Open Thread
Kicking Ass may be on holiday, but PartyBuilder is always around. Check it out.
Kicking Ass may be on holiday, but PartyBuilder is always around. Check it out.
Good Morning and Afternoon to All,
I've been reading an article in The Washington Post this morning.
"Unpaid bills, royal infighting proceeds Saudi envoy's exit, by Robin Wright, The Washington Post"
This article and many others like it points to one continuous disturbing trend, VP Cheney jumps every time the Saudi's or any Middle Eastern Prince call.
He sure is not behaving like he has USA interest at heart or as a priority. His trip to the Middle East last year almost netted the sales of our ports to a Middle Eastern country and with presidential support.
Question:
Is VP Cheney an errand boy for the Saudi Princes and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
Concerned
James Brown Going Back To The Apollo
NEW YORK - The body of soul singer James Brown will be returned Thursday to the site of his debut — the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem — so the public that saw and heard him leave a lasting impression on music can see him one last time, the Rev. Al Sharpton said Tuesday.Brown's body will rest on the stage of the Apollo from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., and thousands of people will be permitted one more look at a man who steered modern music toward the rhythm-and-blues, funk, hip-hop, disco and rap beats popular today, said Sharpton, a close friend of Brown for decades.
John Edwards to announce soon!
Great post from Kos that covers alot of informataion, covers issues, what he had been doing since 2004, and announcement tour
"John Edwards Announcement Tour: People Get Ready"
What with our insatiable thirst for oil, our errand boys had BETTER make it thier business to ingratiate themselves to our suppliers....any kid with an addicted parent knows this...I dont like Cheney but you slam him for doing our bidding.
"That Gerald Ford. He can't fart and chew gum at the same time." - LBJ
Spike Lee To Make James Brown Movie
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Maverick director Spike Lee has reportedly signed a deal to make a film charting the life of 'Godfather of Soul' James Brown, who died earlier this week.Lee, famed for his racially themed movies such as "Malcolm X", "Do the Right Thing" and "Jungle Fever", will team up with legendary Hollywood producer Brian Grazer for the biopic, movie trade journal Variety reported.
Blue, one of the Ford stories on the front page of our paper this morning.
Often the target of jokes, Ford laughed right along
Gerald Ford claimed he became an authority on American humor after being skewered by those who used it for a living.
From one APPOINTED President to another:
"We mourn the loss of such a leader, and our 38th President will always have a special place in our nation's memory." - Prince George
George, you will have a special place in our nation's memory too....
Blue and Kristen,
I remembered Ford was constantly falling before the camara. At ski events, before his speeches and in fact SNL Chevy Chase's skits of someone falling all the time was a satire based on then President Ford. He did have a good sense of humor about him.
On the dark side he also engineered the careers of Rummy and Cheney.
Yes, I remember, Hybrid. It suprises me that Prince George hasn't taken a page from Ford in telling American's to wear WIN buttons to end the war in Iraq.
"Whip Iraq Now".
Ooooh, I bet the F-Word Channel will pick up on that...
Hi Blue,
That reminds me of the time President Ford attempted to give a speech telling the reporters he was upset with his characterization as someone bubbling and falling all the time ...just then he fell for the cameras at the ski resort. President Ford laughed with all the reporters. After that day he just laughed with the reporters and they gave him some breathing room.
During this same time period he granted amnesty to all the young Americans who left the country to avoid getting drafted into the Vietnam War. The parents of all these young men and women were grateful for his actions, but he became the target or veteran who felt this action was a disgrace. President Fort, more than anyone else engineered the exit of American solders from Vietnam. (We should review what he did and how we can better prepare ourselves for exiting the war. How to honor our solders when they return? How to reintegrate the solders back into our society? There are many case studies for lots of policy makers to review. There were great lessons to be learned from all those that sacrificed for the Vietnam effort. We should not let all those lessons of history go to waste. The best way to honor the solders and veteran will be to learn from history and do better.)
Overall, I feel he was the right man at the right time, because he did his job as the President of USA with humility to heal and unite this country that was greatly divided by the actions and policies of the Nixon administration. His policies lead to better checks and balance of power within our government. America did not allow any single party to control the government policies for the next 20+ years. America was admired, feared and respected around the world.
Concerned
Back in Vietnam, I recall, by 1965, it was "a new war" because Hanoi was sending regular troops in whole units of battalion size to "exterminate" South Vietnam's defenders. So we went in to prevent aggression. But in Iraq, today-- four years into the war-- we are still fighting and dying by the same killing tool: the "IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE" made,
planted and exploded by hands of the same "dead
enders" Iraqi insurgents as in 2003. As a loyal
Republican and organizer of Republicans for a Democrat Congress in 2006-- one who boosted an old Republican acquittance from the Reagan Administration, Jim Webb-- I am glad for the Democrat victory in Congress this Fall. But, as I did in seeking to make up for my colossal mistake of supporting GW Bush in 2000, I will
work against the Democrats elected to Congress just as hard as I worked for Webb, if they abrogate their pledge to get us out of what a fellow Republican Senator called: our "criminal" putting of our children in harm's way senselessly. I insist that we can't call
ourselves Americans lest we see all volunteer in the Armed Forces as OUR children and would not allow to be done to them what we would not allow to be done with our own biologic children. We died enough, we killed enough. There is no alternative for us nor for the Iraqis than the setting of a date for total withdrawal. Only under such fulfillment of Iraq's mass
majority wish can we motivate Iraqis to get together and save their country.
Happy New Year!
