30 October, 2005
the real question
The real question for President Bush is going to be: is he going to be like Nixon — hunker down, get into the bunker, admit no mistakes," Schumer said, "or like Reagan, who actually admitted mistakes, did a midcourse correction and brought in new people, bipartisan people, people above ethical reproach, into the White House."
26 October, 2005
body count
Some Iraqis complained that the attention was misguided because far more Iraqis have died in the conflict than Americans. No one knows an exact number of Iraqi deaths, but there is some consensus — including from a U.S. military spokesman and outside experts — that an independent count of roughly 30,000 is a relatively credible tally of Iraqi civilian deaths.
Iraq Body Count, a British research group that compiles its figures from reports by the major news agencies and British and U.S. newspapers, has said that as many as 30,051 Iraqis have been killed since the war started. Other estimates range as high as 100,000.
U.S. and coalition authorities say they have not kept a count of Iraqi deaths, and Iraqi government accounting has proven to be haphazard
Iraq Body Count, a British research group that compiles its figures from reports by the major news agencies and British and U.S. newspapers, has said that as many as 30,051 Iraqis have been killed since the war started. Other estimates range as high as 100,000.
U.S. and coalition authorities say they have not kept a count of Iraqi deaths, and Iraqi government accounting has proven to be haphazard
just a mark on the wall
In an e-mail statement to Baghdad-based journalists, command spokesman Lt. Col. Steve Boylan said media attention on the 2,000 figure was misguided and "set by individuals or groups with specific agendas and ulterior motives."
He described the grim statistic as an "artificial mark on the wall" and urged news organizations to focus more on the accomplishments of the U.S. military mission in Iraq.
Well Mr. Boylan they might be an "artificial mark on the wall" to you but not to us. This just shows the uncaring of you whose careers depend on blind loyalty no matter what. No offense Mr. Boylan, you are just echoing how they all really feel. I would hope that any life, including mine, would not be just a mark on the wall.
He described the grim statistic as an "artificial mark on the wall" and urged news organizations to focus more on the accomplishments of the U.S. military mission in Iraq.
Well Mr. Boylan they might be an "artificial mark on the wall" to you but not to us. This just shows the uncaring of you whose careers depend on blind loyalty no matter what. No offense Mr. Boylan, you are just echoing how they all really feel. I would hope that any life, including mine, would not be just a mark on the wall.
25 October, 2005
what do you think?
Wal-Mart faces the largest ever class-action lawsuit, charging it with discriminating against women in pay and promotions. Analysts say a settlement could reach into the billions of dollars.
The bad news — what Wall Street calls "headline risk" — is clearly weighing on the stock, which is down about 20% from a November 2004 peak. Its shares trade at 15.4 times analysts' profit forecasts for next year, below rival Target's (TGT) price-to-earnings ratio of 18.
Wake-Up Wal-Mart, a group backed by the United Food and Commercial Workers union, dismissed the efforts as "empty actions" that shift responsibility to suppliers and others.
"What this truly is, is a publicity stunt meant to repair a faltering public image," Chris Kofinis, a spokesman for Wake-Up Wal-Mart, said.
The bad news — what Wall Street calls "headline risk" — is clearly weighing on the stock, which is down about 20% from a November 2004 peak. Its shares trade at 15.4 times analysts' profit forecasts for next year, below rival Target's (TGT) price-to-earnings ratio of 18.
Wake-Up Wal-Mart, a group backed by the United Food and Commercial Workers union, dismissed the efforts as "empty actions" that shift responsibility to suppliers and others.
"What this truly is, is a publicity stunt meant to repair a faltering public image," Chris Kofinis, a spokesman for Wake-Up Wal-Mart, said.
read in The Onion
"Thou shalt not kill." I'm sorry, but that just sounds like bleeding-heart bullcrud. We have a death penalty in this country, and it works. And how will you fight a war if you don't kill some people? I suppose the writer of these laws is one of these dreamers who thinks the world would be better if people picked posies and held hands all day. Enjoy your flower music, Sunshine, and call me back when you grow up and start paying your own bills.
Germany in the 30's?
FBI agents have violated government policies by secretly conducting surveillance on U.S. citizens for more than a year without notifying Justice Department officials, according to declassified government documents released Monday.
FBI spokesman John Miller said Monday that the precise number of violations by agents could not be disclosed because some information on the bureau's surveillance activities in this country remains classified. I don't hear the Republicans complaining.
FBI spokesman John Miller said Monday that the precise number of violations by agents could not be disclosed because some information on the bureau's surveillance activities in this country remains classified. I don't hear the Republicans complaining.
22 October, 2005
Karen Hughes, another Bush crony, went to the middle east to improve our image. Really, and what are her credentials?
*Does she have ANY substantive experience in Middle East affairs or
International Relations? NO.
*Does she know the Arab culture? NO.
*Does she even speak the language? NO.
On the contrary, she was the spin doctor who was personally responsible for peppering those early Bush speches with biblical verses and references to God making it look like as if the President were waging war in Afghanistan and Iraq out of religious duty, resulting in incalcuable harm to our image over there.
Her lack of knowledge and lack of experience was insulting to Arabs and Muslims, dooming her mission to failure by another blunder.
*Does she have ANY substantive experience in Middle East affairs or
International Relations? NO.
*Does she know the Arab culture? NO.
*Does she even speak the language? NO.
On the contrary, she was the spin doctor who was personally responsible for peppering those early Bush speches with biblical verses and references to God making it look like as if the President were waging war in Afghanistan and Iraq out of religious duty, resulting in incalcuable harm to our image over there.
Her lack of knowledge and lack of experience was insulting to Arabs and Muslims, dooming her mission to failure by another blunder.
too much religion?
read today:
"A new study in the Journal of Religion and Society suggests the "the more religious a society is, the more social problems it has. This correlation is even more vividly illustrated within the U.S, where the highest rates of abortion, murder, divorce, and teen pregnancy are in the bible belt states, where church attendance is the highest.
The study suggests that nonrational, absolutist belief systems of any kind--Islamic or Christian or other, have a dark side and often backfire in more sinful behavior, not less. Too much religion may be dangerous."
"A new study in the Journal of Religion and Society suggests the "the more religious a society is, the more social problems it has. This correlation is even more vividly illustrated within the U.S, where the highest rates of abortion, murder, divorce, and teen pregnancy are in the bible belt states, where church attendance is the highest.
The study suggests that nonrational, absolutist belief systems of any kind--Islamic or Christian or other, have a dark side and often backfire in more sinful behavior, not less. Too much religion may be dangerous."
sleeve Christians
Why is Tom DeLay smiling? He has been indicted. Forced out of his job as House majority leader, and called into court for fingerprinting and a mug shot like a common criminal
I have the answer. He is laughing at us, you and me collectively. We looked the other way when he was "pushing the envelope" (according to other some other republicans) and hammering us, all the while proclaiming the fact that he was a
"Christian".
Sometimes it is difficult to tell whether these "sleeve Christians" are being used by Jesus or the more likely, that they are using Jesus.
I have the answer. He is laughing at us, you and me collectively. We looked the other way when he was "pushing the envelope" (according to other some other republicans) and hammering us, all the while proclaiming the fact that he was a
"Christian".
Sometimes it is difficult to tell whether these "sleeve Christians" are being used by Jesus or the more likely, that they are using Jesus.
the real victims
At worst, the Plame affair is a “petty conspiracy,” said Frank Rich in The New York Times.
But the much “larger plot” at the heart of this case was the White House’s deliberate attempt to “market” the Iraq war by convincing the American public that Saddam was building nuclear weapons.
Wilson got in the way of that fiction, which is why he was targeted for defamation. But the real victim isn’t Wilson or his wife. “It’s the nation.”
But the much “larger plot” at the heart of this case was the White House’s deliberate attempt to “market” the Iraq war by convincing the American public that Saddam was building nuclear weapons.
Wilson got in the way of that fiction, which is why he was targeted for defamation. But the real victim isn’t Wilson or his wife. “It’s the nation.”
shoe on the other foot
How times have changed, said E.J. Dionne in The Washington Post. “Those who thought investigations were a wonderful thing when Bill Clinton was president” are crying foul now.
During the Monica Lewinsky scandal, conservatives insisted that Ken Starr’s inquisition wasn’t about the sex—it was about perjury and “the rule of law.”
Funny how that phrase has slipped from the conservative vocabulary “now that it’s Republicans who are being held accountable.”
During the Monica Lewinsky scandal, conservatives insisted that Ken Starr’s inquisition wasn’t about the sex—it was about perjury and “the rule of law.”
Funny how that phrase has slipped from the conservative vocabulary “now that it’s Republicans who are being held accountable.”
give it back
read today:
Four of the most powerful Republican leaders in America, Tom DeLay, Bill Frist, Karl Rove, and Scooter Libby, have either been indicted or are currently undergoing criminal investigation for scandals and corruption. Members of Congress should disassociate themselves from this corruption in the Republican leadership.
Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-NH) returned the money saying he wanted to "remove any question about the nature of the contribution." We’re asking you to do the same. Demonstrate that you work for the voters of our district, not DeLay’s corporate cronies. Send back DeLay’s dirty money.
Four of the most powerful Republican leaders in America, Tom DeLay, Bill Frist, Karl Rove, and Scooter Libby, have either been indicted or are currently undergoing criminal investigation for scandals and corruption. Members of Congress should disassociate themselves from this corruption in the Republican leadership.
Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-NH) returned the money saying he wanted to "remove any question about the nature of the contribution." We’re asking you to do the same. Demonstrate that you work for the voters of our district, not DeLay’s corporate cronies. Send back DeLay’s dirty money.
we the fools
Have you been observing our republican-in-chief and his henchmen and women on TV. Is it just me or do they all exhibit an air of cockiness? Their second trait-in-common is the smirk on their faces, especially when they are asked questions that are not setups for their agenda. Even their gestures reveal what they really think of us.
For example, take that dismissive little jerky wave of the hand by our blunderer-in-chief. It's looks like God dismissing his subjects. Well, we all thought they were competent and were, "uniters not dividers". Boy were we made the fools by these spinmeisters.
For example, take that dismissive little jerky wave of the hand by our blunderer-in-chief. It's looks like God dismissing his subjects. Well, we all thought they were competent and were, "uniters not dividers". Boy were we made the fools by these spinmeisters.
21 October, 2005
not any more
I read where the Republicans are giving millions to one of their own, Senator Stevens' so-called "bridges to nowhere" in Alaska. The Republican Party used to
be a fiscally responsible party with your money, not any more.
be a fiscally responsible party with your money, not any more.
19 October, 2005
what about American workers?
Cisco, based in California, started its India operations in 1995 and plans to triple its workforce from the current 1,400 by 2008. The company has its global research and development center in the southern city of Bangalore and offices in seven other Indian cities.
Chambers said that $750 million will be spent on research and development activities, including training, development and staffing. The rest would be spent on providing leasing and other financial solutions to the company's customers, investing in Indian start-up companies and customer support operations.
Chambers said Cisco may also consider manufacturing its networking equipment products in India.
"Some top manufacturing people will be coming to India in the next couple of months. We're going to look very hard at manufacturing (in India) next year," he said.
Any facility in India will initially be a basic manufacturing unit, which will be gradually ramped up to undertake complex manufacturing, he added.
They will tell you that big companies must make big profits to create jobs. Now the the jobs they are creating are in other countries. What about American workers?
Chambers said that $750 million will be spent on research and development activities, including training, development and staffing. The rest would be spent on providing leasing and other financial solutions to the company's customers, investing in Indian start-up companies and customer support operations.
Chambers said Cisco may also consider manufacturing its networking equipment products in India.
"Some top manufacturing people will be coming to India in the next couple of months. We're going to look very hard at manufacturing (in India) next year," he said.
