28 February, 2008
McCain, a sham
From George Will, a right wing Republican: Although his campaign is run by lobbyists; and although his dealings with lobbyists have generated what he, when judging the behavior of others, calls corrupt appearances; and although he has profited from his manipulation of the taxpayer-funding system that is celebrated by reformers -- still, he probably is innocent of insincerity. Such is his towering moral vanity, he seems sincerely to consider it theoretically impossible for him to commit the offenses of appearances that he incessantly ascribes to others.
27 February, 2008
republican Cheney emails missing
When Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald wanted to find out what was going on inside Vice President Dick Cheney's office, the prosecutor in the CIA leak probe made a logical move. He dropped a grand jury subpoena on the White House for all the relevant e-mail.
One problem: Even though White House computer technicians hunted high and low, an entire week's worth of e-mail from Cheney's office was missing. The week, surprise-surprise, was Sept. 30, 2003, to Oct. 6, 2003, the opening days of the Justice Department's probe into whether anyone at the White House leaked the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame. Oh, how convenient and coincidental?????
One problem: Even though White House computer technicians hunted high and low, an entire week's worth of e-mail from Cheney's office was missing. The week, surprise-surprise, was Sept. 30, 2003, to Oct. 6, 2003, the opening days of the Justice Department's probe into whether anyone at the White House leaked the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame. Oh, how convenient and coincidental?????
Buckley, rest in peace
Born Nov. 24, 1925, in New York City, William Frank Buckley Jr. was the sixth of 10 children of a a multimillionaire with oil holdings in seven countries. The son spent his early childhood in France and England, in exclusive Roman Catholic schools. He died today.
Buckley spent a year as a low-level agent for the Central Intelligence Agency in Mexico, work he later dismissed as boring. He was one of the origianl neo-con conservatives.
The National Review, which he founded and controlled, defended the Vietnam War, opposed civil rights legislation and once declared that "the White community in the South is entitled to take such measures as are necessary to prevail.
Buckley spent a year as a low-level agent for the Central Intelligence Agency in Mexico, work he later dismissed as boring. He was one of the origianl neo-con conservatives.
The National Review, which he founded and controlled, defended the Vietnam War, opposed civil rights legislation and once declared that "the White community in the South is entitled to take such measures as are necessary to prevail.
24 February, 2008
another Republican scandal
Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) used his position in Congress to influence a federal land-exchange deal, collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in payoffs, according to an indictment released yesterday. Renzi is one of the Arizona "co-chairs" of Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign
USA, renditions, torture, Romania
Read Today: According to the Romanian official: U.S. pilots routinely filed bogus flight plans, or none at all, and headed to undeclared destinations. C-130 Hercules cargo planes and other U.S. military aircraft arriving from Iraq regularly parked in a restricted area just off the runway, where they feigned technical trouble and sat under guard for days at a time — awaiting repairs that never occurred.
Three buildings on the military portion of the air base were strictly off-limits to Romanians but were frequented and controlled by the Americans. Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, former presidential security adviser Ioan Talpes said in an interview with the AP, had an arrangement with the CIA that gave the agency the right to use the base as needed.
Human rights advocates say renditions were the agency's way to outsource torture of prisoners to countries where it is permitted practice.
Detainees were subjected "to interrogation techniques tantamount to torture" and underscored "a permissive attitude on the part of the Romanian authorities. Romanian officials said the U.S. military has invested about $18 million in Mihail Kogalniceanu Airport, including a $4 million perimeter fence, a new hangar and road improvements. Romania has supported and provided troops for the U.S.-led campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.
President Bush and other administration officials have confirmed the existence of the rendition program but have not named the countries involved
Three buildings on the military portion of the air base were strictly off-limits to Romanians but were frequented and controlled by the Americans. Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, former presidential security adviser Ioan Talpes said in an interview with the AP, had an arrangement with the CIA that gave the agency the right to use the base as needed.
Human rights advocates say renditions were the agency's way to outsource torture of prisoners to countries where it is permitted practice.
Detainees were subjected "to interrogation techniques tantamount to torture" and underscored "a permissive attitude on the part of the Romanian authorities. Romanian officials said the U.S. military has invested about $18 million in Mihail Kogalniceanu Airport, including a $4 million perimeter fence, a new hangar and road improvements. Romania has supported and provided troops for the U.S.-led campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.
