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.
16 October, 2005
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.
30 September, 2005
propagandizing us with our money
.
GAO investigators said records uncovered during the probe show that Williams, a prominent black conservative, actively promoted the No Child Left Behind law, often without revealing that he was under contract to the Education Department to do so.
U.S. Education Department spokeswoman Susan Aspey on Friday offered no defense of the $240,000 Williams contract.
Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., one of two lawmakers who requested the probe, described Friday's report as "another sign of the culture of corruption that pervades the White House and Republican leadership."
"Rather than spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on producing Republican propaganda, the administration should return those funds and live up to the promises they made to America's students and teachers."
"Appropriated funds are not available to evaluate the Republican Party's (or any other political party's) commitment to education," said Anthony Gamboa, GAO's general counsel, "and the department should take appropriate steps to ensure that no such use of its appropriations occurs in the future.
Another internal probe, issued four weeks ago, found that education advocacy organizations had received grants totaling nearly $4.7 million to promote Bush administration education priorities in newspaper columns and brochures without disclosing that they received taxpayer funds, as required by law.
It just keeps getting better and better.
GAO investigators said records uncovered during the probe show that Williams, a prominent black conservative, actively promoted the No Child Left Behind law, often without revealing that he was under contract to the Education Department to do so.
U.S. Education Department spokeswoman Susan Aspey on Friday offered no defense of the $240,000 Williams contract.
Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., one of two lawmakers who requested the probe, described Friday's report as "another sign of the culture of corruption that pervades the White House and Republican leadership."
"Rather than spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on producing Republican propaganda, the administration should return those funds and live up to the promises they made to America's students and teachers."
"Appropriated funds are not available to evaluate the Republican Party's (or any other political party's) commitment to education," said Anthony Gamboa, GAO's general counsel, "and the department should take appropriate steps to ensure that no such use of its appropriations occurs in the future.
Another internal probe, issued four weeks ago, found that education advocacy organizations had received grants totaling nearly $4.7 million to promote Bush administration education priorities in newspaper columns and brochures without disclosing that they received taxpayer funds, as required by law.
It just keeps getting better and better.
they lied and poeple died
New York Times reporter Judith Miller appeared for testimony before a federal grand jury Friday, throwing a spotlight once again on the White House role in the leak of a covert CIA officer's identity
Miller went to the grand jury area Thursday morning accompanied by her attorney Robert Bennett and others, including colleagues from the Times.
Until a few months ago, the White House maintained for nearly two years that Libby and presidential aide Karl Rove were not involved in leaking the identity of Valerie Plame, whose husband had publicly suggested that the Bush administration twisted intelligence in the runup to the war in Iraq.
The timing of the criticism by former Ambassador Joseph Wilson was devastating for the White House, which was already on the defensive because no weapons of mass destruction had been found in Iraq. The president's claims of such weapons were the main justification for going to war.
They lied and people died, and are still dying. (not their sons and daughters)
Miller went to the grand jury area Thursday morning accompanied by her attorney Robert Bennett and others, including colleagues from the Times.
Until a few months ago, the White House maintained for nearly two years that Libby and presidential aide Karl Rove were not involved in leaking the identity of Valerie Plame, whose husband had publicly suggested that the Bush administration twisted intelligence in the runup to the war in Iraq.
The timing of the criticism by former Ambassador Joseph Wilson was devastating for the White House, which was already on the defensive because no weapons of mass destruction had been found in Iraq. The president's claims of such weapons were the main justification for going to war.
They lied and people died, and are still dying. (not their sons and daughters)
and it continues
read today (and it continues)
His name first surfaced when, as Deputy White House Counsel, he defended the use of torture techniques such as "waterboarding." Immediately thereafter, Timothy Flanigan went on to work for Tyco International and supervise now-indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff's efforts to help corporations scuttle legislation that would have penalized them for relocating offshore to avoid taxes.
Now, President Bush wants to put Flanigan in Deputy Attorney General position at the Department of Justice. In an amazing display of "fox guarding the henhouse" syndrome, this President proposes to give the nation's number two law enforcement position to a man who condoned torture, and recently hired and supervised a scandal-ridden, indicted lobbyist. It's not about the middle class working man.
His name first surfaced when, as Deputy White House Counsel, he defended the use of torture techniques such as "waterboarding." Immediately thereafter, Timothy Flanigan went on to work for Tyco International and supervise now-indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff's efforts to help corporations scuttle legislation that would have penalized them for relocating offshore to avoid taxes.
Now, President Bush wants to put Flanigan in Deputy Attorney General position at the Department of Justice. In an amazing display of "fox guarding the henhouse" syndrome, this President proposes to give the nation's number two law enforcement position to a man who condoned torture, and recently hired and supervised a scandal-ridden, indicted lobbyist. It's not about the middle class working man.
29 September, 2005
freedom of the press???
After nearly three months in jail, New York Times reporter Judith Miller was released Thursday after agreeing to testify in the investigation into the disclosure of the identity of a covert CIA officer, the Times announced Thursday.
Judith Miller will appear before a grand jury Friday in the government's CIA leak probe.
Miller left the federal detention center in Alexandria, Va., after reaching an agreement with Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald. She will appear before a grand jury investigation of the case Friday morning.
The Times, which supported her contention that her source should be protected, reported late Thursday that her source was Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby.
"As we have throughout this ordeal, we continue to support Judy Miller in the decision she has made," said Times publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr. "We are very pleased that she has finally received a direct and uncoerced waiver, both by phone and in writing, releasing her from any claim of confidentiality and enabling her to testify."
Miller has been in custody since July 6. A federal judge ordered her jailed when she refused to testify before the grand jury investigating the alleged leak of CIA officer Valerie Plame's name by White House officials.
They made her stay in jail all this time. That's the kind of government we have.
Know them not by what they say, but by what they do.
Judith Miller will appear before a grand jury Friday in the government's CIA leak probe.
Miller left the federal detention center in Alexandria, Va., after reaching an agreement with Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald. She will appear before a grand jury investigation of the case Friday morning.
The Times, which supported her contention that her source should be protected, reported late Thursday that her source was Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby.
"As we have throughout this ordeal, we continue to support Judy Miller in the decision she has made," said Times publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr. "We are very pleased that she has finally received a direct and uncoerced waiver, both by phone and in writing, releasing her from any claim of confidentiality and enabling her to testify."
Miller has been in custody since July 6. A federal judge ordered her jailed when she refused to testify before the grand jury investigating the alleged leak of CIA officer Valerie Plame's name by White House officials.
They made her stay in jail all this time. That's the kind of government we have.
Know them not by what they say, but by what they do.
I can't
read today:
The Ramadi blast brought to 1,934 the number of U.S. service members who have died since Iraq's war started in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. More than 140 people — including 13 U.S. service members — have been killed in the past four days.
Military deaths are reported but are they accurate and how many have been wounded? Also, why don't we read about the United States highly paid Mercenaries, so-called "Contractors", that have been killed and/or wounded?
Can you answer those two questions. I can't and I read almost everything, daily. I wonder why?
The Ramadi blast brought to 1,934 the number of U.S. service members who have died since Iraq's war started in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. More than 140 people — including 13 U.S. service members — have been killed in the past four days.
Military deaths are reported but are they accurate and how many have been wounded? Also, why don't we read about the United States highly paid Mercenaries, so-called "Contractors", that have been killed and/or wounded?
Can you answer those two questions. I can't and I read almost everything, daily. I wonder why?
progress?
The number of Iraqi battalions capable of combat without U.S. support has dropped from three to one, the top American commander in Iraq told Congress Thursday, prompting Republicans to question whether U.S. troops will be able to withdraw next year.
Gen. George Casey, softening his previous comments that a "fairly substantial" pull out could begin next spring and summer, told lawmakers that troops could begin coming home from Iraq next year depending on conditions during and after the upcoming elections there.
"The next 75 days are going to be critical for what happens," Casey told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The Bush administration says training Iraqi security forces to defend their own country is the key to bringing home U.S. troops. But Republicans pressed Casey on whether the United States was backsliding in its efforts to train Iraqis.
In June, the Pentagon told lawmakers that three Iraqi battalions were fully trained, equipped and capable of operating independently. On Thursday, Casey said only one battalion is ready.
"It doesn't feel like progress," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.
Gen. George Casey, softening his previous comments that a "fairly substantial" pull out could begin next spring and summer, told lawmakers that troops could begin coming home from Iraq next year depending on conditions during and after the upcoming elections there.
"The next 75 days are going to be critical for what happens," Casey told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The Bush administration says training Iraqi security forces to defend their own country is the key to bringing home U.S. troops. But Republicans pressed Casey on whether the United States was backsliding in its efforts to train Iraqis.
In June, the Pentagon told lawmakers that three Iraqi battalions were fully trained, equipped and capable of operating independently. On Thursday, Casey said only one battalion is ready.
"It doesn't feel like progress," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.
28 September, 2005
taking responsibility
Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government," Bush said at joint White House news conference with the President of Iraq.
"To the extent the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility," Bush said.
That is not taking responsibility. The first sentence is a feeble attempt at spreading the blame. The second is minimizing the problem and his inaction and response to it. I must admit it is carefully crafted by the spin miesters.
If he had said, " I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DELAYS THAT CAUSED ADDITIONAL LOSS OF LIFE AND SUFFERING " Now THAT would have been taking responsibility .
"To the extent the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility," Bush said.
