Countdown Open Thread
Governor Dean will be on Countdown during the 8 p.m. hour, so your T.V. should be set to MSNBC!
Don't forget to watch!
This is an open thread...
Comments (64) «
I'm unsure what is going on in other states, but so far every TV ad currently airing in Oregon is from either Republican candidates or for right wing causes such as superlobbyist Rick Berman's antilabor union organization supporting "right to work" laws.
Posted by PaulSHooson on August 30, 2006 at 08:01 PM
Ah, so the conservatives are trying to cover their tracks by pushing "The Right for Illegal Aliens to Work" law.
i am a big detester of ahnold but if he actually gets this stuff thru and implements it....he sets a really high bar for the rest of the states and whoever ends up running the country after 06 and 08 ( hopefully us ).
California set to cap emissions tied to warming
Pact goes far beyond Bush administration and any other state initiative
Updated: 32 minutes ago
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California would become the first state to impose a limit on all greenhouse gas emissions, including those from industrial plants, under a landmark deal reached Wednesday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative Democrats.
"Pact goes far beyond Bush administration and any other state initiative"
It is just another glaring example of how everybody else is forced to do the work that the do-nothing-Republicans in Washington refuse to do.
yes but things are so dismal on the national level regarding the environment this story made me happy.
meanwhile internet weekly sees the next rovian brainstorm coming:
looks like sally is offended by ahnold. he is not supporting the party line " its always fair weather somewhere in the world and we'll just buy it for ourselves when the time comes ".
yeah its silly sally. same old mindless arguments. how discouraging. bbl.
Strongly recommend Keith Olberman's closing remarks tonight. If you didn't see it try here
yeah lets i heard keith really tore rummy a new one. i guess thats keith "k.o." olberman.
Did anyone catch Bush's "ek-a-lek-tik" in the interview? He is reading and has gained much cultchier...read "three Shakspears"
Yeah, he read Skake Beers in "College".
"Doobie, or Not Doobie"... that,...
Huh? What's the question.
Report: Global warming threatens national park
By Mark Wheeler / Hi-Desert Star Tuesday, August 29, 2006 11:57 PM PDT
JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK - A new report by the National Park Conservation Association describes in detail the nature of and impacts to national parks by air pollution. In equal measure, the document illustrates how air pollution and its environmental effects are accelerated by climatic changes due to increased global warming.
“Air pollution is among the most serious and wide-ranging problems facing the parks today,” is how the report begins.
Stating that the results of these “airborne hazards” are seen in ecological imbalances to both plant and animal communities, in reduced scenic value and in health threats to humans, the report ties air pollution and global warming together via greenhouse gas emissions.
These are the common denominator, the report claims, for two problems that are joined at the hip and which, in double-edged fashion, threaten to, “cause some of the most profound and irreversible damage to the parks ever seen.”
Of 390 parks in the national park system, the report states 150 of them are in regions where, “air pollution exceeds federal standards.” Among these is Joshua Tree National Park. It has been identified in previous studies as one of 10 parks in the system with the worst air quality, and this is due primarily to its close proximity to highly polluted airsheds.
Local NPCA field representative Deborah DeMeo contributed the Joshua Tree piece to the report and in discussion noted, “Although we based the report on volumes of scientific data, the text is focused on consequences in order to clearly state the importance and immediacy of the problems.”
As an example of consequences, she drew attention to the “Habitat” portion of the JTNP chapter. Citing the U.S. Geological Survey as a primary source, the report pronounces that global warming trends, combined with continued high concentrations in the atmosphere of carbon dioxide and nitrogen from auto emissions will, if not corrected, result in the disappearance of the park's namesake Joshua trees during this century.
The report sums up evidence that with warming, the climatic range of the trees will shift farther north, leaving JTNP and the environs, including the Morongo Basin, devoid of these plants except where cultivated.
Already evident in the park and environs are the emissions' impacts to Joshua trees seen in the profusion of invasive grass species that outcompete native plants where nitrogen and carbon dioxide exist in high concentrations in the atmospheric.