President Bush and other administration officials have confirmed the existence of the rendition program but have not named the countries involved
23 February, 2008
McCain, a hypocrite and liar
The Paxson deal, coming as McCain made his first run for the presidency, has posed a persistent problem for the senator. The deal raised embarrassing questions about his dealings with lobbyists at a time when he had assumed the role of an ethics champion and opponent of the influence of lobbyists.
The two letters he wrote to the FCC in 1999 while he was chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee produced a rash of criticism and a written rebuke from the then-FCC chairman, who called McCain's intervention "highly unusual." McCain had repeatedly used Paxson's corporate jet for his campaign and accepted campaign contributions from the broadcaster and his law firm.
The two letters he wrote to the FCC in 1999 while he was chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee produced a rash of criticism and a written rebuke from the then-FCC chairman, who called McCain's intervention "highly unusual." McCain had repeatedly used Paxson's corporate jet for his campaign and accepted campaign contributions from the broadcaster and his law firm.
more on being afraid of republicans
Since they endorsed McCain in January despite knowing this story -- and the clear implications of hypocrisy on campaign finance reform, let alone the other implications -- the most likely conspiracy would be that they favor McCain in the election. But I don't think there is a conspiracy.
I think the far simpler answer is the correct one. The McCain campaign threatened and intimidated them as the Bush team has done on countless occasions and they gave in until someone else was about to release the story. The only thing worse than being bullied by Republicans is getting scooped by your competitors. Remember, republicans are the part of "swift boating."
I think the far simpler answer is the correct one. The McCain campaign threatened and intimidated them as the Bush team has done on countless occasions and they gave in until someone else was about to release the story. The only thing worse than being bullied by Republicans is getting scooped by your competitors. Remember, republicans are the part of "swift boating."
New York Times afraid of neocons
The John McCain-Vicki Iseman story is not the first article the New York Times has held back for political reasons. They have now done this on at least three occasions:
1. The original FISA story on how the Bush administration was not getting warrants for wiretaps inside the United States.
2. The original story in 2004 that showed Osama bin Laden was hiding in Pakistan, not Afghanistan.
3. The McCain-Iseman story.
We had James Risen, the writer of the first two stories on our show back in 2005 and he admitted that they held the Bin Laden story until after the 2004 election because the New York Times didn't want to "get caught up in the politics of it."
Another way of stating that is that they were afraid of being called the liberal media by Republicans. After decades of being chastised for being liberal, they have become gun-shy. In this McCain story, they also held off until they were about to outed by other news agencies as sitting on the story.
1. The original FISA story on how the Bush administration was not getting warrants for wiretaps inside the United States.
2. The original story in 2004 that showed Osama bin Laden was hiding in Pakistan, not Afghanistan.
3. The McCain-Iseman story.
We had James Risen, the writer of the first two stories on our show back in 2005 and he admitted that they held the Bin Laden story until after the 2004 election because the New York Times didn't want to "get caught up in the politics of it."
Another way of stating that is that they were afraid of being called the liberal media by Republicans. After decades of being chastised for being liberal, they have become gun-shy. In this McCain story, they also held off until they were about to outed by other news agencies as sitting on the story.
22 February, 2008
McCain helping lobbyist and getting perks
Just hours after the Times's story was posted, the McCain campaign issued a point-by-point response that depicted the letters as routine correspondence handled by his staff—and insisted that McCain had never even spoken with anybody from Paxson or Alcalde & Fay about the matter. "No representative of Paxson or Alcalde & Fay personally asked Senator McCain to send a letter to the FCC," the campaign said in a statement e-mailed to reporters.
But that flat claim seems to be contradicted by an impeccable source: McCain himself. "I was contacted by Mr. Paxson on this issue," McCain said in the Sept. 25, 2002, deposition obtained by NEWSWEEK. "He wanted their approval very bad for purposes of his business. I believe that Mr. Paxson had a legitimate complaint."
While McCain said "I don't recall" if he ever directly spoke to the firm's lobbyist about the issue—an apparent reference to Iseman, though she is not named—"I'm sure I spoke to [Paxson]." McCain agreed that his letters on behalf of Paxson, a campaign contributor, could "possibly be an appearance of corruption"—even though McCain denied doing anything improper.
McCain's subsequent letters to the FCC—coming around the same time that Paxson's firm was flying the senator to campaign events aboard its corporate jet and contributing $20,000 to his campaign—first surfaced as an issue during his unsuccessful 2000 presidential bid. William Kennard, the FCC chair at the time, described the sharply worded letters from McCain, then chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, as "highly unusual."
