Kicking Ass: The Democratic Party's Blog

Weekend Open Thread

Posted by on January 19, 2007 at 05:45 PM

Happy Birthday Tracy Russo! Use this as an open thread...

Comments (149) «

Happy Birthday, Tracy!

1
Esmeralda on January 19, 2007 at 06:20 PM

Congratulations House Dems on keeping your promises.

A big Raspberry to Idaho Representative Bill Sali for opposing each and every one.

Have a great weekend!

2
BlueinIdaho on January 19, 2007 at 06:24 PM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRACY. AND CHRISTY, YOU HAVE ONE TOO, DON'T YOU??? HOW MANY DID YOU TELL ME THAT WAS??? :) (I won't tell)

Looks like the honeymoon between Bush and Pelosi is over:


Pelosi, White House clash over Iraq

WASHINGTON - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (news, bio, voting record) contended Friday that President Bush is rushing new troops to Iraq and betting that Congress won't cut off funds once they're in battle. The White House called her assertion "poisonous."

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In an exchange of harsh rhetoric that underscored the intensity of the political fight, Pelosi, D-Calif., said the war should not be "an obligation of the American people in perpetuity."

"The president knows that because the troops are in harm's way, that we won't cut off the resources. That's why he's moving so quickly to put them in harm's way," Pelosi said on ABC's "Good Morning America."

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino retorted that lawmakers are involved in a "sound bite war" against Bush, counter to Democrats' promises of bipartisanship.

"Those particular comments were poisonous," Perino said. "I think questioning the president's motivations and suggesting that he, for some political reason, is rushing troops into harm's way, is not appropriate, it is not correct, and it is unfortunate because we do have troops in harm's way."


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070119/ap_on_go_co/us_iraq

3
PamB on January 19, 2007 at 06:35 PM

Democratic 100 hour agenda complete and this is only the beginning.

Happy Birthday Tracy.

4
ap215 on January 19, 2007 at 06:42 PM

Happy Birthday, Tracy! (clink)

5
DPD on January 19, 2007 at 06:43 PM

L@@K at this: If only we had known, we could have pitched in all together and bought this site. WHAT FUN!

"A sale on eBay of a URL that will attract the strongest detractors of President George W. Bush could fetch a savvy investor a heavy return tomorrow. As of this afternoon, the going cost in an auction of 'ImpeachBush.com' is up to more than $25,000.

The auction of the internet address 'ImpeachBush.com' will take its last bid on January 20th. With 50 bids recorded, the highest is $25,100. The seller claims that the address gets heavy hits without ever having been used as a developed website. Statistics presented on the eBay page claim close to 4 million searches via Yahoo, and more than 1.5 million on Google.

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/ImpeachBush.com_to_fetch_big_bucks_in_0119.html

6
PamB on January 19, 2007 at 06:48 PM

gregg, I know you don't want to talk about the 2008 Pres run, but the prom is going to pass you by! We have almost our entire team out there now.

"WASHINGTON Jan 19, 2007 (AP)— New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson intends to take the initial step toward the Democratic nomination, hoping his extensive resume will fuel a campaign to become the first Hispanic president.

http://www.rawstory.com/showarticle.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2FPolitics%2FwireStory%3Fid%3D2808824%26CMP%3DOTC-RSSFeeds0312

7
PamB on January 19, 2007 at 06:51 PM

Tee Hee, (from TPM Muckraker).

...hearing on a lingering issue from Bremer's tenure: how nearly $9 billion in reconstruction funds went missing -- or in audit-speak, was "disbursed. . . without accountability."

Former Bush Iraq Chief to Face Nemesis?

Oversight. It smells like victory!

8
DPD on January 19, 2007 at 07:02 PM

Tee Hee, (from TPM Muckraker).

...hearing on a lingering issue from Bremer's tenure: how nearly $9 billion in reconstruction funds went missing -- or in audit-speak, was "disbursed. . . without accountability."

Former Bush Iraq Chief to Face Nemesis?

Oversight. It smells like victory!

9
DPD on January 19, 2007 at 07:05 PM

evening dems and happy happy birthday to tracy

i'm with gregg as far as all this talk of candidates for '08- if i were forced to choose a favorite this early into it, then i guess i'd have to say dennis is my man- no stranger to someone who grew up in norther ohio, and at least he's been consistent throughout this long nightmare of imperialistic showboating

10
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 07:06 PM

test

11
goodfoe on January 19, 2007 at 07:10 PM

evening jefro,

I have no deep feelings for any candidate yet, either. I was still trying to make up my mind in 2004, when all of a sudden I was told "It's Kerry".


I like Bill richardson, but he is a DLC Dem, and I can't push for anymore taking this party to a right wing of the party.

No matter who gets in , I think we all will jump on the band wagon and work our tails off.