Daniel E. Teodoru
Back in Vietnam, I recall, by 1965, it was "a new war" because Hanoi was sending regular troops in whole units of battalion size to "exterminate" South Vietnam's defenders. So we went in to prevent aggression. But in Iraq, today-- four years into the war-- we are still fighting and dying by the same killing tool: the "IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE" made,
planted and exploded by hands of the same "dead
enders" Iraqi insurgents as in 2003. As a loyal
Republican and organizer of Republicans for a Democrat Congress in 2006-- one who boosted an old Republican acquittance from the Reagan Administration, Jim Webb-- I am glad for the Democrat victory in Congress this Fall. But, as I did in seeking to make up for my colossal mistake of supporting GW Bush in 2000, I will
work against the Democrats elected to Congress just as hard as I worked for Webb, if they abrogate their pledge to get us out of what a fellow Republican Senator called: our "criminal" putting of our children in harm's way senselessly. I insist that we can't call
ourselves Americans lest we see all volunteer in the Armed Forces as OUR children and would not allow to be done to them what we would not allow to be done with our own biologic children. We died enough, we killed enough. There is no alternative for us nor for the Iraqis than the setting of a date for total withdrawal. Only under such fulfillment of Iraq's mass
majority wish can we motivate Iraqis to get together and save their country.
Happy New Year!
Daniel E. Teodoru
In Many Villages, Alaskans Face Physical and Cultural Erosion
The last time chronic flooding forced this tiny Alaska village to relocate, sled dogs pulled the old church to its new home three miles away, far from the raging Ninglick River.
That was in 1950 and life was simpler in Newtok, mostly a collection of traditional sod dwellings. Modern structures gradually took over the new site as the river again crept to the edge of the Yupik Eskimo community. Persistent erosion has eaten an average of 70 feet of bank a year and now melting permafrost is subsiding, further subjecting the village to severe flooding from intensifying storms.
"This place is sinking,"said Joseph Tommy, 48, who was born in Newtok.
"If the erosion keeps on coming, we will be in a grave situation."
My apologies for my typo and not manually checking my spelling.
Concerned
I totally disagree with you Hybrid. The "amnesty" he granted to those that fled the draft came with strings and very few opted for it. And, his "engineering" of the evacuation was disasterous at best. Mostly, he stumbled around both figuratively and literally, and accomplished next to nothing.
The only good thing he did in his appointment as President was appoint John Paul Stevens to the Court.
Posted by Kristen on December 27, 2006 at 03:50 PM
Kristen, I believe we have a huge James Brown fan in the house...
Quotations: The Words of Gerald Ford
“The state of the union is not good.”
— State of the Union speech, January 1975.
“The Constitution is the bedrock of all our freedoms. Guard and cherish it, keep honor and order in your own house, and the republic will endure.”
— Last State of the Union address, January 1977.
pee-wee has lost his short term memory. Put the bong down! ;p
A car bomb has killed eight people and injured another 10 in the east of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, police said.
All of the dead were civilians, police and security officials said.
Full Story:
The GOP's $3 Billion Propaganda Organ
By Robert Parry (A Special Report)
Consortium News
Daniel,
The problems we ran into in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan are very much the same. We lost our moral high ground. We forgot who the enemy was and how to define our mission and goals. In Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan we are getting stuck in localized disjointed gorilla actions. The Russians go stuck with these same issues.
Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam in the end required the conquest of the people’s heart and minds. You must stop thinking of the war in terms of Napoleonic era lines, rolls, columns of solders and equipment. Destruction of equipment and buildings do not constitute winning a war. You win a war when the people you have conquered allow themselves to become your subjects willingly. If one loses the moral and ethical high ground you cannot win the heart and minds of the people. The alternative to winning a war with high ethics and morals is to become what we despise,”Totalitarians!”
Concerned,
Polar bears are facing threats from global warming and environmental contamination and need federal protection under the Endangered Species Act, Washington is expected to propose Wednesday.
Read the full story:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061227/polar_bears_061227/20061227?hub=TopStories
States think big on health reform
Massachusetts has accomplished the improbable: It got Democrats and Republicans to agree on how to provide nearly every resident with health insurance. And it did so without boosting taxes or pushing aside private health plans.
Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, and Cranberry Sauce.....Wooooooh!
"It shook me up," said rock legend Richard "Little Richard" Penniman, who knew Brown when both were teenagers living in Pleasant Hill in Macon. "I heard about (his death Monday) night. I couldn't believe that. ... It shook my mind. It was too early. God bless him."Penniman said he and Brown were friends "through the years."
"He was a great songwriter and hard-working entertainer, even before he had any fame," Penniman said.
INDEPTH: CLIMATE CHANGE
Global warming
CBC News Online
Pee Wee, any interest in the fact that we have not lost more soldiers in Iraq than the number of people killed on 9/11?
Bring the Peace Mandate to D.C. on January 27-29, 2007. Reminder: On Election Day the voters delivered a dramatic, unmistakable mandate for peace. Now it's time for action. Join CODEPINK and many others in a national march to D.C. on January 27-29, to send a strong, clear message to Congress and the Bush Administration: The people of this country want the war and occupation in Iraq to end and we want the troops home now! Click on link below for complete details. Start planning your action today!
http://www.codepink4peace.org/article.php?list=type&type=185
video game industry? am I the only one bothered that they now market the war as a video game?
Here's a tidbit that plays with my warped mind.
Private Funds Prepare To Lobby
Some top private-equity funds have joined to form a lobbying organization to head off potential regulation.
The funds have become some of the most active purchasers of U.S. corporations, pooling money from private investors and companies and augmenting those sums with loads of debt. More than 28 percent of the dollar value of acquisitions announced in the United States this year involved private-equity firms, up from 3 percent five years ago, according to Dealogic.