That is not taking responsibility. The first sentence is a feeble attempt at spreading the blame. The second is minimizing the problem and his inaction and response to it. I must admit it is carefully crafted by the spin miesters.
If he had said, " I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DELAYS THAT CAUSED ADDITIONAL LOSS OF LIFE AND SUFFERING " Now THAT would have been taking responsibility .
Chip the prophet
The below was blogged by "Chip" on Septermber12 and was as accurate as if it was written after-the-fact. Kudos to Jami as a prophet:
WAPO is reporting that FEMA director Michael Brown is in fact, resigning. On the surface this looks like a good thing, because tons of people have been calling for him to go.
I'm sure he didn't quit because he wanted to - surely the Bush administration asked him to fall on his sword to save their plummeting approval ratings. So I figured this was probably going to happen about 2 days ago.
Two days ago I was talking to my sister, I told her that if Brown was fired or quit, it would give the Bush administration the ability to use him as a scapegoat for everything that went wrong on the federal level and not take any further post-katrina action.
So now that Brown is gone, expect Bush to dig his heels in the sand and say "I did what I needed to, what else do you want?".
WAPO is reporting that FEMA director Michael Brown is in fact, resigning. On the surface this looks like a good thing, because tons of people have been calling for him to go.
I'm sure he didn't quit because he wanted to - surely the Bush administration asked him to fall on his sword to save their plummeting approval ratings. So I figured this was probably going to happen about 2 days ago.
Two days ago I was talking to my sister, I told her that if Brown was fired or quit, it would give the Bush administration the ability to use him as a scapegoat for everything that went wrong on the federal level and not take any further post-katrina action.
So now that Brown is gone, expect Bush to dig his heels in the sand and say "I did what I needed to, what else do you want?".
the good soldier
I read this today, "I thought I would blurb about Michael Brown's 15 minutes of fame. He gave testimony to a house investigative panel and blamed everyone but himself."
That comment is not exactly true, in my opinion. I watched him, arrogant, cocky and self-serving., just like you-know-who. He is forever, the good soldier, taking the rap for the big boss, letting the real bad guy off the hook.
That comment is not exactly true, in my opinion. I watched him, arrogant, cocky and self-serving., just like you-know-who. He is forever, the good soldier, taking the rap for the big boss, letting the real bad guy off the hook.
the moral majority
The criminal indictment of Majority Leader Tom Delay is the latest example that Republicans in Congress are plagued by a culture of corruption at the expense of the American people," said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
As a sign of loyalty to DeLay after the grand jury returned indictments against three of his associates, House Republicans last November repealed a rule requiring any of their leaders to step aside if indicted. The rule was reinstituted in January after lawmakers returned to Washington from the holidays fearing the repeal might create a backlash from voters.
DeLay is the center of an ethics swirl in Washington. The 11-term congressman was admonished last year by the House ethics committee on three separate issues and is the center of a political storm this year over lobbyists paying his and other lawmakers' tabs for expensive travel abroad.
As a sign of loyalty to DeLay after the grand jury returned indictments against three of his associates, House Republicans last November repealed a rule requiring any of their leaders to step aside if indicted. The rule was reinstituted in January after lawmakers returned to Washington from the holidays fearing the repeal might create a backlash from voters.
DeLay is the center of an ethics swirl in Washington. The 11-term congressman was admonished last year by the House ethics committee on three separate issues and is the center of a political storm this year over lobbyists paying his and other lawmakers' tabs for expensive travel abroad.
27 September, 2005
Who are the Chickenhawks?
Chickenhawk n. A person enthusiastic about war, provided someone else fights it; particularly when that enthusiasm is undimmed by personal experience with war; most emphatically when that lack of experience came in spite of ample opportunity in that person’s youth.
CHECK OUT THE BELOW LINKS FOR WHO THEY ARE AND TO READ ABOUT THEM:
http://www.nhgazette.com/news/chickenhawks/propaganda_platoon/
http://www.nhgazette.com/news/chickenhawks/politicans_platoon/
http://www.nhgazette.com/news/chickenhawks/chaplain_corps/
CHECK OUT THE BELOW LINKS FOR WHO THEY ARE AND TO READ ABOUT THEM:
http://www.nhgazette.com/news/chickenhawks/propaganda_platoon/
http://www.nhgazette.com/news/chickenhawks/politicans_platoon/
http://www.nhgazette.com/news/chickenhawks/chaplain_corps/
25 September, 2005
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the soldier
read today:
To those who care:
It's the Soldier, not the President,
who has given us the freedom of the press.
It's the Soldier, not the President
who has given us the freedom of speech.
It's the Soldier, not the President,
that ensures our right to
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
It's the Soldier who salutes the flag,
who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag.
Support the soldier,
oppose the President's mistakes.
To those who care:
It's the Soldier, not the President,
who has given us the freedom of the press.
It's the Soldier, not the President
who has given us the freedom of speech.
It's the Soldier, not the President,
that ensures our right to
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
It's the Soldier who salutes the flag,
who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag.
Support the soldier,
oppose the President's mistakes.
24 September, 2005
the "buck"
Time's September 26 issue has an article by Joe Klein entitled, Saddam's Revenge" that details this administration's history of US mistakes, misjudgments and intelligence failures that led to the insurgency now ripping Iraq apart.
A wrong focus, misjudging the enemy, mishandling the tribes, deal making that went nowhere, a starting over again, continuing leadership changing, and a proposed constitution that the intelligence community and Iraq experts believe will enhance the chances for an outright civil war. Details are furnished by those who have retired and were involved who now feel free to talk .
"We have never taken this operation seriously enough," says a retired senior military official with experience in Iraq. We have never provided enough troops, enough equipment, or the right kind of equipment. We have never worked the intelligence part of the war in a serious, sustained fashion. We have failed the Iraqi people and our own troops." Well, my question is: Where does the buck stop??
A wrong focus, misjudging the enemy, mishandling the tribes, deal making that went nowhere, a starting over again, continuing leadership changing, and a proposed constitution that the intelligence community and Iraq experts believe will enhance the chances for an outright civil war. Details are furnished by those who have retired and were involved who now feel free to talk .
"We have never taken this operation seriously enough," says a retired senior military official with experience in Iraq. We have never provided enough troops, enough equipment, or the right kind of equipment. We have never worked the intelligence part of the war in a serious, sustained fashion. We have failed the Iraqi people and our own troops." Well, my question is: Where does the buck stop??
which party?
"Northern New Mexico depends on the Rio Grande and the Colorado River for our water supply, and both of these rivers are fed by snow melting in the upper reaches of the river basins," Adriana Blake, marketing manager for Taos Ski Valley, said in a statement issued by the groups. "Warmer winters and less snow means that we'll have even less water available."
The report also said more intense, frequent and longer-lasting droughts are possible.
Studies of California have predicted a significant difference in temperature and lost snowpack due to global warming. Which party doesn't believe in global warming?
The report also said more intense, frequent and longer-lasting droughts are possible.
Studies of California have predicted a significant difference in temperature and lost snowpack due to global warming. Which party doesn't believe in global warming?
20 September, 2005
no child left behind
You may not know it, but under a little known provision of No Child Left Behind, public high schools must hand over personal information about students -- including minors -- to local military recruiters, or risk losing federal education funding.
I think it's a real invasion of family privacy and local school control. The good news is that I just found some great information and a useful online tool that makes it easy to "opt out" our children from these lists.
Just go to :
http:/ /www.leavemychildalone.org/friend
You can also help change the law that lets military recruiters prey on our minor children without parents' explicit permission. Hope you find it useful!
And tell other people you know about LeaveMyChildAlone.org
I think it's a real invasion of family privacy and local school control. The good news is that I just found some great information and a useful online tool that makes it easy to "opt out" our children from these lists.
Just go to :
http:/ /www.leavemychildalone.org/friend
You can also help change the law that lets military recruiters prey on our minor children without parents' explicit permission. Hope you find it useful!
And tell other people you know about LeaveMyChildAlone.org
19 September, 2005
no gravitas on the face
I am truly saddened that we Americans seem to be under growing threats in ways that are, to me, directly or at least indirectly attributable to the decisions and actions of the heedless, arrogant people charged to run the USA in their interests.
He can't even fake it. "there was no humanity in the eyes, no gravitas on the face, only cockiness and the only emotion he can muster is defensiveness. "
"When he finally cut his five weeks vacation short, and went to the Gulf it was too late. The country and the world had already seen that the superpower's leader 'lacks leadership'".
I wish the best in handling this situation, and my thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved, the suffering and those working for good.
He can't even fake it. "there was no humanity in the eyes, no gravitas on the face, only cockiness and the only emotion he can muster is defensiveness. "
"When he finally cut his five weeks vacation short, and went to the Gulf it was too late. The country and the world had already seen that the superpower's leader 'lacks leadership'".
I wish the best in handling this situation, and my thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved, the suffering and those working for good.
example for the world
The tough talk and the over use of military power are finally seen as no substitute for true leadership. The national shame makes one think, " Is it moral to spend hundreds of millions to wage war in Iraq and give billions to dictators overseas when America can't even protect its own citizens?
Why did it happen. Maybe it's because America doesn't value community. An everyman for himself culture can destroy the system.
The rich and the white are saved while the poor and black are left behind. Others see a super power that is impotant and that doesn't care when corpses can float in the streets for five days, not an example for the rest of the world to follow.