12
PamB on January 19, 2007 at 07:11 PM

dpd- that had something to do with the college republicans they brought over with him to run iraq, didn't it? still have yet to read that book, i'm going to forget the title- something about the green palace?-

a former speech writer for ms condi said in a recent interview that she and the rest of this administration know nothing (zero!) about the middle east- he indicated that she has been trying to address the situation in the middle east by treating it with her knowledge of the soviet union and the cold war, all of which are totally useless in addressing iraq and the middle east- of course, it does make perfect sense when one realizes that our moronic project for a new american century is just the same project from the old century with a new cast of villains to help us continue the same old imperialistic project

13
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 07:12 PM

The boy mayor in the WH! It's gotta be better than what we have now.

14
Esmeralda on January 19, 2007 at 07:13 PM

Bush's low approval coming into play in strange ways! Libby trying to use to get rid of jurors who might feel he was a member of this disgusting team!

"Washington - A federal judge is putting more potential jurors on standby in the CIA leak trial because so many people have been dismissed, mostly because of strong feelings against the Bush administration and the Iraq war.


U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton had hoped to have a 12-person jury picked Thursday so opening statements could be held Monday. After three days of hearings, however, Walton did not even have a pool of 36 impartial people from which to choose the final jury. He pushed opening statements back to Tuesday.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/011907S.shtml

15
PamB on January 19, 2007 at 07:14 PM

pam- i suppose you are right, and while i find it hard not to like dennis kucinich, i also have a hard time "throwing my vote away" as the gate-keepers like to say i'd be doing if i voted for him- 'course were just talking primaries at this point- seems likely, to me, that we might have extra candidates on this next general election ballot in '08

16
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 07:16 PM

Tough talk raises fears of Iran clash

Increasingly tough talk on Iran from the Bush administration – with vice-president Dick Cheney warning of the “growing threat” from the Islamic republic – has rattled politicians and diplomats in Washington worried that the war in Iraq is set to widen.

While few lay claim to understanding what George W. Bush has in mind, there is a widespread sense that the likelihood of some kind of military clash or conflict with Iran – directly or through proxies – has risen since the US president accused Tehran last week of “providing material support for attacks on American troops” in Iraq.

17
Esmeralda on January 19, 2007 at 07:16 PM

What do you mean extra candidates? You mean over and above the usual 8 or so different indys and green, blue, and purple people eater parties?

18
Esmeralda on January 19, 2007 at 07:21 PM

and let's not forget the write ins. The voters type in fun names, sometimes friends and family, rarely the actual candidate. Makes for great fun when reporting results.

19
Esmeralda on January 19, 2007 at 07:22 PM

Bush tailors State of the Union speech

President Bush's State of the Union speech next week will avoid the traditional laundry list of initiatives and focus on a few issues, such as energy and health care, where he might find common ground with the Democratic-controlled Congress.

20
Esmeralda on January 19, 2007 at 07:23 PM

Posted by queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 07:12 PM

jeffro, it's Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone

And speaking of "must reads", Jenna-Tonic is writing a book!!!

21
DPD on January 19, 2007 at 07:24 PM

One more, then gotta go. The carpenter will be here any minute. Life is short...live it well. Enjoy!

Bernanke warns US about burden of ageing population


Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke has given America's politicians a stark warning to tackle the budgetary pressures from its ageing population or face serious consequences.
Speaking to the senate budget committee last night, Mr Bernanke stressed that the government and the American people must face "the fundamental decision" as to how much of the US economic resources should go into increasingly costly programmes like Social Security and Medicare.

22
Esmeralda on January 19, 2007 at 07:26 PM

yes, i stand corrected- i guess i do mean beyond the usual bunch- i'm picturing the possiblity that there might be more than one candidate from both major parties that end up on the ballot in '08- in addition to the usual cast of characters that get on the ballot in our weak electoral system

i read the other day an argument that we should get beyond the geographical distribution of elected reps and move toward "one person, one vote"- that made all the sense in the world to me- 'course, direct elections of the president and the parliamentary system would make the most sense- it is hard for me to believe that direct elections of senators only came about in 1913 (is that correct?)

23
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 07:28 PM

jef,

Dennis is an excellent candidate, just too bad he cannot sell himself to the public.

Have you all read this bullsh*t?


Republicans think they are just too cute, killing the Ethics bill with this line item veto amendment thrown on it ! The Culture of Corruption fighting mightily to keep their corruption going!

Let's make sure we get those up for Reelection next year:


"It's as obvious as the sun coming up somewhere in this world that they tried to kill this bill," a furious Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) said last night in an interview. "And all 21 Republican senators up for reelection are going to have to explain how they brought down the most significant reform ever to come before this Congress. They brought this baby down."


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/17/AR2007011702443.html


park this list somewhere! those up for reelection in 2008. Remind the American public just how dirty they all are.

