IMPORTANT .. pass it along ...

Quote from Bush in 2004 --

"A wiretap requires a court order," President Bush declared in a statement in 2004. He added, "When we're talking about chasing down terriorists, we're talking about getting a court order when we do so. It's important for our fellow citizens to understand [that] constitutional guarantees are in place... because we value the Constitution."

Absolutely. But this news is not getting out. Why aren't more elected Democrats, Democrats with a voice, pounding away at this in whatever public forum is available to them?

Keep the pressure on. When Rove's indicted, put the pressure on Bush even more.

Matts, I think those in office are being blackmailed....if they say too much, the Republican leadership is threatening to cut off funds to their districts/states/constituents. It's extortion.

So it's up to the rest of us to get the word out with letters to the editor/blogs/comment lines and throughout our own communities. Speak up in mixed company and make sure their supporters are made to feel guilty. Don't let them off the hook.

So...I'm just wondering - when can we expect another thread on the Alito nomination? Would that be when he resigns the USSC and the Democratic Party is "fighting" to ensure that the seat is filled with another "moderately fascist" judge?

Show of hands, people...all of you who crowed about the "victory" out leaders fashioned during the Roberts group grope to preserve the filibuster option by promising to...cough...cough...not filibuster? Kind of like agreeing to have sex in order to preserve one's virginity, wasn't it? How do you feel this morning after? Pretty abused, huh? You should.

I have a comment related to national security that Karl Rove should and all the Republicans knew about, should have looked into years ago (when they said they would), but didn't.

Sorry if other people have already spoken about this. This message is for people within our party who can impact policy.

OUR DEPENDENCE ON OIL IS A NATIONAL SECURITY RISK BUSH AND THE GOP KNEW ABOUT, BUT IGNORED.

I hope our leadership will blast the GOP and the Bush administration for refusing to spend more money on alternative energy research. Had we spent 300 billion dollars on alternative fuel research instead of the war in Iraq, may be Iran would be less able to single handedly inflict so much damage to our national security and on our economy. Alternative energy research is a national security issue, as well as an economic issue. Bush and the Republicans have been on notice FOR YEARS, but have done nothing. I hope we won't stand by and let them get away with it. Drilling in Alaska cannot come close to meeting our energy needs. We need to research and develope alternative fuels. Our government needs to do this because private industry wasn't moving quickly enough. Instead of spending money on alternative fuel research, the GOP sold government contractual work involving government moneys to the highest bidding lobbyists and spent billions of dollars on an unnecessary war in Iraq. Instead of using moneys to research alternative fuels, moneys were spent on GOP corruption. Now Iran is able to hurt our economic and national security more than they would have been able to do had Bush fufilled the promise he made four years ago in 2002 State of the Union to eliminate our dependence on foreign oil. To our leadership, help us hold them to account. We've got an amazing demographic disadvantage right now, but the GOP has screwed up so badly that perhaps we can regain support in the red nation sooner rather than later.

Question: Why hasn't anyone suggeted (that I've seen)that if the President feels his wiretaps are within the law,that he now go ahead and go to the FISA court and obtain the warrants.We as citizens should demand that he do so.Most likely he will not because he is doing things he should'nt.This administration feels it is above the law and can make its own where it sees fit.

Furthermore Dem's need to give the tired rehtoric a rest and start asking serious questions?e.g. If Mr.Bush still feels the wiretaps are just,why not get them approved by FISA.Why does he need to mount a defense if there is in fact no offense? THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Question: Why hasn't anyone suggeted (that I've seen)that if the President feels his wiretaps are within the law,that he now go ahead and go to the FISA court and obtain the warrants.We as citizens should demand that he do so.Most likely he will not because he is doing things he should'nt.This administration feels it is above the law and can make its own where it sees fit.

Furthermore Dem's need to give the tired rehtoric a rest and start asking serious questions?e.g. If Mr.Bush still feels the wiretaps are just,why not get them approved by FISA.Why does he need to mount a defense if there is in fact no offense? THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Good, good stuff Chairman Dean. Glad to see that you are staying in your groove.

I agree with Matt. Why am I not seeing Bush's own words from 2004 where he himself defines the requirement of a court order for wiretaps. This should be brought up and replayed every chance the democrats are given. I think if this was done even the repubs would realize Bush broke the law. With Bush's own words the repub spin masters, that are claiming he did the right thing, would just have to shut the heck up. Notice how the repub spin masters try to avoid mentioning that he can wire tap with no court order for 72 hours before a court order is required.

Don't believe the hype on Iran, yeah their leader is a loud mouth spewer of hatred, but then so is ours. Yeah they want to use nuclear energy - so do we.

What is different is that they don't have weapons of mass destruction and we do. What is different is that they don't have any plans to attack us, but we have had plans to attack them since at least 1999 as part of the PNAC's plan for full spectrum dominance of the middle east.

A good rule of thumb to go by is that if you heard it on the news - it's dead wrong propaganda.

Oh Sandy - I think you are spot on about the Bribery and Coercion - but here's what we should do. Encourage our representatives to blow the whistle on that activity. For instance; if I was a Senator and a fellow Senator or Senior administration official threatened to cut my funding. the first thing I'd do is place him under citizens arrest for bribery, extortion, coercion or terrorist threats, the next thing I'd do is call the press and let everyone know that I was threatened and by who. If we give in to domestic corruption then we are lost

You don't see the speech today, because we were talking about it a month ago:

http://www.democrats.org/a/2005/12/in_his_own_word.php

Tim

P.S. And yes, it has shown up on here after that, several times.

Nice Job on CNN tonight Chairman. I appreciate you pointing out Iraq was a distraction at a time when we should have been devoting our resources elsewhere. I also appreciated you mentioning the reason our tax dollars are being spent inefficiently and ineffectively: GOP CORRUPTION.

I wish we had know Dean was on CNN today. We just caught the tail end because we don't watch unless something we want to see is on.

