Tuesday Open Thread
What's on your mind?
Comments (246) «
The worst "way forward" in Iraq
At least the Decider is consistent. From the start, his administration's approach to this botched war has been to sort through all the tactical alternatives and pick the most counterproductive — send too few troops, disband the Iraqi army, stand by while looters destroy critical infrastructure and the social order, allow sectarian militias to fill the power vacuum, make reconstruction an afterthought and put know-nothings in charge of it.
Globalization is not free trade!
The class politics of this new world economic order is obscured by the confused language that filters the globalization debate from talk radio to Congressional hearings to university seminars. On the one hand, we are told that the flow of money and goods across borders is making nation-states obsolete. On the other, global economic competition is almost always defined as conflict among national interests. Thus, for example, the US press warns us of a dire economic threat from China. Yet much of the "Chinese" menace is a business partnership between China's commissars, who supply the cheap labor, and America's (and Japan's and Europe's) capitalists, who supply the technology and capital. "World poverty" is likewise framed as an issue of the distribution of wealth between rich and poor countries, ignoring the existence of rich people in poor countries and poor people in rich countries.
The conventional wisdom makes globalization synonymous with "free trade" among autonomous nations. Yet as Renato Ruggiero, the first director-general of the World Trade Organization, noted in a rare moment of candor, "We are no longer writing the rules of interaction among separate national economies. We are writing the constitution of a single global economy." (Emphasis added.)
DLC folks are a bunch of con artists.
I didn't realize that whites were a minority.
To begin with, and to place things in some perspective before getting into a larger philosophical discourse about race-based scholarships on principle, a few things should be noted. First, although white students often think that so-called minority scholarships are a substantial drain on financial aid resources that would otherwise be available to them, nothing could be further from the truth. According to a national study by the General Accounting Office, less than four percent of scholarship money in the U.S. is represented by awards that consider race as a factor at all, while only 0.25 percent (that's one quarter of one percent for the math challenged) of all undergrad scholarship dollars come from awards that are restricted to persons of color alone (1). In other words, whites are fully capable of competing for and receiving any of the other monies--roughly 99.75 percent of all the bucks out there for college. But apparently, that's just not good enough for the likes of the BU Republicans. One quarter of one percent of all scholarship money, and yet that is the "worst form of bigotry confronting America today." The suggestion would be laughable were it not so sad; so indicative of a fundamental break with the ability to think critically and logically about the world.
THOSE DARN FACTS AGAIN!
As Disney forgot which side of the War on Christmas they are suppose to be on? I'm sure O'Lielly will be calling for a ban very soon. ;)
Santa Look-a-Like Gets In Trouble At Disney
I posted this on the other thread "Healthcare Challenges in Rural America" that Tracy had on the front page. This issue is up-close and personal to me because my partner of 11 years is Poz.
My partner has been Poz for 24 years, full-blown for most of that. When we lived in Florida, he was getting stellar care. He was fit and healthy, able to do most anything. His doctor was also Poz and together, they worked out regimes that kept them both in good physical condition, from meds, to foods and workout routines.
I got a job in NC and we had to move back to my home state. The lack of funding and the complete ignorance about HIV treatments of the doctors here was (and still is) a rude shock to the system. Since we've been here, one doctor withheld his medication and admitted to having put my partner in a control-group to see how long it would take persons without meds to sicken and die.
We only found that out AFTER my partner confronted the doctor about not having renewed the necessary prescriptions after months of requests and visits. Gee thanks, Dr Mengele :-\
Another doctor (a practitioner, not a real doctor -- but the ONLY recourse in that rural area) has misprescribed numerous times. Over twenty of her patients (whom we knew) have died from neglect or misprescribing. In NC, one has NO legal recourse for this sort of incompetence.
Well, the doctor my partner had after the aforementioned witch-doctor landed him in the emergency room, said that one possibly could go after an incompetent doctor, but it required a note from another doctor. When my partner asked for such a note, the doctor said (and I quote) "no doctor will." It was the truth. A known patient-killer is still allowed to practice medicine (and still as badly). The prevailing attitude is one of "who cares if we kill off a few queers and n----rs".
That's beyond disgusting -- it's outright repulsive. The ones who like to wrap themselves in Christian camouflage are exactly the same ones who tried to burn a cross on my partner's front yard long ago. The only difference we perceive is the lack of kerosene in later-day encounters with these vicious and willfully-ignorant arseholes.
At UNC-CH, my partner's doctors dispensed Leviticus instead of care, as if that was supposed to keep him alive. He informed them that he was perfectly able to pray by himself (and often does), but sometimes the proper recourse is correct diagnoses and treatments.
At NC Baptist, the doctors "forget" to return phone calls for scrip renewals, often for weeks at a time. When my partner had a heart attack this last February, he did get exceptional care at the Cone CICU. I and his attending doctors called Baptist multiple times a day to obtain the records his attending needed. The cardiologist called several times a day and I called at least once daily. Quite often, my partner has done without vital medications for weeks at a time.
The only way to stay ahead of HIV and its attendant OI's is to stay on medication and take it faithfully.
Not one single phone call was returned during that time. A couple of months back, my partner called ahead to make sure that his prescriptions didn't run out during the holidays. After a month of daily calls, he's STILL waiting for about half of them.
You see, it's not just a matter of funding. There is an HUGE amount of education that needs to be done. Quoting Leviticus at persons living with HIV provides no care and tends only to piss off everyone involved. That attitude only differs from any other bigotry by the thickness of a sheet.
Republican fearmongering and disinformation have been particularly effective at creating divisions and tensions in southern rural states. They have made an art-form out of promoting every vile form of discrimination. No amount of funding will ever fix that. Funding for HIV treatment will be welcomed, most certainly, but until we have quality, educated physicians instead of Leviticus-spouting witch-doctors, the problems faced by PWA's will never improve, nor will we ever see any letup in the pandemic.
Posted by HillWilliam on December 19, 2006 at 10:01 AM
Globalization is not free trade!
Many electronic products are routinely, and often illegally, shipped from Europe, Japan and the US to China. Dumping them there is cheaper than taking proper care of them at home.
Because our mobile phones, computers and other electronic products are made using toxic ingredients, workers at yards such as in Guiyu, China, risk exposure when they break the products apart by hand, under appalling conditions. Guiyu is where this boy is sitting. This is what "free trade" looks like.
If this were truly "globalization", those workers would not be exposed to those toxic ingredients.
PamB...Thx for your help on the prior thread..I don't know what is going on...the numbers I Posted were right off the ss letter I got yesterfay...I did not know how to post that link correctly, so "the boss" posted it for me at 6:19AM on the prior thread. I just tried to post it here butI screwed it up.It's hard to teach an "old Dawg" new tricks. Sorry about that..
HW, medical care in general is slipping. Even has a healthy person you get 30 minutes of waiting for 5 minutes of the Doctor's time. I'm always shocked to hear that there are scientists 20+ years later that still refuse to understand HIV and it's treatments. Even more shocked that they set themselves up as judge, jury and essentially executioner based on their zealot beliefs.
HillWilliam...I was going to ask you how the real estate transaction is going, but after reading what your partner is going through, I don't know what to say. I have not got the words to express my thoughts in this....we had some good posts yesterday on health care, I don't know if you saw them. I have been fighting the system...but nothing like what you are going through...those people who are quoting the Bible to your partner have forgottrn part of it...something about "Judge Not, lest ye be judged"...Jesus was about love, acceptance and he did not descrimiate and was not judgemental of the poor, the naked, the sick...He was judgemental of those in authority who abused the common folk...
TYRANNY BY THE MAJORITY
The constitutional amendment banning affirmative action based on race and gender in public education, public employment and public contracting goes into effect this week.
Below average black folks are good enough to play on their football teams, but above average black folks aren't good enough to step foot on campus. ELITIST BASTARDS!
Sheesh! I push the post button mindlessly!! For the minimum security link scroll to bottom of page these cartoons are not listed in archive page yet (no separate links). Sorry for additional post.
Globalization is not free trade!
New ‘maquiladora’ plants near the U.S. border hired about 500,000 workers, but over 1.4 million jobs were lost as tens of thousands of businesses closed between 1994 and 1998. What’s more, the new maquiladoras so not pay workers a living wage. The cost of living in Mexico is now triple what it was in 1994, but wages are 27% lower than their 1994 level. The number of Mexicans living in poverty has increased by almost 20%, and the minimum wage in Mexico has lost nearly half of its purchasing power. Mexico’s small farmers have been particularly hurt under NAFTA’s provisions
If this were truly "globalization", illegal employees would have jobs and benefits that would look a lot like ours- in their homeland!
Marine...Sorry I missed you this AM...Posted back to you last night at 11:37 but you were allrady gpne..I have to go now...Ill try to catch you later...
Pee-Wee,
Globalization is not free trade!!
One of the reasons the Al Quaeda (Osama bin Laden) hit the World Trade Center was to raise awarenesss to the issue you raise here with this link. Poverty and third world gouging in the name of prosperity, and ultimateloy free trade. Think for a minute, that's really all you need, of Afghanistan in 2001 when our warplanes were dropping mega ton bombs on people that did not even have running water. Then you can understand the outrage that these Islamic countries feel for anything "West".
The most insane thing is that our President thinks we can still win this war. That is complete nonsense.
goodfoe,
hmmm, I wonder why your SS paperwork shows over $100 for Medicare, while my husband's shows $88.50?
Strange.
The Republican That Regressives Love To Hate
News of the Bell tragedy quickly opened up old wounds within the African-American community and raised ghosts of previous shooting incidents in which unarmed Black men ended up on the wrong side of the law’s gun. Sharpton and Bloomberg’s spirit of cooperation and goodwill may have helped keep those tensions at bay so far but the New York Police Department is doing little to help ensure this delicate balance. Recent police raids tied to the shooting are starting to test the patience of Black leaders who have been preaching calm to their constituents until a full investigation is completed.
Yet, my friends seem to think that European-Americans are the real victims.
The most insane thing is that our President thinks we can still win this war. That is complete nonsense.
Posted by davidual on December 19, 2006 at 11:00 AM
the problem is, this was a Lost Cause the moment that bush decided to make this illegal invasion and occupation! This is no war, never was! This was a preemptive strike on an impotent country, that they full well knew had no WMDs, nor terrorists. They used 9/11 as an excuse to get a foot hole in the Middle East where the neo cons had been dying to get into!
And in the meantime, our boys are like fish in a tank, getting picked off at the rate of 100+ per month, for this Lie !
In 1987 we witnessed the fall of the Soviet Union. It pains me to say this, but if we stay the course, and even increase our resources in this war, then 2007 we will witness the fall of the United States. We cannot continue to ignore our infrastructure needs to enable increased expenditure for junior's, and the media's war.
Posted by davidual on December 19, 2006 at 11:15 AM
Oh davidual, didn't you know that the great REagan himself brought down the USSR? Silly goose! :)
BlueinIdaho on December 19, 2006 at 11:19 AM,
Blue,
I wish I still had that shore front property in Arizona. I'd offer to sell it to you, but it's an old line, very much over used, you know, kind of like the line about Reagan bringing down the Soviet Union; ha. Single handedly, too!! Uphill both ways... Jesus...and people believed that crap, and still do!!
Globalization is not free trade!
The World Bank's own auditing arm has confirmed what many anti-poverty campaigners have long been saying: the Bank's projects did not adequately reduce poverty levels in borrowing nations over the past five years.
This is not "globalization". This is economic exploitation.
Blue,
Here is my favorite interpretation of the Reagan years, brought to you youtube and one of my favorite rock bands -- Genesis!!
pee-wee on December 19, 2006 at 11:34 AM,
That is what we've been saying here for the past year, and anybody that did not see this five, ten, fifteen, even thirty years ago is more than likely too wrapped up in their own "success". Or, is that excess?
Well, I have to go out for a while. To any who think the work is over because democrats took control of the house and senate, all I can say is, the work has yet to begin!! But, hey, celebrate, be happy, have a good Christmas and a Happy New Years celebration, for 2007 and 2008 will be very arduous years.
See you, some time later.
To any who think the work is over because democrats took control of the house and senate, all I can say is, the work has yet to begin!!
david, I plan on keeping these ball-less Democrat's feet to the flame, same as we did to the Republicans!
Last night's Scarborough, they were laughing at 'timid Reid', too afraid to go against Bush and say that sending in more troops is a huge mistake, when all the Generals and 85% of the American public are all saying it!
PamB,
I have to go, but in response to 'Scarborough', this is the new republican tactic. Bush will promote bad policy and legislation time and again as a way of obstucting the democratic congress, and if the democrats get to loud about it they will be cast as the obstructionist'. I thinking, hoping actually, that Reid knows this and that is why he came out with the statement that he did.
He must know that sending in more troops is not the answer. How the democrats respond to the outrageous neo-conservatives still in the press will help them make legislative progress.
See ya!!
The new Secretary of Defense Gates (who apparently is a Bush clone) says that if we withdraw from Iraq now that "our reputation will be harmed" -- I believe that has already happened. And that if we pull out the action will be a "calamity that will haunt the US for years" -- but so will staying, so his party-line (oops, Bush-line) arguments won't hold water.
It seems to me that having an incompetent, mentally challenged, morally depleted, and mindless administration in charge of "saving" another country while ours goes down in flames is not the best idea.
I have an idea! Let's all send Bush bills for the "war" -- let's see: $2 billion a week. Maybe he could, oh, pay a couple of million a week to keep it going, since he wants to so bad. And, to show that he really supports the "war", I believe his two daughters could enlist in one of the armed forces. Now that would really show that he's sincere in his wanting to save our country from terrorism.
Goodfoe, I saw that comment on civilian vs. military leadership and wanted to point something out. Prior to the invasion of Iraq the family members of a very large group of Marines petitioned the United States Government on behalf of their Marines. These Marines believed that the invasion of Iraq would become what it has become, though to tell you the truth I don't think that we expected it to be this bad still.