For the first time in California desert park history, DeMeo regretted to say, the park service is now displaying an air quality alert at each of its three entrance stations.
Color coded from green for “good” to maroon for “hazardous,” the signs display a range of air quality conditions for the day that are based on Environmental Protection Agency standards.
In this case, ozone is the primary culprit. It has been proven in higher concentrations to be a cause for respiratory difficulties and asthma attacks in sensitive individuals, and at the highest levels and over an extended period, ozone can cause difficulties for anyone regardless of sensitivity.
At the report's end is a list of 10 recommendations for improvement that span a wide range of actions and activities, including the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and promotion of clean, renewable domestic energy supplies.
“We wanted the report to include solutions as well as warnings,” DeMeo said as she drew attention to the portions devoted to describing effective steps toward improvement already being taken in various locations.
Believing that national parks should lead by example, JTNP for instance, has installed solar power facilities on its properties, converted many vehicles to compressed natural gas usage and added electric vehicles to its fleet.
In addition, it is carrying on extensive habitat and air quality monitoring projects for research, and is pursuing a public education program to help inform visitors about the effects of air pollution on their health and their national heritage.
Keith Olberman is an absolute fool
Now that's Ignorance.
"What forest? Where? I can't see it because of all the trees!"
Meanwhile the Bush family lives off of the intrest accrued by Prescott's alliance with Adolph.
Compare and contrast.
surrender monkies
Typical Repuglithug framing.
Now that's "intellect"
Prescot would have gone to prison for a long time or been shot if he had not been able to buy his way out of that...guess war is the family bizniz. That and the resources to conduct it; oil, tanks, planes, bombs, bullets...wonder who profits from all that?
Evening All,
Barbi was kind enough to put up a post for about John Hall.
(yes I am shameless blogwhoring)
If you could spare a could of hours I would greatly appreciate if you could join our Home Team and phone bank for John Hall.
This is same type of system that Ned Lamont used and I think voters in our District would be really impressed that people all over the country are calling them. You can just encourage them that John is the strongest candidate that could beat our incumbent Sue Kelly, who votes lock step with Bush.
Thanks a million and let's take back the house.
ah, now we know for sure that ignorance is bliss.... thank you for that marvelous example, nutballcattle- do you want to recant your position and acknowledge that it has in fact been rummy and the rest of the morons running this admin that have been trying over the last week or so to paint the 75% who oppose their policies as the modern chamberlains- ah, but you know that, don't you? just trying to add to the overall confusion of the "debate" that this admin is supposedly engaged in- all lovers of lenin who knew well about how to use language to deceive
Does "Carlyle" ring a bell. I hear they own much stock in bomb making companys. Who do you suppose the owners and directors are. JBIII is big in that too. He is one ruthless fellow.
Posted by RuebenHolstein on August 30, 2006 at 09:35 PM
Do you really want more sunamis and Katrinas? I believe Hurricane John is a Category 4. If it doesn't hit the United States, I suppose it doesn't count in your universe.
Now we have little Hitlers all over the world and Rumsfeld is trying to do something about them.
Sometimes it's better not to fight too many wars at one time. Just how many $400 billion fronts in Cheney's War of Choice hit parade are you willing to pay for?
Just think of how much we all could have had in a tax cut, if Bush hadn't decided that the money should go to the war profiteers instead.
Yeah, the Republicans are for lowering taxes alright...just the taxes of the rich and their corporate donners.
There was a geneology search of the alky crack head, and found that there was NOT ONE armed conflict involving U.S.A. combat troops where members of the Bush, Ellis, Pierce, or Walker families DID NOT profit. (Even possibly causing the attack on the Maine).
Lesse....John Ellis Bush = (JEB)
Barbara Pierce married George Walker Bush....
Oh, WAIT the plot thickens!
Pierce was a Democrat (Dixiecrat wasn't coined by then) who was against emancipation....
So, it's entirely possible that the Bush crime family was involved in at LEAST 2 Presidential assasinations.