What time did it start?

National Security and Karl Rove, now here is a topic that Friday night debates were designed for.
So let's start with this.
Karl Rove has not be indicted on any charge. No wrong doing has been proven. (And you can yell all you want about what happened behind the scenes.) The proof is in the special prosecutor's hands, and nothing has been brought to light.
He has been working behing the scenes, where he is most comfortable and most effective.
He is, in our opponent's eyes, the architect.(Matrix reference is not lost here.)
However, Karl Rove does have clearence. He is in the White House. He works directly for the President, and I hate to say it but if he was a democratic advisor we would be fighting like hell to keep him in his post too.
He came out today and said that we live in a post 9/11 world and that Republicans understand this fact and we, as democrats, do not. In case someone missed it, that's the key issue. That's what this is going to come down to in the mid-terms.(as far as National Security is concerned.) We are going to see them spin us as out of touch with what it takes to secure the country post- 9/11. (Not taking into account right now the corruption issue, just table that for a second.)
I think Rove's comments need to be thoroughly digested. Because, if they are not, we are going to do the same thing that we did in 04 which is to discount his thoughts as mere rhetoric that can be sluffed off. It's not. He has a valid point. We have said we don't like the illegal wiretaps, fine great but what do we PROPOSE IN IT'S PLACE?
Go through the FISA courts, great THEN WE NEED TO PUT THAT UP ON THE WEBSITE WITH LINKS TO EXACTLY WHAT THE HELL THAT IS. If that's where our strategy is then guess what we haven't gotten the message out, and we need to do better.
I am all for the idea of hearings on the legal issues that have been raised about the wiretaps, but while that is being followed through on we HAVE GOT TO GET A MESSAGE ON NATIONAL SECURITY PUT TOGETHER. We need to show what we propose, as opposed to the illegal options that have been taken up to this point by the republican administration.
The key here is NOT that the activity was illegal/unconstitutional that horse has been killed and buried.(and is mainly the legal issue.) The key political issue now is what are the democrats willing do, stand by and let terrorists kill our citizens because they haven't got a clue?(because I garuntee that's how it will be spun.) Or do we have a plan to protect the country, our citizens, and our rights. What is our stated, documented, and committed position.
Draw a line and stand by it.
Because that is how ROVE and the REPUBLICANS beat us in 04 they stood their ground on their base issues and they beat us. IT IS HOW THEY ARE GOING to win again if we don't do some LEADING.

Rove should shut his yap. He deserves to be indicted along with Scooter and has no credibility on national security. In fact, why does he still have security clearance?

Now why exactly do Karl Rove and Dick Cheney get front page on CNN and the republican White pages identifying the administration's (Justice) justification for warrantless eavesdropping get mainstream press? John Conyers held a 2.5hour hearing in a BASEMENT today with no mention on CNN whatsoever. I thought Congress was still out until the end of month. You mean that the hearings by Conyers did not even rate a small committee room? This is shameful!!Where are the rest of the Democrats? Waiting for the Republican version of hearings by Arlen Specter so they can each speak for half an hour and then fold like the Alito hearings? Come on People. This was illegal and Impeachable!! GET TOUGH DEMOCRATS

The republicans attempt to use 9/11 to fear monger AGAIN is going to blow up in their faces. Rove has zero credibility since he has been caught in the outing of Plame (i.e. party before country). The Republicans are desparate so they try what has worked before. But Americans have caught on (look at Bush's approval numbers). People will see this as what it is, an attempt to use fear and 9/11 for political gain. And we need to point that out to everyone every chance we get. Two things you can bet the bank on in this election: 1) they will continue their smear tactics, 2) they will try to use fear and 9/11.

bloomberg's banner is reporting rove has attacked democrats as to "cut and run" from iraq.

quite a statement from the buffon who never served a day to defended our country ... nor cheney nor bush ... perhaps some current democrat who served might like to comment? i'm aware of a few democrats that i'd admire a lot more if they took this buffon to the back of the shed.

Bravo, Governor Dean!

Rove is an enemy of the State because, as I see it, Rove has endangered the Nation by conspiring to undo the CIA program that worked to control nuclear proliferation. And Rove did that when he joined in the exposure of Agent Valerie Plame Wilson's CIA employment!

Rove committed a treasonous act. Despicable. That he is still working in any capacity dealing with our government is unacceptable.

Why Behind the Bush Spying Eye...

Why is Bush doing domestic spying in a full sweep of the population?

It is not necessary to imagine an end goal. All we have to do is go back in recent history and see the type of activities the Bush family (Poppy Bush in his CIA and V.P. days) and the Bush Family entourage -- including John Negroponte -- initiated and fullfilled in the past. I'm focussed here on their controlling presence in the Central and South American Era of Dissappearing the Opposition and Future Progressive Leadership in nations in which they wanted to maintain hegemony.

Regarding the situation in our contemporary United States, the Bush Family and Entourage know they are "in power" under false pretenses, that Georgie was not elected, and that they are backed only by a handful of corporatists and a small percentage of citizens who are American Taliban. What the Bush Cabal fears most is exposure and those people savvy enough to research the facts and conscientious enough to expose the facts. The enemies of the Bushes are the facts and those who deal in facts, and the Bushes desire to disappear the facts and all proponents of the facts.

In short, the Domestic Spying is prelude to the Disappearance of All That Supports the Opposition In Any Way.

The Bush Menace is breathing down our necks. There's no time to spare.

It's imperative to demand and work to 1/ Filibuster Alito, 2/ Impeach Bush and Cheney both, 3/ Stop the Patriot Act, 4/ Stop privatized voting and restore election purity, 5/ Vote the crooks and sociopaths out of office.

nora,

i like your 5. permit me to add a 6/...in the meantime, would some democrat that served in the military please take the buffon (aka rove) out behind the shed.

