2005 a year to remember:
* Pundit Payola — 2005 saw the administration hire pundits to "catapult the propaganda." GOP lobbyists were apparently inspired by the idea, and put a few conservative writers on the payroll too.
* Harriet Miers — To this day, no one's quite sure what Bush was thinking.
* Terri Schiavo — Congressional Republicans exploit a horrible personal tragedy and disgust the nation in the process.
* Social Security — The White House interpreted the 2004 election as a mandate for privatizing Social Security. It's been a long time since a president was this wrong about a signature domestic policy initiative.
* Gannon/Guckert — A male prostitute pretending to be a journalist is repeatedly given a press pass and invited to ask soft-ball questions at White House press briefings. No, seriously, this really happened.
* Jack Abramoff — The most corrupt lobbyist in recent memory got caught and may take down the Republican Congress.
* Tom DeLay — After playing fast and loose with the law and congressional ethics for years, the former bug-spray salesman is under indictment, stripped of his leadership post, and fighting for his political life.
* Plame scandal — For the first time in 130 years, a high-ranking White House official is under criminal indictment and the White House remains the subject of a criminal investigation. And Patrick Fitzgerald is a star.
* Michael Brown — It's a phrase that will live on forever, "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job."
* Randy "Duke" Cunningham — Forget the $2.4 million in bribes; the symbol for Republican excess for this decade is the 19th-century Louis-Philippe commode.
* Dems make gains — Kaine wins in Virginia; Corzine wins in New Jersey; and Paul Hackett almost pulls off a miracle in Ohio. A sign of things to come?
* "Mean Jean" Schmidt — Not long after promising to uphold dignity and decorum in the House, Schmidt attacks Rep. Paul Murtha, a former Marine and decorated war hero, as "a coward." And intra-party relations reach yet another low.
* Pat "Hit Man" Robertson — TV preacher causes international incident by calling for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Can't you just feel the Christian love?
* Cindy Sheehan — Looking back, August would have been a lot quieter if Bush had taken five minutes to chat with this woman.
* Snoopgate — Warrants? Bush doesn't need no stinkin' warrants. And the "rule of law" party slips a little further into the abyss….
I'm no doubt missing a few, so feel free to vote for a political story that's not on my list. Keep smiling we have almost three years to go.
25 December, 2005
spying on us
A senior at UMass Dartmouth was visited by federal agents two months ago, after he requested a copy of Mao Tse-Tung's tome on Communism called "The Little Red Book."
Two history professors at UMass Dartmouth, Brian Glyn Williams and Robert Pontbriand, said the student told them he requested the book through the UMass Dartmouth library's interlibrary loan program.
The student, who was completing a research paper on Communism for Professor Pontbriand's class on fascism and totalitarianism, filled out a form for the request, leaving his name, address, phone number and Social Security number. He was later visited at his parents' home in New Bedford by two agents of the Department of Homeland Security, the professors said.
The professors said the student was told by the agents that the book is on a "watch list".
Two history professors at UMass Dartmouth, Brian Glyn Williams and Robert Pontbriand, said the student told them he requested the book through the UMass Dartmouth library's interlibrary loan program.
The student, who was completing a research paper on Communism for Professor Pontbriand's class on fascism and totalitarianism, filled out a form for the request, leaving his name, address, phone number and Social Security number. He was later visited at his parents' home in New Bedford by two agents of the Department of Homeland Security, the professors said.
The professors said the student was told by the agents that the book is on a "watch list".
the new political correctness
Protests against the admin are linked with support of the terrorists (the political correctness of today). Then we see any political opposition to the Repugs and this admin as being anti-American and criminal (time to prosecute those damn Liberals). At that point, we will have a secret police state and your neighbors and your family will be turning you in to the thoughtpolice.
The revelations of the past 2 weeks (has it ONLY been 2 weeks??) have me throroughly outraged. The only thing more sad is the total indifference of the people! Turns out, they're most upset about the way some people don't say Merry Christmas anymore!!
The revelations of the past 2 weeks (has it ONLY been 2 weeks??) have me throroughly outraged. The only thing more sad is the total indifference of the people! Turns out, they're most upset about the way some people don't say Merry Christmas anymore!!
idolators
When religious folk press for dominance of their particular faith to the exclusion of others, they are really making God into their own creation - idolators all..A sobering thought that is lost on the fanatics.
why Bush didn't want warrants to spy on us
The White House wanted to go fishing, and our domestic telecoms provided the pond. When Bush described this as a limited program that target international calls of suspected terrorists, that apparently isn't … what's the word … true. BUSH LIED ABOUT THIS TOO.
As the NYT explains, the NSA eavesdropped without warrants on specific conversations, but also utilized telecom "switches" to "comb through large volumes of phone and Internet traffic in search of patterns that might point to terrorism suspects. Some officials describe the program as a large data-mining operation."