But that flat claim seems to be contradicted by an impeccable source: McCain himself. "I was contacted by Mr. Paxson on this issue," McCain said in the Sept. 25, 2002, deposition obtained by NEWSWEEK. "He wanted their approval very bad for purposes of his business. I believe that Mr. Paxson had a legitimate complaint."
While McCain said "I don't recall" if he ever directly spoke to the firm's lobbyist about the issue—an apparent reference to Iseman, though she is not named—"I'm sure I spoke to [Paxson]." McCain agreed that his letters on behalf of Paxson, a campaign contributor, could "possibly be an appearance of corruption"—even though McCain denied doing anything improper.
McCain's subsequent letters to the FCC—coming around the same time that Paxson's firm was flying the senator to campaign events aboard its corporate jet and contributing $20,000 to his campaign—first surfaced as an issue during his unsuccessful 2000 presidential bid. William Kennard, the FCC chair at the time, described the sharply worded letters from McCain, then chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, as "highly unusual."
McCain the Anti-lobbyist, yea right
when McCain huddled with his closest advisers at his rustic Arizona cabin last weekend to map out his presidential campaign, virtually every one was part of the Washington lobbying culture he has long decried. His campaign manager, Rick Davis, co-founded a lobbying firm whose clients have included Verizon and SBC Telecommunications. His chief political adviser, Charles R. Black Jr., is chairman of one of Washington's lobbying powerhouses, BKSH and Associates, which has represented AT&T, Alcoa, JPMorgan and U.S. Airways.
McCain latest
read today: "Those who really care about such things have known since at least 2000, and likely much earlier, that McCain does favors for campaign contributors, and has not always been the most faithful of husbands.
I care not at all about the latter; while the former is one of many constant, low-level irritants people like me experience when reading yet another newspaper editorial about what a saint the guy is."
I care not at all about the latter; while the former is one of many constant, low-level irritants people like me experience when reading yet another newspaper editorial about what a saint the guy is."
17 February, 2008
USA, a country that tortures people
U.S. officials have confirmed that the CIA's use of waterboarding required strapping the prisoners down and pouring water over their faces to make them fear that they were being drowned.
Experts on human rights abuses and torture say the approach is similar to the technique employed by the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, by the French in Algeria and, as recently as last year, by the dictatorship in Burma.
The use of cellophane in waterboarding is known as a "dry submarine," while the use of cloth dates back to the 1600s and is known as the "Dutch method." The "Dutch method" was also a favorite tactic used by police in the American South in the 1920s.
Tom Malinowski, Washington advocacy director for Human Rights Watch, said the administration's rationale has exposed Americans to risk of mistreatment by other countries. "If Iran or North Korea wanted a blueprint for how to torture an American prisoner without upsetting the Bush administration, they would just need to read what our government is admiting," Malinowski said.
Experts on human rights abuses and torture say the approach is similar to the technique employed by the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, by the French in Algeria and, as recently as last year, by the dictatorship in Burma.
The use of cellophane in waterboarding is known as a "dry submarine," while the use of cloth dates back to the 1600s and is known as the "Dutch method." The "Dutch method" was also a favorite tactic used by police in the American South in the 1920s.
Tom Malinowski, Washington advocacy director for Human Rights Watch, said the administration's rationale has exposed Americans to risk of mistreatment by other countries. "If Iran or North Korea wanted a blueprint for how to torture an American prisoner without upsetting the Bush administration, they would just need to read what our government is admiting," Malinowski said.
16 February, 2008
trust the Republicans
A report in 2006 by the Justice Department inspector general found more than 100 violations of federal wiretap laws.
In the warrantless wiretapping program approved by President Bush after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, officials at the National Security Agency on some occasions monitored communications entirely within the United States in apparent violation of the program’s protocols.
Past violations by the government have also included continuing a wiretap for days or weeks beyond what was authorized by a court, or seeking records beyond what were authorized.
How do we know what they do with all these documents when problems like these are numerous? Trust us, they say. Do you trust these Republicans to obey the law?
In the warrantless wiretapping program approved by President Bush after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, officials at the National Security Agency on some occasions monitored communications entirely within the United States in apparent violation of the program’s protocols.
