quote[The internet is composed of about 75% cat pictures and 20% unbelievable stories to amaze your friends.* So it’s no wonder Oscar, the cat who predicts death, captured the imagination of cyberpace last week. Oscar lives in a nursing home, and only curls up with patients who die within the next few hours. You can read the entire report in the New England Journal of Medicine, or the shorter Associated Press story we linked here.]
This is just too much...
Monday, July 30, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Coalition Of The Unwilling
quote[Congressional testimony about a contractor in Iraq had Filipino men kidnapped and sent to Iraq against their will to work as slaves to build US Embassy. All under supervision of the US State Department...]
Flying flag upside down yields arrest
quote[ A couple who said they were protesting the state of the country by flying the U.S. flag upside down with signs pinned to it found themselves in jail following a scuffle with a deputy Wednesday morning.
Mark and Deborah Kuhn were arrested on two counts of assault on a government employee, resisting arrest and a rarely used charge, desecrating an American flag, all misdemeanors. The Kuhns were released from custody Wednesday afternoon.]
Sniff, sniff...Goebbels would be so proud of the news today...
Mark and Deborah Kuhn were arrested on two counts of assault on a government employee, resisting arrest and a rarely used charge, desecrating an American flag, all misdemeanors. The Kuhns were released from custody Wednesday afternoon.]
Sniff, sniff...Goebbels would be so proud of the news today...
Bush Administration Subpoenas Michael Moore
quote[For the filming of his documentary SiCKO, Michael Moore took sick 9/11 workers to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to help them obtain free medical care. “The (rescue workers) just want medical attention!” Moore shouts into a loudspeaker in the movie, in a futile attempt to win over the security guards. “The same kind Al Qaeda is getting!” In May, Moore announced that the Treasury Department launched an investigation into his trip, examining “whether he had violated restrictions on travel to Cuba.”
Last night on NBC’s Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Moore announced that “the Bush administration has now issued a subpoena for me, going after me for helping these 9/11 rescue workers.” Moore said that the subpoena was unwarranted, since journalists are allowed to travel to Cuba, and “this was a work of journalism.” “I was there to help them and now I’m going to face this further harrassment from the Bush people,” said Moore. “Aren’t they busy with something else?”]
Retribution for Rove's subpoena? I think so.
Last night on NBC’s Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Moore announced that “the Bush administration has now issued a subpoena for me, going after me for helping these 9/11 rescue workers.” Moore said that the subpoena was unwarranted, since journalists are allowed to travel to Cuba, and “this was a work of journalism.” “I was there to help them and now I’m going to face this further harrassment from the Bush people,” said Moore. “Aren’t they busy with something else?”]
Retribution for Rove's subpoena? I think so.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
DEMS SUBPOENA ROVE
quote[Congressional Democrats subpoenaed White House senior adviser Karl Rove, and Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) charged that “political considerations factored into the unprecedented firing of at least nine United States Attorneys last year," the AP reports.
“E-mails released by the Justice Department show [Attorney General Alberto] Gonzales’ aides conferred with Rove” on the firing of the prosecutors, the AP reports.
NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell reports, while not specifically addressing the possibility of Leahy issuing a subpoena for Rove, a senior WH official responded with another hit on congress:
"This is becoming an out of control Congress--calling for special prosecutors, launching investigations, issuing subpoenas and generally just settling scores--all while appropriations bills go unpassed and FISA modernization, energy and other important issues go unaddressed. It's unfortunate and embarrassing that this Congress continues to neglect the issues important to Americans, and Americans are taking note."]
About time...
“E-mails released by the Justice Department show [Attorney General Alberto] Gonzales’ aides conferred with Rove” on the firing of the prosecutors, the AP reports.
NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell reports, while not specifically addressing the possibility of Leahy issuing a subpoena for Rove, a senior WH official responded with another hit on congress:
"This is becoming an out of control Congress--calling for special prosecutors, launching investigations, issuing subpoenas and generally just settling scores--all while appropriations bills go unpassed and FISA modernization, energy and other important issues go unaddressed. It's unfortunate and embarrassing that this Congress continues to neglect the issues important to Americans, and Americans are taking note."]
About time...
Bush grandfather part of plan for US coup
quote[The coup was aimed at toppling President Franklin D Roosevelt with the help of half-a-million war veterans. The plotters, who were alleged to involve some of the most famous families in America, (owners of Heinz, Birds Eye, Goodtea, Maxwell Hse & George Bush’s Grandfather, Prescott) believed that their country should adopt the policies of Hitler and Mussolini to beat the great depression.
Mike Thomson investigates why so little is known about this biggest ever peacetime threat to American democracy.]
This is not a surprise...
Mike Thomson investigates why so little is known about this biggest ever peacetime threat to American democracy.]
This is not a surprise...
Monday, July 23, 2007
Pelosi promises congressional contempt charge for Harriet Miers: Speaker reiterates impeachment is not on her agenda
quote[Congress has for months been seeking information about which administration officials were involved in the dismissals of the attorneys. The White House, however, has claimed "executive privilege" for many of those requests, meaning the executive branch is free from oversight of the legislative and judiciary branches of the government in those instances. A House judiciary subcommittee has voted to reject such reasoning.
Contempt of Congress is defined by federal law as action that obstructs the work of Congress, including investigations. If both the White House and Congress stick to these positions, the matter could become a constitutional question for the courts to decide.