I am going to give a Karl Rove a little credit though. For once, he didn't make the move of calling Democrats unpatriotic because we do not agree with Bush's post 9/11 policies. I've had enough of trying to defend whether wanting our boys safe and sound or in the middle of a desert as being patriotic, and I'm glad that Rove didn't try to fan the flames of that fire.

Other than that, bad business as usual for Karl Rove. I can't think of anything greater than to see this guy's strategy get destroyed in November.

Friday night's Media Matters does a great job of showing the bias and hypocrisy in The Washington Post's and NY Times' coverage of the Clinton-Lewinsky story and in George Bush's spying without warrants.

If anyone doubts that the Post is a Republican mouthpiece filled with Republican reporters, Media Matters is required reading. I can't believe this is the same paper that brought Nixon down.

I used to be in journalism. I've never seen so much biased reporting as is going on now. The GOP talking points always get covered in Post and NY Times stories. Democrats have to fight like hell for fair treatment.

I'm really disgusted with the sloppy reporting on TV and in the press. It's as though people who are gathering and presenting the news don't have a f---ing clue about what they are supposed to be doing. And neither do their bosses. It's a disgrace, and I'm sure the Repukes are tickled pink, because their side of the story always gets told, except for negative news. Negative news has a lifespan of about a day or two. But if there's negative news about a Democrat, it's worth at least a week's worth of coverage on Lardball and in other venues.

God! Things have to start turning around.

Mr. Rove, what good is it to obtain all of these worldly possessions and power yet lose your soul?

I hate to say it but if he was a democratic advisor we would be fighting like hell to keep him in his post too.

kerbose, When the day comes that the Dems must win elections, through having someone like Karl Rove distort, lie, smear, cheat, steal, fix elections, hire Swift Boat Vets, etc, then I shall renounce my party name, no longer support the Dems, and work to bring clean 3rd party candidates to office.

I am a very competitive sports fan. But it has to be above board and clean. Same with politics. If you can't win because your candidate is not the best one and you must try and drag your opponent down in order to bring your own up, then you are truly not the best man.

Karl Rove may be the worst possible advocate for national security issues, but the tapes from Osama Bin Laden and Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri are the best possible advocates to bolster wiretapping and other anticivil liberties goals.Their carefully timed impact videos to sway American events for political impact cannot be ignored. While Congress is debating wiretapping concerns, Bin Laden and al-Zawahiri both released tapes this week to help rachet up the fear level and to help fuel a crackdown on American civil liberties.

Right before the November 2004 election, Osama Bin Laden released another tape and created a swing of undecided voters against the challenger, John Kerry, which is uncommmon. Undecided voters tend to support the challenger.

In 2006 and 2008, no matter what planning Democrats do to win the elections, expect new videos from Osama Bin Laden and Dr. al-Zawahiri to help throw the election against the Democrats.

It's going to be very difficult for Democrats to win national elections when these two terrorists help to throw the election by creating a climate of fear as an "October surprise" for their political impact on the U.S. with national security concious voters that seeks a refuge with the Bush Administration or Republicans. This is a serious problem for the Democrats: This Osama Factor.

It must never be forgotten that the primary weapon of terrorists is not the violence, but the psychological impact that they seek to create. Bin Laden fuels his effort of moltivating and radicalizing new terrorists by creating a George Bush as a "boogeyman" and George Bush and the Republicans survive politically by using Osama Bin Laden as a "boogeyman", they both need each other and feed off of each other.

PROGRESSIVE VALUES

This slug of a man admits to using fear and terror as a campaign tool!

Rove: GOP to Use Terror As Campaign Issue

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060121/ap_on_go_ot/republicans_rove;_ylt=AvEODwo1uF89cOr.Jv24Woms0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3OXIzMDMzBHNlYwM3MDM-

"osama facor" = boogeyman ... i've too sensed and pretty much convinced this is in play. add rove into this mix = perfect political storm for demos. so, without any ideas ... what will or can the demos do ... except be perplexed? i'd like to say that's why the white house has not caught osama, except i think it's more of incompetence. the other factor facing the demos is there appears to be no united demo offensive to expose the wrong doings of bush nor the fact that rove commands the media at the drop of a hat. amazing for a non-elected offical having such command, amazing?

Posted by PamB on January 21, 2006 at 09:33 AM

they are a bunch of nazi's and the people who vote for them are no better than the german citizens who claimed they didn't know any war crimes were happening, but they profited from it

The "AUTOCRATIC CONSERVATIVE" EXTREME "BUSH ADMINISTRATION" was complicit with the SAUDI TERRORISTS in causing the terror that started the "AUTOCRATIC CONSERVATIVE" EXTREME "BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S" War of Terror.

As for the Osama bin Laden Tapes that the "AUTOCRATIC CONSERVATIVE" EXTREME "BUSH ADMINISTRATION" is using to try to continue to terrorize the American people. These Osama bin Laden Tapes are another "set up" between the "AUTOCRATIC CONSERVATIVE" EXTREME "BUSH ADMINISTRATION" and the SAUDIS, just like 9/11/01 was in the 1st place, to keep the "AUTOCRATIC CONSERVATIVE" EXTREME "BUSH ADMINISTRATIONS" War of Terror in business.

The whole "set up" from the beginning was to "terrorize and railroad" the American people into an "ongoing war" to support the "AUTOCRATIC CONSERVATIVE" EXTREME "BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S" War of Terror.

Osama bin Laden was allowed to ESCAPE at Tora Bora on the 2nd Road, as there is two roads out of Tora Bora. Under the "AUTOCRATIC CONSERVATIVE" EXTREME "BUSH ADMINISTRATION", it was never the intention of the U.S. Government to actually kill or imprison Osama bin Laden. Osama bin Laden is fraudulent President "Select" George W. Bush's life long friend.