As Kevin noted, this is all a very impressive use of technology, which also appears to be illegal.
It's why Bush couldn't get and didn't want warrants for his program. FISA courts would have approved any call the administration wanted to tap, even retroactively, and Congress would have approved changes to FISA to strengthen the president's surveillance hand. But the White House had data mining, not specific conversations, on its mind.
As the NYT explains, the NSA eavesdropped without warrants on specific conversations, but also utilized telecom "switches" to "comb through large volumes of phone and Internet traffic in search of patterns that might point to terrorism suspects. Some officials describe the program as a large data-mining operation."
As Kevin noted, this is all a very impressive use of technology, which also appears to be illegal.
It's why Bush couldn't get and didn't want warrants for his program. FISA courts would have approved any call the administration wanted to tap, even retroactively, and Congress would have approved changes to FISA to strengthen the president's surveillance hand. But the White House had data mining, not specific conversations, on its mind.
24 December, 2005
evolutionary science?
Three areas of current research are:
• The sequencing of the chimpanzee genome, allowing researchers to compare it with already sequenced human DNA. Only about 4% of the coding differs between the two close relatives.
In addition, the journal added, humans are highly susceptible to AIDS, coronary heart disease, chronic viral hepatitis and malignant malarial infections. Chimps aren't, and studying the differences between could help pin down the genetic aspects of many such diseases.
• The human haplotype map, being developed by an international team, catalogues the patterns of genetic variability among people. Researchers are looking for patterns that match with ailments such as diabetes, arthritis and cardiovascular disease.
• Research into the formation of new species as they evolve to differ from others.
In 2005, scientists found a type of warbler known as the European blackcap that was separating into groups with differing migration patterns.
Another study found European cornborers in the same field dividing into two types, one of which sticks to corn while the other eats hops and mugwort. The borers have developed different pheromones, scent chemicals that help them breed with only their own group.
And formerly ocean-living stickleback fish that were left stranded in lakes at the end of the last ice age have evolved into several different species.
• The sequencing of the chimpanzee genome, allowing researchers to compare it with already sequenced human DNA. Only about 4% of the coding differs between the two close relatives.
In addition, the journal added, humans are highly susceptible to AIDS, coronary heart disease, chronic viral hepatitis and malignant malarial infections. Chimps aren't, and studying the differences between could help pin down the genetic aspects of many such diseases.
• The human haplotype map, being developed by an international team, catalogues the patterns of genetic variability among people. Researchers are looking for patterns that match with ailments such as diabetes, arthritis and cardiovascular disease.
• Research into the formation of new species as they evolve to differ from others.
In 2005, scientists found a type of warbler known as the European blackcap that was separating into groups with differing migration patterns.
Another study found European cornborers in the same field dividing into two types, one of which sticks to corn while the other eats hops and mugwort. The borers have developed different pheromones, scent chemicals that help them breed with only their own group.
And formerly ocean-living stickleback fish that were left stranded in lakes at the end of the last ice age have evolved into several different species.
they are spying on you and me
The National Security Agency has conducted much broader surveillance of e-mails and phone calls — without court orders — than the Bush administration has acknowledged, The New York Times reported on its website.
The NSA, with help from American telecommunications companies, obtained access to streams of domestic and international communications, said the Times in the report late Friday, citing unidentified current and former government officials.
The story quoted a former technology manager at a major telecommunications firm as saying that companies have been storing information on calling patterns since the Sept. 11 attacks, and giving it to the federal government. Neither the manager nor the company he worked for was identified.
The volume of information harvested from telecommunications data and voice networks, without court-approved warrants, is much larger than the White House has acknowledged, the paper said, quoting an unnamed official. They are lying again.
The NSA, with help from American telecommunications companies, obtained access to streams of domestic and international communications, said the Times in the report late Friday, citing unidentified current and former government officials.
The story quoted a former technology manager at a major telecommunications firm as saying that companies have been storing information on calling patterns since the Sept. 11 attacks, and giving it to the federal government. Neither the manager nor the company he worked for was identified.
The volume of information harvested from telecommunications data and voice networks, without court-approved warrants, is much larger than the White House has acknowledged, the paper said, quoting an unnamed official. They are lying again.
23 December, 2005
the Iraq count
More than 2,100 U.S. war dead and 15,000 wounded from Iraq not including civilian "contractors" or Iraqi women and children.
be honest?
Some Senate Republicans shared Sensenbrenner's dislike for the six-month extension of the Patriot Act. "We'll be right back where we are right now," said a clearly frustrated Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. So they approved a one month extension.
Why can't the just be honest, for a change? They didn't want it to come up again in June so close to the mid-term elections.