Military leaders also drafted a plan for the invasion of Iraq in 1998 entitled "Dessert Crossing" in which 400,000 troops were called for and we were warned that even then the situation may deteriorate. In 1990, military leaders spoke up and prevented an invasion of Iraq, mainly because Bush Sr. and others understood how bad things could get if we invaded.
There have always been 'yes men' and honest men. Our military leaders often fall into these categories just as everyone else does. Look for those who offer an explaination based on sound reasoning. Those are the honest men who will tell it like it is because they want the United States to be successful. Beware those who merely repeat anothers call, 'yes men'.
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AP) -- Forget Hillary vs. Obama. There's another question in the Democratic presidential race: Does what happens in Vegas really stay there, or can Sin City set the course for the nation?
Nevada has a new prominence in deciding the party's next nominee. It will hold an early caucus January 19, 2008, sandwiched between Iowa and New Hampshire.
The prized position is an attempt to bring more diverse voices into determining the Democratic candidate beyond the two overwhelmingly white, rural states that have traditionally dominated the process.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/18/nevada.presidency.ap/index.html
Gunfire was reported on Tuesday near the Canadian position in the Panjwaii district of Afghanistan, the first sign Canadians were engaged in a NATO operation against Taliban insurgents. Full Story:
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2006/12/19/canada-panjiwaii-tuesday.html
Iraq attacks reach record levels
Attacks on US and Iraqi troops and civilians reached their highest level since Iraqi sovereignty was restored in June 2004, a Pentagon report has said.
Read more >
Iraq was terrible mistake, thinktank says
By: Mark Tran
I see we have a new chairman for the DCCC,it's Congressman Chris Van Hollen from Maryland.
They want to keep blacks in their place.
Four men pleaded not guilty today to hate crime charges in connection with the stabbing of a black man at a Claremont shopping center hours before attending a white supremacist rally.
Ryan Christopher White, 28, of Joshua Tree; Chad Timothy Milson, 20, of Yucca Valley; Anthony Scott Allen, 23, of Big Bear City; and Joseph Dale McCool, 20, of Yucca Valley, are charged with attempted murder and assault.
The attack is being prosecuted as a hate crime, which could add several years to the defendants' sentences if they are convicted, according to the complaint filed by Deputy District Attorney George Castello.
Shhh. Keep it quiet.
Remember: European Americans are the real victims.
Gunfire was reported on Tuesday near the Canadian position in the Panjwaii district of Afghanistan, the first sign Canadians were engaged in a NATO operation against Taliban insurgents.
This is not true Democrat. Canadian forces have been engaged in NATO operations against Taliban forces since October 8, 2001. Here's a timeline of Canadian involvement in operations ongoing in Afghanistan.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20050804/afghanistan_timeline_050804/20060807/
You may also be interested in knowing that Canadian forces have assisted in the training of Iraqi security personnel as well.
You're not supposed to know about the Canadians who assisted with the training of Iraqi security personnel. So keep it on the down low.
On Democracynow.org a useful conversation about "democracy".
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/19/1433244
Tuesday, December 19th, 2006
From Bolivia to Baghdad: Noam Chomsky on Creating Another World in a Time of War, Empire and Devastation
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World-renowned scholar and linguist Noam Chomsky spoke this weekend at an event titled, "What's Next? Creating Another World in a Time of War, Empire and Devastation." Chomsky spoke about the Iraq Study Group report, recent elections in Latin America, the current situation with Iran and much more.
(AP) - COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado-A pastor who worked with young adults at New Life Church has admitted sexual misconduct and resigned just weeks after former church leader Ted Haggard stepped down over sexual immorality.
Christopher Beard, who headed the "twentyfourseven" ministry that taught leadership skills to young adults, resigned Friday, said Rob Brendle, an associate pastor at the 14,000-member church.
...
Beard was reprimanded by the church in 2002, when police broke up a twentyfourseven training exercise he led in a church parking lot involving fake assault rifles.
http://news.findlaw.com/ap/o/51/12-19-2006/7e3c000c089d4c60.html
Nothing says Kristian like Guns and Sex!
Goodfoe - thanks for the kind words. Nobody should have to go through the rigmarole and raindances you and my partner have had to put up with. The Pug fed wants your tax money, but when you need something from them in return, they find every excuse not to do for the citizen. We've got a long, LONG way to go to take back our government and put America back on its feet.
Blue -- that's the third one, now. What in aitch were these boys thinking, you have to wonder.
Toldja'll it was all about easy money from fools who are willing to part with it. P T Barnum was right.
Posted by HillWilliam on December 19, 2006 at 01:16 PM
You know it would all be rather comical if it weren't such a personal issue for me. Dammit, I want these intolerant criminals to stop representing Christianity! The whole lot of them can rot in a dark hole somewhere---maybe they will get there after their last day on earth...
Globalization is not free trade!
At first glance, it seems strange that President Bush threatened to use the first veto of his presidency to defend the right of the United Arab Emirates to manage six major U.S. ports.
It was certainly an extraordinary move. Bush, who bills himself as “tough” on terrorism, went to bat for the United Arab Emirates against the wishes of his own security experts and his own Republican colleagues in Congress, who noted that the Emirates has known ties to the Sept. 11 terrorists and Osama bin Laden. Why?
As an explanation, Bush publicly pointed to the merits of foreign investment. Foreign investment, of course, can be positive when it fuels the domestic economy but when it comes to America’s ports, the extra security precaution of mandating American ownership and control far outweigh the economic benefits of foreign investment by a country such as the United Arab Emirates.
A sovereign nation has a right to secure itself physically and economically.
Marine...I'm glad you saw that comment...I was going to ask you to review it....I can only say that there is alot of difference between Gen.Zinney and the Desert Crossing Report as compared to Gen Read(sp) who was "representing" Bush on T.V. on Sun morning. If you saw the guy then you probably needed a barf bag..He is a loser! I think that we are basically in agreement
--maybe they will get there after their last day on earth...
Posted by BlueinIdaho on December 19, 2006 at 01:26 PM
Not to worry, Dear One. There's no question in my mind that's exactly how the liars and purveyors of hatred will wind up. Even the entire Bush Crime Family and their Cheneyburton cronies and their terrorist-financing Saudi buddies will get theirs when the Trump sounds. G'd's takin' notes right now ;-)
It is alive and well.
It is easy to stop programs designed to assist women and minorities when you label them as racial preferences. The real issue is inclusion. Affirmative Action is just one mode of transportation to full inclusion. The goal is to explore matters through every possible lens to achieve full inclusion. In practice, it means you have to have contributors who possess a variety of lenses. Affirmative Action is just one way to obtain those contributors. Anything short of these efforts will result in vision impairment. Impaired vision impedes the progress of business. Equal Opportunity, affirmative action and diversity are everyday business issues - much like economy and quality. You are not going to be successful if you do not make them a priority.
I wonder how many European-Americans will rise in protest when the standard is switched from race to zip code. Will they screw their own just to justify their false sense of victimhood?
Marine...We have had a number of military men who have been rather good presidents,Washington, Truman, JFK to name just a few who come to mind quickly....Unfortunatly, George Bush does not qualify in this area.. Avoiding combat by getting his daddy to get him into the Air National Guard does not qualify in my opinion...Later
Hill Will-
Things are tough all over. It now can take months for an appointment at SF General, weeks for the Dr to respond to pharmacy requests for insurance papers (while I still go without meds) Ryan White funding dried up, Hospital staff cuts and all that crap. While I am glad that you and Rob may benefit from the infusion of AIDS resources money in your area (it's comming to rural areas near you this next year-You will be suprised at how different your Care Givers will be when those funds hit the books) we in the City are discouraged at our losses in funding.
The government doesn't give a rat's ass about any of us, and that means the government as a whole Dems included. Could you picture the reaction if Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid had to wait 4 hours for their scheduled appointment? Things would surely change if any of our "officials" had to actually go outside their set-up to get care, or actually saw the situation first hand without warning the Hospital that they were going to "visit").
Kristen-
I'd gladly trade places with you in regards to your wait time at the Doctors office. I currently wait anywhere from 1 hour to 5 hours to see my Doctor, and that's when I have a scheduled appointment (the irony is I have an appointment time and if i am more than 15 minutes late they will not see me, but they make me wait for hours). Would hate to tell you what the wait is when you have no appointment.
Anyhooo.
Glad to see you are all still here. Bill, I am glad for your new home, J actually confessed that he doesn't really want a house of our own, and I'm adjusting. You don't shoot squatters, do you? LOL.
PEACE AND MERRY CHRISTMAS (Or Happy Holidays if you prefer)
Hey Goodfoe,
We're in "wait" mode. We have a closing date, inspection is 9am sharp tomorrow morning. The only thing left is the VA appraisal. Y'know how that is... G'd and the VA move in their own time and their own mysterious ways. It'll be worth the wait though.
I don't suppose I could talk Esmeralda outta borrowing her carpenter for a few days. We're gonna need steps and a deck right soon. We couldn't pay much, but will feed and house the two of them :-) I'm too busy and too useless at carpentry to trust myself to try to build a deck... I know what I do best: programming and gardening.
{{{{R}}}}
You and J are welcome ANY time. We wish y'all would come see us when we get settled. It's peaceful there, acres of trees and a creek, very quiet, unless you count the occasional cow-bellow. We've seen deer and wild turkey and not a few bunnies in the yard. That's what I'm talkin' about...
I agree with you in regards to Bush. I would also add to that list Rumsfeld and McCain who both served but had no experience in the area of ground combat.
Flight training is very specific and requires the full attention of pilots. Due to the highly technical nature of this field pilots are not cross-trained as foot soldiers, let alone leaders of ground combat operations.
This has been the problem since the Bush administration came to office. The individuals running the show are basically salesmen. They put forth men and women who on the surface would appear to have suitable credentials. Even the smallest bit of scrutiny reveals their overwhelming lack of experience, which is why all forms of investigative questioning is pommelled from the word go.
Corporate America buys the United States Marine Corps' Warfighting Manual and uses it to train their people. I guess at some point along the way these people began to believe that they were prepared to actually command military operations as a result. Our government has most certainly been run like a part of Corporate America since 2000.
What these fellas failed to understand is that the Marine Corps' Warfighting Manual does not constitute a complete and total plan for success. What it does offer is a good starting point, from which point lessons in reality require adaptation. There is no such thing as a complete and final plan for success, that's why we Marines believe more in adaptation than stringent guidelines.
By the way, the Joint Chiefs of Staff appose a surge of forces inside Iraq.
Posted by Marine on December 19, 2006 at 02:55 PM
Aw, whadda-they-know???! It is people with the highly intellectual know how like Prince George and Darth Cheney that have the skills to "win" in the middle east. If we listened to the Joint Chiefs of Staff it is likely that we wouldn't have gone in the first place, and THEN where would we be. ;)
Ah yes, I forgot George Bush proved his military prowess in Texas during Vietnam and Cheney working the utility companies at the time.
Good afternoon, all.
MSNBC just reported that Scooter Libby's lawyers are going to call Cheney as a witness. Boy, would I love to get him under oath. I wonder what Fitzgerald will ask him? A one minute snippet announcement and no followed up by even Tucker.
This annoucement was followed by a 20 minute news conference by Donald Trump about some drunken beauty queen. They are still talking about it.
Cheney outs a CIA agent and puts our Iranian nuclear intel at risk and it gets a token mention. Another drunken white blonde/hometown bimbo does cocaine and we get special coverage/exclusive reports...for hours.
Yes, it's scandalous....scandalous that this is the feature st while she's in rehab?
Where is the Hardball superstars talking about Cheney? Where is Cheney? What and why is he hiding?
I don't suppose I could talk Esmeralda outta borrowing her carpenter for a few days. We're gonna need steps and a deck right soon. We couldn't pay much, but will feed and house the two of them :-) I'm too busy and too useless at carpentry to trust myself to try to build a deck... I know what I do best: programming and gardening.
Posted by HillWilliam on December 19, 2006 at 02:32 PM
{{{Bill}}}
The carpenter is a MASTER carpenter. For a city boy, he sure knows how to use power tools! The man can build anything! He's a perfectionist to boot. (but he doesn't over think it, it's natural!) When I told him I posted about his building my deck, he “reprimanded” me…it is 14 x 52 (it goes the length of the whole house) It has different levels and the decking is on a diagonal, not just back & forth. He’ll do the railing and steps in the spring…he wants to design his own rails. He designed one area to accommodate the hot tub, which will be a step down into unit. I can’t wait! Woo-hoo! Fenced in back yard and plenty of living area. We also took the stone curbs that were buried in the front yard and built 2 love seats.
While talking to him on lunch, I asked what he was doing today. He said making drywall look like it came in one piece. I’ll stick to being his helper when he’s at home and do elections as my day job.
He already took 1 ½ weeks off work for deer hunting, so I don’t know if he can take off more time soon. ;(
Iraq Executes 13 Prisoners in Baghdad
By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA
This is not true Democrat. Canadian forces have been engaged in NATO operations against Taliban forces since October 8, 2001. Here's a timeline of Canadian involvement in operations ongoing in Afghanistan.
You may also be interested in knowing that Canadian forces have assisted in the training of Iraqi security personnel as well.
Posted by Marine on December 19, 2006 at 12:45 PM
****************************************
That's true Marine, thanks for pointing that out. I must have overlooked the mistake in the news article.
There is no such thing as a complete and final plan for success, that's why we Marines believe more in adaptation than stringent guidelines.
Posted by Marine on December 19, 2006 at 02:53 PM
Which means properly-trained Marines would never make it in the corporate world. I suggest all retiring personnel start their own businesses and screw the corporate bean counters by beating them at their own game.
There must be a way for the military to get even with these privatizers. This might be it. Train their forces to attack the enemy within.
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) -- Sen. Sam Brownback, who wants to champion social conservatives in the presidential race, said Tuesday he wants a Senate panel to re-question a judicial nominee who attended a same-sex union ceremony.
Brownback, a Kansas Republican, said he wants Michigan state judge Janet Neff to testify about her role in the 2002 Massachusetts ceremony, her legal views on same-sex unions and her ability to be impartial if called upon to rule on such cases.