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?Class=2

24
PamB on January 19, 2007 at 07:29 PM

Essi..Congressional Dem's have warned Bush that he does not have authorization to attack Iran..What he is trying to do is to provoke Iran into attacking our ships in the gulf so that he can claim justification in "counter attacking" Iran...that's what Cheney is trying to do; pave the way....and Bush still doesn't think he answers to anyone. What they are hoping is that if they start a war with Iran, the country will rally around and support Mr. Bush. That is why this charade is being played out..What these people don't understand is that if they attack Iran, impeachment will be back on the table. The American people will demand it.....

25
goodfoe on January 19, 2007 at 07:31 PM

dpd- i get that book mixed up with the other one- i think nir rosen wrote it- in the belly of the green bird, or something to that effect- both, i hear, are very good

wow, so a bush twin is going to write a book- isn't that special- maybe she could write a sequel (or prequel) to "my pet goat" where she somehow inserts her daddy into the narrative

26
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 07:31 PM

i hear ya pam- jen and i saw dennis on the tube the other night- i'm forgetting, i think he started singing a civil rights song, and i couldn't help but say that he was having a "dean scream moment"

27
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 07:34 PM

the suggestion about how archaic and screwed up our electoral system was made in the book review/essay i posted from "the nation" the other night (this week's nation magazine)

28
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 07:37 PM

Pam, the Pugs took that line item veto rider off the Ethics bill, and it passed last night 96 - 2. Just wait for it to be added to the minimum wage bill coming up soon.

29
DPD on January 19, 2007 at 07:40 PM

You mean "Sixteen Tons"? He ain't no Tennessee Ernie Ford, that's for sure.

30
DPD on January 19, 2007 at 07:41 PM

goodfoe- it seems that they just might be underestimating the grasp on our intentions that the iranians have too- that story today about how cheney and his cabal totally ignored attempts by the iranians to talk to us in '03 (this story's been playing in different forms for a while now) is utterly disgusting- read juan cole's commentary from today on this if folks have not yet done so- again, all designed to further the chaos in order to continue to ratchet up the war machine- cheney is despicable and is the one that should be put on the docket for impeachment first- his puppet can be be dealt with after him

31
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 07:42 PM

I've just figured out why Americans have so little knowledge of the actual happens inside Iraq. It has to do with the fact that most, if not all, of their news on Iraq comes from within or nearby the Green Zone. This is Baghdad news though, not Iraq news.

In and around Baghdad Shia fight Sunni for power. If you go into the southern provinces, however, you will find that Shia fight Shia for power. Anbar is a different story. There Sunni fight Sunni, with one side accepting the assistance of Al-Qeada.

What we see in Iraq is an attempt by Iraqi society to reestablish the order that was destroyed by the Bush administration. This happened when the administration chose not to work with any of the powers that existed under Saddam Hussein. Paranoia was behind this decision, they simply didn't think that anyone could be trusted and so refused to trust anyone.

Starting with a clean slate works better on a chalk board than in does on civilizations.

32
Marine on January 19, 2007 at 07:43 PM

i just went to redstate's archives and read their posts from 11/6,7 and 8...it was an exquisite experience!

33
gregg on January 19, 2007 at 07:47 PM

Queencityjefro...right on...and of course the Bushs' buddies, the Saudis don't want Iran to gain more control in the Middle East, so they're having their little man George use our troops to fight for them....which all leads back to the Carlyle Group which both the Saudis and the Bushs' are invested in which leads back to the land deal in Paraguay....our kids are the ones really paying for all of it...I could go on but you already know all this mess....

34
goodfoe on January 19, 2007 at 07:52 PM

marine- don't you think it was more than paranoia? it would seem that the administration had grander designs for their project in iraq and it didn't include allowing that country to reconstitute their own government or infrastructure without our having completely redesigned it so that it would be remade in our own image, no?

35
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 07:53 PM

and by remaking it in our own image, i mean by making sure that whoever ran the country would be beholden to american multi-national interests- much of the money that was supposedly invested in their country has ended up in the hands of the military-industrial complex which includes the huge private industry that now go along with our military on every imperialistic adventure- aside from companies like halliburton/kbr, i read recently that there is something like 100,000 pseudo-mercenary employees running around iraq at this time- our government is paying these mercenary soldiers (like blackwater) three and four times what the average military person makes over there (and elsewhere)- and the beauty is that this money is practically off the table and it is much harder to hold them accountable for things such as that infamous ambush in fallujah

36
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 07:58 PM

Marine...good to "see" you....hopr you will dive in on this Iran situation...the fleet,etc,,,Bush trying to incite an incident, etc.......

37
goodfoe on January 19, 2007 at 07:58 PM

you know, thanks goodfoe- and a big howdy to marine since i just jumped in to reply to your post without saying so- just figured you'd assume i was glad to see that you have popped in

38
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 08:01 PM

gregg,

you could at least have given a link to those exquisite posts! I can't find them!