I find truth in these links. Do a thorough investigation of the facts in these links:

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8765.html

http://911research.wtc7.net/

http://www.mujca.com/

We must not allow ourselves to be railroaded into continuing to believe the lies and made up supposed facts of the "AUTOCRATIC CONSERVATIVE" EXTREME "BUSH ADMINISTRATION" promoted by the FASCIST CONTROLLED MEDIA.

Martha

Fade

You are two for two today with me woman!

Miller = PUKE

Holidaze = HUMBUG
__________________________
total tally = Bush = BIG OLE HUGE AZZ MISTAKE

I'm presently watching the GORE speech again. I can't believe that was way last MONDAY!!

It was a wonderful thing to hear. Over and over!

LOVE AL!

I'm presently watching the GORE speech again. I can't believe that was way last MONDAY!!

It was a wonderful thing to hear. Over and over!

***

Real good speech.

Inside Trader Frist opines:

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist told Republican Party activists on Friday night that U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito was the "worst nightmare of liberal Democrats."

Frist, a Tennessee Republican, made the remark to fellow Republicans during a private tour he gave them of the Senate chamber when the Senate was not in session.

***

So, the Pugs are even bragging that they know Alito is a stink bomb!

alito = filibuster

What was amazing to me most about this new Bin Laden tape is that he was able to make the connection between Bush's electoral campaign and the merchants of war. So why can't some Americans make that same connection, too?

From Daily Kos diary:

The Abramoff/GOP connection to sweatshops is old news, but worth more investigation. Now new details are emerging.

I've been following Abramoff for a long time and I've posted about the connections between Abramoff, sweatshops, China, DeLay & the GOP a number of times. The link has been the Tan family, the Chinese family behind the sweatshops on Saipan and Millions of dollars sent to the GOP through Jack Abramoff.

The Tan Family and how they connect the GOP to China has been a very underplayed part of this scandal. I've always thought that when this part of the scandal breaks, it will break big.

Well, tonight the story is starting to break.

Over in Hong Kong, Zack Coleman, a reporter for China's Business Newspaper The Weekly Standard has been writing has been writing about the Tan-GOP ties for years.

Today, he broke new details of the Abramoff/China/Sweatshop/GOP connection and how it fits into the growing scandal.

More on the jump...

***

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/1/20/231845/839

This Abramoff scandal will go on for years. The Pugs have buried themselves in dirt. Let's not throw them any shovels.

So why can't some Americans make that same connection, too?
***

They need to turn off the Faux News. MSNBC becoming almost as bad with the except of Keith Olbermann.

Ok I don't get why the national press is BLASTING over and over the fact that one of GW's roommates in college was of the Bin Laden Family!!!

Of ALL the families in ALL the world - it just happens to be???? NO!

Why isn't someone promoting this or at LEAST reminding the public. They are so damn dense!

I meant "why are they NOT promoting it"

of course

Hey rj,

I like Keith but have also noticed that he spends LITTLE time on real politics these days. Opting for sports and ODDBALL news.

I'm a bit ticked off that he's wasting so much AIR time when he could be using it to more fruitful purposes.

Of ALL the families in ALL the world - it just happens to be???? NO!

***

That's scary to say the least. The Bush's have been in bed with the Saudis for decades. I am hardly surprised that the Bush family has close ties to the Bin Laden family. Keep in mind that the Bin Laden's are very wealthy influential people in Saudi. UBL is the renegade in the family. Also, remember how quickly the Bin Laden's got out of the country around 9/11 ... fishy, very fishy.

I like Keith but have also noticed that he spends LITTLE time on real politics these days. Opting for sports and ODDBALL news.
***
Hi Dawnelle,

I wonder if he is getting pressure from the corporate masters to get with the right winger program? That would be a shame!

I have to admit that I watch less and less of network TV news with the exception of C-Span.
I come to rely on google news, daily kos and this web site.

Rove: It's the (eternal) war, stupid!
In his first speech in two months, "Bush's brain" laid out his plan for GOP victory: War, war and more war.

By Walter Shapiro

Jan. 21, 2006 | WASHINGTON -- It was Karl Rove's first public speech in two months. But there were no dramatic cries of "He's back -- our long national nightmare is over!" when the recently reclusive White House political guru appeared Friday before several hundred members of the Republican National Committee.

While Rove is still dancing under a legal cloud in the ongoing CIA leak investigation, he radiated no visible signs of distress. A lesser man might have been daunted not only by fears of a possible indictment by special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, but also by worries that the woeful 27 percent approval rate (the Gallup Poll) for the Republican Congress presages a GOP rout in November.

By the standards of Washington soap opera, Rove's luncheon address offered the kind of melodrama that only C-SPAN could love. But taken together with a morning speech by RNC chairman Ken Mehlman, this rhetorical onslaught offered intriguing clues about where the Republican high command wants to position the party for the congressional elections. Both Rove and Mehlman were playing to their base -- the state chairmen and elephant-pin-wearing local stalwarts who constitute the pachyderm heart of the Republican Party.

the complete story...
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/01/21/rove/

Right RJ

Also most of the Gen. Public doesn't know or care about the details but if we could just manage to KEEP the more simple points in the forefront......

just saying over and over that W's roommate was a BinLaden.

MOST people remember their college roommates. It's NOT like the military where you are STUCK with them if you don't like them.

I have some FOND memories of the many roommates I've had and I remember them ALL!

And I am disabled now taking LOTS of medications so if I still remember - you KNOW he does. Wait - there is the fact he's fried MOST of his brain from alcohol abuse. But, not one drunk will admit that so we don't want to remind them of that. It will only tick them off!

(yep from the inside OUT)

disintergrating grey matter - ouch!

But, not one drunk will admit that so we don't want to remind them of that. It will only tick them off!
***

But even if he is too drunk and stupid to remember the Bin Ladens, his father knows them well! There was something suspicious at how the Bin Ladens got out of "Dodge" so quickly around 9/11.