Any facility in India will initially be a basic manufacturing unit, which will be gradually ramped up to undertake complex manufacturing, he added.
They will tell you that big companies must make big profits to create jobs. Now the the jobs they are creating are in other countries. What about American workers?
it's your money
The court to try Saddam and the training were financed by a $75 million U.S. budget allocation in May 2004. That money, supplied over a year and a half, is also being used to support investigations and prosecutions.
the rest of the story or part of it
More than one in four U.S. troops have come home from the Iraq war with health problems that require medical or mental health treatment, according to the Pentagon's first detailed screening of servicemembers leaving a war zone.
Almost 1,700 servicemembers returning from the war this year said they harbored thoughts of hurting themselves or that they would be better off dead. More than 250 said they had such thoughts "a lot."
Nearly 20,000 reported nightmares or unwanted war recollections; more than 3,700 said they had concerns that they might "hurt or lose control" with someone else.
tip of the iceberg
Almost 1,700 servicemembers returning from the war this year said they harbored thoughts of hurting themselves or that they would be better off dead. More than 250 said they had such thoughts "a lot."
Nearly 20,000 reported nightmares or unwanted war recollections; more than 3,700 said they had concerns that they might "hurt or lose control" with someone else.
tip of the iceberg
in the dark
I read today that 1,980 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. That is the standard wording.
Why don't we have a full accounting by the Defense Dept as follows:
Active duty US Servicemen and women killed _________
U.s. Civilian Contractors killed __________
Iraqi civilians including women and children killed __________
total killed __________
(and the same catagories for the wounded)
Some catagories would have to be estimated. As it is the American people are in the dark again as to what is really happening.
Why don't we have a full accounting by the Defense Dept as follows:
Active duty US Servicemen and women killed _________
U.s. Civilian Contractors killed __________
Iraqi civilians including women and children killed __________
total killed __________
(and the same catagories for the wounded)
Some catagories would have to be estimated. As it is the American people are in the dark again as to what is really happening.
18 October, 2005
on a lighter note
read:
Author Dick Morris became a professional Hillary Hater after he had to resign when he was caught paying for it. And by "it" I mean "sex." With a prostitute. Because he apparently couldn't get "it" for free, with all his smarts. Hillary must have made a disapproving remark on his way out or something. What a grudge.
Author Dick Morris became a professional Hillary Hater after he had to resign when he was caught paying for it. And by "it" I mean "sex." With a prostitute. Because he apparently couldn't get "it" for free, with all his smarts. Hillary must have made a disapproving remark on his way out or something. What a grudge.
not anymore
When the ranking of the wealthiest U.S. citizens debuted in 1982, the list showed the "American Ideal", every year, new strivers replace the old. NOT ANYMORE.
The list no longer reflects a dynamic and elastic economy: instead it reflects a growing concentration of wealth and economic power.
The same people appear year after year: Gates, Buffett, Allen, Kerkorian, Kluge, Icahn, Bllomberg, Perelman, Helmsley, Kravis, Waltons, Pritzkers, Newhouses and so on.
Their total worth was $238 Billion in 1985; today $1.13 Trillion showing the concentration of wealth and thus power.
The rich are truly getting richer while more and more workers are getting minimum wages or are retired on fixed incomes with ever and ever higher prices.
The list no longer reflects a dynamic and elastic economy: instead it reflects a growing concentration of wealth and economic power.
The same people appear year after year: Gates, Buffett, Allen, Kerkorian, Kluge, Icahn, Bllomberg, Perelman, Helmsley, Kravis, Waltons, Pritzkers, Newhouses and so on.
Their total worth was $238 Billion in 1985; today $1.13 Trillion showing the concentration of wealth and thus power.
The rich are truly getting richer while more and more workers are getting minimum wages or are retired on fixed incomes with ever and ever higher prices.
crony but wrong person
read today
Even if the task weren’t so daunting, said Abdel-Bari Atwan in the pan-Arab Al Quds al Arabi, Hughes is the wrong person to attempt it. This is the spin doctor who was personally responsible for peppering those early Bush speeches with biblical verses and references to God, “making it look as if the president were waging war in Afghanistan and Iraq out of religious duty.”
The resulting perception of the U.S. as a nation on a crusade did incalculable harm to America’s image. And she’s only making things worse.
Hughes lacks the most basic knowledge of the Arab world, an ignorance so obvious as to be insulting. She’s simply a crony of Bush.
But soon she will learn that “beautifying the face of President Bush to the American citizen is one thing, and marketing his bloody foreign policies to the Arabs and Muslims is a totally different thing.”
Even if the task weren’t so daunting, said Abdel-Bari Atwan in the pan-Arab Al Quds al Arabi, Hughes is the wrong person to attempt it. This is the spin doctor who was personally responsible for peppering those early Bush speeches with biblical verses and references to God, “making it look as if the president were waging war in Afghanistan and Iraq out of religious duty.”
The resulting perception of the U.S. as a nation on a crusade did incalculable harm to America’s image. And she’s only making things worse.
Hughes lacks the most basic knowledge of the Arab world, an ignorance so obvious as to be insulting. She’s simply a crony of Bush.
But soon she will learn that “beautifying the face of President Bush to the American citizen is one thing, and marketing his bloody foreign policies to the Arabs and Muslims is a totally different thing.”
surge
Inflation at the wholesale level soared last month by the largest amount in more than 15 years, reflecting the surge in energy prices after the Gulf Coast hurricanes. This government is not going to do anything about it as their motto is, "give the most to those who have the most."
we are killing children?
In new violence, the U.S. military said that its warplanes and helicopters bombed two western villages Sunday, killing an estimated 70 militants near a site where five American soldiers died in a roadside blast.
Residents said at least 39 of the dead were civilians, including children.
Residents said at least 39 of the dead were civilians, including children.
17 October, 2005
we are sorry
We're sorry, but you cannot have God.
There are many of us true Christians who believe that He would not bless violent aggression, regardless of the rationale. There are many of us who don't need God's name in our national songs, on our currency or in the halls of our government buildings, in order to affirm our faith, and we don't believe He cares too much about that either.
We do not believe our President when he claims to receive direction from God. God has no political ideology. Many of us believe that He will not look kindly on those who use His name for that purpose.
We're sorry, but you can't have the American Flag.
It is not a conservative icon. It represents all Americans. We would die for our flag tomorrow, because we love our country, and will fight to protect it for our children. You are no more patriotic than the rest of us. You hide behind the American flag, and use patriotism as a club to beat back those who disagree with you.
We're sorry, but you can't have the Constitution.
It isn't an ideological document, and it isn't your place to "protect it." It is written for "We, the People of the United States." The human experience is far too complex for words, and therefore the document is imperfect. It is open to interpretation. It is a living document.
We're sorry, but you can't own Family Values.
It is not a commodity. Humanity is far too complex to conform to your simplistic, black-and-white views on values. Our actual value system evolved over hundreds of years, and cannot be summarized on a bumper sticker. Your family is no more or no less moral than any other. Most of you who shout about values have unseemly skeletons in your own closets. You tend to your own family, and allow us to tend to ours. In the end, God will judge our values.
We're sorry, but you can't have September 11, 2001.
You pretend to speak for the families of the victims, yet you use their tragedy to further your ideological agenda. You are no better than the looters in New Orleans whom you love to deride, even as you continue to loot your political goods from the true victims of 9-11, years after the disaster. You squandered the good will and sympathy of an entire planet, and you've done precious little, these past four years, to make us safer. You don't deserve to own this.
We're sorry, but you don't own Fiscal Responsibility.
You took over a respectable balance sheet when you came to Washington, and you've ruined it. You've shown that you can't manage our national finances, as we sink further and further into debt on your watch. You are mortgaging the future of our children to Japan, China and a host of other global lenders that have grown to despise us under your leadership. ." Your "tax cuts" favor the rich, and they net you personal and political gain. Most of us don't have the letters "CEO" next to our name, and your tax cuts do nothing for us. Your "ownership society" is sounding more and more like an exclusive club.
We're sorry, but you can't own the concept of Limited Government.
As if any of us would prefer "unlimited government." You pretend to stand for smaller federal government, even as you spend us into record debt. You pretend to stand for state's rights, even as you meddle in state's affairs. You showed your true colors in the Terri Schiavo fiasco, and we're not buying it any more. We know now that when you say "limited government," you really mean "getting your way."
We're sorry, but you can't have the media.
You shout about "liberal bias" while you construct the most biased media machine in history - substituting propaganda for journalism; innuendo for facts; shouting for intelligent discourse. You know nothing about the true role of media, and you don't care to participate because you can't control it.
Your vision for this important component of democracy scares people of intelligence. Under your concept of "media," true democracy would die. We want our children to have access to the truth, and we want professional journalists working to get it for them, free from corporate and ideological influences. We won't let you take over or shut down the mainstream media, and we won't let you brainwash our children with your propaganda machine.
We're sorry, but you can't have our Troops.
Granted, the Commander in Chief directs the military. But many of us believe the "Commander" did not perform due diligence, and circumvented important checks and balances in the rush to deploy our troops to Iraq. Don't forget that the U.S. Military represents all Americans, and not just conservatives. If we don't support your actions, it doesn't mean we don't support our troops. We believe you are putting them at risk for an unclear, unworthy and continually changing cause. Some of them, and their families, are paying the ultimate price for your mistakes. Don't imply that because we want to bring them home, we don't support them.
We're sorry, but you don't own our National Security.
Stop implying that the "forces of evil" would overtake America under anyone else's leadership. Frankly, you don't seem to be doing such a great job of protecting us, and many of us feel less safe under your watch. We're not going to duck and run if you aren't in charge. America's strength and resolve is unwavering, and that has nothing to do with you. Stop scaring Americans stupid.
Finally, we're sorry, but you can't have the national profile.
America is a diverse nation, made up of people from every country, every race, religion, sexual orientation and ideology. Your simplistic vision of a uniform set of values implies a society of white Christians. Many of our fathers fought overseas against such a vision. Much blood has been shed on our own soil, against such a vision.
We rejoice in the diverse heritage that makes Americans so unique. You will never, ever take that away.
The author is an independent who is increasingly fed up with the direction the current conservative leadership and their huge propaganda machine is taking this country.
There are many of us true Christians who believe that He would not bless violent aggression, regardless of the rationale. There are many of us who don't need God's name in our national songs, on our currency or in the halls of our government buildings, in order to affirm our faith, and we don't believe He cares too much about that either.
We do not believe our President when he claims to receive direction from God. God has no political ideology. Many of us believe that He will not look kindly on those who use His name for that purpose.
We're sorry, but you can't have the American Flag.
It is not a conservative icon. It represents all Americans. We would die for our flag tomorrow, because we love our country, and will fight to protect it for our children. You are no more patriotic than the rest of us. You hide behind the American flag, and use patriotism as a club to beat back those who disagree with you.
We're sorry, but you can't have the Constitution.
It isn't an ideological document, and it isn't your place to "protect it." It is written for "We, the People of the United States." The human experience is far too complex for words, and therefore the document is imperfect. It is open to interpretation. It is a living document.
We're sorry, but you can't own Family Values.
It is not a commodity. Humanity is far too complex to conform to your simplistic, black-and-white views on values. Our actual value system evolved over hundreds of years, and cannot be summarized on a bumper sticker. Your family is no more or no less moral than any other. Most of you who shout about values have unseemly skeletons in your own closets. You tend to your own family, and allow us to tend to ours. In the end, God will judge our values.
We're sorry, but you can't have September 11, 2001.
You pretend to speak for the families of the victims, yet you use their tragedy to further your ideological agenda. You are no better than the looters in New Orleans whom you love to deride, even as you continue to loot your political goods from the true victims of 9-11, years after the disaster. You squandered the good will and sympathy of an entire planet, and you've done precious little, these past four years, to make us safer. You don't deserve to own this.