39
PamB on January 19, 2007 at 08:02 PM

has anyone heard of this book? i've just started reading "dark ages america: the final phase of empire" by morris berman- i don't think i share his grim assessment (at least i don't want to) of the state of things, but so far his account and analysis of the last 50 to 100 years is hard to put down

http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Ages-America-Phase-Empire/dp/0393058662

40
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 08:05 PM

Hello everyone, John Boy. I hear what you are saying Jefro. There are always "other" interests involved when we take on these nation building efforts. I'm not concerned with what else Bush was thinking though, it's enough that he be held responsible for the mess he's made.

41
Marine on January 19, 2007 at 08:11 PM

Jefro, the dark ages is exactly where this administration has attempted to take us.

42
Marine on January 19, 2007 at 08:14 PM

headin out a while.


43
PamB on January 19, 2007 at 08:14 PM

marine- berman argues in his book that the american project has led this country into its own dark ages- he argues that it started long before the present administration ever took power

a friend of mine who teaches medieval history at a university here in the states has been arguing since the middle of our college years that we are headed toward corporate feudalism, and every year that goes by proves that thesis more and more- complete with the military that goes to fight for the corporate-feudal landlords- with the peasant population going on before

44
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 08:22 PM

We must educate the American people. They have been so thoroughly misled by this administration and its tentacles bored so deeply into the media outlets that it is a wonder we came out the other side with even a slight understanding that these troubles were in fact caused by the administration itself.

The Foley scandal offers insight into the operation of this administration on a whole. Anything and everything potentially damaging, whether it required attention or not, was swept under the rug. This was done for political reasons alone, as a way for persons in power to save face, and has resulted in bigger problems every time.

45
Marine on January 19, 2007 at 08:23 PM

Jefro, in all honesty, the military has used in this way since the beginning. The Navy was formed to protect the interests of American businessmen who had encountered complications in the Mediterranean. We became involved with China during the Boxer Rebellion because there was money to be made in supporting and supplying a Chinese government converting to newer methods of war fighting. The list is literally endless.

46
Marine on January 19, 2007 at 08:29 PM

educating the people is proving to be very difficult when they have "news" outlets like fox broadcasting over the public airwaves nothing but propagandistic garbage, when we have media conglomerates like clear channel that deliberately run air america into the ground around the country- we "watched" it happen here in cinci with the pathetic way that both the "big" wattage station and the small one that came after were run (ed schultz went on a tirade one day about the deliberate ninkompoop that was sent to run the station here, and schlutz isn't even a part of air america radio)-

the "fairness doctrine" is one thing that must be brought back to this country if we are to salvage what is left of civic discourse- otherwise, we will make the politburo and pravda look like child's play

47
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 08:29 PM

I saw clear channel rising in 2001. I new then that they were going to make their money selling information provided by the Bush administration and attack all who sold anything that contradicted it. They obviously have no jurnalistic integrity and obviously never cared.

48
Marine on January 19, 2007 at 08:33 PM

Happy Birthday, Tracy. I hope it's been a great one so far with the best yet to come.

49
dorsano on January 19, 2007 at 08:33 PM

I'm going to bail for awhile...the fatique hit me pretty hard a little while ago....you guys are the best...hold up my end for me Marine....Later....maybe tomorrow....

50
goodfoe on January 19, 2007 at 08:34 PM

Have a good night John Boy.

51
Marine on January 19, 2007 at 08:36 PM

How are you tonight Dorsano?

52
Marine on January 19, 2007 at 08:36 PM

Posted by Marine on January 19, 2007 at 08:36 PM How are you tonight

Ready for the weekend. :)
For a short week, this was a long one.

I hope all is well with you, Marine. I found some snow shoes I wanted to ask your opinion on. I'll dig up the link.

53
dorsano on January 19, 2007 at 08:42 PM

You know, Jefro, I think that the best idea is to return the power to our states and local governments. It will take a great deal of time to do but I believe we would be far better off returning to our roots. The federal government should only have so much control because it is not necessary for such an entity to oversee more than the national defense. Our nation was designed to be a nation of independent states and we are a long way from that now.

I have a for instance for you. Imagine that the national government were required to request financial assistance from the state governments rather than being able to tax citizens directly. In this instance it would be difficult to attain the support required to conduct operations such as that now under way in Iraq, while it would obviously be less difficult to conduct operations such as those in Afghanistan. One was an obvious response to terrorist attack, the other was fabricated to resemble the same and that fabrication would have been torn away by independent states investigating matters for themselves.

54
Marine on January 19, 2007 at 08:46 PM

What do you think, Marine? They are from Ruxton's Trading Post.

I've only just started looking and am willing to spend more time at it if there are better about.