RJ

Another Michael Moore moment that the National Press has decided was a lie or not worth repeating!

HOW OBVIOUS! (for anyone even mildly interested in knowing the facts)

Proves that the more stubborn you are the more apt you are to be STUPIDl!! lol

Rove: It's the (eternal) war, stupid!
***

You got that right! The endless war justifies the endless dictatorship of Bush. How far will Junior push the unitary theory of the Presidency? There is no way of knowing. We may not have seen the worst of it yet particularly if Alito is approved.

Ok someone smart tell me how I can get the TV ratings for the other day when Cheney spoke and then again when Rove spoke.

I really would love to KNOW and BROADCAST just how poor the ratings must have (should have) been for those two shows.

this is in response to Toosmart's question about why no one is asking Bush to go back and get warrants for the illegal wiretaps

After performing a wiretap for which there wasn't time to get the warrant in advance, the government has 72 hours AFTER the fact to get the warrant. FYI this is based on information I heard on MSNBC and not research I did independently so it may not be entirely accurate. A democratic pundit said they had 72 hours to get a warrant after the wiretap if they didn't have time in advance. I hope this helps.

Another Michael Moore moment that the National Press has decided was a lie or not worth repeating!

***

What's amazing is that I recall that moment vividly. I thought at the time - how odd is it that no one can get a plane flight but the Bin Laden's are high-tailing it out of the country?

It was one step removed from simply putting them on Air Force 1.

After performing a wiretap for which there wasn't time to get the warrant in advance, the government has 72 hours AFTER the fact to get the warrant.

***

That is the FISA law! The judge can then tell them to cease and desist if they don't agree with the probable cause.

Had Richard Clarke not debunked Moores claim about the flights (and he did from what I remember) than Moore wouldn't be discounted like he is............? perhaps.

I'm now quite sure it was cya for him to say that. Otherwise his whole career would have been lumped in with the rest of them. IMO.

Clarke that is - not Moore

I used to love watching Mike Moore years ago too. I knew his show would be scrapped after I saw the things he was starting to uncover.

What was it called? Alien Nation or something?

I for one think the economy and our dependence on the Middle East might be a campaign issue during the 2006 election cycle. I think Rove and Bush are over-confident with regards to the economy. While the economy isn't in horrible shape right now, the average wage increase last year didn't even keep up with inflation! Our budget and trade deficits are both enormous, which will tend to drive up interest rates. Even though the Fed might be finished with raising interest rates... at least for now, we should remember it takes up to a year and a half for interest rate increases to filter through the economy. Recent aarnings reports have not been the blockbusters investors were expecting. The housing market is cooling. Plus, a bunch of graduate students, myself included, who left the work force in 2002-2003(tending to drive down unemployment) will be rejoining the workforce during 2006, 2007, and 2008 (tending to drive up unemployment). Rove better be careful when he says, "run on Bush's record." On top of all this, oil prices have passed $68 per barrel and are near their all time highs. It's a damn shame Republicans in Congress refused to conduct a real investigation as to why gas prices were so much higher right after Katrina. Afterall, oil prices are now are the same as they were then, but we don't have the enormous increase in prices at the pump. By November 2006, the economic picture could appear vastly different than it does right now (either positively or negatively). Rove should be careful. Furthermore, our dependency on Iran's oil is a national security issue and, on that issue, the GOP has failed miserably.

The government is short on funds and yet lobbyists are paid extremely well! Making the tax cuts permanent will only ensure that increased deficits and increased interests rates will also be permanent. Medicaid could be another issue. The GOP's prescription drug program has been a complete disaster. Corruption and cronyism will not make this nation secure.

Alien Nation or something?
***

LOL - so that's what these Bush-itas are! Plan B From Outer Space. They are definitely a bunch of autocrats.

While the economy isn't in horrible shape right now, the average wage increase last year didn't even keep up with inflation!

***

In fact, real wages have decreased over the past five years. The Wall Street Journal, no bastion of liberalism, reported that last year on average
Americans spent more than they earned! The last time that occurred was the Great Depression era.

So, even though the economy is okay from technical perspectives, the American people have not participated in the expansion.

And then you have a crushing budget deficit. We are living on borrowed time. Historical analogies:

Japan in the 1980's when they fell into a 20 year depression.

Edwardian England toward the end of British colonial empire.

I sure hope something worst is NOT in the cards.

The last time that occurred was the Great Depression era.

oh wonderful news

:-\

On the GOP being the party that makes us more secure:

Its the story of the little boy who cried wolf....

Who's going to believe them when we really are in danger?

Who's going to believe them when we really are in danger?

Posted by DTree on January 21, 2006 at 12:06 PM

the little mindless sheeple who still follow him. Something like 24 percent? LOL

It would be so cool if we could get control of either house in Congress:

Here are a list of investigations, please let me know if I'm missing any:

1) The Plame Scandal
2) Abramoff -- even though it may impact some democrats, it'd be healthy for the Party in the long run to get rid its own corruption that may or may not exist, and this would have a much greater impact on the GOP.
3) Cheney's meeting with Enron executives -- I want to know what was said...
4) Bill Frist's stock sale
5) Duke Cunningham
6) Tom Delay
7) Price gouging in the oil industry following Katrina
8)Perhaps most important -- Intelligence picture leading up to the invasion of Iraq. Specifically focusing on the Bush Administration's insistance of a working relationship between Saddam and Bin Laden. I saw an article on MSNBC stating Bush emphasized such a linkage even though his administration knew it didn't exist.

Am I missing anything?

Downing street for one

rjsnj,

yes I noticed the savings rate is currently negative. I believe this is not sustainable. I also think we're feeling the pinch. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe real wages declined by an even larger percentage in 2004, this ought to be a news story....

Downing street? I don't follow you, I think I missed this... what happened?