Why did it happen. Maybe it's because America doesn't value community. An everyman for himself culture can destroy the system.
The rich and the white are saved while the poor and black are left behind. Others see a super power that is impotant and that doesn't care when corpses can float in the streets for five days, not an example for the rest of the world to follow.
18 September, 2005
believe it
I can't believe it. I read where Republican Operatives, who control the Republican agenda and control what the Republican rank and file should think, STILL want to push for cuts in programs for working people and at the same time, push through tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans.
( The Republican Agenda= GIVE THE MOST TO THOSE WHO HAVE THE MOST.)
I guess they are trying to get it all while they can.
( The Republican Agenda= GIVE THE MOST TO THOSE WHO HAVE THE MOST.)
I guess they are trying to get it all while they can.
all about vision
We have done it before; we can do it again. But this time the vision is not coming from the Republicans in the White House, so it has to come from the people. It has to come from you.
In response to the Great Depression, FDR and Democrats created new opportunities for men and women to work through his alphabet soup of new agencies like the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Today, we've got plenty of government agencies, but we need to adopt the same simple idea as Roosevelt and the Democrats did, back then.
That's why I want to reject the Republicans' failed philosophy of taking care of wealthy insiders at the expense of everyone else.
I propose this New America initiative dedicated to creating good-paying jobs for Katrina's victims so they can get back on their feet, get the skills they need, and rebuild New Orleans.
In response to the Great Depression, FDR and Democrats created new opportunities for men and women to work through his alphabet soup of new agencies like the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Today, we've got plenty of government agencies, but we need to adopt the same simple idea as Roosevelt and the Democrats did, back then.
That's why I want to reject the Republicans' failed philosophy of taking care of wealthy insiders at the expense of everyone else.
I propose this New America initiative dedicated to creating good-paying jobs for Katrina's victims so they can get back on their feet, get the skills they need, and rebuild New Orleans.
17 September, 2005
how safer?
Since September 11th, we have been told repeatedly by the president that America is safer. That message—that he would protect America—is the central reason why he won re-election. Those claims turned out to be false.
And the blame game began, first to blame state and local authorities and now “media bias” in favor of black people.
What did I learn from the “media”? I learned that regardless of all the money that is spent on the FEMA and Homeland Security Departments, your and my country was and still is not prepared for disasters mainly due to Lack of Command and Experience in those two agencies.
I also learned about boosted resumes and unqualified friends being appointed since 2000 and saw them being praised as "doing a hell of a job" How sad.
And the blame game began, first to blame state and local authorities and now “media bias” in favor of black people.
What did I learn from the “media”? I learned that regardless of all the money that is spent on the FEMA and Homeland Security Departments, your and my country was and still is not prepared for disasters mainly due to Lack of Command and Experience in those two agencies.
I also learned about boosted resumes and unqualified friends being appointed since 2000 and saw them being praised as "doing a hell of a job" How sad.
16 September, 2005
which party?
-Continued warming of the ocean will spur high hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this season and increase the probability of a storm moving inland, forecasters said .
An updated forecast by William Gray and his team at Colorado State University, released a day before the official start of hurricane season, predicts 15 named storms, with eight of those becoming hurricanes. Four of the hurricanes are expected to be intense, with sustained winds of 111 mph or greater.
THIS WAS REPORTED ON 5/31/05 AND THE FEDS WERE NOT PREPARED DUE TO LACK OF COMMAND.
Which party controls all branches of the federal government??? AND, which party does not believe in global warning?????.
An updated forecast by William Gray and his team at Colorado State University, released a day before the official start of hurricane season, predicts 15 named storms, with eight of those becoming hurricanes. Four of the hurricanes are expected to be intense, with sustained winds of 111 mph or greater.
THIS WAS REPORTED ON 5/31/05 AND THE FEDS WERE NOT PREPARED DUE TO LACK OF COMMAND.
Which party controls all branches of the federal government??? AND, which party does not believe in global warning?????.
those republicans
recently read:
There’s been confusion over the word "IRONY" ever since Alanis Morissette came out with that song. So let’s try to rectify the true definition of the word with a clear example…. What do you get when a you take a conservative Republican who voted against gay rights, gay marriage, and AIDS education and you discover that he f....s young men he meets in gay chat rooms?
You get IRONY—glorious, much-deserved IRONY. And you get the demise of one of Washington State liberals’ most detested Republicans.For those who don’t live in Washington, Spokane Mayor, Jim West, is a fire-breathing a......e and prominent Republican.
A former state senator and State Senate Majority Leader, West is also a Capricorn who enjoys family values and gay-sodomy in parked cars. As a former Sheriff's deputy and Boy Scout troop leader it likely comes as no surprise he’s been accused of pedophilia in the past. What's worse then being a homophobic hypocrite? A child-molester. Aah, those republicans.
There’s been confusion over the word "IRONY" ever since Alanis Morissette came out with that song. So let’s try to rectify the true definition of the word with a clear example…. What do you get when a you take a conservative Republican who voted against gay rights, gay marriage, and AIDS education and you discover that he f....s young men he meets in gay chat rooms?
You get IRONY—glorious, much-deserved IRONY. And you get the demise of one of Washington State liberals’ most detested Republicans.For those who don’t live in Washington, Spokane Mayor, Jim West, is a fire-breathing a......e and prominent Republican.
A former state senator and State Senate Majority Leader, West is also a Capricorn who enjoys family values and gay-sodomy in parked cars. As a former Sheriff's deputy and Boy Scout troop leader it likely comes as no surprise he’s been accused of pedophilia in the past. What's worse then being a homophobic hypocrite? A child-molester. Aah, those republicans.
living will
The Living Will
I, ________________(fill in blank), being of sound mind and body, do not wish to be kept alive indefinitely by artificial means. Under no circumstances should my fate be put in the hands of peckerwood ethically challenged politicians who couldn't pass ninth-grade biology if their lives depended on it
If a reasonable amount of time passes and I fail to sit up and ask for a _______ ( cold beer, Margarita, Bloody Mary, Martini, Rum & Coke, shot of Wild Turkey, or whatever) it should be presumed that I won't ever get better. When such a determination is reached, I hereby instruct my spouse, children and attending physicians to pull the plug, reel in the tubes, and call it a day.
Under no circumstances shall the hypocritical members of the Legislature (State or Federal) enact a special law to keep me on life-support machinery. It is my wish that these boneheads mind their own business, and pay attention instead to the health, education and future of the millions of Americans who aren't in a permanent coma.
Under no circumstances shall any politicians butt into this case. I don't care how many fundamentalist votes they're trying to scrounge for their run for the presidency, it is my wish that they play politics with someone else's life and leave me alone to die in peace.
I couldn't care less if a hundred religious zealots send e-mails to legislators in which they pretend to care about me. I don't know them, and I certainly haven't authorized them to preach and crusade on my behalf.
They should mind their own damn business. If any of my family goes against my wishes and turns my case into a political cause, I hereby promise to come back from the grave and make his or her existence a living hell. _______________________________________ Signature DATE__________
_______________________________________ Witness DATE__________
I, ________________(fill in blank), being of sound mind and body, do not wish to be kept alive indefinitely by artificial means. Under no circumstances should my fate be put in the hands of peckerwood ethically challenged politicians who couldn't pass ninth-grade biology if their lives depended on it
If a reasonable amount of time passes and I fail to sit up and ask for a _______ ( cold beer, Margarita, Bloody Mary, Martini, Rum & Coke, shot of Wild Turkey, or whatever) it should be presumed that I won't ever get better. When such a determination is reached, I hereby instruct my spouse, children and attending physicians to pull the plug, reel in the tubes, and call it a day.
Under no circumstances shall the hypocritical members of the Legislature (State or Federal) enact a special law to keep me on life-support machinery. It is my wish that these boneheads mind their own business, and pay attention instead to the health, education and future of the millions of Americans who aren't in a permanent coma.
Under no circumstances shall any politicians butt into this case. I don't care how many fundamentalist votes they're trying to scrounge for their run for the presidency, it is my wish that they play politics with someone else's life and leave me alone to die in peace.
I couldn't care less if a hundred religious zealots send e-mails to legislators in which they pretend to care about me. I don't know them, and I certainly haven't authorized them to preach and crusade on my behalf.
They should mind their own damn business. If any of my family goes against my wishes and turns my case into a political cause, I hereby promise to come back from the grave and make his or her existence a living hell. _______________________________________ Signature DATE__________
_______________________________________ Witness DATE__________
15 September, 2005
good news
Roberts said he did not subscribe to a "cramped" view of constitutional liberty, which he said he sees as "a living thing." He said the framers of the Constitution thought they were enshrining broad principles that could be applied to issues that arise in an evolving society.
That's a distinction from the views of the two most conservative justices, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. They generally view the Constitution as a more rigid document. Scalia has criticized the court for using a fluid view of the law, which he says has led to confusing rulings on abortion and other issues.
That's a distinction from the views of the two most conservative justices, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. They generally view the Constitution as a more rigid document. Scalia has criticized the court for using a fluid view of the law, which he says has led to confusing rulings on abortion and other issues.
14 September, 2005
are you surprised?
Senate Republicans on Wednesday scuttled an attempt by Sen. Hillary Clinton to establish an independent, bipartisan panel patterned after the 9/11 Commission to investigate what went wrong with federal, state and local governments' response to Hurricane Katrina.