55
dorsano on January 19, 2007 at 08:47 PM

marine- preaching to the choir over here, but it must be preached because the imperial project has reached a fever pitch and the corporate globalists are now unmoored from us- we (meaning us average amuricans) are now part of the project, and their intentions don't have our own interests in mind

the problem is that it seems that both parties are complicit in this project

a bit of berman's book for our enjoyment:

"Bill Clinton's solution, of course, really didn't work either. All he could offer the American people was an expanding consumer economy. This worked for a time, but ultimately it lacked the grand mythological appeal of combating an "evil empire." When you get down to it, globalization, besides being an updated euphemism for imperialism, is not much more than the elite version of shopping. If the 1890's have been labeled "gay" by past historians (in the sense, of course, of being exuberant and upbeat), I suspect that future historians will call the 1990's "frivolous," given the sheer triviality of that decade: the overblown "information highway," yuppies on the make (followed by the bursting of the dot.com bubble), O.J. Simpson and Monica Lewinsky and impeachment. It was a lost decade, with America flailing around, trying to fill the void that shopping, or heroic tales of investment and globalization, ultimately could not fill. Meanwhile, the right-wing "junta" that was temporarily out of office bided its time, networked, and waited for the opportunity to mount a neo-Reaganite comeback. When Supreme Court partisanship and corruption put Bush Jr. in the White House, and when Dick Cheney became, as vice president, the de facto president (it being generally understood that Bush Jr. lacked the ground-level gray matter necessary for the job), the neocons saw their chance. The Big Idea they had in mind to fill the national void was world hegemony, "a level of military mastery without historical precendence": "Full Spectrum Dominance." How, exactly did this come about?"

Morris Berman- Dark Ages America- pages 147-148

56
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 08:53 PM

Dorsano, I saw something on the news the other day about snowshoeing. It didn't look like snowshoeing to me but that's what they called it. The story was about snowshoeing as exercise and was filmed in an urban area. The snowshoes used were nothing I'd use but they did trick on the heavily travelled surfaces they were being used on.

I've only ever snowshoed in deep snow. I didn't see any use for them otherwise. That's why I use snowshoes that are about 5 feet long and at least a foot wide at their widest point. I've never found these being made by anyone who mass manufactured snowshoes. I guess that there just wasn't any money in it.

57
Marine on January 19, 2007 at 08:53 PM

Those are snowshoes Dorsano. You'll have to replace the foothold every now and again, other than that they'll hold up longer than you do.

58
Marine on January 19, 2007 at 08:55 PM

marine- i can't argue with returning power to the states, but what this country really needs to do is actually create a system of government that would finally allow the people to have the power of the vote- what we have now is the saddest example of government in the world- there is no way around that fact based on the idiotic system that we have adopted and rarely changed over the course of our short history- that is probably the most amazing thing is that our trajectory is on course to be very short in the history of world powers

gotta head out- may return later- its friday, and for me that is a very good thing- god bless those who don't have the luxury of a five day work week

59
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 08:59 PM

Happy Birthday, Tracy!!!

The 100-hour agenda is complete. Now we see how many of these bills find GW's veto pen. Not to mention his notorious signing bushit. However, the ink is in his pen, so-to-speak, let him veto what he wants (he is the decider) this is his last two years of educating the Ame Rican public.

Oh, Goud Eeven-ning to all of you wonderful people. I will be bubbling in and out as usual, lurking, smurking, and maybe even posting some.

60
davidual on January 19, 2007 at 09:01 PM

Posted by Marine on January 19, 2007 at 08:55 PM You'll have to replace the foothold every now and again, other than that they'll hold up longer than you do.

Great. Thanks. Though the fact that they'll hold up longer than I will isn't much of a recomendation but I get the point. :)

61
dorsano on January 19, 2007 at 09:04 PM

I've got to get going too. Have a good night everyone. You've got me thinking about snowshoeing now Dorsano. Now all I need is a good cover of snow.

62
Marine on January 19, 2007 at 09:08 PM

Alaska to get British-style temperatures - study
Fri Jan 19, 2007 3:50pm ET

LONDON (Reuters) - Parts of the world could heat up by over 10 degrees Celsius (18 Fahrenheit) this century with big areas becoming uninhabitable, according to a climate prediction experiment.

"We are very rapidly heading back toward the greenhouse world of the dinosaurs," Bob Spicer, one of the scientists who mounted the joint BBC/Oxford University study, said on Friday.

"Back then northern Alaska had mean annual temperatures of about the same level as we have in London -- about 10 degrees (C)."

Most scientists agree average world temperatures will rise 2 to 6 degrees C this century, mainly because of carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels for power and transport, putting millions of lives at risk from flood and famine.