We're sorry, but you don't own Fiscal Responsibility.
You took over a respectable balance sheet when you came to Washington, and you've ruined it. You've shown that you can't manage our national finances, as we sink further and further into debt on your watch. You are mortgaging the future of our children to Japan, China and a host of other global lenders that have grown to despise us under your leadership. ." Your "tax cuts" favor the rich, and they net you personal and political gain. Most of us don't have the letters "CEO" next to our name, and your tax cuts do nothing for us. Your "ownership society" is sounding more and more like an exclusive club.
We're sorry, but you can't own the concept of Limited Government.
As if any of us would prefer "unlimited government." You pretend to stand for smaller federal government, even as you spend us into record debt. You pretend to stand for state's rights, even as you meddle in state's affairs. You showed your true colors in the Terri Schiavo fiasco, and we're not buying it any more. We know now that when you say "limited government," you really mean "getting your way."
We're sorry, but you can't have the media.
You shout about "liberal bias" while you construct the most biased media machine in history - substituting propaganda for journalism; innuendo for facts; shouting for intelligent discourse. You know nothing about the true role of media, and you don't care to participate because you can't control it.
Your vision for this important component of democracy scares people of intelligence. Under your concept of "media," true democracy would die. We want our children to have access to the truth, and we want professional journalists working to get it for them, free from corporate and ideological influences. We won't let you take over or shut down the mainstream media, and we won't let you brainwash our children with your propaganda machine.
We're sorry, but you can't have our Troops.
Granted, the Commander in Chief directs the military. But many of us believe the "Commander" did not perform due diligence, and circumvented important checks and balances in the rush to deploy our troops to Iraq. Don't forget that the U.S. Military represents all Americans, and not just conservatives. If we don't support your actions, it doesn't mean we don't support our troops. We believe you are putting them at risk for an unclear, unworthy and continually changing cause. Some of them, and their families, are paying the ultimate price for your mistakes. Don't imply that because we want to bring them home, we don't support them.
We're sorry, but you don't own our National Security.
Stop implying that the "forces of evil" would overtake America under anyone else's leadership. Frankly, you don't seem to be doing such a great job of protecting us, and many of us feel less safe under your watch. We're not going to duck and run if you aren't in charge. America's strength and resolve is unwavering, and that has nothing to do with you. Stop scaring Americans stupid.
Finally, we're sorry, but you can't have the national profile.
America is a diverse nation, made up of people from every country, every race, religion, sexual orientation and ideology. Your simplistic vision of a uniform set of values implies a society of white Christians. Many of our fathers fought overseas against such a vision. Much blood has been shed on our own soil, against such a vision.
We rejoice in the diverse heritage that makes Americans so unique. You will never, ever take that away.
The author is an independent who is increasingly fed up with the direction the current conservative leadership and their huge propaganda machine is taking this country.
lying depends on to whom
During a conversation with Hannity and Brent Bozell, Coulter remarked that the administration is not telling the truth about the Harriet Miers nomination. "They're treating us like liberals, lying to us," she said. "When they lie to conservatives, we have a problem."
So there you have it - Ann Coulter admits that the administration is a bunch of liars, it's just that when she thought they were only lying to liberals it was perfectly acceptable. Now they're lying to conservatives, it's a big problem.
So there you have it - Ann Coulter admits that the administration is a bunch of liars, it's just that when she thought they were only lying to liberals it was perfectly acceptable. Now they're lying to conservatives, it's a big problem.
not surprised
Scenario:
You volunteer to serve your country in the armed forces. You're sent to Iraq, where a bomb takes one of your hands, and your ability to walk. You're shipped back to America to face a long, arduous recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. What happens next?
If you're Robert Loria of Middletown, NY, here's what happens:
Your pay rate is downgraded because you're out of the war zone.
Your wages are garnished because some of your equipment is unaccounted for.
The army sends you a bill for $6,200 just before Christmas.
Three months later a collection agency comes after you because you owe $646 for military housing.
This is apparently because, according to the Washington Post, "the government's computerized pay system is designed to 'maximize debt collection' and has operated without a way to keep bills from going to the wounded."
Now why am I not surprised? So much for "supporting the troops."
You volunteer to serve your country in the armed forces. You're sent to Iraq, where a bomb takes one of your hands, and your ability to walk. You're shipped back to America to face a long, arduous recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. What happens next?
If you're Robert Loria of Middletown, NY, here's what happens:
Your pay rate is downgraded because you're out of the war zone.
Your wages are garnished because some of your equipment is unaccounted for.
The army sends you a bill for $6,200 just before Christmas.
Three months later a collection agency comes after you because you owe $646 for military housing.
This is apparently because, according to the Washington Post, "the government's computerized pay system is designed to 'maximize debt collection' and has operated without a way to keep bills from going to the wounded."
Now why am I not surprised? So much for "supporting the troops."
rehearsing their answers???
That's not George W. Bush, that's Allison Barber of the Defense Department. And what was she doing there? Unfortunately for the Bush administration, the answer was revealed by the raw satellite feed streamed to news outlets before the teleconference began.
The feed showed Ms. Barber carefully coaching the troops on what Bush was going to say, the techniques they should use when responding, and giving them an opportunity to rehearse their answers.
Funnily enough, even though the event was totally stage-managed and pre-packaged, Our Great Leader still managed to make a complete hash of it. Bush forgot about the satellite delay and talked across soldiers, stumbled over words and phrases (as usual), offered a completely disingenuous invitation for the troops to drop by and visit him any time they're in Washington, and at one point lost his earpiece.
The feed showed Ms. Barber carefully coaching the troops on what Bush was going to say, the techniques they should use when responding, and giving them an opportunity to rehearse their answers.
Funnily enough, even though the event was totally stage-managed and pre-packaged, Our Great Leader still managed to make a complete hash of it. Bush forgot about the satellite delay and talked across soldiers, stumbled over words and phrases (as usual), offered a completely disingenuous invitation for the troops to drop by and visit him any time they're in Washington, and at one point lost his earpiece.
16 October, 2005
not impeachment?
read today:
The Constitution is very clear on the point that only Congress may initiate military hostilities. Article, I, Section 8 gives Congress the power to declare war, and the deliberations of the Framers and of the state ratifying conventions establish that this provision was understood to give Congress sole authority to choose between war and peace.
The plain fact of the matter is that Iraq’s armed forces had not attacked US territory. That they might conceivably have done so at some point in the future is, from a constitutional perspective, irrelevant. The administration’s doctrine of pre-emption does not exempt the president from the requirement to obtain a declaration of war from Congress.
Furthermore, the president cannot cite the war resolution passed on October 10, 2002 as providing him with the authority to invade Iraq. This resolution did not keep the fundamental choice between war and peace in the hands of Congress. As legal scholar Louis Fisher has written, “Did Congress actually decide to go to war? Not really. Members of Congress transferred that choice to Bush. They decided that he should decide.”
The fact that Congress chose to abdicate its constitutional responsibility to decide between war and peace has no bearing on the legality of President Bush’s actions. The decision by one branch to abandon its constitutional prerogatives does not legitimate usurpations by the other branch.
In all cases, Congress must either forbid military action or command the president to carry it out. Both the Framers’ writings and early judicial decisions support the idea that the Constitution simply does not leave room for executive discretion in this matter.
The Constitution is very clear on the point that only Congress may initiate military hostilities. Article, I, Section 8 gives Congress the power to declare war, and the deliberations of the Framers and of the state ratifying conventions establish that this provision was understood to give Congress sole authority to choose between war and peace.
The plain fact of the matter is that Iraq’s armed forces had not attacked US territory. That they might conceivably have done so at some point in the future is, from a constitutional perspective, irrelevant. The administration’s doctrine of pre-emption does not exempt the president from the requirement to obtain a declaration of war from Congress.
Furthermore, the president cannot cite the war resolution passed on October 10, 2002 as providing him with the authority to invade Iraq. This resolution did not keep the fundamental choice between war and peace in the hands of Congress. As legal scholar Louis Fisher has written, “Did Congress actually decide to go to war? Not really. Members of Congress transferred that choice to Bush. They decided that he should decide.”
The fact that Congress chose to abdicate its constitutional responsibility to decide between war and peace has no bearing on the legality of President Bush’s actions. The decision by one branch to abandon its constitutional prerogatives does not legitimate usurpations by the other branch.
In all cases, Congress must either forbid military action or command the president to carry it out. Both the Framers’ writings and early judicial decisions support the idea that the Constitution simply does not leave room for executive discretion in this matter.
regulation vs. de-regulation
Results of an autopsy performed on Terri Schiavo support her husband's insistence that she had severe brain damage and had no chance of recovery. The procedure also showed that she was blind
The damage was irreversible, and no amount of therapy or treatment would have regenerated the massive loss of neurons," Pinellas-Pasco County Medical Examiner Jon Thogmartin said Wednesday in Largo, Fla.
The findings contradict contentions by Schiavo's parents and members of Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., that she had not been in a vegetative state and could have improved
The Democrats said the medical findings confirmed that Congress and Bush should never have tried to get the federal judiciary to overrule state court rulings.
"It's rare that you get such a total repudiation of one side," said Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass. He said it underlined that "all these politicians pretending to practice medicine, including one doctor pretending to practice medicine" — a reference to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist — were driven by "ideology and partisanship."
Frist, a surgeon, had questioned a court ruling that Schiavo was in a persistent vegetative state. He said he based his assessment on watching "an hour or so" of video in which the woman appeared to respond to stimulus. Frist did not respond to reporters.
The autopsy results "only confirm the discontent of a lot of people with Congress and the president getting involved," said Andrew Kohut of the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.
The autopsy "reaffirms that these kinds of heart-wrenching, end-of-life decisions should not be made in an emotionally charged political body like" Congress, said Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, D-Fla. DeLay who pushed Congress's intervention was mum. That's how they think. Federal regulation in your bedroom and hospital bed, but de-regulation for prices, environment and big business.
The damage was irreversible, and no amount of therapy or treatment would have regenerated the massive loss of neurons," Pinellas-Pasco County Medical Examiner Jon Thogmartin said Wednesday in Largo, Fla.
The findings contradict contentions by Schiavo's parents and members of Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., that she had not been in a vegetative state and could have improved
The Democrats said the medical findings confirmed that Congress and Bush should never have tried to get the federal judiciary to overrule state court rulings.
"It's rare that you get such a total repudiation of one side," said Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass. He said it underlined that "all these politicians pretending to practice medicine, including one doctor pretending to practice medicine" — a reference to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist — were driven by "ideology and partisanship."
Frist, a surgeon, had questioned a court ruling that Schiavo was in a persistent vegetative state. He said he based his assessment on watching "an hour or so" of video in which the woman appeared to respond to stimulus. Frist did not respond to reporters.
The autopsy results "only confirm the discontent of a lot of people with Congress and the president getting involved," said Andrew Kohut of the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.
The autopsy "reaffirms that these kinds of heart-wrenching, end-of-life decisions should not be made in an emotionally charged political body like" Congress, said Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, D-Fla. DeLay who pushed Congress's intervention was mum. That's how they think. Federal regulation in your bedroom and hospital bed, but de-regulation for prices, environment and big business.
Hello, America
Hello, America. You fancy yourself the proudest member of the First World, and since you're reading this on your computer, you probably are.
Got air-conditioning? Cable TV? A microwave? Congratulations, citizen, you're doing just fine. But, as some of you are learning, uncomfortably, there's another America, the Third World version.
Dark and brutal, dimly lit by a faint flickering American Dream high up and far away. That's where I come from. What would Jesus say about that?