Neff's nomination to a federal district court is among a dozen or so now stalled in the Senate, a logjam in part due to Brownback's questions about Neff's attendance at a lesbian commitment ceremony. The Senate Judiciary Committee has already approved her nomination.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/19/brownback.judge.ap/index.html
If he is anything like the other intolerant "conservatives" in America, he will soon be exposed as a hypocrite.
Posted by Esmeralda on December 19, 2006 at 03:14 PM
LOL, luv, so maybe I can count on seeing you two NEXT deer season? If my little patch o' ground isn't big enough for him, there a few thousand acres of public hunting land less about a half-mile away. (Toldja I got the hot setup!)
I spoke to my cousin on Sunday. She said she'd send her grandson down (who apparently also does a perfectionist's job) and I wouldn't have to pay him hourly. She said the way the boy can eat, it's already gonna be expensive LOL.
Torture Is Now Part of the American Soul
By George Monbiot, The Guardian.
Posted December 18, 2006.
You might have imagined that every possible means of inflicting pain had already been devised. But never underestimate the human capacity for invention. United States interrogators have found a new way of destroying a human being.
After thousands of years of practice, you might have imagined that every possible means of inflicting pain had already been devised. But you should never underestimate the human capacity for invention. United States interrogators, we now discover, have found a new way of destroying a human being.
In early December, defense lawyers acting for Jose Padilla, a US citizen detained as an "enemy combatant," released a video showing a mission fraught with deadly risk -- taking him to the prison dentist. A group of masked guards in riot gear shackled his legs and hands, blindfolded him with black-out goggles and shut off his hearing with headphones, then marched him down the prison corridor.
Is Padilla really that dangerous? Far from it: his warders describe him as so docile and inactive that he could be mistaken for "a piece of furniture." The purpose of these measures appeared to be to sustain the regime under which he had lived for over three years: total sensory deprivation...
No emotion. No drama like the drunken beauty queen story, but it does make you wonder what the Republicans have done to our national identity and the condition of our souls. Is this how civilization dies? One bimbo, one mentally-tortured prisoner at a time?
Globalization is not free trade!
But when lecturing on trade, Sanderson’s tone is noticeably different. His agenda and ideology are more up front, such that the classes felt for the first time almost—almost—like propaganda. And during these lectures, something incredible happens. The class rebels. Whereas for the duration of the quarter Sanderson had made the students feel as if he was their guide in seeing through the Matrix, suddenly Sanderson morphs from being Laurence Fishburne to the FBI agent in a suit. The class prods and pushes back as if they are being fed spin. As Sanderson talks about the importance of nations specializing in whatever they have a comparative advantage in, a student raises his hand: “Isn’t there a problem if you put all your eggs into one basket, and then if there’s a problem with that sector you’re in trouble?”
That ends that day’s class, but it continues in the next. Sanderson argues that liberalized trade creates more jobs than it destroys. “Free trade creates winners and it also creates losers. It turns out that winners are quantitatively larger than the losers.” A student asks, flat out, “Why are we to believe that?” Sanderson restates his point, but the student holds his ground, saying he’s read that there simply doesn’t exist an accurate measure to figure out how many jobs are being created and destroyed. Sanderson concedes that this is true, but insists it “must” be a net positive.
I see. "Free" trade doesn't bring the world closer together- it "creates winners and it also creates losers."
Desperation in the White House
The power brokers in Washington spent the week carefully arranging fig leaves and tasteful screens to cover the emperor's nakedness while he was busy pretending to listen hard to everyone with an opinion about Iraq while hearing nothing.
Sometime early in the new year, President Bush will go on national television to tell a disgruntled American public what he has decided should be done to salvage ''victory'' from the jaws of certain defeat in the war he started.
Posted by pee-wee on December 19, 2006 at 03:41 PM
How do you guarantee that you end up being a winner if you aren't part of the group making all the decisions? Why does a select few think they can set up a Rapture scenario when they are mere mortals?
I didn't realize that whites were a minority.
To begin with, and to place things in some perspective before getting into a larger philosophical discourse about race-based scholarships on principle, a few things should be noted. First, although white students often think that so-called minority scholarships are a substantial drain on financial aid resources that would otherwise be available to them, nothing could be further from the truth. According to a national study by the General Accounting Office, less than four percent of scholarship money in the U.S. is represented by awards that consider race as a factor at all, while only 0.25 percent (that's one quarter of one percent for the math challenged) of all undergrad scholarship dollars come from awards that are restricted to persons of color alone (1). In other words, whites are fully capable of competing for and receiving any of the other monies--roughly 99.75 percent of all the bucks out there for college. But apparently, that's just not good enough for the likes of the BU Republicans. One quarter of one percent of all scholarship money, and yet that is the "worst form of bigotry confronting America today." The suggestion would be laughable were it not so sad; so indicative of a fundamental break with the ability to think critically and logically about the world.
THOSE DARN FACTS AGAIN!
Posted by pee-wee on December 19, 2006 at 09:51 AM
The bigots and racists of the world use the philosophy of Malcolm X which was "by any means necessary". They don't give a damn how, where or when they discriminate.
Malcolm X - a black man who had enough intelligence to know that racism in this country is actually institutionalized into the very fabric of this society.
Is this how civilization dies? One bimbo, one mentally-tortured prisoner at a time?
Posted by SandyH on December 19, 2006 at 03:40 PM
She got a second chance.
Class Conscious Christmas Gifts For Working People
PROGRESSIVE VALUES
That is the question Sandy.
I say that the people in government work for we the people. The vote
gives power to those without power. As long as this form of power remains
we the people control the future.
I also say that markets can not exist without rules. It is up to we the people (based on our standards, values, etc.) to determine what those rules are.
Nothing says Kristian like Guns and Sex!
BlueinIdaho on December 19, 2006 at 12:58 PM,
Not Guns -n- Roses? Depending on the context, I guess!!;)
Question to all:
A repug office manager steals money (over $300) from a subordinate's (democratic clerk) purse and admits being guilty of the crime. The democratic clerk is not going to press charges.
The democratic office manager recommends that the repug who stole should be reprimanded...suggesting taking away earned vacation time rather than docking pay. (which would cause more thievery)
The overseeing board of 2 dems & 2 repugs, who are the repug managers bosses, should do what?
Conservatives fear tax-increase deal
The Bush administration has sent signals since last month's elections that the president is prepared to accept some tax increases on upper-income families, worrying congressional Republicans and fiscal conservative watchdogs who say he will compromise with Democrats to win a legacy accomplishment.
These moves come even as Democrats have pledged to rein in earmarks, winning praise from the same conservative groups that are criticizing Mr. Bush.
I do hope some of you reply to answer my to my question. You'll be surprised at the answer.
Good Lord! Do I need bubbles!
BBL
That last post should give you a clue as to how f*ed up it is.
haha
Esmeralda on December 19, 2006 at 05:11 PM,
Aside from the political franchisement, we have a theft, which involves a victim and a criminal. The criminal needs to repay the debt, personally, out of his pocket. Just as the money was taken out of the victim's pocket(book). If this involves floating a loan, okay. Whatever legal means the criminal takes to make restitution to the criminal is justified.
Then, the victim, et al., need to watch the wallets around this obviously ethically challenged individual.
Help Al Gore Send a Message to Congress
Hi,
Al Gore is ready to build on the success of "An Inconvenient Truth" and start organizing to solve the climate crisis. He's working to get hundreds of thousands of messages to Congress demanding real action to stop global warming. And he's asking for our help.
Can you help out by signing the petition at the link below? If you do, Al Gore will personally deliver our comments to Congress. I just did it myself and it only takes a second.
http://pol.moveon.org/climatecrisis
Thanks!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Labor As A Commodity
In resolving the question of whether “we are our own worst enemy,” we should reflect that for over three hundred years white people openly discussed African people as a problem (1600 - 1900). Today they still discuss us as a problem but the language is coded differently. As Dr. Anderson Thompson has written on the discussions that white people have had on what they have historically called “the Negro Problem,” “There is a duality in the story of western white man and his culture, which, paradoxically, is thrown into sharp relief wherever the Black man appears (or is dropped) on the scene.” Dr. Thompson says, “Whenever or wherever the white man exists in proximity to the Blacks the Negro Question appears.” The idea of the “Negro Question” is discussed further when Dr. Thompson writes, “The Negro Question in Western society has been a perennial subject of endless international debates, actions, decisions, wars, riots, lynchings—all of which flow out a recurring western dialogue: a conversation (for Europeans only) which for a long time took place between white men over what should be done with, about or to the Blacks they found in their captured territories.”
I think Dr. Worrill is onto something. European-Americans don't want African-Americans to be heard let alone seen at their institutions of work and education. Anything to the contrary would victimize European-Americans.
Posted by davidual on December 19, 2006 at 05:39 PM
Logical, but sorry, not the answer.
(Someone emailed this to me and I thought I would share it with everyone. I'm not really familiar with this website at all)
***********************
A Young Marine Speaks Out
by Philip Martin
Uniformed bank robbers stage heist in Baghdad
Gunmen wearing military attire steal $709,000; 2nd big theft in a week.
Full Story:
Evening Dems.
Email Harry Reid and tell him that more troops in Iraq is not the answer. Dems must live up to their promise of pushing for redeployment starting in 2007:
mailto:Susan_McCue@reid.senate.gov
More info. on Give Em Hell Harry:
Please take a moment out of your busy holiday schedule to call, email or FAX Harry Reid and tell him this just isn't acceptable.
Call: 202-224-2158 -- Democratic Leadership Office in DC
(If that doesn’t work call his scheduler: 202-224-7003)
Email: Susan_McCue@reid.senate.gov (chief of staff)
Fax: 202-224-7327 -- DC Office
We all should be giving Reid hell for saying such a stupid thing on This Week.
Posted by Esmeralda on December 19, 2006 at 05:11 PM
Call the police immediately. Whether charges are made or not, this person is a threat to the rest of the community. I don't care what the political affiliation is of any of the people involved.
Said clerk needs a reality check. A face-to-face with the police will do a lot more toward getting this person back on track than taking away any vacation time.
Sorry if I'm not being sympathetic of the political situation, but I see this as criminal activity. What if said person was offering candy to the minor children of other employees and chatting them up about their sexual experience on line?
I know this doesn't help, but I couldn't work with someone who steals and then manipulates others to cover it up. He/she needs a slap in the face not a slap on the wrist.
Sandy
The county sheriff knows. The whole courthouse/administration building knows for that matter.
No charges have been, nor will be filed, by the victim.
Esmeralda....I agree 100% with SandyH...crime is crime and needs to be delt with as such..
Sometime early in the new year, President Bush will go on national television to tell a disgruntled American public what he has decided should be done to salvage ''victory'' from the jaws of certain defeat in the war he started.
****
I can tell you what's coming. He'll ask for perhaps as many as 40,000 more troops. It's the LBJ syndrome all over again. He knows it's hopeless but to save face there must be this last useless show of force. Where will they get the troops? Almost certainly not a draft because then there would be millions in the streets protesting this garbage. Instead, I suspect it will be a combination of:
1) Send more national guard - Corzine's statements provide that clue.
2) Keep troops in the rotation longer and send some back sooner.
In short, even more national guard are about to be screwed as well as the troops that are already there and those that have been there 3-4 times already. I wonder when will the mutiny occur?
Esme,
Correct, with no charges filed, by the victim, then there is no legal recourse. Excepting the expectation that the stolen money is returned, or repaid; restitution, and the possibility of sanctions imposed by the criminal's employer, whatever they might be. Sanctions must include more than,"I'm sorry I took the money and I won't do it again", blanket statement.
Globalization is not free trade!
BILL MOYERS: What do you mean by globalization?
DR. VANDANA SHIVA: It is rules written into the World Trade Organization. It is rules that say you cannot decide the agriculture policy. You cannot decide your tariff structures. You cannot decide to make sure your people have food. You cannot decide that people in your country have jobs. The market will decide it and the market will be favored on the basis of unfair asymmetric rules of trade.
BILL MOYERS: Who writes those rules?
DR. VANDANA SHIVA: Unfortunately, it wasn't governments even though they're the members of the WTO. The rules of WTO were written by corporations. There were four new areas brought into trade that never belonged to trade: agriculture, intellectual property, services and investment. Now, each of these four areas had a treaty in the general agreement on trade and tariffs in the Uruguay Round.
Every one of those treaties was driven by a particular group of companies. The agricultural agreement driven by Agri-Business. The TRIPS agreement, the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights agreement driven by the pharmaceutical industry, the biotech industry and the entertainment industry. The services agreement driven by the financial interests, the banks. And now increasingly driven by the water companies which want to treat trade in water as a trade in services.
When I was in Tehri last week... Tehri is a town, it is the capital of our region. And it's been dammed on the Ganges to supply water now through Suez to Delhi
That is not globalization, Dr. Shiva. That is unregulated (free) trade.
BILL MOYERS: I know that you don't believe everything in the West is repulsive because you came to a Canadian university. That's where you did your graduate work, isn't it? Was the...
DR. VANDANA SHIVA: I've never talked about the West being repulsive. I've talked about the colonizing West trying to present itself as the liberator being a bit of a falsehood. I have never been against interaction. I've never been against internationalism. I talk about Earth's democracy, about all of us being citizens on the planet.
And we need a globalization that is based on countries making their decisions, communities making their decisions. The current globalization is trying to build a roof by eating out the foundations. And there is panic because it's a false building. It's a building that's going to crumble. It is already crumbling.
And there is no reason to not have international trade. There's no reason not to have international interaction. There's no reason not to have international democracy. But an international democracy is a genuinely democratic only if national democracies are in tact and local democracies are vibrant.
That's more like it, Dr. Shiva. There is nothing wrong with internationalism (globalization) as long as each individual nation maintains it's sovereignty.
THE WTO SHOULD BE DESTROYED!
Posted by Pee Wee on December 19, 2006 at 5:45 PM
Pee Wee:
I agree with you that some (but not all), white Americans don't want black Americans in their workplaces or in their colleges.