A draft report by 2,500 scientists of the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) sees world temperatures rising 2.0-4.5 C (3.6-8.1 F) by 2100 unless greenhouse gas emissions from factories, cars and power plants are cut radically, informed sources told Reuters on Friday.

it is good to see the democrats getting the nation moving on this stuff, i am impatient but they are moving and i am thankful

this stuff brought this to mind:

It seems strange to me that and the right in general have taken the position that concerns about global warming, discharge of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and the general quality of the environment that our children will live in are dismissed as junk science, hysteria and some sort of plot against happiness. Rush, Inhofe, Coulter and the rest of the theoreticians and spiritual guides of the right hammer this message day in and day out. Why do they want us to believe this so strongly? It is because if we face the obvious fact that the earth and its atmosphere increasingly are being degraded and that they are resources of finite quantity then they would have to act for the sake of their own progeny if nothing else. But to act to somehow turn the tide and slow down and eventually reverse the trend towards ecosystem destruction would require regulation, accountability beyond the bottom line, and in fact collective work among people and institutions. And therein lays the rub. Collective versus the individual. They are still fighting godless communism.

63
gregg on January 19, 2007 at 09:13 PM

President Bush's State of the Union speech next week will avoid the traditional laundry list of initiatives and focus on a few issues, such as energy and health care, where he might find common ground with the Democratic-controlled Congress.

Posted by Esmeralda on January 19, 2007 at 07:23 PM,

Mr. Bush is only looking for the applause and bravada. This is his next to the last one. He wants cheers, not jeers.

64
davidual on January 19, 2007 at 09:18 PM

has risen since the US president accused Tehran last week of “providing material support for attacks on American troops” in Iraq.

Posted by Esmeralda on January 19, 2007 at 07:16 PM,

This administration's desire is to leave the next administration (with all probability
democratic) in as deep a hole as possible in the Middle East. Also, when Bush's surge gets rejected look for the right to use it against the Dems in 2008 as the cause of the muddle in the Middle East.

65
davidual on January 19, 2007 at 09:26 PM

Which was more important, the Ethics Reform Bill or a Fair Minimum wage? Looks like the good of the people is screwed again. One can only wonder if the need to accomplish the 100 Hour Plan was worth screwwing the minimum wage earners in what now looks to be a killing of the issue, brokered by democrats.

Senate Ethics bargain may jeopardize minimum wage increase

An increase in the Federal minimum wage--one of Democrats' biggest campaign platforms in the November elections--may be at risk because of a Democrat-brokered compromise that allowed the Senate Ethics Reform Bill to pass, RAW STORY has learned.

After failing to pass in a vote on Wednesday night, the Senate Ethics Bill sailed through on the floor of the Senate late last night.

The bill, similar in many ways to the House Ethics Reform package which passed earlier this month, nearly went down to defeat after Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) threatened to block an amendment introduced by Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) that would have given President Bush line-item veto power.

However, in an agreement reached Thursday night, Democrats promised to vote on the line-item veto amendment as part of the debate over the minimum wage increase bill that will soon appear on the floor of the Senate.


This will kill the minimum wage, or it will give Bush the line item veto.

66
Robert_Burnsey_Koenig on January 19, 2007 at 09:32 PM

PamB on January 19, 2007 at 07:11 PM,

One thing that I think is attractive about a former (present) governor seeking the presidency is their experience of being at the helm of a governmental state.

Senator's and congressmen (gender neutral) are mid level, and henceforth, not privy to working with the system from the top-down. I think the Bush clan knew this as well, which is why it was important for GW, and yes Jeb, to become governors to assist the rise of the Bush Travesty (er, I mean Dynasty).

Possibly now, though, and with thanks to GW, the magic aura of a governor running for president has tarnished a bit.

Richardson? I dunno, check him out, listen to what his ideas are, it is two years from now!!

67
davidual on January 19, 2007 at 09:42 PM

Happy birthday all.

Re: Reid's warning to bush not to invade Iran. I do not see where bush has a statutory leg do stand on. The "Joint Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq " does not mention Iran. Nor, does it seem, that the War Powers Resolution gives him unilateral authority. I think if he moves against iran, it's impeachment time.

btw I wonder if the impeachbush website holder is a capitalist repub?

68
Veneita on January 19, 2007 at 09:47 PM

Denny Doherty, one-quarter of the 1960s folk-rock group the Mamas and the Papas, known for their soaring harmony on hits like “California Dreamin”’ and “Monday, Monday,” died Friday at 66.

69
Veneita on January 19, 2007 at 09:49 PM

Robert,

All of these amendments to block what the American people wanted in November will fall on the Republicans again in 2008. Let Mr. Bush veto it, let the Republicans in the House or Senate play their games with it, they end up shooting themselves in the foot.

Do we need a minimum wage increase? Most assuredly, yes, but the more this initiative gets blocked the worse it looks for the republicans.

As for the line-item veto, that's a crock of shit that pappy Bush preached about, and now the republicans are trying to give it to poppy Bush.

For one thing no sitting president can know the effectiveness of programs that they are willing to slash with their line-item veto pen. In which case, good effective programs lose money because the politicized programs need the money to pay off political deeds. Line-item veto is stupid!

70
davidual on January 19, 2007 at 09:54 PM

veneita- thanks for the post on doherty- some of those albums are now in our collection thanks to my parents' passing along their collection

71
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 09:55 PM

btw I wonder if the impeachbush website holder is a capitalist repub?