The new organization, the Private Equity Council, is backed by such leaders in the burgeoning business of company buyouts as Blackstone Group, Carlyle Group and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts. Douglas Lowenstein, president of the Entertainment Software Association, which represents the U.S. video game industry, will head the trade association.
Posted by Esmeralda on December 27, 2006 at 04:34 PM
Es, with the way things are going and Bush's "stay the course" mantra I'm sure they see this as an extended training module. Get those young men and women ready to face the real thing.
And to answer your question, yes it bothers me. But I personally hate all war/killing games.
Posted by Kristen on December 27, 2006 at 04:32 PM
Were you trying to say that military deaths in Iraq have exceeded those from 911? I thought it was: Iraq 2970; 9/11 2973...
Response: King George will get his.
Legend Dies On Christmas Day!
Good afternoon
I posted this last night because of what James Brown has given to the entertainment field. thought it couldn't hurt today.
To continue memories of James Brown, hey the man was truly the Godfather of Soul.
I can remember dancing those teenage years along with the young adult twenties to his hits. He has influenced so many in the music industry. It is my prayer and hope that much of his music he obtained the publishing rights because this is where the true money lies and this man had many Top 10 hits.
James Brown started reaching his pinnacle to cross over into mainstream charts just as the Civil rights era was getting crunk good and he made us feel good and proud of ourselves. He made us feel it was alright to be black because we had "soul". With his music we could hold our heads high and proudly show our color and at that time our Afros. To dance and show other areas of our culture was a part of our "soul" and not something to be ridiculed.
He gave us an opening to show and express our culture while holding our heads high.
Godfather, take your rest. You deserve it.
why doesn't the leadership of the political parties and in particular the democratic party, realize it is way to early to get the " who is the candidate? " hype to the level they are pushing it to. i already feel flooded with this crap and frankly could give a shit what edwards, hillary, obama, biden, etc. have to say about why they should get the golden key. i would prefer the details of what is going to be done in the next congress to utilize the power we have just attained ? in detail.
Daniel,
With all the hoopla of the Bush Administration regarding increasing the troop presence and winning, this administration still failed to define it’s mission and goal for being in Iraq.
Here is a very simple question:
Why are we in Iraq?
What are we trying to accomplish?
What is our mission?
What is our end goal?
The first thing the War Collage teach any of the officers is to have an end plan, to have a stated mission and goal before entering a conflict.
Failed!!
Concerned,
Good evening fellow Democrats. I would like to express my condolences to President Ford's family and friends. I thank President Ford for his service to this country. Some things must transcend partisan politics. May he rest in peace.
Have a good afternoon - too all,
I'm getting too frustrated and have lost control of my language skills. I need to go cool off.
Concerned,
Posted by Kristen on December 27, 2006 at 04:50 PM
Geez, when will it be enough??? Why isn't there the anguish and anger that there was after 911? Are these deaths not as important to America?
HOW MANY WILL IT TAKE??!
i would prefer the details of what is going to be done in the next congress to utilize the power we have just attained ? in detail.
Posted by gregg on December 27, 2006 at 04:44 PM
Gregg! Asking for DETAIL from politicians? Ok, now you of all people should definitely know better than that! Do you want all of those wonderful Dems to turn funny colors and blow up?
gregl, i know it is unreasonable but i can't help but think we just elected/hired a bunch of people to work for us and there are specific tasks to accomplish ( investigate, national health care, the war, stem cell research, veterans benefits, pension reform, global warming, investigate, etc...) that i would like one solid year of production before we even begin the whole " big show " for 08.
Blue, as of Christmas night the death toll for soldiers in Iraq was 2978. When I stop and think about the visit some those soldier's families received on Christmas it just seems to make the passing of both James Brown (a convicted felon) and Ford (a never elected President) less important.
I'm sorry for that might be offended but I personally think each of those soldiers lives was worth more attention than either of the above mentioned men.
Posted by PaulSHooson on December 27, 2006 at 05:09 PM
Paul, where is the link to the actual news story on Intel? A friend of mine works for Intel up here and while they are changing their focus a bit it is quite clear the Hillsboro plant and office will continue to thrive.
Posted by gregg on December 27, 2006 at 05:06 PM
The newly elected have already started fundraising for 2008. They better walk the chalk, or the brass that is "leadership" will boot their asses. (I mean, not contibute to their campaigns)
Well BlueMoon, we didn't turn around and attack Australia after Pearl Harbor.
The number of people that have died in Iraq never should have been there to begin with.
Posted by Kristen on December 27, 2006 at 05:07 PM
Hear, Hear!
Here's To Our Only Unelected President
Legend Dies On Christmas Day!
Bluemoon we aren't free to bomb civilians and children just because we feel like it, especially given the fact that there was no link between Iraq and 9/11 and your President has admitted such.
Posted by Kristen on December 27, 2006 at 06:04 PM
If that person does not know this already, they are lost. Don't bother.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on December 27, 2006 at 06:13 PM
Oh, I know that...I just like saying 'there was no link' every couple weeks. It helps me remember why I think GWB should be tried for war crimes.
Just about time to head home for the day, have a great night everyone!
Legend Dies On Christmas Day!
Give him your robe, King George. You obviously don't deserve your's.
Good evening, all.
I want to express my condolences to the Ford family. It's difficult to stand by and watch a love one slowly slip away.
I will always be grateful that he had the courage to finally end the Vietnam War. It's a shame that those with the power in Washington today can't face the same ugly truth in Iraq.