I also agree with earlier posts by you where you stated that:
1. It is ironic that white Americans think that it is okay for below average black Americans to play on their sports teams in college, but that they don't think that above average black Americans should be allowed to step foot on their college campuses by way of Affirmative Action scholarships.
2. You were right to say that only a few of these minoriy scholarships are awarded each year anyway. I always knew that only a few of these were awarded, but I didn't know how few until now. You said that only 0.25 of these are awarded each year. That is less than one percent. So, either a lot of the white people who complain about minority scholarships don't know that, or are just trying everything to try to keep blacks at bay.
3. You were also right to say that police abuse of blacks, (especially in these larger cities) are a real problem. I was listening to the account of what happened to the young black man (I think from New York), that was shot down by the police after leaving his bachelor's party. According to the accounts, there was some disturbance at the bachelor party (but this young man and his friends were not involved), and after they left the party to go home, a police officer approached their vehicle with a weapon drawn, and when they got scared of that and drove away, (because they did not know that he was a police officer, and thought that the man was someone trying to rob them) the police officer shot them. Some of the other people in the vehicle were wounded, but this young man was killed (on his wedding day). They suspect young black men just because they are out on the streets, or getting into cars, or driving nice cars, etc. This problem needs more addressing!
Surging To Defeat In Iraq
W. Patrick Lang and Ray McGovern
December 18, 2006
W. Patrick Lang is a retired Army colonel who served with Special Forces in Vietnam, as an instructor at West Point, and as Defense Intelligence Officer for the Middle East. Ray McGovern was also an Army infantry/intelligence officer before his 27-year career as a CIA analyst. Both are with Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS).
As Robert Gates takes the helm at the Pentagon today, he is probably already aware that Vice President Dick Cheney and President George W. Bush are resolute in their decision to stay the course in Iraq (without using those words) for the next two years. What he probably does not realize is that the U.S. military is about to commit hara-kiri.
The media are abuzz with trial balloons with official leaks that President George W. Bush is about to approve a “surge” in U.S. troop strength in Iraq by tens of thousands. At the same time, surge advocate Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., just back from a brief visit to the Green Zone with fellow surgers John McCain, R-Ariz., and Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., has warned that “the amount of troops will make no difference” if Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki avoids taking “bold” moves. The three pretend to be unaware that the most important move for which they pressed—breaking with radical Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr—would amount to political suicide for Maliki.
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2006/12/18/surging_to_defeat_in_iraq.php
We must all protest this. Bush is going to get 1000's of troops killed and in process kill 10,000's of Iraqi's - possibly destroy entire cities.
I think it's it's time to stop playing around. Bush is out of control ... cut off the money for Iraq. Start real investigations into Bush/Cheney asap and impeach them both if the smoking guns are there.
Es,
I'm shocked she wasn't fired on the spot, charges or no. A thief will lie and a liar will steal; I can't abide either. Party affiliation has (should have) nothing to do with the situation.
THE WTO SHOULD BE DESTROYED!
****
pee-wee, I am with you on this one! If it were up to me, I would throw out every one of these theses global trade organizations and start all over again with people based rules.
It is too bad that Laura Bush did not have to go to some of the HMO's that we have to go to. I have skin cancer and can not afford to have it treated..It's small wonder I hate these people...Better yet, send her to HillWilliam's partner's doctors!
Lavonia
HYPERBOLE and HUMOR
I have to get ready, because Ward Connerly is probably coming to Ohio next. The wording of his amendments are dishonest and deceitful.
It is too bad that Laura Bush did not have to go to some of the HMO's that we have to go to.
****
40 cents out of every tax dollar goes to warfare in this insane country. If that money was put into health care, there would no need for HMO's or even high deductible plans with HSA's. I spoke with a friend whose company just forced them all into that sort of plan. A family gets to spend 1000 dollars and then you are on your own for the next 3000 dollars and then it's 80/20 from there. Of yeah, you still pay a premium of around 200 per month for this garbage. The HSA does not even earn interest - it's just a way to lower your tax base. This is what the Puggies tell us is the future of health care - way worst than HMO's!
Sen. Clinton opposes troop surge in Iraq.
****
Well, that's good at least. We really need to hammer Harry Reid. He was way out of line saying that he would support a 2-3 month troop surge. How about meeting with his caucus first?
Great Gift Idea: Cookbook By Progressive Bloggers To Benefit Doctors Without Borders
And They Cook, Too
by ATCT
A Blogger Cookbook Fundraiser for Doctors Without Borders
Compiled and edited by Ginger Mayerson and Kathy Flake
Illustrations by Carol Colin and Robin Riggs
Cover Graphics by Tild~
From the introduction:
Last year on October 8 an earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, hit Kashmir, the northern part of Pakistan. Being a native Californian, I know that’s no small cheese. Unfortunately, by October 8, 2005, I was tapped out from Katrina giving and could not give to my favorite charity, Doctors Without Borders, also known as Les Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). There was no doubt in my mind that MSF would be on the spot, doctoring in Kashmir, then and even now, and around the world wherever they are needed, as usual.
And so, partly out of guilt, but mostly out of admiration, the plan for this cookbook fundraiser was born. Now, I don’t cook very much and my basic culinary philosophy is “Shake it out of the box and eat it.” However, I very much admire people who make an art of cooking and even make it look fun. I also read a lot of blogs, all kinds of blogs from all over the world: political, art, culture, whatever, and I noticed many of these bloggers posting recipes. Sometimes I’d print them out and put them in my very neatly organized, but seldom consulted three-ring Recipes binder. Every now and then I’d think how nice it would be to have all those online recipes in a book format… And an idea began to take shape..
– Editor Ginger Mayerson
rj...Agreed, cut off the funds,,give them enough money to get the troops home as safely as possible and stop the insanity!
I just saw a snip of Mr Bush on local TV saying he wanted to send more troops to Iraq. Gen. Pace was standing off to the side and slightly behind Bush. Gen. Pace was looking at Bush like he thought Bush is crazy. I wonder how soon Cen Pace will retire.
Posted by davidual on December 19, 2006 at 06:55 PM
Nope, no "I'm sorry", only "I took it." No comment of paying back either. But she is buying a christmas tree tonight. ;\
Posted by HillWilliam on December 19, 2006 at 07:08 PM
If I would have been the thief, I would have been fired on the spot.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sorry to unload this "problem." Thanks for the caring.
The answer to the question is:
When the democratic director recommends some kind of reprimand be administered from the board to the republican deputy director, the repug chairman points his finger & states that she, the dem, is being vindictive. No action taken, case closed. The repug is singing & dancing around the office, scott free. Happy Holidays, everyone.
There are so many injustices in the world, this is but a tiny goldfish in the ocean. I need to go do some pouring out my heart talking. I need forgiveness for my thoughts & attitude.
Enjoy the evening, everyone.
I just saw a snip of Mr Bush on local TV saying he wanted to send more troops to Iraq.
****
Yep, this is Bush's response to the ISG and 2006 elections - send even more troops into the Iraq meatgrinder. Typical Rovian in your face crap.
Bush booed on "Monday Night Raw"
I was watching "Monday Night Raw" with my son today - we recorded it from last night. They announced that George W. Bush was coming on the show.
Two black wrestlers mockingly said that rumours that Bush hates black people were absolutely false. They made references to his "Homey" Colin Powell, and his "Bitch" Condi Rice.
As "Hail to the Chief" played, "secret servicemen" in dark sunglasses came out. Bush followed shortly and was pretty loudly booed.
Much to the crowds delight, the wrestlers went on to steal Bush's wallet, and send him on his way.
Dailykos
goodfoe on December 19, 2006 at 07:28 PM,
Cutting off the funds will not work, as it will leave our troops high and dry right in the middle of chaos. Freeze the funds at current levels, which will ultimately rule out additional troops because that would mean additional funds. Then begin the process of redeploying the troops with the intent being to relieve from duty 10% of the troops quarterly, which would also decrease spending and have all of the troops home in a year and half.
I know, it's fuzzy math, but when the troop level drops below 50% of what they are now we wouldn't want to leave too few a number for fear of an easy retributive assault.
I have to get ready, because Ward Connerly is probably coming to Ohio next. The wording of his amendments are dishonest and deceitful.
Posted by pee-wee on December 19, 2006 at 07:19 PM
This man is lethal and an abomination to anyone that has an ethnic heritage. Ward Connerly is a pathetic black man of mixed ancestry who wants to be Caucasian at any cost. He will run around this nation doing everthing in his power with segregationist/conservative money behind him to to erase all checks and balances that guarantee that diversity is adhered to in public facets of life.
Doesn't even term himself as black or African-American (another Tiger Woods here?). States he is of "mixed heritage".
Oh yeah, his wording of amendments isn't deceitful. It's just outright lies.
Great comment posted on Give Em Hell Harry Reid's web site:
Please do NOT give the Republicans cover for adding troops to the debacle in Iraq.
Less than 15% of all Americans believe that more troops would be helpful; Colin Powell and the military don't want to do it; the military is strained beyond its capacity.
Please DO NOT BE FOOLED into being 'more aggressive than the Republicans.' It won't work.
If Democrats demand more troops, then the Republicans will be able to say that we want to stay in Iraq and we are responsible for this terrible, fruitless invasion.
Our job is to GET ALL THE TROOPS OUT of Iraq. Not to put more boys and girls in harm's way. Nobody's son or daughter deserves to die or be hideously injured for Bush's War.
Yet another comment:
I don't know how you can read the election any other way--we did not vote to send more troops to Iraq. Advisors, adschmisors--by any modest estimate it would take 10 years to train the Iraqi 'security' forces to a professional level by American standards, and by any moral compass the way we voted is to get out. Get out of the bases that the oil companies insisted we build so that there would be a permanent U.S. presence in Iraq for 'stability' in the region--which means 'protect the oil and give it to us'....IT'S OVER, HARRY. GET US OUT. ALL THE WAY OUT. Not one more American life on Iraqi soil for the sorry purpose of American companies to profit from controlling and maintaining an outpost in the rich fields of the Middle East. NOT ONE MORE AMERICAN LIFE.
Cutting off the funds will not work, as it will leave our troops high and dry right in the middle of chaos. Freeze the funds at current levels, which will ultimately rule out additional troops because that would mean additional funds.
***
david, when I say cut off the funds I don't mean leave the troops high and dry. We need enough funds to allow a phased redeployment to take place. I won't accept any other strategy. Iraq was a failure the day we went to war based on lies. There is no making it right. All we can do is make it worst.
es,
What a crock of shit!! I'm sorry for the outcome. All I can say, and it won't help now, is time will have it's recourse on the filthy pug thief. It's never a question of being fair, because all pugs know the world isn't fair, it's a question of being right, and the conservative right have exposed their willingness to wrong whomever they desire. Really sorry!!
THANKS BUSH FOR GIVING US THE WHITEHOUSE IN 2008 NOW THAT YOU WANT TO SEND MORE TROOPS TO IRAQ
by Djneedle83
Tue Dec 19, 2006 at 03:39:15 PM PST
I don't think my blog entry today has to be long because I strongly believe you can't put George W. Bush's idiotic/mornoic actions into words comprising of the english language.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/12/19/181531/59
My only comment is that we must not give Bush cover by going along with this plan.
bbl. son's homework time. snacktime. and probably bedtime storytime after that.
I really think the 10% per quarter withdrawal strategy would work, and that wold leave us out of Iraq by the summer of 2008. The last withdrawal would be roughly the remainder 40 - 50% per cent of the troops that are there now.
bbl
a pathetic black man of mixed ancestry who wants to be Caucasian at any cost. Posted by J
You know something J, I've been wondering for sometime now if that's why Obama makes such a big deal about there "only" being ONE America and not any more than that. He's sounds kinda like Condi when he says things like there's no Black America and White America, no liberal America or conservative America. You think it has anything to do with his mixed race heritage? I know he was raised in the White world, but that kind of talk doesn't help those that weren't. It's kinda like if we all just pretend there's no racism in America, it will just go away. A lot of people like to visualize Obama as V.P. with their favorite candidate. I can just see John Edwards and Obama on the campaign tail together arguing about whether there's one America or two Americas. Here's part of his speech that everyone loves so much. Sometimes I get the feeling the reason they love it as much as they do is because it absolves them of any guilt about what's going on these days. BTW, I myself believe there's two Americas.
There's not a liberal America and a conservative America—there's the United States of America.
There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America -- there’s the United States of America.
We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.
Renewing his calls for a complete troop withdrawal from Iraq, Rep. Jack Murtha, D-Pennsylvania, told CNN Tuesday he believes America has lost in the region "militarily."
"Militarily we have lost -- there is no question about it, we cannot win this militarily." Murtha told Wolf Blitzer on the "Situation Room."
There is no way the United States can solve this problem," Murtha said. "We have gotten so far out and we have missed our opportunity, if we ever had an opportunity early on, to stabilize Iraq. Since we didn't do it then, it cannot be done now."
Murtha also sharply criticized the recommendation of sending more troops to Iraq. "They don't have an achievable mission -- a defined mission which they can point to," he said. "What's the point in sending another 40,000 troops?"
Labor As A Commodity
In resolving the question of whether “we are our own worst enemy,” we should reflect that for over three hundred years white people openly discussed African people as a problem (1600 - 1900). Today they still discuss us as a problem but the language is coded differently. As Dr. Anderson Thompson has written on the discussions that white people have had on what they have historically called “the Negro Problem,” “There is a duality in the story of western white man and his culture, which, paradoxically, is thrown into sharp relief wherever the Black man appears (or is dropped) on the scene.” Dr. Thompson says, “Whenever or wherever the white man exists in proximity to the Blacks the Negro Question appears.” The idea of the “Negro Question” is discussed further when Dr. Thompson writes, “The Negro Question in Western society has been a perennial subject of endless international debates, actions, decisions, wars, riots, lynchings—all of which flow out a recurring western dialogue: a conversation (for Europeans only) which for a long time took place between white men over what should be done with, about or to the Blacks they found in their captured territories.”