Even though the Fed might be finished with raising interest rates... at least for now, we should remember it takes up to a year and a half for interest rate increases to filter through the economy.
***

Very true! Another historical tidbit for you. The last time the United States spent itself into a huge hole because of a war - Vietnam - the end result was the stagflation of the 1970's (high interest rate + slow economic growth).

I think that the Federal Reserve will get off of the gas pedal. There may be one more rate increase but then they will declare we reached neutrality. The reason is that there is concern about the recent yield curve inversions (even though it was mild).

Even though there is growth, there isn't significant inflation at the core CPI level.
However, are getting killed by health care expenses, heating their homes and gasoline. Also, housing market is definitely cooling off based on December's data. This is definitely an argument to stop raising interest rates.

Corporate earnings may be slowing in some cases but corporate expenditures are still decent. The big question is will a beaten down consumer throw in the towel especially since re-financing their home won't put more money in their pocket. Also, what will happen when people start hearing the horror stories brought on by the new bankruptcy laws. If the consumer slows down coupled with a business spending slowdown, another recession will occur.

Bush has nothing to boast about. The economy has failed to grow enough jobs to cover young people entering the work force. That is why many young people have elected to stay in college and earn a Masters degree or acquire yet another academic discipline. Man oh man, will the college loans be big!

Oh, and my apologies to Al Gore, add to that list the NSA wiretap issue -- I agree with Al Gore, if you don't have time to get the warrant before you spy, get one within 72 hours of spying pursuant to the law. An investigation would help solidify this.

9) NSA Wiretap

yes I noticed the savings rate is currently negative. I believe this is not sustainable. I also think we're feeling the pinch. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe real wages declined by an even larger percentage in 2004, this ought to be a news story....

***

Kev,

It's a train wreck waiting to happen. One author put it very well - we are on the verge of creating a wave of economic zombies. People that are permanently in a state of bankruptcy.

That can not last and will ultimately drag the corporations selling all that stuff to Americans in Walmarts down as well.

My disability pay used to go up by about 10 bux a year (or something minimal like that). This year they sent me some big ass notice that I was getting a whole 50 dollar raise.

But it never appeared on my Jan 3 check.

I won't complain tho and they know it. Being disabled puts me in a position where I really would feel like some chit monkey to complain.

I'm Lucky my Mother has SS and a pension or ..... no I'm not gonna go there.

It's the weekend. Pushing for a bit -o- happy.
lol

:-0 You don't know about The Downing Street Memo?

SECRET AND STRICTLY PERSONAL - UK EYES ONLY

It's the weekend. Pushing for a bit -o- happy.
lol

***

Good luck with your disability. I don't know how people living on mainly SS are making it these days.

Yes indeed, it is the weekend. We should find some happiness!

Have a good Saturday all

RJ,
I'm one of those young people! I'm currently in law school, but I'll soon be rejoining the workforce. The bankruptcy laws are troubling. Some of the changes for businesses are actually positive, but for individuals, I think the changes will be very problematic. Before changing bankruptcy laws to prevent abuse, the administration and congress should have investigated the amount of abuse that was occurring. Then they should have decided whether changing the laws would actually solve problems as opposed to creating new problems.

I wasn't alive during the Vietnam War Era. I was told in history class the stagflation was Carter's fault, but didn't understand the reasoning. Personally I always thought the problems in the 70's were due to our dependence on the Middle East, but I wasn't alive and I have to admit I haven't really thought about it that much. I never realized it was connected to the Vietnam War.

Thanks rjsnj and the same to you!

I will bbl. Time for other things and other places on the road map to hell.

(ok maybe not hell but real damn close)

http://www.nocrony.com

VOTE FOR THE BEST AFFIRMATION THAT THERE WILL BE A FILIBUSTER OF ALITO

When we suggested the other day that we all mentally repeat "Alito is NOT a done deal," we had no idea so many of our participants were affirmation experts. We got so many wonderful suggestions we decided to have contest to find the best affirmation that there will in fact BE an filibuster of the evasive and dangerous Alito. At the page below you can enter our own proposed affirmation, or vote on the ones which have already been entered!

http://www.nocrony.com/cgi-bin/contest_index.cgi

By now we all understand that the entire corporate media has conspired to sell us yet another lie, this one about our power to stop a stealth candidate with a lifelong agenda as a record from completing a reactionary takeover of our Supreme Court. We CAN stop Alito. Oh, yes we can. All we have to do is keep speaking out to our senators. Yesterday, Senator Durbin made it very clear, a filibuster is NOT off the table. They are just waiting for us to show them that we the people are ready to back them up and all the representatives we need will stand up WITH us.

http://www.nocrony.com

Remember that at the main site above you can instantly look up all the phone and fax numbers of both your senators, right down to their local district offices. And all the toll free numbers are still working too, 888-355-3588, 888-818-6641 and 800-426-8073. Thousands and thousands of you were calling all day for the Filibuster Friday action. So let's make it a Filibuster Saturday, and Sunday and every day until we prevail as it is now clear we must and will.

Stay positive. Encourage everyone you know not only to call and email their senators through the action site, but with every word that passes our lips, with every word that is entered on a keyboard, let us affirm that we WILL win. It is that belief which will inspire the additional people to make it a reality. Enter and vote on your affirmations today!

Please take action NOW, so we can win all victories that are supposed to be ours, and forward this message to everyone else you know.

Powered by The People's Email Network
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-----------------------------
call your senators, it's really easy and worth it
i'll see you all a little later
NO TO ALITO!

Ahh, I understand what you're saying about Vietnam in terms of economics. It just took me a while. I have never studied the economics behind the Vietnam War, only the reasoning for the war and its political aftermath. I almost feel sorry for the President who succeeds Bush. Although I think some of these percolating problems will manifest themselves before he leaves office, I'm sure his successor will be forced to accept some of the blame for Bush's flawed leadership. I'm currently reading about the Downing Street Memo.

