
The plan is being called surge and accelerate: take control over violence in Baghdad, then speed up the handover of territory to Iraqi forces.
What part of November's elections does Bush NOT understand???
Administration officials tell NBC News it will involve sending some 20,000 additional U.S. troops to Iraq.
The plan is being called surge and accelerate: take control over violence in Baghdad, then speed up the handover of territory to Iraqi forces.
What part of November's elections does Bush NOT understand???
Iraq's PM longs to leave office
quote["I wish I could be done with it even before the end of this term," he said.
"I didn't want to take this position," he told the Wall Street Journal. "I only agreed because I thought it would serve the national interest, and I will not accept it again."]
I don't blame him. I wouldn't want the job either.
"I didn't want to take this position," he told the Wall Street Journal. "I only agreed because I thought it would serve the national interest, and I will not accept it again."]
I don't blame him. I wouldn't want the job either.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
CNN apologizes for Obama gaffe in Bin Laden graphic
quote[During the Jan. 1 broadcast of Wolf Blitzer's nightly news program, a pre-commercial preview of the show's next segment included a story on the hunt for Al Qaeda's leadership. Over a photo of Osama Bin Laden and his second-in-command Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Blitzer stated, according to the transcript, "Plus, a new year, but the same mission. Will 2007 bring any new changes in the hunt for Osama bin Laden?"
But instead of asking "Where's Osama?" the graphic over the two Islamists read "Where's Obama?" referencing the surname of popular Illinois Democratic Senator Barack Obama.]
I doubt this was an actual mistake...
UFO Seen Over Chicago's O'Hare?
quote[At least one O'Hare controller, union official Craig Burzych, was amused by it all.
"To fly 7 million light years to O'Hare and then have to turn around and go home because your gate was occupied is simply unacceptable," he said.]
I especially liked the quote I selected above.
"To fly 7 million light years to O'Hare and then have to turn around and go home because your gate was occupied is simply unacceptable," he said.]
I especially liked the quote I selected above.
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