White House spokesman Rob Saliterman said such an action by the House Judiciary Committee shows an interest in "partisan attacks" above real finding of facts.
"It's unfortunate congressional Democrats are continuing on the course of confrontation," Saliterman said.
Pelosi also reiterated Saturday that she would not engage in what would perhaps be the biggest confrontation possible with the White House -- seeking the impeachment of Bush over the Iraq war.
The speaker said she had "no hesitation" criticizing the president about his handling of the war, but said there were more important priorities for lawmakers -- such as health care and creating jobs -- than the divisive pursuit of impeachment.]
Impeachment is THE ONLY way to get this administration to comply. It MUST be ON THE TABLE!
Contempt of Congress is defined by federal law as action that obstructs the work of Congress, including investigations. If both the White House and Congress stick to these positions, the matter could become a constitutional question for the courts to decide.
White House spokesman Rob Saliterman said such an action by the House Judiciary Committee shows an interest in "partisan attacks" above real finding of facts.
"It's unfortunate congressional Democrats are continuing on the course of confrontation," Saliterman said.
Pelosi also reiterated Saturday that she would not engage in what would perhaps be the biggest confrontation possible with the White House -- seeking the impeachment of Bush over the Iraq war.
The speaker said she had "no hesitation" criticizing the president about his handling of the war, but said there were more important priorities for lawmakers -- such as health care and creating jobs -- than the divisive pursuit of impeachment.]
Impeachment is THE ONLY way to get this administration to comply. It MUST be ON THE TABLE!
Condoleezza Rice Can't Get Published
quote[A few months ago, she decided to write an opinion piece about Lebanon. She enlisted John Chambers, chief executive officer of Cisco Systems as a co-author, and they wrote about public/private partnerships and how they might be of use in rebuilding Lebanon after last summer's war. No one would publish it.
Think about that. Every one of the major newspapers approached refused to publish an essay by the secretary of state. Price Floyd, who was the State Department's director of media affairs until recently, recalls that it was sent to the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and perhaps other papers before the department finally tried a foreign publication, the Financial Times of London, which also turned it down.]
Ha!
Think about that. Every one of the major newspapers approached refused to publish an essay by the secretary of state. Price Floyd, who was the State Department's director of media affairs until recently, recalls that it was sent to the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and perhaps other papers before the department finally tried a foreign publication, the Financial Times of London, which also turned it down.]
Ha!
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Norm's opening notes on impeachment for Thursday July 19, 2007
Here are what Norman Goldman said in response to my previous post on his six reasons to impeach Bush. They are adapted from his original notes for the show he did on July 19, 2007.
Thank you, Plunderer, for posting this!! What follows is a stripped down, somewhat edited version of the opening on today's show, edited MOSTLY for space considerations. also edited partly to clean up typos (i didn't know this would be a PUBLIC document!) and once to add a callers's VERY ASTUTE observation that the 4th Amendment was violated (in addition to the 5th and 6th) with the "extraordinary renditions" and Jose Padilla. So, here goes:
IN ORDER OF MOST IMPORTANT FIRST, MY NUMBER ONE REASON IS THE WARRANTLESS WIRETAPPING. THAT’S A DIRECT VIOLATION OF HIS OATH OF OFFICE AND A DIRECT VIOLATION OF THE 4TH AMENDMENT – AGAINST UNREASONABLE SEARCHES AND SEIZURES. AND WHAT’S WORST ABOUT THE THING IS NOT THE SECRETIVE NATURE OF IT – THAT’S AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE RIGHT THERE…..KNOWINGLY COVERING UP AN ILLEGAL, UNCONSTITUTIONAL ORDER TO WIRETAP AMERICANS WITHOUT WARRANTS – BUT EVEN WORSE IS THAT, ONCE EXPOSED, HE SAID HE WAS GONNA KEEP DOING IT!! NOW THAT’S DEFIANCE, ARROGANCE AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL CONDUCT ALL ROLLED UP INTO ONE.
THE SECOND GROUND IS GUANTANAMO BAY, SECRET PRISONS, AND EXTRAORDINARY RENDITIONS, A EUPHEMISM FOR KIDNAPPING. BUSH SEIZED PEOPLE RIGHT OFF THE STREETS, TRANSPORTED THEM TO SECRET PRISONS OR TO THIRD PARTIES AND TORTURED OR KNEW THAT TORTURE WOULD OCCUR. NOW, TORTURE, WHETHER AT GUANTANAMO, ABU GHRAIB, THE SECRET PRISONS OR THROUGH THIRD PARTIES, LIKE EGYPT, IS A VIOLATION OF THE 8TH AMENDMENT BAN ON CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT. GUANTANAMO BAY IS A VIOLATION OF THE 4TH, 5TH AND 6TH AMENDMENTS, REQUIRING INDICTMENTS, CHARGES AND A TRIAL. AND, BASED ON JOSE PADILLA ALONE, BUSH SHOULD BE KICKED OUT OF OFFICE. THIS MAN, MR. PADILLA, IS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN ARRESTED ON U.S. SOIL AND THROWN INTO A MILITARY STOCKADE FOR 4 YEARS WITHOUT CHARGES, LAWYERS OR A TRIAL. THAT’S AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE ALL BY ITSELF.