The New York Democrat's bid to establish the panel — which would have also made recommendations on how to improve the government's disaster response apparatus — failed to win the two-thirds majority needed to overcome procedural hurdles.
Clinton got only 44 votes, all from Democrats and independent Sen. Jim Jeffords of Vermont. Fifty-four Republicans all voted no
The New York Democrat's bid to establish the panel — which would have also made recommendations on how to improve the government's disaster response apparatus — failed to win the two-thirds majority needed to overcome procedural hurdles.
Clinton got only 44 votes, all from Democrats and independent Sen. Jim Jeffords of Vermont. Fifty-four Republicans all voted no
would we allow it here?
The specific procedures in the Iraq proposed Constitution for uniting provinces into larger regions are left to be defined by an act of the legislature in its first session. But the constitution encourages provinces to merge themselves into such regions by offering guarantees of greater constitutional autonomy to merged regional governments.
Carried to our country, these regional-merger provisions would allow the southern states, or the northern blue states, to combine themselves into a great regional mega-state. Would we allow that here?
Carried to our country, these regional-merger provisions would allow the southern states, or the northern blue states, to combine themselves into a great regional mega-state. Would we allow that here?
12 September, 2005
blame shifting
read today:
Sadly, the federal government's lack of preparation followed by its inept response had deadly consequences for far too many Americans in Katrina's path.
It is unfortunate that the White House has undertaken a "full-court press" to deflect blame for the poor early response to the storm away from the Bush administration and onto state and local officials.
Sadly, the federal government's lack of preparation followed by its inept response had deadly consequences for far too many Americans in Katrina's path.
It is unfortunate that the White House has undertaken a "full-court press" to deflect blame for the poor early response to the storm away from the Bush administration and onto state and local officials.
11 September, 2005
the party vs. God's creation
What is clear is that the average ocean temperature off Greenland's west coast has risen in recent years — from 38.3 degrees Fahrenheit to 40.6 F — and glaciers have begun to retreat, said Carl Egede Boeggild, a glaciologist with the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, a government agency.
The Sermilik glacier in southern Greenland has retreated nearly seven miles, and the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier near Ilulissat is also shrinking, said Henrik Hoejmark Thomsen of the geological survey.
In 1967, satellite imagery measured it moving 4.3 miles per year. In 2003, the rate was 8.1 miles.
"What exactly happened, we don't know. But it appears to be the effect of climate change," said Hoejmark Thomsen.
In August, the National Science Foundation's Arctic System Science Committee issued a report saying the rate of ice melting in the Arctic is increasing and within a century could for the first time lead to summertime ice-free ocean conditions.
With warmer temperatures, some bacteria, plants and animals could disappear, while others will thrive. Polar bears and other animals that depend on sea ice to breed and forage are at risk, scientists say, and some species could face extinction in a few decades.
The thinning of the sea ice presents a danger to both humans and polar bears, said Peter Ewins, director of Arctic conservation for the World Wildlife Fund Canada.
"The polar bears need to be there to catch enough seals to see them through the summer in open warm water systems. Equally, the Inuit need to be out there on the ice catching seals and are less and less able to do that because the ice is more unstable, thinner," he said.
When NASA started taking satellite images of the Arctic region in the late 1970s and computer technology improved, scientists noted alarming patterns and theorized that the culprit was gases emitted by industries and internal combustion engines to create a "greenhouse effect" of trapping heat in the atmosphere.
Inuit leaders are trying to draw attention to the impact of climate change and pollution.
"When I was a child, the weather used to be more stable. It worries me to see and hear all this," Greenland Premier Hans Enoksen said on the sidelines of a meeting of environmental officials from 23 countries in Ilulissat. The meeting ended with statements of concern— and no action.
The Kyoto Protocol that took effect in February aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But the 140 nations that have signed the pact don't include the United States, which produces one-quarter of the gases.
The Republicans and Bush say participation would severely damage the U.S. economy. Many scientists say that position undermines the whole planet and they point to Greenland as the leading edge of what the globe could suffer.
"Greenland is the canary in a mine shaft alerting us," said Corell, the American meteorologist, standing on the edge of the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier which he is studying. "In the U.S., global warming is a tomorrow issue. ... For us working here, it hits you like a ton of bricks when you see it."
The Sermilik glacier in southern Greenland has retreated nearly seven miles, and the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier near Ilulissat is also shrinking, said Henrik Hoejmark Thomsen of the geological survey.
In 1967, satellite imagery measured it moving 4.3 miles per year. In 2003, the rate was 8.1 miles.
"What exactly happened, we don't know. But it appears to be the effect of climate change," said Hoejmark Thomsen.
In August, the National Science Foundation's Arctic System Science Committee issued a report saying the rate of ice melting in the Arctic is increasing and within a century could for the first time lead to summertime ice-free ocean conditions.
With warmer temperatures, some bacteria, plants and animals could disappear, while others will thrive. Polar bears and other animals that depend on sea ice to breed and forage are at risk, scientists say, and some species could face extinction in a few decades.
The thinning of the sea ice presents a danger to both humans and polar bears, said Peter Ewins, director of Arctic conservation for the World Wildlife Fund Canada.
"The polar bears need to be there to catch enough seals to see them through the summer in open warm water systems. Equally, the Inuit need to be out there on the ice catching seals and are less and less able to do that because the ice is more unstable, thinner," he said.
When NASA started taking satellite images of the Arctic region in the late 1970s and computer technology improved, scientists noted alarming patterns and theorized that the culprit was gases emitted by industries and internal combustion engines to create a "greenhouse effect" of trapping heat in the atmosphere.
Inuit leaders are trying to draw attention to the impact of climate change and pollution.
"When I was a child, the weather used to be more stable. It worries me to see and hear all this," Greenland Premier Hans Enoksen said on the sidelines of a meeting of environmental officials from 23 countries in Ilulissat. The meeting ended with statements of concern— and no action.
The Kyoto Protocol that took effect in February aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But the 140 nations that have signed the pact don't include the United States, which produces one-quarter of the gases.
The Republicans and Bush say participation would severely damage the U.S. economy. Many scientists say that position undermines the whole planet and they point to Greenland as the leading edge of what the globe could suffer.
"Greenland is the canary in a mine shaft alerting us," said Corell, the American meteorologist, standing on the edge of the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier which he is studying. "In the U.S., global warming is a tomorrow issue. ... For us working here, it hits you like a ton of bricks when you see it."
where was the money?
Under FEMA's direction, federal and state officials began working on the $1 million Hurricane Pam project in July 2004, when 270 experts gathered in Baton Rouge, for an eight-day simulation. The so-called "tabletop" exercise focused planners on a mock hurricane that produced more than 20 inches of rain and 14 tornadoes. The drill included computer graphic simulations projected on large screens of the hurricane slamming directly into New Orleans.
The report was designed to be the first step toward producing a comprehensive hurricane response plan, jointly approved and implemented by federal, state and city officials. But a lack of funding prohibited planners from quickly following up on the 2004 simulation. "Money was not available to do the follow-up," Brown said.
Where was the money--Spent on Iraq, we suspect.
The report was designed to be the first step toward producing a comprehensive hurricane response plan, jointly approved and implemented by federal, state and city officials. But a lack of funding prohibited planners from quickly following up on the 2004 simulation. "Money was not available to do the follow-up," Brown said.
Where was the money--Spent on Iraq, we suspect.
who did you vote for?
read today:
Companies with ties to the Bush White House and the former head of FEMA are clinching some of the administration's first disaster relief and reconstruction contracts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Joe Allbaugh, seen here working on the Bush 2000 campaign, has at least two corporate clients with Katrina deals.
At least two major corporate clients of lobbyist Joe Allbaugh, President Bush's former campaign manager and a former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, have already been tapped to start recovery work along the battered Gulf Coast.
One is Shaw Group Inc. and the other is Halliburton Co. subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root. Vice President Dick Cheney is a former head of Halliburton.
Bechtel National Inc., a unit of San Francisco-based Bechtel Corp., has also been selected by FEMA to provide short-term housing for people displaced by the hurricane. Bush named Bechtel's CEO to his Export Council and put the former CEO of Bechtel Energy in charge of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
Many of the same companies seeking contracts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina have already received billions of dollars for work in Iraq.
Halliburton alone has earned more than $9 billion. Pentagon audits released by Democrats in June showed $1.03 billion in "questioned" costs and $422 million in "unsupported" costs for Halliburton's work in Iraq.
But the web of Bush administration connections is attracting renewed attention from watchdog groups in the post-Katrina reconstruction rush. Congress has already appropriated more than $60 billion in emergency funding as a down payment on recovery efforts projected to cost well over $100 billion.
"The government has got to stop stacking senior positions with people who are repeatedly cashing in on the public trust in order to further private commercial interests," said Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project on Government Oversight.
Allbaugh formally registered as a lobbyist for Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root in February. In lobbying disclosure forms filed with the Senate, Allbaugh said his goal was to "educate the congressional and executive branch on defense, disaster relief and homeland security issues affecting Kellogg Brown and Root."
Raping us again and who did you vote for?
Companies with ties to the Bush White House and the former head of FEMA are clinching some of the administration's first disaster relief and reconstruction contracts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Joe Allbaugh, seen here working on the Bush 2000 campaign, has at least two corporate clients with Katrina deals.
At least two major corporate clients of lobbyist Joe Allbaugh, President Bush's former campaign manager and a former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, have already been tapped to start recovery work along the battered Gulf Coast.
