Wedneday Open Thread
Hey, Look! It's an Open Thread!
Comments (228) «
Happy Holidays, everyone.
Oil dependency 'weakening US'
US dependence on oil imports has weakened the nation's foreign policy influence, while the sway of crude producers such as Iran, Russia and Venezuela has grown, a Council on Foreign Relations report said on Monday.
Iraqi lesson in Hanukkah story
One wonders whether Donald Rumsfeld and Co. ever read this ancient tale, because our former defense secretary never seemed to grasp the concept that local people, religiously motivated, will always defeat a foreign occupation over time.
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!!Posted by salutetheDems on December 20, 2006 at 09:55 AM
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.
So...all that hard work so we can go from Bush cronyism to Pelosi cronyism? Read Dowd's article in the NYTimes today. Reyes doesn't know the difference between Shiite and Sunni? Nothing on Hezbolah? This is an outrage. The voters have spoken. They want qualified people in office not buddies. I'm sick. Just sick. The Dems have a chance to do something good...Pelosi should step down. She's just as bad as Bush on rewarding loyalty not substance.
Shannon, Pelosi can't do anything alone. Reyes got the nomination because it was assumed that his time with the House Intelligence Committee had prepared him for the position of chairman. It's just like many other decisions being made at the federal level, too much is based on assumption.
Repost from Tuesday thread:
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.
Posted by davidual on December 20, 2006 at 10:12 AM
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.
Posted by davidual on December 20, 2006 at 10:15 AM
To be honest, I think the best thing to do after your nominee gets up there and makes a fool of himself is to replace him. No hard feelings for Reyes, but first appearances are everything.
Davidual, if anything I see the decision to allow civilian contractors into Iraq prior to the end of military operations as just another way to buy votes. Via promises of profiteering, this administration was able to win the support of many already wealthy individuals who then chose to invest their many in many schemes that the administration would allow in exchange for the votes they purchased. Those who are doing well financially tend to vote for the party in power, giving out defence contracts is a sure way to buy votes.
Think of the think tanks as nothing more than a marketing scheme. Businesses who seek to benefit from the information being distributed by these organizations can justify donations as just another advertising expense. Owners and members of the board would not come right out and admit that this is how they see it, but these people didn't get rich by giving their money away.
Just think, a major industry may even justify enormous bonuses to top executives by asking in exchange that these individuals contribute to related think tanks. The company could then deny manipulation of said think tank as it would not be seen actually contributing money directly.
SalutetheDem's....hear! hear!well said, thank you!...I'm listening to Bush (barf bag handy) I just wish one of the reporters would ask Bush why he has "his" attack fleet off the coast od Iran. Marine, any thought on this?
Yahoo has taken away the comment section to its articles. This is another way Free Speech is being controlled by the media. When America has lost its voice, politicians like Bush will be Saints.
Why cannot we as American be allowed the right to discuss the world around us. With the Patriot Act we have rights like Chinese citizens, to open their independent voices.
Can Congress open forums for their employers (We the people...), the citizens have a right to have an open dialog, or must Free Speech be done in secrecy of Don't Ask Don't Tell political closed closets.
With my sister Hotmail account not being able to reach my Hotmail account, I wonder how soon we will be in prison, with filters telling us what to do. What governmental agency do you complain to about email delivery, at least with the Post Office you had a gaurantee. Try contacting Microsoft and you get filtered like Democracy and Freedom.
I think it is time to start impeaching for Constitutional rights!
Also, in today's world there is much accusation of Democrats thinking they can close their eyes and wish terrorism will go away. This republican hyperbole is consistant with the Democratic rational that the more you fight terrorism, and henceforth give it a firm platform in which to grow, the more you will have to fight terrorism. The latter being exactly what what Republicans desire. Therefore, they (Republicans) make idiotic statements about Democrats rationality with the assistance of the conservative media, which by the way needs this wave of devastation to sell air time/news print.
Posted by goodfoe on December 20, 2006 at 10:32 AM
Honestly, I think Bush wants to build up and provoke Iran into a conflict that justifies his expansionist dreams.
morning all,
When your top General in Iraq has been trying to retire and get the hell out of this debotched Folly of Bush's, what does that tell you?
Top G eneral in Mideast to Retire By Peter Spiegel
The Los Angeles Times
Washington - Army Gen. John P. Abizaid, commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, has submitted plans to retire and will leave his post in March, a step likely to make way for a change in military strategy at a time the Bush administration is seeking a new plan for Iraq.
Abizaid has been the primary architect of U.S. military strategy in Iraq and Afghanistan since becoming head of the U.S. Central Command more than three years ago. He has strenuously resisted calls to increase troop levels to quell rising violence in Baghdad, arguing it would increase Iraqi dependence on Americans.
According to Defense officials, Abizaid submitted his retirement documents just over a month ago, shortly before Donald H. Rumsfeld was pushed out as Defense secretary. One recently retired Army general said Abizaid had wanted to retire earlier but that Rumsfeld blocked the move, insisting his war commanders stay in place.
"Going to war isn't like having a regular job," said the retired general, who, like the others, spoke on condition of anonymity because Abizaid's plans had not been made public. "It's extremely stressful, it's heavily responsible. I can understand why he'd want to retire."
Then again, it would facilitate a quick withdrawal from Iraq.
Marine...I agree...it's very transparent...Bush is stumbling through the press conference badly...
PamB on December 20, 2006 at 10:38 AM,
It tells me that the shit is going to get deeper because the idiot-in-chief, through the Defence Sec., et al., will just promote someone into that position that is comprehensible to the ideals of the administration, which is mainly stay the course.
the idiot-in-chief is on TV right now in a Press conference.
HOW the media sits there, watching him skirt the questions, spin the same ole bulls**t, refuse to acknowledge we have lost this Illegal excursion and occupation into Iraq, just boggles my mind.
I would have stood up early on in this, and stood with my back to him!!
Me too, Marine!! Everyone have a good day.
Just another insight that I received from my born again christian family. Did you realize that if it were not for abortions, over the past fifty years (even before Roe v. Wade), Social
Security would be in good shape because we'd have all those individuals in the system that would be paying into Social Security that we do not have now because they were aborted? WHEW!!!
It's my life folks. Makes me glad I'm not born again, even though that means that God doesn't know me. But wait a minute, according to these anti-abortion christians Gods knows everyone before entering the womb. I guess God then suffers from dementia and forgots everyone until they are reborn of the Christian faith. Sigh...
...and they wonder why I choose to believe as I do. Not desiring to get wrapped up in a world of hypocrisy. I still love them though!!
Gotta get something done today!!
Contractors lost in Pentagon bureaucracy
The Pentagon is still struggling to get a handle on the unprecedented number of contractors now helping run the nation's wars, losing millions of dollars because it is unable to monitor industry workers stationed in far-flung locations, according to a congressional report.
The investigation by the Government Accountability Office, which released the report Tuesday, found that the Defense Department's inability to manage contractors effectively has hurt military operations and unit morale and cost the Pentagon money.
Ohioan to lead House ethics panel
Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) named Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones on Tuesday to become chairwoman of the chamber's troubled ethics committee.
The committee, formally known as the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, is expected to be under increased scrutiny in the new Congress. Democrats swept control of Congress in the November elections in part because of corruption allegations against Republicans.
Bush to sign massive tax and trade bill
A sweeping tax and trade bill awaiting President Bush's signature would revive some 20 tax breaks, extend trade benefits for developing countries and protect doctors from a big cut in Medicare payments.
The bill is a patchwork of must-do items that were left for the lame duck Congress. It was bundled together and passed just before the House and Senate adjourned last month.
Anger in US as China escapes currency 'manipulator' tag
The US government has drawn a chorus of fierce protests from politics and industry after once again refusing to label China a currency cheat.
WHY should Laura Bush get any more Privacy than any other American citizen? If they can listen to OUR phone calls, check our internet emails and sites visited, see what library books we take out, check our Financial records and our medical records, then why the hell can't we have access to the Stepford Bimbo???
"Well, in the afternoon press briefing by Tony Snow, it seems the White House still doesn’t believe that the health of Mrs. Bush may be a public matter. He drew the distinction that medical information about President Bush and Vice President Cheney was released because they were elected officials.
Mr. Snow continued to insist to the White House press corps that her medical treatment was a privacy issue, despite several questions about how she and others have campaigned for better awareness of illnesses like malaria, breast cancer, etc.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2006/12/19/more-on-the-first-lady/
now this one made me LOL. the Newt has a Base????
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has decided to break with President Bush.
Sources close to Mr. Gingrich said that, after having kept silent for more than a year, he has become openly critical of the administration, portraying the president as a weak man akin to Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. The former House speaker has warned conservatives not to expect anything from the White House over the remaining two years and instead focus on building a base for leadership for 2008.
"Newt bit his tongue for months and now feels he has to tell his base the truth: the White House does not have the will or the power to promote any agenda," a source close to Mr. Gingrich said.
Dead deer on Cheney compound yard? personally, I think someone was just a poor shot, myself!
"A tipster grabbed these two cell phone pictures of the poor massacred beast, which is still decomposing on the grounds of the Cheney Compound. Where did it come from? Who killed it? Nobody knows.
New York Daily News gossips Rush and Molloy picked up our [EXCLUSIVE MUST CREDIT WONKETTE] story and called Cheney’s office for comment. They received a chilling non-denial denial that our Vice President had shot the animal himself (or possibly strangled it with his bare hands).
The DC cops remind us that you’re not supposed to hunt in Washington, because we’re not even allowed to have guns.
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- The White House is considering an expansion of the U.S. Army and Marines for "the long struggle against radicals and extremists," President Bush said during a Wednesday news conference.
Bush would not elaborate on where that struggle would take place, only that he wanted to ensure that the U.S. military "stays in the fight for a long period of time."
"I'm not predicting any particular theater, but I am predicting that it's going to take a while for the ideology of liberty to finally triumph over the ideology of hate," he said.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/20/bush.main/index.html
Is that all this man can do is babble in secret code? Expansion? What the H does that mean? Draft??? And, everyone knows but Barney that when you say no "particular theater" you mean IRAN.
Draft???
Posted by BlueinIdaho on December 20, 2006 at 11:58 AM
My guess is Yes
CNN POLL:
Do you agree with President Bush that the United States needs to increase the size of the military?