Got air-conditioning? Cable TV? A microwave? Congratulations, citizen, you're doing just fine. But, as some of you are learning, uncomfortably, there's another America, the Third World version.
Dark and brutal, dimly lit by a faint flickering American Dream high up and far away. That's where I come from. What would Jesus say about that?
cute
Levin said he thinks that at least 50,000 of the 150,000 U.S. troops now in Iraq will be sent home by next year's November elections in the U.S. By then, he said, either Iraqi troops will be able to defend their country well enough to allow U.S. troop reductions or Iraqi politicians will have refused or failed to make the political progress necessary.
Can't you just see it. Just in time for the 2006 elections. Cute!
Can't you just see it. Just in time for the 2006 elections. Cute!
fool the people
Tead Today:
"You Can Fool Some of the People, Some of the Time...
.Bush's Job Approval Ratings...
Poll ---------Date------- Approve-- Disapprove-- Spread--
RCP Avg 10/10-10/12 39.5% 55.2% -15.7%
Rasmussen 10/10-10/12 44.0% 54.0% -10.0%
Fox News 10/10-10/11 40.0% 51.0% -11.0%
NBC/WSJ 10/08-10/10 39.0% 54.0% -15.0%
Pew 10/06-10/10 38.0% 56.0% -18.0%
AP-Ipsos 10/03-10/05 39.0% 58.0% -19.0%
CBS News 10/03-10/05 37.0% 58.0% -21.0%
How's the Direction of the Country?? Well...
Poll ---------Date-- Right Dir--. Wrong-- Dir. Spread--
RCP Avg. 10/03-10/10 27.3% 64.7% -37.4%
NBC/WSJ 10/08-10/10 28.0% 59.0% -31.0%
AP-Ipsos 10/03-10/05 28.0% 66.0% -38.0%
CBS News 10/03-10/05 26.0% 69.0% -43.0%
They lied and people died (and are still dying)
"You Can Fool Some of the People, Some of the Time...
.Bush's Job Approval Ratings...
Poll ---------Date------- Approve-- Disapprove-- Spread--
RCP Avg 10/10-10/12 39.5% 55.2% -15.7%
Rasmussen 10/10-10/12 44.0% 54.0% -10.0%
Fox News 10/10-10/11 40.0% 51.0% -11.0%
NBC/WSJ 10/08-10/10 39.0% 54.0% -15.0%
Pew 10/06-10/10 38.0% 56.0% -18.0%
AP-Ipsos 10/03-10/05 39.0% 58.0% -19.0%
CBS News 10/03-10/05 37.0% 58.0% -21.0%
How's the Direction of the Country?? Well...
Poll ---------Date-- Right Dir--. Wrong-- Dir. Spread--
RCP Avg. 10/03-10/10 27.3% 64.7% -37.4%
NBC/WSJ 10/08-10/10 28.0% 59.0% -31.0%
AP-Ipsos 10/03-10/05 28.0% 66.0% -38.0%
CBS News 10/03-10/05 26.0% 69.0% -43.0%
They lied and people died (and are still dying)
incapable or doesn't deserve
read today:
Americans know a lot about Christianity as more than 80 percent identify with that religion. We understand that orthodox Christians do not lie, put their personal fortune above the common good, or believe that the ends justify the means. Proper Christians operate by the ethical equivalent of the Marques of Queensbury rules. Most believe that it’s not whether you win or lose but how you play the game.
But George W. Bush plays by his own rules. As Americans watch this administration unravel – as the electorate begins to understand the folly of the Iraq occupation, the fantasy of homeland security, and the abandonment of governance in the pursuit of political gain – one wonders which realization will come first: Will it be that Bush the President is incapable of leading the U.S., or will it be that Bush the man doesn’t deserve to be called a Christian?
Americans know a lot about Christianity as more than 80 percent identify with that religion. We understand that orthodox Christians do not lie, put their personal fortune above the common good, or believe that the ends justify the means. Proper Christians operate by the ethical equivalent of the Marques of Queensbury rules. Most believe that it’s not whether you win or lose but how you play the game.
But George W. Bush plays by his own rules. As Americans watch this administration unravel – as the electorate begins to understand the folly of the Iraq occupation, the fantasy of homeland security, and the abandonment of governance in the pursuit of political gain – one wonders which realization will come first: Will it be that Bush the President is incapable of leading the U.S., or will it be that Bush the man doesn’t deserve to be called a Christian?
more hypocrisy
Bush rules have also governed the White House response to the outcry over the outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame. The President told the press that he wanted “to get to the bottom” of the leak scandal; his press secretary, Scott McClellan commented, “The President has set…the highest of standards for people in his Administration…If anyone in this administration was involved in [the leak], they would no longer be in this administration.”
Since those comments, we learned that top Administration officials – including key presidential adviser, Karl Rove, and Dick Cheney’s chief-of-staff, Scooter Libby – were involved. Yet, no one was punished by the White House.
Moreover, according to a July 24th New York Times story and comments made by political commentator, George Stephanopolous on October 2nd, The President and Vice-President were also engaged in the discussions about Valerie Plame, before her identify was revealed by conservative columnist Bob Novak. (Federal prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, questioned Bush for 70 minutes on June 24, 2004; at the time, legal observers remarked on how unusual this was and opined that it indicated a suspicion that the Plame leak occurred at a high level in the Administration.)
The hypocrisy of Bush rules might be dismissed as political business-as-usual if it were Richard Nixon who was President; “tricky Dick” was known to be a slippery character, more interested in political gain than in the common good. However, George W. Bush has made a huge issue of his personal integrity.
When he was first nominated to run for President, he made it a point to distinguish his morality from that of Bill Clinton and, by implication, Al Gore.
Since those comments, we learned that top Administration officials – including key presidential adviser, Karl Rove, and Dick Cheney’s chief-of-staff, Scooter Libby – were involved. Yet, no one was punished by the White House.
Moreover, according to a July 24th New York Times story and comments made by political commentator, George Stephanopolous on October 2nd, The President and Vice-President were also engaged in the discussions about Valerie Plame, before her identify was revealed by conservative columnist Bob Novak. (Federal prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, questioned Bush for 70 minutes on June 24, 2004; at the time, legal observers remarked on how unusual this was and opined that it indicated a suspicion that the Plame leak occurred at a high level in the Administration.)
The hypocrisy of Bush rules might be dismissed as political business-as-usual if it were Richard Nixon who was President; “tricky Dick” was known to be a slippery character, more interested in political gain than in the common good. However, George W. Bush has made a huge issue of his personal integrity.
When he was first nominated to run for President, he made it a point to distinguish his morality from that of Bill Clinton and, by implication, Al Gore.
why
Two recent news stories graphically illustrate the nature of Bush rules. It’s been well documented that the Administration was indifferent to the tragedy wrought by Hurricane Katrina, until there was an enormous public outcry. What hasn’t been talked about is the contrast between this occasion and their response to Hurricane Frances in September of 2004.
Two months before the presidential election, Frances was threatening Florida, with its 27 electoral votes, and the Bush Administration leaped into action. The National Guard was mobilized and federal-state-non-profit task force was launched – before Frances hit. Bush rules dictated that the Administration had to perform well in this time of crisis, because it represented a political opportunity.
Katrina didn’t command the same urgency as it didn’t occur in an election year – Bush was making speeches in California on the day the Hurricane hit the Gulf Coast.
Two months before the presidential election, Frances was threatening Florida, with its 27 electoral votes, and the Bush Administration leaped into action. The National Guard was mobilized and federal-state-non-profit task force was launched – before Frances hit. Bush rules dictated that the Administration had to perform well in this time of crisis, because it represented a political opportunity.
Katrina didn’t command the same urgency as it didn’t occur in an election year – Bush was making speeches in California on the day the Hurricane hit the Gulf Coast.
changed his story
Rove, the mastermind of Bush's political career, who is considered the leading architect of White House political and policy plans, has emerged as a central figure in the investigation. In addition to his four trips to the grand jury, he spoke with investigators several times early in the probe.
His story has changed from the earliest days, when he told reporters he had nothing to do with the leak of Plame's name. Since then, Rove has testified that he discussed Plame in passing with two reporters, including Robert D. Novak, whose July 14, 2003, syndicated column first publicly identified Plame as a CIA operative married to former ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV.
On July 6, 2003, Wilson said publicly that he had found no evidence for the administration's claim that Iraq was seeking uranium for use in a nuclear weapons program. Wilson had been sent to the African nation of Niger by the CIA to investigate that claim.
His story has changed from the earliest days, when he told reporters he had nothing to do with the leak of Plame's name. Since then, Rove has testified that he discussed Plame in passing with two reporters, including Robert D. Novak, whose July 14, 2003, syndicated column first publicly identified Plame as a CIA operative married to former ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV.
On July 6, 2003, Wilson said publicly that he had found no evidence for the administration's claim that Iraq was seeking uranium for use in a nuclear weapons program. Wilson had been sent to the African nation of Niger by the CIA to investigate that claim.
operation condor
In the 1970's, a group of right-wing Latin American governments launched a top-secret operation to brutally supress dissidents under the guise of fighting Communism called Operation Condor that formed ties to the then CIA Director George H.W. Bush and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
15 October, 2005
moral high ground
Check with the TV History Channel to learn the US involvment in Central and Latin America which demonstrates the hypocrisy of claiming the moral high ground in world affairs.
13 October, 2005
using the laws
I read today that two big corporations are using the bankruptcy laws (asking the bankrupty judges to order) to force pay and other cuts on their workers. They are DELPHI AND NORTHWEST AIRLINES.
12 October, 2005
no chance
Heating bills will jump significantly this winter, up nearly 50% for most Americans, the U.S. Energy Information Administration forecast Wednesday
At the other end of the scale, the 29% of households that heat with electricity should see an average increase of only 5%, according to EIA. Electric rates are closely regulated, sometimes locked in regardless of how much a utility's costs rise.
Well, why not re-regulate natural gas?.(You see, republicans deregulated it). No chance of that with this party since their motto is, "Give the most to those that have the most." So who gets stuck? You and me assuming you are a working man or woman and/or a retiree.
At the other end of the scale, the 29% of households that heat with electricity should see an average increase of only 5%, according to EIA. Electric rates are closely regulated, sometimes locked in regardless of how much a utility's costs rise.
Well, why not re-regulate natural gas?.(You see, republicans deregulated it). No chance of that with this party since their motto is, "Give the most to those that have the most." So who gets stuck? You and me assuming you are a working man or woman and/or a retiree.
11 October, 2005
what we deserve
read:
Natural gas supplies are adequate to meet this winter's demand, the American Gas Association(special interest group) said Tuesday, but consumers will pay a lot more.
AGA's member utilities predict average natural gas bills for their customers will be 30% to 40% higher this winter compared with last year, lower than the federal government's estimate of a 50% to 70% increase, the trade group said.
It used to be that they justified gouging by saying," Increased demand over supply causes higher prices." Now they don't even pretend, because government is in their pocket, not for workers and retirees.
No adequate money for social security, increased border patrols, and medicare for the working poor, but lots for big business, Iraq and rich folks. When voting, judge them not for what they say, but what they do. Not voting or voting for
this party gets us what we deserve.
Natural gas supplies are adequate to meet this winter's demand, the American Gas Association(special interest group) said Tuesday, but consumers will pay a lot more.
AGA's member utilities predict average natural gas bills for their customers will be 30% to 40% higher this winter compared with last year, lower than the federal government's estimate of a 50% to 70% increase, the trade group said.
It used to be that they justified gouging by saying," Increased demand over supply causes higher prices." Now they don't even pretend, because government is in their pocket, not for workers and retirees.