Or not. They REALLY have to prove that they are acting in the best interests of the PEOPLE not their vested interests, now that Spunky mucked up the waters with his blatant incompetence.
Oh well, the madness of King George, all over again. He is probablly suffering from the ravages of Syphillis for all we know.
FRAT BOY!
same old riddle only starting from the middle.
NYT
Ohio to Delay Destruction of Presidential Ballots
By IAN URBINA
Published: August 31, 2006
With paper ballots from the 2004 presidential election in Ohio scheduled to be destroyed next week, the secretary of state in Columbus, under pressure from critics, said yesterday that he would move to delay the destruction at least for several months.
Since the election, questions have been raised about how votes were tallied in Ohio, a battleground state that helped deliver the election to President Bush over Senator John Kerry
The critics, including an independent candidate for governor and a team of statisticians and lawyers, say preliminary results from their ballot inspections show signs of more widespread irregularities than previously known.
Hey All,
Anyone feel like having a reuben sandwich tonight?
Hi peppermint, jefro, and gregg, DPD, Dems!
I suppose I blog far too much, probably need to take some time off.
Maybe RFJ Jr was right about the Ohio vote, he's been suggesting fraud and other misconduct for a long time now. Even had an article in Rolling Stone magazine about it. We need to get Diebold out and start making a paper trail. Those mofrackys!!
Posted by gregg on August 30, 2006 at 10:36 PM
We've been told nothing. Sept. 3rd, in the trash they go.
ranger,
OH has VVPAT. Diebold made a printer that fits on the outside of the unit. The voters verify their vote and it is rolled up for audit purposes. Boards of elections maintain the rolls as required by Ohio Revised Code Section 35.
How do I know these things? I work in OH Elections. And no, I'm not a poll worker.
yeah ranger i learned in the sixties and have to keep relearning that usually the most on the edge seeming theory about what is going on is the one that turns out to be reality.
jacq, well put them in the trunk of your car and drive around with them till the supreme court tells you to dump them.
Anybody can have the discarded ballots. We trash them. You won't find pre punches of any sort, at least not in my county. I won't turn my back on my brothers & sisters in elections. There is equal representation of Democrats & repugs.
I'm not saying that there is not problems with the system, there are. I've addressed them near and far countless times.
I recommend we learn from the past...do our part to inform the voters of what is on the ballot, suggest everyone vote an optical scan ballot, (do you all carry applications in your car & purse/brief case, if not, you are slacking) and be sure that we win by such a large margin, (woo-hoo! a man date!) that there can be no mistake or mistrust in the democratic process.
ranger,i have been blogging a few years now i guess. at first i was doing alot each day, at this blog i feel i have some friends that are just as real as the ones in my 3d life. in my humble view it turns out that personality shapes how each of us blogs and that personality comes across.
i participate here pretty much every day....but not nearly as much per day as i once did. i really like it here when there is an election report coming in or a speech being given and we blog back and forth as we get impressions be they funny or outraged or whatever about what is happening. if the elections go our way this will be a happy spot to be indeed. if we don't make any significant headway the trolls will picking our flesh like the turkey buzzards they are...
gregg,
imo, savetheballots has swindled fine folks out of hard earned cast...they are going to get the ballots for free. They will be our trash can. Can you say snookered?
good golly, but I dislike myself for doing this, but...
hard earned cash
election problems are everywhere. we are learning more because of the information highway. small world, indeed.
this Nov. will be the first federal election that is HAVA mandated. Whoas will be in each state.
I bet even little ole CT will have it's fair share. ;p
Olly olly oxen free!
I love when I clear the place. Ok, time for beauty sleep. Here's the best site to read about election reform. But you all don't have to take my word for it.
Where professionals read all about it
Peaceful rest, everyone.
Where are all those hurricanes that global warming was supposed to spawn this year?
Learn to read, you ignorant s**t. Or come to the Carolina coast and wade out into the Atlantic...or sit near it and maybe it will wash over you soon.
We're not expecting a really big one but have to prepare anyway. I did notice most of the big birds were gone from our pond today. They have a better weather forcaster than chan 10.