THE THIRD GROUND IS LYING TO CONGRESS AND THE PUBLIC TO OBTAIN AUTHORITY TO GO INTO IRAQ. THIS IS A VIOLATION OF THE PUBLIC’S TRUST. IF THIS ISN’T A HIGH CRIME AND MISDEMEANOR – THE CONSTITUTION’S STANDARD FOR IMPEACHMENT – THEN THERE IS NO SUCH THING. HALF A TRILLION DOLLARS AND THOUSANDS OF LIVES, BOTH AMERICAN AND IRAQI. THAT’S NOT JUST IMPEACHMENT, THAT’S INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMINAL STUFF.
MY FOURTH BASIS IS RECENT: ORDERING WITNESSES TO DEFY VALID CONGRESSIONAL SUBPOENAS TO TESTIFY. THIS SETS UP BUSH AS A KING, A DICTATOR, ISSUING EDICTS FROM ON HIGH. THAT’S A VIOLATION OF HIS OATH TO PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION SO CONVICTION ON THAT CHARGE IS WARRANTED.
MY FIFTH GROUND FOR IMPEACHMENT IS THE SIGNING STATEMENTS. ONCE SIGNED, A CONGRESSIONAL BILL IS LAW. PERIOD. THE SIGNING STATEMENTS ARE THE SAME AS A LINE ITEM VETO – AND THE SUPREME COURT HAS ALREADY SAID THOSE ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL – SO MR. BUSH CANNOT SELECTIVELY DECLARE PARTS OF LAWS ILLEGAL, UNENFORCEABLE OR UNCONSTITUTIONAL. THE EXECUTIVE HAS A DUTY TO ENFORCE THE LAW. PERIOD. FOR VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTIONAL SEPARATION OF POWERS AND HIS OATH OFFICE, I ASK FOR IMPEACHMENT AND CONVICTION.
FINALLY, WE HAVE NO BID CONTRACTS IN IRAQ. WE HAVE BILLIONS SQUANDERED, STOLEN OR LOST. THIS IS PUBLIC CORRUPTION AND THAT’S A HIGH CRIME. SINCE WE HAVE IRREFUTABLE PROOF OF THIS STOLEN LOOT, I ASK FOR YOUR VERDICT OF GUILTY IN THE TRIAL OF GEORGE W. BUSH.
Thank you, Plunderer, for posting this!! What follows is a stripped down, somewhat edited version of the opening on today's show, edited MOSTLY for space considerations. also edited partly to clean up typos (i didn't know this would be a PUBLIC document!) and once to add a callers's VERY ASTUTE observation that the 4th Amendment was violated (in addition to the 5th and 6th) with the "extraordinary renditions" and Jose Padilla. So, here goes:
IN ORDER OF MOST IMPORTANT FIRST, MY NUMBER ONE REASON IS THE WARRANTLESS WIRETAPPING. THAT’S A DIRECT VIOLATION OF HIS OATH OF OFFICE AND A DIRECT VIOLATION OF THE 4TH AMENDMENT – AGAINST UNREASONABLE SEARCHES AND SEIZURES. AND WHAT’S WORST ABOUT THE THING IS NOT THE SECRETIVE NATURE OF IT – THAT’S AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE RIGHT THERE…..KNOWINGLY COVERING UP AN ILLEGAL, UNCONSTITUTIONAL ORDER TO WIRETAP AMERICANS WITHOUT WARRANTS – BUT EVEN WORSE IS THAT, ONCE EXPOSED, HE SAID HE WAS GONNA KEEP DOING IT!! NOW THAT’S DEFIANCE, ARROGANCE AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL CONDUCT ALL ROLLED UP INTO ONE.
THE SECOND GROUND IS GUANTANAMO BAY, SECRET PRISONS, AND EXTRAORDINARY RENDITIONS, A EUPHEMISM FOR KIDNAPPING. BUSH SEIZED PEOPLE RIGHT OFF THE STREETS, TRANSPORTED THEM TO SECRET PRISONS OR TO THIRD PARTIES AND TORTURED OR KNEW THAT TORTURE WOULD OCCUR. NOW, TORTURE, WHETHER AT GUANTANAMO, ABU GHRAIB, THE SECRET PRISONS OR THROUGH THIRD PARTIES, LIKE EGYPT, IS A VIOLATION OF THE 8TH AMENDMENT BAN ON CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT. GUANTANAMO BAY IS A VIOLATION OF THE 4TH, 5TH AND 6TH AMENDMENTS, REQUIRING INDICTMENTS, CHARGES AND A TRIAL. AND, BASED ON JOSE PADILLA ALONE, BUSH SHOULD BE KICKED OUT OF OFFICE. THIS MAN, MR. PADILLA, IS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN ARRESTED ON U.S. SOIL AND THROWN INTO A MILITARY STOCKADE FOR 4 YEARS WITHOUT CHARGES, LAWYERS OR A TRIAL. THAT’S AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE ALL BY ITSELF.
THE THIRD GROUND IS LYING TO CONGRESS AND THE PUBLIC TO OBTAIN AUTHORITY TO GO INTO IRAQ. THIS IS A VIOLATION OF THE PUBLIC’S TRUST. IF THIS ISN’T A HIGH CRIME AND MISDEMEANOR – THE CONSTITUTION’S STANDARD FOR IMPEACHMENT – THEN THERE IS NO SUCH THING. HALF A TRILLION DOLLARS AND THOUSANDS OF LIVES, BOTH AMERICAN AND IRAQI. THAT’S NOT JUST IMPEACHMENT, THAT’S INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMINAL STUFF.