No adequate money for social security, increased border patrols, and medicare for the working poor, but lots for big business, Iraq and rich folks. When voting, judge them not for what they say, but what they do. Not voting or voting for
this party gets us what we deserve.
take the pledge
read today:
The cost: almost 2,000 American lives lost(doesn't count civilian contractors 'mercenaries'). Over $300 billion spent. A growing tab for our children and grandchildren, in the form of the largest budget deficit in our country's history. And for the Iraqi people, a stable democracy -- and peace -- remain nowhere in sight.
We captured a tyrant, but made no provision for keeping the peace. An insurgency took off. Terrorists moved in. And now, we have a country in the heart of the Middle East breeding extremist violence -- and verging on civil war.
This is unacceptable. We have to address this issue and resolve it. But from Washington, we hear little but presidential excuses and the quiet wringing of hands.
Someone needs to take a stand. Here's the deal: that someone can be you.
Take the pledge to send to Washington only those leaders with the courage to face the Iraq mess head-on. Do it today:
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/iraqpledge
We can shake our heads at Bush and shake our fists at the Congress. In the end, though, we make the Congress. We elect it. It answers to us. And in 2006 and 2008, we can get Congress' attention by telling our elected officials to face the facts -- or go home.
Use your power. As the time draws closer to select candidates for the next United States Congress, pledge the following:
I pledge to only support candidates who:
1. Acknowledge that the U.S. was misled into the war in Iraq
2. Advocate for a responsible exit plan with a timeline
3. Support our troops at home and abroad
The cost: almost 2,000 American lives lost(doesn't count civilian contractors 'mercenaries'). Over $300 billion spent. A growing tab for our children and grandchildren, in the form of the largest budget deficit in our country's history. And for the Iraqi people, a stable democracy -- and peace -- remain nowhere in sight.
We captured a tyrant, but made no provision for keeping the peace. An insurgency took off. Terrorists moved in. And now, we have a country in the heart of the Middle East breeding extremist violence -- and verging on civil war.
This is unacceptable. We have to address this issue and resolve it. But from Washington, we hear little but presidential excuses and the quiet wringing of hands.
Someone needs to take a stand. Here's the deal: that someone can be you.
Take the pledge to send to Washington only those leaders with the courage to face the Iraq mess head-on. Do it today:
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/iraqpledge
We can shake our heads at Bush and shake our fists at the Congress. In the end, though, we make the Congress. We elect it. It answers to us. And in 2006 and 2008, we can get Congress' attention by telling our elected officials to face the facts -- or go home.
Use your power. As the time draws closer to select candidates for the next United States Congress, pledge the following:
I pledge to only support candidates who:
1. Acknowledge that the U.S. was misled into the war in Iraq
2. Advocate for a responsible exit plan with a timeline
3. Support our troops at home and abroad
10 October, 2005
It's your money
Production continues to slide despite a massive U.S.-funded effort to stabilize and boost output, repair critical parts of Iraq's oil infrastructure and develop a long-term plan for the Iraqi oil industry.
The U.S. has spent $420 million fixing the oil network and allocated $1.7 billion to the sector.
The U.S. has spent $420 million fixing the oil network and allocated $1.7 billion to the sector.
fiscally responsible?
just read:
Iraq has issued arrest warrants against the defense minister and 27 other officials from the U.S.-backed government of former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi over the alleged disappearance or misappropriation of $1 billion in military procurement funds, officials said Monday.
And the Republicans claim that they are fiscally responsible.
Iraq has issued arrest warrants against the defense minister and 27 other officials from the U.S.-backed government of former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi over the alleged disappearance or misappropriation of $1 billion in military procurement funds, officials said Monday.
And the Republicans claim that they are fiscally responsible.
blog wisdom
read in the blogs:
'Well, in no time—barring the strong possibility of Civil War--we’ll have a democratically-elected anti-US Islamicist government in charge of the world’s second-largest oil reserves, so I’d have to say only very-nearly, on the complete success scale, at a hysterically distorted best.'
I think this guy has it about right, don't you?
'Well, in no time—barring the strong possibility of Civil War--we’ll have a democratically-elected anti-US Islamicist government in charge of the world’s second-largest oil reserves, so I’d have to say only very-nearly, on the complete success scale, at a hysterically distorted best.'
I think this guy has it about right, don't you?
a REAL hero
Arizona Sen. John McCain is considering a 2008 run for president.
In an appearance Sunday at a fundraiser for a local New York candidate, the Republican seemed to humorously rule out ever accepting a vice presidential post.
McCain, who ran for president in 2000, was re-elected to a six-year Senate term in 2004. Now there is the genuine hero, not a phoney who would get us into phoney wars to satisfy macho emotions. Remember, " He threatened my daddy."
In an appearance Sunday at a fundraiser for a local New York candidate, the Republican seemed to humorously rule out ever accepting a vice presidential post.
McCain, who ran for president in 2000, was re-elected to a six-year Senate term in 2004. Now there is the genuine hero, not a phoney who would get us into phoney wars to satisfy macho emotions. Remember, " He threatened my daddy."
once again
read today in Texas:
Our friend Delay is accusing Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle of being a "partisan fanatic." This falsehood is being picked up by right-wing Republicans and in the right-wing Republican-controlled press echo chambers.
The facts are that DA Earle has prosecuted many more Democrats than Republicans.
Once again, they are lying to you.
Our friend Delay is accusing Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle of being a "partisan fanatic." This falsehood is being picked up by right-wing Republicans and in the right-wing Republican-controlled press echo chambers.
The facts are that DA Earle has prosecuted many more Democrats than Republicans.
Once again, they are lying to you.
they did it again
read today:
With out of control gas prices and warnings that this winter may be the most expensive winter ever for home heating, we need a real energy plan that focuses on conservation, fuel efficiency and alternative energy sources.
The Republican package was nothing more than a taxpayer handout to major oil companies—who gave more than $20 million to Republicans for the 2004 elections.1
With out of control gas prices and warnings that this winter may be the most expensive winter ever for home heating, we need a real energy plan that focuses on conservation, fuel efficiency and alternative energy sources.
The Republican package was nothing more than a taxpayer handout to major oil companies—who gave more than $20 million to Republicans for the 2004 elections.1
08 October, 2005
who gets the most?
UAW officials blasted Delphi's decision to file for bankruptcy one day after sweetening the severance packages of 21 top executives to help persuade them to stay at the company.
"Once again, we see the disgusting spectacle of the people at the top taking care of themselves at the same time they are demanding extraordinary sacrifices from their hourly workers, engineers, administrative and support staff, midlevel managers and others," union leaders said in a statement.
Why shouldn't the Delphi top get all they can. That's the Republican motto, these days, "Give the most to those that have the most."
"Once again, we see the disgusting spectacle of the people at the top taking care of themselves at the same time they are demanding extraordinary sacrifices from their hourly workers, engineers, administrative and support staff, midlevel managers and others," union leaders said in a statement.
Why shouldn't the Delphi top get all they can. That's the Republican motto, these days, "Give the most to those that have the most."
06 October, 2005
bungling by the C-I-C
Bush's speech came as polls show Americans far more pessimistic about the goals and outcome of the war in Iraq than they were a year ago. Bush has also been buffeted by criticism over the government's response to Hurricane Katrina and to allegations of corruption in the GOP leadership on Capital Hill.
He has bungled most everything but there are still those who believe that he is ok with his war in Iraq, so he goes back to it to try and keep his base.. If you are one of those, you should read how our side misjudged the enemy and almost everything else in an exhaustive article in the Septermber 26 edition of Time.
He has bungled most everything but there are still those who believe that he is ok with his war in Iraq, so he goes back to it to try and keep his base.. If you are one of those, you should read how our side misjudged the enemy and almost everything else in an exhaustive article in the Septermber 26 edition of Time.
hypocrisy
read today:
Next time you hear the phrase "sanctity of marriage," remember these Republican leaders:
Blowhard Rush Limbaugh - about to make it a total of six divorces between him and his current wife, Marta.
GOP Chairman Jim Stelling - married five times, not six.
South Carolina Representative John Graham Altman - three divorces.
Georgia Senator Bob Barr - not yet 50 years old, on his third marriage, author of the "Defense of Marriage Act" (which marriage are you defending??), "pro-life" but paid for his (ex?)-wife's abortion without complaint, photographs show him licking whipped cream off the breast of a stripper, lied under oath about adulterous sex during a 1986 deposition, dumped second wife Gail and their two sons (ages 5 and 4) just before Thanksgiving in 1985.
Bernard Kerik - fathered a daughter with a South Korean woman, deserted her and her mother in 1976, had two extramarital affairs at the same time during his third marriage.
George Roche III - twice divorced after long affair with his son's wife, who killed herself over the matter.
Rudy Giuliani - twice divorced, at least once for "notorious adultery."
Bob Dole - on third marriage, had at least two extramarital affairs, does not know or care about his daughter.
Guy Milner - on third marriage.
John Warner - twice divorced.
John Tower - twice divorced.
Beverly Russell (a man) - broke up a marriage, resulting in the husband's suicide, molested his step-daughter, Susan Smith, who went on to kill her own children.
Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich - repeatedly unfaithful, including during the Lewinsky scandal, when he spoke frequently of "family values," divorced the mother of his children, who was dying of cancer.
Bush FDA nominee David Hager - divorced after allegedly sodomizing his wife against her will.
Jack Ryan - divorce after pressuring his hot wife to have sex in public.
Joe Scarborough - divorced, forced to resign after an intern was found dead in his office.
Steve LaTourette - divorced mother of his four children after affair revealed.
Jim Bunn - divorced the mother of his five children, re-married, and put his new wife on the state payroll for $97,500.
Tim Hutchinson - family-values Republican, divorced the mother of his three sons.
Ronald Reagan - divorced the mother of his children after several affairs.
George Will - divorced mother of his child after affair.
Helen Chenoweth - divorced, had affairs with married men.
Michael Huffington - divorced, cheated on his wife, with men.
Laura Schlessinger - divorced, had an affair, slept with a married man.
John McCain - divorced after affair.
John McKay - divorced after affair with a lobbyist.
Thatcher Longstreth - divorced after 60 years of marriage to marry younger woman.
Gordon Shadburne - divorced, called homosexuality "the stronghold of Satan," used public money to have all manner of homosexual fun himself.
Rupert Murdoch - divorced after affair.
Jim West - divorced, anti-gay Republican caught trolling on gay.com, accused of molesting boys.
Bush nominee for UN Ambassador John Bolton - divorced after his wife was allegedly forced to have group sex.
Phil Gramm - divorced.
Dick Armey - divorced.
Pete Wilson - divorced.
John Engler - divorced.
Lauch Faircloth - divorced.
Dan Schaefer - divorced.
Susan Molinari - divorced.
Nelson Rockefeller - divorced.
Henry Kissinger - divorced.
Kay Bailey Hutchison - divorced.
Ben Nighthorse Campbell - divorced.
Mitch McConnell - divorced.
John Kasich - divorced.
Robert K. Wilson - divorced.
Kit Bond - divorced.
Alfonse D'Amato - divorced.
George Allen - divorced.
Bonnie Martinez - divorced.
Jim Oberweis - divorced.
John Schmitz - fathered two out-of-wedlock children with a student, daughter is Mary Kay LeTourneau, teacher twice impregnated by a 13-year-old boy.
Strom Thurmond - never acknowledged illegitimate child with 16-year-old housekeeper.
Christopher Buckley - affair results in illegitimate child.
Dan Burton - constantly propositioned women, succeeded and fathered a child out of wedlock during an extramarital affair.
John Hathaway - champion of "family values," allegedly had sex with his children's 12-year-old baby sitter.
Bill Janklow - accused of rape by 15-year-old babysitter for Janklow family.
Jon Matthews - being investigated by police for alleged indecency with a child.