Why can't the just be honest, for a change? They didn't want it to come up again in June so close to the mid-term elections.
21 December, 2005
just a g.d. piece of paper
read today:
Last month, Republican Congressional leaders filed into the Oval Office to meet with President George W. Bush and talk about renewing the controversial USA Patriot Act.
Several provisions of the act, passed in the shell shocked period immediately following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, caused enough anger that liberal groups like the American Civil Liberties Union had joined forces with prominent conservatives like Phyllis Schlafly and Bob Barr to oppose renewal.
GOP leaders told Bush that his hardcore push to renew the more onerous provisions of the act could further alienate conservatives still mad at the President from his botched attempt to nominate White House Counsel Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court.
“I don’t give a goddamn,” Bush retorted. “I’m the President and the Commander-in-Chief. Do it my way.”
“Mr. President,” one aide in the meeting said. “There is a valid case that the provisions in this law undermine the Constitution.”
“Stop throwing the Constitution in my face,” Bush screamed back. “It’s just a goddamned piece of paper!”
They talked to three people present for the meeting that day and they all confirm that the President of the United States called the Constitution “a goddamned piece of paper.”
Last month, Republican Congressional leaders filed into the Oval Office to meet with President George W. Bush and talk about renewing the controversial USA Patriot Act.
Several provisions of the act, passed in the shell shocked period immediately following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, caused enough anger that liberal groups like the American Civil Liberties Union had joined forces with prominent conservatives like Phyllis Schlafly and Bob Barr to oppose renewal.
GOP leaders told Bush that his hardcore push to renew the more onerous provisions of the act could further alienate conservatives still mad at the President from his botched attempt to nominate White House Counsel Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court.
“I don’t give a goddamn,” Bush retorted. “I’m the President and the Commander-in-Chief. Do it my way.”
“Mr. President,” one aide in the meeting said. “There is a valid case that the provisions in this law undermine the Constitution.”
“Stop throwing the Constitution in my face,” Bush screamed back. “It’s just a goddamned piece of paper!”
They talked to three people present for the meeting that day and they all confirm that the President of the United States called the Constitution “a goddamned piece of paper.”
creationism being pushed
Judge John Jones ruled that it is unconstitutional to teach the concept in public school science classes because it is "a religious view."
Jones' ruling is not binding outside the Middle District of Pennsylvania, but attorneys and outside experts say it will have broad impact on judges, lawyers and school boards
Jones, a Republican and a churchgoer appointed to the federal bench three years ago, cited Supreme Court rulings that teaching creationism — which holds that God created all life — violates the First Amendment wall between church and state. He said evidence at trial established that intelligent design is "a mere re-labeling of creationism."
Jones said "no serious alternative to God as the designer" has been proposed by ID proponents. He said evidence at trial established that intelligent design is "a mere re-labeling of creationism."
Jones admonished the board for dragging Dover residents "into this legal maelstrom, with its resulting utter waste of monetary and personal resources." Eight of the board members who adopted the policy were on the ballot last month, and all eight lost.
Jones' ruling is not binding outside the Middle District of Pennsylvania, but attorneys and outside experts say it will have broad impact on judges, lawyers and school boards
Jones, a Republican and a churchgoer appointed to the federal bench three years ago, cited Supreme Court rulings that teaching creationism — which holds that God created all life — violates the First Amendment wall between church and state. He said evidence at trial established that intelligent design is "a mere re-labeling of creationism."
Jones said "no serious alternative to God as the designer" has been proposed by ID proponents. He said evidence at trial established that intelligent design is "a mere re-labeling of creationism."
Jones admonished the board for dragging Dover residents "into this legal maelstrom, with its resulting utter waste of monetary and personal resources." Eight of the board members who adopted the policy were on the ballot last month, and all eight lost.
He lied AGAIN
I saw Bush on TV say that in today's world, they didn't have time to wait for warrants. The law that set up the secret court to approve warrants states that warrants can be obtained after the fact. He lied AGAIN. There has to be another
hidden reason???
hidden reason???
deal with Saddam's followers
Those remarks were a thinly veiled message: Vote for Shiite religious candidates who will stand firm against Saddam's loyalists.
The Sunnis, in contrast, want a guaranteed stake in the new Iraq, and thus have pushed to end the purging of former members of Saddam's Baath party from the government, military and public life.
As public support for the war ebbs in the United States, American generals increasingly see victory as achievable only through a deal with Saddam's followers.
The Sunnis, in contrast, want a guaranteed stake in the new Iraq, and thus have pushed to end the purging of former members of Saddam's Baath party from the government, military and public life.
As public support for the war ebbs in the United States, American generals increasingly see victory as achievable only through a deal with Saddam's followers.