One is Shaw Group Inc. and the other is Halliburton Co. subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root. Vice President Dick Cheney is a former head of Halliburton.
Bechtel National Inc., a unit of San Francisco-based Bechtel Corp., has also been selected by FEMA to provide short-term housing for people displaced by the hurricane. Bush named Bechtel's CEO to his Export Council and put the former CEO of Bechtel Energy in charge of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
Many of the same companies seeking contracts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina have already received billions of dollars for work in Iraq.
Halliburton alone has earned more than $9 billion. Pentagon audits released by Democrats in June showed $1.03 billion in "questioned" costs and $422 million in "unsupported" costs for Halliburton's work in Iraq.
But the web of Bush administration connections is attracting renewed attention from watchdog groups in the post-Katrina reconstruction rush. Congress has already appropriated more than $60 billion in emergency funding as a down payment on recovery efforts projected to cost well over $100 billion.
"The government has got to stop stacking senior positions with people who are repeatedly cashing in on the public trust in order to further private commercial interests," said Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project on Government Oversight.
Allbaugh formally registered as a lobbyist for Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root in February. In lobbying disclosure forms filed with the Senate, Allbaugh said his goal was to "educate the congressional and executive branch on defense, disaster relief and homeland security issues affecting Kellogg Brown and Root."
Raping us again and who did you vote for?
10 September, 2005
blame shifting
Now. this party is trying to shift the blame to others. They are out in force with scripted photo-ops--see them reading from scripts. I'll say one thing for them, they remain loyal to their unquaified friends they appointed to cushy government jobs--not so you say?--check out Mr. Brown the head of FEMA and his boosted resume and the long time personal friend of "you know who".
And by the way, don't jump on poor old Barbara Bush. She just was truthfully revealing how they really think. Also it is part ot the spin effort to discredit the victims with thier voting base and thus,again, shift the blame. They are consistent. I bet you will forget all this at your next opportunity to vote.
And by the way, don't jump on poor old Barbara Bush. She just was truthfully revealing how they really think. Also it is part ot the spin effort to discredit the victims with thier voting base and thus,again, shift the blame. They are consistent. I bet you will forget all this at your next opportunity to vote.
don't blow the whistle
read today re: Northwest Airlines:
Meanwhile, some details emerged Thursday from an FAA inspector's memo that raised questions about the work of replacement mechanics.
In the Aug. 22 memo, obtained by Minnesota Public Radio News, inspector Mark Lund said he found numerous examples of worker errors, including a line maintenance manager who couldn't find the right switches to do an engine check on an Airbus A320; a replacement mechanic who didn't know he had to set the brakes on a plane so he could check brake wear pins; and a replacement who wasn't sure how to close a passenger entry door on a Boeing 757.
Greg Martin, an FAA spokesman in Washington, confirmed the authenticity of the memo.
Lund has been reassigned to a desk job after the airline complained to FAA supervisors that he had been acting unprofessionally. Martin said the agency's investigation into the safety concerns and Northwest's complaint against the inspector might be resolved by next week.
Lund's memo prompted Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., to seek assurances from the FAA that a thorough investigation would be conducted. Dayton said last week he'd been assured by FAA Administrator Marion Blakey that she's seen nothing from inspectors indicating a safety concern at the airline.
So, with this party in power, if you blow the whistle you get "re-assigned to
a desk job" as a warning to others. How nice. Remember at voting time.
Meanwhile, some details emerged Thursday from an FAA inspector's memo that raised questions about the work of replacement mechanics.
In the Aug. 22 memo, obtained by Minnesota Public Radio News, inspector Mark Lund said he found numerous examples of worker errors, including a line maintenance manager who couldn't find the right switches to do an engine check on an Airbus A320; a replacement mechanic who didn't know he had to set the brakes on a plane so he could check brake wear pins; and a replacement who wasn't sure how to close a passenger entry door on a Boeing 757.
Greg Martin, an FAA spokesman in Washington, confirmed the authenticity of the memo.
Lund has been reassigned to a desk job after the airline complained to FAA supervisors that he had been acting unprofessionally. Martin said the agency's investigation into the safety concerns and Northwest's complaint against the inspector might be resolved by next week.
Lund's memo prompted Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., to seek assurances from the FAA that a thorough investigation would be conducted. Dayton said last week he'd been assured by FAA Administrator Marion Blakey that she's seen nothing from inspectors indicating a safety concern at the airline.
So, with this party in power, if you blow the whistle you get "re-assigned to
a desk job" as a warning to others. How nice. Remember at voting time.
09 September, 2005
how nice
New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean, the moderate Republican who led the independent panel known informally as the September 11 commission, and his Democratic vice-chairman Lee Hamilton said the response was undermined largely BY A LACK OF COMMAND.
HOW NICE.
HOW NICE.
07 September, 2005
believe it or not
Believe it or not, with all our nation is going through, there are Republicans still pushing to put tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans on Congress' agenda this fall.
Republican leaders were forced to postpone plans for an immediate vote this week on eliminating the estate tax. But, they haven't backed off their larger plan for more tax cuts to benefit the wealthiest Americans.
This is a test of what kind of country we are. Are we an America that responds to crisis by helping the most vulnerable in times of need, or do we just give more to those who have the most?
Please join today in demanding that Republican leaders forego any and all plans to lavish tax cuts on the wealthy at this moment of crisis.
Republican leaders were forced to postpone plans for an immediate vote this week on eliminating the estate tax. But, they haven't backed off their larger plan for more tax cuts to benefit the wealthiest Americans.
This is a test of what kind of country we are. Are we an America that responds to crisis by helping the most vulnerable in times of need, or do we just give more to those who have the most?
Please join today in demanding that Republican leaders forego any and all plans to lavish tax cuts on the wealthy at this moment of crisis.
their priorities with our money
In Baghdad, "soft cleansing" is taking place in a number of mixed neighborhoods, with targeted assassinations scaring Sunnis out of some, and Shiites out of others. In the south, Shiite militias, not the new army and police, are the major power.
While there is still hope that Iraq can avoid going all the way down the same tragic road that ripped apart Lebanon, a growing number of political leaders and analysts are acknowledging that a de facto state of civil war is already here.
In the Sunni and Shiite neighborhood of Horriya, on the western edge of Baghdad, three Shiite barbers have been killed this month by Sunni religious extremists who think it's sinful to cut men's beards. After notes were slipped under their doors that they could be next, at least half a dozen barber shops have closed, and the rest have prominently posted signs that will no longer shave beards.
In largely Sunni neighborhoods like Dora and Al Ghaziliya, Shiite residents have received written death threats to leave the area. Sunnis in Shiite neighborhoods say they've received similar threats from the Badr Brigade, a militia loyal to the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, one of the two big Shiite parties that now dominate the government.
A Shiite doctor in Dora, who asked that his name not be used, says he's looking for a new home since a note was slipped under his door last month. "All the dirty Shiites out of Iraq, or face death!" it warned, which brought back memories of his brother, killed for political activity by the Hussein regime in the early 1990s.
He says at least 15 Shiites in Dora have been killed in the last month. "We wake up with hope every day, but when the sun goes down, things are worse for us. I walk with death just because I'm a Shiite."
A Sunni women in the Latifiyah neighborhood, whose husband was a government official under Hussein and was assassinated earlier this year, points to the cluster of bullet holes in her front gate and the front window of her living room. "We know the Badr Brigade has a list of Sunnis they want to kill and we're on it. They want us out of this house. And the police are working with them."
Such breakdowns along confessional or ideological lines are the hallmarks of civil war and speak to why the drafters of Iraq's constitution have run up against so many problems. THEY GOT US INTO THIS,MEANWHILE CUTTING FUNDS FOR A NEEDED RAISE IN THE LEVEES AROUND NEW ORLEANS. WHY?? Stay tuned for the answer.
While there is still hope that Iraq can avoid going all the way down the same tragic road that ripped apart Lebanon, a growing number of political leaders and analysts are acknowledging that a de facto state of civil war is already here.
In the Sunni and Shiite neighborhood of Horriya, on the western edge of Baghdad, three Shiite barbers have been killed this month by Sunni religious extremists who think it's sinful to cut men's beards. After notes were slipped under their doors that they could be next, at least half a dozen barber shops have closed, and the rest have prominently posted signs that will no longer shave beards.
In largely Sunni neighborhoods like Dora and Al Ghaziliya, Shiite residents have received written death threats to leave the area. Sunnis in Shiite neighborhoods say they've received similar threats from the Badr Brigade, a militia loyal to the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, one of the two big Shiite parties that now dominate the government.
A Shiite doctor in Dora, who asked that his name not be used, says he's looking for a new home since a note was slipped under his door last month. "All the dirty Shiites out of Iraq, or face death!" it warned, which brought back memories of his brother, killed for political activity by the Hussein regime in the early 1990s.
He says at least 15 Shiites in Dora have been killed in the last month. "We wake up with hope every day, but when the sun goes down, things are worse for us. I walk with death just because I'm a Shiite."
A Sunni women in the Latifiyah neighborhood, whose husband was a government official under Hussein and was assassinated earlier this year, points to the cluster of bullet holes in her front gate and the front window of her living room. "We know the Badr Brigade has a list of Sunnis they want to kill and we're on it. They want us out of this house. And the police are working with them."