MY FOURTH BASIS IS RECENT: ORDERING WITNESSES TO DEFY VALID CONGRESSIONAL SUBPOENAS TO TESTIFY. THIS SETS UP BUSH AS A KING, A DICTATOR, ISSUING EDICTS FROM ON HIGH. THAT’S A VIOLATION OF HIS OATH TO PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION SO CONVICTION ON THAT CHARGE IS WARRANTED.
MY FIFTH GROUND FOR IMPEACHMENT IS THE SIGNING STATEMENTS. ONCE SIGNED, A CONGRESSIONAL BILL IS LAW. PERIOD. THE SIGNING STATEMENTS ARE THE SAME AS A LINE ITEM VETO – AND THE SUPREME COURT HAS ALREADY SAID THOSE ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL – SO MR. BUSH CANNOT SELECTIVELY DECLARE PARTS OF LAWS ILLEGAL, UNENFORCEABLE OR UNCONSTITUTIONAL. THE EXECUTIVE HAS A DUTY TO ENFORCE THE LAW. PERIOD. FOR VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTIONAL SEPARATION OF POWERS AND HIS OATH OFFICE, I ASK FOR IMPEACHMENT AND CONVICTION.
FINALLY, WE HAVE NO BID CONTRACTS IN IRAQ. WE HAVE BILLIONS SQUANDERED, STOLEN OR LOST. THIS IS PUBLIC CORRUPTION AND THAT’S A HIGH CRIME. SINCE WE HAVE IRREFUTABLE PROOF OF THIS STOLEN LOOT, I ASK FOR YOUR VERDICT OF GUILTY IN THE TRIAL OF GEORGE W. BUSH.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Exxon breaks $500-billion barrier
quote[A bottleneck in U.S. refining capacity has also helped earnings for integrated companies such as Exxon Mobil that produce, process and market petroleum. The profit margin for turning a barrel of oil into gasoline and heating oil averaged $23.68 in the second quarter, compared with $5.13 a barrel five years ago.
Exxon Mobil shares have been the biggest contributor to the rally by the Standard & Poor's 500 index during the current bull market. The stock has surged 173% since Oct. 9, 2002, adding 38.4 points to the index.]
Yet, we suffer at the pump...
Exxon Mobil shares have been the biggest contributor to the rally by the Standard & Poor's 500 index during the current bull market. The stock has surged 173% since Oct. 9, 2002, adding 38.4 points to the index.]
Yet, we suffer at the pump...
Six Reasons To Impeach Bush
On Thursday's edition of the Ed Schultz Show, fill-in host Norman Goldman outlined the six most basic reasons why Bush should be impeached.
Here they are:
1) Warrantless Wiretaps.
This is an obvious violation of the fourth amendment which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures.
2) Extraordinary Renditions And Torture.
Examples include: Guantanamo Bay/Jose Padilla (violations of fifth-due process- and sixth amendments-rights related to criminal prosecutions in federal courts). Abu Ghraib (violations of the eigth amendment-prohibits cruel and unusual punishment).
3) Lying to Congress And The American People Into Supporting War With Iraq.
4) Obstruction Of Justice.
Ordering witnesses to defy congressional subpoenas. Issuing edicts.
5) Signing Statements.
This is equivalent to a line-item veto, which the supreme court has already ruled to be unconstitutional.
6) Public Corruption.
Where isn't there waste and corruption in this administration? No bid contracts. Billions of dollars lost or squandered in Iraq. Katrina (I added this one).
Here they are:
1) Warrantless Wiretaps.
This is an obvious violation of the fourth amendment which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures.
2) Extraordinary Renditions And Torture.
Examples include: Guantanamo Bay/Jose Padilla (violations of fifth-due process- and sixth amendments-rights related to criminal prosecutions in federal courts). Abu Ghraib (violations of the eigth amendment-prohibits cruel and unusual punishment).
3) Lying to Congress And The American People Into Supporting War With Iraq.
4) Obstruction Of Justice.
Ordering witnesses to defy congressional subpoenas. Issuing edicts.
5) Signing Statements.
This is equivalent to a line-item veto, which the supreme court has already ruled to be unconstitutional.
6) Public Corruption.
Where isn't there waste and corruption in this administration? No bid contracts. Billions of dollars lost or squandered in Iraq. Katrina (I added this one).
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Neocons on a Cruise: What Conservatives Say When They Think We Aren't Listening
quote[The Iraq war has been an amazing success, global warming is just a myth and Guantanamo Bay is practically a holiday camp. The annual cruise organized by the 'National Review,' mouthpiece of right-wing America, is a parallel universe populated by straight-talking, gun-toting, God-fearing Republicans.]
Let me know if you can finish it. The good stuff is in the actual article.
Let me know if you can finish it. The good stuff is in the actual article.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Meet the Pentagon’s New Spin Unit: Bush Administration hacks court bloggers, talk radio
quote[The rapid-response team has been shut down but several sources tell me that another of Smith’s spin projects is ongoing. This project seeks to bypass the traditional media and work directly with talk radio and bloggers, mostly those with a heavily conservative tilt. The unit, which one source says was originally called “Surrogates Operation” but was later rechristened “Communications Outreach,” also reportedly provides talking points and briefings to retired military officials who now support the administration in appearances as media pundits. (I haven’t been able to learn which blogs and individuals the unit has been working with, but urge anyone with such information to contact me via email.)]