19 December, 2005
NSA
What is the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act?
The law, created in 1978, established a secret federal court that must approve requests for the NSA and other agencies to conduct surveillance against anyone in the USA suspected of being an "agent of a foreign power."
They won't follow this law or the constitution. Smell's doesn't it.
The law, created in 1978, established a secret federal court that must approve requests for the NSA and other agencies to conduct surveillance against anyone in the USA suspected of being an "agent of a foreign power."
They won't follow this law or the constitution. Smell's doesn't it.
McCain sounds presidential
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said he would support hearings if they were organized carefully to avoid helping al-Qaeda.
"We need to know ... why they didn't go through the normal" procedure of obtaining warrants before intercepting domestic communications," McCain said on ABC's This Week.
"We need to know ... why they didn't go through the normal" procedure of obtaining warrants before intercepting domestic communications," McCain said on ABC's This Week.
our constitution be damned
Harvard Law professor Laurence Tribe, note that the Constitution's Fourth Amendment prohibits "unreasonable searches and seizures" and requires a show of probable cause before warrants are issued. Also, the Communications Act of 1934 and the U.S. Criminal Code have provisions limiting or banning the interception of electronic communications/ The secret court in Washington issues search warrants in these cases but are being bypassed. Why?
18 December, 2005
what's wrong with waterboarding?
These Republicans captured an alleged Al Queda official named Al Libi, took him to Egypt, waterboarded him to "confess" that Iraq had offered to train Al Queda in chemical and biological warfare which was not true) and used that as the centerpiece of Powell's speech to justify invading Iraq.
read today: "By allowing Libi to be tortured, US officials made a pact with the devil.That bargain has not only cost us our national soul, but has contributed indirectly but surely, to the loss of more than 2100 Americans in Iraq."
It also has increased out debt by more than $225 BILLION so far and forced us to fight them on their ground, lowering respect for us throught the world. All military commanders and most civilian leaders say we cannot win with the military alone or by being alone in the world. But,.macho still plays in Peoria.
read today: "By allowing Libi to be tortured, US officials made a pact with the devil.That bargain has not only cost us our national soul, but has contributed indirectly but surely, to the loss of more than 2100 Americans in Iraq."
It also has increased out debt by more than $225 BILLION so far and forced us to fight them on their ground, lowering respect for us throught the world. All military commanders and most civilian leaders say we cannot win with the military alone or by being alone in the world. But,.macho still plays in Peoria.
secret spy court ignored
Bush acknowledged Saturday that since October 2001 he has authorized the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on international phone calls and e-mails of people within the United States without seeking warrants from courts. Bush and other administration officials initially refused to discuss the surveillance.
Congressional leaders acknowledged that they were briefed by the administration about the surveillance program "a couple of months ago. But the program apparently has been going on for four years. The secret court set up to handle eavesdroping was ignored. Why?
These republicans are spying on you and me without search warrants. How nice.
Congressional leaders acknowledged that they were briefed by the administration about the surveillance program "a couple of months ago. But the program apparently has been going on for four years. The secret court set up to handle eavesdroping was ignored. Why?
These republicans are spying on you and me without search warrants. How nice.
17 December, 2005
republican operatives way back when
Jack Anderson, the Pulitzer Prize-winning muckraking columnist who struck fear into the hearts of corrupt or secretive politicians, inspiring Nixon's republic operatives to plot his murder, died Saturday. He was 83.
hacks, attack dogs and blind followers
Not being a Clintons fan, I notice that the "bushes" tend to involve President Clinton at every opportunity while the republican political hacks, attack dogs, and blind followers seek opportunites to trash them. Isn't that interesting!
16 December, 2005
they are watching you
Earlier this week, the Pentagon said it was reviewing its use of a classified database of information about suspicious people and activity inside the United States after a report by NBC News said the database listed activities of anti-war groups that were not a security threat to Pentagon property or personnel.
Pentagon spokesmen declined to discuss the matter on the record but issued a written statement Wednesday evening that implied — but did not explicitly acknowledge — that some information had been "handled improperly". The republicans are watching you.
Pentagon spokesmen declined to discuss the matter on the record but issued a written statement Wednesday evening that implied — but did not explicitly acknowledge — that some information had been "handled improperly". The republicans are watching you.
15 December, 2005
surpise surprise
President Bush authorized the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on Americans and others inside the United States — without getting search warrants — following the Sept. 11 attacks, the New York Times reports.
