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Democratic National Committee
You don't deserve support if you allow lobbying to destroy this, the energy legislation and other similar efforts! You need leadership! Where is it?
Dick Glick
www.CorpFutRes.com
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July 2, 2005
Drug Lobby Got a Victory in Trade Pact Vote
By STEPHANIE SAUL New York Times
The sidewalk between the drug industry's headquarters in Washington and the United States trade representative's office has been taking a pounding from the wingtips of industry lobbyists.
The work of these drug industry courtiers, who represent what is arguably Washington's biggest and wealthiest lobby, appears to have succeeded in the Central American Free Trade Agreement. The agreement would extend the monopolies of drug makers and, critics say, lead to higher drug prices for the mostly impoverished people of the six Latin American countries it covers.
The accord cleared the Senate on Thursday but faces a difficult floor vote in the House of Representatives this month. The agreement's pharmaceutical provisions are a sideshow in the Congressional debate, eclipsed by concerns of the textile and sugar industries and the labor unions that their interests would not be protected.
In contrast, the agreement's pharmaceutical provisions, which provide five years of market exclusivity to brand-name drugs, have been front and center in Guatemala, where poor AIDS patients have marched in the streets to protest.
The six countries affected by the pact "understand that the net effect of these pharmaceutical provisions will be to raise the price of medicine," said Frederick M. Abbott, a professor of international law at Florida State University. "The way they have to view it is that they're getting something out of the agreement that will give them a net trade benefit."
The problem with such an analysis, Professor Abbott said, is that the textile employers and agricultural producers gain, but the economic benefits may never flow down to the people who cannot afford medicines.
According to Representative Sherrod Brown, Democrat of Ohio, the trade agreement is an example of how the pharmaceutical lobby rarely loses on trade issues, often by quietly working behind the scenes.
"A voter walking down the street would never think of the pharmaceutical industry's influence in another country through the U.S. trade representative," said Mr. Brown, who has criticized how the industry and other corporate interests shaped the trade accord.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the drug industry association, is the single biggest influence group at the trade office, according to a new analysis by the Center for Public Integrity, a government watchdog group. The analysis is based on the sheer number of reports, 59, filed by lobbyists for the group since 1998.
The reports do not have to disclose how many individual contacts the lobbyists made.
The industry's primary interest at the trade office is protecting its intellectual property, which Peter R. Dolan, the chief executive of Bristol-Myers Squibb, recently called the "lifeblood" of the industry.
Like movies and software, pharmaceuticals require a lot of time, money and creativity to develop, yet they are fairly simple to replicate. The industry association estimates that intellectual property infringement in 21 countries costs its members $7 billion a year. Therein lies the problem for drug makers, and the reason they are fighting a global war to protect their patents.
In defending their efforts to extend intellectual property protection abroad, industry officials point out that pharmaceutical companies subsidize treatment for millions of people in developing countries. Bristol-Myers, for example, has invested $150 million to set up AIDS clinics and other charitable programs in Africa, a figure that does not include the low-cost drugs the company distributes there.
The industry association also argues that extending its patent protections worldwide will result in greater access to medications by encouraging drug makers to enter those markets.
"It provides certainty for companies to be able to market and sell their medicines in those particular markets," said Mark Grayson, a spokesman for the trade association.
The certainty, according to Professor Abbott of Florida State, results from the agreement's "highly restrictive market exclusivity rules which allow the originator companies to block any registration."
One of the most contentious provisions in the trade pact is a requirement that gives brand-name manufacturers market exclusivity for five years after a drug is registered in the countries, even if the 20-year patent has expired. A similar five-year period exists in the United States, but the trade agreement would require countries to enforce the five-year period even if the exclusivity period in the United States has already expired.
During that period, manufacturers who ultimately wanted to register a generic equivalent to the drug in that country would be barred from using the animal and human test data submitted for the drug's approval, a provision that critics say could delay the approval of generics beyond the five-year period.
By protecting marketing exclusivity, the industry says, the trade agreement would also spur innovation and encourage pharmaceutical companies to register drugs in the small countries, ultimately helping deliver those drugs to the needy.
It is a philosophical argument that the United States trade representative's office has embraced.
"Trade rules that protect innovation and research foster a system that produces the types of medicines American health consumers and health consumers around the world use and need to fight diseases," said Richard Mills, a spokesman for the trade office. Former Representative Rob Portman, an Ohio Republican, was sworn in to the cabinet-level trade post that runs the trade office in May.
The issue of intellectual property protection for pharmaceuticals has been highlighted in the last week with the Brazilian government's threat to break Abbott Laboratories' patent for the AIDS drug Kaletra by authorizing one of its domestic drug manufacturers to make a copy at roughly half the cost.
The Brazilian government currently buys Kaletra for about 180,000 citizens with AIDS. Abbott Laboratories charges Brazil $2,500 a patient annually. That represents a special price break from the company, which charges $6,000 to $7,000 for the drug in other developed countries, according to figures supplied by the company. Despite the special deal his government is getting, Brazil's president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, wants the drug cheaper.
If President Lula goes through with his threat, he would invoke rarely used "compulsory licensing" provisions of a 1994 World Trade Organization agreement on intellectual property. The agreement forced countries to adopt American-style patent rules for pharmaceuticals, but allowed flexibility in cases of overriding public health issues by giving countries the right to order compulsory licenses.
Citing the Brazilian example, Representative Pete Stark, a California Democrat, referring to the industry trade group, said, "My guess is that Pharma's worry is that one of these countries will say, ' To hell with you,' and start making their own drugs."
Critics of the trade agreement say it sets up barriers to compulsory licensing in the countries it covers - the Dominican Republic as well as Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica. The combined gross domestic product of the six countries amounts to a third of the annual revenues of major drug makers.
The pharmaceutical industry has also been successful in influencing trade "priority lists" and "watch lists" issued by the trade representative in recent years, according to the Center for Public Integrity analysis, released this week. Inclusion on the trade watch lists constitutes the first salvo in a trade war.
Last year, the pharmaceutical trade group requested action against 38 countries for infringing on American patents, producing counterfeit drugs and releasing confidential test data. Of those, 31 found their way onto some level of the trade watch list, according to the center's analysis.
The report for 2005, released in May, again showed the extent of the industry's influence. Of 41 companies recommended for inclusion by the industry, 32 made it onto one of the trade lists, the center said.
The trade representative's office disputes the analysis, however, saying the office complies with exact pharmaceutical industry requests involving the priority and watch lists only about half the time.
The 59 reports filed by lobbyists for the pharmaceutical association do not count dozens of reports filed by individual companies. The analysis revealed that Pfizer lobbyists had filed reports about lobbying the trade office 32 times during the same period; Bristol-Myers, 27 times; and Wyeth, 19 times.
Over all, the various representatives of the pharmaceutical association and its individual companies filed 289 reports of lobbying at the trade representative's office since 1998, making pharmaceuticals the fourth-largest lobbying interest group, behind miscellaneous manufacturing, business associations and agriculture, according to the center's analysis.
Mr. Grayson said extensive lobbying efforts by his industry were a good sign.
"If we're not doing a lot, we're not doing our job," Mr. Grayson said.
Remember how the Republicans were saying that the newly elected Leader in Iran (whom Bush was very against), was the one who lead the taking of our US Hostages??? Well, see this article, an analysis of the photo says NO he is not the man.
WASHINGTON -- U.S. investigators have concluded that newly elected Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is not the glowering Islamic militant seen escorting an American hostage in a 1979 photograph that was widely publicized this week, U.S. officials said Friday.
The conclusion casts doubt on what had been considered a key piece of evidence that Iran's new president was among the leaders of the group of Islamic fundamentalists who seized control of the U.S. embassy in Tehran, the capital, and went on to hold 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.
A U.S. official familiar with the investigation of Ahmadinejad's role said that analysts had found "serious discrepancies" between the figure depicted in the 1979 photo and other images of the Iranian president. The discrepancies included differences in facial structure and features, the official said.
"If there is a case to be made" that Ahmadinejad was among the hostage-takers in 1979, the official said, "it doesn't look as if it will be done on the basis of those photographs."
Analysis of the photos was just one of many avenues in what has become a multi-agency inquiry, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Link
Can you believe the guts this guy has, to go up against Rove? We need to send MSNBC emails commending this guy.
letters@msnbc.com
"NEW YORK Now that Time Inc. has turned over documents to federal court, presumably revealing who its reporter, Matt Cooper, identified as his source in the Valerie Plame/CIA case, speculation runs rampant on the name of that source, and what might happen to him or her. Tonight, on the syndicated McLaughlin Group political talk show, Lawrence O'Donnell, senior MSNBC political analyst, claimed to know that name--and it is, according to him, top White House mastermind Karl Rove.
Here is the transcript of O'Donnell's remarks:
Link
A fun place to dabble on Political donations made by Celebrities last election
Morning, Jen.
I am well, how about you?
don't forget to send a quick email to MSNBC on Lawrence O'Donnell.
I read something the other day, how after any Left -leaning articles or reports, that the newspaper or TV network is deluged with angry calls and emails from Right wingers. It would appear that the Republicans have an organized effort, to intimidate and send hate messages, in an effort to keep the media on a leash. We have to start being more pro-active on the other side.
The blog seems to be responding nicely this morning, to posting. Thanks to Jesse and Josh on their continuing efforts.
Well, the heat wave seemed to have broken here in Sunny CT, so will go catch up on some yard work, like weeding and dead-heading flowers, etc.
BBL
you're right Pam B, I'll get right on that. Positive reinforcement! I'm glad you're well. I hope you are going to have a fun weekend.
Is it true you can no longer view archived open threads, or am I just missing it?
I read something the other day, how after any Left -leaning articles or reports, that the newspaper or TV network is deluged with angry calls and emails from Right wingers. It would appear that the Republicans have an organized effort, to intimidate and send hate messages, in an effort to keep the media on a leash. We have to start being more pro-active on the other side.
Posted by PamB on July 2, 2005 at 10:43 AM
Pam darlin', tell me you just mean that we have to contact those media organizations with the truth after a Right-leaning report (Wow, that will probably keep us busy for a century or so.) I would hate to think you're advocating using the Right's methods of fear and intimidation.
PamB, thanks for the link to celebrity political contributions. very interesting.
I think she is advocating giving positive feedback for Lawrence O'Donnell and any other truth tellers we can find, etc.
If Rove did it then it is a criminal offense. I encouraged MSNBC to keep reporting the truth.
(I guess Mr. O'Donnell should be on this list)
Poll Results
Of the list below, who is your favorite News Anchor?
Answers Votes Percent
1. Keith Olbermann 8 53%
2. Anderson Cooper 2 13%
3. Aaron Brown 0 0%
4. Brian Williams 0 0%
5. Chris Matthews 2 13%
6. Jim Lehrer 3 20%
7. George Stephanopoulos 0 0%
8. Lou Dobbs 0 0%
9. Wolf Blitzer 0 0%
10. Soledad O'Brien 0 0%
7th try...... gawddddddddd
Ahhh, positive feedback! I see what yer saying...cuz positive and negative cancel each other out, so we therefore will eventually come to a balance. (And then overrun the muthas with a whole bunch of touchy-feeliness, lol!)
well, i've sent negative, disapproving comments to the media. but i certainly don't use fear or intimidation. can't hurt to let people know what we're thinking, now can it?
Good job you guys are doing,don't post much,but enjoy all you fine people...Seems like there's alot of good *DEMS* here.My kinda people!!!
No GregL, I do not condone using intimidation methods, when we are contacting media sources.
I do want them to know, that there are other viewers out here, with a different point of view than those they are getting deluged with. I write a letter to Editor almost every single day, even though they will only publish one per 6 weeks. I feel that they at least know People are paying attention.
Here in the Blue State of CT, our Hartford Courant is now owned by the Tribune, which is extremely Right winged. There has been a major shift in Bias in their reporting. Articles that show Bush in a bad light, are ususally hidden inside somewhere. Headlines are skewed to show a tilt to the Right. I remind them daily of this new Bias and Slant, so they know not all people are ignorant to them. But I do it in an informational way, not with hatred and anger.
Just to show you that Republicans even in Blue States carry that hatred and viciouness within them, my sister and I both have bumper stickers, "Don't Blame Me, I voted For Kerry".
My sister has had old men tooting and giving her the finger, and I had someone throw a milkshake all over my driver door while parked at a mall.
Now I see Bush Stickers, but it would never occur to me, to show Hatred to those people. ( I might shake my head, like "you poor, poor misguided soul", but would never be violent.)
i said i would report on the meeting here in the hudson valley i attended so here it is:
first i want to paint a picture as it is so nice. our weather broke last night and it is cool, not humid and clear skyed here. the folks hosting this presentation by the leaders of friends of hudson have this circa 1799 barn, about 50' by 70' , four stories high, post and beam, totally restored, painted red. the entrance is a big opening like 20' by 30' with a huge american flag hanging in it, there were about 60 people sitting on chairs and bails of hay and the speakers at the other end which is open with corn fields, tree line and hills behind them.
i couldn't stop looking at the incredible mortise and tenon construction, the huge hand hewn beams and so on ...a real bit of americana
the presenters spent alot of time on how they built the organization, and over a 7 year period played a major role in beating an international corporation that spend 58 million trying to get their cement plant in. there were local groups there that were fighting for various causes and the head of the town democratic party and i had a good conversation about efforts to try to beat our congressman sweeny who is a real repub slime and who was in florida with bolton and olson stopping the vote counts...its a long shot but i signed up to do some work. this event was not partisan but it was a good chance to connect with local dems who were of course very well represented.
thats is and company is arriving...bbl.
Well the NW had a bit of good news this morning...they found the little girl from Id that has been missing since her parents were killed and she was alive...still no word on the little boy but finding the little girl definitely adds new hope!
Testing....1, 2, 3
If this works, thank you Dors and Jen, for your patience in helping me get to this point...:)
Good morning everybody!
and everybody's left.. go figure
Have a wonderful day, fellow bloggers and lurkers!
let's see if this link thingie works...
The freedoms sought for Iraq in danger here
The freedoms sought for Iraq in danger here
Just as you might expect, a group of poll-watching, finger-to-the-wind conservative congressmen have pledged to fight for legislation that would allow the Ten Commandments to be posted in courthouses around the country. A pair of recent Supreme Court decisions — one of which struck down such displays — has handed them a chance to seize the low ground on yet another hot-button issue.
These are the same congressmen, no doubt, who roar with approval every time President Bush pledges that the United States will help Iraqis install their own version of Jeffersonian democracy — one that protects government critics, religious minorities and criminal defendants. So, if that sort of constitution is such a good idea for Iraqis, why isn't it a good idea for Americans? ..........
yeah!! and four posts without crashing, this is so exiting
ok, I'm really out of here for now
WASHINGTON -- U.S. investigators have concluded that newly elected Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is not the glowering Islamic militant seen escorting an American hostage in a 1979 photograph that was widely publicized this week, U.S. officials said Friday...
Awwww...it had the makings of a great media frenzy and excuse for war.
Ohio Democrats victims of break-in
Thieves grab computer from party headquaters in Columbus
Thieves targeted the Ohio Democratic Party Headquarters this week, stealing a computer and a high-tech communications gadget belonging to party chairman Denny White.
click my name for link
This is aggravating. Try try again.
Pugs to run ads slamming Durbin starting July 4th:
(Chgo Tribune, 7-2-05)
WASHINGTON -- More than two weeks after citing Nazis and other brutal regimes in criticizing U.S. tactics at the Guantanamo Bay detention center, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) remains under fire from critics who claim the lawmaker's subsequent apology was insufficient.
Move America Forward, a group affiliated with the conservative political public relations firm Russo Marsh & Rogers, is planning a national ad campaign that scolds Durbin for his June 14 statements and what the organization refers to as his "non-apology."
Durbin's office called the move a media stunt, designed to attract coverage by news organizations.
"It's a cheap shot to try and raise money for their extreme-right cause," said Durbin spokesman Joe Shoemaker.
Durbin's Senate floor remarks addressed the details of an FBI agent's e-mail describing heavy-handed interrogation tactics at Guantanamo. Among other things, the e-mail described detainees being chained to the floor in severe temperatures and denied food or water for excessive periods.
"If I read this to you and did not tell you that it was an FBI agent describing what Americans had done to prisoners in their control, you would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime--Pol Pot or others--that had no concern for human beings," Durbin said.
Though he initially stood by his remarks, Durbin later delivered an teary-eyed apology on the Senate floor.
"I'm sorry if anything that I said caused any offense or pain to those who have such bitter memories of the Holocaust, the greatest moral tragedy of our time," Durbin said. "I'm also sorry if anything I said in any way cast a negative light on our fine men and women in the military."
Durbin's apology was noted approvingly by such Republicans as Sen. John McCain of Arizona. But others are not satisfied.
"Sen. Durbin's non-apology is not accepted," said Melanie Morgan, co-chair of Move America Forward.
"He has offered the lame excuse that he never meant to disparage our soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen. But if not them, then who was it that he was accusing of acting with such butchery and murderous behavior as the Nazis, Soviets and Pol Pot?" Morgan said.
Move America Forward will launch its ad campaign Monday, July 4. The ad, punctuated by shadowy images of Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia, questions Durbin's loyalty to U.S. troops.
The group has purchased national air time on Fox News Channel as well as time on three Illinois stations: WCIA in Champaign, WMBD in Peoria and WREX in Rockford. It's unclear how long the ads will run.
WASHINGTON -- More than two weeks after citing Nazis and other brutal regimes in criticizing U.S. tactics at the Guantanamo Bay detention center, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) remains under fire from critics who claim the lawmaker's subsequent apology was insufficient...
Which is exactly why you should never apologize to Republicans. They're going to attack no matter what you do and the faster you run from their smears the faster they'll chase you with them. Dean knows it....Durbin's learning it.
Dear Karl Rove,
Treason
The Constitution defines treason as "levying War against [the United States], or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort." A contrast is therefore maintained with the English law, whereby a variety of crimes, including conspiring to kill the King or "violating" the Queen, were punishable as treason. In Ex Parte Bollman (1807), the Supreme Court ruled that "there must be an actual assembling of men, for the treasonable purpose, to constitute a levying of war."
Section Three also requires the testimony of two different witnesses on the same "overt" act, or a confession by the accused in open court, to convict for treason. In Cramer v. United States, the Court ruled that "every act, movement, deed, and word of the defendant charged to constitute treason must be supported by the testimony of two witnesses". In Haupt v. United States, however, the Supreme Court found that two witnesses are not required to prove intent; nor are two witnesses required to prove that an overt act is treasonable. The two witnesses, according to the decision, are only required to prove that the overt act actually occurred.
Furthermore, Section Three permits Congress to determine the punishment for treason. However, this punishment may not "work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person" so convicted. In other words, the descendants of someone convicted for treason could not, as they were under English law, be considered "tainted" (i.e., their blood could not be corrupted) by the treason of their ancestor. Furthermore, the clause permits Congress to confiscate the property of traitors, but that property must be inheritable at the death of the person convicted.
[edit]
Isn't the punishment for Treason "Death by firing squad"?
AAAHHHHH!!!
Hi, Pam. Yes I did. The open threads for the past few days are on the Topics page. For threads before that just change the number in theURL to a lower one (This is open thread 6. Change the date, and the thread number to the desired date and blog.) For the first few days my computer was automatically remembering them, and all I had to do was keep hitting the Back button. Skawoowy.
Hope this helps.
Hey, that post went right on in. All I had to do was log off and log back on a thousand times.
GM Democrats! Sunny 75 degrees here, supposed to top out at 95!
BlackMale, you can keep your 95. We had 8 or 9 days in a row of that nonsense. 71 right now. Ahhhh.
Dear Karl Rove,
Treason
The Constitution defines treason as "levying War against [the United States], or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort." A contrast is therefore maintained with the English law, whereby a variety of crimes, including conspiring to kill the King or "violating" the Queen, were punishable as treason. In Ex Parte Bollman (1807), the Supreme Court ruled that "there must be an actual assembling of men, for the treasonable purpose, to constitute a levying of war."
Section Three also requires the testimony of two different witnesses on the same "overt" act, or a confession by the accused in open court, to convict for treason. In Cramer v. United States, the Court ruled that "every act, movement, deed, and word of the defendant charged to constitute treason must be supported by the testimony of two witnesses". In Haupt v. United States, however, the Supreme Court found that two witnesses are not required to prove intent; nor are two witnesses required to prove that an overt act is treasonable. The two witnesses, according to the decision, are only required to prove that the overt act actually occurred.
Furthermore, Section Three permits Congress to determine the punishment for treason. However, this punishment may not "work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person" so convicted. In other words, the descendants of someone convicted for treason could not, as they were under English law, be considered "tainted" (i.e., their blood could not be corrupted) by the treason of their ancestor. Furthermore, the clause permits Congress to confiscate the property of traitors, but that property must be inheritable at the death of the person convicted.
[edit]
Isn't the penalty for Treason "Death by Firing Squad"?
Re: Posted by DPD on July 2, 2005 at 01:34 PM
I think if the Democrats were to replay Durbin's actual speech, including the graphic descriptions he gave along with the reference to the Nazis, etc., the overall impression would be so revolting that the viewers would start calling their congresspeople.
JALINE
Are you there? I'd like to talk to you about your neighbors. Watch for me, OK?
Posted by Paul on July 2, 2005 at 02:08 PM
Of course I'm expecting the commercial to "Conveniently" leave out the line..."Now if I didn't tell you...."
Changes the whole context. I also think they are wasting their money running the ad in Rockford, Peoria and Champain (a College town) Durbin is very popular in those parts. He won his last race 65% to 34% and carried every County except DuPage. (His Pug challenger's home)
blackmale,
I am not sure if you saw my 10:40 post or not, but it is something you may find of interest, as it includes Actors, Singers, etc.
U.S. Lawmakers Vow War With Iran Anyway
(UPLie) A Leading Republican and "New" Democrat in Congress are insisting that war with Iran is inevitable despite the conclusion of government investigators that newly elected Iranian President Mohammad Khatami was not a hostage taker in the 1979 seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran.
"How dare the people of Iran choose a president who even remotely resembles someone who brought upon this country the greatest shame it has ever known -- at least until the first President Bush threw up on that Jap prime minister," thundered foreign relations committee chairman Sen. John W. Warner from the Senate floor.
In a show of bipartisan unity, ranking committee member Sen. Joseph "Clueless Joe" Biden added. "I don't who this guy thinks he is, but what matters is who I and some Americans think he might be. After the intelligence failures leading up to the invasion of Iraq, we simply can't trust a conclusion that might not lead to war with Iran."
The Bush admistration has insisted that it has no plans for war with Iran and that spy drone overflights of Iranian territory and troop concentrations on the Iraq/Iran border are being caused by faulty GPS equipment.
b>Four Tops' Benson dies of cancer
Renaldo "Obie" Benson, a member of Motown singing group the Four Tops, has died, aged 69.
The singer died in a Detroit hospital on Friday from lung cancer. He was diagnosed after having a leg amputated due to circulation problems.
The Four Tops sold 50 million records and had hits including Reach Out (I'll be There) and I Can't Help Myself.
The only surviving original members are Levi Stubbs and Abdul "Duke" Fakir. Lawrence Payton died in 1997.
Fakir said Benson had "enjoyed every moment of his life".
"He put a smile on everyone's face, including my own, " he said.
pam, I saw that list. Sammy Hagar 100% Pug? Drew Carey? WTF? Dwight Yokum? The world's gon mad, I tell ya.
Ted Nugent 67% Dem? I like the occupation for Monica Lewinski (100% Dem)
Monica Lewinski Presidential mistress
HAHAHA
Iranian President-Elect May Be '89 Killer
Saturday, July 02, 2005
VIENNA, Austria (AP) — Austrian authorities have classified documents suggesting that Iran's president-elect may have played a key role in the 1989 execution-style slayings of an Iranian Kurdish leader and two associates in Vienna, a newspaper reported Saturday.
Austria's Interior Ministry and the public prosecutor's office are investigating alleged evidence pointing to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's possible involvement in the attack, the daily Der Standard reported.
The allegations against Ahmadinejad come as some of the Americans who were taken captive in Iran in 1979 implicate the newly elected leader in the hostage crisis. Radical Iranian students took over the U.S. Embassy and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.
In Austria, Green Party leader Peter Pilz told the newspaper he wants a warrant issued for the arrest of Ahmadinejad, who he alleged "stands under strong suspicion of having been involved."
Pilz accused the hard-liner of planning the murders of Kurdish resistance leader Abdul-Rahman Ghassemlou and two of his colleagues, all of whom were shot in the head at a Vienna apartment by Iranian commandos on July 13, 1989. A fourth victim survived the attack and was able to crawl out of the apartment and alert Austrian authorities.
Pilz told Der Standard his source was an unidentified Iranian journalist living in France, who he said also claimed to have evidence that former Iranian President Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani gave the order to have Ghassemlou killed. He did not elaborate.
He said Ahmadinejad, then a high-ranking member of Iran's elite revolutionary guard, allegedly traveled to the Austrian capital a few days before the slayings to deliver the murder weapons to the commandos who carried out the attack. Austrian authorities have said the gunmen apparently entered the alpine country with Iranian diplomatic passports.
Pilz said the journalist was contacted in 2001 by one of the alleged gunmen, described as a former revolutionary guard who has since died in a drowning accident.
"The descriptions of the informant contained details of the scene (of the slayings) which could only have come from someone who was there," Pilz said. He said the gunman's account, which included "very convincing" evidence implicating Ahmadinejad, was turned over at the time to Austria's federal counterterrorism agency.
Prague's Pravo newspaper reported similar allegations on Friday, quoting Hossein Jazdan Panah, an exiled Kurdish opposition member, as saying Ahmadinejad "was in charge of hit operations abroad" at the time of the Vienna killings.
Wow, what a spread on that Lou Dobbs poll.
More Liberal 80%
More Stoopidur 20%
Should the Next Justice Be More Liberal or More Conserative?
CNN Lou Dobbs Poll
Ma, It's doing it again. My post ended up before the one I was commenting on (several minutes later)
Posted by PamB on July 2, 2005 at 02:31 PM
Excellent!
Thank You
Pam,
That list is quite amazing... Looks like Drew Carey is one of few who supported republicans. Hollywood should of came out a tad stronger for John Kerry me thinks... I bet a few on that list would be interested in backing political hip hop too...
I don't know if anyone is getting the 'Live8" concert, but WXRT.com is streaming it. FWIW
Wow, what a spread on that Lou Dobbs poll.
Yep, that's what I first thought when I saw it DPD. Let's all vote and "make that pie higher".
Posted by WD on July 2, 2005 at 03:00 PM
I refuse to vote in a poll that doesn't have the correct answer (grin)
I don't know if y'all can get the Live 8Concert, but WXRT.com is streaming it
Whitney Houston recording artist $789 100% dems... LOL... I suprised she didn't put that in the pipe.
Why are my posts not showing up, and then POW several places above where they should be?
Arianna Huffington pundit $5,344 0%Dems 100%Repubican ... Huh? I thought she supported Kerry?
"Iranian President-Elect May Be '89 Killer"
Wow. Those who ae itching for war with Iran are quick. The corpse of the story about Kathami being a hostage taker isn't even cold and now they're saying he's a murderer. Next thing you know they'll be saying he "gassed his own people."
And wasn't 9/11 hijacker Mohammed Atta (falsely) claimed to have been in Vienna -- or was it Budapest?
It's as if the propagandists have prewritten stories which they can simply insert names into and plant in the press.
(5 attempts to post. Reports of the blogs' new health are premature.)
I Posted that 3:13 post at 3:15, After BlackMale's Huffington post. This is going in right after Joan @ 3:16
Do you ever look at your reflection in a mirror, and not recognize that it's you?
I had to sign my name on my Visa slip at the store today and I was surprised that it wasn't Carl.
Nope, I guess it didn't. Anyone want to know what will happen 1 minute into the future?
Whoa!!! I made it on the first try!!!! Hope things are better than they were about 1:00 AM this morning. Everything was posting so out of order there was no way to follow a conversation. So I gave up and called it a night.
I saw Drew Carey on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno a couple of years ago. When he told Leno he was a gung-ho Republican, Jay said "but years ago you used to be a Democrat". Drew replyed "yeah, but that was when I was poor before I became sucessful. I have lots of money now so now I'm a Republican".
And that's a true story, not one of those UPLie fake news articles.
Guy,
I agree... They will find any way to get the oil. They will kill their mothers for a few extra bucks...
I had a couple of posts early morning just go down a black hole somewhere, never saw them again. Is this still happening???
Oh yeah, hello Joan.
J, my posts are posting a few minutes Before I type them, above the post I am responding to.
People shouldn't kill their mothers, they will go to jail Blackmale.
Posted by Joan on July 2, 2005 at 03:24 PM
I certainly hope so...
Well, that last one vanished into the ether. My 3:23 post was typed at 3:25, AFTER joan's 3:24.
Presidential Microsoft Filtered China Speech
A Bush Presidential speech in China. I want to thank the ‘blankey-blank’ people of China, and how they respected Hong Kong ‘blankey-blank’ and ‘blankey-blank’. One of my goals is to support ‘blankey-blank’ and ‘blankey-blank’ here. I also want to protect ‘blankey-blank’ rights and ‘blankey-blank’ rights. Values we have help installed in Iraq by giving them ‘blankey-blank’ and ‘blankey-blank’. American soldiers going out in the field to give them ‘blankey-blank’ and ‘blankey-blank’ rights. I am sure the people will under stand my words, for I am a ‘blankey-blank’ President. ‘Blankey-blank’ bless you.
Posted by Joan on July 2, 2005 at 02:38 PM
Renaldo "Obie" Benson, a member of Motown singing group the Four Tops, has died, aged 69.
The entertainment world is grieving the loss of Luther Vandross, but this is also a great loss to music: Obie Benson of the Four Tops. This is my generation of music that I did my teen years in. The Motown Sound was awesome and will never be duplicated.
That's it. I posted the LAST one after J's post about that 4 Tops guy.
BBL, Too frustrating for now, and I have to set up the grill.
Carry On, Dems.
I had a nightmare last night that I was imprisoned at Guantanamo by Executive Privilege, on American conservative intelligence, claiming me a Liberal terrorist, then being judged by FoxNews! Talk about a WMD scenario, the truth never had a chance to report itself, in a ‘fair and unbiased’ defense of myself. To make matters worse, Judge O’reilley Factor sentenced me 24/7 to listen to him and his loose bowels. I mean vowels, now that is pure mental abuse and against all Geneva Conventions principles, further more it stinks, you know the less smelly kind. Just then, a preacher on TV shouting, saved me. I yelled, “Halleluiah, Thank you, for I have seen the light Lord, for surely I had just seen pure hell.
like when you have to remember where's my car and think really hard do I know how to drive it
Posted by J on July 2, 2005 at 03:27 PM
Do you know the same band played for alomost every artist on Motown? Same drummer, same guitar player etc... That's how they got that "classic" Motown sound...