The passing of President Ford yesterday is sort of a metaphor of our times. There are no longer any moderates left in the GOP. What you see in the White House and in the DeLay/Foley Congress is what you get if you vote Republican.
peewee, don't forget that DINO MARTINO Also died on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
Must be dinner time...what else could clear this place out so quietly? and quickly
More people died in the war against Japan than were killed at Pearl Harbor and so it goes in the war on terror. Posted by BlueMoon
Iraq is NOT part of the "War on Terror". It's part of the "Bush cronies stealing all the oil they can get their hands" opperation. Bush doesn't care about Osama and the people who attacked us on 9/11 and doesn't "spend that much time on them". He's more interested in making his family and cronies rich than fighting the "War on terror".
Bastard
Gerald Ford's Veto Of The Freedom Of Information Act
The original version of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) of 1966 was a controversial document that prevailed despite some bitter debates and opposition by President Johnson. As Johnson's press secretary, Bill Moyers, describes it:
"LBJ had to be dragged kicking and screaming to the signing ceremony. He hated the very idea of the Freedom of Information Act; hated the thought of journalists rummaging in government closets; hated them challenging the official view of reality. He dug in his heels and even threatened to pocket veto the bill after it reached the White House."
This was not an uncommon point of view for presidents, who are generally protective of their executive privileges. Nonetheless, Johnson signed the bill, but its form at the time made it nearly impotent.
Congress endeavored to shore up FOIA and produced legislation to amend it in 1974. The bill was dumped in Ford's lap at the commencement of his promotion to the White House. Ford's position on the new bill was that it was negative on its merits but could be problematic to veto in the wake of his ascension to the presidency. He had promised open and honest government, and vetoing a Freedom of Information Act might not be viewed as consistent with either openness or honesty.
Ford eventually was persuaded to veto the bill with the help of a trio of advisors: his Chief of Staff, Donald Rumsfeld; his deputy Chief of Staff, Dick Cheney; and the head of the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, Antonin Scalia. An ominous early assemblage of an evil cabal we know only too well today.
The veto was overridden by Congress and the amendments became law. In the intervening years it has proven to be an invaluable tool to rein in the kind of government arrogance and abuse that is exemplified so well by the Nixon era that preceded its passage.
It's just too bad that the people responsible for the veto could not also have been overridden so that today we would not have to be suffering still from their destructive, self-serving, and hostile policies.
Gerald Ford was originally named "Rudoplh King", and his adpotive parents changed his name to Gerald Rudolph Ford. Posted by DPD on December 27, 2006 at 12:55 AM
Close DPD, but no cigar. I do give you points for knowing his last name was "King" and that he was adpoted though.
Gerald Rudolph Ford was born Leslie King Jr. in Omaha, Neb., on July 14, 1913, the only child of Leslie and Dorothy Gardner King. His parents were divorced.
Inside TV News: We Were Silenced by the Drums of War
By Jeff Cohen
t r u t h o u t | Guest Contributor
Ford eventually was persuaded to veto the bill with the help of a trio of advisors: his Chief of Staff, Donald Rumsfeld; his deputy Chief of Staff, Dick Cheney; and the head of the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, Antonin Scalia. An ominous early assemblage of an evil cabal we know only too well today.
Posted by Domingo on December 27, 2006 at 08:31 PM
Seems that there are some names that continuously crop up through the decades and presidential administrations: Rumsfeld, Cheney, Antonin Scalia.
Hmm......... like Satan's name throughout the Bible.
President Ford was wrong to pardon Nixon. I may have just been a little kid back in the 70's but Nixon was a disgrace! I also remember when Nixon was president how the fake gas shortage was done to double the prices of gasoline!
By 2040, Greenhouse Gases Could Lead to an Open Arctic Sea in Summers
By Andrew C. Revkin
Iraqis fear more violence after Saddam hanging
http://euronews.net/create_html.php?page=detail_info&article=398107&lng=1
Iran Is Seeking More Influence in Afghanistan
By DAVID ROHDE
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/27/world/asia/27afghan.ready.html?ref=world
Seems that there are some names that continuously crop up through the decades and presidential administrations: Rumsfeld, Cheney, Antonin Scalia. hmm......... like Satan's name throughout the Bible. Posted by J on December 27, 2006 at 09:15 PM
Yes J, we can't get rid of these crooks. Here's a Post about that I put on this blog three years ago.
The difference I see is that there are democrats who are corrupt, but this administration (not all republicans) is corrupt in a different and more sinister way. They are organized corruption. Like the difference between petty crimes and the Mafia. Posted by Darwin :: 12/13/03 01:11 PM
Darwin, the Republican Party is an organized crime syndicate just like the Mafia. They are all the same people since the days of the Nixon administration. They keep committing crimes and getting convicted for them. But they just keep giving each other pardons and bringing each other back every time they win or steal an election. If an honest judge finds them guilty, a crooked republican judge will overturn their conviction. They talk a good game about strong law inforcement toward everyone else, but they have contempt for and believe to be above the law themselves. Posted by Domingo::12/13/03
More people died in the war against Japan than were killed at Pearl Harbor and so it goes in the war on terror.
Posted by BlueMoon
Comparing the Iraq occupation to WWII is ridiculous. Iraq didn't attack us. This is a war of choice...a real bad choice. Comparing the deaths from the two is even more ridiculous.
Our troops were on the offensive and had a clear mission in WWII. In Iraq the stated reasons for being there are as shifting as the sands.
Soliders lives and limbs are being sacrificed in Iraq to the whims of a bunch of nitwits. We are not fighting a war...only holding down the fort for the oil companies and Bush finally admitted it before Thanksgiving. It's outrageous that this is being allowed to continue.
Any war against the terrorists should be waged in Pakistan where al Queada is held up and being protected. But the chickenhawks have no stomach for fighting those with nukes, so they threaten and invade others. No wonder every other country in the region now has announced they are going to develop a bomb, too,...just as soon as Pakistan shares the intel and materials.