This is a really good article from the LA Times, every word of it.
Iraq Isn't the Philippines
DOES HISTORY provide any models suggesting that the unhappy war in Iraq might have a happy ending? Journalists and military experts are pointing hopefully to the U.S. war in the Philippines at the turn of the 20th century as an example of how Americans can fight a tough guerrilla insurgency and eventually win.
Max Boot, an Op-Ed columnist for the Los Angeles Times, has written that the U.S. victory in the Philippines provides a "useful reminder" that Americans can prevail in Iraq. Similar arguments have been made by Robert Kaplan in the Atlantic Monthly and by the neoconservative American Enterprise Institute.
But the same suggestion is also made by writers who are not pro-war Republican pundits. The most prominent exponent of the Philippines model for Iraq is Thomas E. Ricks, the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for the Washington Post, whose new book, "Fiasco: The American Military Misadventure in Iraq," has been at or near the top of the bestseller lists this month. "Fiasco" shows that the war has been a disaster, but Ricks is nevertheless against pulling out American troops — because, he says, the Philippines example proves that a long occupation beginning in military disaster can end with the creation of a democratic and stable state.
Are Ricks and company correct? Is there hope from 100 years ago?
The Philippine war was part of the Spanish-American War of 1898, in which the U.S. promised to bring democracy to the Filipinos by freeing them from the Spaniards. But, as Ricks says, things there "began badly" when a powerful Philippine resistance movement challenged U.S. troops — "like Iraq in 2003." In 1902, after three years of guerrilla fighting, the United States declared victory, although American forces remained in the country for decades, administering it first as a colony and then as a commonwealth. The Philippines was granted independence in 1946 — after almost five decades of U.S. military occupation (interrupted by World War II). Today it's a functioning democracy.
The problem with this version of history is that it doesn't look closely enough at what happened in the Philippines.
First, it neglects the massive differences between the Philippines in 1900 and Iraq in 2006. The guerrillas in the Philippines fought the Army with old Spanish muskets and bolo knives; today's insurgents in Iraq employ sophisticated improvised explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenades and heat-seeking shoulder-fired missiles that can shoot down helicopters. And combat in Iraq takes place in a fully urbanized society where "pacification" is much more difficult than in the mostly rural islands of the Philippines.
Also, the Filipinos who fought the U.S. Army at the turn of the 20th century had no outside allies or sources of support. Today's Iraqi insurgents are at the center of a burgeoning anti-Americanism that has spread throughout the Arab and Muslim worlds, with supporters in Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere.
And of course today there's also the media. Images of resistance fighters in Iraq, and of the victims of American attacks, are broadcast hourly throughout Iraq, Arab and Muslim countries and the rest of the world. Compared with the Philippines guerrillas of 1900, the Iraqi insurgents are much stronger and more capable and have a much broader base of support that extends beyond national boundaries.
There is also the matter of the atrocious "winning" conduct of the U.S. in the four years of the Philippine war. The U.S. did not count Filipino casualties, but historians today estimate 16,000 deaths for the guerrilla army and civilian deaths between 200,000 and 1 million — a horrifying toll. American tactics included massacres of civilians, "kill and burn" operations that resulted in the destruction of entire villages and starvation of the countryside that created the threat of famine, all exacerbated by a cholera epidemic.
Most of those who consider the Philippines to be the "best-case scenario" for the U.S. in Iraq acknowledge that the fight at first was, in Boot's words, "a long, hard, bloody slog" — but they argue it was worth it because democracy followed.
But how successful was it? After the U.S. granted the commonwealth independence in 1946, two decades of instability ushered in the corrupt dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, whose 21-year rule, from 1965 to 1986, was marked by rampant human rights violations. It took a revolution — albeit a peaceful one — to end his regime.
U.S. history provides a much better model for the future of Iraq: the withdrawal from Vietnam. Yes, that withdrawal was followed by a lot of suffering, but nothing like what came before it, when Americans killed something like 3 million Vietnamese. Because the United States got out in 1975, Vietnam today is a much better place — and so is the United States.