Such breakdowns along confessional or ideological lines are the hallmarks of civil war and speak to why the drafters of Iraq's constitution have run up against so many problems. THEY GOT US INTO THIS,MEANWHILE CUTTING FUNDS FOR A NEEDED RAISE IN THE LEVEES AROUND NEW ORLEANS. WHY?? Stay tuned for the answer.
06 September, 2005
cronyism
Is our govenment ripe with cronyism?
Has FEMA's leadership been politicized, and is it up to the task? According to news reports, the agency's head, Michael Brown, had been supervising horse-show judges in Colorado before he was called to Washington in 2001 to work for an old friend, then the head of FEMA. Brown, with little disaster experience, quickly rose to be the agency's deputy director and then its leader. In the first days of the crisis, FEMA's decision-making appeared tentative and confused, with fatal consequences.
Has putting FEMA in the new Homeland Security Department undermined its ability to respond to natural disasters? According to a Government Accountability Office report, 75% of the agency's 2006 budget for preparedness grants is focused on terrorism.
Disaster experts will tell you that responding to any catastrophe requires the same elements — evacuation, rescue, emergency supplies and security.
Has FEMA's leadership been politicized, and is it up to the task? According to news reports, the agency's head, Michael Brown, had been supervising horse-show judges in Colorado before he was called to Washington in 2001 to work for an old friend, then the head of FEMA. Brown, with little disaster experience, quickly rose to be the agency's deputy director and then its leader. In the first days of the crisis, FEMA's decision-making appeared tentative and confused, with fatal consequences.
Has putting FEMA in the new Homeland Security Department undermined its ability to respond to natural disasters? According to a Government Accountability Office report, 75% of the agency's 2006 budget for preparedness grants is focused on terrorism.
Disaster experts will tell you that responding to any catastrophe requires the same elements — evacuation, rescue, emergency supplies and security.
attitudes
Just when I thought we had heard it all:
Barbara Bush, who accompanied the former presidents on a tour of the Astrodome complex Monday, said the relocation to Houston is "working very well" for some of the poor people forced out of New Orleans.
"What I'm hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas. Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality," she said during a radio interview with the American Public Media program "Marketplace." "And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them."
Barbara Bush, who accompanied the former presidents on a tour of the Astrodome complex Monday, said the relocation to Houston is "working very well" for some of the poor people forced out of New Orleans.
"What I'm hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas. Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality," she said during a radio interview with the American Public Media program "Marketplace." "And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them."
05 September, 2005
the answer
read today:
"They didn't have any place to go," she wrote. "They are the poor, black and white, who dwell in any city in great numbers; and they did what they felt they could do — they huddled together in the strongest houses they could find. There was no way to up and leave and check into the nearest Ramada Inn."
"But to my country I want to say this: During this crisis you failed us. You looked down on us; you dismissed our victims; you dismissed us," Rice wrote.
"You want our Jazz Fest, you want our Mardi Gras, you want our cooking and our music," she continued. "Then when you saw us in real trouble, when you saw a tiny minority preying on the weak among us, you called us 'Sin City,' and turned your backs."
Maybe the answer is that the last few years have been about giving the most to those WHO HAVE THE MOST. What would Jesus say about that?
"They didn't have any place to go," she wrote. "They are the poor, black and white, who dwell in any city in great numbers; and they did what they felt they could do — they huddled together in the strongest houses they could find. There was no way to up and leave and check into the nearest Ramada Inn."
"But to my country I want to say this: During this crisis you failed us. You looked down on us; you dismissed our victims; you dismissed us," Rice wrote.
"You want our Jazz Fest, you want our Mardi Gras, you want our cooking and our music," she continued. "Then when you saw us in real trouble, when you saw a tiny minority preying on the weak among us, you called us 'Sin City,' and turned your backs."
Maybe the answer is that the last few years have been about giving the most to those WHO HAVE THE MOST. What would Jesus say about that?
God help us
Imagine that you have to decide whether to make a lifetime commitment after a two weeks love afair. That is precisely the situation of senators in confirming a Supreme Court justice. Because a confirmation is rarely a case of love at first sight, it usually comes down to the testimony of the nominee, who is invariably told by White House chaperones to say little and smile a lot. And now there will be two.
God help us!
God help us!
04 September, 2005
can't believe
I can't believe I read this:
A million homeless with no tangible assets, most jobs in the area gone and
most financial information gone or irrelevant. Consider also that there are
potentially about 500,000 bankruptcies. What to do with those folks?
Build more prisons for those debtors? Foreclose on their houses? What
houses? Garnish their wages? What wages?
It could be nice to see some of those arrogant banking and credit card execs
and employees have to suck it up for awhile. If collection costs go up and
there are no collections, then salaries might go down and credit jobs might
disappear.
There might be a silver lining in this after all. Could Katrina be God's
way of sticking it to the "money changers" who lobbied and received those
tough new restrictions on debtors in need of bankruptcy protections?
Who did you vote for last election? The chickens have come home to roost!
A million homeless with no tangible assets, most jobs in the area gone and
most financial information gone or irrelevant. Consider also that there are
potentially about 500,000 bankruptcies. What to do with those folks?
Build more prisons for those debtors? Foreclose on their houses? What
houses? Garnish their wages? What wages?
It could be nice to see some of those arrogant banking and credit card execs
and employees have to suck it up for awhile. If collection costs go up and
there are no collections, then salaries might go down and credit jobs might
disappear.
There might be a silver lining in this after all. Could Katrina be God's
way of sticking it to the "money changers" who lobbied and received those
tough new restrictions on debtors in need of bankruptcy protections?
Who did you vote for last election? The chickens have come home to roost!
03 September, 2005
weaker or stronger
Are we weaker or stronger because of the below?
Facts just now coming out:
On the day after Sept. 11, the talk of the Republicans in the White House Situation Room was of "getting Iraq," says former White House anti-terrorism chief Richard A. Clarke. Clarke's memoir says an insistent Bush ordered him to look for "any shred" to tie Iraq to the Sept. 11 attacks — even though U.S. agencies knew al-Qaeda was responsible and Iraq wasn't linked to the terror group.
After dozens of interviews, Wilson reported back that the story appeared unfounded. The State Department's intelligence bureau also deemed it implausible. In addition, the text of the supposed Niger document, transcribed for the Americans by the Italians, contained misspellings and mistaken titles for people that should have been easily detectable.
It was a forgery. But "Niger uranium" had won a place in the case against Iraq.
Blair's Cabinet fretted. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, in the secret minutes of a July 2002 meeting, observed that the case for war was "thin" but Bush had made up his mind. Intelligence chief Richard Dearlove, fresh from high-level Washington talks, also told the 10 Downing St. session that war had become inevitable, and U.S. intelligence was being "fixed" around this policy.
Blair and U.S. officials now deny war was predetermined and intelligence "fixed" to that end. From midsummer 2002 on, however, the Bush administration sharply stepped up its anti-Iraq rhetoric, along with U.S. air attacks on Iraqi defenses, done under cover of patrols over the "no-fly zones," swaths of Iraqi airspace denied to Iraqi aircraft. It also stepped up its citing of questionable intelligence.
As early as July 29, Rumsfeld spoke publicly of reports of Iraqi bioweapons labs "on wheels in a trailer" that can "make a lot of bad stuff."
As the summer wore on, Cheney struck an urgent, unequivocal tone in public.
"Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction," the vice president told veterans assembled at an Opryland hotel in Nashville.
In an unusual move, Cheney shuttled to the CIA through mid-2002 to visit analysts 10 times, according to Patricia Wald, a member of the presidential investigative commission headed by Judge Laurence Silberman and ex-U.S. Sen. Charles Robb. The commission concluded analysts "worked in an environment that did not encourage skepticism about the conventional wisdom."
That conventional wisdom took on more urgency on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, when the lead article in The New York Times, citing unnamed administration officials, said Iraq "has embarked on a worldwide hunt for materials to make an atomic bomb."
The "tubes" story had been resurrected. Condoleezza Rice went on the TV talk circuit that morning saying the tubes were suited only for uranium centrifuges. Four days later in New York, President Bush was at the marble podium of the U.N. General Assembly, demanding the world body take action on Iraq or become "irrelevant." He, too, cited the aluminum tubes — proof of danger.
The Australian biologist Barton, a 1990s weapons inspector who by 2002 was a top Blix aide, was amazed at the British report's unexplained claim that Iraq could "deploy" chemical or biological weapons "within 45 minutes" — a claim picked up by Bush in a radio address.
Over an Irish-pub dinner in New York, Barton asked old friend David Kelly, a British bioweapons specialist, how he could have allowed something "so silly" in the report. "He just shook his head and said something like, 'People put in what they want to put in,'" Barton recalled.
Months later Kelly would commit suicide, caught in a political furor as a source for news reports that the WMD dossier was "sexed up."
The tubes story also had slipped deeper into murkiness. State Department intelligence was siding with Energy in viewing them as likely rocket casings. The CIA arranged for centrifuge-like testing of the tubes in January, and they seemed to fail, only to supposedly pass after a "correction" was made.
On Jan. 28, 2003, with the world listening, Bush delivered his annual address.
"The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa," he said. "Our intelligence sources tell us that he has attempted to purchase high-strength aluminum tubes suitable for nuclear weapons production."
Washington was unmoved. Administration loyalists dismissed the "so-called inspections." In late February 2003, a Powell aide sternly told Blix nothing would suffice short of Iraq's unveiling its "secret hide sites." Most significantly, Bush ordered no reassessment of his government's collapsing claims.