Goebbels would be proud...
Goebbels would be proud...
Antiwar Ron Paul Rakes in Military Donations
quote[Paul has often reiterated his views that US security has been worsened by its military presence in Iraq, and that Bush's pre-emptive war doctrine represented one of his administration's greatest moral failings.
One might think such criticism of the war and the Commander-in-Chief's leadership would make Paul a pariah to the military community, however, the latest figures indicate the antiwar Republican is receiving more donations from employees of the US military than any other Republican candidate.
The Presidential campaigns just released their quarterly campaign finance reports, leaving much of the mainstream media remarking on Paul's surge in online donations from his healthy Internet following, though the $2.3 million he raised still has him trailing far behind the front runners.
But a closer look at the reports reveals a less obvious but more remarkable development--the antiwar Republican received nearly 50% of the money donated by employees of the US military.]
Interesting...
One might think such criticism of the war and the Commander-in-Chief's leadership would make Paul a pariah to the military community, however, the latest figures indicate the antiwar Republican is receiving more donations from employees of the US military than any other Republican candidate.
The Presidential campaigns just released their quarterly campaign finance reports, leaving much of the mainstream media remarking on Paul's surge in online donations from his healthy Internet following, though the $2.3 million he raised still has him trailing far behind the front runners.
But a closer look at the reports reveals a less obvious but more remarkable development--the antiwar Republican received nearly 50% of the money donated by employees of the US military.]
Interesting...
Friday, July 13, 2007
> Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., is a wimp, Approves Funding for Cheney
quote[The White House scored a win Thursday on Capitol Hill after a moderate Senate Democrat broke with his party to restore funding for Vice President Dick Cheney’s office.
The 15-14 vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee came after the House last month narrowly rejected a companion bid to punish Cheney in a continuing battle over whether he is complying with national security disclosure rules.
Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., switched his position from a subcommittee vote Tuesday.
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate and the author of a bill funding the White House budget and other agencies, had refused to fund the vice president’s $4.8 million budget, arguing that Cheney’s office is refusing to comply with parts of an executive order governing its handling of classified information.]
This seriously pisses me off.
The 15-14 vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee came after the House last month narrowly rejected a companion bid to punish Cheney in a continuing battle over whether he is complying with national security disclosure rules.
Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., switched his position from a subcommittee vote Tuesday.
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate and the author of a bill funding the White House budget and other agencies, had refused to fund the vice president’s $4.8 million budget, arguing that Cheney’s office is refusing to comply with parts of an executive order governing its handling of classified information.]
This seriously pisses me off.
Was it the wine or the cheese?
quote["Give me your money, or I'll start shooting," he demanded, according to D.C. police and witness accounts.
The five other guests, including the girls' parents, froze -- and then one spoke.
"We were just finishing dinner," Cristina "Cha Cha" Rowan, 43, blurted out. "Why don't you have a glass of wine with us?"
The intruder took a sip of their Chateau Malescot St-Exupéry and said, "Damn, that's good wine." ]
This one baffles me....
The five other guests, including the girls' parents, froze -- and then one spoke.
"We were just finishing dinner," Cristina "Cha Cha" Rowan, 43, blurted out. "Why don't you have a glass of wine with us?"
The intruder took a sip of their Chateau Malescot St-Exupéry and said, "Damn, that's good wine." ]
This one baffles me....
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Bush again links Iraq violence to 9/11
quote[Struggling to stem growing opposition to his Iraq policy even among Republicans, President Bush contended anew Tuesday that the perpetrators of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States are the same as al Qaida in Iraq, a violent Iraqi insurgent group that didn't exist until after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.
It was the second time in two weeks that Bush has made the link in an apparent attempt to transform lingering fear of another U.S. terrorist attack into backing for the current buildup of U.S. troops in Iraq.
"Al Qaida is doing most of the spectacular bombings, trying to incite sectarian violence," Bush told a business group in Cleveland, Ohio. "The same people that attacked us on September the 11th is a crowd that is now bombing people, killing innocent men, women and children, many of whom are Muslims."
Al Qaida in Iraq didn't emerge until 2004. While it is inspired by Osama bin Laden's violent ideology, there's no evidence that the Iraq organization is under the control of the terrorist leader or his top aides, who are believed to be hiding in tribal regions of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan.]
...Won't be fooled again.
It was the second time in two weeks that Bush has made the link in an apparent attempt to transform lingering fear of another U.S. terrorist attack into backing for the current buildup of U.S. troops in Iraq.
"Al Qaida is doing most of the spectacular bombings, trying to incite sectarian violence," Bush told a business group in Cleveland, Ohio. "The same people that attacked us on September the 11th is a crowd that is now bombing people, killing innocent men, women and children, many of whom are Muslims."
Al Qaida in Iraq didn't emerge until 2004. While it is inspired by Osama bin Laden's violent ideology, there's no evidence that the Iraq organization is under the control of the terrorist leader or his top aides, who are believed to be hiding in tribal regions of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan.]
...Won't be fooled again.
Neocon Bill Kristol expects Bush to attack Pakistan
quote[Fox News on Thursday asked Neoconservative Bill Kristol to comment on the interim progress report on Iraq, which is about to be released and is expected to show an even split between benchmarks which show progress and those which do not.