Essy, in the morning....
can you explain what is on that paper audit from those Diebolt machines? I couldn't figure our what all the dribble was when I voted in the primary. I didn't ask the election judges, because they seemed pretty confused about the whole thing...it being the first time they had dealt with the machines, too.
Thanks in advance. Good night.
Here's good picture from that article on another web-page. I've seen other pictures of the Philippines war that show mounds of civilian bodies six feet high the Americans killed.
Posted by Domingo on August 30, 2006 at 11:52 PM
Will, thanks for posting the LA Times article.
The newest and latest stated mission in Iraq is that we are there to stop the radical Islamic fascists from instilling their form of jihad into the Arab populace.
In particular, the Republicans want to stop them from poisoning the young in the region through radical Islamic schools set up for that specific purpose....funded supposedly by first Saddam and now Iran.
The neocons have had to drop the democracy argument, since our presence in the region has resulted in the installation of an Islamic theocracy in Iraq, a Hammas government in Palestine, and a Lebanese coalition government with elected Hezbollah members in the cabinet.
So I really don't see how the neocons can point to the Philippine model as a way to defend staying the course. Circumstances have already made that model obsolete and irrelevant to the current situation.
I think the defeat in Lebanon has thrown them for a loop.
The very American audience they sought to dazzle with an Israeli route in Lebanon has now been given a second dose of the usual Rumsfeld/Cheney failure currently being acted out in Iraq. And the anniversary of Katrina just reinforces that perception.
Americans like winners. These people can't do anything right. This Iraqi incursion has lasted almost as long as WWII and our Civil War. President Washington warned us against getting involved in foreign entanglements. Many Americans remember this from their public school education....much to the chagrin of the administration.
And Americans are not patient people. Rome may not have been built in a day and in fact took centuries before it ended.... but the American voters have now given the Republicans just 69 days to end it.
It would have been so much easier just to have gone after Osama.
Governor Dean was outstanding on Countdown. He was also on CNN today very briefly. Apparently Dana Bash interviewed him from DNC HQ...and quoted the paragraph where he said Rumsfeld was beoming an object of ridicule. Good one.
Good for the governor.
Posted by Domingo on August 30, 2006 at 11:59 PM
No offense but that looks like Kerry in the background.
If only Bush had allowed our special foreces to have gone in that cave complex in Afganistan instead of letting those Afgani warlords to trick him. They only see and believe what they want.
Ok,
I am so sick of hearing about Iraq being part of the war on terror. It is simply designed to make money. Call it what it is.
Democrats:
Start calling to leave Iraq and bulk up our forces in Afghanistan where we are actually confronting the people who attacked us. Call for a more aggressive diplomatic approach with Pakistan. They are harboring Osama, sponsoring terrorist training camps, and the Taliban controls much of the country. Lets put the focus of this war back where it belongs before it is too late there.
Ok, I have to take some time off now. Good luck to you all
sunny, Dr. Dean always does a good job.
Unfortunately, the MSM allowed him to be set up as a stooge by the Rove dirty tricks machine during the 2004 primary season. Many of the very people who need to hear him the most ignore him out of hand because of it. So our message doesn't get communicated as well as it should.
We need another strong voice that has not be discredited. In the next election cycle, let the best man/woman win the nomination this time.
Good nigtht, everyone.
Posted by ranger995 on August 30, 2006 at 11:05 PM
It's amazing how we can take cash out of a teller machine and have a paper trail but they give us near criminal excuses why a paper trail is not available for electronic voting machines.
Last thought,
Reuben's are deliciouse for eating, but not very interesting to talk to!
Call for a more aggressive diplomatic approach with Pakistan. They are harboring Osama, sponsoring terrorist training camps, Posted by ranger995 on August 31, 2006 at 12:38 AM
Yep, and remember when "big-mouth" Bush said he was going "to go after any country harboring terrorists"? What he meant was any country, except the ones his daddy and his daddy's cronies makes money off of. Like Saudi Arabia. Like Pakistan. Like UAE. etc., etc. Just another day in the life of Bush liar.