I read that Junior ran to "hide under his bed" again when a plane got within miles of the WH. He sure is a little fraidy cat, ain't he?
I saw Drew Carey on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno a couple of years ago. When he told Leno he was a gung-ho Republican, Jay said "but years ago you used to be a Democrat". Drew replyed "yeah, but that was when I was poor before I became sucessful. I have lots of money now so now I'm a Republican". I saw Drew Carey on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno a couple of years ago. When he told Leno he was a gung-ho Republican, Jay said "but years ago you used to be a Democrat". Drew replyed "yeah, but that was when I was poor before I became sucessful. I have lots of money now so now I'm a Republican". And that's a true story, not one of those UPLie fake news articles.
Posted by WD on July 2, 2005 at 03:19 PM
Sounds as if Drew was engaging in some political satire as well.
Posted by WD on July 2, 2005 at 03:32 PM
I'd be scared to if thousands upon thousands of ppl wanted me dead..
BlackMale, last year we had a running debate on what Junior had under his jacket during his debate with John Kerry, the one were the public was present. Most said they thought it was a transmiter giving him the answers. A few like me thought it was a bullet proof vest. What do you think it was?
It looks like hast Groene turned up this morning at a local Denny's in COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho...
Seems her brother is still missing and feared dead.
Authorities say a sex offender is in custody by the name of Joseph Edward Duncan III ... Well I google searched the dickheads name and it seems he has a habit of touching young boys...
Yeah, Black, it's so sad/scary. Thank goodness for that waitress at Denny's who recognized Shasta. I hate to think what that Duncan bastard did to her.
I didn't know about the young boys thing. Makes me feel more afraid of what he did to her brother. Only good coming from this is that the authorities will probably get a lot more information about what happened to the family.
Joanie, Hon,
did you take your medicine today? You don't sound well. Anything I can do for you?
I always equate Fargo as a strange place (where Duncan is from). If you haven't seen the movie, Fargo, I highly recommend it. William H. Macy stars in it -- based on a true (very twisted) story.
Posted by WD on July 2, 2005 at 03:42 PM
I know exactly what it was. We actually sell the units at the business I work at. It's called a wireless in ear monitor. The ones we sell are made by a company called sennheiser. It's a wireless receiver that attaches to your belt or anywhere on your body. It's used for musicians to hear music without relying on a big clunky floor monitor.
Here it is...
EVOLUTION G2 SERIES
EW300IEM-G2
Pam, I think she'd be okay if her danged ex would just go back home!! ;-)
BlackMale, last year we had a running debate on what Junior had under his jacket during his debate with John Kerry, the one were the public was present. Most said they thought it was a transmiter giving him the answers. A few like me thought it was a bullet proof vest. What do you think it was?
Wired Again?
(UPLie) Harking back to the 2004 debates, diligent Bush watchers have once again spotted wires at a presidential event. But this time the wires weren't leading to a microphone in Bush's ear, but to the testicles of the soldiers seated behind him during his latest "Stay the course in Iraq...9/11" speech.
Throughout the speech, soldiers sat rigidly behind Mr. Bush nodding in unison with every spoken word, and once actually clapping (at the instigation of a White House staffer.)
At a morning-after news briefing WH press secretary Scott McClellan admitted that the soldiers were wired but insisted that, "No soldiers were harmed in the making of this film ... er...speech. In fact, they weren't even shocked once. We've learned at Gitmo and Abu Ghraib that you only have to hook up wires to men's balls in order to get them to do or say anything you want." McClellan then added laughing, "What are you going to do about it?"
Even in the face of the WH acknowledgemnt of testicle wiring, prominent centrist or "New" Democrats called the charges, "...the work of tin-foil-hatted-conspiracy-theorist liberals who want to undermine our ability to collaborate with our esteemed Republican colleagues and the president to bring about greater corporate profits at the expense of consumers, taxpayers, and our troops in Iraq."
Posted by RoseZ on July 2, 2005 at 03:48 PM
It seems the guy likes young boys, not girls by his sexual history. I hate to see what he did to the young boy that is nowhere to be found.
Posted by RoseZ on July 2, 2005 at 03:54 PM
Or any Catholic Priests...
ricky schroder, what went wrong with that boy?
arianna huffington used to be repug. those donations were from before she saw the light.
mr smith! jimmy stewart? say it ain't so.
yoakam gave 200 bucks to rnc in 1991. that's it. so maybe he's seen the light?
Hey Jen. I'm just hangin' out. No festivities this weekend. My husband and younger son left for Maine at 6:30 this morning.
Hi Jen and Rose
The ones that hurt me, are Bob Barker, Ernest Borgnine, James Cagney.
Why are these Old men giving to Repubs? None are THAT rich to be benefitting big time from Bush's tax cuts.
does anyone know if there are any Democrats near or around denison iowa who hold regular meetings?
I don't understand Bob Barker. He loves animals. Like the Repubs do?
Green Day does We are Champions. RIP Freddie Mercury
does anyone know if there are any Democrats near or around denison iowa who hold regular meetings?
Okay. Well I guess I'll head out to get some good snacks for later when my son and I will be doing a West Wing marathon.
BBL.
every move you make
every vow you break
every smile you fake
every claim you stake
we'll be watching you
Bush, Putin, Blair, Chirac, Schroeder, Martin, Koizumi, Berlusconi
we'll be watching you! G8
NY Times Miller: "I'll never betray my little Karl!"
(UPLie) New York Times reporter Judith Miller, facing jail time for refusing to disclose the name of the WH source who revealed that Valerie Plame was an undercover CIA operative, vowed today to do nothing that will endanger her relationship with her "little Karl."
"It was my little Karl who made my journalistic career by feeding me false stories about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq which I dutifully passed on to a gullible public," Miller said. "I'll betray the public's trust until the cows come home in order to advance my career, but I'll never betray my little Karl."
Ms. Miller also requested that she be placed under house arrest rather than serve time in jail because, as she says, she willl never reveal her source anyway. In a related developement, criminal trial lawyers across the nation also filed similar requests, insisting that their clients will continue to commit criminal behavior even inside jail and after their release as well.
Asked by reporters if he is the "my little Karl" Miller referred to, presidential political propagandist and manipulator Karl Rove would only say, "Judy, Judy. Judy! I owe you more than words can tell."
NY Times Miller: "I'll never betray my little Karl!"
(UPLie) New York Times reporter Judith Miller, facing jail time for refusing to disclose the name of the WH source who revealed that Valerie Plame was an undercover CIA operative, vowed today to do nothing that will endanger her relationship with her "little Karl."
"It was my little Karl who made my journalistic career by feeding me false stories about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq which I dutifully passed on to a gullible public," Miller said. "I'll betray the public's trust until the cows come home in order to advance my career, but I'll never betray my little Karl."
Ms. Miller also requested that she be placed under house arrest rather than serve time in jail because she said she willl never reveal her source anyway. In a related developement, criminal trial lawyers across the nation also filed similar requests, insisting that their clients will continue to commit criminal behavior even inside jail and after their release as well.
Asked by reporters if he is the "my little Karl" Miller referred to, presidential political propagandist and manipulator Karl Rove would only say, "Judy, Judy. Judy! I owe you more than words can tell."
Blackwell: The Republican Hillary?
That's what an article in this week's edition of The Other Paper, an alternative newsweekly in central Ohio, calls him. Click. Read. Discuss.
Good Afternoon Folks!
Mr President, I'll fly my flag at half staff on July 4.
Hi Jen,
How's it going and is Joan alright??? Said hello to her earlier and she didn't respond and that's not like her.
I can't help but to laugh at Republicans every time the supreme court make a bad decisions like they did with the property rights, as they try to blame libral activist judges, and that they need to be stopped by appointing Republicans. the reason i have to laugh is because if memory serves me right, and i know it does, wasn't seven out of the nine judges currently serving on the bench appointed by a Republican President
Check it out at
http://www.usscplus.com/info/index.htm
Hey Jen, Rose, PamB, and J,
MSNBC Analyst and a Newsweek Reporter Say Karl Rove Named in Matt Cooper Documents.
Now that Time Inc. has turned over documents to a federal judge, revealing who its reporter, Matt Cooper, identified as his source or sources in the Valerie Plame/CIA case, speculation runs rampant. Lawrence O'Donnell, senior MSNBC political analyst, now claims that at least two authoritative sources have confirmed that one name is top White House mastermind Karl Rove.
Posted by J on July 2, 2005 at 03:27 PM
Do you know the same band played for alomost every artist on Motown? Same drummer, same guitar player etc... That's how they got that "classic" Motown sound...
Posted by BlackMale on July 2, 2005 at 03:30 PM
Yes I did! The conditions that the music was recorded under would be considered primitive by todays standards, but did they get some perfection.
Lizzy, I'm not surprised. The question is what consequences will Rove face?
Hmmm. About the same as WAR CRIMINAL Rumsfeld?
Pardon me while I hurl.
Posted by J on July 2, 2005 at 03:27 PM
Do you know the same band played for alomost every artist on Motown? Same drummer, same guitar player etc... That's how they got that "classic" Motown sound...
Posted by BlackMale on July 2, 2005 at 03:30 PM
Yes I did! They recorded under what would be considered primitive conditions today, but the music was sheer perfection.
I am okay, and I don't know about Joan. I hope she's okay J. She may be having a bad day.
hi Lizzy, Rose, Everyone
Posted by RoseZ on July 2, 2005 at 05:42 PM
Thanks RoseZ, but I use the address as my test post. Once anyone sees that address, I'm coming on. Such a considerate act of kindness, thanks again.
Ah, okay, J. I'll keep it in mind for future reference.
Act of kindness or too much time on my hands? LOL! A little of both.
For that matter, why the hell did nothing happen to that bastard, Novak?
It blows my mind how this administration and its cronies gets away with everything.
i love the motown sound
Posted by Jen on July 2, 2005 at 05:50 PM
Oh I know you do, Jen!!!
From today's Editor & Publisher:
MSNBC Analyst and a Newsweek Reporter Say Karl Rove Named in Matt Cooper Documents
By Greg Mitchell
"I can't help but to laugh at Republicans every time the supreme court make a bad decisions like they did with the property rights, as they try to blame libral activist judges, and that they need to be stopped by appointing Republicans."
Trouble is, it was Clinton's appointees who voted in a 5-4 decision to give corporations the same right to take property as the government already possessed.
It's just the latest example of the merge of corporations and the state (which Mussolini described as the real meaning of fascism) that is taking over this country. It's also the latest example of ordinary people being sold down the river by corporate kissing Democrats whose control over our party needs to be eradicated if winning again is to have any real meaning.
Water Plant Fire Deepens Misery in Baghdad
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A mortar attack sparked a fire Friday that forced authorities to shut down a water plant, leaving millions of weary Baghdad residents with dry taps in 100-degree heat, Iraqi officials said.
Not good... I can't stand when the power goes out for 10 minutes. Imagine having no water and power when it's over 100 degrees...
for hours at a time, Black, and no power means no water
mayor of baghdad wants to quit if he doesn't get money
Posted by Jen on July 2, 2005 at 06:04 PM
Bush is a freaking idiot...
Josh Marshall says the latest on plamegate may uncover the source of the niger documents.
talkingpoints
Posted by Jen on July 2, 2005 at 06:10 PM
And just think... The worst President in United States history is about to pick one, possibly two members of the Supreme Court. Bye Bye womens rights... He's going after Roe vs. Wade.
we are going to fight it Black
i ain't kissing anything goodbye willingly ;)
"Bomb Teheran!" Urges Jilted Condi?
By ALEXANDER COCKBURN
An Iranian MP said Thursday that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice holds a grudge against Iran "because until today she hasn't gotten over her Iranian boyfriend dumping her when she was a university student." The MP, Shakrallah Atar, claimed the faithless lad was from Kazwin , some eighty miles west of Teherean. Atar said his source was a female MP whose name he would not disclose.
Counterpunch
Posted by Jen on July 2, 2005 at 06:12 PM
I think we should start planning the million American march on Washington right now, the goons have been waiting years for this day...
Yep PeppermintLizzy, I've been having to change accounts and names and passwords to post on here. It still don't work right!
They are going after Roe vs. Wade and Affirmative Action...
yeah Black, but they are doing a bait and switch, making people think about gay marriage so they don't notice aa being taken
Here is an interesting article on the interplay between guards and inmates at Gitmo. Here's the site, but you know if it's me, you'll have to do the copy and paste thing. :)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5112340,00.html
Hey Joan, we have all been worried about you!! Glad to see you!
Jen,
You mentioned the march is in "planning stage"... Do you have any info on it?
Last Throes of the Lying Charlatans?
Quagmire of the Vanities
By BRIAN CLOUGHLEY
"It depends", said Bill Clinton, "on what the meaning of 'is' is" ; and he was promptly pilloried by scandalized commentators and shocked - shocked - legislators whose morals and motives were of course impeccable. But there is curious silence on the part of these paragons of semantics and virtue now that there is disagreement about the meaning of words used by two pathetic crackpots who occupy posts in the present US administration.
Washington's charlatan-in-chief, Cheney, has boasted he stands by his statement that Iraq's insurgents are in "their last throes", because it all depends on what the meaning of 'throes' is. He decided to order some deep thinking, and his researchers told him to say "If you look at what the dictionary says about throes, it can still be a violent period".
The vain and arrogant draft-dodging Cheney should know all about that. When the war in Vietnam was in its last throes, and he was obtaining deferment after deferment because he said he had "other priorities", the conflict was indeed violent. And the violence ended when the US was forced out of the country.
Counterpunch
" Why cry if you can laugh? Why wait if you can act? Get out there - make a difference!"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by T.G. --- Brazil
Later folks :)
It really burns me that the greedy, lying, bloodsucking Republicans are threatening Roe v. Wade and now even Marbury v. Madison.
I finally broke out the credit card and donated to the DNC and PFAW.
Yesterday, I saw a couple pull out of a parking space next to me at the Giant Grocery in Mc Lean. Their Mercedes had a big "W" sticker. I asked the woman who had just got into the car, Are you proud of the blood on your hands?
She said, "Excuse me?"
I said, "You voted for the murderer who slaughtered 1744 of our boys. Are you proud of the blood on YOUR hands?"
They both looked at me, shrugged, and drove off.
This is America.
Paul, I would have been afraid one of them totes a gun and decides to use it.
Posted by Jen on July 2, 2005 at 06:12 PM
I think we should start planning the million American march on Washington right now, the goons have been waiting years for this day...
Posted by BlackMale on July 2, 2005 at 06:15 PM
Is this an actual event being planned??? If so I would realy like to start making arrangements to attend.
Rose,
I guess I thought while there is still a right to free speech I would use it. It would make a bad scene if they actually shot someone for expressing an opinion.
After all, it was their Mercedes that had a big "W" sticker. LOL
I'm trying to find the email where it said that, guys. I'll let you know!
((Joan)) Good to see you!!
I am really out of here, I have to run some errands but plan to de-lurk and hang out tonight.. this is so exiting, I can post :)
Hey GIG, glad you got in.
Paul - they just shrugged? They care not for the soldiers. I wonder if they even care about AIDS.
Posted by J on July 2, 2005 at 06:32 PM
Exactly... I have 4 young children. This would be a fantastic lesson in fighting for democracy, freedom and choice for myself and my future democrats...
Hi J, sorry for the lack of a response before. I didn't mean to be rude - just a little brain kaput today. :)
Jen,
Don't look too hard... Maybe the bloggers at DNC should organize it... :-)
that's the way a lot of them think. shrug! not my problem. argh!
that's the impeach bush march on 9/24
there's a scotus march sooner
Joan, yes, it's the little things in life that make all the difference :)
I hope to see you later
My daughter marched in a couple of things all on her own (without parents, I mean) before as a teen. I was worried about her, but she's a feisty thing.
Paul, they were too stupid to know what you were talking about!
Not good... I can't stand when the power goes out for 10 minutes. Imagine having no water and power when it's over 100 degrees...
Posted by BlackMale on July 2, 2005 at 06:03 PM
Then you should have been here in FL last year in September after two hurricanes. Hey, no electricity and therefore none of our precious AC and the temps in the 90's!!! On the average most households went 5-10 days waiting to have power restored. Imagine nights with no lights and not even a breeze stirring.
Jen, Joan and Blackmale,
I knew of this one in September.
click my name
Not good... I can't stand when the power goes out for 10 minutes. Imagine having no water and power when it's over 100 degrees...
Posted by BlackMale on July 2, 2005 at 06:03 PM
Then you should have been here in FL last year in September after two hurricanes. Hey, no electricity and therefore none of our precious AC and the temps in the 90's!!! On the average most households went 5-10 days waiting to have power restored. Imagine nights with no lights and not even a breeze stirring.
Posted by Jen on July 2, 2005 at 06:40 PM
you talkin' to ME?
:)
What Was Bush Thinking?
With President Bush, it's a bit like those old Clairol ads. You find yourself asking, "Does he or doesn't he?" But instead of using hair coloring, you're wondering if he thinks before he opens his pretzel trap.
Iran's recent election is a case in point. Right on the eve of the first round of voting, when it looked like the most mainstream, secularist candidate, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, would win against several other much more conservative candidates, Bush jumped into the fray, calling the Iranian election a sham, and urging Iranians to vote for Rafsanjani.
At that point, a very predictable thing happened in a country that has suffered mightily over the years thanks to a CIA-backed coup that overthrew its elected democratic government and installed the hated Shah Reza Pahlevi--people who had not intended to vote came out enmasse, and handed a victory to the most anti-American candidate on the ballot, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the pro-cleric mayor of Tehran.
Counterpunch
Newsweek 'Rove' story.
A bit confusing to me to be honest.
"The Rove Factor?"
Hi J, sorry for the lack of a response before. I didn't mean to be rude - just a little brain kaput today. :)
Posted by Joan on July 2, 2005 at 06:36 PM
Just long as you are alright that's all that matters. Take it easy!!!
Washington's charlatan-in-chief, Cheney, has boasted he stands by his statement that Iraq's insurgents are in "their last throes".........
Last I heard, Cheney still says Iraq has weapons of mass destruction.
I will, J - thanks. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to see Luther singing on the Live8 stage? His voice must be making heaven dance today.
Posted by WD on July 2, 2005 at 06:43 PM
Bush's words weren't ill considered. The neocons wanted an anti-American president of Iraq. It will fit in well with the march to war which has already begun.
Exactly... I have 4 young children. This would be a fantastic lesson in fighting for democracy, freedom and choice for myself and my future
Posted by BlackMale on July 2, 2005 at 06:35 PM
I understand very well where you are coming from. I am the mother of two (adults) and the grandmother of three and it just frightens and frustrates me what will be here for my grandchildren.
Posted by Guy on July 2, 2005 at 06:45 PM
To this day he still believes we are getting "greeted as liberators" too...
Watching Live 8 - there is a Lutheran Women's Organization that helps women in developing countries by selling their handicrafts and goods over here in America. I have bought thru them before, things even including coffee.
I'm going to try to find their link if anyone's interested - it's been a couple of years since I've bought thru them.
Here's the poop on the abduction of Abu Omar in Italy by our CIA. Don't it just make ya feel so proud to be a Meriken?
guardian
Ok Jen, it may take a while. If I can't find it online I'll make a few calls to church friends. I'll keep you posted.
I've bought handbags, scarves, coffee, soap, and trinkets. They make nice gifts too because they usually come with a little card telling what country or village they come from, and a little about the women from there.
I remember that site, Joan.
I bought a scarf I think.
It was quality stuff.
Glad to see you kickin ass again. Had us worried earlier.
A Defeat Bred in Deceit
By PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS
"Anyone who has proclaimed violence his method inexorably must choose lying as his principle."
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
When Bush decided, prior to September 11, to attack Iraq, he committed himself to lies and deceit. As his British co-conspirators realized, only victory could save them from the consequences.
On June 27, General George Casey, US commander of the "multinational coalition" in Iraq, told morning TV audiences that the conflict in Iraq "will not be settled on the battlefield." On June 26, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told TV audiences that "coalition forces, foreign forces are not going to repress that insurgency." The insurgency, Rumsfeld said, might "go on five, six, eight, 10, 12 years."
These admissions give the lie to Vice President Cheney's claim that the insurgency is in "its last throes."
Would Congress have let Bush invade Iraq if Congress had known that it would not be a 3-week war but a 12-year war?
What kind of fantastic lie or gross incompetence caused a 12-year war to be marketed as a 3-week war?
How can any people, no matter how deceived and deluded, support a government capable of such miscalculation or deceit?
Counterpunch
Here's one Lisa Z sent me. Remember those Christian gentlemen, who voted Bush because of their Moral Values? Here's a VP of Heritage !
Convergence of Driver, Bicyclist Ends in Arrest
Bystanders Track Alleged Assailant
By Petula Dvorak
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, July 2, 2005; Page B01
It began as a shouting match on a busy Capitol Hill street corner during the frenetic morning commute, a bike-vs.-car incident not uncommon in a big city.
But then the silver-haired, retired Navy lieutenant got out of his car, approached the red-headed ballet dancer riding a bike and allegedly shoved her to the ground, authorities said. He got back into his car and, as bystanders followed him, drove down the block to his nearby office, the bicyclist said.
The man was identified as Ted E. Schelenski, 64, vice president for finance and operations at the Heritage Foundation, a think tank that promotes conservative policies. He pleaded not guilty this week to a charge of simple assault.
The bicyclist, Kristin Hall, 23, said the trouble began about 8:30 a.m. June 14. She was riding on the sidewalk, about to turn onto the 300 block of Massachusetts Avenue NE, when a car stopped in front of her, blocking her path, she said. She stopped her bike and asked the man to move his silver Acura, she said.
But Schelenski wouldn't move, and the two yelled at one another, she said in an interview yesterday.
"It was some kind of road-rage nonsense," Hall said. "When he got out of the car, I told him: 'You're crazy! Get back in the car!' "
But Schelenski came at the 105-pound, communications assistant at the Academy for Educational Development and shoved her to the ground while she was still straddled on her bicycle, she said.
"I was pretty scraped up and bruised," Hall said. "And he just got back into his car and floored it. He took off."
There were several bystanders. One helped Hall up; someone took down the license plate number of the car and watched it go just a block past the scene to the foundation's office. Someone else summoned a nearby U.S. Capitol Police officer, she said.
About 10 minutes later, Schelenski returned to the scene, Hall said, and tried to apologize. "He said he lost his temper," she said. "And then he told the officer that all he did was try to shake my bike. He said I was the one who fell over."
Police arrested Schelenski after he gave them his side of the story and took him to Capitol Police headquarters for processing, according to charging papers filed by prosecutors. He was released and appeared Thursday in D.C. Superior Court. His attorney, Robert Bredhoff, declined to comment on the case, and Schelenski did not return calls to his home or office.
Schelenski is due back in court July 27 for a status hearing.
The announcement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's retirement Friday morning set the stage for what is likely to be the most bitter congressional confrontation until the midterm elections of 2006. O'Connor was the critical swing vote in many of the US Supreme Court's most divisive rulings of the last two decades. President Bush's nomination of her replacement virtually ensures a partisan high-court confirmation battle this summer.
"The retirement of O'Connor is a nightmare realized for liberal groups," said Jonathan Turley, a constitutional law professor at George Washington University Law School. "It is hard to overstate the impact of replacing O'Connor with a consistent conservative vote," Turley added. "We've had decades of 5-4 votes, and in a majority of those important cases it has been O'Connor who has supplied the fifth vote."
Link
We have got to be prepared and united and ready to act as soon as a Really Conservative Religious Right Winger is chosen ! The good thing is, we have them by the short hairs with the 2006 election. We have to innudate The Republican Senators, and the DLC Democrats like Lieberman, Nelson of NE, Landrieu, etc, and tell them we will work our tails off to see they are not re-elected if they vote for an unsavory judges.
Hopefully, MoveOn and the DNC will be organized to help us drive this Project.
You're sweet Pam. Thank you!
Posted by Joan on July 2, 2005 at 07:07 PM
Joanie, be careful what you call me.
I have a reputation to keep up here !
:))
Don't know what to make of this. Ruling out pedants such as myself, that might not wade through? Naw. I doubt that. Narrow this discussion back down? All for it. Pedant and elitist. Not really, I don't guess.
If the new regime is still causing my friend Rick problems, that's a problem. Back before the Short Boat jerks hijacked the election and every one of my dire opinions about the intelligence of American voters seemed to come distressingly true, there were spectacularly intelligent opinions being waged here, and I'd guess we disagreed more than we agreed. I insisted on my opinions. Why they came out of my mouth, but no bludgeons, and no phony crap about some wing of the Democratic party. The only wing of the Democratic Party worth considering is the Bobby Kennedy wing, and Paul Wellstone, well, yeah, fine, but he wasn't Bobby either. (And Lynne, and Jen,, if you read this, this isn't disrespect, there is just no way.)We sure as shit weren't some Bushevik town meeting.
I also want to say I've got nothing to say about that Democratic Wing bullshit comment. Fine. But not f**king really. That was John Kerry running the BCCI investigation (and I'm waiting, I am waiting, for an explanation of the Kennyboy, captive insurance connection--there is no explanation thaat doesn't sound like bad back and moguls). I'm not saying I don't suffer fools, but holy shite, how about considering facts.
Re:
Schelenski is due back in court July 27 for a status hearing.
Posted by PamB on July 2, 2005 at 07:02 PM
Privilege.
"Anyone who has proclaimed violence his method inexorably must choose lying as his principle."
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
I don't buy that for a minute, as wonderful as it might sound.
Posted by Guy on July 2, 2005 at 02:32 PM"How dare the people of Iran choose a president who even remotely resembles someone who brought upon this country the greatest shame it has ever known
I like it!!! :)
John Kerry - "we can never let her be replaced by a Justice who does not respect the right to privacy and Roe v. Wade, and who doesn't understand the freedoms protected in our Constitution. So, this weekend, as you enjoy the Fourth -- take a minute to think about what it means, and come back on Tuesday morning ready to fight for our freedom. It's all at stake now, and we need to come together more than ever."
I agree.
Here's one site, and I think I know where to find the coffee site. bbib
here's another - this is the Lutheran project:
http://www.elca.org/hunger/resources/top40-pg4.html
next, coffee's coming ! :)
coffee is served in the dining car, ladies and gents
http://www.lwr.org/coffee/90ton.asp
Am I good or what?? :)
Posted by GiG on July 2, 2005 at 12:16 PM Thankyou Dors and Jen, for your patience in helping me get to this point...
A German thanking an Italian, imagine that :)
I don't buy that for a minute, as wonderful as it might sound. Posted by michaelj
Why not? It makes sense to me.
Bush's Ruinous Empire
By PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS
Last Friday the price of light sweet crude oil on the New York Mercantile Exchange for August delivery closed 16 cents short of $60/barrel--the highest price ever and an ironic outcome for the millions of Americans who believe that cheap oil was the reason for Bush’s invasion of Iraq.
Equally shocking to Americans was the announcement that China has outbid US oil giant Chevron for the American oil company, Unocal.
Polls showing that a majority of Europeans have a higher opinion of China than of the US were another blow to the pumped-up self-esteem of Americans, deluded as they are by Bush administration hubris and claims of American “exceptionalism.”
The decline in economic and diplomatic standing that Americans have suffered under Bush is exceptional. How much longer will Americans support the incompetent Bush administration that is driving them and their country’s reputation into the ground?
Counterpunch
coffee is served in the dining car, ladies and gents
http://www.lwr.org/coffee/90ton.asp
Am I good or what?? :)
Posted by Joan on July 2, 2005 at 07:19 PM
So are we taking the "Orient Express" tonight through the countryside??? Sounds classic and elegant.
J - what a trip that would be!!
When I was a little girl in the fifties, my grandmother would take me on train trips to visit relatives. We always had a pullman sleeping car, with white linens and fluffy pillows. And we would have our 'tea' in the dining car.
To this day I love falling asleep to the sounds of a train.
Posted by Joan on July 2, 2005 at 07:40 PM
Wow! What childhood!
When I was a child, my mother would stuff my brother and I into a beat up Ford Pinto with no seatbelts and spark up Benson & Hedges Menthols and get mad when I ask her to crack the window. :-)
I am really tired of being told I am not logged in. And then when I login again, being told I am not registered.
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I don't understand why the DNC would buy a BLOG package that is so dumb.
Rant!
Alright ya'll... I'm off to take family to Pizza... have a great 4th! See ya Tuesday!
See - now you're giving THEM a great childhood!!
Have a good one, Blackmale !
Shame on you, Tom Cruise, for playing with the hopes of 54 million people in this country living with mental illness.
LDN
So does everyone have big plans for the Fourth or are you just going to take it easy and use the time to reflect????
What George's Theocrats tell him:
And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:...Deuteronomy 28:13
But one must keep the whole law to get that, and of course they don't and can't.
Republicans want the court so they can rule and be "the greatest", but they just don't get it.
However, the Religious Left gets it:
"And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve." Jesus addressing his followers in Luke 22:24-26.
Great link Rose - thanks!
Jane Pauley is one of many celebrities/artists/writers/professionals
living and working with mental illness such as bipolar disorder, and other psych conditions. I believe Patty Duke was one of the first prominent people who 'came out' years ago with her revelation that she was 'manic-depressive' or bipolar.
THESE are the celebrities that have done a world of good. Tom Cruise can kiss my medicated ass.
Thanks for the article, Rose.
With the way the heat and the rain are going these days, one has to do any grilling so as not to get rained out and also by 10:00 - 11:00 AM the heat is unbearable with the humidity thrown in.
amen Joan. i'm remembering Kristy MacNichol coming out with her bipolar disorder. william styron the author and mike wallace from 60 minutes with depression.
Posted by Joan on July 2, 2005 at 08:01 PM
The only thing I can give Tom Cruise is credit for the gorgeous looks. Other than that to me he is off limits.
That being due to his belief and freverent practice of Scientology.
J- you have rain? I'm way past jealous. :)
This weekend I'm working with daughter on wedding plans. I never knew it could take so long to plan a wedding. We started in December. Still have tons to do, till the date in October.
Joan,
About the only credit I give Tom Cruise is for his gorgeous looks. Other than that he is off limits for me.
His devout belief and practice of Scientology creates shakey ground with me.