Don Sherwood - affair revealed when he attempted to choke his mistress to death.
Henry Hyde - major Clinton accuser, had 5-year affair with married woman, destroying her marriage.
Jim Bakker - adultery with Jessica Hahn.
Bob Livingston - resigned as Speaker of the House for having affair.
David Schippers - brought his mistress of 25 years to impeachment hearings he worked on, had 10 children with his wife of 45 years, who he called "his one and only sweetheart," is one of a few hundred "papal knights," told the New Republic that adultery is a mortal sin.
Sol Wachtler - longterm affair while married, threatened to kidnap mistress's daughter.
Mike Trout - cheated on his wife.
Elizabeth Dole - slept with a married man.
Judith Regan - slept with a married man.
Arnold Schwarzennegger - groped women while married.
Bill O'Reilly - filthy conversation with an intern while married.
Thank you Jami for the above list. Go to the "chickenhawks" website to see
how they fair as warriors. Hypocrisy abounds.
Next time you hear the phrase "sanctity of marriage," remember these Republican leaders:
Blowhard Rush Limbaugh - about to make it a total of six divorces between him and his current wife, Marta.
GOP Chairman Jim Stelling - married five times, not six.
South Carolina Representative John Graham Altman - three divorces.
Georgia Senator Bob Barr - not yet 50 years old, on his third marriage, author of the "Defense of Marriage Act" (which marriage are you defending??), "pro-life" but paid for his (ex?)-wife's abortion without complaint, photographs show him licking whipped cream off the breast of a stripper, lied under oath about adulterous sex during a 1986 deposition, dumped second wife Gail and their two sons (ages 5 and 4) just before Thanksgiving in 1985.
Bernard Kerik - fathered a daughter with a South Korean woman, deserted her and her mother in 1976, had two extramarital affairs at the same time during his third marriage.
George Roche III - twice divorced after long affair with his son's wife, who killed herself over the matter.
Rudy Giuliani - twice divorced, at least once for "notorious adultery."
Bob Dole - on third marriage, had at least two extramarital affairs, does not know or care about his daughter.
Guy Milner - on third marriage.
John Warner - twice divorced.
John Tower - twice divorced.
Beverly Russell (a man) - broke up a marriage, resulting in the husband's suicide, molested his step-daughter, Susan Smith, who went on to kill her own children.
Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich - repeatedly unfaithful, including during the Lewinsky scandal, when he spoke frequently of "family values," divorced the mother of his children, who was dying of cancer.
Bush FDA nominee David Hager - divorced after allegedly sodomizing his wife against her will.
Jack Ryan - divorce after pressuring his hot wife to have sex in public.
Joe Scarborough - divorced, forced to resign after an intern was found dead in his office.
Steve LaTourette - divorced mother of his four children after affair revealed.
Jim Bunn - divorced the mother of his five children, re-married, and put his new wife on the state payroll for $97,500.
Tim Hutchinson - family-values Republican, divorced the mother of his three sons.
Ronald Reagan - divorced the mother of his children after several affairs.
George Will - divorced mother of his child after affair.
Helen Chenoweth - divorced, had affairs with married men.
Michael Huffington - divorced, cheated on his wife, with men.
Laura Schlessinger - divorced, had an affair, slept with a married man.
John McCain - divorced after affair.
John McKay - divorced after affair with a lobbyist.
Thatcher Longstreth - divorced after 60 years of marriage to marry younger woman.
Gordon Shadburne - divorced, called homosexuality "the stronghold of Satan," used public money to have all manner of homosexual fun himself.
Rupert Murdoch - divorced after affair.
Jim West - divorced, anti-gay Republican caught trolling on gay.com, accused of molesting boys.
Bush nominee for UN Ambassador John Bolton - divorced after his wife was allegedly forced to have group sex.
Phil Gramm - divorced.
Dick Armey - divorced.
Pete Wilson - divorced.
John Engler - divorced.
Lauch Faircloth - divorced.
Dan Schaefer - divorced.
Susan Molinari - divorced.
Nelson Rockefeller - divorced.
Henry Kissinger - divorced.
Kay Bailey Hutchison - divorced.
Ben Nighthorse Campbell - divorced.
Mitch McConnell - divorced.
John Kasich - divorced.
Robert K. Wilson - divorced.
Kit Bond - divorced.
Alfonse D'Amato - divorced.
George Allen - divorced.
Bonnie Martinez - divorced.
Jim Oberweis - divorced.
John Schmitz - fathered two out-of-wedlock children with a student, daughter is Mary Kay LeTourneau, teacher twice impregnated by a 13-year-old boy.
Strom Thurmond - never acknowledged illegitimate child with 16-year-old housekeeper.
Christopher Buckley - affair results in illegitimate child.
Dan Burton - constantly propositioned women, succeeded and fathered a child out of wedlock during an extramarital affair.
John Hathaway - champion of "family values," allegedly had sex with his children's 12-year-old baby sitter.
Bill Janklow - accused of rape by 15-year-old babysitter for Janklow family.
Jon Matthews - being investigated by police for alleged indecency with a child.
Don Sherwood - affair revealed when he attempted to choke his mistress to death.
Henry Hyde - major Clinton accuser, had 5-year affair with married woman, destroying her marriage.
Jim Bakker - adultery with Jessica Hahn.
Bob Livingston - resigned as Speaker of the House for having affair.
David Schippers - brought his mistress of 25 years to impeachment hearings he worked on, had 10 children with his wife of 45 years, who he called "his one and only sweetheart," is one of a few hundred "papal knights," told the New Republic that adultery is a mortal sin.
Sol Wachtler - longterm affair while married, threatened to kidnap mistress's daughter.
Mike Trout - cheated on his wife.
Elizabeth Dole - slept with a married man.
Judith Regan - slept with a married man.
Arnold Schwarzennegger - groped women while married.
Bill O'Reilly - filthy conversation with an intern while married.
Thank you Jami for the above list. Go to the "chickenhawks" website to see
how they fair as warriors. Hypocrisy abounds.
Thanks Jami
What we know about Harriet Miers
She's never been a judge.
She thinks George W. Bush is a super-genius.
Something happened to her between 1990 and 1994. (My suspicion? It's wayyy easier to look smart relative to other members of the Republican Party than the Democratic Party (Southern Methodist University? Come now -- this is the Supreme Court).)
She's a proponent of Texas Bookkeeping.
She fought against workers' rights.
She fought to allow Texas car salesmen to keep $6 billion in loan overcharges.
Her ex-boyfriend says she's a Scalia-or-Thomas; conservative pundits says she isn't. Gosh, who to trust?
She fought to control what kind of sex we all have. This is not just about gays and lesbians -- Miers thinks the government should be in the business of outlawing oral sex. Can handjobs be far behind? Then what? Hope your favorite's the missionary position.
She gave $150 to the religious group Texans for Life.
She was in charge of deciding which Presidential Daily Briefings (PDBs) were important enough for Bush to read. There's one PDB in particular that he seemed to have missed the importance of in August 2001, called "Al Qaeda determined to strike in the U.S."
She told an online chatter that "The President firmly believes that medical decisions should be made by patients and their physician, not by government bureaucrats." The chatter's name was not, fortunately, Michael Schiavo.
On the Voting Rights Act, which has provisions that ensure that minorities are not prevented from voting, she said, "...even if these special provisions are not renewed, the rest of the Voting Rights Act will continue to prohibit discrimination in voting." I wonder if residents of minority-dense cities in Ohio and Florida would agree?
The National Review worries or pretends to worry (not the briar patch, Brer Fox!) that she won't support Pat Robertson, James Dobson, and the Have Mores enough.
She's a she.
She's 60.
She wears size six shoes, according to the smartest man she's ever met.
So far, given this Administration, yes, it could be much, much worse
She's never been a judge.
She thinks George W. Bush is a super-genius.
Something happened to her between 1990 and 1994. (My suspicion? It's wayyy easier to look smart relative to other members of the Republican Party than the Democratic Party (Southern Methodist University? Come now -- this is the Supreme Court).)
She's a proponent of Texas Bookkeeping.
She fought against workers' rights.
She fought to allow Texas car salesmen to keep $6 billion in loan overcharges.
Her ex-boyfriend says she's a Scalia-or-Thomas; conservative pundits says she isn't. Gosh, who to trust?
She fought to control what kind of sex we all have. This is not just about gays and lesbians -- Miers thinks the government should be in the business of outlawing oral sex. Can handjobs be far behind? Then what? Hope your favorite's the missionary position.
She gave $150 to the religious group Texans for Life.
She was in charge of deciding which Presidential Daily Briefings (PDBs) were important enough for Bush to read. There's one PDB in particular that he seemed to have missed the importance of in August 2001, called "Al Qaeda determined to strike in the U.S."
She told an online chatter that "The President firmly believes that medical decisions should be made by patients and their physician, not by government bureaucrats." The chatter's name was not, fortunately, Michael Schiavo.
On the Voting Rights Act, which has provisions that ensure that minorities are not prevented from voting, she said, "...even if these special provisions are not renewed, the rest of the Voting Rights Act will continue to prohibit discrimination in voting." I wonder if residents of minority-dense cities in Ohio and Florida would agree?
The National Review worries or pretends to worry (not the briar patch, Brer Fox!) that she won't support Pat Robertson, James Dobson, and the Have Mores enough.
She's a she.
She's 60.
She wears size six shoes, according to the smartest man she's ever met.
So far, given this Administration, yes, it could be much, much worse
Thank you Jami
I stole the following from JAMI:
"The U.S. Senate, except the nine very worst Republicans, voted not to have another Abu Ghraib, thank you very much.
Hey, the rest of the world? We're not all pro-torture.
Alaska, Alabama, Colorado, Oklahoma, Missouri, Mississippi, Texas, and Kansas voted for another Abu Ghraib. If this embarrasses them, they should perhaps consider the people they've chosen to represent them/" know them for what they do.
Thank you Jami.
"The U.S. Senate, except the nine very worst Republicans, voted not to have another Abu Ghraib, thank you very much.
Hey, the rest of the world? We're not all pro-torture.
Alaska, Alabama, Colorado, Oklahoma, Missouri, Mississippi, Texas, and Kansas voted for another Abu Ghraib. If this embarrasses them, they should perhaps consider the people they've chosen to represent them/" know them for what they do.
Thank you Jami.
class warfare or welfare?
Delta Air Lines is prepared to use the bankruptcy court to achieve $325 million in cost concessions from its pilots if the company and union can't reach a deal on their own, Chief Executive Gerald Grinstein said Thursday.
While they are changing the laws to make it more difficult for individuals to file bankruptcy, Companies are busy taking advantage of existing laws for corporations.
Is this class warfare or class welfare?
While they are changing the laws to make it more difficult for individuals to file bankruptcy, Companies are busy taking advantage of existing laws for corporations.
Is this class warfare or class welfare?
freedom?
A Washington state woman intends to press a civil-rights case against Southwest Airlines for booting her off a flight in Reno after fellow passengers complained about a message on her T-shirt.
Lorrie Heasley, of Woodland, Wash., was halfway home on a flight Tuesday that began in Los Angeles, wearing a T-shirt with the pictures of President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and a phrase similar to the popular film, Meet the Fockers.
Heasley said she wore the T-shirt as a gag. She wanted her parents, who are Democrats, to see it when they picked her up at the airport in Portland, Ore.
"I just thought it was hilarious," said Heasley, 32, a lumber saleswoman.
And she felt she had the right to wear it.
"I have cousins in Iraq and other relatives going to war," she said. "Here we are trying to free another country and I have to get off an airplane in midflight over a T-shirt. That's not freedom."
Lorrie Heasley, of Woodland, Wash., was halfway home on a flight Tuesday that began in Los Angeles, wearing a T-shirt with the pictures of President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and a phrase similar to the popular film, Meet the Fockers.