The presidential order, which Bush signed in 2002, has allowed the agency to monitor the international phone calls and international e-mails of hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of people inside the United States, according to a story posted Thursday on the Times' website
Asked about the administration's contention that the eavesdropping has disrupted terrorist attacks, Fredrickson said the ACLU couldn't comment until it seems some evidence. "They've veiled these powers in secrecy so there's no way for Congress or any independent organizations to exercise any oversight
The presidential order, which Bush signed in 2002, has allowed the agency to monitor the international phone calls and international e-mails of hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of people inside the United States, according to a story posted Thursday on the Times' website
Asked about the administration's contention that the eavesdropping has disrupted terrorist attacks, Fredrickson said the ACLU couldn't comment until it seems some evidence. "They've veiled these powers in secrecy so there's no way for Congress or any independent organizations to exercise any oversight
no military victory possible says military
American military commanders have been saying for months that no military 'victory' can be achieved in Iraq, no matter the rhetoric from Washington. Only a political solution will undercut Iraqi violence: Feuding Iraqi factions must agree on a formula to share power — and oil money. ... The forces tearing Iraq apart are gathering strength,
don't believe what you read
A $300 million Pentagon psychological warfare operation includes plans for placing pro-American messages in foreign media outlets(and probably ours) without disclosing the U.S. government as the source, one of the military officials in charge of the program says.
republicans care about you
Under the guise of making health insurance more affordable for small businesses and their employees, a big-business coalition led in part by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is pushing legislation that would create a major healthcare loophole. The misnamed "Small Business Health Fairness Act" would create a new type of federal health insurance called Association Health Plans that would be exempt from over 1,000 state consumer protection laws.
These new insurance plans would not only be able to refuse to cover services that your state requires all other insurers to cover, they would also be allowed to raise your rates at any time and would not be required to keep enough money in the bank to actually pay your bills.
These new insurance plans would not only be able to refuse to cover services that your state requires all other insurers to cover, they would also be allowed to raise your rates at any time and would not be required to keep enough money in the bank to actually pay your bills.
13 December, 2005
eroding pensions
The traditional pension, once considered a bedrock of retirement, is eroding for many American workers — and working for a financially strong company is no guarantee a full pension will be there at retirement. Companies obiously have the green light from the party in power.
shiites will control the country
At least 120 abused prisoners have been found in two detention facilities run by the Shiite-led Interior Ministry, the U.S. ambassador said Tuesday. Iraqi officials say allegations of mistreatment have been exaggerated.
Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad told reporters that "over 100" of the 173 prisoners found last month in an Interior Ministry building in Baghdad's Jadriyah district had suffered abuse.
Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad told reporters that "over 100" of the 173 prisoners found last month in an Interior Ministry building in Baghdad's Jadriyah district had suffered abuse.
10 December, 2005
the count
At least 2,140 members of the U.S. military (not including "contractors" and civilians) have died since the war began, according to an Associated Press count
another example of democrats caring about us
Prior to yesterday's crash in Chicago,Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., sponsored a measure that will require 284 U.S. airports to have at least 1,000 feet at the end of a runway by 2015. That number is based on an FAA inventory of major commercial airports that don't meet the standard.
"It should not take another deadly overrun to convince aviation officials to do something about this problem," Lautenberg said in a statement on Dec. 2.
"It should not take another deadly overrun to convince aviation officials to do something about this problem," Lautenberg said in a statement on Dec. 2.
09 December, 2005
secret prisons
The international Red Cross on Friday renewed its demand that it be allowed to visit all detainees in "undisclosed locations" after a senior State Department official confirmed the United States has yet to grant the agency access to all its terror suspects.
ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger was commenting on a remark Thursday by State Department legal adviser John B. Bellinger III, who was asked by reporters during a visit to Geneva whether the ICRC has access to all other similar prisoners held by the United States elsewhere in the world. Bellinger replied, "No," and declined to say any more.
Kellenberger noted that he has been urging top U.S. officials for at least two years to make sure the ICRC, which is assigned under the Geneva Conventions on warfare to check on conditions of detainees, gains access to all detainees held by the United States.
ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger was commenting on a remark Thursday by State Department legal adviser John B. Bellinger III, who was asked by reporters during a visit to Geneva whether the ICRC has access to all other similar prisoners held by the United States elsewhere in the world. Bellinger replied, "No," and declined to say any more.
Kellenberger noted that he has been urging top U.S. officials for at least two years to make sure the ICRC, which is assigned under the Geneva Conventions on warfare to check on conditions of detainees, gains access to all detainees held by the United States.
08 December, 2005
in control
The Republican fundraising machine, powered by special interests, corporate money, and shadowy national donors, is already poised to unleash its arsenal of attack ads and smear campaigns against any candidates who vow to stand up for working people. THey now control all three branches of government.
which political party?
Which political party is taking us in the wrong direction, drawing lines that divide our country into two different Americas? Which party stands for:
One America for those who have everything they need and one for those who struggle just to get by.
One America for those of us who do the work and one for those who reap the reward.