Posted by Joan on July 2, 2005 at 08:01 PM
J- you have rain? I'm way past jealous. :)
This weekend I'm working with daughter on wedding plans. I never knew it could take so long to plan a wedding. We started in December. Still have tons to do, till the date in October.
Oh a wedding!!! How lovely. Are the colors something fall like since it's in October? Is it a formal, semi-formal or what??? Fill in the details, girl.
see I don't even find Cruise good looking. Never have. I know that makes me strange probably. plus he's too short for me.
I don't think Cruise is good looking, either, Jen. I never understood the appeal.
Posted by Joan on July 2, 2005 at 08:07 PM
J- you have rain? I'm way past jealous. :)
Oh yeah, the rain. Honey it rains here at LEAST every other day this time of the year.
RoseZ & Jen,
Hey you're not strange because you don't find Cruise good looking. Really to me he's more cute than handsome.
You know isn't that something, here I'm the middle age black lady that finds him say, cute and you two don't find him appealing at all. Now that's a laugh!!!
But now I have seen some "brothers" that were so fine all I could say was: "Lord have mercy".
About the only credit I give Tom Cruise is for his gorgeous looks. Other than that he is off limits for me.
His devout belief and practice of Scientology creates shakey ground with me.
Posted by J on July 2, 2005 at 08:11 PM
Hi J.
Don't know if you got a chance to go thru that link at 10:30AM, of money that Celebrities donated to Dems vs Repubs, but one more thing you can give Cruise credit for, is the $39,000 he donated to Democrats ! :))
You know who I like? I can't remember his name, but he plays the black cop on law & order. Oh, also, the guy who plays Bruce on Judging Amy. He is HOT!!!
omg, that guy on judging amy is a total babe. l&o--ice t? what about the guy on nypd blue!!hooooooooot.
Polls showing that a majority of Europeans have a higher opinion of China than of the US were another blow to the pumped-up self-esteem of Americans, deluded as they are by Bush administration hubris and claims of American “exceptionalism.”
The decline in economic and diplomatic standing that Americans have suffered under Bush is exceptional. How much longer will Americans support the incompetent Bush administration that is driving them and their country’s reputation into the ground?
Posted by WD on July 2, 2005 at 07:35 PM
Hi William
I posted an email last weekend, that I had just received from an old friend who now has a job traveling. She said that all the other countries, are Praying for China to become powerful enough to offset the balance of Power to the United States. They no longer believe Soviet Union will do it, so they are rooting for china. They Detest and distrust this administration so much! She is afraid when she travels to other countries.
Posted by RoseZ on July 2, 2005 at 08:25 PM
Oooo I know who you are talking about!!!! I love my Law & Order guy and Oh, Oh the brother on Judging Amy is just too much!!!
Vincent? To me, he's cute because of his personality.
Doesn't matter anymore. They cancelled Judging Amy :-(
Posted by Jen on July 2, 2005 at 08:27 PM
Amy is the babe, ladies, for a fact. If I have to sign in every time there's some irresponsible sexist comment about a handsome black guy on a televisions show, nah. Dtective Green is handsome, but he's not Baldwin.
I don't understand this continual harping on wanting a clear strategy. Bush has a clear strategy: set up a puppet Iraqi government and militarily control the Middle East. The problem is not the clarity of the stategy, the problem is that the stategy is totally delusional and criminal. "Clear Strategy" is a being used as a euphemism for "how are we going to win?". The answer is "We are not going to win", so the question makes no sense.
We need our straight talking Chairman to say what needs to be said which is "Get out now and stop the slaughter."
henry simmons baldwin on nypd blue
http://www.imdb.com/gallery/granitz/1700/Events/1700/HenrySimmo_Ausse_670025_400.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Simmons,%20Henry%20(I)
Joan on July 2, 2005 at 08:01 PM
Is this new blog software paranoid or what?
Google auditing and scientology to learn how to make oneself highly conceited.
..Shout out to my freinds in here...particularly good to see you, MJ. No problems here, same ol thing, calling a spade a spade. Maybe you haven't heard...that whole "captive" insurance thing was "de-bunked." I'm not entirely sure how you do that, because the article in question said nothing about it being illegal, or, more to the point, that it didn't happen. Wrote the letter, he did. Expanded the practice too. Unethical? perhaps not, but if we are here to call out every Dem with cozy corporate connections...pack a lunch, we'll be here awhile.
By the by, MJ, how many seniors did ya lose? I'll be watching the Dogs quite closely this year...
Pam, what;s that tell ya? More respect for a country with no Bill of Rights, a track record of abuse of it's own citizens, and, (though this doesn't bother me) a Communist system of Govt in place....how low can we sink?
Hi everybody. Two great losses in the music world today. Another of the Four Tops (I'm sorry- can't remember his name) and Luther Vandross. So sad. Great losses both. I remember when Vandross was hired on by Bowie to bring out that "Philadelphia sound". "Fascination" was one of the best- one of my favorites. And there will never be a sound like what came out of Motown. Ever. They don't write 'em like that any more. Damn the tragedies :(. Sorry.
Posted by kunstena on July 2, 2005 at 08:41 PM
Clear strategy? That would be the obstructionist Republican Bushwa for everything that Clinton ever did militarily, wouldn't it? The 'exit strategy' argument that appeared to have no other purpose than ensuring genocide and incipient civil war for domestic political gain? Maybe I'm wrong.
Fact is the PNACenturions tried to goad, cajole, force Clinton into in Iraq in 19f**king98.
What I'd really like to know is this. If this guy in Iran was the hostage taker, what exactly did he get from Dickless Cheney and Captain Morgan Rummy for holding on to the hostages in the interest of electing President Oldtimer? This obscene connection doesn't dawn on anybody?
Posted by Chuck on July 2, 2005 at 08:54 PM
Chuck, no disrespect to the other Tops, but if it wasn't Levi Stubbs it doesn't really matter.
Tough pictures on your blog today Jen. Good job. I know how hard it is to address this shit.
A Prayer for Independence Day, July 4, 2005
by Gregg L. DesElms
gregg@greggdeselms.com
Dear Lord,
Watch over us as we celebrate the anniversary of this great nation. Give us the means to preserve and protect it from enemies both without and within; the courage to stop making enemies of our friends and allies; and the wisdom to know the difference.
Disabuse our president and those around him of their misguided, "us versus them," end-times mentality; and help him to become someone and something bigger, better and more noble than even he believes he can be, touched, alas, by the better angels of his nature as he makes decisions during the remainder of his presidency that will profoundly affect the lives and fortunes of untold generations to come.
Give him a realization of the true intent of our founding fathers to find the kind of balance between church and state that will ensure uninterrupted civil liberty for all Americans; and will preserve the constitution's ability to soundly protect the rights of the few from the wants of the many, as was its stated purpose at its momentous creation.
Though it is inevitable that our president will select two of his kind and sensibilities to the highest court of the land, guide him, nevertheless, to choose those who, perhaps unknown to him, will be of far fairer mind and goodness of heart than he might have realized or hoped; two who will, as Justice O'Connor has, allow themselves to be humbled by the sheer magnitude of their appointments, reminded of the life-altering and generation-spanning power of their deliberations, cognizant of the solemnity of their duty, and transformed by their realization of the greatness of their responsibility, from ruling based on petty party line politics or, worse, theocracy, to ruling based on the letter and spirit of the law in this great nation of laws and not people.
And watch over our nation's brave military, at all times and in all places, as they courageously stand watch on the wall which separates us from those who wish us harm; and who ensure by their peaceful presence, as well as their willingness to fight, our continued ability to observe the anniversary of this nation's beginnings on days such as this. Keep them safe; make their sacrifices meaningful; steer them from bitterness for their knowledge of their president's deceit which placed them, unnecessarily, in harm's way and which asks of them that to which many of them did not agree; and bring them home, unharmed in mind, body and spirit, to their friends and families, as soon as possible.
In your name we pray, this glorious Independence Day.
Amen.
Gregg DesElms is a 48-year-old Chicago-area management consultant now living and working mostly in Napa, California (but who returns to the Midwest frequently). A liberal Democrat and civil rights activist for all of his adult life, DesElms is a member of the ACLU, a supporter of such organizations as MoveOn.org, and is involved, either actively or peripherally, in a number of political organizations and causes. He is also a lifelong member of what is now the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA); and is a proponent of the notion that under the right circumstances church and state need not necessarily be like oil and water, though certainly not in the separation-blurring manner now being attempted by the far religious right of today's out-of-control Republican Party.
Copyright (C) 2005 by Gregg L. DesElms.
All Rights Reserved. Use by permission only.
Permission is hereby granted to publish the foregoing anywhere and for any purpose provided that it is not edited in any way; and provided, also, that there is full attribution (i.e., the byline remains intact), and the above copyright notice, as well as the words of this blanket permission, appear therewith as well.
help him to become someone and something bigger, better and more noble than even he believes he can be, touched, alas, by the better angels of his nature as he makes decisions during the remainder of his presidency that will profoundly affect the lives and fortunes of untold generations to come.
Nice. Thanks, Greg.
Posted by michaelj on July 2, 2005 at 08:58 PM
I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't know their names, only their music as a group. Was Levi the lead, songwriter, both?
Wow, my post was there, now it's not....Greg L, I was acknowledging a nice bit of your writing, case you didn't see it, I'll re-post.
help him to become someone and something bigger, better and more noble than even he believes he can be, touched, alas, by the better angels of his nature as he makes decisions during the remainder of his presidency that will profoundly affect the lives and fortunes of untold generations to come.
Yikes, now it's back. Perhaps I should have stayed away from those mushrooms out in the pasture...
Mack-
For the first couple of threads on this new deal, I thought it was just happening to me, but we're not alone.
Chuck, you sure? Seems like it is just you and me....Forgive me, but are you Chuck in Ohio? I've lost track of some folks, figured we meet up again, I can get fairly narrow in my perspective sometimes, I don't mean to ignore folks...
Gregg,
Are you correct? Yup. Is there the gnats chance of flying through the ninth circle on a slurpee? Nope. It's everything Americans are supposed to stand for. It's light years from the triumphal dogmatism this country claims to abhor. In the face of abject repudiation and defeat, specifically because of championing every foul white man's burden piece of crap to which this country is supposed to bject , we're faced with the obscenity of our government, which was sure as shit not elected, objecting to a democratically elected Irani because Busheviks actually have the unmitigated balls (when they bhave none, chickenhawk bullshit) to claim carried out the Rummy-Cheney Raygun plan. Which part of this am I missing?
Which country was it that Japped (pardon my political incorrectness, but damn) on the Shah? Which country financed and armed botyh the Iraqis and the Iranis in the most devastating war that wasn't WWI? Are Americans so GD stupid? Which country's Islamist hardliners are going to run Iraq if the US ever finds it's ass with two hands and gets the f**k out of Dodge? Do the people allegedly running MY country know how to read?
Gregg, Well put. But it would require repudiation of the New American Century, and that's about as likely to happen as the bizarre idea that self-proclaimed Christians will actually consider WJWD.
Yikes, now it's back. Perhaps I should have stayed away from those mushrooms out in the pasture...
Posted by Mack on July 2, 2005 at 09:13 PM
Forewarding my address and some cash for dry ice.
MJ, nobody ever talks about the real deal. We indeed played both sides against the middle, for the sole purpose of exporting death, and lining our pockets in the process. Why are so many surprized by the hatred? Does profit cleanse all sin?
good evening folks. have some company so i can't stay long. went to see batman begins and really liked it but my tastes are those of a 14 year old. real gloomy and atmospheric stuff. batman is played by christen bale who was the main character in american pyscho. now i hated the book american pyscho but loved the movie as it was not only a send up of 80's american corporate greed culture but also a send up of the book...
hello mack, chuck, jen, gregg_l and denim and whoever else is out there.
as it finally cooled down here today i have the windows open and the ac off and you can hear the fireworks beginning in the various towns throughout the hills. seem fire works are going on somewhere around here on the second, third and fourth of july...guess the towns take turns.
michael j is mj? rose, j, pam...looks like things are sort of back to normal here with some new folks as well.
Posted by Mack on July 2, 2005 at 09:28 PM
Yeah Rick, it's me (from Ohio). I did see others talkinging about post disappearing & re-appearing. It was happening quite a bit to me the first couple of days. Then we started with the duplicate posting...
Just didn't want you to think you were freaking out alone. :)
Hi Greg. Good to see you buddy. I don't think I've ever seen any of the Batman movies.
duke, duke, duke...duke of earl...
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal agents investigating the relationship between Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham and a defense contractor searched the congressman's California home and the contractor's home and yacht, the U.S. Attorney's office said on Saturday.
cause i'm the duke of earl
I'm still not figuring out some of the new screen name "variations" either. I suppose some were taken first, but it seems kinda strange that early.
chuck the others are very tongue in cheek and so on but this one is dark and brooding...also saw war of the worlds this week which i liked. so as a sci fi kinda guy you might like them but then if you have some taste you might not.
Four. Only took three times to sign in. Oy. Hi, Chuck and Gregg G.
so if i continue as gregg and gregl has morphed into Gregg_l_ will folks know who is who? and does it really matter?
I'm getting lucky. I was in on the first try tonight. And that was a first!
heretik i could become gregg g or with all those g's just g-man....must call a full committee meeting on this.
I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't know their names, only their music as a group. Was Levi the lead, songwriter, both?
Posted by Chuck on July 2, 2005 at 09:06 PM
Smokey was the songwriter Chuck, and Dozier and Holland. Temps were maybe better, but my mom's name was Bernadette, and that astounding vocal was the little man Levi Stubbs. No apologies, bud. I'd say, if some Arab American pollster ran a line, we have 'My Girl' as the all-time, all-time, though my personal favorite is Mick singing 'Just My 'Magination'.
I grew up in Detroit. We had the Tops and the Temps and Sister Re, and my brother Dave's best friend in 6th grade was Terry Gordy, and we had MC5, SRC, Bob Seger, and the Amboy Dukes. I actually moved effortlessly and undoubtedly thoughtlessly to spectacular Boston music, and in the 70s to Georgia. Umduly blessed.
if rove actually burns behing the palme thing i will attend high mass as soon as i can find out where they put the catholic church around here:
MSNBC Analyst and a Newsweek Reporter Say Karl Rove Named in Matt Cooper Documents
By Greg Mitchell
Published: July 02, 2005 1:00 PM ET
NEW YORK Now that Time Inc. has turned over documents to a federal judge, revealing who its reporter, Matt Cooper, identified as his source or sources in the Valerie Plame/CIA case, speculation runs rampant. Lawrence O'Donnell, senior MSNBC political analyst, now claims that at least two authoritative sources have confirmed that one name is top White House mastermind Karl Rove.
This afternoon, Newsweek's Michael Isikoff confirmed that Cooper did indeed talk to Rove for his story, but Rove's lawyer denied he was the key leaker in the case.
"The e-mails surrendered by Time Inc., which are largely between Cooper and his editors, show that one of Cooper's sources was White House deputy chief of staff Karl Rove, according to two lawyers who asked not to be identified because they are representing witnesses sympathetic to the White House," Isikoff writes on the Newsweek web site. "Cooper and a Time spokeswoman declined to comment. But in an interview with Newsweek, Rove's lawyer, Robert Luskin, confirmed that Rove had been interviewed by Cooper for the article. It is unclear, however, what passed between Cooper and Rove."
According to Isikoff, Luskin told Newsweek that Rove "never knowingly disclosed classified information" and that "he did not tell any reporter that Valerie Plame worked for the CIA." Luskin declined, however, to discuss any other details. He noted that Rove had testified before the grand jury "two or three times" and signed a waiver authorizing reporters to testify about their conversations with him.
"He has answered every question that has been put to him about his conversations with Cooper and anybody else," Luskin said. But one of the two lawyers representing a witness sympathetic to the White House told Newsweek that there was growing "concern" in the White House that the prosecutor is interested in Rove.
MSNBC's O'Donnell first offered the Rove revelation Friday night on the syndicated McLaughlin Group political talk show. Today, he went beyond that, writing a brief entry at the Huffington Post blog:
"I revealed in yesterday's taping of the McLaughlin Group that Time magazine's e-mails will reveal that Karl Rove was Matt Cooper's source. I have known this for months but didn't want to say it at a time that would risk me getting dragged into the grand jury.
"McLaughlin is seen in some markets on Friday night, so some websites have picked it up, including Drudge, but I don't expect it to have much impact because McLaughlin is not considered a news show and it will be pre-empted in the big markets on Sunday because of tennis.
"Since I revealed the big scoop, I have had it reconfirmed by yet another highly authoritative source. Too many people know this. It should break wide open this week. I know Newsweek is working on an 'It's Rove!' story and will probably break it tomorrow."
Here is the text of what O'Donnell said on Friday:
"What we're going to go to now in the next stage, when Matt Cooper's e-mails, within Time Magazine, are handed over to the grand jury--the ultimate revelation, probably within the week of who his source is.
"I know I'm going to get pulled into the grand jury for saying this but the source of...for Matt Cooper was Karl Rove, and that will be revealed in this document dump that Time magazine's going to do with the grand jury."
Other McLaughlin Group panelists then joined in discussing whether, if true, this would suggest a perjury rap for Rove, if he told the grand jury he did not leak to Cooper.
Besides his career at a TV journalist, O'Donnell has served as a producer and writer for the series "The West Wing."
According to published reports, Patrick Fitzgerald, the special prosecutor in the case, has interviewed President Bush and Vice President Cheney and called Karl Rove, among others, to testify before the grand jury.
"The breadth of Fitzgerald's inquiry has led to speculation that it has evolved into an investigation of a conspiracy to leak Plame's identity," the Chicago Tribune observed on Friday, "or of an attempt to cover up White House involvement in the leak."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greg Mitchell (letters@editorandpublisher.com) is editor of E&P.
good stuff michael j. i remember it well from college days when all these guys from brooklyn were commuting and expanded my beach boys/ dylan orientation...bernadette was the best....
Posted by michaelj on July 2, 2005 at 09:50 PM
Good enough. Thanks. "Bernadette"- excellent vocals. Yeah, great music all the way through. For me, until early to mid 80s, then it was over, IMO. We were all blessed with it.
another cut on the duke of earl. i heard about this on air america a week or two ago and didn't think anything would come of it...shows how jaded i've become:
Duke Cunningham's Home Searched by FBI
by Armando
Sat Jul 2nd, 2005 at 18:51:55 PDT
This is TPM's story, but this development in the Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham scandal caught my eye:
A California congressman whose dealings with a defense contractor are under investigation was taking a "personal day" Saturday and not commenting on federal authorities' searches a day earlier of his home and a yacht where he stayed while in Washington, a spokesman said.
. . . FBI agents on Friday searched Cunningham's $2.55 million mansion outside San Diego and a 42-foot yacht named Duke Stir, according to a bureau spokeswoman, who said agents from the Department of Defense and Internal Revenue Service assisted.
What the richman's tax break should be buying to Support Our Troops!
Light Armor, very light
u the man chuck, looks like duke hasn't been skipping any meals...
Greg- I posted this, but it disappeared:
The Duke on my blog a few days back-
Pending OVERT Action
(at the bottom)
Hi everybody. Two great losses in the music world today. Another of the Four Tops (I'm sorry- can't remember his name) and Luther Vandross. So sad. Great losses both. I remember when Vandross was hired on by Bowie to bring out that "Philadelphia sound". "Fascination" was one of the best- one of my favorites. And there will never be a sound like what came out of Motown. Ever. They don't write 'em like that any more. Damn the tragedies :(. Sorry.
Posted by Chuck on July 2, 2005 at 08:54 PM
The Motown Sound was the thing during my teen years and in my early twenties the Philly Sound was blasting out. Motown had The Temps, Four Tops, Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, etc while the Philly Sound came with Harald Melvin & the Blue Notes, O'Jays.
Berry Gordy had the awesome writing of the Holland brothers and Lamont Dozier while the Philly Sound had Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. The music of those times was off the chain and still is!!!!
Posted by J on July 2, 2005 at 10:00 PM
Can I agree 110% J? Cos I will!
"This old heart of mine, been broke a thousand times...
Posted by gregg on July 2, 2005 at 09:56 PM
. FBI agents on Friday searched Cunningham's $2.55 million mansion outside San Diego and a 42-foot yacht named Duke Stir, according to a bureau spokeswoman, who said agents from the Department of Defense and Internal Revenue Service assisted.
Yeah gregg, looks like the "Duke" has stepped in "doo-doo".
Yeah Greg, I went in & read that article. WOW! They issued search warrants on his well fed ass. Good enough!
yeah i guess something can stop the duke of earl. even in his water borne dukedom...
Sounds like the scum is catching up with the bags and it couldn't happen to a better bunch!
if rove actually burns behind the palme thing i will attend high mass as soon as i can find out where they put the catholic church around here:
greg g
I will personally go to Wahington, slap the cuffs on little Karl, drag him to the station and chain him to the wall in the men's bathroom, - just to hold you to this, buddy. And if we can't find the Catholic one, I'll drag you around the corner into the welcoming arms of the Baptists!
Can I agree 110% J? Cos I will!
"This old heart of mine, been broke a thousand times...
Posted by Chuck on July 2, 2005 at 10:04 PM
You are more than welcome to do so!!!! Usually when I'm this blog I am listening to music and tonight it's the Rhythm & Blues Box set from Time Life. My favorite years are 1966-1976 whihc includes cuts from the Motown and Philly sound. I'm really huge jazz fan, but tonight I'm DJing in memory.
Posted by gregg on July 2, 2005 at 09:38 PM
Yeah, but not for long. This is an exceptionally asinine comedy of errors. I don't know how to do this stuff, so I hesitate to criticize. Then again, I never claimed to be anything but an opinionated SOB. If this is a town meeting, I guess I just don't know what to say. Doess this mean I can't just spout my opinions and occasional insights (no feedback solicited, but shoot, sometimes I know what I'm talking about, and I've gone out of my way never to comment about grammar and syntax, and, God forfend, vocabulary, at least since Sally and a better class of intruders left the bunkhouse).
I don't know about the rest of y'all, but I've had the pleasure of personal admonishments from the moderator, back in the day before the 250 rollover. I don't think this works as well currently, but, hell, nobody has any pressing need to know what I think about anything most of the time. I realize, I pontificate, or at least waste bandwidth. Am I mistaken, or are there exceptionally olong posts that get through? What seems to be suffering here is the rapid heartrfelt response.
The worst thing that could happen is that we wouldn't have the conspiracy theory expert hockey fan calling anybody a dumbass because her kick-boxing mentality was ill-attuned to signing in repeatedly. That would be a crushing loss to the colloquy. Bad enough if we didn't hear as much from her gentleman farmer neighbor concerning livestock and the only valid opinion about immigration.
whats the big deal with this, after the hillarious evolution hearings in the sunflower state it is pretty clear they don't need no stinking commie public schools anyway...
Kansas high court may close schools
Saturday, July 2, 2005; Posted: 8:27 p.m. EDT (00:27 GMT)
TOPEKA, Kansas (AP) -- The Kansas Supreme Court said Saturday it will consider keeping schools closed because state legislators have failed to comply with the court's demand for more money for public schools.
mj - it seems the 2000 word limit is a thing of the past, along with archives, the ease of linking, and effortless sign-in. Sometimes improvement is no improvement at all. Time warps don't help either.
Posted by Joan on July 2, 2005 at 10:19 PM
We'll get it all back Joan. I don't know about the archives.
I'm doing well Chuck! How about yourself?
I agree with your take on the day the music died, so to speak. Never much got into anything after the Madonna era started.
Posted by Joan on July 2, 2005 at 10:11 PM
slap the cuffs on little Karl, drag him to the station and chain him to the wall in the men's bathroom,
There are some folks would love to introduce him to and neighborhoods I would just love to drop Karl Rove and let him figure out how to deal with the situation.
I'll guarantee you he definitely will not be doing a character assassination on anybody there.
mj, my guess is you know more about how this shit works than me even if you know nothing. the rat a tat tat aspect is gone which i liked but maybe it will be back? maybe it takes time to fine tune and adjust this stuff or maybe not i am clueless in new york.
but i hope you hang in as some of your observations are fresh and clear as a bell and the others are fun to try to decipher...
me i work the page down pretty fast for an old bastard but why is it necessary? and does the intermittent delays mean anything. been over to artios but i can't get the same feel of people i get here....who knows if that is related to any aspect of objective reality or just me being one of that professors ducks who thought he was their mom?
Hi. I’m new here, so please bear with me…
Let me tell you what I believe is right with the Democratic Party. Traditionally, we have stood for, quote, “the people.” When our country was founded, individuals like Thomas Jefferson---the grandfather of the Democratic Party---made absolutely sure there were provisions that kept one person, or group of persons, from having total control of our democracy. We believe that there should be checks and balances to the point we believe (in general, I hope!) that not even WE should have total control of all three branches; for who, then, would represent the minority?
It was our “grand old party” (pun intended) which has created, or had a very large hand in creating, the nation’s social programs; public parks; and our educational system. Face it, without the peoples’ party---yours and mine---everything here would’ve been privatized years ago.
Now let me explain, from my perception, what’s wrong with our party. We do have some legislators who can be, or are, perceived as “wishy-washy.” We even have some, like my own state’s Senator Bill Nelson who often “pose” as Democrats. I have no qualms naming Senator Nelson by name, because even with all of the good things he’s done (which are numerous, I’ll admit), he got up before the US Senate on June 30th of this year and spoke the same senseless, non-factual rhetoric the Republicans did. In fact, if the other nine “Democratic” senators, along with Nelson, would’ve voted “nay” on CAFTA (like ten Republicans did, believe it or not), it wouldn’t have passed. That kind of CRAP needs to be cut out of our party. We need people who do not bow down to corporate interests, unless it really and truly helps people---which their interests never seem to do.
Alas: I’m hopeful for our party---perhaps a little too hopeful, for I’m a self-proclaimed life-long Democrat, and I’m not quite 22!
Thanks to whoever took the time to read this. I promise I won’t be as long-winded next time.
Mark
That's just about right, Joan. After that- not much of anything. Well, Fastball. I like that group. They're not even new any more though, but I think there's talent there.
Think how many superstars that came out of the 70s. Think of all that music! It'll never happen again.
You know that 2000 word thing might have to come back. I mean some folks are bordering on having to find a publisher.
Oh, no I didn't J. Didn't see that request. Kind of burnt out on it right now. How 'bout I share more tomorrow?? Believe me, its a saga! LOL!
What all our troops should be driving, an AH-64A APACHE ATTACK HELICOPTER
joan, grew up around catholics, jews, methodists, presbeterians, lutherans, quakers but no baptists...my hometown was pretty much white so maybe over in hempstead or freeport the black communities had their baptist churches and what not but white baptists were as rare as hens teeth....can i wear my madras prom tuxedo jacket, cut offs and sneakers?
Hi Aceface - what a colorful name! Welcome to our little corner of the mad mad mad mad world. :)
If the rich man can't "afford" the Apaches, then bring all our troops home, now!
aceface, take all the space you need. there seems to be no limit to how much you can post and as long as it isn't some sort of game you want to play most people are accepted here quite easily...
So greg - what time am I picking you up for church? I'll have to drive, since I'm sure you don't know how to get there.
Posted by Aceface on July 2, 2005 at 10:24 PM
Welcome in Mark!
Great to see a young man on the right side. I've got four boys and one of them is your age. They're all Dems and all of their friends are. It seems a lot of todays youth are awake and aware of what's happening in this country & for that, I'm grateful. I appreciate your post! :)
You obviously have never been to a white Baptist church, greg. That's what they all wear.
The men too.
Yikes, MJ, I know you hate when I do this...but I wasn't sure if you just bitch-slapped me or paid me a rather nice compliment...It's that whole 8th grade education thing i suppose...
That said, I agree, the instant response is missing, I'm hopeful that the tech crew here will iron out the wrinkles. Dammitalll, I was set to launch into this story about cutting hay today, and my experience with two enormous hawks, but perhaps it is an experience better kept to myself. I will say I had an honest to God moment of clarity....
Hey Greg in New York. Did you and stayfresh enjoy the fireworks?
Chuck,
Being a dedicated music fan, I can say that music today has absolutely no originality. Everyone "samples" the hell out of the true masters.
Creativity gets lost with entertainers because they are now obsessed with not getting ripped off by their labels, managers, producers, writers, etc. Studio time cost gargatuan amounts of money and nobody is playing or singing a note until they have attorney approved contracts in hand and that goes for all the folks involved I listed above.
joan, how long is the service? when i attended catholic church before i started having funny things happen in my pants that i was afraid to confess we had it down to that you had to be there when the priest began turning bread and wine into the body and blood of christ and you could leave when the chalice was back in its little house...came to about 17 minutes or so and then it was marlboros and flipping thru dirty books until the candy store owner threw us out...is it like that?
The thing with the hawks sounds wonderful, Mack. I'm going to imagine it in my head.
mack, you are loved. yes we played a long game of throw and chase the windshield wiper fluid bottle and then chase the cat.
any idea what kind of hawks?
Oh, no I didn't J. Didn't see that request. Kind of burnt out on it right now. How 'bout I share more tomorrow?? Believe me, its a saga! LOL!
Posted by Joan on July 2, 2005 at 10:26 PM
Looking forward to the details. I know it can get overwhelming at times.
yon cassius has a lean and hungry look. such men are dangerous. surrond me with fat men...
J - you're right. There's something about being lean and hungry, and yes, having suffered and struggled, that makes for great music AND art.
Posted by gregg on July 2, 2005 at 10:35 PM
No, it's nothing like that and oh by the way you're going to hell. :)
Posted by J on July 2, 2005 at 10:35 PM
Yeah J, the music industry, such that it is today, has went the way of other big business.
I know business has always been part of it, but I like to think that in the "good old days" it was first the music- with fame and fortune tolerable [:)] by-products.
joan, your work converting the heathens can't be going too well...
Posted by gregg on July 2, 2005 at 10:35 PM
LMAO! Will you send me some of that in a plain brown envelope?
And LMAO at Joan telling you what's ahead in your future!
joan has been assigned by st. peter to get me to the point where i can publicly confess to what went on with my friends sisters bras that we stole in the 7th grade...lets just say while they seemed like cotton candy to our budding sex obsessed brains from a distance in our grasp they became demonic tailsmen that drove us to smell of ponds cream and sweat....god forgive me for i have sinned it has been 42 years since my last confession....i have....mother i want to...he walked into his mothers room and then he....walked on down the hall...you cannot petition the lord with prayer...
Chuck & Joan,
Yeah, you know if you don't have a gajillion dollars to worry how much "Cristal" you will need for your next party or what island you are renting for you current girlfriend's birthday then you actually can focus on some creativity.
Well, some of us have to get up for church in the morning, but Greg G will still be here, so that's good.