I think Dr. Worrill is onto something. European-Americans don't want African-Americans to be heard let alone seen at their institutions of work and education. Anything to the contrary would victimize European-Americans.
Posted by pee-wee on December 19, 2006 at 05:45 PM
pee-wee
I'm going to take this indepth and deep article to another level.
First of all the crux or point that Dr. Worrell is trying to make here is this: Are black folks they own worst enemy? or is a system designed by white supremacy telling us that we are our own enemy?
Dr. Worrell concludes that sure we as blacks may not behave in our own best interests at times, but WE as a people aren't our worst enemy.
He uses documentation from several older publications that still apply very much so today to the condition of African-Americans. Such as 1974 Black Capital article that states that blacks were introduced to the west as a commodity which was literally swept from the continent of Africa to be used as labor, capital, chattel and currency in order to build a nation for someone else. The article goes further to say ...... "our history tells us that we were below slaves and less than human.. We were things who were traded for horses, our women used as breeders and our children raise as chickens." We are still a commodity today. Just look at the entertainment and athletic industries in which whites own/control and blacks are used to get the maximum profit for the investment.
Dr. Worrell goes further to use the work of Dr. Maritn R. Delany written in 1852 and again applies so vividly today. Entitled Condition, elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States. Dr. Delany says that we have been conditioned to think that someone must speak for us as a body instead of our individual intellect be used to forge a path for each one of us. He further states that intelligent blacks are basically ignored and neglected because these blacks generally see through the conditions used to oppress and hold back.
No there are those that do no want us heard, but instead of them becoming victims, victimization is the first words uttered.
Before we do anything else in Iraq we must reassess the situation.
When we went in Saddam Hussein and the Baath Party were a problem. We said that we'd fix the problem. Now Maqtada al-Sadr and Al-Qaeda have replaced Saddam Hussein and the Baathists. We say Maqtada al-Sadr but in all reality there are many others like him, Al Sadr is just the biggest. We also say Al-Qaeda when in fact there are other organizations like it at work in Iraq with Al-Qaeda being the biggest.
We began the summer with a surge of 30,000 troops in Iraq. Since then we have seen some of the most violent events of the Iraq War. It seems that Iraqis opposed to US presence were more than happy to surge in response to our own surge. Nothing going on their now suggests that the same would not happen now.
We'd like to hand this mess over to Iraqis at some point. Creating further dependence on US military assistance does not help us achieve that end. Iraqis who speak the language and know local customs are going to have better luck than we are in bringing about a peaceful resolution to this crisis.
Posted by Domingo on December 19, 2006 at 08:09 PM
Sounds to me like he's trying to convince people to work together. Those labels mentioned have been used in past years to drive a wedge between Americans. I'm not black, I didn't even grow up around people of dark skin, but I know a good human being when I see one. Barrack Obama strikes me as a good human being trying to do what he can to prevent more wedges from being driven between good Americans who would just as soon work and live together.
Gay Outing Prevention - A Republican Retrospective
It was the time of great red scare tsunami, and McCarthy had built mighty power surfing that wave. The smarmy little weasel at McCarthy's side was one Roy Cohn, his chief counsel, and he was the agent of the current petty squabble. Roy's lover was the Paris Hilton of his day, a hotel heir named G David Schine. The two lovers had taken a holiday together, and had such kicks terrorizing the International Information Administration in Europe. Quite a coup for a young punk, and hubris bloated his little head like a balloon.
Schine was in due course drafted in that era without privileged deferments and National Guard dodges, and little big Roy set about demanding special privileges for his boyfriend. He figured if his lover was not assigned to his committee as an officer, then little Cohn would fire the Army secretary as a start.
The attorney for the Army was Joseph Welch, a plain-spoken trial lawyer from Boston, and he convened his two chosen aids before the hearing and asked if there was anything in their past the sleezebag might seize upon to discredit them.
And so Welch approached Roy Cohn, and said, let's leave the kid out of this, shall we? After all (and I imagine him very deliberately staring at the little punk), we all have matters we'd just as soon millions on TV didn't know about.
And so the deal was struck. They wouldn't mention Cohn's sexual preferences and affair with Schine, and the kid would not be ruined.
A couple of allusions in the transcript were most likely considered meaningless and incomprehensible by those not attuned to the backstory.
Welch: Did you think this came from a pixie? [Laughter] Where did you think this picture that I hold in my hand came from?
McCarthy: Will that question be reread?
Mundt: It will be reread.
Reporter, Question: Did you think this came from a pixie?
McCarthy: Would Counsel, for my benefit, define - I think he might be an expert on this - the word "pixie"?
Welch: I should say, I should say, Mr Senator, that a pixie is a close relative of a fairy. [Laughter] Shall I proceed, sir? Have I enlightened you?
But during the hearing, McCarthy became enraged by Welch asking the obvious question: if there are all these communists in the government, why not produce the names and let's have them run out of town by sundown? McCarthy retorted: Mr Welch well knows the name of one communist, because he attempted to foist him on this committee!
So the kid was outed after all, but the major hit was against the frog. The cameras focused on his ugly mug, warts and all, while Welch delivered his searing, damning reply. In print, it would not have been noticed, on radio, McCarthy might have ridden it out, but it was TV gigged the ugly frog.
WELCH: Senator, may we not drop this? We know he belonged to the Lawyers' Guild. And Mr Cohn nods his head at me. I did you, I think, no personal injury, Mr Cohn?
COHN: No, sir.
WELCH: I meant to you no personal injury, and if I did, I beg your pardon. Let us not assassinate this lad further, Senator. You've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?
Before the final report was issued, Cohn resigned from the committee and eventually became a noted Upper East Side socialite who was of the habit of exchanging young boys with a dentist friend of his by shipping and receiving them to and from the west coast. He was anti-gay in typical Republican style always, and he died in 1986 of AIDS. McCarthy was censured by the Senate later in the year of the hearing, and within three more drank himself to death. Those last years were spent haunting the dark halls of Congress, peeking in committee rooms, looking for TV cameras.
Dailykos
We began the summer with a surge of 30,000 troops in Iraq.
***
marine exactly. It's the very definition of insanity - repeating the same mistakes over and over. When we to voters in 2006 with the punch line "had enough?", I think that captured how they feel. Voters had enough of this mistake.
Democrats at their peril are listening to Bush and some seem to be siging up for yet another "surge". In other words, they are signing up to repeat the Republicans mistakes.
Domingo
I'm going to step out on a limb here and hope that it holds and doesn't break. A post on my blog states that one reason America is so accepting of Obama is because he does't carry the baggage of the African-American experience, i.e. the Civil rights era so forth and so on. That's good, but it also is bad. With that experience he would not be so quick to say there is not a Black America or White America.
As for Condi? That woman knows, but chooses to zone out on the experience. But then wait a minute no she really doesn't know per se because Condi has lived her life in a white world by CHOOSING.
Ward Coonerly is punishing the world for the fact that he has black blood. If the whole nation is colorblind then maybe they can't see his black blood and he can live in his desired white world. See if race doesn't enter the picture in any fashion then people will not know what Ward is. He could have said he was mixed with Native American which he does state. Oh Ward doesn't want to be just black/white. Uh uh, he's mixed with several ethnic heritages.
The Money Machine: Understanding The Crisis Of Corporate Imperialism
by Conceptual Guerilla
Tue Dec 19, 2006 at 05:09:27 PM PST
As I have indicated on my last two posts, here and here, the war in Iraq represents a fundamental crisis for corporate imperialism. Indeed, it is only one manifestation of that crisis. The others are global warming, the deteriorating dollar, and possibly "peak oil." All of these intersect in that phenonemon I referred to as the "oil economy" in my last post. It now occurs to me that the reason for this crisis needs to be explained in more detail. Indeed, the reason lies in the very nature of corporate capitalism. Come along and I'll show you.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/12/19/20252/427
Nicely thoght out journal.
Does everyone remember how this country reacted to France and Canada deciding not to go into Iraq with us? There was an all out assault on everything French. Racism in this country is something other than black and white.
There are a certain group of Americans, mainly of English decent, who believe that all other people are inferior. They have passed this superior mentality down since the days of English Imperialism. We must look beyond the skin color and see that there are others out there who have experienced forms of racism that make them good allies in our fight to end it.
You all have probably never heard of the Grand Dérangement. During that event, in 1755, the French inhabitants of what is now the Canadian Maritimes were rounded up and deported. Some escaped by working with the native peoples they had befriended since their arrival 151 years earlier. The English had simply decided to take their land because it had already been worked and well prepared for European style habitation. Thousands died. Twelve thousand were deported.
We don't learn of the Grand Dérangement in this country, although it affected the lives of millions of French people throughout this country. Most don't know how their own families came to be where they are today. The English strangle hold on our institution has wronged many.
Does everyone remember how this country reacted to France and Canada deciding not to go into Iraq with us? There was an all out assault on everything French.
****
Yep Freedom Fries instead of French Fries. Now for the irony, The Republican who coined Freedom Fries, Walter Jones, is now vehemently opposed to the Iraq war. I guess the French really were being our friends when they warned us this is a bad idea.
By the way, the Grand Dérangement is a part of American History because it involved the participation of English Colonial powers here who assisted English powers north of us in the destruction of the Acadian way of life. They helped to seperate these people by dropping them in small groups up and down our coast, as well as overseas and on small islands. This is how Louisiana was settled, by men, women and children the English had decided to rid themselves of.
A post on my blog states that one reason America is so accepting of Obama is because he does't carry the baggage of the African-American experience, i.e. the Civil rights era so forth and so on. That's good, but it also is bad. With that experience he would not be so quick to say there is not a Black America or White America.
Posted by J
That's a good point and I keep forgetting about that. It almost puts new meaning on what that screw-ball Allen Keys said about Obama "not really being an African-American".
Almost time for Malloy. I hope he is worked up in a lather about this "iraq surge" nonsense. This is a monumentally bad idea.
Have a good night
Does everyone remember how this country reacted to France and Canada deciding not to go into Iraq with us? There was an all out assault on everything French.
Yeah I remember. And the dumb-asses didn't even give France and Canada any credit for fighting along side us in Afganhastan. They're like a bunch of whining babies when they don't get their entire way. They're doing the same thing with Syria. Syria fought with us again their mortal enemy Iraq in the 91 "First Gulf War" and now these wingnuts try to say Syria helped Saddam hide his WMDs, "so lets attack them too!" Nice way to treat anyone who helps you out. Sometimes I'm suprised this country has any allies at all the way we kick them around.
Posted by Domingo on December 19, 2006 at 08:09 PM Sometimes I get the feeling the reason they love it as much as they do is because it absolves them of any guilt about what's going on these days.
I see it as a vision of a nation that could be - a call to move forward toward a common prosperity.
It's an attempt to reach and speak to the good that is present in some measure in almost everyone.
Old prejudices and sterotypes die hard - it can take a generation.
Sometimes focusing on them only reinforces and entrenches them. Calling out the good can lead to transformation.
Maybe there's people out there who will vote for a well spoken black man so they can be "absolved" but it seems an odd notion to me.
Posted by J on December 19, 2006 at 08:29 PM he does't carry the baggage of the African-American experience, i.e. the Civil rights era so forth and so on.
I wouldn't say "doesn't carry the baggage" - unless people have done some research they don't really know what his experience is
I'd say he's bringing new language, new inspiration, and pointing to a new way forward.
Balony. If he said he'd like to see a future America with no White or Black, I'd have no problem with that. But he says none exists now. He either doesn't know what he's talking about, or he's a master B.S. artist.
Posted by Domingo on December 19, 2006 at 09:18 PM Balony. If he said he'd like to see a future America with no White or Black, I'd have no problem with that. But he says none exists now. He either doesn't know what he's talking about, or he's a master B.S. artist.
We have a common prosperity that is neither white or black - neither rich nor poor.
It has not yet been realized.
he's a master B.S. artist
That's what some people call good rhetoricians. If you read the speech you quoted, you'll see the rhetorical device he's using.
dor and Domingo
With Obama's mixed heritage, he is able to articulate on somewhat of an even field racially. Because he doesn't have a totally black experience or total white experience, but an immersion of both along with other ethnic heritages that he has been exposed to, it has given him a varied foundation to build a color profile.
Much of politics involves persuasion.
In order to persuade, the Bush adminstration frightened people, and by conflating 9/11 with Iraq drew out any latent xenophopic streak that was present in the country.
It took till 2006, thousands of Americans killed and maimed, and 10's of thousands of Iraqis killed and maimed for people to get out from under all that.
=====
Obama is many things but he's not stupid. He knows race is still an issue in the country and he said so in NH.
He also stated that he believes that if he sits down across the table from someone for whom race is an issue,
he believes that he can convince them they are more alike than different share those things that really matter.
=========
maybe he's a naive Liberal - maybe not.
Posted by J on December 19, 2006 at 09:35 PM Because he doesn't have a totally black experience or total white experience, but an immersion of both along with other ethnic heritages that he has been exposed to, it has given him a varied foundation to build a color profile.
Whatever the reason, the questions it seems to me are:
* will it be effective in uniting a majority - perferrably a large majority
* and what policies will he champion and provide leadership on.
Just ran across this on Kos. Harry Reid clarifies his position on Iraq:
Frankly, I don't believe that more troops is the answer for Iraq. It's a civil war and America should not be policing a Sunni-Shia conflict. In addition, we don't have the additional forces to put in there. We obviously want to support what commanders in the field say they need, but apparently even the Joint Chiefs do not support increased combat forces for Baghdad. My position on Iraq is simple:
I believe we should start redeploying troops in 4 to 6 months (The Levin-Reed Plan) and complete the withdrawal of combat forces by the first quarter of 2008. (As laid out by the Iraq Study Group)
The President must understand that there can only be a political solution in Iraq, and he must end our nation's open-ended military commitment to that country.
These priorities need to be coupled with a renewed diplomatic effort and regional strategy.