Past violations by the government have also included continuing a wiretap for days or weeks beyond what was authorized by a court, or seeking records beyond what were authorized.
How do we know what they do with all these documents when problems like these are numerous? Trust us, they say. Do you trust these Republicans to obey the law?
thank you republican John McCain
The John McCain we fell in love with in 2000 -- the straight-shooting, let-the-chips-fall-where-they-may maverick -- is no more. Here is just a few of the many flip flops (say and do anything):
He's been replaced by a born-again Bushite willing to say or do anything to win the affection of his new-found object of desire, the radical right. For example, on tape we now hear McCain singing the praises of Karl Rove, calling him "one of the smartest political minds in America," and saying, "I'd be glad to get his advice."
The old John McCain once called Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and the like-minded religious bigots and agents of intolerance. The new John McCain now slavishly seeks their endorsement.
The old John McCain talked about trying to do something about global warming and encourage renewable energy. The new John McCain didn't show up for the vote on a bill that included tax incentives for clean energy, even though he was in DC. And then his staff misled environmentalists who called to protest by telling them that he had voted for it.
The new John McCain is now essentially running to give America a third Bush term -- and, indeed, will even out-Bush Bush when it comes to staying the disastrous course we're on in Iraq.
If you love George Bush, and all that he's brought you over the last seven years, you're gonna love John McCain.. If you think the problem with the United States right now is that we haven't given Bush enough time to finish his agenda, then John McCain is your man.
To think we voted for him, but that was when he was the old McCain. We didn't know he was such a flip-flopper. We are glad he has revealed his true self. Thank you John.
He's been replaced by a born-again Bushite willing to say or do anything to win the affection of his new-found object of desire, the radical right. For example, on tape we now hear McCain singing the praises of Karl Rove, calling him "one of the smartest political minds in America," and saying, "I'd be glad to get his advice."
The old John McCain once called Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and the like-minded religious bigots and agents of intolerance. The new John McCain now slavishly seeks their endorsement.
The old John McCain talked about trying to do something about global warming and encourage renewable energy. The new John McCain didn't show up for the vote on a bill that included tax incentives for clean energy, even though he was in DC. And then his staff misled environmentalists who called to protest by telling them that he had voted for it.
The new John McCain is now essentially running to give America a third Bush term -- and, indeed, will even out-Bush Bush when it comes to staying the disastrous course we're on in Iraq.
If you love George Bush, and all that he's brought you over the last seven years, you're gonna love John McCain.. If you think the problem with the United States right now is that we haven't given Bush enough time to finish his agenda, then John McCain is your man.
To think we voted for him, but that was when he was the old McCain. We didn't know he was such a flip-flopper. We are glad he has revealed his true self. Thank you John.
15 February, 2008
Infraguard Spy Ring to spy on US Society
The Surveillance-Industrial Complex: How the American Government Is Conscripting Businesses and Individuals in the Construction of a Surveillance Society. See http://www.infragard.net
The FBI has a new set of eyes and ears, and they're being told to protect their infrastructure at any cost. They can even kill without repercussion. Today, more than 23,000 representatives of private industry are working quietly with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.
The members of this rapidly growing group, called InfraGard, receive secret warnings of terrorist threats before the public does -- and, at least on one occasion, before elected officials.
In return, they provide information to the government, which alarms the ACLU. But there may be more to it than that.
One business executive, who showed his InfraGard card, said that they have permission to "shoot to kill" in the event of martial law. InfraGard is "a child of the FBI," says Michael Hershman, the chairman of the advisory board of the InfraGard National Members Alliance and CEO of the Fairfax Group, an international consulting firm.
In November 2001, InfraGard had around 1,700 members. As of late January, InfraGard had 23,682 members, according to its website, www.infragard.net, which adds that "350 of our nation's Fortune 500 have a representative in InfraGard."
The FBI has a new set of eyes and ears, and they're being told to protect their infrastructure at any cost. They can even kill without repercussion. Today, more than 23,000 representatives of private industry are working quietly with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.
The members of this rapidly growing group, called InfraGard, receive secret warnings of terrorist threats before the public does -- and, at least on one occasion, before elected officials.
In return, they provide information to the government, which alarms the ACLU. But there may be more to it than that.
One business executive, who showed his InfraGard card, said that they have permission to "shoot to kill" in the event of martial law. InfraGard is "a child of the FBI," says Michael Hershman, the chairman of the advisory board of the InfraGard National Members Alliance and CEO of the Fairfax Group, an international consulting firm.