Blix told the Security Council he could complete the work within months. The White House wasn't interested. "More time, more inspectors, more process, in our judgment, is not going to affect the peace of the world," Bush said on March 6, as the Pentagon counted down toward war.
Cheney at one point even told a TV audience — without challenge from the host — that Iraq possessed nuclear weapons. Of ElBaradei, whose IAEA refuted the claims about uranium and tubes, Cheney said, "I think Mr. ElBaradei, frankly, is wrong." But the CIA had already accepted ElBaradei's judgment on the Niger uranium document.
On March 17, in New York, U.S. diplomats gave up trying to win Security Council backing for war. That evening, on television, Bush told the American people there was "no doubt" Iraq had "some of the most lethal weapons ever devised."
The bombing began two days later, and as U.S. troops swept up the Tigris and Euphrates plain to easy victory, they searched for WMD. "We know where they are," Rumsfeld claimed on March 30. But despite a flurry of false "finds" by eager troops, they weren't there.
Finally, on April 19, U.S. weapons hunters celebrated: An equipment-packed truck trailer had been seized in northern Iraq.
Just before the war, al-Kindi company technicians had tested the unit and it worked, its tubes spewing hydrogen for weather balloons. They could deliver on the 2001 contract. To empty-handed U.S. analysts, however, the vehicle and a second trailer looked like the artist's conception of Curveball's mobile labs, ready to concoct killer germs.
The White House embraced this illusion. "We found the weapons of mass destruction. We found biological laboratories," President Bush assured Polish television on May 29. By then, however, experts had tested a trailer and found no trace of pathogens or toxins.
"They have weapons of mass destruction. That is what this war was about," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said on April 10. But soon the Washington line shifted to claims Iraq had not weapons, but WMD "programs" — also untrue, inspectors later certified. Then the war was framed as one to democratize Iraq.
Month by month, David Kay and his 1,500-member Iraq Survey Group labored over documents, visited sites, interrogated detained scientists and came to recognize reality. But when he wanted to report it, Kay ran into roadblocks in Washington.
"There was an absolutely closed mind," Kay tells AP. "They would not look at alternative explanations in these cases," specifically the aluminum tubes and bioweapons trailers.
In December 2003, Kay flew back to Washington and met with Tenet and CIA deputy John McLaughlin. "I couldn't budge John, and so I couldn't budge George," he says. Kay resigned, telling the U.S. Congress there had been no WMD threat.
As late as Sept. 30 last year, in an election debate, Bush stuck to his views.
"Saddam Hussein had no intention of disarming," Bush maintained.
A week before, Duelfer had conveyed his 1,000-page final report to the CIA, saying Saddam had disarmed 13 years earlier. (WEAKER OR STRONGER??)
Facts just now coming out:
On the day after Sept. 11, the talk of the Republicans in the White House Situation Room was of "getting Iraq," says former White House anti-terrorism chief Richard A. Clarke. Clarke's memoir says an insistent Bush ordered him to look for "any shred" to tie Iraq to the Sept. 11 attacks — even though U.S. agencies knew al-Qaeda was responsible and Iraq wasn't linked to the terror group.
After dozens of interviews, Wilson reported back that the story appeared unfounded. The State Department's intelligence bureau also deemed it implausible. In addition, the text of the supposed Niger document, transcribed for the Americans by the Italians, contained misspellings and mistaken titles for people that should have been easily detectable.
It was a forgery. But "Niger uranium" had won a place in the case against Iraq.
Blair's Cabinet fretted. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, in the secret minutes of a July 2002 meeting, observed that the case for war was "thin" but Bush had made up his mind. Intelligence chief Richard Dearlove, fresh from high-level Washington talks, also told the 10 Downing St. session that war had become inevitable, and U.S. intelligence was being "fixed" around this policy.
Blair and U.S. officials now deny war was predetermined and intelligence "fixed" to that end. From midsummer 2002 on, however, the Bush administration sharply stepped up its anti-Iraq rhetoric, along with U.S. air attacks on Iraqi defenses, done under cover of patrols over the "no-fly zones," swaths of Iraqi airspace denied to Iraqi aircraft. It also stepped up its citing of questionable intelligence.
As early as July 29, Rumsfeld spoke publicly of reports of Iraqi bioweapons labs "on wheels in a trailer" that can "make a lot of bad stuff."
As the summer wore on, Cheney struck an urgent, unequivocal tone in public.
"Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction," the vice president told veterans assembled at an Opryland hotel in Nashville.
In an unusual move, Cheney shuttled to the CIA through mid-2002 to visit analysts 10 times, according to Patricia Wald, a member of the presidential investigative commission headed by Judge Laurence Silberman and ex-U.S. Sen. Charles Robb. The commission concluded analysts "worked in an environment that did not encourage skepticism about the conventional wisdom."
That conventional wisdom took on more urgency on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, when the lead article in The New York Times, citing unnamed administration officials, said Iraq "has embarked on a worldwide hunt for materials to make an atomic bomb."
The "tubes" story had been resurrected. Condoleezza Rice went on the TV talk circuit that morning saying the tubes were suited only for uranium centrifuges. Four days later in New York, President Bush was at the marble podium of the U.N. General Assembly, demanding the world body take action on Iraq or become "irrelevant." He, too, cited the aluminum tubes — proof of danger.
The Australian biologist Barton, a 1990s weapons inspector who by 2002 was a top Blix aide, was amazed at the British report's unexplained claim that Iraq could "deploy" chemical or biological weapons "within 45 minutes" — a claim picked up by Bush in a radio address.
Over an Irish-pub dinner in New York, Barton asked old friend David Kelly, a British bioweapons specialist, how he could have allowed something "so silly" in the report. "He just shook his head and said something like, 'People put in what they want to put in,'" Barton recalled.
Months later Kelly would commit suicide, caught in a political furor as a source for news reports that the WMD dossier was "sexed up."
The tubes story also had slipped deeper into murkiness. State Department intelligence was siding with Energy in viewing them as likely rocket casings. The CIA arranged for centrifuge-like testing of the tubes in January, and they seemed to fail, only to supposedly pass after a "correction" was made.
On Jan. 28, 2003, with the world listening, Bush delivered his annual address.
"The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa," he said. "Our intelligence sources tell us that he has attempted to purchase high-strength aluminum tubes suitable for nuclear weapons production."
Washington was unmoved. Administration loyalists dismissed the "so-called inspections." In late February 2003, a Powell aide sternly told Blix nothing would suffice short of Iraq's unveiling its "secret hide sites." Most significantly, Bush ordered no reassessment of his government's collapsing claims.
Blix told the Security Council he could complete the work within months. The White House wasn't interested. "More time, more inspectors, more process, in our judgment, is not going to affect the peace of the world," Bush said on March 6, as the Pentagon counted down toward war.
Cheney at one point even told a TV audience — without challenge from the host — that Iraq possessed nuclear weapons. Of ElBaradei, whose IAEA refuted the claims about uranium and tubes, Cheney said, "I think Mr. ElBaradei, frankly, is wrong." But the CIA had already accepted ElBaradei's judgment on the Niger uranium document.
On March 17, in New York, U.S. diplomats gave up trying to win Security Council backing for war. That evening, on television, Bush told the American people there was "no doubt" Iraq had "some of the most lethal weapons ever devised."
The bombing began two days later, and as U.S. troops swept up the Tigris and Euphrates plain to easy victory, they searched for WMD. "We know where they are," Rumsfeld claimed on March 30. But despite a flurry of false "finds" by eager troops, they weren't there.
Finally, on April 19, U.S. weapons hunters celebrated: An equipment-packed truck trailer had been seized in northern Iraq.
Just before the war, al-Kindi company technicians had tested the unit and it worked, its tubes spewing hydrogen for weather balloons. They could deliver on the 2001 contract. To empty-handed U.S. analysts, however, the vehicle and a second trailer looked like the artist's conception of Curveball's mobile labs, ready to concoct killer germs.
The White House embraced this illusion. "We found the weapons of mass destruction. We found biological laboratories," President Bush assured Polish television on May 29. By then, however, experts had tested a trailer and found no trace of pathogens or toxins.
"They have weapons of mass destruction. That is what this war was about," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said on April 10. But soon the Washington line shifted to claims Iraq had not weapons, but WMD "programs" — also untrue, inspectors later certified. Then the war was framed as one to democratize Iraq.
Month by month, David Kay and his 1,500-member Iraq Survey Group labored over documents, visited sites, interrogated detained scientists and came to recognize reality. But when he wanted to report it, Kay ran into roadblocks in Washington.
"There was an absolutely closed mind," Kay tells AP. "They would not look at alternative explanations in these cases," specifically the aluminum tubes and bioweapons trailers.
In December 2003, Kay flew back to Washington and met with Tenet and CIA deputy John McLaughlin. "I couldn't budge John, and so I couldn't budge George," he says. Kay resigned, telling the U.S. Congress there had been no WMD threat.
As late as Sept. 30 last year, in an election debate, Bush stuck to his views.
"Saddam Hussein had no intention of disarming," Bush maintained.
A week before, Duelfer had conveyed his 1,000-page final report to the CIA, saying Saddam had disarmed 13 years earlier. (WEAKER OR STRONGER??)
02 September, 2005
Tell me
Tell me it isn't so! Tell me not to believe. Tell me it's too late.
Tell me to sober up. Tell me it doesn't matter.