I do not support an escalation of the conflict. I support finding a way to bring our troops home and would look at any plan that gave a roadmap to this goal.
It's been two weeks since the Iraq Study Group released its plan to change the course and bring our troops home. Since then, the President has been on a fact finding tour of his own administration -- apparently ignoring the facts presented by those in the military who know best. The President needs to put forth a plan as soon as possible, one that reflects the reality on the ground in Iraq and that withdraws our troops from the middle of this deadly civil war.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/12/19/201910/65
Well, I guess he felt the heat and backed down. Don't count on Bush putting any plan that withdraws troops from Iraq. We are going to have to face the reality the only way to force the issue is the funding. At the very least, let's not bless Bush's monumentally bad ideas.
Good night.
Yeah J, but it's like that post you mentioned earlier, there's an American "black experience", and there's an Afican "black experience". His "black experience" is Afican, not American. After some of the things he's said, I wonder if he has a clue about what the experience is for Blacks who've been here for generations. And another thing, did know he said on Jay Leno a month or so ago when he was selling his book, that he liked the Republican way better? And did you also know that his mentor in the Senate is Joe Lieberman? There's some things about him that make me suspicious.
He also stated that he believes that if he sits down across the table from someone for whom race is an issue, he believes that he can convince them they are more alike than different share those things that really matter.
Yeah sure, let him go to a red-neck bar down in Dixie and try that. He'll get his head smashed in.
i am trying to focus my brain on what needs to be demanded of the democratic congress we elected. the best in show competition about 08 is getting really boring for me. it seems bush is going to start another war with iraq soon. this takes us all deep into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders...we need a diagnosis and order of confinement tout suite...
Posted by rjsnj on December 19, 2006 at 09:45 PM Just ran across this on Kos. Harry Reid clarifies his position on Iraq
Thanks, rjsnj.
Here's some of Reid said originally.
Senator Harry Reid, a Democrat, told CNN such a step would be acceptable for a few months as part of a broader strategy aimed at bringing combat forces home by 2008. "If the commanders on the ground said this is just for a short period of time, we'll go along with that," he said.
Mr Reid spoke of a timetable of two to three months; a period of 18 months to 24 months would be too long, he said.
DSM indeed:
Report: Pentagon planning Navy buildup as 'warning to Iran'
Mike Sheehan
The U.S. military is "planning a major buildup" of its naval forces in the Persian Gulf region "as a warning to Iran," reports CBS News, as quoted by Reuters.
A senior official in the Department of Defense said "the report was 'premature' and appeared to be drawing 'conclusions from assumptions,'" according to Reuters. The Pentagon declined comment, but an additional Defense official described the report as "speculative."
and he plans to put more troops in Iraq for a "long term" terrorism war
while totally ignoring whatever he so chooses, utilizing his signing statements once again, this time with India's nukes...
Bush signing statement on US-India nuclear deal erases Congressional restrictions
Domingo, New York Magazine has an interesting piece on Barack. He's not whistling Dixie, he's singing Sweet Home Chicago.
Boom Town
Black entrepreneurs are thriving in Chicago
African American entrepreneurs are on a tear. Their numbers grew by 45%, to 1.2 million, between 1997 and 2002, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's most recent data. That compares with a 10% increase in the total number of businesses. "This is the first time that the change has been that significant," says Thomas Boston, professor of economics at Georgia Tech. "When you see the figures, it's mind-boggling."
Nowhere is the surge stronger than in Cook County, Ill. In Cook County, with Chicago at its heart, the number of black-owned companies grew 69% during that period, to 54,760. That trounces the 52% leap in second-place Kings County, N.Y., which includes Brooklyn. The jump is even more astonishing considering that Cook County's black population grew only 4.2%.
Posted by Domingo on December 19, 2006 at 09:51 PM Yeah sure, let him go to a red-neck bar down in Dixie and try that. He'll get his head smashed in.
I doubt it. But I think he knows enough U.S. history and enough of the history of the civil rights movement to know what a some deranged people are capable of.
Posted by gregg on December 19, 2006 at 09:56 PM i am trying to focus my brain on what needs to be demanded of the democratic congress we elected.
Pelosi's "First 100 Hours" plan. I just read what Christy posted on the blog. Does anyone have a link to the complete list?
link to Chicago Boom Town story
dors,
This last Sunday Harry Reid, the incoming Democratic majority leader in the US Senate, went on ABC's Sunday morning show and declared that a hike in U.S. troops in Iraq is okay with him.
::
Then Nancy Pelosi, chose Silvestre Reyes as House Intelligence Committee chairman. Reyes promptly told Newsweek, "We're not going to have stability in Iraq until we eliminate those militias, those private armies. We have to consider the need for additional troops to be in Iraq, to take out the militias and stabilize IraqI would say 20,000 to 30,000-for the specific purpose of making sure those militias are dismantled, working in concert with the Iraqi military."
Reyes comes to his important post with an open mind, meaning an empty one. He knows nothing of the region. This became clear in his brief parley with a reporter from Congressional Quarterly who had the impudence to ply him with questions at the end of a tiring day when men of mature judgment head for the bar. CQ's man asked Reyes if Al Qaeda was Sunni or Shiite.
Reyes tossed a mental coin. "Predominantly-probably Shiite." Wrong, of course, since Al Qaeda is Sunni, of a notoriously intolerant strain. It's as if Reyes had called the Pope a Presbyterian.
::
Next, the Democrats in the Senate gave unanimous confirmation to Robert Gates as defense secretary. Gates has a career record as one who slants intelligence to suit his bosses' political agenda. Recently, as president of Texas A&M, he deep-sixed affirmation action as college policy. The Democrats in the Senate could have stretched out the hearings, grilled Gates closely on his plans, taxed him with his grimy past as Bill Casey's second-in-command in the Contra-gate Era. Special Prosecutor Lawrence Walsh said flatly in his memoirs that Gates was not truthful in his 1991 confirmation hearings about his role.
(link)
If you honor Democratic candidates with your vote today, in the first hundred hours of a Democratic Congress: We will restore civility, integrity, and fiscal responsibility to the House of Representatives. We will start by cleaning up Congress, breaking the link between lobbyists and legislation and commit to pay-as-you-go, no new deficit spending.
We will make our nation safer and we will begin by implementing the recommendations of the independent, bipartisan 9/11 Commission.
We will make our economy fairer, and we will begin by raising the minimum wage. We will not pass a pay raise for Congress until there is an increase in the minimum wage.
We will make health care more affordable for all Americans, and we will begin by fixing the Medicare prescription drug program, putting seniors first by negotiating lower drug prices. We will also promote stem cell research to offer real hope to the millions of American families who suffer from devastating diseases.
We will broaden college opportunity, and we will begin by cutting interest rates for student loans in half.
We will energize America by achieving energy independence, and we will begin by rolling back the multi-billion dollar subsidies for Big Oil.
We will guarantee a dignified retirement, and we will begin by fighting any attempt to privatize Social Security.
I say this as a grandmother (of almost six) and as the Democratic Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Posted by dorsano on December 19, 2006 at 10:21 PM
posted @ 10:30
President Bush said today that he plans to expand the size of the U.S. military to meet the challenges of a long-term global war against terrorists, a response to warnings that sustained deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan have stretched the armed forces to near the breaking point.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Bush said he has instructed newly sworn-in Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to report back to him with a plan to increase ground forces. The president gave no estimates about how many troops may be added but indicated that he agreed with suggestions in the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill that the current military is stretched too thin to cope with the demands placed on it.
Posted by fade2bluz on December 19, 2006 at 10:32 PM
thanks
The Bush administration is split over the idea of a surge in troops to Iraq, with White House officials aggressively promoting the concept over the unanimous disagreement of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to U.S. officials familiar with the intense debate.
Sending 15,000 to 30,000 more troops for a mission of possibly six to eight months is one of the central proposals on the table of the White House policy review to reverse the steady deterioration in Iraq. The option is being discussed as an element in a range of bigger packages, the officials said.
But the Joint Chiefs think the White House, after a month of talks, still does not have a defined mission and is latching on to the surge idea in part because of limited alternatives, despite warnings about the potential disadvantages for the military, said the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the White House review is not public.
The chiefs have taken a firm stand, the sources say, because they believe the strategy review will be the most important decision on Iraq to be made since the March 2003 invasion.
Every thing BushCo is doing is predictable if you look at it from his (their...the owners of Carlyle Group) perspective. Drain every possible $ from the treasury befor taking the boat to Paraguay.
well, i've had about all i can take without saying we need to stop this crazy motherf*cker! he is completely insane and i didn't work my ass off for these Democrats to smile and go along with the bastard!
i knew Gates was a disaster, but Reyes?
don't these people read books? have staff brief them? how the hell can he make decisions when he doesn't even know the fundamental problems with the Wahabbist movement of the last UM NINETY YEARS?
this is not good
salutetheDems,
i agree. what pisses me off is the lack of a response from our Democratic leaders. Durbin is the exception.
i saw Reid make a complete ass of himself Sunday. no amount of back pedaling will change that. idiot!
do they not understand that the people in this country said STOP THE WAR? or do they not care?
GET US OUT NOW
Posted by fade2bluz on December 19, 2006 at 10:13 PM
New York Magazine has an interesting piece on Barack.
What do people see when they look at Barack Obama? Whatever they want to see.
That much is true.
Dear fellow Democrats,
I wanted to talk to everyone tonight about illegal immigration and why it's important we get tough to secure the border properly and why it's important for tougher laws to be enforced against any business that hires illegal immigrants. You see many Repubicans such as President Bush have done nothing which has encouraged illegal immigration and has spit out so much spin that now too many Democrats have fallen for it to the point where many agree to do nothing and that's not good and I'll explain. Illegal immigration has got to stop, it's out of control and it hurts everyone but big business. Most Latinos who have crossed our border want to work so they can help their familes, we can all understand that but coming here the wrong illegal way is actually hurting them because big business takes advantage of them, they work very hard and are paid poverty wages and it's also driving wages down for the American middle-class. The only people that profit from illegal immigration is big business folks. Big business doesn't care about Americans, all they care about is finding the cheapest labor possible and because many people that come from Mexico are willing to work hard for such a low pay big business takes advantage of using them and driving down American middle-class wages all because of greed. Why else do you think big business also ships American jobs out of the country for the sole purpose of cheap overseas labor? My point folks is that Republicans are in bed with big business that's why they do nothing to the companies that hire illegal immigrants. Not only that, because we continue to allow this it also encourages the Mexican government to do nothing to help their own people. Mexico is rich in oil and other resources, they should be doing more to help their own people. What our United States congress needs to do now that Democrats are in control is to seriously enforce our existing laws by going after any business/company that hires people who aren't legal citizens. Next we have to secure our borders with more border control agents, 3rd, for those from Mexico or any other country that want to come to the United States to work we have to show them and explain to them how to do it the right, legal way this way they can become legal citizens and won't be taken advantage of by paying poverty wages which is better for everyone. Republicans like President Bush try to spin by saying there are jobs that Americans won't do which is a big fat lie, the problem is that these companies don't want to pay Americans a normal decent wage to do a job so they can live and put food on the table. Mexicans and other undocumented workers are simply being used and taken advantage of by big business and Republicans as you know support big business. Now do you see why folks it's so important to properly secure our border and go after any business that hires illegal undocumented workers? It's very simple, no body wins but big business. Instead we have to educate better how people who wish to come to the United States can become legal citizens this way every one is treated equal and we also have to put the breaks on all this outsourcing. It's time to stop falling for the Republican way of thinking/spin and start doing things the right way.
Posted by fade2bluz on December 19, 2006 at 10:53 PMi saw Reid make a complete ass of himself Sunday.
I've been trying to find a transcript of that. Is there one handy some where?
FOS
If you can wrap your mind around this funding request for the military, please give me your analysis. If we change this, we change the world.
dors,
you can view the video here...transcripts cost $$
dors,
you can view the video here...transcripts cost $$
Good evening, everyone.
I think we now have the ruling class right where we want them as the Democrats take over Congress in little more than two weeks.
Now that Bush finally admitted today that Rumsfeld was full of shit and that we must build up the military that he, the Commander-in-Chief, has broken....it's time to press the President on just how he's going to pay for it.
The new "reality-based" accounting in the Democratic Congress demands that no new spending can be approved unless it is covered by equal new income. The cupboard is bare and the housing boom has burst. So it's time for the privileged and spoiled American wealthy to show a little patriotism and cough up their "permanent" tax cuts for the good of the nation.
I want to hear their Republican champions whine and tell us how hard it is to make do on a few million or billion a year....while our troops have to duck bullets every damn day in Iraq and Afghanistan, seniors have to go without medical care, and the middle class squeeze has lowered our American standard of living for hundreds of millions.
Bush's speech to the nation on Iraq is going to be a doozie. He's going to trot out his worn-out hit parade of lies and fears to a public that doesn't believe one word he says anymore. And an electorate that wants a withdrawal of our troops not more excuses from a failed president...or his talk of a never ending war on terror in the Middle East.
I can almost hear their laughter coming from the House galley, bars and coffee houses, and living rooms around the nation as Bush bobs and weaves in front of the cameras to Karen Hughes’ latest catch phrases and jive.
No matter what the incompetent and delusional GOP believes, the time has come for the multinationals, oil barons, and other "globalization" interests to pay the piper for Bush's Folly...or be called cowards and traitors for not supporting the troops. What goes around comes around. The Republicans are going to have to eat their words and pay their debts.
And if it "somehow" doesn’t come to pass, there will be the devil to pay for the GOP in 2008.
Iraq Is Vietnam - And You'd Better Believe It
By John Graham
t r u t h o u t | Guest Contributor
Posted by fade2bluz on December 19, 2006 at 10:30 PM
Well, if they get all that passed it will big statement. They should break it up into individual bills and get the easy ones through right away.
Hello,
They finally got frosty. Wonder who it really was..
www.examiner.com/a-463534~_Grinches__Accused_of_Puncturing_Frosty.html
whatever you do tomn don't say it's name three times in a row.