In November 2001, InfraGard had around 1,700 members. As of late January, InfraGard had 23,682 members, according to its website, www.infragard.net, which adds that "350 of our nation's Fortune 500 have a representative in InfraGard."
14 February, 2008
another Republican ripoff
Retired U.S. Army Gen. Tommy Franks,a republican, who led the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, was paid $100,000 to endorse a veterans charity that watchdog groups say is ripping off donors and wounded veterans by using only a small portion of the money raised for veterans services, according to testimony in Congress today.
Franks has since disassociated himself from Chapin's charities and asked that his name be removed from the solicitation. . We understand he developed misgivings and asked that his name be taken off," Congressman Waxman said.
Franks has since disassociated himself from Chapin's charities and asked that his name be removed from the solicitation. . We understand he developed misgivings and asked that his name be taken off," Congressman Waxman said.
12 February, 2008
Ghosts of Abu Ghraib
Heard last evening: General Geoffrey Miller took torture techniques develped from Gitmo to Abu Ghraib. Later he was honored by the Pentagon. Sec. of Defense Rumsfeld and General Rick Sanchez were in charge.
Also, the CIA covered up at least one murder. Psychological torture is the most difficult from which to recover. A Lt. Col. Jordan was mentioned. Approvals for torture likely came all the way from the White House. In the long term, torturing others justifies others torturing us, not to mention it also separates us from allies we need in the real war on 9/11 terroists which were not even in Iraq when we invaded.
Also, the CIA covered up at least one murder. Psychological torture is the most difficult from which to recover. A Lt. Col. Jordan was mentioned. Approvals for torture likely came all the way from the White House. In the long term, torturing others justifies others torturing us, not to mention it also separates us from allies we need in the real war on 9/11 terroists which were not even in Iraq when we invaded.
11 February, 2008
McCain, the new Bush
In the News: McCain and his up to 100 year war is the new Bushie. He will be charged with continuing the Bush foreign and domestic policies that with finish ruining our country.
10 February, 2008
Reagan like current Republicans
Republicans are entitled to their opinions no matter how distorted. They are not entitled to lie about the facts IMHO. They continue to deify Ronald Regean all the while denouncing others that advoate much of what Reagan actually did.
Here are just a few examples:
1. He "cut and ran" (as they like to call it now, about getting out of a 100 year war on Iraq) when he scurried out of Lebanon when militants destroyed the Marine barracks,
2. He later sold weapons to the regime in Iran,
3. He doubled Federal spending during his presidency, and
4. He raised the annual federal deficit from $73 billion to $153 billion.
THOSE ARE THE FACTS. THE FACTS. THE FACTS.
You see he was much like the Current Republicans, say one thing to cover doing the opposite. Hypocrites all.
Here are just a few examples:
1. He "cut and ran" (as they like to call it now, about getting out of a 100 year war on Iraq) when he scurried out of Lebanon when militants destroyed the Marine barracks,
2. He later sold weapons to the regime in Iran,
3. He doubled Federal spending during his presidency, and
4. He raised the annual federal deficit from $73 billion to $153 billion.
THOSE ARE THE FACTS. THE FACTS. THE FACTS.
You see he was much like the Current Republicans, say one thing to cover doing the opposite. Hypocrites all.
09 February, 2008
republicans-- more phony talk, no action
President Bush drew great applause during his State of the Union address last month when he called on Congress to allow U.S. troops to transfer their unused education benefits to family members. "Our military families serve our nation, they inspire our nation, and tonight our nation honors them," he said.
A week later, however, when Bush submitted his $3.1 trillion federal budget to Congress, he included no funding for such an initiative, which government analysts calculate could cost $1 billion to $2 billion annually.
A week later, however, when Bush submitted his $3.1 trillion federal budget to Congress, he included no funding for such an initiative, which government analysts calculate could cost $1 billion to $2 billion annually.
unity is unhealthy for freedom
Would it have been possible to design a government that fostered unity? That dream could indeed have been achieved, Madison explained, by summarily outlawing factions, but the cost would have been freedom itself. "Liberty is to faction," he wrote, "what air is to fire. . . . But it could not be less folly to abolish liberty, which is essential to political life, because it nourishes faction, than it would be to wish the annihilation of air."