That CNN Poll....seems that 50% of respondents don't understand Prince George's secret code for "Draft"....
Good afternoon, all.
Posted by PamB on December 20, 2006 at 10:38 AM
Pam,
It's not just Abizaid, it's also Casey.
Long-rumored shuffle of generals expected
By PAULINE JELINEK, Associated Press Writer
Wed Dec 20
WASHINGTON - A shuffle of top American generals in
Iraq is likely to accompany the shift in U.S. policy that President Bush is considering.
Army Gen. John P. Abizaid, commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, has submitted plans to go ahead with a retirement that is months overdue, according to the U.S. Central Command.
And the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. George Casey, has indicated in recent months that he also may not stay much longer than the end of this year.
Since they have opposed sending more troops to Iraq, their departures could make it easier for Bush and his new Defense Secretary Robert Gates to switch course in the troubled campaign, where they are considering a short-term surge in forces...
Bush is again driving out anyone who opposes him. Who is he going to put in charge of the forces next? Laura or his mother? Nobody else wants to service under this stubborn, incompetent Commander-in-Chief.
The twins have wisely refused to volunteer.
That CNN Poll....seems that 50% of respondents don't understand Prince George's secret code for "Draft"....
Posted by BlueinIdaho on December 20, 2006 at 12:04 PM
I don't think Bush would try for a draft. It would alienate a whole generation of young voters against the GOP.
But then Bush thinks he's a law unto himself. He's the Decider and the Destroyer of any hopes of GOP candidates in 2008.
Hi Sandy,
I will bet big bucks, that every single General over there, would LOVE to get out of the middle of this Failure of a mess! To have to lie every day about things going on must be so hard for men who swore themselves to HONOR!
Give 'em hell Sandyh and don't stop! If Mr Bush succeeds in prevoking a conflict with Iran, it would appear to me that he has clearly oversteped the authorization he was given by Congress for military action in Iraq. I believe that impeachment should be swift at that point.We can not allow this president to elevate himself above the will of Congress and the will of the people
I suspect the generals in Iraq are good men, but men caught up in a losing proposition. They don't make the decision to go to war, nor are they trained at maintaining civil peace. It's just not a good situation period.
w won't try for a draft...the democrats will enact that legislation.
Time to go to my corner, my grandaughter wants the computer. I live with 3 lovely ladies, I'm well trained....Later...Maybe...
w won't try for a draft...the democrats will enact that legislation.
Posted by Esmeralda on December 20, 2006 at 02:11 PM
I know Rangle has been advocating this to make a point about who is serving and making the biggest sacrifice. But why do you think the Democratic leadership would actually put this up for a vote?
I can see that the threat of such a move is just as effective as actually adopting that policy. It puts the responsibility directly back on the the President who started this bogus adventure.
If another military draft is called to support this losing occupation, I will personally work against anyone or any party that enacts it. It's a waste of time, money, energy, and lives. I saw how it demoralized our country back in the 1960's and '70s. Never again unless we are attacked.
You cannot "win" an occupation. And there is no commitment by the American people for continuing this foreign entanglement or for a new military draft.
I will not allow Saudi Arabia to blackmail us into protecting their dictatorship. It's time they dealed with their own internal social problems...and it's time we dealt with our dependence on their foreign oil.
We need to spend our tax money on developing alternative fuels not instituting another military draft that allows a failed foreign policy to continue unabated. The futility is obvious to anyone who lives in a reality-based world.
It's that age old stuggle of empire versus the public good. The ruling class is not going to get any indentured servants to fight for their dreams of "globalization."
And if the Democratic Party allows itself to be drawn into this struggle and support it, they lose me, too, in 2008.
I guess it's obvious I feel strongly about this, eh? Sorry for the rant. I just hate it when bad history repeats itself because nobody remembers how bad it can get.
Maybe if he tries the draft he`ll wake up the type of protests that were in the 60`s.That may be the ingredient our youth has not experienced?
I agree, Sandy. The party that puts the draft back in, commits suicide ! The Democrats are against this Invasion and occupation, so certainly will not appear to be trying to grow the troops by drafting them. A volunteer Military works the best, as has been proven.
Charlie Rangel admits that his talk of Drafts is merely to make the Republican Chicken Hawks think twice about sending American girls and boys into combat! He does advocate mandatory 2 year Service roles. I think that is bulls**t. If my daughters had wanted to join the Peace Corp or something, they would have without the Gov telling them they HAD to.
Sandy,
This global war on terror is getting out of hand. Everything is global. I "feel" that we will have an attack on our homeland and it will be necessary for the dems/legislators as a whole to enact some sort of law that would be a draft, even if they give it a catchy little name.
I don't want a draft due to personal reasons. My daughters, even though they are adults (22 & 18) doesn't make up for them being too "sheltered" (small town living can do that to a person) and not armed service material. They have no desire to join.
Do any of us here really know what is going on in our government? If w and his administration are really doing something illegal, wouldn't they be out on their asses by now?
If/when we pull out of E rack, we better well be loaded with military to protect us. And our borders had better be secured as well. (but then, the USA doesn't own it's ports)
sigh...
Sandy,I couldn`t agree with you more!This past election was about change.If the Democratic Party wants to just slide into the repubs position it`s all for nothing.Rest assured I`ll be looking for another 3rd party.This is about bringing back this party to the people in this country.I`m not interested in a bunch of power brokers getting rich while they play us with what they think we want to hear.We have already witnessed what the repubs did with their opportunity and where it got them!Our country is at stake here!
If you start a bogus occupation and institute a draft to support, this is the kind of government surveillance activity that starts happening:
FBI releases final John Lennon files
Wed Dec 20, 10:06 AM ET
LOS ANGELES - The FBI has released its final surveillance documents on John Lennon to a university historian who has waged a 25-year legal battle to obtain the secret files.
The 10 pages contain new details about Lennon's ties to leftist and anti-war groups in London in the early 1970s, but nothing indicating government officials considered the former Beatle a serious threat, historian Jon Wiener told the Los Angeles Times in Wednesday's editions.
The FBI had unsuccessfully argued that an unnamed foreign government secretly provided the information, and releasing the documents could lead to diplomatic, political or economic retaliation against the United States.
The newly released documents include a surveillance report stating that two prominent British leftists had courted Lennon in hopes that he would finance "a left-wing bookshop and reading room in London" but that Lennon gave them no money. Another page states that there was "no certain proof" that Lennon had provided money "for subversive purposes."
"I doubt that Tony Blair's government will launch a military strike on the U.S. in retaliation for the release of these documents," Wiener told the newspaper. "Today, we can see that the national security claims that the FBI has been making for 25 years were absurd from the beginning."...
Bush already has his NSA spy machine set up and running...watching over the unAmerican activities or Quakers, nuns, animal rights activists, and no doubt Matt Damon for inferring that the Bush twins should be serving in Iraq instead of poor kids who have no other job opportunities.
Posted by virgo on December 20, 2006 at 02:48 PM
virgo,
Cheney is far too subtle. It must make him angry at how obvert Bush can be at times. It must really screw up the crime family operations at times. They work much better when they fly under the radar.
Do any of us here really know what is going on in our government? If w and his administration are really doing something illegal, wouldn't they be out on their asses by now?
Essie,
You were but a child when Watergate and the Vietnam happened. Believe me, these crorupt and inept politcal/economic control freaks can do all kinds of stuff...and get away with it, too. Unless...you are on them and don't ever cooperate with them.
You don't stop anarchists with military operations. It's all done with intelligence and covert agents/operations. It's been done this way for centuries and it works.
Only those who don't know one end from the other try to fight their way out of a losing proposition. You bargain and trade with rouge nations. Terrorists aren't nations. And Iraq is not where the 9/11 terrorist are. They are laughing their butts off in Pakistan and Afganistan watching Bush do his impression of Nero.
And so are the Chinese and Russians laughing. We have far more problems out there that alterantive fuels and nobody in the White House is even aware of what's going on.
Corraling a bunch of unwilling young men and telling them to shoot people they don't see as dangerous is a bad idea. Just ask the homeless men living under underpasses in major metropolitan areas. Ask those doctors treating soldiers coming back from Iraq with mental issues.
The reason WWII veterans never talked about what happened in combat is not because they were humble...it was because it was so horrible. You do not want to sacrifice your next generation to this sort of hell unless it's the last resort.
I used to date guys that came back from Nam. Once they had a few drinks in them, they told you things they didn't really want you to know. I felt so ashamed that they had to go throught that for nothing.
I repeat...we are not in Iraq because of 9/11. We can't give Bush an inch on this.
There maybe a time when our children will have to face a draft, but it should be for survival...nothing less. Let the spooks and the diplomats do what they do best and get us the hell out of there.
I have to finish a project. later.
Do any of us here really know what is going on in our government? If w and his administration are really doing something illegal, wouldn't they be out on their asses by now?
Jacque, the fact that no one knows what was really going on, and that charges have not been brought for those actions we now know are illegal, were all due to a Republican majority. No hearings nor investigations could be run before. that is why it is such a blessing to have Dems now in power, but now we have Pelosi saying we won't be looking to impeach! Same, timid, wussies that were in before and afraid to make any noise! It is up to Conyors, and others to make sure we start looking at crimes.
I know the repugs have already started targeting Z politically. It will be difficult for the newly elected democratic congress to get anything worthwhile completed in the next 2 years.
Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) named Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones on Tuesday to become chairwoman of the chamber's troubled ethics committee.
Posted by Esmeralda on December 20, 2006 at 11:11 AM
Alright Ms Tubbs! You have definitely earned it.
Good Afternoon, ALL!!
It looks as if Liebermud is a big ol' LIAR.
It's official: Lieberman and Co. lied about "hacking"
Do any of us here really know what is going on in our government? If w and his administration are really doing something illegal, wouldn't they be out on their asses by now?
It all depended on the lock stepping rubber stamp Republicans who have let W skate for his entire term.
From C & J @ KOS,
One Year Ago in C&J: December 20, 2003...
JEERS to the Republican thugocracy. File this under 'pathetic': the Washington Post counted up the congressional subpoenas against Clinton and the Democrats for alleged misconduct over 8 years vs. those issued against King George W. Bush and his goons over 5. Ready for this? Subpoenas against Democrats under Clinton: 1,052. Subpoenas against Republicans under Bush: 3. Lawdy Lawdy, Gladys...what an honest administration we have!