Posted by Veneita on January 19, 2007 at 09:47 PM,

More than likely. It would make nise fodder to convolute Ramsey Clark's ImpeachBush.org throughout cyberspace and beyond.

72
davidual on January 19, 2007 at 09:59 PM

nise = nice

bbl

73
davidual on January 19, 2007 at 10:01 PM

i heard on one of the news shows that the supreme court had ruled the line item veto unconstitutional and that approach being suggested would probably get ruled out anyhow. what would make sense would be a special act of congress that forbid this president from making any decisions at all except for whether to go dirt biking or watch laurel and hardy movies.

74
gregg on January 19, 2007 at 10:02 PM

The SCOTUS has declared the Line Item Veto "unconstitutional" several times going back to at least Reagan. Most recently in 1998.

Supreme Court Deletes Line-Item Veto
Clinton disappointed; Opponents of veto call it a victory for the Constitution

Let's see how much the Pugs insist it's needed now.

75
DPD on January 19, 2007 at 10:03 PM

i seem to recall a few folks here posting and enjoying music, especially on friday nights (i am a relative newcomer after all)

here is an obscure band that was introduced to me by a friend down in the hills of sw virginia- maybe hillbilly will happen to catch this and i imagine gregg might be interested- the band's name is foddershock- the first link is their website- you can read their sordid history on a link there- the lyricist is a social worker in sw virginia

the second link is to a page with full-length versions of some of their music- i highly recommend "dyin to make a livin"- a song about coal miners


http://www.foddershock.com/

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=84893

76
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 10:04 PM

time to head out as it seems everyone else has made waves elsewhere- happy friday/weekend (for those who don't have to toil over the next two days)

77
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 10:29 PM

Posted by queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 10:04 PM i seem to recall a few folks here posting and enjoying music, especially on friday nights

:)

Yes, we don't do it as much now as we did once upon a time.

That's an interesting group. I haven't listened a whole lot to alternative country. Seems a sort of rebellious sub genre if this group is any indication.

78
dorsano on January 19, 2007 at 10:32 PM

Sorry, jefro. I was listening to the tunes.

79
DPD on January 19, 2007 at 10:35 PM

Hey, DPD. You probably know already that if the Bears win on Sunday, most of the nation is going to think that they are mean spoil sports.

80
dorsano on January 19, 2007 at 10:45 PM

Oh, well. Katrina was in 2005. This is 2007. Most of the Country can think what it wants. I'm surprised they beat Seattle, to tell the truth.

81
DPD on January 19, 2007 at 10:47 PM

Once again the "independent Democrat" from Connecticut is burnishing his Republican credentials, this time by announcing that he will join in a filibuster against the Senate resolution opposing the escalation of troops in Iraq.

Lieberman Says He Will Filibuster With Republicans

JERK

82
DPD on January 19, 2007 at 10:53 PM

hello people! bush's approval is lower than cheneys. to me there's no distinction between them. they are both guilty of war crimes and treason. they are both liars and the scum of the earth.
HALF A MILLION PEOPLE DEAD IN IRAQ.
HAS ANYONE INFORMED BUSH OF THIS?
and Nancy pelosi is right. he is going to go ahead sending more kids to die while the debate or whether it's a good idea or not is still on the table. he is already doing it. he will do anything to advance his agenda of DEATH. we lost the war a log time ago. as far as I'm concerned they can throw up another MISSION ACCOMPLISHED sign and get our troops out of there. BUSH makes me literally ill. the bile is rising up in my stomach as we speak....I wish I could race into bush's office and vomit all over his face. I wish I could stand over him and puke and gag and wretch until nothing but the last nasty drop of yellowish green bile runs down his ugly hate filled face, off his chin and down over his suit.
maybe then he would get the fact that AMERICANS ARE LITERALLY SICK OF HIS WAR AND THE LIES THAT GOT US AND KEEP US THERE!

83
Sadie on January 19, 2007 at 11:06 PM

dors and dpd- just wandered back by and saw your comments- glad you checked out foddershock- yeah, i guess they might be considered "alternative country"- as you may have noticed, they call their brand of music appalachian dysfunctional folk rock

alternative country encompasses a wide variety of influences- the magazine "no depression" covers much of what gets thrown into this category, although i doubt they have ever discussed foddershock- my friend from sw va grew up with these guys- it's just one guy who makes all the music (in his home studio) and the other just writes the lyrics- i have yet to purchase any of their stuff, but i have been wanting to get some here of late- i think the collection "black lung and white lightnin" sounds like a good one

84
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 11:24 PM

being that i make a living in social work, i am especially taken by the fact that the lyricist is a social worker in the hills of sw va- i'd be interested in meeting him some day- i know that wv hill (the musician/singer) has been to ralph's festival- don't know about the social worker (whose name is escaping me)

85
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 11:27 PM

i'm sorry to see that the one link at their site does not take you to a newspaper story of the two of them at this time- at least i couldn't get the link to work- too bad for that

86
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 11:32 PM

2008 may be a big year for Minnesota's governor

The 2008 Republican National Convention will put Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty in the national spotlight. Pawlenty agreed this week to co-chair Sen. John McCain's presidential exploratory committee, prompting speculation that the Arizona senator could tap Pawlenty as a running mate.