"They're silly benchmarks, a lot of them," said Kristol. "The military situation is better than anyone expected. ... If Bush can just hang on there and beat back the people in Congress who want to snatch defeat out of the jaws of possible success ... I think we're going to win this war."
A Fox host then cited a new report that "al Qaeda ... is running from Iraq, apparently to Pakistan" and asked "did this report come out on purpose so that we will have the right ... to go after Pakistan now?"
Kristol responded, "I think the president's going to have to take military action there over the next few weeks or months. ... Bush has to disrupt that sanctuary."]
This has to be said: he's an asshole.
"They're silly benchmarks, a lot of them," said Kristol. "The military situation is better than anyone expected. ... If Bush can just hang on there and beat back the people in Congress who want to snatch defeat out of the jaws of possible success ... I think we're going to win this war."
A Fox host then cited a new report that "al Qaeda ... is running from Iraq, apparently to Pakistan" and asked "did this report come out on purpose so that we will have the right ... to go after Pakistan now?"
Kristol responded, "I think the president's going to have to take military action there over the next few weeks or months. ... Bush has to disrupt that sanctuary."]
This has to be said: he's an asshole.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Group raises money to fly pro-impeachment banner at All-Star Game
quote[Online activists raised enough money in two hours Monday afternoon to fly a banner encouraging the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney over AT&T Park in San Francisco before Tuesday's baseball All Star Game.
The effort for an airborne banner began in The Nationwide Movement to Impeach Cheney and Bush group on Facebook.com and has been promoted by pro-impeachment Web site AfterDowningStreet.org. Time is short to raise the necessary money before baseball's All-Star Game Tuesday night in San Francisco.]
And, what are the chances this will be seen on TV???
Answer: Zero.
The game is on Fox.
I'll be watching anyways.
The effort for an airborne banner began in The Nationwide Movement to Impeach Cheney and Bush group on Facebook.com and has been promoted by pro-impeachment Web site AfterDowningStreet.org. Time is short to raise the necessary money before baseball's All-Star Game Tuesday night in San Francisco.]
And, what are the chances this will be seen on TV???
Answer: Zero.
The game is on Fox.
I'll be watching anyways.
Grocery store workers fired for not punching out to watch military funeral
quote[Two grocery store employees have been fired after they didn't punch out while viewing a 300-vehicle funeral procession for a soldier who was killed in Iraq.
Polly's Country Market store produce manager Ron Klimmer and produce retail clerk Michael Wahr received notice of their firings in letters from the company mailed to their homes, said United Food and Commercial Workers Local 951 business representative Scott Gould.
They were punished for watching the June 19 funeral procession of Army Sgt. Matthew Soper. The Jackson resident died June 6 in Bayji, Iraq, of wounds from an improvised explosive device.]
Well, they should have punched out. But firing them is a bit excessive.
I suspect public pressure will force the company's hand on this one.
Polly's Country Market store produce manager Ron Klimmer and produce retail clerk Michael Wahr received notice of their firings in letters from the company mailed to their homes, said United Food and Commercial Workers Local 951 business representative Scott Gould.
They were punished for watching the June 19 funeral procession of Army Sgt. Matthew Soper. The Jackson resident died June 6 in Bayji, Iraq, of wounds from an improvised explosive device.]
Well, they should have punched out. But firing them is a bit excessive.
I suspect public pressure will force the company's hand on this one.
Former Bush surgeon general says he was muzzled
quote[The first U.S. surgeon general appointed by President George W. Bush accused the administration on Tuesday of political interference and muzzling him on key issues like embryonic stem cell research.
"Anything that doesn't fit into the political appointees' ideological, theological or political agenda is ignored, marginalized or simply buried," Dr. Richard Carmona, who served as the nation's top doctor from 2002 until 2006, told a House of Representatives committee.
"The problem with this approach is that in public health, as in a democracy, there is nothing worse than ignoring science, or marginalizing the voice of science for reasons driven by changing political winds. The job of surgeon general is to be the doctor of the nation, not the doctor of a political party," Carmona added.]
Wow! I am, like, so surprised...
"Anything that doesn't fit into the political appointees' ideological, theological or political agenda is ignored, marginalized or simply buried," Dr. Richard Carmona, who served as the nation's top doctor from 2002 until 2006, told a House of Representatives committee.
"The problem with this approach is that in public health, as in a democracy, there is nothing worse than ignoring science, or marginalizing the voice of science for reasons driven by changing political winds. The job of surgeon general is to be the doctor of the nation, not the doctor of a political party," Carmona added.]
Wow! I am, like, so surprised...
Monday, July 09, 2007
Norm's Interview With Mike Farrell
Apologies for the delay, but it is now up, as promised.
See Segments 6 and 7 in the link.
Cheers,
-P
See Segments 6 and 7 in the link.
Cheers,
-P
US woman arrested over dry lawn
quote[A 70-year-old US woman has been left bruised and bloody after an unexpected clash with police who came to caution her for not watering her lawn.
Trouble flared when Utah pensioner Betty Perry, 70, refused to give her name after being upbraided because her garden breached local regulations.
She says the officer hit her with handcuffs, cutting her nose, although police insist she slipped and fell.
Ms Perry said she was "distraught" after the incident.]
This is just disgusting...
Trouble flared when Utah pensioner Betty Perry, 70, refused to give her name after being upbraided because her garden breached local regulations.