(Yes. I know he did a typo on the date)
This might be a good time to write and/or call your congressmen and women...
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon wants the White House to seek an additional $99.7 billion to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to information provided to The Associated Press.
The military's request, if embraced by President Bush and approved by Congress, would boost this year's budget for those wars to about $170 billion.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/20/war.funds.ap/index.html
The Bush Administration: Making America safer, one failed project at a time.
Federal health officials yesterday scuttled the largest piece of the Bush administration's two-year program to counter bioterrorism, canceling an $877.5 million contract with VaxGen to develop an anthrax vaccine after the company missed a deadline to begin human testing.
The decision, delivered in a one-page letter, ends a troubled effort by the small California firm that has come to symbolize the failures of the government's ambitious $5.6 billion Project BioShield. The termination occurred on the same day President Bush signed legislation attempting to salvage the program by reorganizing its management and pumping more money into firms doing the work.
Here's somrthing for Lizzy if she's lurking. It just never ends with these creeps.
In NY-19, Fleischer May Run
The Great Intimidator
Constitutional Freedom and Democracy
Has turned into a White House Creative version,
Executive Privilege had reigned in the power,
Autocratic President of Guantanamo justice,
Supreme Judge of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,
Secret closet of political fraternity favors.
War President of Mission Accomplished,
He labeled himself with that smirk grin!
Why he is a Cowboy Judged Supreme,
Redefining torture and the Constitution,
So it had a Corporate CEO Enron attitude,
Anything goes under totalitarian command.
Well things are not so good in Iraq’s Civil War,
Soon more troops will be sent in for peace!
The President having blinders of power on,
Could he not talk to the Iraqi people directly,
Praying for human respect of divine equality!
But the Bush White House is about isolation,
You must have a divine ticket of this loyalty.
Royalty to promise total devoted allegiance,
Never expressing honest opinions in debates,
Bush Republicans of a country club mentality.
President Bush walk public streets of America,
Go into the neighborhoods serving Iraq reserves.
Why must he surround himself with a military?
Who have no recourse, but to follow you blindly!
Can we again have a “We the people.. White House?
The Great Intimidator
I wish I could afford a ticket to see Mr. Bush, but then
You banned all Poets from Free Speech views.
Now your audience must be segregated approval
That means 60 % of US have lost their rights.
Those left have the wealth to buy your ticket!
Mr. President what kind of Freedom ‘n Democracy
Are you giving the Iraqi people to live under?
Why have you aborted check ’n balances?
Where one branch intimidates, in extreme fear,
Anyone using their Free Speech public opinions.
It seems Congress is starting to do your job,
Sending ambassadors to find pliable solutions,
While you ignore nations, like they were France!
Like they were the United Nations, NATO, allies,
Labeling a whole world, against your demands.
But treating China as a country of religious rights
Green-blooded compassion of a pure profit line.
Who filters Constitutional Freedom ‘n Democracy
In this true hearted American Bush patriotism?
I am proud of the new breed of Republican voice!
Now we need, a new breed of Democrat, on the streets!
I want Post Office Email, under Ben Franklin rules. I do not want Bush, Corporate, or Chinese filtered email.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon wants the White House to seek an additional $99.7 billion to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to information provided to The Associated Press.
****
This is an absolute outrage. I'll say it once and say it again and again. If the Democrats don't limit funding for Iraq to that which is needed to redeploy then they are as useless as the Republicans. I don't want to hear anymore about surges, staying the course and Iraqification. We done enough - in fact, we messed up Iraq too much already. It's time to get out.
This is a list of the Out of Iraq caucus. It may have changed a bit post November elections:
http://www.democracyrising.us/content/view/288/165/
If you Congressional Rep is not a member of this caucus ask them why not? By the way, it is bipartisian - there is at least one Republican in the caucus.
Baghdad suicide car bomb kills 11
A suicide car bomber has killed at least 11 people and injured about 30 others in Baghdad, Iraqi officials say.
Full Story:
Tony Blair blames Iran for Middle East conflicts
Tony Blair today labelled Iran as the main obstacle to hopes for peace in the Middle East.
Full Story:
Stop funding the war:
http://pdamerica.org/articles/news/2006-11-09-19-51-55-news.php
Stop funding the war - listen to Jim McGovern (D-MA) from Worster, MA:
Failure is not an option.
All the Republican pundits and politicans keep saying this like it's true. It isn't. It's more strawman language. Somebody needs to write an op ed calling them out on it.
People fail all the time and pick themselves up and go on, hopefully learning something from it.
Bush failed. It is a fact. They can't keep on perpetrating the lie that it's still possible for Bush to be in control of the situation in Iraq. He's wandering around in the desert and the Lord didn't send him there...and isn't going to lead him out. That is the truth.
He made a critical mistake and now it's time for him to make a strategic retreat or redeployment until the next President can fix the mess he made. Bush is not incapable of waging war or peace in Iraq, because he has lost all his crediblity with the various factions fighting there.
He can admit defeat or stay and make a continued fool of himself and destroy the Republican Party in the process. You'd think he would care.
Saying he wants to rebuild the Army and Marines means absolutely nothing if they remain in a quagmire. Iraq will eat up any resources we put in these services in short order if we stay.
So it's time to go home and rebuild our battered and weakened military establishment. Someone needs to tell him it's over.
Tony Blair today labelled Iran as the main obstacle to hopes for peace in the Middle East.
Posted by DemocratKickingAss on December 20, 2006 at 06:34 PM
DKA,
Someone needs to tell Blair it's all over, too.
All the Republican pundits and politicans keep saying this like it's true. It isn't. It's more strawman language. Somebody needs to write an op ed calling them out on it.
****
sandy,
Ned answered the call:
It's time for Democrats to cut off funding for this Iraq war! Enough is enough! We can't even take care of own people over here, more cuts being made to Medicare and Medicaid while Bush asks for more money to continue to this illegal war in Iraq. Write to your Representatives and Senators and tell them to stop funding this Iraq war and bring our troops home now! You can do so by visiting the websites in the links below:
Someone needs to tell Blair it's all over, too.
****
sandy, Blair is just about out and Gordon Brown is in real soon. I can't quite read Brown on Iraq - he's made contradictory statements.
Posted by SandyH on December 20, 2006 at 06:41 PM
Failure and Success are all in the spin. If the "coalition's" mission was to make certain Hussein did not have useable WMDs, then Success has been obtained. If the mission was to rid Iraq of a ruthless dictator, again, Success. On the other hand, if the mission was to export democracy to a nation governed by religious fundamentalism, we have Failure.
If Prince George's spin doctors can make GW into a war hero and Kerry and McCain and Cleland into failed cowards, they surely can make Success out of Iraq.
We can't even take care of own people over here, more cuts being made to Medicare and Medicaid while Bush asks for more money to continue to this illegal war in Iraq.
****
kicking,
This is what the people of this country have to get straight. The longer we stay, the less money we have for everything else. No nation can borrow money endlessly - eventually the economy collapses when the currency becomes worthless.
If Prince George's spin doctors can make GW into a war hero and Kerry and McCain and Cleland into failed cowards, they surely can make Success out of Iraq.
****
I'll tell you what. Bush can give himself a medal of honor, declare mission accomplished, work on the 200 million dollar Bush library to falsify his legacy as long as he gets the troops out of iraq.
In fact, I'll even write one niece thing about him ... it will be exactly one nice thing ... after all, he is still Dumbya.
Posted by rjsnj on December 20, 2006 at 06:48 PM
rjsnj,
Brown probably doesn't know what to make of the mess Blair in handing over to him. He just wants to get out gracefully... but hasn't figured out yet how to do it.
It will come to him. Or Labor will be in the same fix as the GOP. I think it will come to Brown a lot quicker than it will to Cheney.
It's a shame Bush Sr. doesn't hunt more often with Old Blunderbuss. I think Poppy knows what needs to be done. And he might be tempted to do it too, if he had a gun in his hands.
Maybe Poppy is ready to quit crying and start fighting?
If Prince George's spin doctors can make GW into a war hero and Kerry and McCain and Cleland into failed cowards, they surely can make Success out of Iraq.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on December 20, 2006 at 06:50 PM
Blue,
No they can't. That's the problem...all those flag draped coffins and wounded at VA hospitals just can't be explained away. It works in political campaigns, but it doesn't work in wars.
On the other hand, if the mission was to export democracy to a nation governed by religious fundamentalism, we have Failure.
Blue,
The mission was to get Bush re-elected. That was the only mission. That is the problem. It was a selfish, callus political mission not a military or ethical one. Bush can't talk himself on this one.
We aren't winning and we aren't losing.
This was more strawman talk from the administration today. It isn't an either or proposition. It's getting out without destroying the military any future....that is the military's mission now, IMO.
But not Bush's. His mission is to just keep the facade up till he can stroll out of the White House in 2008 without anyone labeling him as a loser. He's going to fail in that, too.
Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) named Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones on Tuesday to become chairwoman of the chamber's troubled ethics committee.
****
Okay. That's a good choice. I enjoy listening to Stephanie Tubbs Jones. The other possibility is Louise Slaughter. Maybe Louise Slaughter can work on real lobbying reforms ... not the garbage that the Goppies passed last year.
I wonder with Delta Pension Plan now defunct, did the Judge also make Corporate Officials Pension plans go belly up? Did the Court readjust the Corporate royalty paychecks and benefits? I think that the CEO's of the past having made those mistakes, must get nothing in returen for their retirements. Maybe they can go to government for Enron support. Does anyone know if the benefits were eliminated for past Corporate Delta officials?
rj....Right on! Bush doesn't care about the American taxpayor who has to pay for all of "Bush's Folly"...his attitude is "screw them, I know what is best"....the trillion dollars that "Bush's Folly" is going to cost before we get this meglamanic stopped is money that could have been usused to improve education, healthcare, ...money used to help the people who pay the bills
Rep. Waters: "President between a Rock and a Hard Place"
Submitted by davidswanson on Wed, 2006-12-20 21:51. Congress
Contact: Mikael Moore (202) 2250-2201
Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Maxine Waters (CA-35) issued the following statement regarding President Bush's press conference today:
"Prior to November's election, the President said, 'we are absolutely winning.' However in today's press conference, he said, 'we're not winning; we're not losing.'"