I think Rumsfled is fool of it trying to question our patriotism if we are against war in Iraq. I am not afraid nor outraged. I am f-ing pissed at what he said. He called us Nazis Sympathizers for dissenting? Gimney Christmas, what country is he from?
I think Rumsfled is fool of it trying to question our patriotism if we are against war in Iraq. I am not afraid nor outraged. I am f-ing pissed at what he said. He called us Nazis Sympathizers for dissenting? Gimney Christmas, what country is he from?
Sally, if that is true, I'm sure rove is already selling them the uranium.
'06 Hurricane season: the good, the bad, the ugly
THE GOOD
This hurricane season isn't going to be a repeat of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, and probably not 2004. Consider the storm totals to-date for each year:
2006 season: 5 named storms, 1 of which became a hurricane (for less than a day)
2005 season: 12 named storms, 5 hurricanes (three major hurricanes)
2004 season: 8 named storms, 5 hurricanes (two major hurricanes)
This year's pattern seems to be pretty clear: tropical waves and depressions simply aren't developing into powerful hurricanes. There are several reasons for that: higher wind shear, much more African dust -- tropical systems like moist air, and slightly cooler sea surface temperature. Ernesto also had an unfortunate, for its sake, encounter with Haiti's mountains just as wind shear finally began to relax and it was poised to strengthen into a major hurricane.
THE BAD
The 2006 hurricane season is far from over.
Typically the Atlantic season doesn't "peak" until mid-September, and according to unpublished research by Roger Pielke, Jr., we're still only about one-quarter of the way through "damage season," meaning that 75 percent of the historical damage has occurred after this date.
So, there's plenty of time for 2006 to become an infamous season. However, in the short term at least, no tropical systems in the Atlantic appear set to develop into tropical depressions. So, it's possible the tropics may remain quiet through the Labor Day weekend, at least.
THE UGLY
Super Typhoon Ioke. The storm currently has 155-mph winds, which equates to a category-5 hurricane. It has an impressive signature in this infrared loop taken from a satellite. And it's currently bearing down on tiny Wake Island, which had to be fully evacuated in advance of the storm's 50+ foot waves.
WWII comparisons - How about this one?
We have been in Iraq longer than we were in Europe during WWII. In December, we will be in Iraq longer than the war against Japan.
Why don't we bring out this comparison when Rummy and Cheney attack critics??
Morning, Dems! A zillion things to do this morning, so will be in and out. Not sure if this has been posted, but is a George Soros piece in the Boston Globe. I am not sure I agree with him on everything, but he makes some valid points about the war on terror.
THE FAILURE OF Israel to subdue Hezbollah demonstrates the many weaknesses of the war-on-terror concept. One of those weaknesses is that even if the targets are terrorists, the victims are often innocent civilians, and their suffering reinforces the terrorist cause.In response to Hezbollah's attacks, Israel was justified in attacking Hezbollah to protect itself against the threat of missiles on its border. However, Israel should have taken greater care to minimize collateral damage. The civilian casualties and material damage inflicted on Lebanon inflamed Muslims and world opinion against Israel and converted Hezbollah from aggressors to heroes of resistance for many. Weakening Lebanon has also made it more difficult to rein in Hezbollah.
Apologies if this has alread been posted.
aren't reubens filled with kraut and who was it we fought in ww2?
We ended WWII with mushroom clouds. I don't think anyone wants to see us do that again.
Wow. Olbermann really smacked down this idiocy from Bush, Cheney amd Rumsfeld. These jerks should face the reality that Americans are not fooled by them conflating Iraq with terrorism.
Mr Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld, where the heck is Bin Laden and when are you going to do something about him?
I support Olbermann 100%. He is just about the only honest reporter on TV. The heck with this right wing propaganda that we have been blasted with the past 20 years. The Rethuglicans must go.
The Rethugs never tired of these ridiculous historic analogies. All they are displaying is their complete ignorance of history.
They best look in the mirror because if anyone is fascists it is them!
« Hide Comments
Comments are now closed for this entry.