She says the officer hit her with handcuffs, cutting her nose, although police insist she slipped and fell.
Ms Perry said she was "distraught" after the incident.]
This is just disgusting...
Powell: 'I tried to avoid this war'
quote[It was revealed today that prior to the Iraq war, then-Secretary of State Colin Powell spent two and a half hours trying in vain to convince President George W. Bush not to invade.
"I tried to avoid this war," Powell told the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado, reports Sarah Baxter in the Sunday Times. Powell said he walked Bush through the risks of becoming an occupying force in an Arab country.
The sectarian violence in Iraq has escalated to the point of civil war, said Powell, and one that US forces cannot resolve.
Baxter points to plans being drawn up by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to begin a slow troop reduction to pre-"surge" levels as signs that "the views of Powell and other critics of the war are finally being heard in the Pentagon, if not yet in the White House."]
Yeah his "avoidance" was sooo convincing at the U.N.
Sorry, Powel, your credibility is gone.
"I tried to avoid this war," Powell told the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado, reports Sarah Baxter in the Sunday Times. Powell said he walked Bush through the risks of becoming an occupying force in an Arab country.
The sectarian violence in Iraq has escalated to the point of civil war, said Powell, and one that US forces cannot resolve.
Baxter points to plans being drawn up by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to begin a slow troop reduction to pre-"surge" levels as signs that "the views of Powell and other critics of the war are finally being heard in the Pentagon, if not yet in the White House."]
Yeah his "avoidance" was sooo convincing at the U.N.
Sorry, Powel, your credibility is gone.
Police Investigating Break-In At Obama Campaign Office
quote[Police in Iowa are investigating a break-in at democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's campaign office in Davenport.
Authorities say the suspects may have entered through the roof of the building sometime overnight on Friday. A campaign worker discovered the burglary Saturday morning. Two laptop computers and some campaign materials were reportedly taken. Police say the doors were still locked and no windows were broken. A campaign spokesperson says it doesn't appear that anything sensitive is missing.]
Hrmmm...
Authorities say the suspects may have entered through the roof of the building sometime overnight on Friday. A campaign worker discovered the burglary Saturday morning. Two laptop computers and some campaign materials were reportedly taken. Police say the doors were still locked and no windows were broken. A campaign spokesperson says it doesn't appear that anything sensitive is missing.]
Hrmmm...
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Poll: 45% Of Americans Want Bush Impeached
quote[Nearly half of the US public wants President George W. Bush to face impeachment, and even more favor that fate for Vice President Dick Cheney, according to a poll out Friday.
The survey by the American Research Group found that 45 percent support the US House of Representatives beginning impeachment proceedings against Bush, with 46 percent opposed, and a 54-40 split in favor when it comes to Cheney.]
Follow up to a post from yesterday.
So when will Pelosi put it BACK ON THE TABLE???
The survey by the American Research Group found that 45 percent support the US House of Representatives beginning impeachment proceedings against Bush, with 46 percent opposed, and a 54-40 split in favor when it comes to Cheney.]
Follow up to a post from yesterday.
So when will Pelosi put it BACK ON THE TABLE???
Students Told To Disperse For Feeding Homeless
quote[ Veronica Joyner, the charter school's chief executive officer, said police showed up a short time later and ordered the group to disperse, prompting 13-year-old Karima Mims-DeWitt to fearfully ask: "Are we going to go to jail for giving food to the homeless?"]
What kind of country have we become???
What kind of country have we become???
War Costs Soar by a Third; Total Could Top $1.4 Trillion
quote[It's not just the troops that are surging. War costs are up for American operations in Iraq and Afghanistan* -- way up, more than a third higher than last year. In the first half of this fiscal year, the Defense Department's "average monthly obligations for contracts and pay is running about $12 billion per month, well above the $8.7 billion in FY2006," says a new report, obtained by DANGER ROOM, from the non-partisan Congressional Research Service.]
Christ, that's a lot of money! Imagine what could be done for education or health care with that kind of scratch!
Christ, that's a lot of money! Imagine what could be done for education or health care with that kind of scratch!
Friday, July 06, 2007
Fox News: Universal health care breeds terrorists.
quote[Today on Fox News’s Your World With Neil Cavuto, National Review Online columnist Jerry Bowyer attacked Michael Moore’s movie SiCKO and its positive portrayal of the health care in countries such as Britain and France. He argued that national health care systems are breeding grounds for terrorists because they are “bureaucratic.” “I think the terrorists have shown over and over again…they’re very good at gaming the system with bureaucracies,” said Bowyer.
Bowyer also claimed that in the United States, “if one of your doctors is spending all the time online reading Osama bin Laden fatwas, someone’s going to notice that.”]
Good God!
Washington Talk Radio Station Drops Bill O’Reilly
quote[Washington DC FM talk radio station 106.7 WJFK yesterday announced it was dropping Bill O’Reilly’s nationally syndicated show, and replacing it with a sports-talk program. The Washington Post reports today that O’Reilly’s cancellation is a “case in point” of how poorly conservative radio programs have fared in DC:
With the exception of Rush Limbaugh, conservative talk-radio hosts have struggled for years to find a wide audience on the local dial. While Limbaugh’s afternoon program remains popular on WMAL (630 AM), not many other conservatives’ programs have.