"The President can't have it both ways. The fact is that we are losing in Iraq. Today's polls indicate that 67 percent of Americans believe that we are losing the Iraq war and want us to conclude our involvement in Iraq. Today's press conference yielded no new information about the President's plans to get us out of Iraq."
"The President would have us believe he is waiting for advice from his new Secretary of Defense and others. However, the President has shown that he is not willing to take advice. He has already dismissed the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, former Secretary of State Powell, and the Join Chiefs of Staff, among others."
Representative Maxine Waters is Chair of the 73-member 'Out of Iraq' Congressional Caucus. The Caucus was founded in June 2005 to pressure the Bush Administration to conclude the Iraq war as soon as possible.
....
My gut tells me the caucus will grow in numbers with the 100th Congress. This is what all of us need to do - urge our Congressional Rep to join this caucus. Both Reps in my area - Pallone and Holt - are in it.
Bush doesn't care about the American taxpayor who has to pay for all of "Bush's Folly".
****
goodfoe, my Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ - 6th distict) says that the Iraq war alone is costing the taxpayer 40 cents out of every tax dollar. That is an outrage. Bush wants to up the ante and spend even more just to save face! Cut off the money.
Another way everyone can help is to urge their Congressional Rep to get behind Jim McGovern's bill to limit Iraq funding to just what is needed to redeploy.
Well, some leaders have decided to withdrawal their forces....from Afganistan. This is not good news.
French pulls troops from Afghanistan
By ELAINE GANLEY, Associated Press Writer
Wed Dec 20, 2:15 PM ET
PARIS - As violence mounts in Afghanistan, France is pulling 200 of its best soldiers out. But military officials here insist France remains fully committed, with 1,100 troops still based in Kabul.
Nevertheless, France's decision to withdraw its Special Forces comes amid concerns in Paris that
NATO's mission in Afghanistan has grown confused and that the alliance may be overreaching in its efforts to stabilize and rebuild the nation....
//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061220/ap_on_re_as/france_afghanistan
Another confused mission?
Top U.S. Commander in Middle East Opposes Troop Increase
Another day, another top military commander coming out against President Bush’s vague plan to pour 30,000 additional U.S. troops into Iraq without a clear mission. Today the honor belongs to Gen. John Abizaid, senior U.S. commander in the Middle East, who would eschew extra military force in favor of the White House’s least-favorite option: regional diplomacy. Says Abizaid: “You just can’t apply a microscope on a particular problem in downtown Baghdad and a particular problem in downtown Kabul and say that somehow or another, if you throw enough military forces at it, that you are going to solve the broader issues in the region of extremism.”
email this page
****
At least, the military realizes the "surge" is nonsense. But, Bush doesn't listen to anyone. It's now about the chimp saving his ugly face.
Joint Chiefs Oppose Troop Increase, Believe Bush Has No Plan
The nation’s top military commanders unanimously disagree with a plan, being pushed aggressively by Bush officials, that would send as many as 30,000 additional U.S. troops to Iraq. The Joint Chiefs reportedly believe that the White House is latching on to the idea in part because of limited alternatives, and have warned that any temporary surge may only set up the U.S. for bigger problems when it ends. This comes as the Pentagon reports violence in Iraq reaching a new high at about 960 attacks a week, and polls show public support for Bush’s Iraq policies falling to 28%, yet another new low.
SENATE---DON'T GIVE BUSH ANY MORE MONEY FOR THE WAR, PLEASE.
A KNOWN LIAR, WHO CAN'T BE TRUSTED.
THE PEOPLE ARE WALKING AROUND, GRUMPY AS ALL GET OUT, THE CHILDREN ARE FIGHTING A WAR NO ONE BELIEVES IN, FOR WHAT?
COST OF LIVING IS RISING, EVEN THE DOLLAR STORES SEEM TOO EXPENSIVE.
SO, PLEASE, SENATE, DON'T FUND A WAR WE DON'T WANT.
SINCERELY,
A VOTER
Posted by wackat on December 20, 2006 at 08:21 PM
The Senate has nothing to do with funding. The HOUSE controls the bucks.
The Senate has nothing to do with funding. The HOUSE controls the bucks.
****
Yep, that's why we need to get behind Congressman Jim McGovern's bill to restrain Iraq funding to what's needed to redeploy out of there.
Bush Floating Another Shady "Deal", This Time on the Minimum Wage
by Jonathan Singer, Wed Dec 20, 2006 at 07:10:04 PM EST
The storyline for the first session of the 110th Congress is already beginning to emerge: A contrite George W. Bush lays out a "compromise" -- on Social Security, immigration, etc. -- and the spirit of bipartisanship should compel the Democrats to accept it, if not outright at least as a jumping off point. Continuing in this vein, the President is now laying out a "deal" on the minimum wage, as Jennifer Loven reports for the AP.
President Bush endorsed one of the Democrats' top priorities for the new Congress, a $2.10-an-hour minimum wage increase -- and on a faster timetable than they have proposed.
But his support comes with a catch.
Bush said at a Wednesday news conference that any pay hike should be accompanied by tax and regulatory relief for small businesses, potentially a tough sell for Democrats, who are about to reassume control of the House and Senate.
But his support comes with a catch.
Bush said at a Wednesday news conference that any pay hike should be accompanied by tax and regulatory relief for small businesses, potentially a tough sell for Democrats, who are about to reassume control of the House and Senate.
I don't mean to sound glib or cynical (or repetitious, for that matter), but it's imperative that the Democrats remain impervious to entreaties by the Bush White House -- at least when they're not good faith deals. This is not to say that Democratic leaders in Congress should not follow through with their pledge to open up the process in the Capitol and allow the minority to play a role in crafting policy. Yet at the same time, if the Democrats have the votes to pass a necessary and, frankly, highly popular piece of legislation like increasing the minimum wage, then they should do so with or without Republican support. If this means that the bill will not be enacted into law in the first pass because the President is so foolish and bull-headed that he would veto it, so be it. While the country needs an increase in the minimum wage -- and I do not mean to downplay this need at all -- at the same time we cannot afford to indulge the President's desire to appease his highly partisan and ideological base for politics' sake.
http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/12/20/19104/661
We bring this on ourselves. Why in the world is someone like Barney Frank trying to cut "deals" with the corporatists? We must pass a clean minimum wage increase bill this time around. Put the pressure on Bush and Republicans to make even more enemies with the voters. Democrats need to start acting like they won in 2006. The hell with making deals with Bush. He has shown that he won't listen to anyone and these phony compromises just give him a backhanded way to appease his extreme base. Stop giving in to this, all out confrontation is needed with this man.
Well, well, well. Junior wants "more troops" for Iraq, so a "new" al Qaida tape gets released. Who says Bush and these guys aren't working together?
On Wisconsin The new session, Day 3: State health-care cures?
Some say that with Democrats now in control of the state Senate and the governor's office, the climate is ripe for health-care reform in Wisconsin's legislative session to begin next month.
...
A total of 82 percent of voters in Dane County and 10 other Wisconsin communities approved referendums in November asking for universal health care.
...
... Wisconsin is one of several states, including Minnesota and Illinois, showing movement toward universal health care.
Two main plans
The two main plans differ in two primary ways: the first plan involves the insurance industry, while the second plan largely replaces it; and the second plan would cover more mental health and drug-abuse treatment.
David Newby, director of the state AFL-CIO, which proposed the second plan, said most of its savings comes from eliminating the existing insurance structure.
Neither bill has been endorsed by Doyle, a Democrat entering his second term.
Instead, the governor wants to expand BadgerCare, create a catastrophic insurance pool and allow tax deductions for health-insurance premiums.
"I'm going to be much more focused on very practical things that can get done," Doyle said.
============
I don't want to pick on Doyle. His posture is typical. But just as politicans were/are behind the curve on Iraq they are behind the curve on health care.
In MN, coalition groups are trying to organize residents in districts that are represented by key committee members and to educate the legislature at large.
The hope is that grassroots activism can play a tipping point roll in getting Health Care Reform to move a faster pace.
"Kristol is in the Biden shot camp. It'll be one last shot, then one last shot, them one last shot…"
Kristol: If we surge in troops and we take one more shot in stabilizing Baghdad—I think we really do have a shot at winning this war.
Crooks and Liars
Dispatches from an alternate reality: Free Republic on the Bush Press Conference
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/12/20/194823/48
Warning ... read only if you have a strong stomach.
dors,
you lump politicians together...please...
anyway... here's a piece for you
did you vote for Reagan?
What the hell is going on?
by Mike Stark
Wed Dec 20, 2006 at 05:09:58 PM PST
Why are we stuck wondering what the Dems are going to do regarding Iraq? We've been told over and over again that they got the message from the American people - loud and clear - last November. So why is there so much equivocation?
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/12/20/2032/4381
Exactly Mike Stark, whomever you are, what in the hell is going on? It's clear enough that voters said they had enough. Heck, the Democratic Party ran on that slogan. So why are we gearing up for more of the same?
Congressman won't apologize for islamophobic comments
Virginia Republican, Vigil Goode has decided to throw the "macaca republicans" some more red meat by making bigoted anti-Muslim statements against a fellow house member.
In the letter, Goode wrote, "The Muslim representative from Minnesota was elected by the voters of that district and if American citizens don't wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Koran."
Goode said the U.S. needs to stop illegal immigration "totally" and reduce legal immigration.
What the racist right seems to forget is that Rep. Keith Ellison was born and raised in Detroit, MI and grew up in a Catholic household. That's in America, last time I checked. What definition of "immigration" is Virgil Goode using as a basis for his statement?
Or is it possible he gets "them darkies" confused and really meant to talk about Barak Obama, whose father was a Muslim immigrant. Was he following up Debbie Schlussel who said of Obama: "Once a Muslim, Always a Muslim?"
Who knows...
Dailykos
Kristol: If we surge in troops and we take one more shot in stabilizing Baghdad—I think we really do have a shot at winning this war.
****
Can you believe these neocons? Well, there is little we can do about them directly. Cut the gun money off already ... it's our only SHOT at ending this debacle.
John Lennon files
Jacque...this should help you to understand how criminals in government get away with it...
The hope is that grassroots activism can play a tipping point roll in getting Health Care Reform to move a faster pace.
****
Progressive Democrats of America advocate for single payer system. Marilynn Clement of Healthcare-Now is now on the steering committee.