Mr Cheney could become the first sitting vice-president to testify in a criminal case if he appears on behalf of Mr Libby, who has been charged with five counts of obstruction of justice, perjury and making false statements. Only last week, Patrick Fitzgerald, the special prosecutor leading the investigation into the leaking of Valerie Plame’s name, said he would not call Mr Cheney to testify. But Ted Wells, a defence attorney for Mr Libby, said in court yesterday: “We’re calling the vice-president.”
www.ft.com/cms/s/576ac232-8fd2-11db-9ba3-0000779e2340.html
This is going to be very interesting. Maybe Cheney's gunsmoke. Remember to duck -walk.
Hi Sandy and Tom
Wonkette has a good part of the story, but click on the Parry link...these youngsters don't remember the stuff that makes this unsurprising...
disturbing, but nevertheless, predictable.
Moon has been around since Reagan...
well, this is a mystery that we won't solve tonight. the pieces are in the box. we'll gather a few more...as time goes by
Posted by Esmeralda on December 19, 2006 at 06:25 PM
Essie,
Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier...I had to attend to some business and got caught up in family activities.
The first thing I'd do is contact a lawyer.
Then if he/she thinks it's necessary, I'd contact the State Attorney General. I don't like the sound of what's going on there.
Whoever is in charge of that office must take steps to protect the other employees...not determine a punishment to a uncharged suspect.
I don't think anyone has the legal right to take away vacation/compensation from an employee without judical review, but then I'm not an attorney. I think it would be better for the person in charge not to take any action before getting advise from experts.
If the County Sheriff doesn't care, it sounds like there is something else going on here. I would approach this very carefully and not in haste.
I'm sorry I left you hanging here. Hope someone else with legal experise jumped in with some advise. I'm going back to read the rest of the afternoon posts.
Hi fade,
I liked the comment about the adjacent Bolivian cocaine source. Case things get really bad.
Posted by fade2bluz on December 19, 2006 at 11:07 PMdors, let me try that again
That worked. Thanks
His diary on dkos is the most precise. I'm glad he clarified it.
nice...
Bruno Is Subject of Inquiry by F.B.I.
By MICHAEL COOPER and DANNY HAKIM
Published: December 20, 2006
ALBANY, Dec. 19 — The New York Senate majority leader, Joseph L. Bruno, one of the three men who effectively control state government, said Tuesday evening that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was looking into his business interests.
...nice...
Cheney Will Testify in C.I.A. Leak Case
By DAVID JOHNSTON
Published: December 20, 2006
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 — Vice President Dick Cheney will be summoned as a defense witness in the trial of his former chief of staff, I. Lewis Libby Jr., on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, a defense lawyer said Tuesday in federal court. A spokeswoman for Mr. Cheney signaled that he would not resist the request for his testimony.
...very nice...
Abramoff's Holiday Cheer
His 2001 Shopping List Included Lavish Gifts for Congressmen
By R. Jeffrey Smith
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 20, 2006; Page A21
These days he makes no more than 40 cents an hour for his labors at the federal prison camp at Cumberland, Md. But Christmas 2001 was a far more high-flying holiday for Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who then was paid as much as $500 an hour.
...so many crimminals in the same device...
His diary on dkos is the most precise. I'm glad he clarified it.
Posted by dorsano on December 19, 2006 at 11:44 PM
he shouldn't have to clarify it, dors...you read the diary...i didin't and neither did millions of Americans who heard him say he'd go along with Bush
he blew it...
Tom, speaking of blow...the water is clean and there is lots of it...i think that's the appeal...
{{{Sandy}}}
Too many crooks, so little time. Lived in one of those vile little towns...the sheriff will do whatever the heck he wants to...ergo
"I Shot the Sheriff"
if you and your husband would enjoy the inauguration and ball, i'll give you my tickets...
goodnight..
Posted by Esmeralda on December 19, 2006 at 07:44 PM
Essie,
You shouldn't take this to heart. I don't see much else that can be done without charges being made. But I would still seek legal advice just in case...to protect one's own ass.
When is Zack going to open an office in the county? Are you sure it's not time to widen you horizons? I can't see throwing away a pension or medical insurance, but the future prospects don't look too good at the present time and place.
I never can understand how these things always happen when you have enough worries already. I guess the Lord doesn't give you more than you can carry. And don't let this soil the holidays for you. Go out and get the biggest Christmas tree the carpenter can carry in and decorate it with your loved ones.
Peace to you and your's. You are in my thoughts and prayers...as many others here are this holiday season.
Good night, all.
did you ever think that the war on halloween and the war on thanksgiving and the war on christmas and the war on easter and the war on the memorial day and the war on the fourth of july and the war on labor day.....are all carefully planned ruses to take our minds off the mother and father of all wars???? THE WAR ON PEOPLE SAVING THEMSELVES FOR MARRIAGE??????????
Most Americans have had premarital sex, study finds
Updated 12/19/2006 9:29 PM ET
By Sharon Jayson, USA TODAY
Almost all Americans have premarital sex, says a report published Tuesday that analyzes federal data over time and suggests programs focusing on sexual abstinence until marriage may be unrealistic.
"The reality of the situation is that most people had premarital sex, and it's been that way for several decades," says Lawrence Finer, director of domestic research at the Guttmacher Institute, a New York City-based non-profit organization that studies reproductive and sexual health.
Of those interviewed in 2002, 95% reported they had had premarital sex; 93% said they did so by age 30. Among women born in the 1940s, nearly nine in 10 did...
the problem with this country is that we are a bunch of easy rolls in the hay!
The whole Iran-Contra story is a muddled mess in the American Mind, still. All the lawbreaking and connections need to be made into a clear case so that this sort of thing doesn't happen again. And then these clean players come back as if no one remembers, and look at what's happening. Wow.
Maybe Hollywood can make it not boring for the AM.
fade,
You sure are a sweetie. I would never take away tickets to a ball from a Cinderella who deserves to walz around the the rotunda for all the work she did this past year in Illinois...and Missouri. Go and enjoy.
My husband and I are getting away for a long overdue vacation in the Caribbean in a few weeks. I'll be thinking of you in a ball gown as I sip margaritas on the beach. Wear something bright and sexy.
thanks fade, i couldn't remember if it was vonnegut or something timothy leary said but then timothy leary's dead, oh no, no, no he's outside looking in....
see you in the morning young lady.
Posted by TomN on December 19, 2006 at 11:12 PM
You are so bad, TomN.
He's going to come back here now, and it was so nice without him for a few days. But maybe it's worth the chuckle.
I thought the guy on the tape with the screwdriver sort of looked like gregg or DPD. But maybe that was just wishful thinking.
Hi Sandy,
LOL -imaginatons run wild, and violent sometimes.
Sorry,
See you later.
screwballs with screwdrivers eh sandyh? what an image!...g'nite.
Posted by fade2bluz on December 19, 2006 at 11:53 PMhe blew it...
I'm not so sure that his statements in the ABC interview came off any more differently to the average viewer than those of any other Democrat who's getting air time.
Despite the fact that he was asked twice about what he would do if the president decided to insert more troops.
He spent more time in the interview talking about withdrawal than anything else.
=====
None of the Democrats have broken free of the trap that puts them in the position of taking over the role of Commander in Chief.
They seem to be coming to a consensus about what is acceptable but now they need to decide about how to deal with unacceptable behavior from the White House.
I don't think that anyone has ventured down that road yet.
It's one thing to say "Bring Them Home". It's another thing to say "Bring Them Home or Else"
Maybe someone has put forward an "or else".
Bon Jour Mon Amis,
Comme Talle Tout Ce Soir ?
Bon Jour Mon Amis,
Comme Talle Tout Cest Soir ?
I have just read an article in the Denver post and find it quite hypocritical of the party to make decisions that are against unions.
Is the party for the working class or are they just playing that field for political gain. It seems the working class does not really have the party's support.
Just as the party gets started, they shoot themselves in the foot.
It is a wonder why America wants another party other than the two representing the people, the two parties really don't seem to really care what stand they actually make for the votes.
Posted by FreedomOfSpeechForEdwardsObama2008 on December 20, 2006 at 01:16 AM Comment allez-vous ce soir?
Je vais bien, Madmoiselle LibertéÉgalitéFraternité. Et vous? Ca marche bein J'espère.
Mais je dois vous laissez. Bonne nuit.
Why can't all radio shows be funny and informative as THE STEPHANIE MILLER SHOW? She's so funny. She's so smart. She's like the ultimate woman.
Go to: www.stephaniemiller.com
They even watch and report on the Fox Faux nut jobs... so you don't have to. get the web cast or sirius radio, or on radio stations where real freedom is walked... and not just talked.
www.STEPHANIEMILLER.com
Posted by Power_of_Equality on December 20, 2006 at 01:43 AM www.STEPHANIEMILLER.com
Nationally-syndicated talk show host Stephanie Miller is a rising star in progressive radio. In a little over six months, her fresh and funny morning show is on dozens of affiliates, including major markets like Los Angeles, Boston, and Washington, D.C.
....
She is a comedienne and daughter of former Republican U.S. Representative William Miller, Barry Goldwater's running mate in the 1964 Presidential election.
That's poetry. I think I'm gonna turn over my 401K to her.
Good early morning FOS
Couldn't sleep because of a sinus infection. Forget all of my French.
Je vais bien, Madmoiselle LibertéÉgalitéFraternité. Et vous? Ca marche bein J'espère.
Mais je dois vous laissez. Bonne nuit.
Posted by dorsano on December 20, 2006 at 01:38 AM
Je ne sais pas Frances cest bien. (Pardone Moi,) Mais, J'ai comprende "Bonne Nuit".
Abientot Mon Ami. Somme vous bien.
....Living in Sicily for 6 months killed my French.
;p
Good Morning, J and FOS!
Here's something to wach with your morning cuppa
Good morning again FOS and DPD
Went back to sleep. Now I'Ve overslept.
Late night or early morning DPD?
Hi DPD,
I can't pull up that link you posted.
Anyway, I just spent a few minuets on a rightwing blog posting troll comments. I'm not trying to be funny or self righteous but I feel really sick now. I feel bad. I posted some really rude things about someone I don't even know and if she reads what I posted, her feelings are going to be hurt because I commented on the fact that she's fat , but has a skinny cartoon of herself.She has a little boy too.I feel bad. I really do.(sigh) well, the damage has been done. I won't be doing that again. God I feel bad. Yuk. How do the trolls do it? Well, I guess, I'll go check the CNN website.
Early morning, J. Sneezing fit woke me up. This Hot / cold stuff drives my sinuses batty.
Here's one for you FOS before I go.
Talk about segregation in reverse. Bus driver puts all the black kids to the front of the bus supposedly for saftey?
Thought we always had to go to the back. Anyway the kids were traumatized because the bus driver did this repeatedly until someone told a school authority.
Hmm.......2006 and I thought we were pass the segregation phase and now dealing with the hearts and minds segment of change?
Guess I was wrong.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/living/education/16272264.htm
Gotta run. Remember keep the faith.
Peace :)
DPD
Know the feelin', look up about 2:30 pm see I was doin' the same.
Morning, Peeps. So Bruno is being investigated by the FBI...
Happy Holidays, bloggers. Looking forward to 2007. "Keep on Rockin in the free world." V.
Posted by J on December 20, 2006 at 07:01 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That's the subtle bigotry that I was talking about. He put them at the front for "Safety" reasons because he wanted to make sure they didn't cause trouble? I'm so glad I don't have kids. Did you watch Paula Zahn last night? It was a town hall meeting in Texas where they were discussing Racism. They have been talking about this for a while and a lot of people have been watching according to the ratings.I don't think anyone.....nevermind.I guess some people are so hooked on Keith Olberman that they can't get away from him for a second to watch a program that really effects what's going on. I think they should TIVO one and watch the other because this serious about Racism in America is serious and I don't know anyone who would call themselves a Democrat who would not want to watch this Series on Paula Zahn.
That's just my opinion though.
BTW, I just learned that there are still "Sun Down" Towns for Blacks and Jews all over the United States, including Wisconsin. Appleton and Manitowoc are listed as two.Interesting. very interesting considering the fact that there are Night Clubs out there in Appleton that appear Hip/Hop. I'm confused. Anyway, I don't go out much in Wisconsin. When I do, it's Madison, the most progressive city in all of the state. I don't like to even go to local political events because I know how they are going to act when they find out I'm Black.
Oh SHOOOT! I have to go. Good Day, everyone.
(smak)
:)
wow fos and dors are writing in french! this is just the most in-tie-lectual blog ya can find.
more good news, there is finally some industry we are in-sourcing instead of out-sourcing:
Marijuana top U.S. cash crop, policy analyst says
Tue Dec 19, 2006 8:47am ET
WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (Reuters Life!) - U.S. growers produce nearly $35 billion worth of marijuana annually, making the illegal drug the country's largest cash crop, bigger than corn and wheat combined, an advocate of medical marijuana use said in a study released on Monday.
good morning cyn,
let's hope the ethical challenges diminish soon...power corrupts but this era has brought it to the nth degree
The Republican who coined Freedom Fries, Walter Jones, is now vehemently opposed to the Iraq war. I guess the French really were being our friends when they warned us this is a bad idea.
Posted by rjsnj on December 19, 2006 at 08:50 PM
Ney was in on it too. I wonder if ole Bob has sobered up yet? for his penance, he should have to repair all TSX units. He'd HAVA lots of fun.
I don't like to even go to local political events because I know how they are going to act when they find out I'm Black.
Posted by FreedomOfSpeechForEdwardsObama2008 on December 20, 2006 at 07:48 AM
You do go though, don't you? You've always read like you have the balls to crash any party.
Democrats Delay Picking Denver or New York for 2008
Democratic Party officials are delaying their decision about where to hold their 2008 presidential nominating convention, a party spokeswoman said yesterday, as negotiations appeared to hit snags with both competing cities, Denver and New York.
I love my senator:
"It is my understanding that since then, the Justice Department has not commented publicly on the status of any of these cases," wrote Durbin, who sits on the Senate panel that oversees the Justice Department.