Just teasing, I hope ya'll know. Aceface, hope you stick around, we'd love to hear more from you. We're a relatively harmless lot. Nice to meet you.
Goodnight all!
Good Night Joan!
Hey Chuck, how are you?? Getting kicked off any blogs lately??
Gotta get some rest myself. Everyone have a good night and enjoyed all.
Dammit! I just got kicked off AGAIN!
Anyway, good night Joan, you decent living person!
See ya J! Good talking to you! Put on the headphones and stretch down. HA!HA!
Bye J.
Now isn't that weird...I post a response to you Chuck and it ends up before yours...and then you get kicked off AGAIN!! ;-)
Did you see the Live 8 Concert??
Well Lizzy, I guess I answered your question before I saw it. :)
How was your day Lizzy? Are you all getting brown & living the good life way out there?
A good life here, thanks Chuck and you guys??
Do you think the time difference has anything to do with post?
Lizzy-
No, but I saw a few clips and a couple og interviews with Geldof (sp?).
That's a great thing the legends are doing!
Gregg and Chuck. The most brilliant of Berry Gordy's stable, in my mind, was Marvin Gaye, followed immediateley by Stevie. The best singer that wasn't Smokey, meaning everybody else at the time, I guess that was Stevie or David Ruffin. When I was a sophomore or a junior in high school, Christmas school break meant the Motown Review. Everybody on the label, odd pairings, cost I think about $12 for three days. By '68, they imported other acts, and it was acid and social consciousness. So we had the positively astounding Temps doing the entire Psycgedelic Shack album from front to back, we had Sly, and Lo and Behold (as Garth Brooks and Levon would say, and that's for R. Boulrice, satyr, if he sees it), Lester and the other Brothers Chambers.
It was a fairly amazing time. Brilliant psychedelic guitar bands played Motown songs, and the Temps played 'Poppa Was a Rolling Stone'. There actually used to be a guy whose name I think was Dave (and I'm sure Jen can correct me) who was a contemporary, from Michigan, who used to check in here. In those days, the showstopper for Seger, when he played amazing lead guitar, was a Bo Diddley Medley, thaqt of course led into the greatest regional hit record that ever lived. That would be 'Heavy Music', and, incomprehensibly, not 'Ramblin', Gamblin' Man.
But of course, if you want to ignore ‘The UMC’ and ‘2+2’to get right to what Bob Seger figured was going on, you have to hear ‘Persecution Smith’:
He rises every morning but he don't look at the sun/
He reaches in the corner where he keeps his loaded gun/
Then he checks the firing action,as he straps it to his chest/
Plans an ambush for the mailman,even though it's all in jest/
He's here he's there he's everywhere/
He's found uptown and underground/
Unlike my friend flicka you know he's not a myth/
He's persecution, persecution, persecution smith/
He's found at every protest march you'll see him looking on/
He'd soon join in to help but he thinks it's all in fun/
Cause he isn't colorblind not to mention no one's fool/
He knows how things should be but he ain't out to change no rule
His eyes can't see like you and me/
His voice can't speak but only shreik/
His brain is like jelly his muscles they are stiff/
He's persecution persecution persecution smith
You can't walk down the street no more without him walking by/
You can't go to sleep at night without hearing him cry/
You can't read a newspaper without reading about him/
You can't escape him in the crowd for he will be among them
He's here he's there he's everywhere/
He's found uptown and underground/
In Watts, California you know who he was with/
With persecution persecution persecution smith
When you're finished with your ideals/
And you're finished with your dreams/
When you're finished your crusading and no longer hear the screams/
When you're finished trying to picture a world with people free/
When you're finished looking up and the down is all you see/
Then make your goal the first foxhole/
And hide your head beneath your bed
Cause you won't be alone my friend you know who you'll be with/
With persecution persecution persecution smith
all i can say is right on!
Huge Protest Ahead of G8 Summit
(Page 1 of 2)
(AP) Tens of thousands of protesters clad in white streamed through the cobbled streets of Scotland's medieval capital Saturday, demanding that the leaders of the world's richest nations act to better the lives of the poorest.
The "Make Poverty History" marchers said the world must no longer tolerate the extreme poverty that blights the lives of millions in Africa and elsewhere. They planned to form a huge human bracelet around Edinburgh later Saturday as they kick off a week of anti-poverty activism.
The marchers want to send a peaceful but powerful message to politicians gathering for the summit of the G-8 group of rich countries at the nearby Gleneagles resort next week.
"We're not here to march for charity. We are here to march for justice," said Walden Bello, of the advocacy group Focus on the Global South.
The demonstrators urged the G-8 leaders to heed Prime Minister Tony Blair's call to erase Africa's debt, pony up for a massive boost in aid and eliminate trade barriers that make it difficult for impoverished nations to sell their goods overseas.
The march coincided with the Live 8 global music marathon to raise awareness of African poverty. Hundreds of musicians were taking to 10 stages around the world Saturday in cities ranging from Johannesburg to Philadelphia, Berlin to Barrie, Canada.
g-8 protest
mj-
One of the movies I watched- I think it was "The Temptations" showed that they would all get on buses Gordy rented and take their acts on the road, going on stage (or whatever) one after the other. What a great promoter. What a concept- they were all getting famous at the same time.
Posted by PeppermintLizzy on July 2, 2005 at 10:58 PM
Everything's good here. It was a bit cooler today. Messed around outside all day. Karen had to work & the boys went out of town.
Posted by Mack on July 2, 2005 at 10:32 PM
Well, Rick, as Lisa would say, don't be a dumbass. I believe you have the only worthwhile clue I've seen here about immigration. The fact that you can actually play a guitar and don't understand the Edge is programmed and Bono makes this shit up as he goes along is incomprehensible to me. But I think we both think Hold 'Em is a bizarre crock.
11:10 here Lizzy. We're three hours OLDER than you. Are the girls loving it out there? How was Bodega Bay? Did you go out on a boat?
U.N. Nominee Seeks to Improve Image
(UPLie) In a desperate attempt to improve his public persona, John Bolton, Pretzeldent Bush's nominee for Ambassador to the United Nations, called a press conference today at which he bit the head off of a bat. "Hey! It worked for Ozzie Osboure! Everybody loves him!" Bolton shouted at reporters while wiping blood and bat hair from his teeth and oversized silent film era comedy moustache.
Bolton also announced that he and his family will star in a new reality based program about their home life -- "The Boltons."
"It's pretty much a show about normal conservative family life and values," Bolton hissed. "You know, you slap the wife around, toss the son onto the street for being a homo, send the youngest daughter overseas for a secret abortion (before throwing her onto the street), drown the puppies....stuff like that."
HA HA Chuck!
No boats, but we rolled down the dunes.
mj, if i heard those words before ( and i must have as music played all around me throughout the sixties) they never registered...so thanks for the trip back to what once was...
mj, i told you once before but want to say it again...me and my since passed kindergarten buddy magpie buried an 8 track tape of otis redding out in the desert on our way to california in 68 when it went bad...sittin on the dock of the bay...magpie always knew music from when we were in elementary school on and he was all about motown and all black fare and i was just along for the ride...and on the fourth we would shoot cherry bombs out of our slingshots out over the wetlands of long island and i miss him now as much as i did in 88 when he up and died....
lizzy- today the weather here was just beautiful. cool and clear and the stars and fireflys are bright tonite. glad to finally get out from under those hot humid days.
Huh? Uh-oh. I was serious. Wasn't that Bodega Bay in the movie "The Birds"? Hell maybe that wasn't even California. I'm embarrassed, but PLEASE, let me admit to being the idiot.
~ducking behind the screen~
You are correct! But we just stayed on the shoreline.
Greg, glad to hear the weather finally broke. And I sorry you miss your friend, but it sounds like you guys certainly knew how to have a good time.
Posted by PeppermintLizzy on July 2, 2005 at 11:16 PM
Oh. WHEW! That was close. HA!HA!
Hey all,
I don't know if anyone read this yet, but check this out:
MSNBC Analyst Says 2nd Source Confirms Karl Rove as Plame Leaker (E&P)
Posted by WillyT
Added to homepage Sat Jul 02nd 2005, 02:09 PM ET
NEW YORK Now that Time Inc. has turned over documents to federal court, revealing who its reporter, Matt Cooper, identified as his source in the Valerie Plame/CIA case, speculation runs rampant on the name of that source. Lawrence O'Donnell, senior MSNBC political analyst, now claims that at least two sources have confirmed that the name is--top White House mastermind Karl Rove.
O'Donnell first offered this report Friday night on the syndicated McLaughlin Group political talk show. Today, he went beyond that, writing a brief entry at the Huffington Post blog:
"I revealed in yesterday's taping of the McLaughlin Group that Time magazine's e-mails will reveal that Karl Rove was Matt Cooper's source. I have known this for months but didn't want to say it at a time that would risk me getting dragged into the grand jury.
...
"Since I revealed the big scoop, I have had it reconfirmed by yet another highly authoritative source. Too many people know this. It should break wide open this week. I know Newsweek is working on an 'It's Rove!' story and will probably break it tomorrow."
...
Link: http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_di...
Your pal,
Eric
Lizzie, I guess you are back home? Hope you had fun.
Gregg, big-ass Hawks, fat, almost owl-like. Followed me all day, waiting for the tractor to flush game from the fescue. Interesting how both they and the dogs know they will eat heartily when I work the filed. It's hell for mice, moles, and rabbits....but fascinating to watch. They actually sat on branches quite low for Hawks, low enough that at the crest of the hill, I was damn near eye to eye. Weird. Cool.
MJ, haven't fondled a fret for years, never an Edge fan, you must be confused. And sorry folks, I don't think U2 has ever topped Joshua Tree...Hold-em's a fad, to be sure. But bridge? Shoot me first.
We're going to Karen's mom's house tomorrow- don't know about Monday. If I had a flag I'd fly it at half staff and bitch at any bush lovers that would listen.
Posted by Chuck on July 2, 2005 at 11:04 PM
That's the same thinking that gotr Buddy Holley killed before his time, Chuck. Corporate.
I'd say this, though. The Motown Review was astounding. As great, hell, brilliant, as 'What's Going On' is, 'Ain't That Peculiar?' is just as good. But you can't tell from me, I have no doubt whatsoever that 'Tomorrow Never knows' was the greatest song John Lennon ever wrote. I also have no doubt that David Hidalgo, with the little band from East LA, played the definitive version of that song, and I don't really like cover versions in general.
Actually, since I insist on the brilliance of Bob Seger, that's a boy that could to covers. Not Van, but mighty good. Did the only worthwhile cover of Tom Waits ever recorded, and I realize that Eagles fans think Don Henley wrote 'Old '55'. God, they destroyed that song. Seger's was '16 Shells From a Thirty Aught Six' which is just a far greater spng to begin with.
Since I'm babbling about music and cover versions, I'd encourage all of you of a certain age and college drug proclivities to get out 'Gasoline Alley' and listen to Rod before disco singing 'Only a Hobo' or get really arcane and listen to Al Kooper and Steve Stills p;ay 'It Takes a Lot to Laugh.' Two best covers of the greatest songwriter, but you probably have to be able to play the guitar to really understand how brilliant the second is. 'Only a Hobo', you only have to not be Shrub.
well, mj, I guess everyone is combing through their music. and since you never like to say hi - I will just talk to you anyway.
Posted by michaelj on July 2, 2005 at 11:27 PM
Yeah, I know (Buddy Holly). I've probably heard "Only A Hobo"- used to have "Gasoline Alley" in some format.
Did you ever see that video (that never released as a single to my knowledge) as a pseudo movie theme, "An American Storm" by Bob Seger?
Lizzy- you can always talk to me, but my eyes are fuzzing up. Too tired, I guess.
Well I was reading about flying half staff, which I will do.
Here - they have the greatest 4th of July Parade. Last year we marched in it. I remember so well, proudly displaying my Kerry sticker on my shirt. But this year, I don't think we will march, just observe.
They have fireworks at night too, which are quite impressive simulcasted to music.
Posted by Chuck on July 2, 2005 at 11:09 PM
And Jacque missed my birthday, leaving me feeling severely slighted and somewhat bereft. And that song is of course, 'It Takes a Train to Cry'. Well it's not, but that's the second half. One way or another , it contains the couplet 'Don't the moooon look good comin' down over the trees, don't my gal look fine, when she's comin' after me.' The boy is just unbeatable.
it takes alot to laugh, it takes a train to cry...don't say i didn't warn you when your train gets lost...
the milky way is real visible tonite. it is one of the great pleasures of life as far as i am concerned...nite good friends, thanks for the bicoastal comraderie...
Agreed. So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY late. I hope it's not as many as mine. :)
Posted by PeppermintLizzy on July 2, 2005 at 11:42 PM
That'll be cool. The girls will enjoy that probably. How's the temperature there btw?
The Theory of Relativity
It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Bush lied
Hope you had a good one mj!
Days are hot, hot! But evenings are cool, cool. What more can one ask for.
here ya go mj. one of my favorites too by dylan...
Well, I ride on a mailtrain, babe
Can't buy a thrill
Well, I've been up all night
Leanin' on the window sill
Well, if I die
On top of the hill
And if I don't make it
You know my baby will.
Don't the moon look good, mama
Shinin' through the trees ?
Don't the brakeman look good, mama
Ragging down the "Double E" ?
Don't the sun look good
Goin' down over the sea ?
Don't my gal look fine
When she's comin' after me ?
Now the wintertime is coming
The windows are filled with frost
I went to tell everybody
But I could not get across
Well, I wanna be your lover, baby
I don't wanna be your boss
Don't say I never warned you
When your train gets lost.
ATTEMPT 4#!
Good night Greg.
Great link Frances!
And Lizzy- I got kicked off AGAIN!
Posted by PeppermintLizzy on July 2, 2005 at 11:34 PM
I think that's slightly unfair, Lizzy. I know for sure I've addressed some comments of yours directly. Saying hi, maybe not, you could be right. I don't think it's really fair to make me out as anti-social. I enjoy reading everything you have to say, and to tell you the truth, I've thought about askinng you about the peppermint part. If it's Charles Schultz, it's the best of Charles Schultz, and kind of the woman I've searched my whole life for and sort of found. But, Of course, maybe I'm entirely off the mark, but on the other hand, I think peppermint is one of God's greatest creations. And everybody's eyes will glaze over if I go on about the stupidity of the nonsensicality of discussing how people appear to run the world in God's name but seem to think God wasn't smart enough to put evolution into play. You see my problem? Or not?
Million Robot March, D.C., 2056
Just for a laugh.
I'm out of here. Good night everyone!
Well mj, I certainly cannot sign off after that post. and yes, dear mj, you are correct in reference to the peppermint, but I believe chuck had a lot to do with it.
glad to hear you found some happiness. I wish that for you.
and if I lose this post...I am going to throw a baseball at the screen, well not really, but I think you catch my drift.
MJ, haven't fondled a fret for years, never an Edge fan, you must be confused. And sorry folks, I don't think U2 has ever topped Joshua Tree...Hold-em's a fad, to be sure. But bridge? Shoot me first.
Posted by Mack on July 2, 2005 at 11:22 PM
Learn how to play cards and then I might consider shooting you. Guitars? I didn't know you were only photoshopping. Poseur. And You actually claimed U2 writes better songs than REM, when they've actually only written parts of one or two songs and repeated them fairly endlessly. Radio Free Europe. Like immediate blowback in the clubhouse.
Karl Rove outing the CIA agent - imagine that little fat pudgy fag being a traitor. Oh well, I believe he should get the death penalty.
Posted by PeppermintLizzy on July 3, 2005 at 12:08 AM
Well, Patty can play.
Only a Hobo. Everything wrong with the lying bastard plutocratic bastards that run the country:
As I was out walking on a corner one day/
I spied an old hobo, in a doorway he lay./
His face was all grounded in the cold sidewalk floor/
And I guess he'd been there for the whole night or more.
Only a hobo, but one more is gone/
Leavin' nobody to sing his sad song/
Leavin' nobody to carry him home/
Only a hobo, but one more is gone
A blanket of newspaper covered his head,/
As the curb was his pillow, the street was his bed./
One look at his face showed the hard road he'd come/
And a fistful of coins showed the money he bummed.
Only a hobo, but one more is gone/
Leavin' nobody to sing his sad song/
Leavin' nobody to carry him home/
Only a hobo, but one more is gone/
Does it take much of a man to see his whole life go down,/
To look up on the world from a hole in the ground,/
To wait for your future like a horse that's gone lame,/
To lie in the gutter and die with no name?
Only a hobo, but one more is gone/
Leavin' nobody to sing his sad song/
Leavin' nobody to carry him home/
Only a hobo, but one more is gone
I don't know. Left behind or rapturized? New American Centurion cannon fodder? I'm betting on the deprived, but I've got no use for being one of the meek. Starts with monkey wrenches and bulldozers. We'll inherit the earth but we don't want it. It's been ours since birth, what you doin' on it?
Armadilious, what did Bush know and when did he know it?
I recall Spunky saying at the time Novak's column ran that he was going to get to the bottom of it. So he must have found out and didn't do anything about it. Does that make him an accessory after the fact for the high crime of treason?
That pic was snapped in 1998. Haven't played a lick since. I feel compelled to clarify this thing about U2 and Mr. Stipe. I love virtually all the lyrics in U2's songs, but I do not possess a sophisticated musical palate, so I find many of the songs lacking, since I am a beat freak, and I like a good hook. Compelling lyrics aside, I have similar feelings about REM. What makes one song better than another? I'm certainly not qualified to say so. Cards? The deck and the Jack Daniels are in my study...bring money.
Sandy, Got nuthin but love for ya, but don't sit by the phone. I'll be happy if there is even an indictment...watch the spin next week. We'll be back to "she was only a secretary" in record time...
WTF is up with the site. Took 20 tries to post something. Anyway what did I miss the past 8 days. I was in school at night, and didn't get to see too much news.
Gregg @ 11:00, interesting how the rest of the world wants to "Make Poverty History" in Africa and other third world nations?
While the Republicans want to do the opposite in this country by reducing Social Security benefits for future seniors. Funny how they always seem to be about 200 years behnd everyone else on this planet.
WTF is up with site? are they having problems? Almost impossible to post stuff
Now I've got it. Boy they go and change the site, and screw me all up.
CB, lots of problems with the site. I keep wanting to send a scathing email. So far, I've restrained myself. I'm sure Jesse and co are doing all they can.
Even so . . .
Posted by SandyH on July 3, 2005 at 12:40 AM
Yea Sandy I'm glad RR is union, the Repugs can't screw with me too much. Even if they screw up SS I'll still have RR retirement.
These were many of the same problems early-on in the old blog. Time differences, etc. I was thinking that meant they'd be able to tweak them faster because of past experience.
Sandy I'm glad RR is union. Even if the screw the pooch on SS, I'll still have RR retirement.
Posted by SandyH on July 3, 2005 at 12:29 AM
Scooter Libby.
And what kind of sorry excuse is that for the name of a grown man? (Although it would have been a better Skull and Bones name than 'Temporary', which was Noxious W's.) What is wrong with these people?
And who on God's blue earth thinks that Robert Novak is a journalist in any conceivable fashion, as opposed to a Bushevik manque ahole?
The positively most ludicrous aspect of this entire business is that it involves Judith Miller, the ultimate in-bed embed, the Voice of Chalabi, who didn't actually know dick about this story. She deserves it, but for the wrong reasons. This certainly sounds like HL on the money to me, and she deserves to get it good and hard.
Actually, nobody beats that definition, but consider the playwright Tom Stoppard: 'It's not the voting that's democracy, it's the counting.' (And for God's sake, you puerile nits that want to claim Kerry 'gave up', you know, just shut the hell up, morons. He could have been skiing the big bumps in Aspen in '68 too.)
Also instructive on this subject: 'Every government is a parliament of whores. The trouble is, in a democracy, the whores are us.' PJ O'Rourke said that, and the trouble is, nobody ever had better first hand knowledge of being a whore than PJ O'Rourke
When I refresh, there's a message on the bar thingie at the bottom of my screen. It always says, "Done, but with errors."
Rose i sound like an idiot. post something it doesn't show up, so i post it again, and then both show up. No i'm not drunk....yet
What did I miss the last week or so? I was on my own little adventure to the twilight zone.
Yeah, wait a minute or two after posting. Then refresh. There seems to be a delay.
CB, what you missed? Sandra Day O'Connor is out. I THINK that's about the biggest story we have other than Rove -- which we really already knew.
Blog-wise, lots of trolls this week. Rick had birds attacking him or something. Jacque is in school, but I think she's on holiday now. Jen's been giving us Live8 reports. Joan is doing wedding planning with her daughter. MJ is talking tunes. And I have absolutely nothing to do this weekend as my hub left for Maine this morning with my younger son. He won't be back til next Friday.
MJ, it's so good to read you again, I've been missing your posts and comments
Rick, I love your stories about the homefront and the good fights, especially immigration, something I think we both agree on....
and everybody else, it's good to be here again, all of you rock!!
Goodnight & sweet dreams :)
Beat Rick? As I said, Radio Free Europe. Orange Crush. Not messianic and self-aggrandizing. How about pinochle? Superb money game. If it's not about cards, only some version of Doyle Brunson psychology, why not play MYST? How about Strateego? Or how about if we play poker, and if you win my money we do one round of Trivial Pursuit for all the chips? We're never going to agree on this, but we might get seriously sleep deprived and enjoy ourselves immensely, if we don't consider the significant other factor. And of course, anybody relying on tequila training is going to fade in the face of sour mash.
Now, are you telling me you have that guitar and you know how to play it but you don't? You have all this land and you don't crank it? Jeez Rick, I could tune it so you could play the whole Edge songbook without a left hand. Can I get a track back ping? And what in the world does that mean?
Mack, If we have another securities fraud scandal and the market tanks, even union pension funds would be forced into default. The new guy that was just appointed by Bush is already talking about easing up on rules put into place after the last crash.
Now that the cover has been blown on Plame's cell for almost a year, could someone on the inside now tell us just how much harm it caused our agents overseas and who got killed, etc.? It might not lead to an indictment, but it would be another thing for voters to think about as they watch Iraq implode. Just how much harder did Rove make it for our troops and the war effort? You'd think some of those Generals who were forced to retire before the war would now speak up knowing treason was committed by one of the Commander-in-Chief's right hand men.
Rose I caught the O'Conner thing on the way home.
So wife wasn't lying when she said she missed me. I figured she'd be glad to be rid of me for a week or so. Gotta go back to Georgia in a month for phase III of training.
Just noticed as my post was going up that it said posting but with errors. If we mess up on spelling or grammar does it throws things off?
I'm calling it a day. I remember a year ago marching with our Kerry group in a community parade, too. Was that just a year ago? It seems like a lot longer.
Good night, all.
It was a crazy hotel we stayed at in Georgia. Phone didn't work when I checked in. They sent a little kid to fix it. He tested the phone line by sticking it in his mouth. AC only cooled at night when I was in class. Traveling hookers showed up at hotel. ree continental breakfast was Froot Loops.
Posted by GiG on July 3, 2005 at 01:08 AM
Hey keed. You and Rick have personal takes on immigration issues, and this is a subject I have a difficult time understanding. There's a stupendous paucity of intelligent comment from Congress, more demagoguery than on any other subject than I can think of. My instincts are this is America, it's a country of immigrants, and that very poorly paid immigrant labor with poor services and basically no health care beyond emergency rooms is crucial to American capitalist economy. A shameful stain on what's supposed to be the American way, and a God-awfully devisive wedge issue, if the American idea of shared economic benefits exists and we're not alol just living in the dollar venturi where wealth and benefits are being concentrated inevitably upwards. You two provide some perspective.
CB, where on earth did you stay in GA? It's really a
beautiful state...
CB, Christine was sad that you were gone. She blogged about it a bit. Sometimes we wives think we like a little break, but when you guys take off it is tough.
After my husband returns from Maine on Friday, he's heading to Virginia on Sunday for another week. Business related. I can't stand it, but I try not to complain. I don't want him to feel bad.
McDonough it's about 20 minutes from Atlanta. The RR school is about the only thing there. I ate good though $16 a day to eat, and Tbone and eggs were only $9 at Waffle house.
Where is husband going to in VA?
I'm going to be on a road crew riding trains. So I will have overnights sometimes.
Rose one good thing about seperations. The nookie always seems better after an abscence...LOL
Posted by GiG on July 3, 2005 at 01:28 AM
North and south of 'greater Atlanta' it's a beuatiful state. But we can't all be Sandy Springs.
CB, next time you and Christine, or either one of you, are down in my neck of the woods.. let me know and I'll make sure you will see the great parts of Georgia.. and make sure you're in a decent hotel :)
I'm really out of here .. it's so hard to say good night
" Warriors, like all men, always fear failing but they never ever in their life let fear take control over them."
and we will never stop fighting the good fight.. never..!
LOL! Yeah, I've been thinking about nookie, and he's only been gone 18 hours!
He'll be in Leesburg, VA. It's pretty close to DC. His employer, Xerox, has a training facility there.
MJ, you've got that right..
CB.. yikes, I feel for you... I know exactly where you were.. next time, let me know when you have to head down here
ok, really, really out of here
ok, this blog is freaky...
MJ, thank you for your response at 1:28.. Rick is the mastermind here with the really true perspectives and ideas, and I just try to put my little opinions and experiences alongside...
ok, 3rd time is the charm.. good night everybody
mj,
I will definitely agree with you that Rick and GiG provide perspective.
MJ, I'm not sure if you remember a night a long time ago, but that dictionary has come in mighty handy ...thank you for not only provoking thoughts but also for encouraging me..
((Lizzy)) thank you
Last throes...
Egyptian ambassador to Iraq kidnapped -diplomat
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Egypt's ambassador to
Iraq was kidnapped late on Saturday in Baghdad, an Egyptian diplomat said on Sunday.
"He was buying a newspaper on Saturday evening when two BMWs full of gunmen blocked his way and kidnapped him," the diplomat told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
In Cairo, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman's office said, "That report is not confirmed."
morning marsh. up here in ny it has cooled off real nice. keeps the squeeters down.
Live 8 was AWESOME!!!
Thanks to great people like Bono, Gldorf, McCartney, and all the singers who participated, we may finally be able to really do some good for the people in Africa.
Hopefully Bush will get off his ass for once and help some people other then his rich buisness friends.
I think it is great that we are working closely with the French Govt. on the terror war.
My Marine Recon unit worked with French Special Forces in Kosovo and Sierra Leone. The French are top notch soldiers and good people, I never understood all this anti-French crap that has been spewed by the moron Republicans of this country. Apparently these Republicans are too dumb to realize that behaving like children towards other countries AIN'T the way to win the war on Terror.
Sometime during the day can someone leave a post for me and explain how to do a link with this new software. I am absolutely clueless. Leave me trail of breadcrumbs with the time or if it's on a new thread of the day so I won't have to hike to Mt. Everest. Thanks
Posted by CollegeDNC on July 3, 2005 at 07:29 AM
the moron Republicans of this country. Apparently these Republicans are too dumb to realize that behaving like children towards other countries AIN'T the way to win the war on Terror.
Yeah, I have come to the conclusion that the folks in power today are indeed morons. They don't not a brain in their head. Just act off off impulse.
Well the FEDs have searched "Duke's" home and the yacht he resided on. Now Duke says that he just used poor judgement with the sale of that house and that the sale was just that: a sale to a friend. Hate to be the one to tell you what you are so obviously ignoring: Duke it was a bribe and money laundering, plain and simple.
Well gotta go. Looks like it's gonna be another hot and humid one. Sun already beaming down. had a good time talking to myself. See everyone later. Gotta get ready for Sunday School. I teach the pre-school and primary class.
J, i will give you an example. lets say my link is http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8430796/
to make it a hot link i do the following:
abduction
that is it. now i am going to go directly to post so we'll see what comes thru. note that the word abduction is just a name i made up for my link. you can name them anything and if it comes out right that is the hot link.
shit it wouldn't show the stuff i typed to make it a link it just made it a link. you will need more sophisticad folks than me.
J, try this, Oscar posted this the other day:
" Hyperlink
If you want to link to a website then you have to use the Anchor tag. Let's say that you want to link to my blog, The Underground Railroad. You would use the following code:
< a href="http://africanamericansfordemocracy.blogspot.com/">The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad "
I'm off to work, have a wonderful day everybody!
It's looking more and more like that fat little coward Karl Rove was the one who leaked the name of Joe Wilson's wife to dirtbag GOP "Butt Boy" and hack writer Robert Novak.
Newsweek is indicating that Rove was so pissed that Wilson bitch slapped him and his girlfriend/boss George Bush on their bullshit Iraq allegations. that he decided to get even by outing a CIA operative (Wilson's wife).
The DNC needs to pursue this crime untill Rove's fat ass is disgraced and in prison,along with that Puke Robert Novak. These losers think they are above the law...but they aren't.
3 times is the charm apparently. mornin backatcha gregg, if u r still around. sorry so slow to reply, got busy with work.
WHY DEMOCRATS SUCK AND DON'T DESERVE GOV. DEAN.
VOTE ALERT: 28 Dems block crackdown on corporate tax evaders
http://www.workingforchange.com/blog/
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D) last night offered her legislation to ban government contracts from going to companies that abuse offshore tax loopholes and evade U.S. taxes. In 2002, DeLauro actually passed this legislation as part of the bill creating the Department of Homeland Security, as Democrats stayed unified, and Republicans capitulated (unfortunately, it was later removed in the final bill). This year, however, 28 Democrats sold out to Corporate America, and helped defeat the legislation outright.
That's right, when DeLauro offered her legislation this time around, she attracted 20 Republican votes - plenty to pass the legislation if her own party had stood up and done the right thing. However, 28 Democrats voted against the legislation, siding with the companies that have the nerve to openly abuse tax loopholes. These companies want to be able to get fat off government contracts, even though they are ripping off U.S. taxpayers at a time of war and record deficits. Yet, instead of prohibiting those contracts from going to these unpatriotic companies, 28 Democrats joined with 203 Republicans to sell out and say bilking America is A.O.K.
test
'let me go home, I wanna go home.
this is the worst trip I've ever been on.'
Africa to seek UN Council seats
BBC NEWS
African Union foreign ministers have agreed to seek two permanent seats and five rotating seats for the continent on an expanded UN Security Council.
An AU official said the candidate countries had not yet been agreed but the issue was not expected to divide the 53-member union.
The main contenders are South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt, say correspondents.
UN chief Kofi Annan says the council's current make-up reflects the balance of power at the end of World War II.
A new plan for adding 10 seats - six of them permanent and four non-permanent - has been put forward by Japan, India, Brazil and Germany.