Personally, I would settle for a system like they have in the Netherlands that is multi-payer with strict price controls.
Either way, the key point is that we need a comprehensive system NOT this patch work mess that leads to immense health care inequality.
Posted by fade2bluz on December 20, 2006 at 09:14 PM you lump politicians together... please...
I'm not sure what you're getting at Fade, but
politicians can be classified in many ways. By caucus, by subcaucus, etc ... There are some attributes that apply to them all such as their job.
Every serving Democratic Senator gave Lieberman a standing ovation when he reported for work after wining the election. Including Dayton from MN and Durbin from IL. So I could lump them together that way.
did you vote for Reagan?
I'm curious why you ask?
Posted by fade2bluz on December 20, 2006 at 09:14 PM here's a piece for you
That link doesn't work, Fade - at least on Netscape.
I agree, Sandy. The party that puts the draft back in, commits suicide ! The Democrats are against this Invasion and occupation, so certainly will not appear to be trying to grow the troops by drafting them. A volunteer Military works the best, as has been proven. Charlie Rangel admits that his talk of Drafts is merely to make the Republican Chicken Hawks think twice about sending American girls and boys into combat! He does advocate mandatory 2 year Service roles. I think that is bulls**t. If my daughters had wanted to join the Peace Corp or something, they would have without the Gov telling them they HAD to. Posted by PamB on December 20, 2006 at 02:55 PM
PamB, it might be "suicide" if it were ever put into effect, but it's not meant to ever be put into effect. Just like outlawing abortion and gay marrage are never meant to ever be put into effect by the Republicans. It's meant to make the Repugs vote against supporting the troops so their "no" vote can be used in campaign ads against them in the next up-comming elections. Dems need to get their "Karl Rove" groove on and beat these cowardly chickenhawks at their own game.
Posted by rjsnj on December 20, 2006 at 09:19 PM Progressive Democrats of America advocate for single payer system. Marilynn Clement of Healthcare-Now is now on the steering committee.
The progressive subcaucus of the MN Democratic party works with groups I posted a link to to advance some form of single payer in MN.
They coordinated a training hour for delegates at the MN state convention last.
Bush Warns of More U.S. Losses in Iraq
WASHINGTON -- Acknowledging deepening frustration over Iraq, President Bush said Wednesday he is considering an increase in American forces and warned that next year will bring more painful U.S. losses. New Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in Baghdad that a troop surge was an obvious option.
Bush was unusually candid at a year-end news conference about U.S. setbacks and dashed hopes in the war, which has claimed the lives of more than 2,950 U.S. military members.
He said "2006 was a difficult year for our troops and the Iraqi people.
LA Times
dors,
classification and taxonomy are useful in biology
I want you to remember this the next time you need health care and they won't give it to you. And I also want you to remember this when some goofy wing-nut starts shooting off his big mouth about "tax and spend liberals".
Pentagon Wants $99.7B More for Wars
WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon wants the White House to seek an additional $99.7 billion to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to information provided to The Associated Press.
The military's request, if embraced by President Bush and approved by Congress, would boost this year's budget for those wars to about $170 billion.
Military planners assembled the proposal at a time when Bush is developing new strategies for Iraq, such as sending thousands of more U.S. troops there, although it was put together before the president said the troop surge was under consideration.
Overall, the war in Iraq has cost about $350 billion. Combined with the conflict in Afghanistan and operations against terrorism elsewhere, the cost has topped $500 billion, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.
The additional funds, if approved, would push this year's cost of the war in Iraq to about $50 billion over last year's record. In September, Congress approved an initial $70 billion for the current budget year, which began Oct. 1.
LA Times
"But I also don't believe most Americans want us just to get out now," the president said.
Gates was an excellent choice. Not at all a shill.
Reposting Sy Hersch's piece from last month in New Yorker magazine...
Iran is the double of the "double down"
It worked for a while, this idea of Republican political tactician Karl Rove to win national elections by appealing solely to evangelicals and fundamentalists. Rove's famed strategy was to fire up white religious folks with the bogymen of gay marriage, abortion and stem cell research, enlist pastors to reinforce and expand voter loyalty, and then mobilize these voters in a final 72-hour push to the polls.
You have to give Rove and his machine credit, it turned out huge masses of Republican voters, even in 2006. But what Rove didn't count on were the voters he was losing, particularly those economic conservatives who chaffed at their shotgun marriage to the religious right.
Is divorce in the offing? Sure seems to be.
The libertarian vote is up for grabs in a way it may have never been before. A compelling case is being made for the economically conservative yet socially liberal libertarians to switch their political allegiances from Republican to Democrat, a trend that has already begun.
TMS Features
"But I also don't believe most Americans want us just to get out now," the president said.
evening {{fade}}
I heard Bush when he said this this morning, and you can always tell when this guy is lying. His shifty eyes get smaller and he tries to semi-smirk. A little throw up came into the back of my throat at this one! Now WHO actually believed this bullshit????
speaking of those hard core, Greedy Republicans, Lou Dobbs poll tonight was " Do you believe that the Federal $5.25 minimum wage is too low"?
94% voted Yes.
WHO are these 7% of the population who have the balls to say NO, not too low? Koolaid drinkers, defenders of this administration to the death, so blind they will not admit what a mistake this administration is, and their call to invade Iraq! It embarasses me that they are citizens of this country so ignorant.
Hi WilliamD
that DailyKos article on Lieberman lie being exposed, had a comment on it which stated exactly what happened to Ned's campaign. I will not forget for a long time what happened with the Democrats sandbagging Lamont!!
"Yale conference on Ct. senate race. (3+ / 0-)
This conference was made up of media people and campaign staff for all three senatorial candidates. It was shown on C-Span and on our Connecticut public service network. Unfortunately, they didn't mention the website thing. Two things stand out in the analysis of why Joe Lieberman won and I'm taking this opportunity to inform those who might be interested. First, the Lamont campaign was "sandbagged" (their word, not mine) by party insiders who encouraged Ned to give them time to convince Joe to pull out of the race. Joe's people claimed that he never heard from anyone on this, but Joe used this time to emerge from the primary pretty much unscathed and he also used the time to frame Ned. Joe quickly took all attention away from the Lamont campaign which was made to look inept for not responding to Joe and being visible. Second, and maybe even more important was the fact that the Republican Party did not put up a credible candidate, so Joe actually was running on two tickets, or even three, claiming to be a Democrat, an Independent, and a Republican, too. That made the race what some called "unwinnable" for Ned. Joe won with slightly less than 50% of the total vote, so it wasn't an overwhelming endorsement of Joe, and a strong Republican candidate could probably have given the victory to Ned. Lieberman got about 30% of the Dem. vote and 70% of the Republican vote. Schlesinger got about 10% of the total vote, not enough to help Ned.
Posted by fade2bluz on December 20, 2006 at 09:40 PMclassification and taxonomy are useful in biology
I think you read my post as "all" politicans rather than "some" politicans.
Cynacism is one of the more potent campaign tools the GOP uses. It plays into the anti-government rhetoric and the two work together to suppress the vote and keep the public unengaged.
I try not to help them in that effort. As it makes whatever engagement I do more difficult. I generally try to stay pretty upbeat. It seems to work the best.
I've posted links to United States National Health Insurance Act, H.R. 676 quite a few times now. And pointed to the 77 members of the House who've endorsed it. So there are clearly "some" politicans who are not behind the curve on health care.
Perhaps I should have been more precise.
hi Pammie
i know that little piece of vomit taste, so well...
i read that Lamont's team didn't hack into the crybaby's website, after all..big surprise!
same flavor, as is the minimum wage b/s
the working poor have been so abused by these thugs...and Texas has the largest percentage in the nation...of course...
dors,
Doyle is very astute to do what he can with the existing programs. taking on the insurance industry is a loser. he has milwaukee and madison with him...and plenty of opposition upstate.
i will apologize for my cynicism, but i know Doyle and he is a decent man. can't say that about too many...
i'm from WI and see Tommy Thompson in my rear view mirror...
Posted by fade2bluz on December 20, 2006 at 09:37 PM you did, didn't you?
Help coordinate the training hour for delegates at the MN state convention?
No - I'm helping to organize in my Senate district. We have a Democratic state senator who is behind the curve on health care.
I helped to organize a meeting at a church in the district to try to come up with ways of getting more people engaged on the issue and how best to effect a change in thinking in the legislature.
Evening,
This troop escalation in Iraq will be in action on January 4th to deflect and distract from the new congress's 100 hour agenda.
Bush said today it is going to take a lot more sacrificing, and we need more troops for the long time it's going to take to fight this "war on Terror".
He is at this muddled propaganda thing again trying to confuse the occupation of Iraq with the fight or actions against terrorists. He is misleading the people again and needs to be stopped before he can cause any more damage.
He wants damage because then we will have sacrifices and investments from which we cannot honorably retreat.
Cutting off the funds will be a fight and can't come quickly enough. Revoking the authorization for force will stop this dangerous other-agenda man faster, and will stop the kidnappings and torture as well.
Posted by fade2bluz on December 20, 2006 at 10:09 PM Doyle is very astute to do what he can with the existing programs.
I'm sure he is.
taking on the insurance industry is a loser.
It is without grassroots support. It's also required in order to achieve universal coverage. 15% of every dollar spent on health care goes to the administrative overhead caused by the proliferation of plans and coverage and the overhead in the insurance companies themselves.
Medicare has 2% overhead in contrast.
Unfortunetly, fade, that conception that they created on primary day will hold, because the media will not pay much attention to this Retraction of blame on Lamont.
Do you get TIME mag btw? They had an article this time, The Real War, where they interviewed 6 different authors of books (Woodward, Wright, Gordon, Trainor, Ricks and Suskind).
The most notable comment to me, was one where they asked them "Did failure to capture bin Laden play a role in the deicison to go to war?"
One of the guys,(Wright), said:
"Al_Qaeda essentially was dead after December 2001. the 'war on terror, you know had suceeded". If we had captured the leaders, I think people would've felt a sense of finality, and might not have had that impulse to roll into Iraq."
So THAT was why Bush brushed off Bin laden after that and said he was not concerned about him! To capture him, is to project an image that his imaginary War on Terror is over in the american's eyes!!
Posted by fade2bluz on December 20, 2006 at 10:23 PM you did vote for him, didn't you? ;)
Lieberman? Yes, I voted for him when he ran with Al Gore. :)
heading out. The CA daughter flying in tonight, and landing late. Want to head to the airport and wait for her. Eager to see her again!