Yet despite their underwhelming performance, numerous right-wing radio hosts have been given repeated opportunities to succeed in DC. “Such radio stars of the right as Laura Ingraham, Glenn Beck and Michael Savage at times have literally had no ratings in Washington, as measured by Arbitron.”]
Is this the market correcting itself?
With the exception of Rush Limbaugh, conservative talk-radio hosts have struggled for years to find a wide audience on the local dial. While Limbaugh’s afternoon program remains popular on WMAL (630 AM), not many other conservatives’ programs have.
Yet despite their underwhelming performance, numerous right-wing radio hosts have been given repeated opportunities to succeed in DC. “Such radio stars of the right as Laura Ingraham, Glenn Beck and Michael Savage at times have literally had no ratings in Washington, as measured by Arbitron.”]
Is this the market correcting itself?
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Bush Filed a Motion Last Year to Uphold the 33-Month Sentence of Victor Rita, a 24-Year Marine Corps Vet Convicted on Same Crimes as Libby
quote[ Tony Snow said that President Bush decided to commute Scooter Libby’s two and a half year-prison sentence for perjury and obstruction of justice, because it was “excessive.”
Yet last year the Bush Administration filed a “friend-of-the-court brief” with the Supreme Court, in an attempt to uphold a lower court’s ruling that a 33-month prison sentence for Victor Rita, who was convicted of the same exact charges, perjury and obstruction of justice, was “reasonable.”]
But he wasn't a Bush crony...
Yet last year the Bush Administration filed a “friend-of-the-court brief” with the Supreme Court, in an attempt to uphold a lower court’s ruling that a 33-month prison sentence for Victor Rita, who was convicted of the same exact charges, perjury and obstruction of justice, was “reasonable.”]
But he wasn't a Bush crony...
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Just Call Me Mike
quote[Most know Mike Farrell from the ever popular TV series M*A*S*H. Fewer know that there's more to Mike Farrell than just his fame as B.J. Hunnicutt. Explore "Mike Farrell Online" and delve into the many features of Mike's life as actor, activist, writer and biker.]
He gave a great interview today with Norman Goldman. I'll post the clip tomorrow.
-P
He gave a great interview today with Norman Goldman. I'll post the clip tomorrow.
-P
This Is For The Soldiers...
Happy Fourth, Everybody.
And, Kudos, thanks, and well wishes to the guys from the band, Drowning Pool.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Maybe This Will Get Righties On The Anti-Death Penalty Bandwagon
quote[Federal prosecutors filed notice Tuesday that they will seek the death penalty if former soldier Steven D. Green is convicted of killing an Iraqi family and raping a 14-year-old girl.
The notice, filed in U.S. District Court, cites 12 alleged offenses related to the slayings, including that the deaths were premeditated, involved sexual abuse and were committed with a firearm.
Green, a former 101st Airborne Division soldier, was indicted Nov. 1 in the rape and murder of the girl and the slayings of three others in her family in March 2006.
"The defense is obviously disappointed that Attorney General (Alberto) Gonzales is seeking to execute a former soldier," Green's public defender, Patrick Bouldin, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.]
The notice, filed in U.S. District Court, cites 12 alleged offenses related to the slayings, including that the deaths were premeditated, involved sexual abuse and were committed with a firearm.
Green, a former 101st Airborne Division soldier, was indicted Nov. 1 in the rape and murder of the girl and the slayings of three others in her family in March 2006.
"The defense is obviously disappointed that Attorney General (Alberto) Gonzales is seeking to execute a former soldier," Green's public defender, Patrick Bouldin, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.]
PARDONS AND COMMUTATIONS
George W. Bush (2001 - )
Pardons -- 13
Commutations -- 4
Bill Clinton (1993-2001)
Pardons -- 396
Commutations -- 61
George H.W. Bush (1989-1993)
Pardons -- 74
Commutations: 3
Ronald Reagan (1981-1989)
Pardons -- 393
Commutations -- 13
Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)
Pardons -- 534
Commutations -- 29
Gerald Ford (1974-1977)
Pardons -- 382
Commutations -- 22
Richard Nixon (1969-1974)
Pardons -- 863
Commutations -- 60
Lyndon Johnson (1963-1969)
Pardons -- 960
Commutations -- 226
John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)
Pardons -- 472
Commutations -- 100
Dwight Eisenhower (1953-1961)
Pardons -- 1,110
Commutations -- 47
Harry Truman (1945-1953)
Pardons -- 1,913
Commutations -- 118
This is for Genesprite.
Cheers,
-P
Pardons -- 13
Commutations -- 4
Bill Clinton (1993-2001)
Pardons -- 396
Commutations -- 61
George H.W. Bush (1989-1993)
Pardons -- 74
Commutations: 3
Ronald Reagan (1981-1989)
Pardons -- 393
Commutations -- 13
Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)
Pardons -- 534
Commutations -- 29
Gerald Ford (1974-1977)
Pardons -- 382
Commutations -- 22
Richard Nixon (1969-1974)
Pardons -- 863
Commutations -- 60
Lyndon Johnson (1963-1969)
Pardons -- 960
Commutations -- 226
John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)
Pardons -- 472
Commutations -- 100
Dwight Eisenhower (1953-1961)
Pardons -- 1,110
Commutations -- 47
Harry Truman (1945-1953)
Pardons -- 1,913
Commutations -- 118
This is for Genesprite.
Cheers,
-P
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