They say two of the permanent seats should be allocated to Africa.**
The AU agreement was announced by the group's Peace and Security Commissioner, Said Djinnit, ahead of a two-day summit in Libya next week.
He said a draft declaration was being prepared "restating the position of Africa" on UN reform and calling for two permanent seats and five non-permanent seats on the Security Council.
** ya think ??!
gig did you not omit that at the end of your example one types less than sign, then back slash, then a, then more than sign?
and why can't i get my machine to show those signs on this blog when i type them? numbers don't work either. what do i need to reset?
morning marsh. what kind of work do you do sunday morning?
joan, good morning. as usual you lied to me . i am here in my madras tux jacket, cut off jeans, sneakers and pink carnation and no you....a white sports coat and a pink carnation...i'm all alone for the white baptist church...guess i'll have to join the satanists in the root cellar...
Well, I don't like Gonzales because of the whole "torture isn't so bad" memo, But the fundies also seem to have issues with the man...
Conservative Groups Rally Against Gonzales as Justice
WASHINGTON, July 2 - Within hours after Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's announced retirement from the Supreme Court, members of conservative groups around the country convened in five national conference calls in which, participants said, they shared one big concern: heading off any effort by President Bush to nominate his attorney general, Alberto R. Gonzales, to replace her.
Late last week, a delegation of conservative lawyers led by C. Boyden Gray and former Attorney General Edwin Meese III met with the White House chief of staff, Andrew H. Card Jr., to warn that appointing Mr. Gonzales would splinter conservative support.
And Paul M. Weyrich, a veteran conservative organizer and chairman of the Free Congress Foundation, said he had told administration officials that nominating Mr. Gonzales, whose views on abortion are considered suspect by religious conservatives, would fracture the president's conservative backers.
Greg - you forgot about the time diff - White Baptist Church here starts at 10 CDT. Plenty of time to polish your spats and figure out how to pull a fast one on the collection plate passer guys.
Good morning,
Don't know if the profile of the Chair in the WaPo has been referenced. It's been posted in its entirety on the over-night thread on blogforamerica.
However, many years ago when I was still typing up the spouse's literary articles, I was very taken with his concept of "the thing left out" which he developed in an essay on Hemingway's short stories, always shorter in their final version and richer in allusions because of the things Hemingway left out in the final version.
Just so, I've been wondering about those stories about DNC fundraising in the first quarter and since Howard Dean took over the chair. Something seems to have been left out. If the DNC started out with $15 million in the bank when McAuliffe left and raised $19 million since, how come there's only $8 million in the bank? Has frugal Howard really managed to spend $26 million on outreach to the red states?
Rumor has it that, like that steward in the bible, the outgoing chair couldn't resist a last minute profligacy and, in addition to the donor lists, gave away a significant portion of that $15 million to insure that he would be well remembered by the people who count.
Since the RNC's funds are likely to dissipate in a similar manner into the pouches of fund-raisers and consultants and pollsters, starting from scratch is probably not as significant as one might think. But, if it's a fact that Dean doesn't have as much of a cushion as we thought, then it would be good to know that sooner, rather than later. And we certainly wouldn't want it to be an issue when the campaign season gets under way.
work at a hotel, gregg. relief night audit this morning. pays the bills...barely.:)
Speaking of Alberto "torture memo" Gonzales, seems he dropped into Iraq! Wonder if he stopped by Abu Ghraib to see the fruits of his labor. Why the hell would the Atty. General go to Iraq? A little face time before W nominates him for the Supremes?
Gonzales Makes Surprise Visit to Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales made a heavily guarded surprise visit to
Iraq on Sunday, praising Iraqi's commitment to democracy in the face of sustained deadly attacks by insurgents.
Gonzales, on his first trip to Iraq, said he chose the Independence Day weekend to show support for U.S. troops and Iraq's nascent government. "We are doing a lot to promote democracy and the rule of law," Gonzales said aboard an Air Force plane en route to the Middle East.
His predecessor,
John Ashcroft, did not visit the country while attorney general.
Marsh - isn't the AG considered a domestic position? Why the overseas mission? I don't get it, but then I find myself often clueless.
LOL, Joan, often clueless myself here. I can't for the life of me understand what the hell he's doing there. Who's next the Surgeon General? U.S. Postmaster General?
And to follow up on your thought about the SC nom, marsh, a lot of speculation on the talking head shows seems to be that Bush will pick Gonzalez. But then again, these same talking heads were sure it was Rehnquist that was resigning, not O'Connor.
Well Damn, we're sorry!
US "regrets" slaying of Swiss citizen in Iraq
Mornin, all. Marsh, you have any interest in researching something for me from the ground? I'm curious what the locals say about property ownership rights in Mexico by Americans. I'm sure some states are better than others, but I'd like a local opinion...
Rose, hubby gone? Go party girl, and take Ms. Pam
Joan, quit messin so much with Gregg, he's a little sensitive. Be sure and ask him about Seahorse...
Well, lets see if the social fabric of Spain unravels...Congratulations amigos!
Gay Marriage Law Sparks Rally in Spain
MADRID, Spain - Tens of thousands of people, many dancing or banging drums, packed the streets of Madrid on Saturday to celebrate Spain's new law legalizing gay marriage.
"This is infinitely gay. There are no words to express it," Ivan Sanchez, a 26-year-old pharmacist, said as the throng snaked its way through the capital.
Flatbed trucks crowded with young men and women honked their horns as they made their way through the streets under a blazing summer sun in a procession led by Culture Minister Carmen Calvo and other members of the governing Socialist party, which sponsored the law.
"Now that some of us are more free, all Spaniards are more free," said Cholo Soto, 30, a government clerk who joined the march.
morning Rick, I gotta run, but I will ask around. I have an interest in the subject myself. Thinking about buying a place eventually. I've heard horror stories about the mexican govt. confiscating the homes of foreigners in the area, tho.
have a happy holiday, everyone. god bless america!
Rove Talked But Did Not Tattle, His Attorney Says
The Bush advisor spoke with a Time reporter days before a CIA operative was outed.
By Richard B. Schmitt, Times Staff Writer
WASHINGTON — Karl Rove, one of President Bush's closest advisors, spoke with a Time magazine reporter days before the name of a CIA operative surfaced in the press, but did not leak the confidential information, a lawyer for Rove said Saturday in a new admission in the case.
Rove spoke to Time reporter Matthew Cooper in July 2003, before a syndicated column revealed the identity of operative Valerie Plame, the wife of Bush administration critic and former U.S. Ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV.
Cooper is one of two reporters who has been held in contempt of court for not cooperating with a federal investigation into who leaked Plame's identity. Although Wilson once said he suspected that Rove had played a role in destroying his wife's CIA cover, the White House dismissed questions about Rove's actions as "totally ridiculous."
In confirming the conversation between Rove and Cooper, Rove's attorney, Robert Luskin, emphasized that the presidential advisor did not reveal any secrets. But the disclosure raised new questions about Rove and the precise role of the White House in the apparent national security breach as Cooper and another reporter, Judith Miller of the New York Times, faced imminent jail terms.
Time Inc., under pressure from a federal judge and over Cooper's objections, turned over e-mail records and other internal documents to a special prosecutor Friday, identifying sources that Cooper used to report and write on the politically charged case. A Time spokeswoman declined to say Saturday whether Rove was among sources mentioned in the documents.
Cooper and Miller could be jailed as soon as Wednesday for refusing to cooperate in the investigation. Time, which was separately held in contempt in the case, said that it hoped its cooperation meant that Cooper would not be incarcerated.
Link
Morning all,
The story at 9:57 was supposed to be prefaced with, Don't break out the Champagne yet. Rove's Attorney just as slimy as he is.
A Sunday morning reading for anyone interested.
>b>Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
this is a comfort to me. bbl :)
Rose, hubby gone? Go party girl, and take Ms. Pam
I'd love to party with ya, Rose.
Stick a hand truck in the back of the SUV though, cause I have been known to need a little help getting back to the car ! :)
mack, stardust and i are thinking about some early matinis today. but first i have to figure out a better way to stake up my super size plum tomoato plants. wish i had a gross of cherry bombs...bet they are legal in tenn and they give em out to kids for holloween treats....
Last night was the worst pre-show of the Pepsi 400 ever! Lisa Marie Presley can't sing a note and Rumsfeld called them to start the race. Gag!
Last night was the worst pre-show of the Pepsi 400 ever! Lisa Marie Presley can't sing a note and Rumsfeld called them to start the race. Gag!
Posted by Jaline on July 3, 2005 at 10:15 AM
To add to the horror, then you have to sit through the race....
Sorry Jack, I know you're a fan, but I can stay right here and watch rednecks drive fast. That's a fact.
I don't understand WHY these other countries don't threaten sanctions or something on Bush, until he does something about Global Warming !
"WASHINGTON -- To hear President Bush's top environmental adviser tell it, Europe is coming around to the administration's approach to confronting global warming.
"We are all working at the same realistically aggressive pace," James Connaughton said this week. "The world is coming to a more sustainable, collective vision of how to address climate change."
ADVERTISEMENT
As the eight major industrialized nations struggle to reach an agreement on global warming policy before next week's Group of Eight summit, however, many European officials have a different take on the matter.
"I wish I could believe it was true," said Barbara Young, chief executive of Britain's Environment Agency. When it comes to Bush's climate change policy, she added, "the amount of energy that goes into denying the case and not getting on with the job is just criminal."
This clash of visions between the other seven industrialized nations and the United States will come to a head when their leaders meet at Scotland's Gleneagles resort starting Wednesday to outline how they plan to address global warming and poverty in Africa. Summit organizers arranged a last-minute round of talks in London this weekend to try to forge a joint statement on the environment, but so far that has eluded them.
The Bush administration's success in resisting its allies' calls for bolder measures to mitigate global warming - such as mandatory emissions limits for greenhouse gases, concrete dollar commitments to new technology and specific energy efficiency targets - is a testament to America's continuing power to shape the international agenda on climate change.
In a consensus-oriented process, the most skeptical - and most economically and politically powerful - player, the United States, is largely dictating the terms of the debate.
Other industrialized nations acknowledge they have yet to win serious concessions from Bush.
A week ago, British Prime Minister Tony Blair - who as the current G-8 president placed climate change atop the group's agenda this year - said that when it came to reaching a summit agreement, "climate change is obviously very difficult."
French President Jacques Chirac said Thursday that he welcomed Blair's efforts to bring Washington "back on board" in terms of an international pact but that "results have been modest."
The other G-8 members are Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia. In addition, Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa will participate in next week's summit.
Link
Mack,
The drivers aren't the rednecks (anymore). And to be a fan at a real live race, you must have some serious cash-ola.
That's why I was watching from the comfort of my own home in my jammies. haha
A Church-State Solution
To begin with, America was religiously diverse: how could the state establish the religion of the sovereign when the sovereign people in America belonged to many faiths -- Congregationalist, Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, Quaker?
(how asanine. The Repub's ad attacks the Dem's Environmental policies)
WASHINGTON -- Within an hour after Justice Sandra Day O'Connor said she was leaving the Supreme Court, both sides in the upcoming debate over her successor began blitzing key states such as Connecticut with ads.
MoveOn PAC, which has close ties to Democrats, tried in its ad to plant doubts. An announcer asks gravely, "Will George Bush choose an extremist who will threaten our rights? And support even more government intrusion into our lives?"
At the same time, Progress for America, which is friendly to Republican interests, countered with humor and sarcasm. In its instant ad, an anchorman warned, "The president nominated George Washington for the Supreme Court. Democrats immediately attacked Washington for his environmental record of chopping down cherry trees."
The ads - and a barrage of press conferences, phone banks, media calls, petitions and other tactics - exploded Friday as interest groups raced to win the hearts and minds of the 100 senators who will decide whether to approve the next court nominee. This blitz is likely to last through the summer and until a nominee is confirmed.
For Republicans, this is their long-awaited chance to get a strong conservative on the court and cement a 5-4 majority. And this is the Democrats' hope to deflect this movement to the right, and to pick up momentum for the 2006 elections.
The looming fight is about abortion, separation of church and state, affirmative action - every issue of the political debate.
Link
MTP is on!
Maybe the blog mods will let me back in afterward.
;)
The fight over O'Connor's replacement might...might...just be enough to shock the Democratic Party out of its stupor.
Party loyalty and cloned rhetoric is not going to get the votes we need to beat the well-oiled (pun intended) machine of the GOP (greedy old pigs).
Anyone with an IQ above Forest Gump's knows that winking at things like the Chicago Democratic Party Machine, Phil Bredesen's from-health-care-millionaire to cut-throat governor, and of course, Democrat nominated Supreme Court justices who imagine that tax revenue is more important than private property, will not build voter confidence.
The Democratic Party should stopped acting like a self-serving cult, and start addressing the real concerns of real people. Like the poor in Bredesen's Tennessee, and the tens of millions of homeowners frightened by an out-of-control Supreme Court.
Servicemen tell Rove to Shove it.
Take It To Karl
Let's see if this works.
Hi DPD,
Another way to get links on, is copy & paste the address into the URL box under Post a comment. Then say, click on my name for story.
From todays Sun-Times:
Quick Takes
They also serve who stand and criticize
July 3, 2005
BY ZAY N. SMITH SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST
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QT Weblog of the Week:
Taking the Fight to Karl: American Service Men and Women Mad at Karl Rove, takeittokarl .blogspot.com.
The weblog was started shortly after Karl Rove, who didn't find the time to serve in the military during Vietnam, said liberals "wanted to offer therapy and understanding" to the 9/11 terrorists and that criticism of Iraq policy is "certainly putting our troops in greater danger."
It is a good place to remember that there are many liberals among those coming home in flag-covered coffins from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Or does Rove not support these troops?
This may well be our defining moment. I can't imagine that a political operative outing a CIA operative wouldn't result in a jail term in this country at any other time....Our Repub counterparts could gain miles of support by doing the right thing, and demanding it. They won't, I'm sure. Like I said last night, let's watch the spin on this one....
Posted by DPD on July 3, 2005 at 10:57 AM
Like the site, DPD, but the comments on it...damn neo-con troll pukes.
Newsweek is indicating that Rove was so pissed that Wilson bitch slapped him and his girlfriend/boss George Bush on their bullshit Iraq allegations. that he decided to get even by outing a CIA operative (Wilson's wife).
Posted by CollegeDNC on July 3, 2005 at 08:58 AM
Outing a CIA operative is tatamont (I know this is misspelled) to murder. It's an act of violence with the intention of creating harm. Just what legally can be done about this I am not usre, but Rove cannot be allow ed to walk on this one.
Posted by Mack on July 3, 2005 at 11:10 AM
This may well be our defining moment. I can't imagine that a political operative outing a CIA operative wouldn't result in a jail term in this country at any other time....Our Repub counterparts could gain miles of support by doing the right thing, and demanding it. They won't, I'm sure. Like I said last night, let's watch the spin on this one....
Oh you can be sure that the White House is going to spin the sh*#t out of this one. Our problem is that we have not learned the theory of causing folks problems on more than one end. The DEMS will be consumed with the Supreme Court vacancy (and rightfully so) that they will let this slip by. The grassroots effort is what will keep this alive just like the Downing St. Memo. The Administration needs not only to have a full plate of negative publicity but one that is heaped over.
Like the site, DPD, but the comments on it...damn neo-con troll pukes.
Posted by GregL on July 3, 2005 at 11:30 AM
I went back and looked at the names of the posters. ALL that neo-con bile spread all over every Comment section of every letter is from the same idiot. MKinMinn. Nothing new there, a POS who can't argue a point without making comments about others (and who does it from Minnesota, as far as I can tell. Why not Baquba?)
hello, got a bunch of little people on their way here to go swimming in the stream and examine my turtles but i was wondering what happened to karen? and is she j or is j someone else i know by another name? anyhow it is gonna be a week since the big change over tomorrow and while we are still a bit behind where we were in terms of service, we are getting closer to being ok i think.
Judiciary committee chairman Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican who will run confirmation hearings for Bush's eventual nominee, was one of several senators who appeared on Sunday talk shows to urge calm.
"It would be very useful for the country if the rhetoric were to be toned down," he said on NBC's "Meet the Press."
"We have laid plans for a professional approach where we're going to keep the rhetoric down," Specter added.
Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, the ranking Democrat on the committee, echoed his sentiments. "Let's take it easy. I had a long talk with the President on Friday. He assured me then that he wants to consult as he has before," he said.
this is from reuters...it is pretty funny...reminds me of that old lbj line...don't piss on my leg and tell me its raining...wait till bush nominates hannibal the cannibal or david berkowitz and we'll see about toning down the rhetoric...tone down my ass...
as he has before!!!like on iraq or north korea or anwar or enron or the clean air act or...wtf is leahy talking about...and i really like the guy...jesus this is gonna be a long summer...well at least social security rape seems dead...until the new supreme court declares it unconstitutional or something....
Oh, I guess I should mention that today is our 12th wedding anniversary...Maybe I'll have a drink.
Happy Anniversary Mack!
Hi everyone!
GregG, J is our friend from Florida. Karen was in Ann Arbor I think.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, Mack
Did Lisa get my Sympathy Card? :))
I have 30 years on you. More than some of the ages of the kids that post on here ! Scary,
Hey gregg, regarding your 09:17 AM, I suppose I should have posted another part of Oscar's post :)
To repost this you will need to replace every opening error thingie (my words, not Oscar's, I can't get the thing to post) with "& l t ;" .. without the spaces.
Ok, off to fight my rainforest, have a great day everybody :)
RE: k rove
I have no knowledge of the legal aspects of this case, but speaking as a liberal, If it had been my wife, I would take rove out into an alley and give him some therepy and understanding.
Mack, Happy anniversary!! I'll have a drink with you as soon as I'm done fighting my rainforest...
oh, and ygm
DoD Announces Increase in Death Gratuity and SGLI
Navy News Service
July 01, 2005
WASHINGTON - The Department of Defense announced July 1 a significant increase in the death gratuity for the survivors of service members killed in action and the Service members' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) coverage for service members deployed to designated combat zones.
The Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror and Tsunami Relief Act 2005 (Public Law 109-13) increases this immediate cash payment from $12,420 to $100,000 for survivors of those whose death is as a result of hostile actions and occurred in a designated combat operation or combat zone or while training for combat or performing hazardous duty.
The supplemental also increases the maximum amount of SGLI coverage from $250,000 to $400,000 for all service members effective Sept. 1, 2005 and provides that the department will pay or reimburse the premiums to service members who are deployed in a designated combat zone for $150,000 of SGLI coverage.
well this comforts me to no end. You can read the full story by clicking on my name, IF I did it right. In other words, don't hold your breath.
"What Iraq needs is a Walter Cronkite
Fri Jul 1, 6:31 AM ET
President Bush went on the air this week to pretend again that things are OK in Iraq. Shades of President Lyndon Johnson and Vietnam nearly 40 years ago.
The most important similarity between Iraq and Vietnam is that both Democratic and Republican presidents lied to us in wartime. To refresh your memory, here's how we got out of the Vietnam quagmire:
• Walter Cronkite, CBS-TV news anchor known as "the most trusted man in America," after a combat tour of Vietnam in 1968 declared, "There is no way this war can be justified any longer."
• Johnson lamented to aides, "If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost middle America." He announced he would not run for re-election.
The crucial difference between Vietnam and Iraq is that there is no Cronkite to call Bush's bluff. Without a strong, trusted, non-political voice, too many of us remain Bush-blinded. Bush tried keeping the wool over our eyes again Tuesday on national TV by repeatedly tying Iraq to 9/11. That charge is as phony as his discredited prewar claim that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.
Most of us who have had personal war experiences strongly believe this great country is worth fighting for at risk of lives. My World War II Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman's Badge on the wall behind my desk remind me of that daily.
They also remind me that war is hell, that we must fully support our servicemen and women and put their lives at risk only for honest and just and noble causes.
That's why I'm convinced the best way to support our troops in Iraq is to bring them home. Sooner rather than later."
Copyright © 2005 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
what iraq needs is a walter cronkite
Posted by gregg on July 3, 2005 at 12:17 PM
and is she j or is j someone else i know by another name?
gregg, I'm the same "J" from Florida that is one sometimes early morning (6:00-7:00 AM) sometimes. Didn'y make a change over when the new system came in.
Joan, you must have taken everyone to church with this morning because when I got on about 7:15 AM, I talked with myself until I left to get ready for Sunday School.
Yup, J, I loaded up that old church bus with the big letters on the side and off we went, singing Hallelujah. All except the heretics. :) j/k
I'm good, J. Do you have excitement planned for the 4th? Personally, I could do without the fireworks. It's heck for the dogs.
What did you teach on this AM, if I may ask?
That post about needing a Cronkite was written by USA Today founder, Al Neuharth. Just so you know who has the credit and the medal.
Sounds like you all had a good time. Good for the soul. You know that is the one thing out of everything with the Evangelicals and Fundamentalists that upsets me the most: they see that they are the ONLY ones with a Christian belief. We are God fearing folks too!!! We believe just as much if not more than they do and believe me we know how to fall on our knees in prayer.
Ok.... Now when we went after the mafia, we never stopped with the small fish, will we now? What other terrible harms have been caused by these traitors of AMERICA?!
J on July 3, 2005 at 01:25 PM
They, and their blind preachers are too busy ignoring this:
Matthew 7
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
to learn anything spiritual.
I'm good, J. Do you have excitement planned for the 4th? Personally, I could do without the fireworks. It's heck for the dogs.
What did you teach on this AM, if I may ask?
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 01:24 PM
It's going to be a quiet Fourth with just a little family. Basically we will grill early tomorrow and I'll go over and check on my parents. My Mom is 78 and my Dad 81. He is semi invalid with congestive heart failure, diabetes and Parkinson's. Through it all they keep a upbeat spirit.
As for fireworks and animals, I am very tender hearted when it comes to dogs and in no way do I want them frightened. so please keep them in.
As for the kids Sunday School lesson, it was on the Beatitudes. Their lesson gave a simplied version of them with these words as the key words: need, sorry, greatest, obey, kind, good, peace, love. Didn't have many of my regulars today because most folks are either on vaction, attending family reunions or gone for the holiday.
J, that sounds like a beautiful, beautiful lesson. A few years ago I was Sunday School Sup't at my old church. Teachers are the unsung heros of the community. Bless you, and also for taking care of your elderly parents. I'm sure they are proud to have you as a daughter.
How will the repubs explain away the traitor Rove?
I can't wait for Tuesday morning politics to begin!
America was just handed our ticket to get rid of these thieves,lairs and EVIL doers !!!
Joan on July 3, 2005 at 01:31 PM
that's me, Dem in IN, just easier to type.
Good afternoon, all.
Re: Rove. Where there's smoke, there's fire. His attorney should have kept his mouth shut. Now we and the Newsweeks of the media world know they are hiding something.
Gregg, do you really expect them not to push Social Security destruction this summer? This brewing Supreme Court fight is a great cover if you're planning a stealth attack. I personally hope they do it. This is the one issue that scares the crap out of seniors, babyboomers, and their children/grandchildren who will have to make up the difference in any benefits cuts.
The heat broke here yesterday. Off to enjoy the day God has given us and all it has to offer.
Later.
RE: rove
Did DUH-bya know?
Is "obstruction of justice" still the rule of law?
Al Qaeda Chief of Saudi Arabia Killed in Clash
Sunday, July 03, 2005
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Security forces killed Al Qaeda's leader in Saudi Arabia, who topped the nation's list of most-wanted militants, during a fierce gunbattle Sunday, an Interior Ministry official said.
Younis Mohammed Ibrahim al-Hayari, a Moroccan, was killed during a dawn raid by security forces on an area in the capital where suspected militants were hiding, the official was quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency as saying.
Three other unidentified suspects were arrested, and weapons, ammunition, computers and documents were seized, he said.
The clashes took place in the Rawdah district, an upscale neighborhood in eastern Riyadh, Interior Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Mansour al-Turki said.
The unidentified official quoted by SPA said al-Hayari headed Usama bin Laden's Al Qaeda network in the kingdom, which has been ravaged by terrorist attacks during more than two years of violence.
"He (al-Hayari) was nominated by his peers, and following the death of those preceding him, to be the head of sedition and corruption in the land," the official said in the SPA report.
Al-Hayari topped a list issued Tuesday of 36 most-wanted militants sought for participation in previous terror attacks in the kingdom dating back to 2003. On Wednesday, Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef warned that more attacks were possible.
US troops have rescued a special forces soldier missing in eastern Afghanistan for almost a week, US officials say.
A four-man special forces unit disappeared in Konar province on 28 June, and a Chinook helicopter looking for them was later shot down.
The rescued soldier was reported to have avoided capture in the days since his disappearance, US officials said.
Link
US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, seen as a candidate to sit on the Supreme Court, has avoided commenting on his prospects as he headed to Iraq.
Mr Gonzales has worked closely with President George Bush for the last decade and would be the first Hispanic to sit on the nine-member court.
He was making a surprise visit to Iraq - the first by a US attorney general since the US-led invasion in 2003.
Link
Let's try that again.
Iraqi envoy accuses U.S. of killing his cousin
If that doesn't work, there is always copy & paste.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8437692/
A good read from Asia Times.
And yet when it comes to acts that are clearly wrong in this world - aggressive war, the looting of resources, torture, personal gain at the expense of others, lying and manipulation among other matters - Bush and his top officials never hesitate to redefine reality to suit their needs. When faced with matters long defined in everyday life in terms of right and wrong, they simply reach for their dictionaries.
You want to invade a country not about to attack you. No problem, just pick up that Webster's and rename the act "preventive war". Now, you want an excuse for such a war that might actually panic the public into backing it. So you begin to place mushroom clouds from nonexistent enemy atomic warheads over American cities (Condoleezza Rice: "[W]e don't want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud."); you begin to claim, as our president and other top officials did, that nonexistent enemy UAVs (unmanned airborne vehicles) launched from nonexistent ships off our perfectly real East coast, might spray nonexistent biological or chemical weapons hundreds of miles inland, and - voila! - you're ready to strike back.
You sweep opponents up on a battlefield, but you don't want to call them prisoners of war or deal with them by the established rules of warfare. No problem, just grab that dictionary and label them "unlawful combatants", then you can do anything you want. So you get those prisoners into your jail complex (carefully located on an American base in Cuba, which you have redefined as being legally under "Cuban sovereignty", so that no American court can touch them); and then you declare that, not being prisoners of war, they do not fall under the Geneva Conventions, though you will treat them (sort of) as if they did and, whatever happens, you will not actually torture them, though you plan to take those "gloves" off.
Then your lawyers and attorneys retire to some White House or Justice Department office and, under the guidance of White House counsel Alberto Gonzales (now attorney general), they grab those dictionaries again and redefine torture to be whatever we're not doing to the prisoners. (In a 50-page memo written in August 2002 for the Central Intelligence Agency - CIA - and addressed to Gonzales, assistant attorney general Jay S Bybee, now an Appeals Court judge, hauled out many dictionaries and redefined torture this way: "Must be equivalent in intensity to the pain accompanying serious physical injury, such as organ failure, impairment of bodily function, or even death.")
And if questioned on the subject, after e-mails from Federal Bureau of Investigation observers at the prison lay out the various acts of abuse and torture committed in grisly detail, the vice president simply insists, as Dick Cheney did the other day, that those prisoners are living the good life in the balmy "tropics". ("They're well fed. They've got everything they could possibly want. There isn't any other nation in the world that would treat people who were determined to kill Americans the way we're treating these people.")
Women and children last
What the Bush administration has proved is that, if you have a mind to do so, there's no end to the ways you can define "is". No administration has reached not just for its guns but for its dictionaries more often, when brought up against commonly accepted definitions of what is.
Link
Why withdrawal is possible
By Mark LeVine
As calls to set a timetable for withdrawing American troops from Iraq grow with each new casualty, President George W Bush and other critics of such a move argue vigorously that announcing such a deadline would grant the insurgents a major political and strategic victory: the former by vindicating the violent, even terroristic methodology of the insurgency itself, the latter by allowing rebels to bide their time and overwhelm government troops once American forces depart.
However convincing at face value, these arguments raise the question: are the only options in Iraq maintaining an unpopular and costly occupation, or handing the country over to "former members of Saddam Hussein's regime, criminal elements and foreign terrorists" (as Bush describes them)?
The answer is manifestly no, and the fact so few people within the corridors of power can imagine an alternative policy reveals a powerful yet fallacious line of reasoning at the heart of arguments to "stay the course" in Iraq: that a US troop withdrawal would automatically leave a security vacuum in its place.
But such an outcome is by no means a foregone conclusion; the problem is that few Americans, especially politicians, are willing to consider the alternative: apologize to the Iraqi people for an invasion and occupation that (whatever our intentions) has gone terribly wrong; ask the United Nations to take over the management of the country's security, lead negotiations to end the insurgency, and oversee redevelopment aid; and leave as soon as a sufficient number of replacement forces are in place.
Link
Posted by PamB on July 3, 2005 at 02:02 PM apologize to the Iraqi people for an invasion and occupation that (whatever our intentions) has gone terribly wrong; ask the United Nations to take over the management of the country's security, lead negotiations to end the insurgency, and oversee redevelopment aid; and leave as soon as a sufficient number of replacement forces are in place.
and cleary and uniquivocally renounce the Bush Doctrine that the U.S. has the moral authority to use war as a tool for reshaping the political landscape of the planet to our liking against the weight of world opinion.
and that all that should be done whether or not the rest of the world decides to help us out in Iraq or not - as far as I'm concerned.
Posted by Mack on July 3, 2005 at 12:28 PM Oh, I guess I should mention that today is our 12th wedding anniversary...
Happy anniversary, Mack.
Jeremiah 14:14
"And the LORD said to me: "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name; I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds."
Posted by gregg on July 3, 2005 at 12:25 PM joan must have taken everyone but me to church with her.
Can you blame her after all the sinful things you said yesterday.
If a male blogger blogs alone and Joan isn't here, he is still a pig?
Well, Have a great afternoon everyone - I talk to myself too much as it is, I suppose I should go do something productive.
Hello everyone,
As we celebrate our independence this Fourth of July, let us not forget the very freedoms our armed forces are fighting for, supposedly, are constantly under-fire. From Justice O’Connor stepping down---Rehnquist is next---to the upcoming debates on the PATRIOT Act’s sunset provisions and beyond, the fights that truly need fighting are the ones that do not involve bullets.
More importantly, I believe, we need to fight for funding for the Veterans’ Administration, because no matter what “some people say,” they’re in desperate need of funds. Why is that? If we’re to honor the defenders of freedom, no matter what the circumstances, we should provide them with the healthcare and the financial services the VA has to offer. How could this president be so much for the military when they’re “active,” yet forget all about their sacrifices once they’re disabled?