Have a good evening all.
So THAT was why Bush brushed off Bin laden after that and said he was not concerned about him! To capture him, is to project an image that his imaginary War on Terror is over in the american's eyes!!
Posted by PamB on December 20, 2006 at 10:26 PM
the Afghani women know that war did not help them out at all...and it's a damned shame that the American people have the attention span of gnats
good find, Pammie...how do we get reporters to enter the here and now? they are so dull...what gives?
Another healthcare plan, is to continue with private insurance, but be clear about its for-profit tax status, and have in addition a government VA-type system, that can also include non-profit companies, to cover all people with basic care.
The actual people healcare providers can then gravitate toward which is most rewarding to their contentment.
Hospitals and pharmacies and clinics would be like the VA or Kaiser: separate physical facilities that have their own resources.
The cost would be minimized by the exclusive use of non-profits and a one-system administration, and could be funded by taxes from the private health industry.
The Point of Education
J., FOS, anyone else. If you get a chance, can you listen this WCCO show by Jack Rice and weigh in. This cuts close to home in my case. I've got an instigator, instigating. :)
Ooops, I should have pointed out. It's this show:
The Superintendant of the Edina school district made a tough decision to remove some of the racial epithets from the Steinbeck classic that will be performed at the high school.
Good evening
Miami - a shining example of the huge gaps between the rich and the poor.
http://www.racewire.org/archives/2006/12/miamis_super_bowl_secret.html
Positive Emotions Preferentially Engage an Auditory–Motor "Mirror" System
Jane E. Warren,1,3 Disa A. Sauter,4 Frank Eisner,6 Jade Wiland,4 M. Alexander Dresner,2 Richard J. S. Wise,1,3 Stuart Rosen,5 and Sophie K. Scott1,6
We demonstrate that a network of human premotor cortical regions activated during facial movement is also involved in auditory processing of affective nonverbal vocalizations. Within this auditory–motor mirror network, distinct functional subsystems respond preferentially to emotional valence and arousal properties of heard vocalizations. Positive emotional valence enhanced activation in a left posterior inferior frontal region involved in representation of prototypic actions, whereas increasing arousal enhanced activation in presupplementary motor area cortex involved in higher-order motor control. Our findings demonstrate that listening to nonverbal vocalizations can automatically engage preparation of responsive orofacial gestures, an effect that is greatest for positive-valence and high-arousal emotions. The automatic engagement of responsive orofacial gestures by emotional vocalizations suggests that auditory–motor interactions provide a fundamental mechanism for mirroring the emotional states of others during primate social behavior. Motor facilitation by positive vocal emotions suggests a basic neural mechanism for establishing cohesive bonds within primate social groups.
www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/abstract/26/50/13067?lookupType=volpage&vol=26&fp=1306
Don't have a subscription to JN, but I guess this means that when you hear WHOO HOO you automatically smile and get some kind of reward.
Hi Tom,
guess this might help explain why the parking lot is full for the football games yet empty for parent/teacher conferences...
maybe we need more shouting, whooo hoooo!
Critic accuses Bush of silencing dissent
By Guy Dinmore in Washington
Published: December 18 2006 23:41 | Last updated: December 18 2006 23:41
A former senior Bush administration official who has been outspoken in his criticism of US foreign policy accused the White House on Monday of trying to silence him by censoring an article he co-authored that advocated broad engagement with Iran.
Flynt Leverett, a former CIA analyst and director in the national security council, said the White House had threatened him with criminal prosecution if he went ahead and published an opinion piece prepared for the New York Times.
Mr Leverett, an analyst at the New America Foundation, a Washington think-tank, accused the White House of using the pretext of protecting classified information to limit dissent from someone highly critical of its Iran policy.
www.ft.com/cms/s/f357c9d0-8eea-11db-a7b2-0000779e2340.html
Tom,
earlier up thread i posted the links to the John Lennon FOI requests, the originals (sharpee pages) and the readable versions. these criminals don't want the truth to come out.
they're better at this since Nixon...but one day their time will come. of course, they'll be in Paraguay but...
The Point of Education
J., FOS, anyone else. If you get a chance, can you listen this WCCO show by Jack Rice and weigh in. This cuts close to home in my case. I've got an instigator, instigating. :)
Posted by dorsano on December 20, 2006 at 10:46 PM
Listened to the show up to a few phone calls. Tough call dor. Mice and Men a classic and to get the full effect of the time frame the productions would have been portraying would need to include profanity and racial epithets. The Superientendent of Edina Schools played it safe by telling the production crews that the racial epithets had to be removed. As I listened to Rice speak with the Superientendent I noticed that he (superientendent) used the word sensative several times.
In the end, though the students may have felt that some censorship was involved, the Superientendent made the right call.
Dors,
Tough Choices or Tough Times
you might pass this on to your "instigator", and mention that it is the new "Nation at Risk" report...she'll know what that means.
fade hello,
When I call up my congessman or senators and say please revoke the authorization to use military force from the president I just get a stunned silence as if that isn't even what they've ever heard before.
This GWB has misused this authority from the get-go and continues to head us for disaster, and why is this so hard to do? De-militarize this Alfred E. Newman.
Posted by J on December 20, 2006 at 11:39 PM In the end, though the students may have felt that some censorship was involved, the Superientendent made the right call.
Why do you say he made the right call? I thought Jack Rice made a good argument on behalf of the kids as to why they should be left in.
Some of the kids are way ahead of the adults on this as far as I'm concerned. They know that in the past the racial epithets were used without conscious thought about the demeaning value.
Then eventually, when the demeaning value was plain, they were used intentionally.
It seems to me that it was an opportunity to teach that.
Posted by J on December 20, 2006 at 11:39 PM
I forgot to thank you for taking the time to listen to that.
Thanks
Too much political and criminal stuff is being classified as national security and needs some type of oversight. Government openness is being ruthlessly crushed by a culture of corruption.
National security? Who in their right mind would want to invade and occupy the US?
Freedom requires openness.
Tom, i'm so out of patience for this criminal. i couldn't agree more and really applaud your tactic. good thinking!
Dors,
i'm still listening, but do we erase the n-word from Twain?
what about MTV, VH1 and BET?
i think it's much like draping a breast on statuary...it's art. deal with it honestly. don't hide.
while we're at it, have a conversation about how offensive "retard" is...after all, it is Of Mice and Men
Freedom requires openness.
Posted by TomN on December 21, 2006 at 12:00 AM
indeed it does! good winter solstice to you and goodnight.
Posted by fade2bluz on December 21, 2006 at 12:06 AM but do we erase the n-word from Twain?
I don't know what we do now. We certainly didn't censor it when I was in school. We talked about it.
I didn't steer my instigator one way or the other on this other than to make sure that any instigation was instigated respectfully.
I didn't steer my instigator one way or the other on this other than to make sure that any instigation was instigated respectfully.
Posted by dorsano on December 21, 2006 at 12:11 AM
except for that entire lifetime before this situation. i agree that the kids are ahead of the adults here...as a teacher of people in high school for many years, they often are. they spot our hypocrisy and clumsiness more often than most adults could possibly imagine.
i would not tolerate the "n" word or "gay" as a disparaging term in my presence. i explained why.
my students would give me that moan, but they knew i loved them. i put people out of my house for breaking that rule.
it's too easy to deny there was ever a problem (or still is) if we "revise" history.
goodnight, my Reagan Democrat bud...;)
Posted by fade2bluz on December 21, 2006 at 12:31 AM goodnight, my Reagan Democrat bud
I never voted for Reagan. :)
We have had and still have Republican legislators and governors here (though not as many as we used to) that do a very good job.
MN has a Republican governor to thank for the Boundry Waters Canoe Area and for bringing special education to MN.
If you meant Ron Erhardt, the legislator in the district mentioned in the Jack Rice "Of Mice and Men" piece, I doubt you'd be able to tell that he's a Republican.
i would not tolerate the "n" word or "gay" as a disparaging term in my presence.
Nor do the teachers in this school of which my wife is one.
=====
The kids have talked this book over in class and they know what's up.
If I were the super, I would have put an explanation in the play's program and I would have had one of the actors give a 10 explanation at the begining of each show.
Posted by fade2bluz on December 20, 2006 at 10:09 PM i'm from WI and see Tommy Thompson in my rear view mirror...
I grew up in WI but left before Thompson. I doubt I'd like he did with his public school initiatives as Governor (though I don't know a whole lot about them),
but he created the Badger Care program that Doyle wants to expand.
Thompson was the good soldier in Bush's Medicare Part D mess but he advocated for the authority to negotiate directly with drug companies. Which is about as far as Democrats have said they want to take things in terms of fixing it (so far).
====
I think there's reason he only stayed with Team Bush for three years.
======
As far as I'm concerned, the more people rowing in the same direction, regardless of party, the better.
It's the direction that counts.
Hey folks,
I can't stay long. We have to prepare for yet ANOTHER Green Bay Packers home game today.It's against the Minnisota Vikings or as I will now call them The Minnisota Trolls. Isn't that where Frosty is from? I think, I'm gonna watch the game this time. I hope we kick their troll asses!
GO PACK GO!
GO PACK GO!
GO PACK GO!
GO PACK GO!
GO PACK GO!
GO PACK GO!
Have a good night everyone!
:)
Posted by FreedomOfSpeechForEdwardsObama2008 on December 21, 2006 at 01:26 AM GO PACK GO!
Phhfffttt :)
Don't forget, FOS...The Pukers will be at Soldier Field foor a noon game on News Years Eve. (Talk about some drunken partiers at around midnight. How would you like to be working at one of THOSE hotels that night?!)
Posted by FreedomOfSpeechForEdwardsObama2008 on December 21, 2006 at 01:26 AM GO PACK GO!
Phhfffttt :)
Posted by dorsano on December 21, 2006 at 01:28 AM
You guys are goin down baby!
Green And Gold forever!
;P
Don't forget, FOS...The Pukers will be at Soldier Field foor a noon game on News Years Eve. (Talk about some drunken partiers at around midnight. How would you like to be working at one of THOSE hotels that night?!)
Posted by DPD on December 21, 2006 at 01:32 AM
Yaeh. What a way to ring in the new year.