In response to Durbin's first request, the Justice Department revealed in a Jan. 17 letter that it had opened 20 investigations into claims of detainee abuse that were referred to prosecutors by the
Pentagon and the
CIA. The investigations were being led by a task force in the U.S. Attorney's office in Virginia's eastern district — which McNulty headed before taking the Justice Department's No. 2 job in March.
Two of those cases were dropped because of insufficient evidence to support a prosecution, the Justice Department letter noted. Additionally, another case resulted in the indictment of a former CIA contractor in North Carolina.
Justice spokesman Brian Roehrkasse said at least a few of the estimated 17 remaining cases are still open. "The Justice Department continues to investigate these cases," Roehrkasse said Monday. He declined further comment.
The New York Times reported on its Web site Monday that a Justice Department team has decided against prosecuting nearly all of the 20 cases that were initially under investigation. It was not immediately clear precisely how many cases remain open, and Roehrkasse refused to respond to the newspaper's report.
Posted by SandyH on December 19, 2006 at 11:38 PM
Thank you SH.
Fade...Good mornin' and thx for your posts last night...I'm a dumb ass laying out here in the weeds in s.e. Texas, still learnin' this "politic" business...so I appreciate your posts...I'm a liitle confused this am...saw on local tv early that Mr Bush wants to send 30,000 to 40,000 more troops to "Bush's Folly"....also, it was reported that we can only train 7000 new troops per year and that will cost 800 million! I can't believe these numbers are correct...somehow or other, I don't think we can afford any more of Mr. Bush or his war...
FOS: How do you know? Who are your sources for these "sunset towns", anyway?
I don't like to even go to local political events because I know how they are going to act when they find out I'm Black.
Hey, what is that french word for judging something before hand?
You sell yourself short, sistah. The cheeseheads would probably love to hear your perspective coming from the west coast, and all...And you might change someone's mind. For "regular people", negative racial attitudes can be rooted in fear.
bush news conference this morning. i hope the dog will let me use the remote for a change. she is mostly lab and just refuses to let us watch anything other than food shows.
Good morning, all.
Posted by Esmeralda on December 20, 2006 at 08:04 AM
My vote is for Denver. It's time that we bring those with the power closer to the majority of Americans.
I'm a big advocate for moving the federal government farther west to say Kansas or Oklahoma. How can the average citizen petition their reps, if they have to travel so far?
No wonder Washington DC had become a swamp of lobbyists over on K Street. Our government officials are held up in the Beltway with no oversight by the people who voted for them.
Essie,
I left you one or two posts late last night. Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I got caught up in family holiday activities.
Posted by goodfoe on December 20, 2006 at 08:15 AM
good morning, John! we absolutely need to stop this insanity, but our team is still wiggling around with "victory"
bush has no intention of changing anything, regardless of the voters wishes. the voters, bless their little hearts, are talking about 2008
when my children started to misbehave, i would distract them...always worked
still does...our attention span is so limited that even many Democrats are much more interested in being apologists than leading
Iran has been the topic from Bush's lips to our deaf ears...he's ramping this puppy up, folks. Welcome to the Children's Crusades...
we're not going to leave Iraq. we're going to wear down our troops and when we're unable to send more, we'll play with one of our nukes...Iran will be the target. they don't even try to hide this.
but hey, John Edwards and Barack Obama are sooooo cute!
Go back through the history of Middle East extremism and you see a pattern to which Iraq will not fit. Iraq was never an extremist or terrorist issue, which is why it must be dealt with differently than we deal with extremism and terrorism in the surrounding areas. You deal with extremism and terrorism one way and national issues, such as Iraq represented, in another.
Bush was quick to throw out diplomacy, as he still is to this day, because he is afraid to try something new. He was never required to do any such thing as the Governor of Texas.
Good mornin' Gregg...my big, black dog has a lot of Lab too...he takes me for walks in the park, ( wants to make sure I get my exercise every day) but he lets me watch what ever I want on T.V....Good dog!!
Gates is in Iraq
The top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. George Casey, has indicated in recent months that he also may not stay much beyond the end of this year.
Shortly before Gates' arrival, the U.S. military in Iraq announced that a senior al-Qaida leader had been arrested in Mosul on Dec. 14 and that security responsibilities in Iraq's northern Najaf province were handed over to Iraqi forces earlier Wednesday. It was not clear whether the announcements were timed to coincide with Gates' visit. [not clear to whom?]
On Tuesday, Bush told The Washington Post he is ready to boost the overall size of the U.S. military, acknowledging he agrees with recent complaints by top generals that the forces have been stretched too thin by the worldwide campaign against terrorists. He used no figures, but said he was asking Gates to produce a plan for the expansion.
Gates' trip to Iraq comes with the Bush administration under intense pressure from Congress and the American public to sort through options for a war that has caused the deaths of more than 2,940 U.S. troops and cost more than $300 billion. More than three-and-a-half years after the U.S. invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, the conflict now involves insurgents and bloodshed between Sunnis and Shiites that seems on the cusp of civil war.
Bush is considering choices ranging from a short-term surge of thousands of troops to bring the escalating violence in Baghdad and Anbar province under control, to removing combat U.S. forces and accelerating the training and equipping of Iraqi security forces.
There are about 140,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, more than a third of whom have combat duties.
Gates' visit also follows the release of a grim Pentagon report that revealed a 22 percent increase in violence in Iraq since August, and a steady decline in confidence Iraqis have in their government.
It is Gates' first trip to Iraq as defense secretary.
[sort through options, my ass...what is that word for preconcieved notions in french, dors...and then also, how do you say apologist? thank you.]
enjoy the day, ya'll. i'm off to pretend that everything is groovy...don't let the blood and destruction get ya down...
merry merry and jesus loves us, the chosen ones
ka boom!
Posted by Marine on December 20, 2006 at 08:29 AM
good morning, Marine
i'd say using the constitution as toilet paper, torturing people at home and abroad and spying on the folks would qualify as doing something new...he's a regular trailblazer
hope you're feeling okay
Recall our troubles in Iran, 1978. Extremism was on the march in that country and the United States failed to understand the solution to the problem. We increased support of the Shah thinking that it would solve the problem. Instead we unknowingly fueled the fires that led to the demise of that US friendly government.
In 1982 we moved into Lebanon on the heels of an Israeli invasion. We watched the growth of extremism in that country as it was fueled by foreign intervention. On October 23, 1983 our embassy was bombed and we lost 241 American Servicemen. After that we left the country.
Israel had attacked an occupied Lebanon in response to an attempted attack on the life of Israel's ambassador to the United Kingdom. This heavy handed approach, and our involvement with it, was the catalyst for the growth of that extremist movement.
Doing good, Fade. Just sick as usual of watching these clowns in the White House ignore the fact that we've been fighting terrorism since the 1970's and have learned a lot in that time that should be taken into consideration.
Imagine, these guys are considering doing the same thing in Iraq in response to its growing extremist movement and are expecting different results.
morning goodfoe, they are sweet pooches though aren't they? and they do make us get up and out which is healthy.
We've been fighting terrorism for 3 decades. Can you believe it? Most Americans probably don't even know it because this president ignores the past and speaks as though we only started fighting back after September 11, 2001. That wasn't even the first time that we were attacked on US soil. The first time we were attacked on US soil by terrorists was February 26, 1993.
Both the Pentagon and our intelligence agencies confirmed what I had feared would become of a ramping up of military agression in the Middle East. Extremism is growing they say. More are recruited to this movement today than were prior to the attacks of September 11, 2001.
These inexperienced leaders (Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, Rove, etc.) have led our country down a dark road with the assistance of a few overly zealous military leaders. All ignored the findings of past military and political leaders who had leared over time that greater military action led to a greater extremist response. It doesn't make sense to the mind at first, but you can't ignore history.
Marine...good morning...hope you are ok this am...read your posts about your injury im the Corps and seq problems...just goes to show how the common man can be used and discarded...this happens all the time in civilian life...sorry to read that you were treated this way while in the service of your country...I hope you at least recieved a disability pension om this...
We have created an extremist movement in Iraq, one that did not exist in such quantities before we dismantled that nation. None of us can recall a time prior to March 2003 when chaos in Iraq's streets reached the frequency we see today. Neither was there so much hatred of America, although Saddam and the Baathists would occassionally organize anti-American rallys.
No disability for that injury yet, Goodfoe. They are fighting me tooth and nail.
I spend about $200 a month treating the conditions left by the improper care of that original foot injury. The VA refuses to pay for the treatments that work for me. They would have no problem giving me drugs that would mask the pain and leave the deterioration to worsen without my knowledge, but they won't pay for the deep tissue massage that prevents my muscles from recontracting into knots which pull the joints together and facilitate further deterioration. This is also the best pain control I have found. It is actually more effective than pills.
It sounds to me like Bush is trying to appease the military into backing him with this fool's idea of increasing our numbers in Baghdad...again. It's pure pander and the top brass must know it.
Here you see him throwing them this bone yesterday that he just might allow the Army and Marines to increase their size and strength....if Gates comes back and say "Woof." The Decider has already decided.
In reality he's just playing with them just like he did with the American people with his WMD lies. This man and his henchmen are nothing but con artists. We are in Iraq for the duration of his term and he will continute to use our forces like toy soldier.
Who is in charge of our foreign policy? The Saudis or the oil men? It's a close call.
Gotta run. later.
I've found that the pain is mainly muscular and is being caused by lactic acid buildup, much the way muscles get sore when lifting weights. The problem here is that muscles remain contracted for days, weeks and months. Over that amount of time the lactic acid buildup produces something more than simple soreness and, in fact, lead to deterioration of muscle fiber.
I'm like a car that is out of alignment. Like a bad tie rod will lead to a bad ball joint and worn tires, my bad foot has led to a bad hip and a worn spine. All of this is on one side of the body and I have felt it coming every step of the way.
Marine....Russia and China have a "Mutual Assistance" agreement...Russia in turn has an agreement with Iran and Iran in turn has Mutal Security Agreement with Syria...Instead of trying to resolve this situation in Iraq through negotiation, Mr Bish's solution is more gunboat diplomacg by moving "his" attack fleet into the waters off Iran. The people you named in your post seem to be ignorant of this or they don't care. The stupidity just goes on and on. When we see that mushroom cloud over Iran, we will known that we waited too long to stop the insanity
Marine...The people running this country don't have to go to the VA and fight for care...they don't have to go to the local HMO and fight for care...and they have thier own nice, secure pension plan...they don't have to worry about ss going broke...rhey don't have to worry about the prescription drug plan...what Americans should do is to rise up and end these benefits for the priviledged class. I bet we would see some fast actions on these problems then!
It's the tough guy mentality. None of these fellas had any experience successfully dealing in diplomacy. In their fraternities it was common to degrade those not associated with the organization and show fealty to those who are. The assistance they received from fellow fraternity members convinced them that no other assistance was needed.
Now they deal in Middle Eastern matters. Their only friend in the region is Israel and they are a major source of tension in the region. Their tough guy mentality says to keep degrading everyone else. Problem is their fraternity members have no pull most of the Middle East and so they only end up making matters worse.
We need allies in the Middle East. Iran and Syria were our allies in the War on Terrorism up until Bush decided to ignore half the world and invade Iraq anyway. From that day forward Bush has made more enemies for the United States in the Middle East. This is contrary to our goal.
what Americans should do is to rise up and end these benefits for the priviledged class. I bet we would see some fast actions on these problems then!
Posted by goodfoe on December 20, 2006 at 09:46 AM
goodfoe, this is an oft noted issue. But not "oft" or loud or strongly enough. Let's light a fire.
PUT CONGRESS ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE!!
new thread
Marine,
Deep tissue massage is very beneficial to those of us who have fibromyalgia as well. Luckily, I have 12 allowed sessions on my health insurance.
Marine...have a good day..I have to leave for a while and I've got letters to write to our elected representatives The "boss" spell checks and edits everything that gets mailed out so I don't have the spellig errors and typos that I have posting here. I'll try to drop in and see if you have posted back,
O boy! Bush is just now making a statement on tv...later...
You sell yourself short, sistah. The cheeseheads would probably love to hear your perspective coming from the west coast, and all...And you might change someone's mind. For "regular people", negative racial attitudes can be rooted in fear.
Posted by fade2bluz on December 20, 2006 at 08:15 AM
Negative racial attiutdes are rooted in two things. First is change. Folks don't want to do it and second again, change. People do excatly as they see fit. And most keep their racial attitudes as fits their lifestyle and value system.
The Reagan administration said it was alright to deny black folks and any other minority a chance to succeed by erasing diversity in the public arena. The Bushes, both administrations said it was alright to not only deny folks of color, but there is nothing wrong with racism and bigotry. This current Bush administration even thinks that it SHOULD be publicized how one feels about people of color. In a way that mindthink has it's points because many ethnic makeups especially blacks just as soon know how a person feels, racially. Everything out in the open, no games to play which can get very weary.
I know exactly how FOS feels when she get to an event or meeting and the participants were unaware she was black. Folks get that look in their eyes that says, "Oookkaayy, didn't know she was black?" If I had a nickel for everytime it has happened personally iI would have some change. But one preseveres on and lets everyone know that an intelligent, educated and culturally rounded black woman is participating and has the skills and ability togive good input.
Marine on December 20, 2006 at 09:54 AM,
Ever since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1987 there had been much talk of the peace dividend, that is, until 2001. Contrary to popular believe what is happening in the Middle East currently is the goal of this administration.
While Clinton and the Republican Congress fought to balance the budget during the 1990's there was much derision about the decline of our military strength, and our military becoming outdated.
The current administration needed this Middle East activity to raise the fear initiative to convince the American people that we need a three-quarter of a trillion dollar defence budget.
Therefore, the objective of this administration has been very much consistant with it's goal.
Furthermore, Republicans in the 1990's wanted more cuts upon cuts in any and all social programs, including Social Security, and less cuts in the Defence Department budget. This debate was the cause of a constant row bewteen the Clinton administration and the Republican Congress.
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