You expect your troops to die in a real war, but never as part of a publicity stunt. And that's exactly what I've decided this occupation is.
Seems that there are some names that continuously crop up through the decades and presidential administrations: Rumsfeld, Cheney, Antonin Scalia. hmm......... like Satan's name throughout the Bible.
Posted by J on December 27, 2006 at 09:15 PM
J,
Did you get a load of those old newsclips of the Boys From Brazil back in the Ford era. What a slick group of operators...greezers all. And the GOP had enough nerve to call Clinton a Slick Willy.
Not to disparge the dead, but Gerald Ford WAS wrong to pardon Richard Nixon. As I said this morning, the pardon helped the country stop our fanatical viewing of the Watergte mess and start moving forward. But in the long run we all knew that Ford saved Nixon from further prosecution as a private citizen. The pardon also closed the book on the case - no further prosecution, no further digging.
J,
Did you get a load of those old newsclips of the Boys From Brazil back in the Ford era. What a slick group of operators...greezers all. And the GOP had enough nerve to call Clinton a Slick Willy.
Posted by SandyH on December 27, 2006 at 09:34 PM
Oh yeah SandyH, I saw them! Oh they called Bill "Slick Willy" because these folks know that Clinton is basically cut from the same cloth politically, BUT he does everything with taste and class, something these folks have not a clue to. See bill had "raisin" or what we call "hometraining". That pack of Rove, Cheney, etc. act like they were raised by wolves.
The GOP and that gaggle of wingnuts wanted so desperately to say that Monica Lewinsky was raped and that the sex wasn't consentual. Ha! Any woman white or black is gonna take a second look at Slick Willy. He ain't exactly grated cheese there.
And now he's got that salt n'pepper hair? Damn!
That pack of Rove, Cheney, etc. act like they were raised by wolves.
J,
Wolves are actually shy and gentle creatures. These guys act more like they were raised by fire ants...or piss ants if you prefer.
Nixon should have been impeached; but when the Democratic Congress let him resign, I didn't see anything wrong with Ford granting him a pardon. The public disgrace and being ostercized by society was more in keeping with the way the ancient Greeks handled these kinds of corruption situations. It was very civilized.
Nowdays, none of the crooks have the good grace to resign...they all go into rehab to emerge Born Again Christians...yeah, as if any of them have an ounce of Christian charity in their make up.
Or they brazen it out like nothing untowards really happened. I don't want impeachment for Bush and Cheney...I want their hides. They don't deserve civilized.
Woodward's latest in WaPo ...
Former president Gerald R. Ford said in an embargoed interview in July 2004 that the Iraq war was not justified. "I don't think I would have gone to war," he said a little more than a year after President Bush had launched the invasion advocated and carried out by prominent veterans of Ford's own administration.
In a four-hour conversation at his house in Beaver Creek, Colo., Ford "very strongly" disagreed with the current president's justifications for invading Iraq and said he would have pushed alternatives, such as sanctions, much more vigorously. In the tape-recorded interview, Ford was critical not only of Bush but also of Vice President Cheney -- Ford's White House chief of staff -- and then-Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, who served as Ford's chief of staff and then his Pentagon chief.
"Rumsfeld and Cheney and the president made a big mistake in justifying going into the war in Iraq. They put the emphasis on weapons of mass destruction," Ford said. "And now, I've never publicly said I thought they made a mistake, but I felt very strongly it was an error in how they should justify what they were going to do."
In a conversation that veered between the current realities of a war in the Middle East and the old complexities of the war in Vietnam whose bitter end he presided over as president, Ford took issue with the notion of the United States entering a conflict in service of the idea of spreading democracy.
The interview was embargoed until after Ford's death.
-- Josh Marshall
There will be a bit of discussion about how best to honor Ford. But, in truth, the best way to honor this former President is to close the Constitutional loophole that allowed him to become President. The presidency is already too regal to permit chief executives to annoint their successors--and, perhaps, to extract the promise of a full presidential pardon or some other favor, as critics suggested Nixon did with Ford.
It would be better to return to the old, pre-25th Amendment, practice of allowing an abandoned vice presidential office to remain vacant and allowing the Speaker of the House to assume the presidency in an emergency situation. It would be better still to set up a healthier procedure--perhaps even a special national election, along the lines regularly employed in other countries--to choose a new vice president.
Whatever the solution, the fact remains that something should be done.
There is a great deal of talk these days about how best to cure what ails American democracy. There are plenty of issues to address. But if Americans ever get serious about restoring the battered infrastructure of democracy, they will want to close the loopholes that allow someone who has never faced the great mass of American voters--and, theoretically, who has not faced any voters--to become President.
don't miss this Parry article on Moonies and Money
then wash your brain
Posted by fade2bluz on December 27, 2006 at 10:28 PM
I'm not the least bit surprised. Only Laura Bush still supports this fiasco. Ford was only stating the obvious. I'm glad he allowed Woodward to tape the conversation.
It sounds like Ford didn't like any of Bush's stated reasons for invading. They are after all a pack of lies. It was one big publicity stunt, so Bush could run as a war president...and apparently even Ford knew it.
How much do you want to bet that the White House doesn't release the hanging of Saddam as a video news release...and as a Scholastic supplement for school kids to color?
Posted by fade2bluz on December 27, 2006 at 10:40 PM
fade,
We should have exposed the Moonie link with the GOP to the fundies years ago.
If they think the Mormons are a cult, they will positively swoon when they find out about the self-proclaimed Korean Messiah...golden crown and all.