One America for those who pay the taxes and one for those who get the tax breaks.
One America for those who have everything they need and one for those who struggle just to get by.
One America for those of us who do the work and one for those who reap the reward.
One America for those who pay the taxes and one for those who get the tax breaks.
07 December, 2005
bombs and WP chemicals cause no destruction?
"Iraqis are beginning to see that a free life will be a better life," Bush said. "Reconstruction has not always gone as well as we had hoped, primarily because of the security challenges on the ground. Rebuilding a nation devastated by a dictator is a large undertaking." (and devastated by the invaders,and costing us, you and me, $225 billion--probably more-- which he doesn't say)
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi suggested that Bush was out of touch with reality in Iraq. "Just because he says thing are improving there, doesn't make it so," the California Democrat said.
"The president says the security situation on the ground is better. It is not," Pelosi said. "More of the same in Iraq is not making us safer
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi suggested that Bush was out of touch with reality in Iraq. "Just because he says thing are improving there, doesn't make it so," the California Democrat said.
"The president says the security situation on the ground is better. It is not," Pelosi said. "More of the same in Iraq is not making us safer
06 December, 2005
positive news
The U.S. military is looking into reports that Iraqi news media were paid to run stories generated by the U.S. military without revealing the source. At the center of the controversy is a Washington-based contractor, the Lincoln Group, which was paid by the Pentagon to promote positive news about U.S. efforts in Iraq.
They stand by their man
Read today: Congressman Tom DeLay has been an exceptional leader on Capitol Hill for the Republicans and Vice President Cheney looks forward to helping his re-election effort.
Think about that. Tonight Dick Cheney goes to a ritzy district in Houston to host a fundraiser for Tom DeLay -- in spite of DeLay's felony indictment in a Texas court. Regardless of our disgust at the wave of indictments, investigations and resignations among Republicans in the last few months, for DeLay and Cheney it's business as usual.
And what a business it is. According to the Houston Chronicle, "for $4,200, a donor gets an invitation to a VIP reception, a photograph with Cheney, and recognition at the event. For $2,100, attendees can rub elbows at a 'congressional reception' and have their photo taken with DeLay."
DeLay and Cheney make it clear that money is the only language they know
Think about that. Tonight Dick Cheney goes to a ritzy district in Houston to host a fundraiser for Tom DeLay -- in spite of DeLay's felony indictment in a Texas court. Regardless of our disgust at the wave of indictments, investigations and resignations among Republicans in the last few months, for DeLay and Cheney it's business as usual.
And what a business it is. According to the Houston Chronicle, "for $4,200, a donor gets an invitation to a VIP reception, a photograph with Cheney, and recognition at the event. For $2,100, attendees can rub elbows at a 'congressional reception' and have their photo taken with DeLay."
DeLay and Cheney make it clear that money is the only language they know
04 December, 2005
a "bring it on" crusade
Bomb the hell out of them. Torture them. Invade their countries with preemptive strikes based on lies and distortions to get our Congress to go along.
Be macho. Shout "bring it on" Call it a Crusade.
All this plays well in Peoria until we view the body bags and take the long view of history( by the way, isn't it interesting that we don't see the body bags on TV which is owned by corporate america).
Now that's the way to keep our dwindling friends in the world and keep 2+ billion people who practice the Islamic faith from a thousand year guerilla war with us. Good thinking. Have a nice day.
Be macho. Shout "bring it on" Call it a Crusade.
All this plays well in Peoria until we view the body bags and take the long view of history( by the way, isn't it interesting that we don't see the body bags on TV which is owned by corporate america).
Now that's the way to keep our dwindling friends in the world and keep 2+ billion people who practice the Islamic faith from a thousand year guerilla war with us. Good thinking. Have a nice day.
don't pick on dick
Okay, don't pick on poor "Dick" Cheney. He is just saying what they really think and thus providing us a window into their rationale. Torture, and short-term macho "bring it on" thinking, is how they approach the world and it "plays in Peoria" until you view the body bags and start thinking long-term.
Of course, no one serving their country wants to accept that it's a political war. Certainly families who lose their fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers, or children will not believe that we invaded another country, for the first time in our country's history, based on lies and distortions, nor should they.
Almost none of the neocons ever fought themselves. Search for the website "chickenhawks" and you will see them all there. They get deferments from military service or the very few that do serve, get assigned jobs where they don't have to go to the battlefields. You and me fight their wars
Of course, no one serving their country wants to accept that it's a political war. Certainly families who lose their fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers, or children will not believe that we invaded another country, for the first time in our country's history, based on lies and distortions, nor should they.
Almost none of the neocons ever fought themselves. Search for the website "chickenhawks" and you will see them all there. They get deferments from military service or the very few that do serve, get assigned jobs where they don't have to go to the battlefields. You and me fight their wars
isn't brain surgery
OK, let's try it again.