Good golly Miss Molly; Molly Ivins lambasts Hillary Clinton for her "republican lite" makeover

The well known columnist wrote "I will not support Hillary Clinton for president", "enough triangulation, calculation and equivocation. Enough clever straddling, enough not offending anyone."

She points out that a majority of americans support raising the minimum wage, repealing the Bush tax cuts and imposing a windfall profits tax on oil companies. "This is the center you fools, who are you afraid of"?

Using Gene McCarthy as an example, she calls for the public to look elsewhere for someone with the "guts" to say what needs to be said. "there are times when regular politics won't do, and this is one of those times. There are times when a county is so tired of bull that only the truth can provide relief".

ezworld,

If you want me to sign something urging our leaders to oppose Alito and/or filibuster, I will do so, but I don't think it's going to happen. Alito isn't the key vote with regards to Lawrence or Roe. Ultimately, the Court will not be the instrument through which women retain the right to have an abortion or gays rightly gain their right to marry. It will have to be through popular opinion and the election of like-minded officials. For too long GOP efforts to pack the Court persisted. Unfortunately, these efforts have been very effective. The populous supports Roe, yet has been voting Republican. Alito told us nothing at his confirmation hearings, yet the public is behind him. This isn't a dooms-day message. My generation believes the GOP, once again, is on the wrong side of a civil rights issue. The generation following my generation is even more strongly against the GOP on this issue. Justice Stevens is still healthy, but should his health fail or should he choose to step down, I think you'll see more people willing to fight. I think our leaders are saving the filibuster for that fight. Even if pro-lifers win and Roe is overturned and lawrence is overturned (overturning Lawrence would enable Texans, and like minded ideologues, to throw gays in prison for being gay), all is not lost. The fight will then be taken to the legislature. The media is very conservative right now, but should Roe go at around the same time the economy turns south, I think you'll see a shift. Ultimately what matters is whether or not Republicans are elected. That's why they were able to confirm Roberts and may end up being able to confirm Alito so easily. We need to focus on elections, the courts should have been a last resort. If we shift our focus and fight to elect like-minded individuals (like the GOP has done, I think we can turn this around.

rj, you mentioned the "Fed" and rising interest rates; are you knowledgeable of who the Fed is and how they came to be?

Richard,
You wrote:
She points out that a majority of americans support raising the minimum wage, repealing the Bush tax cuts and imposing a windfall profits tax on oil companies. "This is the center you fools, who are you afraid of"?

Yeah perhaps our leaders been being too careful about criticizing the GOP. You saw what the media did to Howard Dean, perhaps Hilary doesn't want to suffer the same fate. Perhaps she doesn't want to be punished for being passionate. I still think you're right that although they have to be calm and refrain from giving the conservative media a means to destroy them, our leaders must have a clear message. You've mentioned a couple of issues they should mention repeatedly.

For an education on the Fed (and Central Banks)rip off of...the world, actually go to the site below and read some of the topics.

http://www.themoneymasters.com/

This is something that desperatly needs addressing.

Posted by Kev on January 21, 2006 at 12:24 PM

Stagflation was a term coinrd in London in 1965. It started to hit the USA during the Nixon years, and really took off under Ford. The addition of the Oil Embargo really did a whammy. Carter used the FDR model of increasing Public Works projects to temper it, and that seemed to be working, but those projects were canned under Reagan, and then the GM layoffs started the cycle all over again.

Scroll down to the Graph compiled by Pepperdine University

Let's start hitting back with some real truth. In the eyes of the world bush and his cronies have committed crimes against humanity -- war crimes. So let's call a spade a spade. Their deserved label is WAR CRIMINALS.

Where's everyone?

Don't know,

I guess we are only allowed 1 post per hour.

Crap, I forgot about that rule ;). The Michigan State Board of Canvassers approved the wording for an anti-affirmative action iniative to be put on the Nov. ballot. I don't think I like that.

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060121/NEWS04/601210339/1005/opinion

I covered my opinion on my very own soapbox

I was so bored I watched THIS episode of SOUTH PARK that Tom Cruise sued to stop it from being aired in England (after it already aired here).

Hillarious!! It SLAMS Scientology, and has many many referrences about Tom refusing to "come out of the closet"

You'll have to se it. I got the link from HuffPo.

I think I seen that one not too long ago. Usually South Park is hilarious, especially when they do a show on current events. Those bastards!!

kitchen sink defense... nice photo of scooter, too....

howdy boyz...do i have you two fine young men all to myself? where is everybody?

I guess we are only allowed 1 post per hour.

Here is treat that was included in my soapbox too.

DPD and D'Bert, have either of you visited The Money Masters site? Have we ever had a discussion about the Central Bank (Fed) on this site?

letshelpdean; Buy a Democracy Bond

Posted by followthemoney on January 21, 2006 at 04:32 PM

never heard of the website, ftm. Shoot over a link.

Dell, i blew a bubble at your soapbox. What a sweet story about how you met your wife.

Maybe i should start smoking again.

Posted by fade2bluz on January 21, 2006 at 04:39 PM

That is the only thing good that's ever happened to me because of my everlasting addiction to nicotine. What sucks is I have no desire to quit right now and desire is what did it for me last time I quit. I quit for 2 years after my first was born.

Dell, the fundigelicals are trying to round up enough signatures to get an anti-gay marriage amendment going in IL...

Joyce Meyers Ministries, out of Missouri, is the largest non-profit in the state...over a million dollars a year. Gettin you a jeeezus station on the t.v. is a very profitable little gig...

Del, click my name for the link

DeLL, with the idiot we have in the WH I'm surprised we're not all sniffing glue.

Last week I saw a news story that per Capita alcohol consumption went UP since W was annointed.

ANOTHER indicator that the people aren't happy, or just have nothing else to nimb themselves.

The last time there was a spike (no pun intended) like that was in the early 80's when the economy was also tanking.

The Pugs manage to facilitate all the things they CLAIM they are against: Drinking, Smoking, Divorce, abortions.....