We must not forget.
Happy Independence Day,
Mark
P.S. It’s going on four years since we invaded Afghanistan, and Osama’s still “at-large.” Perhaps this was never really about him???
"If a male blogger blogs alone and Joan isn't here, he is still a pig?"
oink oink
Aceface, it's good to read you posts, welcome to the blog!
Guy at 2:36
ROFLMAO
Paul Harvey's Tribute to Slavery, Nukes, Genocide
Hateful rant shows Disney's double standard on speech
Disney/ABC radio personality Paul Harvey, one of the most widely listened to commentators in the United States, presented his listeners on June 23 with an endorsement of genocide and racism that would have been right at home on a white supremacist shortwave broadcast.
Harvey's commentary began by lamenting the decline of American wartime aggression. "We're standing there dying, daring to do nothing decisive because we've declared ourselves to be better than our terrorist enemies--more moral, more civilized," he said. Drawing a contrast with what he cast as the praiseworthy nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II, Harvey lamented that "we sent men with rifles into Afghanistan and Iraq and kept our best weapons in their silos"--suggesting that America should have used its nuclear arsenal in its invasions of both countries.
Harvey concluded:
"We didn't come this far because we're made of sugar candy. Once upon a time, we elbowed our way onto and across this continent by giving smallpox-infected blankets to Native Americans. That was biological warfare. And we used every other weapon we could get our hands on to grab this land from whomever.
"And we grew prosperous. And yes, we greased the skids with the sweat of slaves. So it goes with most great nation-states, which--feeling guilty about their savage pasts--eventually civilize themselves out of business and wind up invaded and ultimately dominated by the lean, hungry up-and-coming who are not made of sugar candy."
Harvey's evident approval of slavery, genocide and nuclear and biological warfare would seem to put him at odds with Disney's family-friendly image. The media conglomerate syndicates Harvey to more than 1,000 radio stations, where he reaches an estimated 18 million listeners. Disney recently signed a 10-year, $100 million contract with the 86-year-old Harvey.
In 2004, Disney forbid its Miramax subsidiary to distribute Michael Moore's film Fahrenheit 9/11, even though Miramax was the principal investor in the film. A Disney executive told the New York Times (5/5/04) that it was declining to distribute the film because, in the paper's words, "Disney caters to families of all political stripes and believes Mr. Moore's film...could alienate many."
One wonders whether Disney executives are worried about alienating families who oppose slavery, nuclear war and Native American genocide.
Take action
Why wasn't this reported by the corporate/GOP owned MSM? The answers are delf evident....They won't unless forced to and liberals have no organized method of doing such things to defend out values.
I think I've figured out why it's so hard to post here, they want to test our fighting powers and persistence ... and hey, we're democrats, so we'll prove that we are here to stay and will keep fighting the good fight :)
back to my rainforest...
Hmmmmm, wonder why the US never let this be known. Could it be they preferred to let Americans have the image that France was an enemy, because they did not jump on board an illegal invasion into Iraq??
France, US form anti-terror pact
July 4, 2005
FRANCE and the US are cooperating on a unique anti-terror partnership, tasked with analysing the transnational movements of terror suspects and developing operations to catch or spy on them, the Washington Post reported overnight.
The top secret counter terrorist centre in Paris, codenamed Alliance Base, was set up by the US and French intelligence services in 2002, according to US and European intelligence sources cited by the newspapert.
The existence of the centre had not been previously disclosed.
Funded largely by the CIA's Counterterrorist Centre, Alliance Base consists of small numbers of US intelligence case officers working with handfuls of foreign operatives, often in tentative arrangements.
Beginning in July 2003, its French and US commanders have worked side by side there with National Security Agency representatives at the Paris-based centre, according to the daily.
Such small-scale joint intelligence work has been responsible for identifying, tracking and capturing or killing the vast majority of committed jihadists who have been targeted outside Iraq and Afghanistan since the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, the Post wrote.
Link
Today, when a concerted effort is made to obliterate this point, it cannot be repeated too often that the Constitution is a limitation on the government, not on private individuals-that it does not prescribe the conduct of private individuals, only the conduct of the government-that it is not a charter for government power, but a charter of the citizen's protection against the government: -Ayn Rand
We should not lose sight of what the Constitution really is, especially on this Fourth of July weekend.
07/03/05 "ICH" - - It's odd that Congress would pass a bill banning flag burning on the same week that reports confirmed the US military used napalm in Iraq. Apparently, it's alright to incinerate Iraqis, but not okay to burn a 5'x7' piece of tri-colored cloth.
For the Republican faithful, the action was just another cynical demonstration of feigned patriotism meant to divert attention from an increasingly bloody war. Only a handful of these uber-nationalists ever served a day in uniform so they try to limit their loyalty to meaningless displays of political buffoonery. No one believes for a minute that any one of these stuffed-shirts would ever venture into an angry crowd to save Old Glory from the torch. They'd rather pontificate from the safety of the House, where their high-flown rhetoric can be mistaken for courage.
link
Posted by Guy on July 3, 2005 at 02:36 PM oink oink
Hey, oink for yourself Guy :)
Posted by Aceface on July 2, 2005 at 10:24 PM Thanks to whoever took the time to read this. I promise I won’t be as long-winded next time.
Great post, Mark - welcome.
"Moscow Times" - - This week, President George W. Bush gave a big speech "explaining" the Iraq war to the American people. It was the usual load of lying blather and false piety -- deeply, even murderously cynical. But there's no point in wasting a single thought over these clown shows anymore. Bush is a nasty little moral cretin fronting a gang of elitist thugs whose only concerns are loot and power. Nothing he says has the slightest credibility. Only his actions -- crimes soaked with human blood -- have any meaning or truth.
Link
Interesting source. Iraq Combat Vets !
Bush speech flies in the face of reality in Iraq.
Iraq Combat Veterans describe occupation of Iraq as a “runaway train.”
“President Bush mis-led the American public last night,” says Mike Hoffman, Iraq combat veteran and founder of Iraq Veterans Against the War. The President’s speech delivered at Fort Bragg (NC) yesterday attempted to shore up the flagging support of the American public, who are growing doubtful that the U.S. will have success in Iraq.
Link
Posted by PamB on July 3, 2005 at 03:14 PMthe Constitution is a limitation on the government, not on private individuals
I bet Ayn Rand never thought she'd be quoted on the DNC blog :)
Happy 4th, dors,
I am in and out today. I work outside for a while, then come in to cool down.
Heading back out now.
Take care,
OK, dorsano - quit slackin and get your butt outside and start working.
UK aid funds Iraqi torture units
Peter Beaumont in Baghdad and Martin Bright
Sunday July 3, 2005
The Observer
British and American aid intended for Iraq's hard-pressed police service is being diverted to paramilitary commando units accused of widespread human rights abuses, including torture and extra-judicial killings, The Observer can reveal.
clicky
http://www.observer.co.uk
USA Today Founder Al Neuharth: What Iraq needs is a Walter Cronkite
President Bush went on the air this week to pretend again that things are OK in Iraq. Shades of President Lyndon Johnson and Vietnam nearly 40 years ago.
The most important similarity between Iraq and Vietnam is that both Democratic and Republican presidents lied to us in wartime…
The crucial difference between Vietnam and Iraq is that there is no Cronkite to call Bush's bluff. Without a strong, trusted, non-political voice, too many of us remain Bush-blinded. Bush tried keeping the wool over our eyes again Tuesday on national TV by repeatedly tying Iraq to 9/11. That charge is as phony as his discredited prewar claim that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction…
I'm convinced the best way to support our troops in Iraq is to bring them home. Sooner rather than later.
Dors at 3:26, yes, you better get out there, otherwise you'll never hear the end of Jaque's comments :)
Guy at 3:32, I couldn't agree more
Hi GiG
The article at 2:02 is a good one on How Withdrawal IS possible.
Shout It Out, Howard, We're Listening
Dean isn't out of line, he's just restoring the fiery tradition of Truman and Jefferson.
Howard Dean's election as Democratic National Committee chairman was a shot across the bow of Washington's power clique, so it does not surprise us at the state-party level in Oregon that he is making our kin inside the Beltway nervous.
In fact, it delights us...
Polls show that most Americans now oppose the Iraq war, favor the stem cell research that the Bush administration opposes and think Congress should not have meddled — and asked those dastardly "activist courts" to meddle — in the painful case of Terri Schiavo. That latter poll, incidentally, was taken before the brain-damaged woman's autopsy confirmed that she had no hope of recovery.
Based on the outcome of last year's election, Democrats in Washington fear that Dean is out of step with the swing moderates in both parties. That's an understandable concern, but it shouldn't outweigh our desire for leaders who stand on principle. It also ignores the apparent shift in the country's mood since the election.
One more thing. Washington Democrats tend to see the world through the prism of their own political futures. Those of us west of the Potomac recognize the impulse. But we want a party leader who inspires the Democratic base, keeps it involved and energized, and we want to hear truths because we have faith that straight talk is the best way to talk to Americans. There is more to leading this party than not scaring the horses....
Wince at his words if you must, but Dean restores a Democratic tradition. As one fiery Democrat from our past once said: "I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell." Washington's hand-wringing Democrats should ask themselves: How would Harry Truman have responded if conservative Pat Buchanan had called him "wacko," as he did Dean.
If Democrats truly are the Party of Thomas Jefferson, we should remember that in 1787 he wrote, "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical."
Some said Jefferson was a troublemaker too.
LATimes
Schumer demands Rove speak up about leak
WASHINGTON, July 3 (UPI) -- Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, called Sunday for Deputy White House Chief of Staff Karl Rove to personally deny leaking the name of a CIA official.
Saturday, Rove's lawyer, Robert Luskin told The Washington Post Rove had not disclosed the name of Valerie Plame to Newsweek in a 2003 interview.
Sunday, Schumer, who led the push for a Congressional inquiry into the leak, issued a challenge for Rove to speak for himself.
"We've heard it from his lawyer, but it would be nice to hear it directly from Mr. Rove that he didn't leak the identity of Valerie Plame, and that he didn't direct anyone else to do such a dastardly thing," Schumer said in a statement. "I have said from the first day ... whoever leaked the classified information should be punished to the full extent of the law."
The panel is investigating the leak of Plame's name to various news outlets in 2003. It is a federal crime for a government employee to reveal the name of an undercover operative after the employee learns it from classified material.
UK aid funds Iraqi torture units
Peter Beaumont in Baghdad and Martin Bright
Sunday July 3, 2005
Observer
British and American aid intended for Iraq's hard-pressed police service is being diverted to paramilitary commando units accused of widespread human rights abuses, including torture and extra-judicial killings, The Observer can reveal.
Iraqi Police Service officers said that ammunition, weapons and vehicles earmarked for the IPS are being taken by shock troops at the forefront of Iraq's new dirty counter-insurgency war.
from salon:
Filibuster on the table in court fight
- - - - - - - - - - - -
By Pete Yost
July 3, 2005 | WASHINGTON -- Democratic senators said Sunday a filibuster is one of the weapons in their arsenal when the time comes to vote on a nominee to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
The comments came amid a lobbying campaign by conservative groups opposed to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales as a potential successor to the influential O'Connor, a key swing vote in many 5-4 rulings.
These groups contend Gonzales, who made a surprise visit to Iraq on Sunday, as too moderate and are urging President Bush not to nominate his longtime friend from Texas.
A filibuster is appropriate in certain circumstances, Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., said on CBS's "Face the Nation" when asked about the possibility the president would nominate a candidate who is a hardline Republican.
"I have no intention of filibustering, but it depends on who the president sends," Biden said.
"I would hope that we don't reach that point," Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said when asked whether he would support a filibuster.
Leahy, appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press," urged Bush to put forward somebody who will "unite the country, not divide the country."
"If you had somebody on the extreme right, just as if you had somebody on the extreme left, that's not going to unite the country and that's going to bring about a fight in the Congress," Leahy said.
With Republicans holding power the White House and Congress, conservatives see the Supreme Court as the final obstacle to control of all branches of the federal government.
Liberals say that given O'Connor's swing position on the court, Bush must choose a moderate conservative -- a move that would risk alienating his far-right base but would avoid a nasty confirmation battle with Democrats.
Pam, thank you so much, I probably would have missed your 2:02... and yes, let's keep hoping that we can bring our kids home...
I'll try to be back later, but with dial up and all, I'm not sure if I'll be able to.. so therefore, I wish everybody a safe and happy 4th of July, and let's never forget why we're celebrating it.
This is one grateful German in Georgia who will never forget and will always keep fighting
Later folks
Andrea
On Bushnit energy plan and the coal gasification and coal mining etc... This day I heard on "Ring of Fire" a gal called in and was talking about a new company and the people involved in this were mostly old Enron officials and the guy that just left he bushnit cabal to head it. Does anyone know anything about this and would you post some links?
Here's a copy of the Document that started the whole shebang. I've always known the words to the intro, and also the finale. But I never payed that much attention to the chorus. Look at the list of grievances against King George - seems they had their own complaints about issues like immigration, use of the military, taxes, property rights, etc. Even international trade!
The more things change, the more they stay the same, eh?
Sorry Madalyn, I haven't heard about that. Maybe when someone else comes on, they might know.
Oops, link still not working so here it is:
UK aid funds Iraqi torture units
Peter Beaumont in Baghdad and Martin Bright
Sunday July 3, 2005
Observer
British and American aid intended for Iraq's hard-pressed police service is being diverted to paramilitary commando units accused of widespread human rights abuses, including torture and extra-judicial killings, The Observer can reveal.
Iraqi Police Service officers said that ammunition, weapons and vehicles earmarked for the IPS are being taken by shock troops at the forefront of Iraq's new dirty counter-insurgency war.
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,5230205-111381,00.html
Joan, hot it is... and humid as all get out.. and my A/C is busted so I'm just enjoying life, trying to move as little as possible :)
... and I so enjoy reading your posts... I'll try to be back later, and hope to catch you then... enjoy today, it's a beautiful day.. and if I can't post, I'll be lurking ... :)
Have fun!
Frances - it does not surprise me that after 30 years of a regime that taregeted one religious group at the hands of another (secular) group, that now that the tables are turned, it's going to be ugly for a long while. At least until they get a stable government and judiciary over there.
BTK Killer
Has anyone here heard anything Rader is supposed to have said about what makes a desirable victim -- why he picks certain people?
I believe I had an encounter with him that made me feel like he had me in my sights.
Has anyone come across that piece of information?
Thanks.
N
Posted by gregg on July 3, 2005 at 04:27 PM
Filibuster on the table in court fight
I'm so glad that someone realizes that the filibuster is not dead, gone or tied with a ball and chain. Everyone seems to think that since it can only be used in "extraordinary circumstances" that means that it's tied in knots. Not true!!! Extraordinary circumstances is a vague term, it does not detail or specify any particular thing. Therefore any reason can be given and termed an extraordinary circumstance and guess what??? Any senator can can deem a circumstance extraordinary and call for a filibuster.
Why do you think Frist was do disappointed with the compromise. Oh sure, it put three of the worst jurists in the history of legal pleadings on a federal bench, BUT it didn't get rid of the filibuster which is what the right wingers and the extremists so desperately wanted.
Will Frist threaten with the nuclear option again if the DEMS filibuster??? More than likely. Will Reid retaliate with a procedural meltdown??? Probably. Bush is somewhat pushed into a corner to chose a moderate though so as to avoid a bloody fight. Yes he owes the right wingers and the extremists, BUT he's elected now and doesn't have to worry about another election so he doesn't really have to pay off. The true reason for a ultra conservative selection would be to fulfill the wishes of the "the powers that be" and the direction they want the court and ultimately the nation to go in.
OMG - Nikki! you're kidding!!
I heard that he would 'scout' groups of people till he 'locked on' to one of them, and then stalk them. I don't know if there was a pattern.
How horrible - what makes you think that?
Posted by GiG on July 3, 2005 at 04:53 PM
Joan, hot it is... and humid as all get out.. and my A/C is busted so I'm just enjoying life, trying to move as little as possible :)
Hope you're not in Florida. Just finished raining, hot and terribly humid.
J, no, I'm in Georgia... but I think it's just as bad here...oh, and thanks for sending the weather up North ;)
.. and I've taken up enough blog space, talking about silly stuff.... I'm really out of here (yeah, I know.. I've said it before, but I really mean it) and I'll to be back later, with some sort of substance...
take care everybody
Madalyn
That was a story about a week ago.
I would do some research for you, but I am leaving for the evening.
I suggest maybe going onto Information Clearing House and Buzz Flash, and skimming their headlines from about a week ago.
J, no, I'm in Georgia... but I think it's just as bad here...oh, and thanks for sending the weather up North ;)
Posted by GiG on July 3, 2005 at 05:15 PM
You're welcome to the weather, neighbor.
Nikki,
The Learning Channel has a special on at 10 tonight called, "BTK Killer Next Door?" The description states that friends and neighbors discuss the man charged in the BTK serial killings.
Don't know if that helps at all.
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 05:09 PM
Joan, I got married in 1998. It took us six months to be able to take a honeymoon. We went to a beautiful bed and breakfast in Cheyenne, Wyoming (called the Nagle-Warren Mansion). Cheyenne is about 35 minutes from Denver, CO (given the fact that the speed limit is 90 MPH up there). We weren't made of money, so we drove up there. The route took us straight up from Texas, through Kansas, and then west.
We spent the night at a budget motel in Witchita because it was late, we'd been driving a long time, and we could see from the map that there was no other inhabitable place that we'd hit for many, many hours if we didn't stop where we were. The next morning, we stopped in a diner near something called the Welk-up Inn (which we found hysterical) to have some breakfast before hitting the road. My husband had his back to the rest of the people in the restaurant and I was facing them (I tend to be particular about doing that). There was a man who I have little doubt was Rader, looked exactly like him, sitting at a table eating and had I think two school-aged children with him (could be 3, but I recall at least one boy and one girl). Now admittedly, I was not exactly the kind of woman who fit harmoniously in with the inhabitants of Kansas (I'd only been out of NYC for a year) and in my 24-36 hours in Kansas, I was accustomed to sticking out like a sore thumb already (it wasn't unlike what you'd imagine happens when a heavy metal band on tour walks through a town like that in the middle of the day). But this man, at this table, I noticed looking at me like he hated me. I don't get uncomfortable about other people's reactions easily, but he was really creeping me out. I sort of figured that me in my midriff revealing tops (which after the two kids I don't think I'll ever be wearing again) was getting a Christian fundamentalist disdain, but even taking that into account, this intense scowl was excessive.
Eventually, I got ticked off about it and stared at him giving him a message that was basically intended to be conveyed as, "I don't know what your problem with me is and I don't care, but you'd best step off, because you're really getting on my bad side." That seems to have gotten the message across because his face softened to something normal and never made eye contact again. We ate and left town.
Posted by RoseZ on July 3, 2005 at 05:43 PM
Rose, unfortunately, the limited satellite access we have here in the hotel doesn't have TLC. If you should happen to watch it though, let me know what you find out.
It's just that something in me, just my outside veneer, clearly infuriated this guy, and I can't help but wonder what his triggers are.
The most important similarity between Iraq and Vietnam is that both Democratic and Republican presidents lied to us in wartime. Posted by Denim on July 3, 2005 at 01:11 PM
Another similarity between Iraq and Vietnam is they kept telling us even back then, "If we don't fight them over there, we'll have to fight them over here". They tried the put us in fear of Viet Cong guerillas landing on our shores and killing us in our beds. Never happened and never was going to happen, but now we have Junior trying to play the same old con-scam on us and put us in the same old fear.
weird, Nikki , very weird. From what I've heard, he did have two children I think. It seemed like he picked on victims who seemed vulnerable in some way. Good for you giving him the stare-down! Maybe your own sense of power made him back off. Or maybe it was angels. Or both.
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 05:09 PM
Typo correction:
That's "welk-umm in"
I'm recording it, Nikki. So, if I don't watch it tonight, I'll let you know when I do.
Nikki - it might have been a Scandinavian-owned restaurant. You'll often see Wellkomm or 'Welkomin' or some variation on that theme. Lots of Swedes in the middle part of the country.
Posted by RoseZ on July 3, 2005 at 05:55 PM
Thanks Rose.
I'm really perplexed about this. I mean, I'm used to people getting ticked off after I speak, but not with me just sitting there.
;-)
How will the repubs explain away the traitor Rove? Posted by Hopskippy on July 3, 2005 at 01:36 PM
Oh, they'll find a way.
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 05:52 PM
I suppose my size of 5'4" and 112 pounds at the time (I now look like the woman who ate that woman) would be enough to make me seem vulnerable.
In any case, I'm pretty sure that only the fact that I wasn't alone and we were on our way out of town immediately after that encounter, saved me from being added to the list.
I dearly hope this is as close as I ever get to something like that again.
I'm just glad you're safe Nikki. Did you know his first victims were a whole family, kids included? Sick and twisted bastard.
Nikki - I've been meaning to ask you. Your child has autism, right? Are there services where you are to help you with her needs? Any respite care so you can catch a break? I know you are away from family down there.
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 06:01 PM
Yes, I did know that. He's a freak, to be sure.
We had no kids at that time (though the older daughter was created as a result of that trip. I guess we had a good time...).
Here's more on that "Walter Cronkite" statment.,/I>
USA Today Founder Calls Bush "Liar"
Neuharth Calls For U.S. Withdrawal from Iraq, Says Bush 'Lied'
mediainfo.com
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 05:58 PM
Have you been to Witchita? No offense to anyone here, but I think that might be giving that town a little too much credit (but I'm a snobby New Yorker).
Mohammed was a Christian
No luck with the links, so I'm trying the name click method. But in case that doesn't work --
C:\Iraq\Armed and Dangerous » Mohammed was a Christian.htm
I think I actually have been to Witchita, Nikki, but I don't really remember anything cuz I was crazy at the time! HA!
I was in Cheyenne a coupla days once, too. I wanted to stay longer. Never made it to the rodeo :(
Hey Jen, Frances, William. Are all my friends having fun at play? :)
I went to a rodeo in Cody, Wyoming. I was 15 and I do remember thinking while in that town that we had stepped back in time.
Now, this story is an example of why the Iranians will never get invited to any of the popular kids' parties. Click on my name. I hope.
Joan, I'm not just away from family, I have no family.
Respite care tends to give you an hour here and an hour there. Our kids are already in daycare 3 full days a week. I can't think of a scenario where an hour helps much.
This requires a fuller explanation of our circumstances than I can give right now, but I'll explain our situation and predicaments further later. Do I have your e-mail address?
What I really need right now is a good job and a car to get to and from it with. Much bigger stuff than an hour of baby-sitting here and there (though it's nice that there are people who will do that).
"I think I actually have been to Witchita, Nikki, but I don't really remember anything cuz I was crazy at the time! HA!"
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 06:12 PM
Add to it an inbred quality that makes you look like you're inappropriately related to every other person in town, and you fit right in.
Oh, Nikki. This must be so hard for you right now. I feel so helpless, I wish I could do something for you. I don't give out my e-mail, for paranoid/delusional/insanity-driven reasons, but I will absolutely pray for you, and communicate with you via blog. I wish it was more, hon.
WHY *9*STRIPED FLAG BEHIND BUSH?
By strict construction of language only the first nine States to ratify the constitution created the Federal government, and the remaining four states of the 13 original colonies, upon ratification, were admitted to a preexisting Union by the act of their ratification.
Someone took a lot of effort to make many flags with 9 stripes. This is NOT an accident. I spoke with one of my Sources about this.
The question I asked was this:
"Was President Bush sending any coded messages in his Fort Bragg speech?" The first thing my Source said was: "You mean the flag with 9 stripes?"
I followed up: "What was he telling us?"
My source said: "I know it was a message. I was told that by people who know, but I wasn't told anything else. I haven't had time to talk to the ones who have the answers. Lots of things are going on right now. We're all too busy to talk.
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 06:17 PM
That ain't right. I wouldn't allow the Iranian guests to do that either (of course, many southern baptists would do the same).
Bet some of them can beat the smack out of a pinata though.
My mother lived in the middle east for awhile. She said they won't drink, but they chew on qat, I think it's spelled, a mild hallucinogen that keeps them pretty buzzed most of the day.
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 06:20 PM
Thanks Joan. Actually, though I occasionally will take a chance as the circumstances warrant, I've found that not giving out your e-mail address or even your real last name to people you meet on blogs is not necessarily excessive paranoia.
Posted by WD on July 3, 2005 at 06:23 PM
Well, which states were the first 9?
Posted by Jen on July 3, 2005 at 06:06 PM
One of life's near-miss moments, to be sure.
Don't know for sure Nikki. At first I thought he was doing some kind of civil war confederate thing, but they had eleven didn't they?
Oh - before I go - Frances - I would be interested in reading that article about Mohammed, but I couldn't get the link to work, even after I did the copy and paste thing.
Hey Jen, Frances, William. Are all my friends having fun at play? :)
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 06:14 PM
Not today, Joan. I can't get any linking methods to work, so it's copy and paste for me.
Posted by WD on July 3, 2005 at 06:30 PM
Yes, 11, but unofficially 13. Missouri and Kentucky stayed with the union, but had a strong pro-confederate faction that joined the other side.
This was also responsible for the creation of a West Virginia separate from the rest of Virginia.
Is this relevant, do you think:
"Article VII. - Ratification Documents
The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same."
Yep, the creation of West Virginia was "illigal".
The Federal government did not recognize the legality of secession and refused to remove stars from the US Flag. However, after the cessation of hostilities in 1865, and for a period of time extending to 1870, the United States Government recognized the defacto secession of these eleven states by readmitting them to the Federal Union.
The State of West Virginia's admission to the Union is a particularly interesting study in that this region "seceded from a secession."
The legality of West Virginia was hotly debated at the time (and still is in some circles), even amongst members of Lincoln's administration.
According to the US Constitution, Article IV, Section. 3. Clause 1:
"New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress."
I'll try it again. I hope I get to figure out the link methods soon.
Mohammed was a Christian
http://esr.ibiblio.org/index.php?p=45
or
file:///C:/Iraq/Armed%20and%20Dangerous%20%BB%20Mohammed%20was%20a%20Christian.htm
Posted by WD on July 3, 2005 at 06:45 PM
And I personally believe that the time has come to get Congress to officially recognize a separation of red from blue states, but I can't seem to get many people to full hear that idea out.
Posted by Denim on July 3, 2005 at 06:45 PM Why Do Most Americans Feel the War Is 'Not Worth It?
I wonder how many editors and publishers read that magazine?
Nikki, most people aren't going to go for that kind of division because most states are in reality PURPLE. I live in Ohio, technically a red state, but my part of the state (Cleveland, Dennis Kucinich's district) is very BLUE, and I have red and blue neighbors. What we need to start doing is reaching out to our neighbors, human being to human being, and be friends. There is much common ground. If we tone down the rhetoric and start holding respectful dialogue, we have a chance to restore some civility to the country that has been ripped to shreds by the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. We can do it. We just have to remember how to communicate with other people, regardless if they are red or blue.
When the BLOG gets to be this long, it's nearly impossible to make sure an item hasn't been posted before. This article on the Guantanamo prison is very interesting I think.
I hope this is a correct link . . .
Of course, this guy is not someone I'm concerned about being civil with:
THIS IS YOUR WATCH
An Open Letter to President George W. Bush
Dear Mr. President,
We are a generous people, and in 2001 we were a naive people too. So we gave you the benefit of the doubt on September 11th of that year. You said we'd been blind-sided, and we believed you. You told us tales of incompetence in the intelligence agencies, and we cut you some slack. But that was almost four years ago. Things are very different now.
The so-called "Global War on Terror" is being run entirely according to your wishes. You have a huge new "Department of Homeland Security". Your beloved "Patriot Act" has been in place for almost four years. You've put John Negroponte at the helm of our national "intelligence". You've even set up your own domestic espionage agency! And you've given this vast security apparatus billions of dollars and unprecedented powers.
Do you think we haven't noticed these things? Think again, Mr. President. We have noticed them all -- and many more!
And we know what all this means, too. It means that this is YOUR watch, Mr. President. This is YOUR ballgame. Our national security is YOUR responsibility. And if anything happens to America now -- another "new Pearl Harbor", another murderous "bolt from the blue" -- the nation will hold YOU responsible.
YOU, Mr. President. Not Bill Clinton. Not the Democrats. Not the liberals. Not the moderate Republicans. Not your critics. You.
THIS IS YOUR WATCH, Mr. President. No more slack. No more benefit of the doubt. The spotlight is on you and no one else. And we thought you might like to know that... just in case it affects your plans.
Signed,
We The People
(pass it on)
When the BLOG gets to be this long, it's nearly impossible to make sure an item hasn't been posted before. This article on the Guantanamo prison is very interesting I think.
I hope this is a correct link . . .
Oh, well . . .
I guess someone will help me out ...
"http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyid=2005-07-01T154615Z_01_N01622019_RTRIDST_0_POLITICS-SECURITY-GUANTANAMO-DC.XML"
Posted by Paul on July 3, 2005 at 06:55 PM
On a related subject, I've tried to convince all of you to also join the Democrats Only forum at politicalcrossfire.com. Only a couple have, and they seem to enjoy it over there.
Has anyone else over here even gone to look at the forums over there?
What did you think, if so?
And the biggie:
How many of the rest of you would help me to persuade our beloved DNC to add a bulletin board forum like that HERE, where it's members only access the way I described a few days ago? We just need a few people who actually care, and I'm sure we can get this done.
Something is wrong the addy, Paul. I typed it in and got a response it doesn't exist. Can you double check?
Here's somebody that didn't try to "reachout" to his nieghbor.
Mendocino man jailed in shooting of rival.
Ousted Westport water board official accused of hiring hitman.
In a tale that sounds more like a B-movie than a political feud, a former Mendocino County water board member is accused of hiring someone to gun down a rival.
Kenneth Rogers, 47, of Westport was booked Wednesday into the Mendocino County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder, solicitation of a crime, conspiracy and marijuana cultivation.
Rogers is chairman of the Mendocino County Republican Central Committee and was a member of the Westport County Water District board until he was recalled last August.
Rogers' arrest came 12 days after Alan Simon, who was elected to succeed him on the water board, was shot at his Westport home.
Simon, 49, suffered superficial wounds to the head and forearm when nine shots were fired through the door.
Pressdemocrat
How to Hot Link
a href="URL address goes here between these quotation marks">Name of Link goes here" goes after the last "a"
If I put them there now, it disappears and looks like a hot link.