The war on terror isn't going to be won with or without me, you, the terroists or the USA. Thinking republicans, which are few, agree. It is going to be won with the 2+ billion other people who practice the Islamic faith.
The best we can hope for in Iraq, if not an all out civil war, is a people who hate the invaders more than each other, So Iraq is already lost one way or the other.
If we use torture and lose the other 2+ billion, it will be a thousand years of off and on guerilla warfare, not to mention losing the few friends we currently have left in the world. That's why those like Sen, McCain don't want torture allowed, etc.
"Geesh", it isn't brain surgery.
The war on terror isn't going to be won with or without me, you, the terroists or the USA. Thinking republicans, which are few, agree. It is going to be won with the 2+ billion other people who practice the Islamic faith.
The best we can hope for in Iraq, if not an all out civil war, is a people who hate the invaders more than each other, So Iraq is already lost one way or the other.
If we use torture and lose the other 2+ billion, it will be a thousand years of off and on guerilla warfare, not to mention losing the few friends we currently have left in the world. That's why those like Sen, McCain don't want torture allowed, etc.
"Geesh", it isn't brain surgery.
more killing
The U.S. command has released few details about the Thursday bombing that killed 10 members of the Marines' Regimental Combat Team 8.
"More than 20 troops entered there and a huge explosion happened," said the witness, Mohsen Mohammed. "Afterward, the helicopters and tanks arrived in the area."
Al-Jazeera broadcast a videotape Saturday from the Islamic Army of Iraq showing an explosion targeting a U.S. foot patrol near Fallujah. The tape did not directly link the explosion to Thursday's attack, but the Al-Jazeera announcer noted the Marine deaths as the tape aired.
"More than 20 troops entered there and a huge explosion happened," said the witness, Mohsen Mohammed. "Afterward, the helicopters and tanks arrived in the area."
Al-Jazeera broadcast a videotape Saturday from the Islamic Army of Iraq showing an explosion targeting a U.S. foot patrol near Fallujah. The tape did not directly link the explosion to Thursday's attack, but the Al-Jazeera announcer noted the Marine deaths as the tape aired.
02 December, 2005
Cheney, Delay and money
Dick Cheney has made himself the name-caller in chief, referring to critics of the forged White House case for war -- people like you and me -- as not only "dishonest and reprehensible," but also "corrupt and shameless."
He's the perfect man to say that. He knows "corrupt and shameless" personally. And on Monday he'll prove it again ... by keynoting a gala fundraiser for indicted congressman and GOP machine boss Tom DeLay.
That's the same Tom DeLay who said, "I am the federal government." Unfortunately, he wasn't far from the truth. Money talks in politics, and Tom DeLay has bankrolled 29 Republican campaigns in 2005 through his political action committee. Some of those Republicans are running Washington right now.
He's the perfect man to say that. He knows "corrupt and shameless" personally. And on Monday he'll prove it again ... by keynoting a gala fundraiser for indicted congressman and GOP machine boss Tom DeLay.
That's the same Tom DeLay who said, "I am the federal government." Unfortunately, he wasn't far from the truth. Money talks in politics, and Tom DeLay has bankrolled 29 Republican campaigns in 2005 through his political action committee. Some of those Republicans are running Washington right now.
control of the press
Manufacturing Fake News
Under Bush administration directives, at least 20 federal agencies have produced and distributed scores of "video news releases" out of a $254 million slush fund set up to manufacture taxpayer-funded propaganda.
Bribing Journalists
The administration has paid pundits to sing its praises. Earlier this year, TV commentator Armstrong Williams pocketed $240,000 in taxpayer money to laud Bush’s education policies. Three other journalists have since been discovered on the government dole; and Williams admits that he has "no doubt" that other paid Bush shills are still on the loose.
Lying about the Iraq War
Rather than admit to their lies and misinformation, the administration continues to attack those reporting the truth. The administration’s "web of half-truths and falsehoods used to sell the war did not happen by accident; it was woven by design and then foisted on the public by a P.R. operation built expressly for that purpose in the White House."
Eliminating Dissent in the Mainstream Media
Bush has all but avoided traditional press conferences, closing down a prime venue for holding the executive accountable. On those rare occasions when he deigned to meet reporters, presidential aides turned the press conferences into parodies by seating a friendly right-wing “journalist,” former male escort Jeff Gannon, amid the reporters and then steering questions to him when tough issues arose.
They have effectively silenced serious questioners, like veteran journalist Helen Thomas, by refusing to have the president or his aides call on reporters who challenge them.
Gutting the Freedom of Information Act
The administration has scrapped enforcement of the Freedom of Information Act and has made it harder for reporters to do their jobs by refusing to cooperate with even the most basic requests for comment and data from government agencies.