Let's look at what I just read:
First, when Bush, Rice and the other top Reichmeisters discarded the warning
on August 6, Bush's approval ratings had sunk to just 49% - this is the red
zone for a president. As any political expert or presidential historian: Hit
45%, and impeachment may soon loom on the horizon.
Second, Bush's actions throughout his entire life show a clear and
consistent pattern: without exception, he has always chosen the path that
will benefit himself and his corporate friends the most and will do so in
the face of even the most outraged criticism.
Third, the stolen election of 2000 proves that Bush was willing to
participate in a very daring, very large scale crime in pursuit of power.
Fourth, Bush's father's approval ratings went from shaky to astronomical
within a month of declaring war on an "evil terrorist" leader back in 1991.
This lesson could hardly have been lost on Bush, Jr.: Start a war and the
emotions of the public can be whipped up to a point that will push
presidential approval ratings way, way up.
So, given the above facts as "evidence," what do you imagine a self-serving
man who has faced no serious opposition from Congress, the press, or the
American public would be likely to do?
Another action that must be considered in the cold hard light of day is
Bush's behavior after 9/11. He seized upon national fears, worked at
intensifying them, and immediately, without waiting for Congress or serious
discussions with other nations, called for an attack on Afghanistan and a
global war on terrorism.
At the same time, he worked through John Ashcroft with stunning swiftness to dismantle civil liberties. These are not the actions of a leader who wants to keep his nation calm, reassured, and standing tall in its principles in the wake of tragedy.
They are the actions of an opportunist who knows, from watching his father's presidency, that the window of opportunity for consolidating his power will be narrow: Bush Sr.'s approval rating high lasted only a few months.
Last, why would Bush admit to having been warned about 9/11 in the first
place? In the corporate and political world, this admission is a strategy
that has been used over and over by creeps who are guilty of huge crimes and
know the heat is on. By confessing to a lesser charge, they try to draw the
heat away from the main, more dangerous issue.
Ken Lay, the head of Anderson, and every criminal who has ever copped or tried to cop a plea bargain have used this ploy. If Bush were innocent of any complicity in
9/11, why should he make ANY statement?
It is always the guilty who feel the need to make statements: "I am not a crook!", "I never had sex with that woman.Therefore, based on the evidence, I would say we have a phony president who is as guilty as hell, who knows that someone has the goods on him and is breathing down his neck. He is gambling that by making a preemptive strike while he still has control of the media, he can spin a protective wall around himself.
Thus, we have Dick Cheney appearing on 5/19 on Meet the Press, being "interviewed" about the 9/11 flap by his friend and neighbor Russert. Yep, that's right -both interviewer and interviewee live in the feudally exclusive Kalorama suburb of D.C., where houses START at around $1 million.
In fact, on the same program, Russert had the arrogance to even mention how he'd seen his buddy out taking the air on his new "It" scooter. How cozy! And this is what is being served to America in the name of a free and honest press. Ya got a problem? Just pick a pal in the press corps and tell him what questions you want him/her to ask you so you can spin them in just the way you want.
Russert asked Cheney how he responded to charges that the information
existed in several reports which showed that a WTC-type attack was a
possibility. Cheney responded -incredibly!- that reading all those reports
weren't his concern. There's just too darn many of them. Russert let this
ridiculous response go totally unchallenged and unqualified.
Here are the questions that are missing -the questions a real journalist
would have asked: "So then, Mr. Cheney, just what are your criteria for a
report that is important enough for you to read? How do you prioritize what
you read or what those under you are directed to call to your attention?
What reports on this matter DID you read?"
It is insulting to America's intelligence that such questions are not being
asked. It's like a grand jury that refuses to ask a murder suspect questions
like "Where were you on the night of such and such? What was your
relationship to the victim?" but instead says, "Well, here's what we heard
from the police that someone thinks you may have killed someone.
Go ahead and explain yourself. Don't worry -we won't interrupt you or ask you any
uncomfortable questions. And, by the way, your good pal who lives down the
block volunteered to serve as jury foreman!"
Here's one last FACT to consider. The GOP spent $40 million to pursue an
ultimately merit-less case against Clinton that involved diddling an intern
and some questionable real estate deals.
Since Bush took office, not one dime has been spent by Congress to investigate Cheney and his secret energy dealings, Bush's stolen election, Tom Delay's boiler room scams that have bilked doctors out of millions, the mysterious wild trading of American and United Airlines stock the week before 9/11 or any of the other crimes that were far more serious than Clinton's offenses.
Meanwhile, the GOP -so eager to spend millions to investigate an office romance- has worked overtime to block the initiation of any serious investigation into the biggest crime to have ever been perpetrated on American soil that claimed nearly 3,000 lives. WAKE UP AMERICA!!
Tell me to sober up. Tell me it doesn't matter.
Let's look at what I just read:
First, when Bush, Rice and the other top Reichmeisters discarded the warning
on August 6, Bush's approval ratings had sunk to just 49% - this is the red
zone for a president. As any political expert or presidential historian: Hit
45%, and impeachment may soon loom on the horizon.
Second, Bush's actions throughout his entire life show a clear and
consistent pattern: without exception, he has always chosen the path that
will benefit himself and his corporate friends the most and will do so in
the face of even the most outraged criticism.
Third, the stolen election of 2000 proves that Bush was willing to
participate in a very daring, very large scale crime in pursuit of power.
Fourth, Bush's father's approval ratings went from shaky to astronomical
within a month of declaring war on an "evil terrorist" leader back in 1991.
This lesson could hardly have been lost on Bush, Jr.: Start a war and the
emotions of the public can be whipped up to a point that will push
presidential approval ratings way, way up.
So, given the above facts as "evidence," what do you imagine a self-serving
man who has faced no serious opposition from Congress, the press, or the
American public would be likely to do?
Another action that must be considered in the cold hard light of day is
Bush's behavior after 9/11. He seized upon national fears, worked at
intensifying them, and immediately, without waiting for Congress or serious
discussions with other nations, called for an attack on Afghanistan and a
global war on terrorism.
At the same time, he worked through John Ashcroft with stunning swiftness to dismantle civil liberties. These are not the actions of a leader who wants to keep his nation calm, reassured, and standing tall in its principles in the wake of tragedy.
They are the actions of an opportunist who knows, from watching his father's presidency, that the window of opportunity for consolidating his power will be narrow: Bush Sr.'s approval rating high lasted only a few months.
Last, why would Bush admit to having been warned about 9/11 in the first
place? In the corporate and political world, this admission is a strategy
that has been used over and over by creeps who are guilty of huge crimes and
know the heat is on. By confessing to a lesser charge, they try to draw the
heat away from the main, more dangerous issue.
Ken Lay, the head of Anderson, and every criminal who has ever copped or tried to cop a plea bargain have used this ploy. If Bush were innocent of any complicity in
9/11, why should he make ANY statement?
It is always the guilty who feel the need to make statements: "I am not a crook!", "I never had sex with that woman.Therefore, based on the evidence, I would say we have a phony president who is as guilty as hell, who knows that someone has the goods on him and is breathing down his neck. He is gambling that by making a preemptive strike while he still has control of the media, he can spin a protective wall around himself.
Thus, we have Dick Cheney appearing on 5/19 on Meet the Press, being "interviewed" about the 9/11 flap by his friend and neighbor Russert. Yep, that's right -both interviewer and interviewee live in the feudally exclusive Kalorama suburb of D.C., where houses START at around $1 million.
In fact, on the same program, Russert had the arrogance to even mention how he'd seen his buddy out taking the air on his new "It" scooter. How cozy! And this is what is being served to America in the name of a free and honest press. Ya got a problem? Just pick a pal in the press corps and tell him what questions you want him/her to ask you so you can spin them in just the way you want.
Russert asked Cheney how he responded to charges that the information
existed in several reports which showed that a WTC-type attack was a
possibility. Cheney responded -incredibly!- that reading all those reports
weren't his concern. There's just too darn many of them. Russert let this
ridiculous response go totally unchallenged and unqualified.
Here are the questions that are missing -the questions a real journalist
would have asked: "So then, Mr. Cheney, just what are your criteria for a
report that is important enough for you to read? How do you prioritize what
you read or what those under you are directed to call to your attention?
What reports on this matter DID you read?"
It is insulting to America's intelligence that such questions are not being
asked. It's like a grand jury that refuses to ask a murder suspect questions
like "Where were you on the night of such and such? What was your
relationship to the victim?" but instead says, "Well, here's what we heard
from the police that someone thinks you may have killed someone.
Go ahead and explain yourself. Don't worry -we won't interrupt you or ask you any
uncomfortable questions. And, by the way, your good pal who lives down the
block volunteered to serve as jury foreman!"
Here's one last FACT to consider. The GOP spent $40 million to pursue an
ultimately merit-less case against Clinton that involved diddling an intern
and some questionable real estate deals.
Since Bush took office, not one dime has been spent by Congress to investigate Cheney and his secret energy dealings, Bush's stolen election, Tom Delay's boiler room scams that have bilked doctors out of millions, the mysterious wild trading of American and United Airlines stock the week before 9/11 or any of the other crimes that were far more serious than Clinton's offenses.
Meanwhile, the GOP -so eager to spend millions to investigate an office romance- has worked overtime to block the initiation of any serious investigation into the biggest crime to have ever been perpetrated on American soil that claimed nearly 3,000 lives. WAKE UP AMERICA!!
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