Check out this site if you don't already know about it:
http://psstpsstpsst.blogspot.com/
Short Post and Go. (Char-coal is ready)
If You Want to Enjoy the 4th
Don't buy a 5th
on the 3rd
Happy , and Solemn Independence Day {{{{{ALL GOOD DEMS}}}}}
When I was in High School I could recite the Dec. of Ind. by Heart (not by Rote). The Teech (purposely misspelled) was so impressed that he accused me of "Over Learning"
WTF?
Nikki - I've been meaning to ask you. Your child has autism, right? Are there services where you are to help you with her needs? Any respite care so you can catch a break? I know you are away from family down there.
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 06:04 PM
I think I remember reading that you are in Texas??? I hope they have resources to turn to for assistance with your child. I also remember your saying that you are a fellow New Yorker and I KNOW there are the resources there to give you assistance and help with your autistic child.
Thank God you are not in Florida. It is tremendously difficult for a parent with a handicapped child in this state. Yes there is help through the public school system, but there also has to be more and the state just won't fund it.
Posted by Susan_ClevelandOH on July 3, 2005 at 06:54 PM
Susan, if you haven't already, visit forums where those from the right post and tell me that all you have to do is play nice and be respectful to turn this around.
This is a complicated topic and at some point, I have to explain fully where I'm coming from on this, but I can tell you this much:
The hard right, who are more plentiful than some of us like to think, have contempt for how we see the world. And let's face it, it's mutual. No matter of telling them nicely and respectfully why we want the things we want is going to get them calling people on Welfare anything other than lazy, trying to prohibit abortion so that they can call the parents dregs of humanity when it turns out that they can't afford to support their children (which they KNEW, but couldn't have an abortion).
And I've never bought the purple argument. Few Republicans talk about how the country is purple, that is primarily the territory of Democrats do. That should be very telling. I've CONSIDERED all the same factors, I've just come to different decisions.
And perhaps it takes waking people in power up the fact that the division has gone this far to get them to put Rove permanently out of work, where he belongs, and start acting like adults.
Posted by J on July 3, 2005 at 07:15 PM
J, Texas is trying with these children, and one of the primary reasons I really want to go back to NY is for resources for her.
The first thing that has to happen in every state is to disallow the medical establishment and the business-owned government to stop lying about the causes and cures for autism.
BTW, that "cut the crap" line was almost 10 minutes AFTER I posted the one which showed up AFTERWAD.
I AM signed in.
(7:15 blog time)
Paul on July 3, 2005 at 06:55 PM
Paul, see my Post at 07:15 PM for a link to an example hot link.
Mother of Terry Nichols says her son has a form of autism, and was taken advantage of by Timothy McVeigh. Click
hang on sloopy
sloopy hang on
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 07:21 PM
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah...
I Give Up.
Just think what will happen when the trolls and the Freepers get on here. After all, Chimpy seems to be in the drivers seat with SCOTUS. He ain't gonna prevail, but it will feed the MSM smear campaign.
Rove is just a blip on the radar now.
Smearo-Rama coming....
Posted by Nikki on July 3, 2005 at 07:15 PM
The hard right, who are more plentiful than some of us like to think, have contempt for how we see the world.
You're in the right church so to speak just wrong pew. The hard right or extremists aka fundamentalists could and can't motivate alone. To have gained as firm of a grip in this country as they have, tons of money has been behind them. Where is this money coming from??? The greedy little capitalist group that sets the motions and the agenda of the world or as I term them: the powers that be. Think it's some kind of conspiracy theory?? Uh uh, nope it's not. This group of folks meet very quietly and privately in out of the way places all over the world and they are the real movers and shakers because as the saying goes: "they have the ducks".
These so called "family groups" that advocate this fundamentalist style of Christianity are actually what used to be turned as "militia groups". You think these folks had the type funding to push their message, back candidates and do whatever else??? The powers that be are using as you say "the hard right" to push for fundamental changes in this country that will make it an easy target for exploitation.
Check out the BBC News Magazine - Bilderburg Group. Read the article. I think the suggestion was made that if you have the time read the historical fiction - Captains and the Kings by Taylor Caldwell.
calling people on Welfare anything other than lazy, trying to prohibit abortion so that they can call the parents dregs of humanity when it turns out that they can't afford to support their children (which they KNEW)
And they work to prevent any kind of sex education or birth control, then rant and rave about raising numbers of "children born out of wedlock". Do they want the kids here or not?
Evening folks. 4th try. Joan, are you hiding everyone again from me?
Well, Nikki, I've posted on the wide open Yahoo message boards since 1998 and I KNOW what kind of element feels free to post hate from the safety of their keyboards. They're hardly representative of the conservatives I meet on a daily basis, however, or those in my family. A lot of them are pretty nice people who aren't very well informed. And writing them off isn't a solution to anything. The nutcases on the internet are not the kind of people you can have a respectful dialogue with, I will grant you. But having been a political and social activist for most of my life, I have learned that effectiveness in creating change is most likely to happen on a local basis within a sphere of influence that I have some control over...and that when I coordinate with others who are doing the same things in their little spheres, together we have the power to do things that would not otherwise be possible. So, even without knowing exactly where you're coming from, I can tell you've gotten really discouraged--and all of us have days like that--sometimes you have to back off, take care of yourself and your family and rejuvenate before you can go out and take another crack at it. And let someone else take a turn fighting those battles while you're resting. But we can never, ever give up hoping that things will get better and withdraw into the safety of our little blue cocoons, or sure as hell we'll find ourselves under endless seige from the outside. We need to win more people over to the light. That's how I see things.
here's a book called Taking Back America: And Taking Down the Radical Right
edited by Katrina Vanden Heuvel, Robert L Borosage. It's a compilation of articles by various progressive voices. One of the most valuable ideas I got from one of those essays (can't remember now who the author was) was that we need to take advantage of the tremendous power we have to make change at the state and local levels. The Constitution leaves to the states the power to do just about anything that isn't expressly prohibited by it. Now, the only way we can take advantage of this opportunity is to have people actively involved in government and not watching from the sidelines. That is why it is so VERY important to start working those local spheres of influence--shoring up the weakest links. Getting our precinct organizations up and running and working together like a well-oiled machine. And you can't get people working together without talking to them.
More about Judith Miller:
http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2005/7/3/164357/2157
This just gets curiouser and curiouser.
test
You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille
With 4 hungry children and crops in the field
Another one bites the dust: Bo Bice (American Idol runner-up) gets married to long time girlfriend.
shoot. And I had my heart sent on a long-haired Southern rocker with a big smile. Anyone here fit the bill? :)
Posted by Susan_ClevelandOH on July 3, 2005 at 07:49 PM
I'm glad you've seen the Yahoo boards. Now, there's an education.
Susan, this is what I think. It's only part of the story, but it's the part that is most responsive to what you said. Jen has told me before that she's thought I was calling her naive when we discuss this topic. The fact of the matter is that there's a wide group of Democrats I consider to have a naivety that is endearing in its way, because it's based on positive goals and assumptions, but that is immensely frustrating, because they utterly lack the capacity to understand the motivations of people who deal and trade in the currency of power on a daily basis, and the psychology of those who fall for it. I think when someone says, and you aren't the first, that those who post on the 'net are a fringe group, not very plentiful, and certainly don't describe the Republicans that they know from their own lives, I think that is entirely wishful thinking. The people you know in your life are naturally going to show you more respect than strangers on the 'net do. That doesn't mean that there aren't numerous clusters of Republicans in towns like yours who resemble families like yours who spew what sounds like scripts from the Rush Limbaugh show.
Sometimes, I do feel weary of the fight, but quite honestly, my fellow Democrats can often be as exhausting as the freak shows on the hard right. Most frustrating is the assumption that if work locally, we can win back the government. That may perhaps be so, but if we win as a result of being on the flip side of the same kind of vote-count split that Bush won by in this past election, what have we won? The right to have the balance of power in our favor for an adminstration or two until it cycles back the other way again, never really giving us time to see the nation under the Democratic vision come to fruition because just when things are getting there, the governmental composition changes? The right to have our chosen representatives hated and constantly embattled like we try to do with the Republicans? Don't get me wrong! What these guys are doing SHOULD be battled. But as I look into the future, I see a nation where one side of the political fence will always be embittered against the other, and that kind of acrimony I don't personally need. If this were a marriage in the same condition, you'd get a divorce.
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 08:30 PM
Honey, I've dated so many of those that I think I probably have a few guitar picks stuck up there someplace.
Hang out in clubs...they're easy enough to find (I personally prefer Constantine, but that's just me).
Posted by Nikki on July 3, 2005 at 08:37 PM
And Jen, this does NOT mean I'm including you in the charmingly naive group. I don't know if you belong in it or not, and I'm not making pronouncements.
Hang out in clubs...they're easy enough to find
Posted by Nikki on July 3, 2005 at 08:39 PM
Oh, sweetie, that's the best laugh I've had in a while . . . . . Thx, I needed that!
nikki i don't get your point. i am more than aware that the nation is awash in self centered, racist, sexist, chickenhawking cretins but your answer is to go to more contentious web sites and argue endlessly with faceless clowns?
rove pleads insanity
Posted by gregg on July 3, 2005 at 04:20 PM
Maybe so, Greg, but if he comes to the Happy Hills Home and Basket-weaving Facility, he ain't bunkin with me.
nikki, for instance here we have the great state of ohio from which alot of bloggers here hail which is about to move foward in the right wings effort to destroy the public school system for the purposes of cutting taxes and encouraging divisions among people....it doesn't matter where you blog this stuff is being played out in the real state government of ohio and in courts and communities...it is hard to fight it arguing...on a blog.
Ohio Voucher Plan For Schools Tripling
Associated Press
Sunday, July 3, 2005; Page A10
COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 2 -- Ohio is more than tripling the size of its school voucher program, making it the nation's largest since the practice of using public money for private-school tuition was found constitutional three years ago.
The tuition aid, which has been available only in Cleveland since 1996, will allow as many as 14,000 additional students statewide to leave schools that persistently fail academic tests and move to private schools, beginning in the fall of 2006.
The state's $51 billion budget that Gov. Bob Taft (R) signed Thursday includes funding for 14,000 children. The state will pay $4,250 for students in kindergarten through eighth grade and $5,000 for high school students.
Supporters of school choice have worked to set up and expand voucher programs since 2002, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Cleveland's program -- which includes religious schools -- does not violate the separation of church and state.
Voucher measures in seven states failed this year. In Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada and Texas, lawmakers defeated start-up voucher programs or left sessions with the bills stalled. An expansion in Wisconsin and a new program in Arizona were vetoed
joan, he will be staying in the old hydro therapy tub in the boarded up buildings out back...its the only thing his fat head will fit in...
Hello, this is probably my last post until we get a new thread... but please, it's Saturday night so let's have some fun, I'll be sitting at the corner table lurking...
. . . and there's alway electroshock treatments. I've personally never gone to that particular spa, but I hear it's quite , uh, stimulating.
(See, now I feel bad because I actually know people who have had that and it's no joke.
Greg, you will be the downfall of me yet.)
Posted by gregg on July 3, 2005 at 08:46
Dear God, Gregg, pay attention.
Whether or not one chooses to engage in battling these people on blogs is a matter of personal choice. When I talk about blogs where you find them, I talk about them for the sake of having a full picture of what's going on. As Susan said in different words, you don't get a picture of the country and the nature of the battle by only talking to blue-minded people.
My post was about forming two countries. I've talked on this blog numerous times about making this party more participatory for all Democrats. That alone carries with it an extensive body of ideas that I cannot get into in this kind of format. I'd prefer to do it in person. As we're all scattered across the country, the best way to do it is over the Internet, but NOT in this kind of format -- in a format like politicalcrossfire.com which is why I always refer to it.
No, Gregg, I am not saying that my idea of fighting the way things are is to hash it out on blogs. The time for that is past.
hey gig this isn't ha, ha fun but it is an upbeat take on the live-8 concert from salon so i will post it in sections even though there is no word limit anymore but because i used to like that feature:
Live 8 stakes claim as best concert ever
- - - - - - - - - - - -
By Jill Lawless
July 3, 2005 | LONDON -- Twenty years after a scruffy one-hit wonder first demonstrated his gift for lofty dreams and grandiose statements, hundreds of the world's top performers and more than 1 million fans united for 10 free concerts across the globe aimed at fighting African poverty.
Bob Geldof claimed Saturday's shows would be "the greatest concert ever," and it was hard to argue with him after the unprecedented gathering drew everyone from Snoop Dogg to Bill Gates, Mandela to Madonna.
But the ultimate success of the Live 8 extravaganza will be judged by whether the world's most powerful leaders, gathering next week for the Group of Eight summit meeting, listen to Geldof's demands for debt forgiveness, trade concessions and $25 billion in aid for Africa.
"History and the generations to come will judge our leaders by the decisions they make in the coming weeks," former South African president Nelson Mandela said after taking the stage in Johannesburg, where the crowd of more than 8,000 people gave him a five-minute ovation. "I say to all those leaders: Do not look the other way, do not hesitate ... It is within your power to prevent a genocide."
Don't yell at GiG - she's on German time. Oh wait, then she should be ahead . . . . .
and...
This is our moment. This is our time. This is our chance to stand up for what's right," U2 frontman Bono told a crowd of 200,000 in London's Hyde Park.
"We're not looking for charity, we're looking for justice," Bono said. "We cannot fix every problem, but the ones we can, we must."
In Philadelphia, on the Independence Day weekend, actor Will Smith called the festivities a worldwide "declaration of interdependence."
"Today we hold this truth to be self-evident: We are all in this together," Smith said. Beamed around the world by satellite, he led the audience in snapping their fingers every three seconds, signifying the child death rate in Africa.
Neil Young performed rousing renditions of "Keep on Rockin' In The Free world" and "O Canada" before 35,000 roaring fans at Canada's event in Barrie, Ontario.
Paul McCartney and U2 opened the flagship show of the free 10-concert festival with a rousing performance of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." A thunderous roar erupted from the crowd of about 200,000 as icons McCartney and Bono belted out the first line: "It was 20 years ago today..." -- a nod to Geldof's mammoth Live Aid benefit that raised millions for African famine relief in 1985.
Bono, dressed in black and wearing his trademark wraparound shades, wrapped the crowd around his finger, enticing tens of thousands to sing along to the anthemic "One" and "Beautiful Day." The crowd cheered when a flock of white doves was released overhead.
Geldof appeared onstage to introduce Microsoft billionaire and philanthropist Gates, whom the crowd greeted with a rock star's roar.
"We can do this, and when we do it will be the best thing that humanity has ever done," Gates said.
The crowd joined in as REM sang "Man on the Moon," then heard U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan declare: "This is really the United Nations ... The whole world has come together in solidarity with the poor."
Geldof's claim that 3 billion people around the world were watching Saturday seemed overblown, as did talk in Philadelphia that a million people were on hand. But Live 8 was huge nonetheless, with a mile-long crowd stretching from the front steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and America Online saying that more than 5 million people sampled its live video streams, which broadcast all 10 concerts in their entirety.
and...
The first concert kicked off in Japan, where Bjork and Good Charlotte joined local bands for a show that failed to generate much interest in Asia's only G-8 nation. Despite Bjork making her first live performance in two years, the crowd of 10,000 people was only half of what the hall in the Tokyo suburb of Makuhari could hold.
Still, "we believe passionately in what this is about," Bjork said. "Just the acknowledgment of the problem is an important step."
Live 8 then rolled on to Johannesburg. That show, plus one featuring African artists in southwestern England, were organized following criticism that African artists had been left out of an event aimed at their own continent.
"Africans are involved in helping Africa, which doesn't happen too often," Cameroonian singer Coco Mbassi said before the England show. "We're presenting a different image of Africa."
Near Paris, an eclectic lineup including Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and Goth-rockers The Cure played to a crowd of 100,000 at the 17th-century Palace of Versailles. Faith Hill and Duran Duran joined Italian stars in Rome for a concert at the ancient Circus Maximus, which was packed with about 200,000 fans.
German crowd-pleasers Die Toten Hosen kicked off Berlin's show -- which attracted about 150,000 people -- with a string of power anthems while reminding revelers that helping Africa stood above the music.
"This is no rock concert, it's a reminder about next Wednesday," singer Campino told the crowds, referring to the G-8 meeting.
Canadian favorite Tom Cochrane started that country's concert with "Life is a Highway" before 35,000 roaring fans on a crisp sunny morning in Barrie, Ontario. And in Moscow, where 20 years ago residents heard little or nothing about Live Aid because of tight Soviet information controls, tens of thousands jammed a square in the shadows of the Kremlin.
In London, Madonna performed "Like a Prayer" hand-in-hand with Birham Woldu, an Ethiopian woman who as a malnourished toddler appeared in some of the most wrenching footage of the 1984-85 famine. Her life was saved, Geldof said, partly through donations from Live Aid viewers.
As night fell, Sting performed "Every Breath You Take" as a message to the G-8 leaders -- "We'll be watching you," he sang. The Who belted out their classic "Who Are You?" to a backdrop of images of the G8 chiefs.
And the crowd went wild for the reunion of '70s supergroup Pink Floyd -- the first time guitarist David Gilmour, drummer Nick Mason, keyboard player Richard Wright and bassist Roger Waters appeared onstage together since 1981.
London concertgoer Tula Contostavlos, 19, said she was there to see Mariah Carey -- and to send a political message.
"Obviously some people are here for just music," she said, "but they're forgetting what's important and what they're here for."
___
On the Net:
RED FRIDAYS? Why was RED the color chosen to support the troops?
I plan to wear blue (a forgotten color in our country's flag) in honor of the troops. I suspect that this is another example of the subtle brainwashing tactics of the red party. Sounds paranoid, doesn't it, but in today's atmosphere of sneaky politics, the whole thing reeks of partisan tricks. See enough red, vote red. Blood red. The blue state people can honor the troops, too, without becoming Friday Republicans. Red was my favorite color for over 60 years.
Nikki at July 3, 2005 08:37 PM
Nikki, my friend, please! Do you think that when you call someone naive that the insult of that is somehow softened by saying it's endearing? My God. You'd have a fit if someone patted you on the head and said, "Oh, aren't you adorable? You obviously have no clue about the big bad world that I am so well versed in."
What you've said is immensely frustrating to me because one, it's not the first time, and no matter what I say, you refuse to accept that someone who might disagree with your ideas could possibly have a realistic understanding of the "the motivations of people who deal and trade in the currency of power on a daily basis, and the psychology of those who fall for it." I think it's insulting to say that and I am weary of hearing it and trying to defend myself from that kind of subtle jab. I don't know why I'm making this attempt again to try to show you what you are doing because my efforts have been futile in the past. I have to assume you think it's okay to look down your nose at those who might not like your approach to what the party needs to do or that I have just failed to impress upon you how it feels to the recipient of your 'frustration'. You yourself seem to be utterly incapable of believing that people could indeed grasp the reality of our political situation as well if not better than you do and still not be on board with your suggestions for a solution. I think if you would like to be a leader then it might behoove you to be more respectful of the people you want to lead. I like you Nikki, and I believe I have made it clear through our personal email communications that I consider you a friend and would do anything I could to help you on a personal level as I know you have a lot on your plate. For that reason I've tried to be very patient and overlook some things that perhaps I would not in someone else, but I'm really getting tired of this superior attitude that you have that anyone who disagrees with your suggestions for the party is unrealistic, naive, etc. It's presumptuous and it's really a turnoff. This is not a flame or anything. I just feel very strongly that I must say this, and I do it with the utmost respect and affection for you and the hope that it will help you with your efforts to convince people in the future about the validity of your ideas.
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 08:42 PM
Anytime, there's always more where that came from.
OOO - OOOO - OOOOO
I posted something funny earlier about Iranian beer or some such nonsense. I could look it up.
Or did you want fresh stuff. I am a people-pleaser.
Nikki, I just read your followup where you say this does not mean you include me in the naive group. Since you've included me in that group on more than one occasion previously, I figured it was safe to assume you were doing it again. Regardless, whoever you are applying your statements to, I think you need to be aware of how it comes across.
joan, i have quite a bit of familiarity with mental illness via close friends and family and i worked in a state run asylum in the early seventies so i know more than i want to about the various "cures" that were attempted including lobotomy. medications are amazingly helpful but often come with side effects that are for most not worse than the illness but still hard to take...
one person i know well took about 20 years to finally come to terms with the fact that without the meds he would be in and out of the hospital and has told me that even with them the voices sneak in at times and that after decades of struggle he has learned to be able to ignore them...
so while we play i do understand the territory and respect your struggle...
i was in a fun mood, i'll come back when i am again. cheers. and no hard feelings.
Posted by gregg on July 3, 2005 at 04:20 PM
Can you repeat that? I was in the toilet.
OOOOPPPPPPPPPPSSSSSSS !
THIS is when I actually was in the toilet, The other time I was just picking my nose:
Posted by gregg on July 3, 2005 at 09:08 PM
jen, i got logged out and then had to come back in. hey i am not too serious about not being serious.
i am not sure what nikki is trying to tell us to do other than go to some hassle type blog.
gig, looks like fun ain't in the cards.
there is something happening here but i don't know what it is do i mr. jones.bbl.
Gregg, from what I've glimmered in the past from some of Nikki's posts, I think whe is exploring the possibilities of some type of secession, or division of states according to political leanings.
By the way, I appreciate the kind words and I know the gentle nature behind the kidding, so I never had a twinge. :)
And hospitals are SO much better now than in the 70's. There's massage therapy, and two kinds of ice cream.
joan, gonna go pupify and wander about under the stars. i think most of the team is in their basements assembling really big fireworks for tomorrow.
if that is what nikki is about i can dig it, i have been trying to trade texas and boardwalk for british columbia for years...
Nikki, first of all, I assure you that I am not charmingly naive, but I agree that the Democrats who fit that description can be exhausting. I'm not assuming that by working locally, we can win back the government. We can win back the LOCAL government, and that may have to be enough--I foresee smaller becoming better in the future, and that's based on my concerns about peak oil and the fact that if we don't change, change is going to be forced on us. No, my point was this--some things are NEVER going to change and thinking you CAN change them leads to endless hair-pulling frustration. So, you eat the elephant in small bites, and work to change things where you CAN be effective, and make the immediate environment you are living in more conducive to sanity. And from that position of strength, you can afford to expend a little bit of energy towards those things which are unlikely to change significantly in the near term, but what the hell, if enough people keep pushing, maybe the world will be a little bit better for future generations. I don't see two countries working (but if we talk about this long enough, and you get me on a bad day, you might convince me, LOL). Can't we just send the Bushites to their own planet somewhere? One giant leap for mankind... Can I ask you a question. Where ARE you coming from politically and philosophically? Where on the spectrum do you see yourself and who is your ideal candidate for President?
And hospitals are SO much better now than in the 70's. There's massage therapy, and two kinds of ice cream.
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 09:17 PM
ohhh, Joan,
Do they still have those little Dixie cups? Can I be your roomie? I Love to play fish!:)
ok... this proves some read my posts. :) I know it's not Saturday.. but I was just checking to see if anybody was paying attention.... Hah! :)
And {{{Gregg, Joan, Jen and everybody else }}}
Do you guys read Digby? Interesting stuff about Rove and the Plame affair...
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2005_07_03_digbysblog_archive.html
had to re-sign in
Pam, you can room with me but it's lights out at 11. Tai-Chi is at 6 AM and I want to get the spot by the window.
Why should that POS Novak get special treatment?????
Now the story may be about to take another turn. The e-mails surrendered by Time Inc., which are largely between Cooper and his editors, show that one of Cooper's sources was White House deputy chief of staff Karl Rove, according to two lawyers who asked not to be identified because they are representing witnesses sympathetic to the White House. Cooper and a Time spokeswoman declined to comment. But in an interview with NEWSWEEK, Rove's lawyer, Robert Luskin, confirmed that Rove had been interviewed by Cooper for the article. It is unclear, however, what passed between Cooper and Rove.
The controversy began three days before the Time piece appeared, when columnist Robert Novak, writing about Wilson's trip, reported that Wilson had been sent at the suggestion of his wife, who was identified by name as a CIA operative. The leak to Novak, apparently intended to discredit Wilson's mission, caused a furor when it turned out that Plame was an undercover agent. It is a crime to knowingly reveal the identity of an undercover CIA official. A special prosecutor was appointed and began subpoenaing reporters to find the source of the leak.
Novak appears to have made some kind of arrangement with the special prosecutor, and other journalists who reported on the Plame story have talked to prosecutors with the permission of their sources. Cooper agreed to discuss his contact with Lewis (Scooter) Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's top aide, after Libby gave him permission to do so. But Cooper drew the line when special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald asked about other sources.
Link
hey Joan, what's a GiG to do on a beautiful Sunday evening.. it's raining now, so thanks again, J, I'll have even more humidity... so let's have some fun...
Nite Pam - I'll save you a Dixie cup, and some of those cute hospital slippers!
{{Pam}} thanks for all the great news links .... have a great evening and a good night :)
Posted by Susan_ClevelandOH on July 3, 2005 at 09:21 PM
Susan, thanks. I totally want to talk to you about this but due to some insanely messed up time management on the part of myself and my husband today, I have to tear myself away.
Let's see what I can tell you quickly.
So far, the closest thing to my ideal presidential candidate is an Al Gore/Oprah Winfrey ticket, but she'd have to serve in government for a decade or so to have any credibility whatsoever.
I am a former centrist Democrat who has moved left as a reaction to the oppressive right-swing of our country. I am, however, what one can reasonably call a Demohawk. I don't believe in going to war for just any reason at all, and certainly not for manufactured reason, but I am all for kicking the ass of someone who needs it and I believe in doing what you must to save yourself and your family. I never do any of this without the application of intellect, without which we are lost.
This is only a rudimentary breakdown, but it's a quick start.
How 'bout you? I may not be able to answer tonight, but I'll read what you write.
Joan, the Germans, and Europeans have so many holidays it's hard to keep track of, but yes, I think it's in October, when the East and West re-united... isn't it a wonderful world...
Bush rejects Kyoto-style G8 deal
BBC - Just in-
President George W Bush has ruled out US backing for any Kyoto-style deal on climate change at the G8 summit.
Speaking to British broadcaster ITV, he said he would instead be talking to fellow leaders about new technologies as a way of tackling global warming.
But he conceded that the issue was one "we've got to deal with" and said human activity was "to some extent" to blame.
Tony Blair is hoping for deals on climate change and Africa when he hosts the summit in Scotland this week.
Mr Bush said he would resist any deal that would require countries to reduce carbon emissions - similar to the 1997 UN Kyoto protocol, which the US never signed.
"If this looks like Kyoto, the answer is no," he said in an interview with ITV's Tonight With Trevor McDonald programme.
"The Kyoto treaty would have wrecked our economy, if I can be blunt."
He said he hoped the other G8 leaders would "move beyond the Kyoto debate" and consider new technologies as a way of tackling global warming.
Posted by gregg on July 3, 2005 at 09:13 PM
Gregg, I really don't think I've been in any way unclear, though I have often been lengthy, and perhaps in this short-attention span theater mode of communication, my meaning was lost to some.
Posted by Nikki on July 3, 2005 at 09:49 PM
And please don't take "some" as a euphemism for "you." You're obviously not the only one to have lost my meaning.
Posted by Nikki on July 3, 2005 at 09:49 PMGregg, I really don't think I've been in any way unclear
You're probably right Nikki - Gregg's that way sometimes.
Posted by PamB on July 3, 2005 at 09:37 PM Night all
Sorry I missed you Pam
Thanks for the interesting discussion, Nikki. I'll look forward to more later. Let's see how I can put my position in a nutshell. I began my political life as a Bobby Kennedy Democrat, opposed the war in Vietnam, have always been pretty liberal on social issues, have become more pragmatic and sick of the political freak show, sick of the inside the beltway detachment from the rest of the country, very big on PRINCIPLES, have a son who is an Army officer and hate the way this administration misuses and abuses the military, and am very much a Wes Clark Democrat.
Posted by GiG on July 3, 2005 at 10:02 PM{{Dors}} you've made it!!
Hi {{GiG}} - glad to see you here :) Are we blogging alone tonight?
Here I come folks!!! Yipppeee!!!! Our state party has the IRS tax lien lifted, well I reported that last week. More importantly the forensic review team came back with it's final report: no funds missing!!!! Just some very sloppy accounting along with lax procedures for money handling.
Our state chair, Karen Thurman inherited the situation and in 60 days has cleaned up the mess and says we are changing the way we operate , and therefore on the move.
Shake, rattle and roll!!!! Here we come Florida DEMS Lets kick some GOP ass!!!!
Posted by J on July 3, 2005 at 10:04 PM Shake, rattle and roll!!!! Here we come Florida DEMS Lets kick some GOP ass!!!!
You're in the right place, Ma'am :) God bless Florida Dems.
Yeap, Dors, it looks like we are..
Is anybody out there?? Hellooooo ... I promise I'll be quiet and return to lurking mode
J !! I love the way you talk and I'll even forgive you about the weather... .
Posted by GiG on July 3, 2005 at 10:12 PMJ !! I love the way you talk and I'll even forgive you about the weather... .
Well if J's responsible for the weather I better thank her for the last 3 glorious days in MN.
Joan I know you are so busy, but whenever you get a chance leave those wedding plans for me. Just leave me some breadcrumbs so I won't have to hike the trail without a compass. Just leave the time and if it is or isn't on that particular thread.
Posted by gregg on July 3, 2005 at 09:18 PM joan, gonna go pupify and wander about under the stars.
Thanks for the report you gave us yesterday, GregG.
Dors at 10:14
ROFLMAO...
you have no idea what us "Southerners" go through every year..... no clue, whatsoever.. :)
Posted by CACin on July 3, 2005 at 10:20 PMAnybody home?
{{Cin}}
It's tough going tonight - it takes awhile to refresh a thread this long.
But there's a few of us around.
Posted by GiG on July 3, 2005 at 10:21 PMyou have no idea what us "Southerners" go through every year..... no clue, whatsoever..
If the weather's worse than mismanaged GOP government you have to bear, I'm truly sorry. :)
Posted by TheHeretik on July 3, 2005 at 10:25 PMOne time.
Hey Joe :)
Is everyone over at your place tonight?
In on the first one. Wow. Who would have thunk it? Hola, amigos. Curran-Dorsano, GIG, other demi-gods and godesses.
Hi {{{GIG}}} - I'm a little off my bean so I guess that's makes me a little weird.
Wow, this is one long thread. Did the powers that be forget about us?
There are some people my way, yes. Dorsano. Some classics. And hoping all are well.
Posted by CACin on July 3, 2005 at 10:28 PM Can't stay long but I wanted to say hi.