Kickin some Azzzzzzzz!
Whoooo Hooooo!
Go Pack Go!
;p
Ok, I'll be back in a few. I gotta do a lot of paper work.
In a backhanded slap at President Bush, Brownback cited "a heritage issue" as one factor currently weighing against a Jeb Bush presidency.
"People may be wanting to see a different name," he said.
'I have no future' -- Jeb Bush tells reporters
Posted by fade2bluz on December 20, 2006 at 09:19 PM
I don't see it stopping any time soon. It only gets worse.
I know, not too positive, am I? (why in the world am I awake at this hour?)
Baby put through airport x-ray
A woman passed her one-month-old grandson through the x-ray machine at Los Angeles international airport, it was revealed yesterday.
A security worker saw the baby entering the machine sitting on a plastic bin intended for hand luggage and jackets. The official hurriedly pulled the bin out along the conveyor belt.
Part One: The Arabs on the outside
Sherifa Shawara wants to get married. She wears fashionable skinny jeans and studies geography and history. The second-year college student doesn't lack for suitors. The problem is where she lives.
One young man trying to visit her in Nuaman, an Arab village inside Jerusalem, was turned away by Israeli soldiers guarding the entrance to her community from the West Bank. Nonresidents cannot enter.
FOS,
Just thought I'd let you know, I got a Holiday Card from the Obama Family. I hung it up next to the "picture" card of my sister & her family. I'll save it with my letter the Sen. wrote to me after we met at Z's reception last June. ;P
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've got to get a few more hours of rest in.
Enjoy the way too early morning, everyone.
Good morning FOS
Cheerleader for the Packers, huh? One way to keep it lively.
DPD
Holding it down there.
Nope, politically Jeb sure doesn't have a future thanks to is idiot brother.
But then there are many of us here in FL saying thank God for term limits.
For all the professionals out there FOS.
Yes your diversity can play to one's advantage, especially as to getting into the door or an organization. In this day and age with the job market being tight along with other folks walking around with slammin' credentials too, it now pays NOT to hide your ethnicity. Hey, I don't mind being hired as the "token" because when it all boils down to it my work is what will keep me in the door.
I have always gone into interviews with the mindthink that I'm the sensation and product that is needed.
My motto is not that I lost that job, BUT that "The job lost ME!
http://www.blackenterprise.com/pages/lx/lx06/lxopen.asp?id=2216
Rep. Stepahnie Tubbs was an excellent choice to head Ethics Committee. Smart and I gave her an A+ for challenging the Ohio votes in the Electoral College in 2005 from the 2004 election.
Slow down on the travel there though, don't give folks something they can hang their hat on even if it is privately paid for.
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1166608033238010.xml&coll=2
Hi J,
My workplace is too diverse for us to have problems with resect to ethnicity.We have Blacks, Latinos, White, Whites married to Blacks,It's a Martin Luther King Establishment.
;p
Good morning, ladies. Bad day yesterday. I had to put my cat to sleep as she was diagnosed with advanced diabetes. Then, my boss tells me he just can't afford an employee anymore. Escalating costs for health insurance, workers compensation, etc, etc, etc, coupled with the fact that we live in a very depressed economic area make it cost effective for him to restrict the practice to portions of the law that he doesn't need a secretary for. The Repug bankruptcy bill last year wiped out a good portion of the practice.
Got a real melting pot there FOS.
Posted by J on December 21, 2006 at 06:55 AM
It's an Etnic Oasis in Green Bay.
Trust me.It ain't the norm,
LOL!
Question: Is it dumb to get your Boss a Coffee Mug for christmas?
Oooops,
Christmas.(capital C)
;p
State Comptroller Alan Hevesi will agree this week to resign to avoid an indictment stemming from an ethics scandal in which he used public employees to chauffeur his wife, according to sources familiar with his decision.Hevesi, one of the state's highest-ranking elected officials, will consent to stepping down from the post he has held since January 2003 by Friday morning at the latest as part of a plea deal with Albany County District Attorney David Soares.
The comptroller, a 66-year-old Queens Democrat, will also plead guilty to a criminal charge, which will not be higher than a Class E felony and will not require him to spend any time in jail, according to the sources.
I don't think so. It's the thought that counts and the selection seems very appropriate.
Question: Is it dumb to get your Boss a Coffee Mug for christmas?
Posted by FreedomOfSpeechForEdwardsObama2008 on December 21, 2006 at 06:59 AM
No - especially if he likes to drink coffee. ;-)
No - especially if he likes to drink coffee. ;-)
Posted by Cyn_NY on December 21, 2006 at 07:05 AM
SHE! The General manager is a Female.
LOL.
What about a gift basket?
FOS, I will begin writing a grant next month in which the study will do some serious looks at the hip hop world and what if any damage it has done to youth with a concentration on black youth. You seem to have an even grasp of the music and the industry so I will be pumping you for info.
Gettin' time to run. Remember keep the faith
Check you later
Peace \/ :)
Thanks J.
I gotta hurry up. Everyone here is already passing out their gifts. I got three so far. I'm all late. One from Houskeeping. One from Sales. One from the GM. Oh, one from Front Desk too.
Gift basket is nice too and there are some nice ones out there especially if you find a business that's privately owned that makes them. They can take time and effort with what you want.
The gift basket also shows the time and effort that you put into the gift selection.
Oh, Okay J. Sure thang. I'd love to assist.
:)
Bye
Girl you gonna need a freight train to get your little bounty home?
The moment I hit "Post", I realized how sexist it was for me to write "he" instead of "she". Off to forage for more coffee. Have fun, Freedom.
cyn
My Mama is 80 years old and she always says two things:"Trouble don' last always" and "There are no bad happenings".
From a life warrior, it will be all right.
A risky throw of the dice for Bush
By Jim Lobe
WASHINGTON - As official Washington breaks for the two-week Christmas-New Year's hiatus, it knows that the No 1 issue it will face on its return in early January is the White House's apparent "urge to surge" as many as 50,000 new troops into Iraq for up to two years in a last-ditch effort to claim what President George W Bush insists on calling "victory".
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/HL22Ak01.html
The moment I hit "Post", I realized how sexist it was for me to write "he" instead of "she". Off to forage for more coffee. Have fun, Freedom.
Posted by Cyn_NY on December 21, 2006 at 07:17 AM
It's cool. I was teasing you anyway. Besides when I went on the internet, it gave me a lot od advice for a male boss too.
;p
Thanks, J. Your Mama is a very wise woman. I know, I know. It's just that this warrior is getting weary of war. But, I will come out of the "poor me" doldrums and be ready for battle soon. :-)
For anyone interested, Eli has a great post up at Night Bird's Fountain regarding McCain and his marriage to the Mafia. Very interesting. http://nightbirdsfountain.blogspot.com/
Did Ya'll know that I and Monica Lewinsky are the exact same age? For the record, I would have kept it all on the down low and you know what I'm talking about.(sniker) Anyhoo, I mentioned her because she just recieved her Masters Degree in Social Psychology.
;p
this really really pisses me off. the stupid congress including almost all of the democrats signed off on our evil, dumb shithead presidents idea to spread nuclear technology all over the goddam planet. now the democrats like harkin are crying boo hoo that the dummie has once again stabbed them in the back and will do whatever dangerous, capitalist pig slurping bullshit he wants. well screw you harkin, you and the rest of the hand wringers were warned over and over about this and now you have fucked up in trump!
this is why i keep saying forget about which clown runs in 08 and focus on holding the feet of these democrats we all worked so hard to elect to congress to the fire or they will give away the store while the rest is stolen out the back....shit i am pissed!
Bush India statement raises Congress concerns
Thu Dec 21, 2006 6:37am ET
By Carol Giacomo, Diplomatic Correspondent
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A statement by President George W. Bush issued in connection with the just-signed U.S.-India civil nuclear cooperation law has raised concerns that Bush may try to circumvent some of Congress' intentions, lawmakers and analysts say.
The statement, clarifying Bush's views on law and policy, was issued after he signed new legislation on Monday permitting U.S. sales of nuclear fuel and reactors to India for the first time in 30 years.
In the statement, Bush said his signature "does not constitute my adoption of the statements of policy (in the law) as U.S. foreign policy." Also in responding to reports mandated by Congress, he would consider how releasing data requested by lawmakers might "impair foreign relations."
In one of its most controversial directives, Congress stipulated in the law that presidents should report annually on India's cooperation in restraining Iran's nuclear program, which Bush has condemned as a major international threat.
"With his recent signing statement, once again the president has shown he views Congress as a nuisance rather than an equal branch of government under the Constitution," said Sen. Thomas Harkin of Iowa, a Democrat whose party will control a majority of the new Congress to be sworn in next month.
congressional democrats buy sack of shit from clown boy
Cy-Ny...The Rat "Bankruptcy Reform Act" not only hurt a lot of attorneys, here in Texas, combined with Mr. Bush's over reaching "tort Reform" combined to steal the rights of 22.6 million Texans to their day in court in violation of not only the Texas State Constitution but also in violation of the U.S.Constitution. Rove took a non issue of tort reform, made an issue out of it and the U.S. Chamber of Congress jumped on board to the tune of 100 million in campagn contributions plus another 10 million in adds. This was the start of the rise to power of a "green politician" and we are still paying for Karl Rove's evil marketing skills..I'm sorry to hear about your cat, I've had 3 "disapear" recently..good luck on your job search...it seems like bad things happen to good people in December...
Posted by Cyn_NY on December 21, 2006 at 07:34 AM
That was very interesting.Mc Cain was the last one that needed some dirt dug up and finally, a break.
We won!
Drop the balloons now, we totally got it this time.
:)
so let's make sure we all sign on to sending another few ten thousand soldiers to iraq because bush says we should. no one wants to be called a punk for not getting in line behind the biggest punk that ever held office...forget hillary, obama, richardson, biden and all the rest in 08....they all are in office now. we put them there. what the hell are they going to do with the power they already have been given!!!
Goodfoe, you have hit the nail on the head with the tort and bankruptcy reform legislation. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Thanks for your good wishes.
cyn, yeah i guess he is. on the other hand no one has ever gotten rid of an elected official at that level in ny except once in 1820 or something. if he fought it he might win or it might go on past all of our lives on earth. did he resign or anything?
Posted by gregg on December 21, 2006 at 07:42 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm giving you a cyber hug, cuz I'm not sure where that came from.