Heasley said she wore the T-shirt as a gag. She wanted her parents, who are Democrats, to see it when they picked her up at the airport in Portland, Ore.
"I just thought it was hilarious," said Heasley, 32, a lumber saleswoman.
And she felt she had the right to wear it.
"I have cousins in Iraq and other relatives going to war," she said. "Here we are trying to free another country and I have to get off an airplane in midflight over a T-shirt. That's not freedom."
nobody knows anything
DeLay's convention arm sent $50,000 on March 31, 2000. Eight days later, the Blunt group made a $10,000 donation to DeLay's private charity for children and began the first of several payments totaling $40,000 to a Northern Virginia-based political consulting firm formed by DeLay's former chief of staff, Ed Buckham.
That consulting firm at the time also employed DeLay's wife, Christine, according to DeLay's ethics disclosure report to Congress.
Hartley said Blunt was unaware that Mrs. DeLay worked at the firm when he made the payments, and that she had nothing to do with Blunt's group.
On April 14, 2000, Concorde Garment Manufacturing, based in the Northern Mariana Islands, part of Abramoff's lobbying coalition, contributed $3,000 to Blunt's group.
Hartley said the donation was delivered during a weekend of fundraising activities by Blunt and DeLay but his boss did not know who solicited it.
That consulting firm at the time also employed DeLay's wife, Christine, according to DeLay's ethics disclosure report to Congress.
Hartley said Blunt was unaware that Mrs. DeLay worked at the firm when he made the payments, and that she had nothing to do with Blunt's group.
On April 14, 2000, Concorde Garment Manufacturing, based in the Northern Mariana Islands, part of Abramoff's lobbying coalition, contributed $3,000 to Blunt's group.
Hartley said the donation was delivered during a weekend of fundraising activities by Blunt and DeLay but his boss did not know who solicited it.
just a coincidence,. yea right, with your money??
On May 24, 2000, just before DeLay left with Abramoff for the Scottish golfing trip, DeLay's convention fundraising group transferred $100,000 more to Blunt's group. Within three weeks, Blunt turned around and donated the same amount to the Missouri Republican Party.
The next month, the state GOP began spending large amounts of money to help Blunt's son, Matt, in his successful campaign to become Missouri secretary of state. On July 25, 2000, the state GOP made its first expenditure for the younger Blunt, totaling just over $11,000. By election day, that figure had grown to more than $160,000.
Hartley said Blunt always liked to help the state party and the fact that his son got party help after his donation was a coincidence. "They are unrelated activities," he said.
Exchanges of donations occurred again in the fall. Just a few days before the November election, DeLay's ARMPAC gave $50,000 to the Missouri GOP. A month later, the Missouri GOP sent $50,000 to DeLay's group.
The next month, the state GOP began spending large amounts of money to help Blunt's son, Matt, in his successful campaign to become Missouri secretary of state. On July 25, 2000, the state GOP made its first expenditure for the younger Blunt, totaling just over $11,000. By election day, that figure had grown to more than $160,000.
Hartley said Blunt always liked to help the state party and the fact that his son got party help after his donation was a coincidence. "They are unrelated activities," he said.
Exchanges of donations occurred again in the fall. Just a few days before the November election, DeLay's ARMPAC gave $50,000 to the Missouri GOP. A month later, the Missouri GOP sent $50,000 to DeLay's group.
where does the money come from
Blunt and DeLay planned all along to raise more money than was needed for the convention parties and then direct some of that to other causes, such as supporting state candidates, according to longtime Blunt aide Gregg Hartley.
"We put together a budget for what we thought we would raise and spend on the convention and whatever was left over we were going to use to support candidates," said Hartley, Blunt's former chief of staff, who answered AP's questions on behalf of the Missouri Republican.
DeLay's convention fundraising arm, part of his Americans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee (ARMPAC), collected large corporate donations to help wine and dine Republican VIPs during the presidential nominating convention in Philadelphia in late summer 2000 some of which was diverted to state Republican candidates. DeLay's group has declined to identify any of the donors. Where does the money ultimately come from?? why out of your pockets of course, unwittingly when you buy their products, cute isn't it???
"We put together a budget for what we thought we would raise and spend on the convention and whatever was left over we were going to use to support candidates," said Hartley, Blunt's former chief of staff, who answered AP's questions on behalf of the Missouri Republican.
DeLay's convention fundraising arm, part of his Americans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee (ARMPAC), collected large corporate donations to help wine and dine Republican VIPs during the presidential nominating convention in Philadelphia in late summer 2000 some of which was diverted to state Republican candidates. DeLay's group has declined to identify any of the donors. Where does the money ultimately come from?? why out of your pockets of course, unwittingly when you buy their products, cute isn't it???
how the party works
Reps. Tom DeLay and Roy Blunt, the deputy who succeeded him as House majority leader, orchestrated a political money carousel in 2000 that diverted donations secretly collected for presidential convention parties to some of their own pet causes.
When it all ended, DeLay's private charity, along with the consulting firm that employed DeLay's wife and the Missouri campaign of Blunt's son, Matt, who now is the state's governor, all ended up with a piece of the pie, according to campaign documents reviewed by The Associated Press.
Jack Abramoff, the Washington lobbyist recently charged in an ongoing federal corruption and fraud investigation, and Jim Ellis, the DeLay fundraiser indicted with his boss last week in Texas, also appeared in the picture.
The complicated transactions are drawing scrutiny in legal and political circles after a grand jury indicted DeLay on charges of violating Texas law with a scheme to launder illegal corporate donations to state political candidates.
The government's former chief election enforcement lawyer said the Blunt and DeLay transactions are similar to the Texas case and raise questions that should be investigated regarding whether donors were deceived or the true destination of their money was concealed.
"These people clearly like using middlemen for their transactions," said Lawrence Noble. "It seems to be a pattern with DeLay funneling money to different groups, at least to obscure, if not cover, the original source," said Noble, who was the Federal Election Commission's chief lawyer for 13 years, including 2000, when the transactions occurred.
None of the hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations DeLay collected for the 2000 convention were ever disclosed to federal regulators because the type of group DeLay used wasn't governed by federal law at the time.
When it all ended, DeLay's private charity, along with the consulting firm that employed DeLay's wife and the Missouri campaign of Blunt's son, Matt, who now is the state's governor, all ended up with a piece of the pie, according to campaign documents reviewed by The Associated Press.
Jack Abramoff, the Washington lobbyist recently charged in an ongoing federal corruption and fraud investigation, and Jim Ellis, the DeLay fundraiser indicted with his boss last week in Texas, also appeared in the picture.
The complicated transactions are drawing scrutiny in legal and political circles after a grand jury indicted DeLay on charges of violating Texas law with a scheme to launder illegal corporate donations to state political candidates.
The government's former chief election enforcement lawyer said the Blunt and DeLay transactions are similar to the Texas case and raise questions that should be investigated regarding whether donors were deceived or the true destination of their money was concealed.
"These people clearly like using middlemen for their transactions," said Lawrence Noble. "It seems to be a pattern with DeLay funneling money to different groups, at least to obscure, if not cover, the original source," said Noble, who was the Federal Election Commission's chief lawyer for 13 years, including 2000, when the transactions occurred.
None of the hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations DeLay collected for the 2000 convention were ever disclosed to federal regulators because the type of group DeLay used wasn't governed by federal law at the time.
and he came in the name of religion
"We look forward to hearing your vision, so we can more better do our job. That's what I'm telling you." —George W. Bush, Gulfport, Miss., Sept. 20, 2005
"If it were to rain a lot, there is concern from the Army Corps of Engineers that the levees might break. And so, therefore, we're cautious about encouraging people to return at this moment of history." —George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2005
"Listen, I want to thank leaders of the — in the faith — faith-based and community-based community for being here." —George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Sept. 6, 2005
"So please give cash money to organizations that are directly involved in helping save lives — save the life who had been affected by Hurricane Katrina." —George W. Bush, Washington D.C., Sept. 6, 2005
"I can't wait to join you in the joy of welcoming neighbors back into neighborhoods, and small businesses up and running, and cutting those ribbons that somebody is creating new jobs." —George W. Bush, Poplarville, Miss., Sept. 5, 2005
"And Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job." —George W. Bush, to FEMA director Michael Brown who resigned 10 days later amid criticism over his job performance, Mobile, Ala., Sept. 2, 2005
"We've got a lot of rebuilding to do. First, we're going to save lives and stabilize the situation. And then we're going to help these communities rebuild. The good news is -- and it's hard for some to see it now -- that out of this chaos is going to come a fantastic Gulf Coast, like it was before. Out of the rubbles of Trent Lott's house -- he's lost his entire house -- there's going to be a fantastic house. And I'm looking forward to sitting on the porch." (Laughter) --George W. Bush, touring hurricane damage, Mobile, Ala., Sept. 2, 2005
"My thoughts are, we're going to get somebody who knows what they're talking about when it comes to rebuilding cities." —George W. Bush, on rebuilding New Orleans, Biloxi, Miss., Sept. 2, 2005
"Americans should be prudent in their use of energy during the course of the next few weeks. Don't buy gas if you don't need it." —George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Sept. 1, 2005
"It's totally wiped out. ... It's devastating, it's got to be doubly devastating on the ground." —George W. Bush, turning to his aides while surveying Hurricane Katrina flood damage from Air Force One , Aug. 31, 2005
"The best place for the facts to be done is by somebody who's spending time investigating it." —George W. Bush, on the probe into how CIA agent Valerie Plame's identity was leaked, Washington D.C., July 18, 2005
"I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep on the soil of a friend." —George W. Bush, on visiting Denmark, Washington D.C., June 29, 2005
"I was going to say he's a piece of work, but that might not translate too well. Is that all right, if I call you a 'piece of work'?" —George W. Bush to Jean-Claude Juncker, prime minister of Luxembourg, Washington, D.C., June 20, 2005
"The relations with, uhh — Europe are important relations, and they've, uhh — because, we do share values. And, they're universal values, they're not American values or, you know — European values, they're universal values. And those values — uhh — being universal, ought to be applied everywhere." —George W. Bush, at a press conference with European Union dignitaries, Washington, D.C., June 20, 2005
"You see, not only did the attacks help accelerate a recession, the attacks reminded us that we are at war." —George W. Bush, on the Sept. 11 attacks, Washington, D.C., June 8, 2005
"And the second way to defeat the terrorists is to spread freedom. You see, the best way to defeat a society that is — doesn't have hope, a society where people become so angry they're willing to become suiciders, is to spread freedom, is to spread democracy." —George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., June 8, 2005
"It seemed like to me they based some of their decisions on the word of — and the allegations — by people who were held in detention, people who hate America, people that had been trained in some instances to disassemble — that means not tell the truth." —George W. Bush, on an Amnesty International report on prisoner abuse at Guantanamo Bay, Washington, D.C., May 31, 2005
"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda." —George W. Bush, Greece, N.Y., May 24, 2005
"If it were to rain a lot, there is concern from the Army Corps of Engineers that the levees might break. And so, therefore, we're cautious about encouraging people to return at this moment of history." —George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2005
"Listen, I want to thank leaders of the — in the faith — faith-based and community-based community for being here." —George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Sept. 6, 2005
"So please give cash money to organizations that are directly involved in helping save lives — save the life who had been affected by Hurricane Katrina." —George W. Bush, Washington D.C., Sept. 6, 2005
"I can't wait to join you in the joy of welcoming neighbors back into neighborhoods, and small businesses up and running, and cutting those ribbons that somebody is creating new jobs." —George W. Bush, Poplarville, Miss., Sept. 5, 2005
"And Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job." —George W. Bush, to FEMA director Michael Brown who resigned 10 days later amid criticism over his job performance, Mobile, Ala., Sept. 2, 2005
"We've got a lot of rebuilding to do. First, we're going to save lives and stabilize the situation. And then we're going to help these communities rebuild. The good news is -- and it's hard for some to see it now -- that out of this chaos is going to come a fantastic Gulf Coast, like it was before. Out of the rubbles of Trent Lott's house -- he's lost his entire house -- there's going to be a fantastic house. And I'm looking forward to sitting on the porch." (Laughter) --George W. Bush, touring hurricane damage, Mobile, Ala., Sept. 2, 2005
"My thoughts are, we're going to get somebody who knows what they're talking about when it comes to rebuilding cities." —George W. Bush, on rebuilding New Orleans, Biloxi, Miss., Sept. 2, 2005
"Americans should be prudent in their use of energy during the course of the next few weeks. Don't buy gas if you don't need it." —George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Sept. 1, 2005
"It's totally wiped out. ... It's devastating, it's got to be doubly devastating on the ground." —George W. Bush, turning to his aides while surveying Hurricane Katrina flood damage from Air Force One , Aug. 31, 2005
"The best place for the facts to be done is by somebody who's spending time investigating it." —George W. Bush, on the probe into how CIA agent Valerie Plame's identity was leaked, Washington D.C., July 18, 2005
"I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep on the soil of a friend." —George W. Bush, on visiting Denmark, Washington D.C., June 29, 2005
"I was going to say he's a piece of work, but that might not translate too well. Is that all right, if I call you a 'piece of work'?" —George W. Bush to Jean-Claude Juncker, prime minister of Luxembourg, Washington, D.C., June 20, 2005
"The relations with, uhh — Europe are important relations, and they've, uhh — because, we do share values. And, they're universal values, they're not American values or, you know — European values, they're universal values. And those values — uhh — being universal, ought to be applied everywhere." —George W. Bush, at a press conference with European Union dignitaries, Washington, D.C., June 20, 2005
"You see, not only did the attacks help accelerate a recession, the attacks reminded us that we are at war." —George W. Bush, on the Sept. 11 attacks, Washington, D.C., June 8, 2005
"And the second way to defeat the terrorists is to spread freedom. You see, the best way to defeat a society that is — doesn't have hope, a society where people become so angry they're willing to become suiciders, is to spread freedom, is to spread democracy." —George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., June 8, 2005
"It seemed like to me they based some of their decisions on the word of — and the allegations — by people who were held in detention, people who hate America, people that had been trained in some instances to disassemble — that means not tell the truth." —George W. Bush, on an Amnesty International report on prisoner abuse at Guantanamo Bay, Washington, D.C., May 31, 2005
"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda." —George W. Bush, Greece, N.Y., May 24, 2005
04 October, 2005
do you feel sleazy?