How much do you want to bet that the White House doesn't release the hanging of Saddam as a video news release...and as a Scholastic supplement for school kids to color?
Posted by SandyH on December 27, 2006 at 10:41 PM
hi Sandy,
i'm so glad i checked back to find this! LMAO
the Parry information is not new, but then--who knows but we the wingnuts?
arghhhhhhh you can't make this stuff up.
have a good evening, gf. see you in the morning
these sacks of shit are going to document the destruction of the planet but are not going to advance any analysis of the situation nor any solution. they just want to count the bodies as they float by and go tsk, tsk:
Agency Proposes to List Polar Bears as Threatened
By FELICITY BARRINGER and ANDREW C. REVKIN
Published: December 28, 2006
WASHINGTON, Dec. 27 — The Interior Department proposed Wednesday to designate polar bears as a threatened species, saying that the accelerating loss of the Arctic ice that is the bears’ hunting platform has led biologists to believe that bear populations will decline, perhaps sharply, in the coming decades.
The Interior Department proposed designating polar bears as a threatened species. The bears’ population is 20,000 to 25,000.
Many experts on the Arctic say that global warming is causing the ice to melt and that the warming is at least partly the result of the atmospheric buildup of heat-trapping gases from tailpipes and smokestacks. The plight of the polar bear has been held up by environmentalists as a symbol of global warming caused by humans.
But in a conference call with reporters, Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne said that although his decision to seek protection for polar bears acknowledged the melting of the Arctic ice, his department was not taking a position on why the ice was melting or what to do about it.
just went back and read some of the november seven and eight threads. goddam that was some night.
see you in the morning.
Good Night Everyone who just settled in for the night.
I will be reading some back posts and checking out the Party Builder. I'll be here if anyone wants to chat.
:)
A MYSTERIOUS teenage boy believed by some to be a reincarnation of Lord Buddha has reappeared in eastern Nepal after vanishing for nine months.
Sixteen-year-old Ram Bahadur Bamjon was spotted on Sunday by villagers in the remote and dense forests near Piluwa village in Bara district, 150km east of Kathmandu, said local journalist Raju Shrestha, who visited the boy.
Bamjon disappeared in March from the forests in nearby Ratanpuri village where he had reportedly been meditating without food or water for almost 10 months.
"I have been wandering in the forests since then," Shrestha quoted Bamjon as telling him.
"I am engaged in devotion which will continue for six years," the boy told Shrestha.
Hundreds of curious onlookers, including many Buddhists, thronged the site to see the boy, sitting in a meditating position.
A local TV station showed people pressing their palms together and lowering their heads in devotion in front of him.
"I don't think he is a Buddha. But he has some sort of extra strength to meditate. He eats herbs," Shrestha said.
Before his disappearance, an estimated 100,000 people from Hindu-majority Nepal and neighbouring India flocked to see him meditate. They were not allowed to get closer than 50m.
www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C20974789-1702%2C00.html
A boddisattva would be a welcome addition right about now. The world perhaps can not wait six years.
G'night
Okay, this one's for GregL.
I will try to keep this short and to the point.
1. I have not, nor have I ever been a SNOB! So don't you ever call me that again!
2. It's impossible for me to be anti-intellectual because I have such an utter and complete disdain for IDIOTS.
3. I have no problem with anyone from Yale University or any other University for that matter.I just have a problem with people who think they deserve a free platform because of where they went to school. I only made one comment about Ms. Ebonyna with regards to Yale and you are the one who went off.(What's really going on?)
4. As far as the Washington Posts political leaning debate goes. It's easy to argue that they are "neutral" when the whole nation hates their Republican President and his Republican Congress, hell even Fox News has leaned a little to the center in the wake of their pathetic Loser in Chief and his Congressional Cronies , but watch what hapenes as soon as we get the 2008 Election going. Wait till after everyone has thrown in their ticket to run and then, we'll talk about the bias WaPo has in favor of the Republicans. I'll bet you today. the Republican candidates will become their GODs!
That's all. Have a nice day.
:)
There is no debate about the Washington Posts political leanings. They are liberal just like the NY times. Why would you even argue such a point?Posted by BlueMoon on December 28, 2006 at 02:37 AM
"Yawn" It's not gonna work this TIME.
:)
Have a great night.
TELL CONGRESS TO STOP FUNDING THE WAR.
SIGN THIS PETITION!( Scroll Down )
It's Time For We the People to Demand a Defund of This War and stop allowing our Tax Dollars to be used to kill and maim our OWN TROOPS!
Click on the words (Sign This Petition) on the previous link.
Or click on my name to tell your member of Congress to stop funding this war. We should, at the very least, do this so that they can officially go on record as to where they stand on this. If they don't respond, let us all know so we can flood their offices with petitions and phonecalls. We need to get a statement from all of them so they can all be held accountable.
They told us on the Campaign trail that "Together We Can Do Betterem>!"
Well, let's remind our Democratic Leadership that we can't do better Sittin on our Butts.
Something's funky with this link. I apologize about that. Let's try again.
Click here >>>>>>> End Funds Petition
OMG!,
I'm getting annoyed. I'll do it the old fashioned way. If it does'nt work this time, go to the website Democrats.Orq
www.democrats.com
I'm done with that one.
Good Day, ALL!
I just got an e-mail from John Edwards. Here's how it starts out:
I'm writing to you from New Orleans, where tomorrow I will announce that I am a candidate for president of the United States.
I'm announcing here because no place better demonstrates the two Americas I've talked about for a long time. But even more important, no place better demonstrates the power people have when they -- not Washington -- take responsibility and take action to build the America we believe in.
You can go to JohnEdwards.com to see the video of what he's going to say.