Posted by DPD on January 21, 2006 at 04:49 PM

I've noticed my drinking habits kind of change with the news cycle. It's kind of odd, but when the Bush regime does something that pisses me off, I'll drink a couple of beers. Lucky for me, I'm already pissed off, so it takes a lot to piss me off from my already pissed off state.

Well Michael Moore did not waste time in responding to Tweety. fade, you will definitely enjoy this.

Maybe i should start smoking again.

Posted by fade2bluz on January 21, 2006 at 04:39 PM

Don't you dare! I'm come out there and kick your scrappy ass. You might kick box, I just throw a mean right hook. ;)

DPD,

You may be familiar with Robert Parry, who is a journalist with an impeccable record for getting the story straight...specialty the Reagan Years, Iran-Contra, etc...

and today he has Consortium News. You're old enough to remember the October Surprise. Happy Anniversary. If you're still bored, read this.

fade

linky no worky

where is everybody?

Posted by fade2bluz on January 21, 2006 at 04:31 PM

I just spend the last hour walking the streets in my tiny hamlet aquiring signatures for my central committee precinct petition as well as circulating a petiton for Zack

Posted by Bleujae on January 21, 2006 at 04:56 PM

Maybe that's what I need, a good ass kicking to knock me off this habit!! :)

{{{Lizzy}}} ROFLMAO! Thank you!

Don't worry, bleu...just kidding around. I have no desire to participate in that nasty business. I like the extra money in my pocket.

Zack will get a nice donation this week when i get paid. I gave $100 to PFAW's Stop Alito campaign, so my budget for activism is drained.

DeLL,

It will catch up to you. I wish I would have never started again in '93. But divorce is rough on some people. Wasn't so rough to leave for good in '04. ;)

consortiumnews.com

i don't know why those ads intrude...haha

sorry

fade, I have read both Robert Parry's books: Lost History and Secrecy and Privilege...both should be must reading for a Dem. Tells the Iran Contra thing and the Bush history like it is.

What is it now, $4 a pack for Marlboro?

Posted by Bleujae on January 21, 2006 at 05:05 PM

Congrats on quitting. I've had crappy things happen to me on quit dates I've set the past two dates I've set. The first one, I got called to Active Duty, the second one, well, don't much like to talk about that day. So for now, I'm quitting quitting until I get over my irrational fear of quit dates ;)

follow,

i agree...i think he lost his job for reporting a your link on banking little too much truth...

I've ALWAYS felt that there were Pug fingerprints ALL over that Hostage thing, even with the date being EXACTLY 1 year before the General Election, so the News would HAVE to say...

"The Polls are open on this, the 1 year anniversary...."

Posted by Bleujae on January 21, 2006 at 05:07 PM

Higher, closer to 5 bucks a pack.

well, off to my little red kitchen to try the pasta rolling machine...my, my how things change...

Jack N said: "...we can't handle the truth..." Is that true?

consortiumnews.com

dpd,

there is a book written by Carter's national security guy...it was another good one...oh yeah...it was not a coincidence.

the dark fractional faction of the CIA under big daddy bush has been laying the foundation for this nazi takeover for many years...wow, a little too early for me to connect with my inner mike malloy, but i'm feelin' it

DPD, Parry tells the whole story in Lost History...HW Bush went to Paris to work out the details

follow,

ever hear a German talk about our political scene? i spent four hours in the airport a year ago, getting an ear full..

yes, we cannot handle the truth...the collective "we"

it's absolutely so obvious

Nd poppy was the head of the RNC during Watergate, with all THAT money laundering.

The circle is unbroken, with Cheney, Rummy, and all those other clowns from Nixon's days doing the same stuff again.

Higher, closer to 5 bucks a pack.

Posted by DeLLBerto on January 21, 2006 at 05:10 PM

Crimminy! That would be a $160 a month habit if I still had it. Being a little lucy-fer here...I wonder how much the other smoke is? haha

When all we get in our news IV tube is off the network or cable we stay on the reservation...or is it 'plantation'? The web has been a godsend for getting the truth...which we MUST handle.

$6.00 in Chicago over the counter. 7 or 8 from a machine.

Posted by Bleujae on January 21, 2006 at 05:19 PM

That doesn't come particularly cheap up here at least in the mid 90s. The price has remained relatively stable at $25-$40 for an 1/8th. Same amount out in Los Angeles is a dimebag. The only reason I know the prices these days is I've got a friend who does undercover work for UPSET (Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team). They've actually turned most of their attention to crack, cocaine, heroin and meth as of late.

I, also, just got an XM radio so I get Air Amer radio. Now I know who Mike Malloy is...and Randi R and Jerry S and Al F...

Posted by followthemoney on January 21, 2006 at 05:26 PM

I've been asking people who make mention of having XM if it is a worthwhile buy. What do you think of it?

DeLL, "The Onion" did a spoof news article about drugs being GOOD for kids because it helps them with their math aptitude by figuring metric conversions in their head.

Posted by DPD on January 21, 2006 at 05:28 PM

LOL I love the Onion. One of my buddies turned me on to that in 1997, while we were both on lockdown at Ft. Gordon, GA. It proved to be a Godsend during those lockdown times. Although 3/4 of the time we snuck out anyways.

DeLL! You are too much! I was just kidding about that last.

but since you posted it...What you are saying is, it's better to smoke illegal? ;)

I'm out of here...time for some good ole' family tradition wholesomeness. A birthday party for one of my nephews. He's 4! Woo-Hoo! Being the crazy Aunt that I am, I'll wear a party hat like one of the kids! It's great to embarrass your own grown children! What goes around comes around!

Enjoy the late afternoon/early evening!

Posted by Bleujae on January 21, 2006 at 05:34 PM

My kids still enjoy goofy antics like that. Enjoy the party!!

'Bye, Bleu

BUY BLUE