What Obama and others, captivated by the notion of unity, could reasonably promise is not national unity but simply unity within the Democratic Party or within the Republican Party. For Republicans and Democrats do not and should not agree. Different, competing visions of the public good are the lifeblood of a dynamic and open democracy. They strengthen our democracy, engage citizens in meaningful political debate and keep us awake.
When tumult is absent, when everyone in a state is tranquil, Machiavelli wrote, "we can be sure that it is not a republic." Out of unity, Obama believes, change will somehow emerge. But only insignificant or incremental changes can come out of the compromises that are reached through consensus. Transformational change, on the other hand, is the product of conflict and polarization.
It may be comforting to believe that consensus and unity are somehow healthier, more noble, less disruptive and destructive than sharp partisan battles. But it is the rough-and-tumble game of adversarial politics that preserves our freedom. Three cheers for disunity!
What Obama and others, captivated by the notion of unity, could reasonably promise is not national unity but simply unity within the Democratic Party or within the Republican Party. For Republicans and Democrats do not and should not agree. Different, competing visions of the public good are the lifeblood of a dynamic and open democracy. They strengthen our democracy, engage citizens in meaningful political debate and keep us awake.
When tumult is absent, when everyone in a state is tranquil, Machiavelli wrote, "we can be sure that it is not a republic." Out of unity, Obama believes, change will somehow emerge. But only insignificant or incremental changes can come out of the compromises that are reached through consensus. Transformational change, on the other hand, is the product of conflict and polarization.
It may be comforting to believe that consensus and unity are somehow healthier, more noble, less disruptive and destructive than sharp partisan battles. But it is the rough-and-tumble game of adversarial politics that preserves our freedom. Three cheers for disunity!
08 February, 2008
republicans are victims of own propoganda
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Friday that many Europeans were confused about NATO’s security mission in Afghanistan, and that they did not support the alliance effort because they opposed the American-led invasion of Iraq.
“I worry that for many Europeans the missions in Iraq and Afghanistan are confused,” Mr. Gates said as he flew here to deliver an address at an international security conference.
Well why not. These Republicans have been claiming here at home that making war on Iraq is the same war as the war in Afghanistan which it is not and never has been.
“I worry that for many Europeans the missions in Iraq and Afghanistan are confused,” Mr. Gates said as he flew here to deliver an address at an international security conference.
Well why not. These Republicans have been claiming here at home that making war on Iraq is the same war as the war in Afghanistan which it is not and never has been.
05 February, 2008
John Mc Who
John Mc Cain--McBush will be the same old political game, just more of the same, another Bushie.
04 February, 2008
more republican scandals
Housing Secretary Alphonso Jackson demanded that the Philadelphia Housing Authority transfer a $2 million public property to a developer at a substantial discount, then retaliated against the housing authority when it refused to do so, a recent court filing alleges.
The developer, Kenny Gamble, spoke about self-reliance at the Republican National Convention. He and his company have donated regularly to the state's GOP senator, Arlen Specter, records show.
The developer, Kenny Gamble, spoke about self-reliance at the Republican National Convention. He and his company have donated regularly to the state's GOP senator, Arlen Specter, records show.
03 February, 2008
Fox-organ of the Republican Party
REad today:
A) CNN's resurgence as the go-to cable destination for election coverage.
B) The incredible shrinking candidacy of Fox News' favored son, Rudy Giuliani.
C) The still-standing candidacy of Fox News nemesis and well-funded, anti-war GOP candidate Rep. Ron Paul.
D) The Democratic candidates' blanket refusal to debate on Fox News during the primary season.
E) Host Bill O'Reilly being so desperate for an interview from a Democratic contender that he had to schlep all the way to New Hampshire, where he shoved an aide to Sen. Barack Obama and then had to be calmed down by Secret Service agents.
F) Former Fox News architect and Ailes confidante Dan Cooper posting chapters from his a wildly unflattering tell-all book about his old boss. ("The best thing that ever happened to Roger Ailes was 9/11.")
G) The fledgling Fox Business Network, whose anemic ratings are in danger of being surpassed by some large city public access channels.
H) Host John Gibson's recent heartless attacks on actor Heath Ledger, just hours after the young actor was found dead.
I) Fox News reporter Major Garrett botching his "exclusive" that Paul Begala and James Carville were going to join Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign
Fox News is nothing more than a Republican mouthpiece and Democrats need not engage with the News Corp. giant. From losing the election ratings race to CNN, to watching its favored son Rudy Giuliani fizzle in the primaries, Fox News is in for a bad year.