Posted by DPD on December 28, 2006 at 04:02 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for posting that. It was very hard for me to decide between Barack Obama and John Edwards. I have been very careful not to say anything negative about him because he very well may be the one who I actively Campaign for in the Primaries should Barack Obama decided not to run.
I proudly voted for John Edwards in the 2004 Primary and I would be just as enthusiastic about doing so in the future.................................
................If barack Obama decides not to run of course.
;p
QUESTION:
When we do win in 2008, are the trolls still going to be annoying us with their silly little non-issue posts?
Just wondering.
' p
*Still Remembering President Ford*Posted by pee-wee on December 27, 2006 at 02:25 PM
OMG! Okay, when you look at this clip of James Brown, this time, don't watch him. Look at the PEOPLE around him. It's halarious! I almost hit the floor laughing. Oh my, oh my. I can't believe they would even want to be seen on camera dancing like that.That's so funny. Check it out. They are all up in their own world too. (ROFLMAO)
It's what they are paid to do. You can't "cure" stupid.Posted by DPD on December 28, 2006 at 04:26 AM
I suppose. (sign). Hey, check out my last post.
One of those guys dancing literally looks likes he's waving in an airplane for landing. I kid you not.
OMG. My stomache hurts now.
Hi Folks....just killing a few minutes before "de Boss" gets up to go to work....how about Edwards/Obama?
FOS, that was a REAL dance, called "The Frug". (Pronounced, "froog"). It's what the former hep-cats were doing back then. At least it wasn't full of white guys with Afros, like the late '70's.
Hi Folks....just killing a few minutes before "de Boss" gets up to go to work....how about Edwards/Obama?Posted by goodfoe on December 28, 2006 at 04:50 AM
I like it. Looks like a slam dunk winning ticket to me. Plus, we won't have to deal with any racial tensions because Edwards just loves the heck out of Black folks (even when the cameras are off which can't be said about many others) and Obama is half White so you know he's going to treat Edwards like a brutha.
' p
FOS, that was a REAL dance, called "The Frug". (Pronounced, "froog"). It's what the former hep-cats were doing back then. At least it wasn't full of white guys with Afros, like the late '70's.Posted by DPD on December 28, 2006 at 04:59 AM
Awwww Ha Ha Ha ! OMG.
The Fruuuuuug huh?
Okay. Did you check out the dude with the sweatervest waving in airplanes? (LOL) How about the chick with the bandana? She looked like she was performing a sayance (sp)
Oh, my. It reminds me of the High School dances where those of us who knew how to dance would take a short break and watch others who had no rhythm at all. Funny thing. They just stood there waving their arms too and doing something funny with their heads like they were looking for something. The only difference was it was side to side as opposed to up and down.(LOL)
The 1980"s ...... We all sucked !
If Obama is on the head of the ticket, he's going to be smeared big time by the Rat Party, "Not enough experience", and so forth, if he is in the no 2 spot, he has 4-8 years to gain more exp. and so on....I would like to see him on the top of the ticket now but fear that McCain would win on the experience issue. I sent Obama a copy of our book a while back, got a nice letter back from him. slick on my screen name if you would like to see our book, it's about health care.
Posted by goodfoe on December 28, 2006 at 05:12 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh ,So that's your actual book ? Oh. I saw that cover before somewhere else I can't recall when or where, but that's pretty cool. Right On!
:)
Screw McVane. Between the 4 top contenders for the Pugs, (Romney, McVane, Gingrich, and Guillianni) they have, what, 11 wives?
On the real though about John Edwards. I'm actually looking forward to his speech because we need to hear some uplifting words. There's been so much stress with HORRIBLE direction that this nation is headed and with everyone dropping dead on us, we just need some hope and some patriotic exhortation.I'm so looking forward to hearing his speech.
Will it be in the morning?
Posted by DPD on December 28, 2006 at 05:19 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Warren Jeffs wing of the Republican Party, I believe.
LOL.
I don't know when Edward's announcement will be, but I'm glad that it will interrupt that orgy for the corpse that the MSM has been wallowing in for the past few days. Ford didn't get this much press when he was stinking up the joint for 30 years in DC, and it took him dying for anybody to think of anything notable that he did, that was beneficial to the Country.
At least the golf courses are safe from errant balls now.
HEY DPD!
The next time some troll attacks you and accuses you of having issues with hate and anger, I want you to tell them;
"Oh, perhalps I should have a much softer gentler demeaner like this guy."
After all. He's soft spoken and has a soft gentle peaceful voice too.
ROFLMAO!
I got an email from Edwards...seems that an aid posted his presidential webb site a day early....he's makimg the anouncement today from New Orleans...He's a good persom....got smeared last time because he was a trial lawyer....that caca won't work this time...if the Rats try that again, it will backfire big time!
Screw the trolls. I haven't got a mean bone in my body. The trolls are just projecting THEIR OWN hate and anger because they are expecting (and FEARING) the worst for them, and the Best for the Country...DEMOCRATS DOING OVERSIGHT!
They spent 30 years telling lies about Dems, and now the chickens are scared s***less about being held accountable for THEIR actions.
Posted by DPD on December 28, 2006 at 05:29 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh,DPD. That's rough dude. C'Mon now. Let's try to muster up something for the "position" or the "office" even though we have not a drop of respect for the man.
I went back and looked at Sen. Edwards email..it does not say what time he is making his ann. in New Orleans. It does say that later he will be in Des Moins and have a live town hall meeting that you can participate in by clicking on JohnEdwards.com...looks like a very busy day for the young man! At 6PM est
Oh No.
That video doesn't look too smart. You got a White Southerner talking about being President with a bunch of Black Children tilling the ground in New Orleans where the very first African Slaves were brought.