read today:
Do you feel sleazy? Because Tom DeLay thinks you are.
A grand jury has indicted DeLay a second time on charges of money laundering.
DeLay says we have, "drug [his] name through the mud." If that's what he calls denouncing corruption, so be it. I call it "taking our country back."
You and thousands of others have created the climate where Tom DeLay no longer goes unchallenged. But he isn't the only bad apple. A culture of cronyism is rotting the Republican Party. And because they're in charge of all three branches of government, it's destroying our democracy too.
Do you feel sleazy? Because Tom DeLay thinks you are.
A grand jury has indicted DeLay a second time on charges of money laundering.
DeLay says we have, "drug [his] name through the mud." If that's what he calls denouncing corruption, so be it. I call it "taking our country back."
You and thousands of others have created the climate where Tom DeLay no longer goes unchallenged. But he isn't the only bad apple. A culture of cronyism is rotting the Republican Party. And because they're in charge of all three branches of government, it's destroying our democracy too.
cronyism
read today:
Ex-FEMA Director Michael Brown taught us that vital national positions must be filled with qualified candidates, not political friends with limited experience. With such a thin public record, how can Americans know Harriet Miers' approach to critical issues like corporate power, privacy and civil rights?
There are many important questions that need to be addressed, including:
What policies did she advocate for on the Dallas City Council?
What was her record at the head of the scandal-ridden Texas Lottery Commission?
What cases did she take on while working as a corporate lawyer in private practice, and what positions did she fight for?
What has she written or said in and outside of her law practice about her views on constitutional issues like privacy, the "commerce clause" or equal protection
As White House councel Alberto Gonzales played a pivotal role in softening America's stance on torture. What positions has Harriet Miers advocated for in the same role?
Has she ever publicly distanced herself from George W. Bush?
Ex-FEMA Director Michael Brown taught us that vital national positions must be filled with qualified candidates, not political friends with limited experience. With such a thin public record, how can Americans know Harriet Miers' approach to critical issues like corporate power, privacy and civil rights?
There are many important questions that need to be addressed, including:
What policies did she advocate for on the Dallas City Council?
What was her record at the head of the scandal-ridden Texas Lottery Commission?
What cases did she take on while working as a corporate lawyer in private practice, and what positions did she fight for?
What has she written or said in and outside of her law practice about her views on constitutional issues like privacy, the "commerce clause" or equal protection
As White House councel Alberto Gonzales played a pivotal role in softening America's stance on torture. What positions has Harriet Miers advocated for in the same role?
Has she ever publicly distanced herself from George W. Bush?
03 October, 2005
who is correct?
If you want a laugh, get the comedy show of Jon Stewart on October 3, 2005,on channel 107 satellite, hysterical, that is if it weren't so sad and tragic, and dangerous.
One segment shows what the current Generals are saying about Iraq and what the team of Bush and Cheney are currently saying---yes you guessed it--completely opposite stories. Stay tuned
One segment shows what the current Generals are saying about Iraq and what the team of Bush and Cheney are currently saying---yes you guessed it--completely opposite stories. Stay tuned
02 October, 2005
are women smarter?
Female investors are more pessimistic than male investors, according to the TIAA-CREF survey. It found that the "loss of trust" in U.S. government leadership — including President Bush, Congress and even the Supreme Court — was driven largely by women.
Particularly, they are much more likely than men to lack trust that Social Security will be there for them when they retire, that the economy is growing or that the government can protect us from terrorism.
"Women are more likely than men to place value in trustworthiness," says Geoff Feinberg, vice president of Roper Public Affairs, a polling firm that surveyed investors for TIAA-CREF. "And they get madder when that trust is betrayed."
Of investors surveyed — men and women — 62% said they have "become more cautious" as a result of the bad news over the past year, including corporate scandals and the war in Iraq.
Katrina just made things worse.
"It's a major event, and it's clearly shaken people's faith in the economy's ability to absorb it," says Glen Weiner, director of polling at TIAA-CREF.
Particularly, they are much more likely than men to lack trust that Social Security will be there for them when they retire, that the economy is growing or that the government can protect us from terrorism.
"Women are more likely than men to place value in trustworthiness," says Geoff Feinberg, vice president of Roper Public Affairs, a polling firm that surveyed investors for TIAA-CREF. "And they get madder when that trust is betrayed."
Of investors surveyed — men and women — 62% said they have "become more cautious" as a result of the bad news over the past year, including corporate scandals and the war in Iraq.
Katrina just made things worse.
"It's a major event, and it's clearly shaken people's faith in the economy's ability to absorb it," says Glen Weiner, director of polling at TIAA-CREF.
cute isn't it?
read today:
Addressing a caller's suggestion that the "lost revenue from the people who have been aborted in the last 30 years" would be enough to preserve Social Security's solvency, radio host and former Reagan administration Secretary of Education Bill Bennett dismissed such "far-reaching, extensive extrapolations" by declaring that
"if you wanted to reduce crime ... if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down."
Later he said he didn't advocate that policy. That's how they do it (see my previous "barbara" blog).
Throw the thought out there and then mute it with a denial-- a cue for others to blame the victims.
Cute, isn't it??
Addressing a caller's suggestion that the "lost revenue from the people who have been aborted in the last 30 years" would be enough to preserve Social Security's solvency, radio host and former Reagan administration Secretary of Education Bill Bennett dismissed such "far-reaching, extensive extrapolations" by declaring that
"if you wanted to reduce crime ... if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down."
Later he said he didn't advocate that policy. That's how they do it (see my previous "barbara" blog).
Throw the thought out there and then mute it with a denial-- a cue for others to blame the victims.
Cute, isn't it??
who is "she"?
Who wrote the following and who is" she"?
"Nah. She's always been in the center, and that's not a bad thing, Kossacks. The center is progressive, especially now that they're seeing that all the "conservatives" are conserving is corruption, cheating, and incompetence. "
Give up??? Please go to the "Jami" blog where you will find an interesting dialogue and insight.
"Nah. She's always been in the center, and that's not a bad thing, Kossacks. The center is progressive, especially now that they're seeing that all the "conservatives" are conserving is corruption, cheating, and incompetence. "
Give up??? Please go to the "Jami" blog where you will find an interesting dialogue and insight.
religious wars
Am I a prophet? For years, I have been saying that the next war will have its roots in religion or will be a thousand year off and on again war or wars between the major religions of the world.
Muslims are on the march which threatens most people in the West because it is mostly an Eastern Religion.
Now we hear from the new Pope. the following, " People who ignore God pose a threat to the Church in Europe, Europe itself and the West." ( that's the catholic view, of course)
And then we have Pat Robertson, as I discussed in a previous blog. And then we GWB, the 666 conqueror/crusader in training, of which there will be more to follow . And then comes China in its
quest to be the next world power. What do you think?? Stay tuned.
Muslims are on the march which threatens most people in the West because it is mostly an Eastern Religion.
Now we hear from the new Pope. the following, " People who ignore God pose a threat to the Church in Europe, Europe itself and the West." ( that's the catholic view, of course)
And then we have Pat Robertson, as I discussed in a previous blog. And then we GWB, the 666 conqueror/crusader in training, of which there will be more to follow . And then comes China in its
quest to be the next world power. What do you think?? Stay tuned.
01 October, 2005
what do you think?
read this--what do you think?
People who should be in Democratic Party:
People who love real freedom, not Bush-brand "Freedom.
"People who want the rest of world's respect.
People who want good lives for average Americans.
People who support our troops
People who want to win in Iraq.
People who truly understand their religion.
People who pay for what they use.
People who like clean air and water.
People who don't like dirty politics.
People who want smart health care.
People who believe in marriage.
People who want a secure country.
People who like to be told the truth.
People who believe in democracy.
People who are pro-life AND pro-choice.
I guess those who don't believe the above should be Republicans??? What do you think??
People who should be in Democratic Party:
People who love real freedom, not Bush-brand "Freedom.
"People who want the rest of world's respect.
People who want good lives for average Americans.
People who support our troops
People who want to win in Iraq.
People who truly understand their religion.
People who pay for what they use.
People who like clean air and water.
People who don't like dirty politics.
People who want smart health care.
People who believe in marriage.
People who want a secure country.
People who like to be told the truth.
People who believe in democracy.
People who are pro-life AND pro-choice.
I guess those who don't believe the above should be Republicans??? What do you think??
waste for the few
NASA wasted millions of dollars over a two-year period by shunning commercial airline flights and instead using its own planes for routine travel, according to a government report provided to The Associated Press on Thursday.
The Government Accountability Office found that NASA spent at least five times more by flying employees on its own planes in fiscal 2003 and 2004, compared with the cost of commercial coach tickets. The extra spending totaled about $20 million.
Waste at the corporate level by upper management must not be important to those currently controlling all branches of our government.
The Government Accountability Office found that NASA spent at least five times more by flying employees on its own planes in fiscal 2003 and 2004, compared with the cost of commercial coach tickets. The extra spending totaled about $20 million.
Waste at the corporate level by upper management must not be important to those currently controlling all branches of our government.
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