After all, Sean Hannity served as Fox News' official ambassador to the Giuliani campaign; a campaign that Ailes and Fox News were hoping to ride back into the White House. Yet despite showering Giuliani with all kinds of laudatory coverage, both Hannity and Ailes have been powerless.
Don't even mention Ron Paul's name to the folks at Fox News, who have stepped outside their role as journalists to try to kneecap the anti-war GOP candidate.
The most blatant slap came right before the New Hampshire primary, when Fox News refused to include Paul in a televised GOP debate, despite the fact that just days earlier Paul grabbed 10 percent of the vote in the Iowa caucus, nearly doubling the tally Giuliani posted.
Paul's Republican supporters became so incensed by the snub that they literally chased Sean Hannity through the New Hampshire night chanting "Fox News sucks!" and captured the scene in a homemade clip that really has to be seen to be believed.
To recap New Hampshire for Fox News: Hannity was pursued by a Republican mob, O'Reilly got into a shoving match with an Obama aide, and CNN grabbed more viewers. Now that's a week to remember!
A) CNN's resurgence as the go-to cable destination for election coverage.
B) The incredible shrinking candidacy of Fox News' favored son, Rudy Giuliani.
C) The still-standing candidacy of Fox News nemesis and well-funded, anti-war GOP candidate Rep. Ron Paul.
D) The Democratic candidates' blanket refusal to debate on Fox News during the primary season.
E) Host Bill O'Reilly being so desperate for an interview from a Democratic contender that he had to schlep all the way to New Hampshire, where he shoved an aide to Sen. Barack Obama and then had to be calmed down by Secret Service agents.
F) Former Fox News architect and Ailes confidante Dan Cooper posting chapters from his a wildly unflattering tell-all book about his old boss. ("The best thing that ever happened to Roger Ailes was 9/11.")
G) The fledgling Fox Business Network, whose anemic ratings are in danger of being surpassed by some large city public access channels.
H) Host John Gibson's recent heartless attacks on actor Heath Ledger, just hours after the young actor was found dead.
I) Fox News reporter Major Garrett botching his "exclusive" that Paul Begala and James Carville were going to join Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign
Fox News is nothing more than a Republican mouthpiece and Democrats need not engage with the News Corp. giant. From losing the election ratings race to CNN, to watching its favored son Rudy Giuliani fizzle in the primaries, Fox News is in for a bad year.
After all, Sean Hannity served as Fox News' official ambassador to the Giuliani campaign; a campaign that Ailes and Fox News were hoping to ride back into the White House. Yet despite showering Giuliani with all kinds of laudatory coverage, both Hannity and Ailes have been powerless.
Don't even mention Ron Paul's name to the folks at Fox News, who have stepped outside their role as journalists to try to kneecap the anti-war GOP candidate.
The most blatant slap came right before the New Hampshire primary, when Fox News refused to include Paul in a televised GOP debate, despite the fact that just days earlier Paul grabbed 10 percent of the vote in the Iowa caucus, nearly doubling the tally Giuliani posted.
Paul's Republican supporters became so incensed by the snub that they literally chased Sean Hannity through the New Hampshire night chanting "Fox News sucks!" and captured the scene in a homemade clip that really has to be seen to be believed.
To recap New Hampshire for Fox News: Hannity was pursued by a Republican mob, O'Reilly got into a shoving match with an Obama aide, and CNN grabbed more viewers. Now that's a week to remember!
02 February, 2008
Republicans not for workers
The manufacturing sector -- a sign of national economic might -- has lost 269,000 jobs over the past 12 months, and 28,000 jobs in January alone. Manufacturing employment now accounts for less than 10 percent of the job market for the first time since data began being collected in the 1930s.
The economic storm clouds burst open yesterday with news that the economy shed 17,000 jobs in January, and the clearest sign yet that the economy may be in a recession.
This isn't a random event. This is the culmination of a bunch of disturbing trends we've seen in seven years. Stagnant incomes, rising costs in energy and food, and little to no personal savings have left families with no margin of error.
The economic storm clouds burst open yesterday with news that the economy shed 17,000 jobs in January, and the clearest sign yet that the economy may be in a recession.
This isn't a random event. This is the culmination of a bunch of disturbing trends we've seen in seven years. Stagnant incomes, rising costs in energy and food, and little to no personal savings have left families with no margin of error.
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