;p
Anyways, do like me. I'm waiting till January 4th 2007. If nothing happens after that, I will be going off. I will be popping off letters, e-mails and petitions to both Sen.Feingold and Rep.Kagen. I will be making some serious demands.
fos, it is just so stupid to be pushing all these countries into going nuclear when what we should be doing is trying to un-proliferate the world and then when the morons in congress go along with shit head he disses them by saying he is not really signing on to the weak lame assed checks and balances they built into this piece shit agreement in the first place!!!!!!
The Tally: Dem Leaders Unite as Anti-Surge, GOP Leaders Silent
Posted by gregg on December 21, 2006 at 07:49 AM
Well. That's why we need a Democratic President.
Shoot, I gotta go.
Bye Gregg,
Have a great Day everyone.
(smak)
:)
Gregg, re Hevesi, see my 7:01 post. He will resign this morning.
Posted by J on December 21, 2006 at 07:10 AM
My daughters have listened to hip hop and rap their whole lives. What has it done to the white youth?
good cyn. hevesi gave spitzer a chance to show everyone he isn't taking gonna support any bullshit even if it is democratic bullshit. by the way i saw spitzer in a town up here last sunday shopping for groceries. everyone was really pumped up seeing and talking to him. it was like a rock star had stopped by.
Please Pardon my poor manners,,,Good Morning Fighting Dem's! Cn's post set me off and I forgot my manners...Gregg, I see you are in your usual good form!
Question: Is it dumb to get your Boss a Coffee Mug for christmas?
Posted by FreedomOfSpeechForEdwardsObama2008 on December 21, 2006 at 06:59 AM
I would prefer a gift that gives all year, wine club of the month. ;) (they have blank clubs of the month for just about everything.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lunch meeting today with the committee that is hosting the bus trip/reception for Z's swearing in and family holiday fun tonight. (I put that being up at 3:30 a.m. to use by making an apple-cranberry crisp and deviled eggs)
Enjoy the day, everyone.
it was like a rock star had stopped by.
Posted by gregg on December 21, 2006 at 08:02 AM
I highly recommend going to a State Democratic dinner! It's a blast!
Now, I'm gonzo!
morning goodfoe. pissed and crazed this morning.
fos, i am not saying we don't need a democratic president, just that we don't need to use up our energy on that right now while there is plenty to do in the present. like making sure our team doesn't go along with the shit head on stuff like this!
Bush Supports Democrats' Minimum Wage Hike Plan
By Michael A. Fletcher and Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, December 21, 2006; Page A14
President Bush for the first time endorsed a specific plan for raising the federal minimum wage yesterday, as he embraced Democratic calls to boost it by $2.10, to $7.25 an hour, over two years.
The president's backing greatly enhances the prospects for congressional approval next year of the first hike in the federal minimum wage since 1997. He stressed, however, that it should be accompanied by tax breaks and regulatory relief that would cushion the blow for small businesses.
*** sure shit head will support wage hikes if our reps sign on to more tax cuts for the rich and getting rid of what few regulations remain ( allowing corporations to put industrial waste in poor kids school lunches is probably his first priority ). i say don't agree with any of his ideas, exclude them from the legislation and let him veto it. then if we are so worried about 08 use his nasty approach to american workers to drive the rest of the pigs in his party out of office come election time....
{{{Cyn}}}
bummer! what timing, too! another thing to add to the list of what they've done to good people...damned bankruptcy bill...i remember the outrage here...who knew? better days are ahead...you're in my thoughts
gregg: A-friggin-MEN
they all are in office now. we put them there. what the hell are they going to do with the power they already have been given!!!
Posted by gregg on December 21, 2006 at 07:42 AM
Reid said he'd go along with a surge and then back pedaled on Huff Po--he's lost...Reyes doesn't know a Shiite from a Sunni...and probably thinks Wahhabbi is a mushroom...
The beauty of an ignorant and faith based population is that they have no clue that one nuclear blast is all it takes to make 2008 fade to black.
keep it lit, y'all...
{{{John}}}can't wait till your book arrives.
gregg,
no more deals with that greedy anti-worker bastard! even Barney Frank was talking about cutting a deal...
wtf? did you see the bonuses at Goldman Sachs?
disgusting!
Good Morning, ALL!!
gregg, I posted this earlier, but I know that this in the District right next to yours, and it's the one that Lizzy fought so hard for Hall to win...
In NY-19, Fletcher May Run
let's hope so dpd. ari would get run out of here with his ass on fire. hall's win was no fluke, these disticts get bluer by the nanosecond...bush is so hated you can cuss him anywhere you go and get applause....
excellent piece from the Nation: Urge to Surge
The Democrats must remember that their midterm victory was a clear mandate from the American people not to waffle or to dawdle but to immediately reverse Bush's war policy. When the latest polls show three out of four Americans wanting troops out of Iraq, when former Secretary of State Colin Powell says more troops won't work, when our current military commanders, from John Abizaid and George Casey to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have clearly signaled they're opposed to the surge, when Republican Senator Gordon Smith suggests the Iraq policy is "criminal," the Democrats have no choice but to be on the front line of calls for disengagement and withdrawal.
When the Democratic majority is formally seated in early January, it will be confronted with a sharp challenge. As Marc Cooper reports in these pages, there's a different kind of surge mounting in the military. Almost 1,000 active-duty soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen, rank-and-file enlistees as well as dozens of high-ranking officers, have signed a historic petition to Congress--what they call an Appeal for Redress--demanding that the troops be brought home. While their communication to Congress is protected by law, many of these active-duty troops, including some who still want to make the military their lifetime career, have taken the bold and risky step of standing up publicly to oppose the war. Can't comfortably elected Democrats do as much?
Posted by Dorsano December 20, 2006 at 10:26 PM
In his post, Dorsano speaks to administrative/overhead cost being 15% of collected premiums. When I started researching this on the Net back in 2004, I saw figures with a lot of variation, some of them much higher. In many cases, there is overlaqp and duplication. For example, "Multinational Health Care" wants to make market penatration in a large met. area. They come and buy an undisclosed interest in a local clenic, "Apathetic Medical" They then set up Apathetic Medical as their HMO. Multinational Health Ins hammers the fees to be charged by Apathetic Medical. I then go to Apathetic medical as the HMO on my group ins with Multinational. Both companies have a vested economic interest in "cost containing" me..try to kick me out of the hospital one day after I come out of ICU, etc...Apathetic Medical(the HMO) has overhead of 20% and Multinational has overhead of 15%, a combinded total of 35% on my $100,000 claim =$35,000...In addition, I had two different groups of people trying to cheat me out of benefits I was clearly entitled to. In our orig m/s, we had full documentation..Too long for publishing...But I have saved one copy for Congress, when I figure out who I'm going to send it to, Ill post it..
www.outskirtspress.com/journeythroughcancerland
Good morning, all.
i say don't agree with any of his ideas, exclude them from the legislation and let him veto it. then if we are so worried about 08 use his nasty approach to american workers to drive the rest of the pigs in his party out of office come election time....
Posted by gregg on December 21, 2006 at 08:13 AM
Yo, gregg. Now that's the spirit...of the season and of a winning strategy for 2008. Nice when everything comes together nicely that way.
hey, John
if you can get the "boss" to put the link to your book in the URL: box, just above the comments box that you type into...you can keep it there...i'd love to see that link on your name every time you post.
keep it up! and have a wonderful day...
"http://www.outskirtspress.com/journeythroughcancerland">http://www.outskirtspress.com/journeythroughcancerland
Good mornin, Dems.
Goodfoe lets keep that fire goin:......PUT CONGRESS ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE
Or put 300 million Americans on their plan. They're both government run.
Thx Fade...I'll have the boss do that...have a great day and thx for the help!!
Find a cure for 'contagious shooting'
Unlike the former mayor and now presidential hopeful Rudolph Giuliani, who cast aspersions on the victims of police violence, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg criticized what he called "excessive force" in the Bell killing. Yet, behind the scenes, the New York Police Department was conducting aggressive sweeps of the neighborhood. Young African Americans were questioned in a desperate search for a mysterious "Fourth Man" who police said held the key to their violent outburst. This man had the gun, they said (though oddly not mentioned in radio transmissions that night), as if that justified unleashing a battery of semiautomatic fire on the young groom and his friends.
BTW, my "g" key is not broken; we don't put 'g's' on the end of words in the South.
Are you ready to sacrifice for future generations?President Bush was never one to lose sleep over future generations — just look at his budget deficits. Add in another matter he's supremely indifferent to, the environment, and we have the Bush policy on global warming. That is, do zero to cut U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases. Actually, do less than zero. His early doubting that humans even play a role in climate change demoralized those trying to grapple with the problem.
The glad tidings are that the Bush administration no longer matters much. Even if its lawyers succeed in denying states the right to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for not regulating greenhouse gases — the case is now before the U.S. Supreme Court — it won't make much difference. The Bush administration will be gone in two years, and the environmental grownups are already taking over.
Posted by goodfoe on December 21, 2006 at 08:42 AM
I can't wait to get my copy of the book. My mother-in-law is a cancer survivor and I know she will enjoy reading it after I finish.
I've got to finish a project by tomorrow. bbl
kristen, i have read so many things in that seattle paper that i liked. thanks for sharing something like that with us.
Good morning Greg! We have a new open thread, and I'm heading out to take the little one to preschool as I have a few 'to dos' left on my Santa's helper list.
My apologies to everyone because I messed up posting the link to our book on health care. "The boss" did post it correctly on the Monday morning thread at 6:19 am.. When she comes home tonight, I'll ask her to post it again per Fade's suggestion...
Sandyh...pls. remember I forwarned you that this is a very harsh, brutally honest book...you might want to have a couple good shots while reading...thx for all you do......you need to get started on your book!!
gregg on December 21, 2006 at 07:49 AM,
Yeah, but Greg, you must understand what always win elections for Republicans; fear. We have to keep our country at the brim of holocaust, to maintain the lack of security issue, to maintain the trillion dollar defence industry, to maintain the flow of oil, etc etc. It's all tied together. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that Bosco desires to destabililize the planet by spreading nuclear technology to those coiuntries that he says is okay to have it, while holding the nuclear carrot away from those he tempts into promoting nuclear autrocity.
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THERE IS A NEW OPEN THREAD!!!
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