Consolidating Media Control. The Federal Communications Commission will announce plans to rewrite the ownership rules soon – it could happen as early as February – with aims of unleashing a new wave of media consolidation. The administration’s desired rules changes would strike a mortal blow to local reporting and further squeeze journalists. I found the above at www.freepress.net
Control of the press in Germany in the 30's was for propaganda from the third Reich.
Under Bush administration directives, at least 20 federal agencies have produced and distributed scores of "video news releases" out of a $254 million slush fund set up to manufacture taxpayer-funded propaganda.
Bribing Journalists
The administration has paid pundits to sing its praises. Earlier this year, TV commentator Armstrong Williams pocketed $240,000 in taxpayer money to laud Bush’s education policies. Three other journalists have since been discovered on the government dole; and Williams admits that he has "no doubt" that other paid Bush shills are still on the loose.
Lying about the Iraq War
Rather than admit to their lies and misinformation, the administration continues to attack those reporting the truth. The administration’s "web of half-truths and falsehoods used to sell the war did not happen by accident; it was woven by design and then foisted on the public by a P.R. operation built expressly for that purpose in the White House."
Eliminating Dissent in the Mainstream Media
Bush has all but avoided traditional press conferences, closing down a prime venue for holding the executive accountable. On those rare occasions when he deigned to meet reporters, presidential aides turned the press conferences into parodies by seating a friendly right-wing “journalist,” former male escort Jeff Gannon, amid the reporters and then steering questions to him when tough issues arose.
They have effectively silenced serious questioners, like veteran journalist Helen Thomas, by refusing to have the president or his aides call on reporters who challenge them.
Gutting the Freedom of Information Act
The administration has scrapped enforcement of the Freedom of Information Act and has made it harder for reporters to do their jobs by refusing to cooperate with even the most basic requests for comment and data from government agencies.
Consolidating Media Control. The Federal Communications Commission will announce plans to rewrite the ownership rules soon – it could happen as early as February – with aims of unleashing a new wave of media consolidation. The administration’s desired rules changes would strike a mortal blow to local reporting and further squeeze journalists. I found the above at www.freepress.net
Control of the press in Germany in the 30's was for propaganda from the third Reich.
our "friends" don't want us
Here at home Democratic and Republican politicians alike are scrambling to avoid facing the hard decisions presented by the Iraq quagmire. Meanwhile in the Middle East, the leaders of Iraq's Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish factions –- who seldom agree on anything –- have issued a clear and compelling demand for the withdrawal of U.S. occupying troops.
At an Arab League-sponsored reconciliation conference, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani was joined by Iraqi Shiite and Kurdish lawmakers along with leading Sunni politicians. This inclusive group of Iraqi leaders stunned observers by calling for the withdrawal of foreign troops.
"Virtually unprecedented" was how it was described by London's Financial Times. There was also broad agreement that opposition forces within Iraq had a "legitimate right" of resistance and shouldn't be labeled terrorists as long as civilians weren't targeted.
This means that even those leaders the U.S. is supporting have agreed that attacks on U.S. forces are legitimate! And we claim we are there just supporting those who want democracy.
At an Arab League-sponsored reconciliation conference, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani was joined by Iraqi Shiite and Kurdish lawmakers along with leading Sunni politicians. This inclusive group of Iraqi leaders stunned observers by calling for the withdrawal of foreign troops.
"Virtually unprecedented" was how it was described by London's Financial Times. There was also broad agreement that opposition forces within Iraq had a "legitimate right" of resistance and shouldn't be labeled terrorists as long as civilians weren't targeted.
This means that even those leaders the U.S. is supporting have agreed that attacks on U.S. forces are legitimate! And we claim we are there just supporting those who want democracy.
01 December, 2005
not counting "contractors" mercenaries and civilians
Two U.S. service members died of wounds suffered in combat and a Marine died in a non-hostile traffic accident, the U.S. military said Thursday. That raised the U.S. death toll for November to at least 84.
The November death toll was below the October figure of 96 — the fourth-deadliest month for U.S. forces since the U.S.-led invasion began in March 2003. But it was more than the 49 killed in September or the 54 in July. Eighty-five U.S. troops died in August.
At least 2,112 members of the U.S. military have died since the war began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count, not counting "contractors", mercenaries and Iraqi women and children.
The November death toll was below the October figure of 96 — the fourth-deadliest month for U.S. forces since the U.S.-led invasion began in March 2003. But it was more than the 49 killed in September or the 54 in July. Eighty-five U.S. troops died in August.
At least 2,112 members of the U.S. military have died since the war began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count, not counting "contractors", mercenaries and Iraqi women and children.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)