I'm glad you stopped by Cin - I'm not sure how long I'll be here either - I partied a real party earlier this evening :)
We got alot to bitch about in MN right now so a bunch of Democrats decided to party and diss the GOP at the same time
It makes for a great party!!! :)
Cin, you're always cool.. it's just the way this blog is working... and we're all weird.. which makes us cool and democrats :)
J !! I love the way you talk and I'll even forgive you about the weather... .
Posted by GiG on July 3, 2005 at 10:12 PM
Well if J's responsible for the weather I better thank her for the last 3 glorious days in MN.
Posted by dorsano on July 3, 2005 at 10:14 PM
Dors you are so very welcome. Well with all this heat and humidity can afford to spread some around to neighboring states.
GIG I pretty much write how I speak which can at times get somewhat cynical, but then I'm such a realist that I have to pinch myself to be remind that "Hope Floats". then other times I will take dead serious subjects and issues and add my own wicked little humor.
Gang, I must go and get my sick hubby some soup. I will be be back in about in 20 mins - if I'm allowed to sign back in.
Posted by TheHeretik on July 3, 2005 at 10:30 PM There are some people my way, yes. Dorsano. Some classics. And hoping all are well.
Thanks for your good work, Joe. I'll try and stop by before bed time.
if this knock three time and you get in stuff is some sort of lame security thing its about as effective as tying your bycycle to a lamp post with a pulled piece of bonomos turkish taffy.
is taffy from turkey? is taffy perhaps made of turkey? does the bonomo industrial works make bon bon's. these are the kind of questions i think our party needs to consider before doing anything rash....speaking of rashes dors what the hell is that thing on your nose??
Hey Dors, the party sounds like a good idea. We Dems have a lot to be pissy about and partying sounds like a good idea. Got to run.
Posted by CACin on July 3, 2005 at 10:34 PM I will be be back in about in 20 mins - if I'm allowed to sign back in.
Take care Cin
Where did J go? You still here J? I think you told the bloggers your name yesterday or the day before but I forgot it.
Posted by gregg on July 3, 2005 at 10:34 PM speaking of rashes dors what the hell is that thing on your nose??
LOL - I'm speechless.
GIG I pretty much write how I speak which can at times get somewhat cynical, but then I'm such a realist that I have to pinch myself to be remind that "Hope Floats". then other times I will take dead serious subjects and issues and add my own wicked little humor. Posted by J on July 3, 2005 at 10:32 PM
And that's what I love about your posts, neighbor..:)
Posted by dorsano on July 3, 2005 at 10:31 PM
Oh yeah, you guys have a state government that's shut down! So how is that going??? At least your DEMS stood up and showed your GOP governor that they weren't a bluff.
Our state legislators are so busy raking in the gravy from the lobbyists that they don't have time to fight with the governor or any one else for that matter. Just go to Tallahassee and start throwing money around.
{{{{Jen}}}}} I'm so glad you're here.. how about some music before this long thread dies?
Posted by Jen on July 3, 2005 at 10:45 PM Hi guys!
Hi Jenny (3rd try)
Posted by J on July 3, 2005 at 10:49 PM Oh yeah, you guys have a state government that's shut down! So how is that going??? At least your DEMS stood up and showed your GOP governor that they weren't a bluff
Yes they are holding their ground - that's great news. But they're not working the press - they're allowing the GOP to shape the message.
This has really got to change - the best thing we could do is for all of us to march on washington and sit on someone's ass until they teach elected Democrats how to work the press.
Now here's an invention I might want to invest in
Sonette Ehlers of Kleinmond, South Africa, recently invented a tampon-like sheath that she says will reduce the disturbing number of rapes that plague that country, but local anti-violence leaders are skeptical, as well as alarmed. The device folds around the penis with microscopic hooks and, once engaged, requires medical intervention to remove. (It may also incidentally inhibit the transmission of HIV.) Critics call it impractical (since one must be worn constantly) and barbaric, and a distraction from other solutions to the rape crisis. The devices are expected to be available in pharmacies starting in July, for 1 rand each (about 15 cents). [The Times (London), 6-8-05]
Joan, we can't hear you hear in the back.
Howdy Jen and GiG.
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 10:53 PM when will i be loved?
Joan's here!! I was hoping to wrap my arms around something wonderful tonight (even though she thinks I'm a pig).
{{{{Joan}}}} I think you know the answer, we love you and we'll always be here for you!!!
Ha! Dors - wrap your arms around this:
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 10:55 PM
Where did J go? You still here J? I think you told the bloggers your name yesterday or the day before but I forgot it.
Posted by dorsano on July 3, 2005 at 10:37 PM
Still here and no I didn't give my name, but "J" is my official nickname.
wow, five times to get on.
this supreme court thing has me totally bummed as i am sure it does most of you. i was praying o'connor though far from perfect would stay at least till 06 ... there is no way bush won't appoint really far right people to the court...imagining anything else is absurd as far as i can see. so will the compromise hold, figuring the dems will have to fillibuster and hold out for a long time and will those republican members of the 14 who made the deal stay the course? if so there is some chance of mitigating bushco's worst passions and getting someone in who isn't another scali, thomas or reihquist...but things look grim so most likely the road back to america just got even rougher.
I'm doing well myself GiG... however it seems like this new and improved website seems to be held together with chewing gum and twine.
Posted by gregg on July 3, 2005 at 11:02 PM
gregg, DEMS have already let it be made known that they will filibuster if the situation presents itself. So look for a bloody fight if Bush names a ultra right wing conservative nominee.
Hey, all,
Been lurking a little along. Our dearest, best-est friend has come to visit. What a wonderful weekend so far!
Here's a copy of that HTML cheatsheet I made up. Hope it helps with the linking.
8<--------8<--------8<--------8<--------
Here's an example of how to make a link:
<a href="http://example.link">Example Link</a>
Will come out as:
Example Link
...underlined and clickable in the post. Copy and paste the URL between the
quotes (and be sure to double-quote just the URL). No spaces between the angle-brackets and the "a" or "/a". Whatever text you put between the "a" tags is what gets printed out in the post. Be sure to close the text of the link with an </a> tag.
<i>italics</i>
<b>bold</b>
<ul> start a bullet-list
<li> add a line to the bullet-list </li>
</ul> end a bullet-list
<ul>
<li>List item one</li>
<li>List item two</li>
<li> and so on</li>
</ul>
List item one
List item two
and so on
<ol> start a numbered list
<li> add a line to the numbered list </li>
exactly like the bullet list... the "li" means "list item"
</ol> end a numbered list
<ol>
<li>List item one</li>
<li>List item two</li>
<li> and so on</li>
</ol>
List item one
List item two
and so on
Be sure to close off the list-items with the /li tag and close off the whole list with /ul or /ol, whichver you started.
This is what most people don't seem to get when electing a President. One of the most enduring and most critical choices, the power to nominate to the Big Court, goes to the winner. The one with the ball gets to name the game. For a long, long, time.
That's why so many of our SC Justices are appointed by Reps. Dems haven't been in the chair that often in the last 40 years or so.
amanda amazing. how come i can't even type those carrot signs and get them to show up in a post? what sort of setting thing is it?
yeap Al... it took me several days to get in here, and I've only arrived thanks to Jen and Dors.. it's a challenge allright.. it's good to see you've made it :)
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 11:00 PM Ha! Dors - wrap your arms around this:
Hi {{Joan}}
First Jacque calls me Chicken Shit.
Then Karen calls me a horny frog.
Then you call me a pig.
What's with the animal motif? That's what I want to know.
I'm doing well myself GiG... however it seems like this new and improved website seems to be held together with chewing gum and twine.
Posted by Al_from_Waco on July 3, 2005 at 11:04 PM
Oh, I thought it was paper clips and rubber bands.
6th time trying and that's
a good waste of over 20 minutes
posted really at 5:14pm Hawaii time
Test 1
Long threads are a pain in my slacker ass.
Posted by Jaline on July 3, 2005 at 11:12 PM
Well I guess you had better get ready to do some hiking if you want to some reading because this one is going for a record. And as I said last night there are some posts so long that the bloggers are going to need to look for a publisher.
Oh yeah and hello Jaline and how are you???
What's with the animal motif?
. . . hmmmmm.....
lending a helping hand to those unfortunate souls lower on the evolutionary scale, maybe ??
And isn't that lady's invention a handy-dandy little thing? :)
Posted by gregg on July 3, 2005 at 11:02 PM this supreme court thing has me totally bummed as i am sure it does most of you.
Yea, it seems were fighting must win fights all over the place. The GOP is really pushing in even MN - even though they have a minority in the senate and only a 1 seat majority in the house with a number of liberal Republican house members to boot.
Well why did it finally take me?
Did it know I was finished trying?
I still say I might have a better chance if my name began with J...
posted really at 5:16pm Hawaii time
Posted by Jaline on July 3, 2005 at 11:12 PM Long threads are a pain in my slacker ass.
Hello {{Jacque}} :)
A grand entrance.
Imagine that?!?
First try.
Dors,
You are a horny frog (should that have been toad?) that was chicken shit for not telling us your porn name. As for being a pig, aren't they smart animals?
Altho I remember when the Dems thought the sky was falling back when Daddy Bush nominated David Souter.
People were freaking out, and he didn't turn out as expected. So . . . . .
{{Amanda}} wow, this is an awesome night, most of my favorite bloggers and lurkers are here..
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 11:13 PM
And isn't that lady's invention a handy-dandy little thing?
OK - I'm speechless again - twice in one night. :)
Dors has a porn name? I'm intrigued. (Gosh, my kids told me to beware of people you meet on the internet) :)
Posted by faith1 on July 3, 2005 at 11:12 PM posted really at 5:14pm Hawaii time
Hello Faith1 - I feel like I'm talking to an astronaut when I say that.
Hi J!
I won't be hanging around. This long thread won't last long on my short nerve tonight. And Dors is wanting to hug & kiss all the women. If I ain't getting it in real life, I sure as hell don't want it on the DNC blog. No satisfaction. haha;)
JEN !!! THANK YOU !!! You are the BEST !!
I'm dancin around my bedroom like a white woman !!
We do have the best view of the comet tonite
I still say this blog likes the letter j better!
Posted by Jaline on July 3, 2005 at 11:21 PM And Dors is wanting to hug & kiss all the women.
{{{Jacque}}}
How do we kiss on the blog? I haven't learned that yet. Do you know how?
We all have porn names, Joan, you do too! Childhood pet's name is your first name. Childhood street is the last name.
I am Heidi Applehill.
Hi J!
I won't be hanging around. This long thread won't last long on my short nerve tonight. And Dors is wanting to hug & kiss all the women. If I ain't getting it in real life, I sure as hell don't want it on the DNC blog. No satisfaction. haha;)
Posted by Jaline on July 3, 2005 at 11:21 PM
I hear ya girl, I hear ya!!!
faith1, haven't been to many places but i have been to the big island danno....book em murder one...
stayed in hilo, drove most days over to hapuna beach, ate macadamia nut ice cream out at that place south east of hilo, the skys during the day driving along the coast were astonishing and the night sky with so little ambient light were my favorite thing...also did a little swimming at richardson's beach with a face mask on and was amazed to the point of terror by the richness of the life down below...ah i remember it well...
Oh.... I didn't know that.
So I guess I'm 'Tiger South Sixth Avenue.'
(I like HALF of that name. But I've got to get rid of the "Tiger" part.)
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 11:19 PM Dors has a porn name? I'm intrigued.
Just to remind a certain person, if anyone learns my porn name, my faith and trust in liberals everywhere will be shattered.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/top10/05/204.html
The Top 10 Conservative Idiots
(No. 204)
(this has probably been up already but it's worth repeating) LOL if this thing lets me post that is!!
Posted by GiG on July 3, 2005 at 11:25 PM Dors.. you being speechless is priceless.. I love it
You all are on to me - too bad the RNC blog doesn't let you post - they could use some huggin and kissin over there.
if anyone learns my porn name, my faith and trust in liberals everywhere will be shattered.
Posted by dorsano on July 3, 2005 at 11:27 PM
Is the first part 'Fluffy' ?
We have laws about no lights
Because of all the observatories
(we have wonderful commercials about
Hawaiians asking tourists 'you still lost?')
big joke, can't really get lost on an this island,
just stop and there you are, try to have fun...
or at least hang looser!
I am inside watching nasa tv
or would be swimming with wonderful frighting things...
like wild dolphins
http://www.democraticunderground.com/top10/05/204.html
The Top 10 Conservative Idiots
(No. 204)
(this has probably been up already but it's worth repeating) LOL if this thing lets me post that is!!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/top10/05/204.html
Posted by Dawnelle on July 3, 2005 at 11:29 PM
I just know that idiot moron Ann Coulter is on there!!!!
Posted by Dawnelle on July 3, 2005 at 11:29 PM The Top 10 Conservative Idiots
What a great way to enter the blog!!
Just tell me this Dors. Would the first name be considered male / female / neutral ?
This is gonna keep me up nights.
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 11:31 PM Is the first part 'Fluffy'
I ain't playing 20 questions with anyone who calls me a pig!!!
To be completely accurate, Dors, I said, and this is a direct quote, "Men are pigs".
I thought you were a woman. No joke. Really.
what all u aren't watching star wars blow up the comet???
now, just a minute don't freak!
"They are 'trying' to sample the core of a comet."
NASA TV RIGHT NOW of course is saying they are having some trouble... figures!
That's why some of the Aunties are going to southpoint to view it! (no trust in our government)
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 11:34 PM This is gonna keep me up nights.
I'd rather vote Republican than disclose my porn name on the blog, Joan. That's how serious a matter this is to me.
So, anyone,
I missed the first few minutes of Lawrence O'Donnell on the McGlaughlin Group today.......... did he OUT ROVE like was predicted?
He never mentioned it by the time I tuned in. I'm itching to know.! :-)
I heard on the news this evening that that sex offender guy Joseph Edward Duncan III who kidnapped Shasta Groene and maybe killed her family, used to go on the internet and tell people he hated every one in the whole and wanted to "Kill'em all". I though, "Man, that sounds just like those people on Freepers and the trolls we get over here".
I'd rather vote Republican - dorsano @ 11:37
Oh, it's a really, really girly name, isn't it? HA!
Joan, forget about it. It ain't going to happen. I've tried threats.
I'm watching a movie, sorry if I'm a bit distracted folks, but I can't be completely away from my fave people!
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 11:37 PM To be completely accurate, Dors, I said, and this is a direct quote, "Men are pigs"
If you check back in the archives Ma'am, you'll find that you thought "J" was a man. Then I told you that I was a man. And you said "No Shit, Dorsano" (or something to affect).
And then you called all males pigs.
And then I called you sexy.
And I was right!!
You all are on to me - too bad the RNC blog doesn't let you post - they could use some huggin and kissin over there. Posted by dorsano on July 3, 2005 at 11:31 PM
yeah, been there, done that, but they can't dance.. so I'm back here... :)
I'm dancin around my bedroom like a white woman !!
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 11:23 PM
Dancin' in her jammies!
Sorry Dors, I'm thinking of a Georgia Satellite song about now. haha
Posted by GiG on July 3, 2005 at 11:41 PM yeah, been there, done that
GiG!!!!
nite Greg - since it's a holiday and all, will there be a morning paper? Or will we be clueless on the Fourth of July?
It is 2 hours until IMPACT
Tune into NASA TV
Hawaii is the only place where you can see it with almost the naked eye...
Posted really at 5:44pm Hawaii time
I met the Georgia Satellites! Saw them break every light bulb in their hotel room!
Gregg, good night and sweet dreams, I'm looking forward to your morning posts... and updates on the puppy :)
Posted by Jaline on July 3, 2005 at 11:41 PM I'm thinking of a Georgia Satellite song about now.
Keep your hands to yourself?
Nite, J!! Sleep Well!
Dors- OK OK if you're gonna track every word I say like some stalker, oh wait - that's Greg.
Posted by Dawnelle on July 3, 2005 at 11:44 PM Peace ya'll
Goodnight {{Dawn}}
Posted by gregg on July 3, 2005 at 11:39 PM nite folks.
Goodnight GregG - thanks again for the report yesterday.
Hey Cin - will you be able to see that comet out there in CA tonite?
Posted by CACin on July 3, 2005 at 11:46 PM I'm back. Hello!
Hi {{Cin}}
Glad you made it back.
It's taking forever to load. I'm going to go try to get some beauty sleep. I hope the neighbor kid doesn't want to play "target Jacq's new house in my b.b. sight" again. And maybe my girls dad will get over his being pissed off at me and not burn down my house while I'm in it like he threatened to today. (just words)
The worse thing about this weekend, I only have 1 out of 4 of my journals wrote. Such a slacker!
Peaceful rest, everyone.
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 11:44 PM Dors- OK OK if you're gonna track every word I say like some stalker, oh wait - that's Greg.
Don't go gettin me mixed up with GregG!!
Jaline - sounds like things are tense. Sleep well. Please remind me tomorrow if you're on, I'd like to ask you about those neighbor kids of yours.
Rest and Refresh, hon.
Hi {{{Y'all}}}. In and out again :-)
Catching up some more :-)
Posted by gregg on July 3, 2005 at 11:09 PM
To get those angle-brackets to post, use HTML Entities (That's the whole list). It's a way of allowing characters that might be confused with real tags. For example: < make < and > makes > in the post.
{{GiG}}!!
Gluecklich zu "sehen"! NC has been hot and sticky, too, with very little rain or break here. Reminds me more of Baton Rouge -- ick! Hope we Suthreners get a break soon.
Found a baby watermelon snuggling beneath the vine today... very cool, never grew one before.
Sorry I missed you Butters. Joan, it's very foggy tonight so I don't think we'll see anything. Dors, wow, you've been active tonight :-) I've been catching up.
Cin!!! It's good to see you back in here... this format is strange and I keep drifting all over the place ....
glad you're back!
Don't feel bad dors
at least the women here talk to you
I thought the comet happening was a good news of the day... oh well
goodnite
Posted by J on July 3, 2005 at 11:40 PM Gotta go, sleep is calling take care everyone.
Goodnight J - it's late in coming but not for want of trying.
{{Jacque}}
I'll agree it's hell being tormented by neighbors. Wouldn't wish that on anyone and certainly not you.
You've been in my thoughts. R & I might be far away but we're in your corner.
GIG, thanks. Same thing happens to me. Strange. Sometimes, I get asked to sign in over and over -other times, I sign in on the 1st try, then I get bumped - but I always end up finding you guys - can't keep me away too long - I'm soooo bummed about O'Connor
Posted by Jaline on July 3, 2005 at 11:51 PM Peaceful rest, everyone.
Goodnight {{Jacque}}
having trouble - getting kicked off again by the blogfarts. I'll say goodnight to all.
Happy Day of Celebration! - Independence is for those who will fight to keep it. God bless those that did, and those that do.
Nite!
Amanda, what I need to learn is how to put a border around text and maybe how to put color inside the border. That's the way they all do it when they post excerps from news articles over at Kos and Mydd.
Posted by faith1 on July 3, 2005 at 11:46 PM catch the last wave
That's a great way to say goodnight faith - take care.
Posted by Joan on July 3, 2005 at 11:59 PM Nite!
Goodnight {{{{{{Joan}}}}}}
Posted by WD at July 4, 2005 12:01 AM
Over there (and many other PHP-based blogs) the posting software uses bbcode. Over there you'd do:
[quote]This is a quoted section[/quote]
Obviously doesn't work here :-( Maybe they'll grab the filter for it and plug it in (shouldn't be too hard to fit, I'd suppose).
Hate to post and fly. {{Joan}} {{Jen}} {{Everyone I missed}}
Posted by CACin on July 4, 2005 at 12:13 AM Goodnight everyone. Peace.
Goodnight {{Cin}} I'm heading out too.
{{GiG}}, {{Jenny}} goodnight
and God bless {{Democrats}} everywhere.
REUTERS
By Gina Keating
Sun Jul 3, 5:19 PM ET
NASA COMET-CHASING SPACECRAFT STREAKS TOWARD IMPACT
PASADENA, Calif. (Reuters) - The Deep Impact spacecraft has successfully deployed its coffee table-sized "impactor" into the path of a comet in the final stage of a mission to trace life on Earth to its celestial origins, NASA scientists said on Sunday.
The impactor was on track to collide with the Tempel 1 comet at 10:52 p.m. PDT on Sunday (1:52 a.m. EDT, 0552 GMT on Monday), as Deep Impact's fly-by spacecraft, watching from a safe distance, captures images and data with its onboard instruments, scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) said.
"The spacecraft are perfectly healthy and where they are supposed to be," Andy Dantzler, head of NASA's solar system program, told a news conference. "The stage is set and we're looking forward to seeing what happens in the next 12 hours."
The impactor is fortified with copper to create a spectacular collision that scientists hope digs deep into the comet's surface and unleashes a spray of below-surface debris whose composition may reveal more about how life came to Earth.
The size of the resulting crater could range from a large house to a football stadium, and be from two to 14 stories deep. Bursts of debris from the cosmic collision could be visible to the naked eye in some areas of the world, scientists said.
Overnight on Saturday, the JPL team watched as Deep Impact oriented itself and slowed its speed in preparation for releasing the impactor onto its collision course.
RISKY BUSINESS
Deep Impact turned on the impactor's batteries and released it through a series of pyrotechnic explosions that separated and pushed the smaller craft away.
A 14-minute rocket burn took the fly-by craft out of the path of Tempel 1's nucleus and large debris that could disable its instruments or antennae.
After placing itself in the proper orbit, the fly-by craft turned back and snapped a black-and-white image of the impactor hurtling away at 23,000 mph (37,100 kph) -- the speed it would take to travel from New York to Los Angeles in about six minutes.
The impactor has begun communicating with JPL and will relay its data and images from its final plunge to the comet's surface through the fly-by craft, scientists said.
The last two hours of the $333 million mission are the most risky, as the impactor switches to auto-navigation system and aims itself at the brightest part of the comet.
Because communications between the spacecraft and Earth take more than seven minutes each way, controllers at JPL cannot correct the impactor's course, scientists said.
The impactor was expected to make three course corrections with its thrusters during its last 90 minutes of flight.
Scientists said the impactor could continue sending images until 2 seconds before impact, although chances are also good that dust hitting the spacecraft could disable it.
Tempel 1, which JPL scientists have described as "a jet black, pickle-shaped, icy dirt ball the size of Washington D.C.," will be about 83 million miles away from Earth at the time of the crash.
The aim of the mission, the first to come in direct contact with a comet's nucleus, is to photograph pristine material formed billions of years ago during the creation of the solar system.
Comets are made of gas, dust and ice from the solar system's farthest regions. Scientists have long held the theory that comets first brought water to Earth by crashing into its surface.
posted really at 6:23pm Hawaii time
so I crash and come back and everybody is saying goodnight
Amanda, it's so good to read you in real time, ich habe Dich vermisst.. ...and we'll make it... . and as for the humidity, we'll just blame J. , after all, she's in Florida and is sending this stuff up here....
Schlaf gut :)
(((bloggers and lurkers}} goodnight & sweet dreams
hmm, and I don't think I'll ever get the hugs right, so deal with it, but they come straight from the heart... so that's my excuse :) goodnight all...
1 hr 2o minutes till impact
They are now on auto-nav everything looks good
NASA TV now has Live Coverage
for those parts of the world still up!
posted really at 6:34pm Hawaii time (DINS!)
funny...
all gone to bed and I am just eating dinner and checking out 60 mins, comets, etc...
interesting, NASA will be getting pics from the impact FIRST from Mauna Kea our observatories here in Hawaii
next from the spacecraft which sent the deep-impact
the sun is just now going down
i thought it was interesting how this whole performance was scheduled to happen when the majority of America is asleep
Thirteenth time
Posted by TheHeretik on July 4, 2005 at 12:56 AM
and I was just starting to think the problems had to do with all the folks on the site
or number of posts
now I am having no trouble at all posting
but took forever to get on
I thought my blog was wacked tonight, but here .. . oy. Thirteen is now my new world's record for trying to get on to this wonderful blogfest.
Thirteenth time
Posted by TheHeretik on July 4, 2005 at 12:56 AM
my post to you showed up and then disappeared so
i really am going to give up
... and now all back
well, the good news is we have a good long time to straighten out all the problems
happy independence day AMERICA!
(let's keep it FREE!)
goodnite!
posted really at 7:06pm Hawaii time
Hi, I'm back. battery died. finished Sideways. Good show. Sweet dreams all!
wow got on in one try. maybe dors and joan were jinxing the thing with their anti-cheese wiz attitudes?
if i work at it i might make it to 1,000 and win some sort of prize...
wouldn't it be nice if the guy who is bush's brain went down the drain? from kos:
Lawrence O'Donnell Live Tonight (Rove/Plame Affair)
by JustWinBaby
Sun Jul 3rd, 2005 at 19:38:57 PDT
For those of you who were not just near an AM radio let me provide a quick report on the Matt Drudge Sunday night radio show that just aired with Lawrence O'Donnell as a guest answering questions about his disclosures in the Rove inquiry.
Diaries :: JustWinBaby's diary :: ::
O'Donnell stood by his earlier remarks totally. He did not back down one bit. He said that Matt Cooper's notes will show that Rove was his primary source on the Plame matter. O'Donnell further stated that Rove's lawyer only decided to play defense once it was known that O'Donnell's remarks had gone out over the McLaughlin Group air. Rove's lawyer used very technical language in his denials. Further, it would be expected that if Rove is in danger of a perjury wrap, the lawyer would be expected to defend the client (read: tell an untruth in a public non-legal statement for the purposes of representing his client to the press). What his lawyer said was not in front of a judge. It was simply a weekend pr effort. Of course he's going to say his client didn't break the law, etc. Duh... In addition to O'Donnell's reiteration of what he posted on the Huffington Post, it was interesting to hear Matt Drudge's reaction to the potential of a Rove indictment--he seemed to take the prospect pretty seriously, and my guess is Drudge will continue to play this story pretty big all summer. This could really heat up, judging by the way everyone was talking.
I think it is clear now that this has moved beyond the question of betraying a US covert agent, and now the prosecutor is going after perjury/obstruction of justice related to the investigation--rather than the original underlaying crime. That is pretty standard in the Washington cases.
no way this supreme thing doesn't get really ugly really quick. senate dems better circle the wagons or they will end up tied to those wagon wheels without their hair pieces on like in all those grade c westerns:
supreme nightmares
GOP hopes to save face on Social Security.
the best way to save face would be for them to pull their heads out of their asses where their faces are being subjected to all kinds of nasty stuff:
no more ways to skin the cat
american devil--
"Bush rejects Kyoto-style G8 deal"
and complete fucking idiot--
"But he conceded that the issue was one "we've got to deal with" and said human activity was "to some extent" to blame."
its like your uncle gets out of jail where he did time for orphange burnings and now he is staying on your living room couch...
the evil doer
you gotta love krugman:
Girth of a Nation
By PAUL KRUGMAN
Published: July 4, 2005
The Center for Consumer Freedom, an advocacy group financed by Coca-Cola, Wendy's and Tyson Foods, among others, has a Fourth of July message for you: worrying about the rapid rise in American obesity is unpatriotic.
praise the lord and pass the grease burgers
one thing i don't get is how is it that once the dnc redid this blog format ( 1 week of triple logins today) mack and jaline and the other early birds started sleeping late???bbl.
Good morning Gregg, and thanks for posting all the good stuff. :)
Good morning everyone and Happy Fourth!! Greg, you beat me on the idiot's global warming comments, he has sealed his legacy as the most ignorant, damaging President in history. When our children and grandchildren study history (if they are able) they will have him to blame for environmental disaster to come.
And how do I post a link now?? I'm still soooo confused, but that's normal :-)
Coming on everybody, Good Morning!!!
Happy Fourth!!! Let's celebrate the greatness of this country and all that the right wingers and extremists want to tear down. It has endured for over 200 years. I hope we all pledge to try and preserve the great foundations our Founding Fathers so wisely set up. Let us all pray today to stay TOGETHER as nation.
And how do I post a link now?? I'm still soooo confused, but that's normal :-)
Posted by paige on July 4, 2005 at 07:51 AM
I swear different people haveleft instructions and I still am clueless. It looks like quantom physics to me.
morning to you susan. are you really in cleveland?
there are alot of ohio bloggers.
as i have written before. when you go to play with the really rich kid fauntleroy at his house at first you think you are special but then when the little pyschopath shoots you in the eye with his bb gun his parents have the help dump your weeping ass in the woods outside of town and their lawyers sue your parents for defamation and you end up living in an old nash rambler husk in the weeds down by the river which is polluted with from discharge from his parents widgets producing plant....as we used to say in the good old days...eat the rich...
Bush cool on climate deal, offers Blair no favors
Mon Jul 4, 2005 7:14 AM ET
By Mike Peacock
LONDON (Reuters) - President Bush has told Britain's Tony Blair to expect no favors at this week's Group of Eight summit in return for backing the U.S.-led war in Iraq despite reports of a breakthrough deal on climate change.
j and paige i am gonna try to explain.
copy your article like always.
come to the comments box and type:
the decrease or less than sign (remember algebra)
then the letter a
then a space
then href
then the equals sign
then the quote sign
then paste in your article or whatever
then the quote sign
then the increase or greater than sign
then whatever you want to name your article
then the decrease sign
then the / sign
then the letter a
then the increase sign
then hit preview
what you should see is the name you picked for your article highlighted and that will be your hot link. the only space you put in this whole mess is the one between the first letter a and the href.
good luck
Posted by gregg on July 4, 2005 at 07:58 AM
morning to you susan. are you really in cleveland?
there are alot of ohio bloggers.
Yes there seems to be alot of OH bloggers. I guess they have to vent some kind of way what with the way they got ripped off in the 2004 elections.
yes. i assume in the next election there will be ohio folks at all the polling places with pitchforks and torches...
Greg, thanks, it's clear as mud! Why is this so hard now?
Yup J, phantom physics.
Thanks gregg, I copied and pasted your directions to Word and have just printed them out so I can study them.
j you had the 1,000th post on this thread. you have one the first crack with the bat at rove's butt when he is turned into a pinata for giving up the cia agent...and no blindfolds at this party....!
I was venting for a long time before the 2004 fiasco ever happened. ;)
paige, that is a straight up task analysis. follow step by step it should work.
I agree paige: why is it so hard now??? I mena when Joan said that you needed an advanced degree to learn how to link she wasn't joking. Hell I've got some and I am still densed out.
I was venting for a long time before the 2004 fiasco ever happened. ;)
Posted by Susan_ClevelandOH on July 4, 2005 at 08:17 AM
Oh please don't tell me that you must lived the saga of Florida via Ohio. GOP has been control for almost 8 years and have literally trashed the state.
gregg, your instructions seem pretty straight forward. I'll try them later.
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