Someone could totally take that the wrong way.
Dang it!
:(
Is it me , people ? Or do you not see the "Plantationishness" in this video?
Please,tell me it's just me. It's the first thing I thought of when I saw the video.I know he's not like that, but I can't help what popped into my head.
Look at it and tell me if it's just me.
It's just YOU! He stated up front that he was in the 9th Ward, and those were kids "rebuilding houses". Gee, who do you think used to LIVE in the 9th Ward, fat lazy white Republicans??
Sometimes you read too much veiled racism into things.
J,
When you come in, please look at that video clip and tell me if I'm making a big deal out of nothing. Please tell me I'm just being hypersensitive. please tell me the Republicans are NOT gonna be able to use THAT clip to make John Edwards look bad.
Please.
He was doing so well too."Why Johnny? Why? "
Sometimes you read too much veiled racism into things.Posted by DPD on December 28, 2006 at 06:12 AM
Oh. Okay. Thank you. I needed that. Snap me back, DPD. I can always count on you for that.
Whew!
Thanks, because I was strait trippin for a seconed there.
;)
How on Earth can Edwards volunteering to work with a bunch of locals be considered anything other than volunteering to work with a bunch of locals?
If it was W, he'd be volunteering to cut a few lines of coke for the PUG WASP's while they snort coke off the ass of some male hooker, then he'd say 'Whew!, That was hard work".
Posted by DPD on December 28, 2006 at 06:21 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You're right. No. You're right. I'm okay. Really. I mean, I can see if it were George Allen, then , yes but this is John Edwards we're talking about. What was I thinking? This guy LOVES Black people when the cameras are off so, yeah. I just lost my mind for a split second. I'm cool. I'm strait. It's all good. Whew!
Thanks.
Do you remember when Little Prince Georgie was pretending to help build a house in NOLA?
Oh, BTW, after the alcoholic crack-head left, the wall he "helped" build had to be taken apart and rebuilt so that it was safe.
The Rats will try anyway they can to smear all Dem's.......it's not going to work!!!!And Edwards is aok working with a bunch of black kids in New Orleans....that's a hell of a lot more than W did who just went there for photo ops and left...
Have you ever watched Bush try to drive a nail with a hammer?....really pathetic....it's no wonder the wall had to be rebuilt...he can't even drive a nail straight, muchless manage this government correctly...
Posted by DPD on December 28, 2006 at 06:34 AM~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember. You're right. I know. It was temperary insanity that's all. Sorry .
Posted by goodfoe on December 28, 2006 at 06:37 AM~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That's true. That's so true. George Bush literally had to grab a Black man and make him hug him. I remember that. You're right.
It's snowing right now here in Green Bay.
It's the pretty fluffy white stuff too.
Hi J,
Hey, Go back to to my earlier post. Look at the people dancing around James Brown. It's halarious girl.
Good Morning, J.
I'm getting ready to head out to Lake Geneva for a day or so. I hope FOS keeps the snow up there.
FOS
I will take my time later to look at the clip and assess...... I know I have been accused of viewing the entire world through a race prism and that accusation has at times had a little merit.
BUT and I say BUT again, people MUST understand that when one deal with race on a daily/hourly basis it is extremely difficult to do otherwise. I mean my racial antennae stay up at all times. And many times I don't perceive anything or if there is something racial, the intent wasn't purposeful, just some insensitivity on the part the other party. BUT I can also read purposeful intent in a heartbeat.
Doing fine this AM goodfoe
DPD, where is Lake Geneva? Have fun and take care.
I'm getting ready to head out to Lake Geneva for a day or so. I hope FOS keeps the snow up there.Posted by DPD on December 28, 2006 at 06:56 AM
I'm gonna go home, have my cup of tea and just enjoy the beauty.
:)
Oh girl what are talking about?? I probably was one them out there shakin' it up and shakin' it down. :)
Godfather had it goin' on!
Oh FOS that snow is beautiful I know, so lovely, so far away and I in Florida so far away from it.
It's 36 degrees here and without the snow that's enough for us. :)
Godfather had it goin' on!Posted by J on December 28, 2006 at 07:02 AM
No.Did you LOOK at the people dancing? It's halarious.
FOS
See you addressed the Ebonya Washington issue. I took the scientific route and stated flatly that the study was flawed and why using research anaylsis.
And this woman graduated from Yale?
No.Did you LOOK at the people dancing? It's halarious.
Posted by FreedomOfSpeechForBarackObama2008 on December 28, 2006 at 07:08 AM
Oh yeah, those were the dances of that time. when I look back, I have to laugh too.
Lake Geneva is a resort town in Wisconsin, about 90 miles north of me. It's pretty cool (expensive as all get out, especially in Summer), where the Wrigley family has about a gazillion estates. It's where the idle rich from Chicago hang their hats whenever the mood hits. Sorta like the Hamptons of the MidWest.
Morning, Dems. I really like Edwards. We shall see how this all plays out, but I could vote for him.
Oh yeah, those were the dances of that time. when I look back, I have to laugh too.Posted by J on December 28, 2006 at 07:16 AM
Halarious. The girl in the bandana and the dude flinging his arms.
Oh, my.
Hi CYN
:)
Posted by DPD on December 28, 2006 at 07:16 AM
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There ya go. keep talking us up.
Cha Ching!
:)
listen to DPD people. he knows what he's talking about. Look at the snow sculptures. They are awesome. Come. Come to Wisconsin. Come.
;p
DPD
Rubbin' elbows with the Wrigley's, huh. You go DPD. Have fun, hope you enjoy.
Everything about society can be explained by economics. While the naive and the romantic might believe in the influence of other fact