I don't think McCain has a chance in the current climate but if anyone can rehabilitate the GOP brand, Tim Pawlenty can.

Tim's the savviest politican I've ever seen.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's decision Monday to help Sen. John McCain pursue a possible run for the White House comes as the two Republicans have diverged in recent days on a key issue: sending more troops to Iraq

87
dorsano on January 19, 2007 at 11:44 PM

headin out again- an old friend from the neighborhood ('70's, queen, beatles and legos, etc. that is) sent me a copy of this guy- richard shindell- he does a nice version of pete seeger's "waist deep in the big muddy"- located the full version and with jen's help, here is the link- i never understood that this was based on actual events- this drill instructor led the soldiers right into the mississippi until the platoon drowned:

Waist Deep in the Big Muddy

88
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 11:47 PM

oh, Friday nights on this blog....yes, we had a blast.

Jeff, have you checked out Vic Chestnut ...there really has been an underground movement happening here in Georgia (more music than politics I'm afraid)....when you and Jen make it down here, we'll have to make sure we hit the Star Bar...

good night all

89
GiG on January 19, 2007 at 11:52 PM

gig- don't know, that name sounds very familiar- i'm sure that jen would know- that sounds great- if they've got a jukebox, we're there

good night

90
queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 11:54 PM

Well, this is a letter I'm sending off to Mr. Lieberman. It probably won't do any good, bu5t I feel better.

You Sir, are an unbelievable little twit!! In order to maintain your Republican agenda of the atrocity in Iraq, which I might add had nothing, I repeat nothing, to do with the World Trade Center bombings, you are willing to side with your compadres.

Why do you ignore the facts, sir? The most starkest fact being that the longer we stay in Iraq, the stronger we make the Al Quaeda presence and the insurgency. The Iraqi's do not want us there, sir. It is complete nonsense to continue wasting our resources, both monetary and especially human, on a cause that has long been lost.

Even your most recent estimate of 35,000 additional troops would just continue the blood-letting, and the tarnishing of America's image.

Please, sir, come to your good senses. The senses that induced you to seek Democratic values at the outset of your career, and vote with Democrats on ending this debacle in Iraq and bringing our troops home alive.

91
davidual on January 19, 2007 at 11:56 PM

oops, make that Vic Chestnutt

I saw him one night in Athens, Georgia a couple of years ago.. he was great.

92
GiG on January 19, 2007 at 11:57 PM

Posted by queencityjefro on January 19, 2007 at 11:24 PM alternative country encompasses a wide variety of influences

In some respects, the South is the creative engine of American music partly because of the mixing of country with black musical styles - the "Blues" Yodeler Jimmy Rodgers, the Rockabilly of Elvis, western swing, jazz, bluegrass ...

93
dorsano on January 19, 2007 at 11:57 PM

dors- don't get me started- we'll be here all night- great book on bluegrass that takes in much of the other things you mention is by robert cantwell- "bluegrass breakdown: the making of the old southern sound"- he's a great writer- the book is an ode to bluegrass and its influences- africa, british isles, tin-pan alley, music of the slaves, minstrelsy, etc.

94
queencityjefro on January 20, 2007 at 12:03 AM

Jeff, yep, last time I was there they had a jukebox...and it's a dive.. and it feels like "home" and there are still people lighting candles for Elvis in Elvis's own little sanctuary ;)

G'nite, hugs to you and Jen.

Sweet dreams everybody!

95
GiG on January 20, 2007 at 12:04 AM

Actually, that letter to Lieberman is not a bad beginning of an LTE. Hmmm, tweak here, there. Oohh okay, I'll dewitt!!

bbl

96
davidual on January 20, 2007 at 12:07 AM

keep saying i'm heading out so once again am going to say so long- nite all (for now anyway)

97
queencityjefro on January 20, 2007 at 12:07 AM

gig- jen says "hugs back"

98
queencityjefro on January 20, 2007 at 12:09 AM

Posted by queencityjefro on January 20, 2007 at 12:03 AM a great book on bluegrass that takes in much of the other things you mention is by robert cantwell- "bluegrass breakdown: the making of the old southern sound"-

I just added it to my Christmas list. :)

I'm off to bed, bloggers. Take care. Pass along my regards to Jenny, Jeff. cya later, aligators.

99
dorsano on January 20, 2007 at 12:11 AM

good morning. looks like everyone was over at cheney's house last night, burning witches and practicing their face shooting.

well the miracle of the market place once again astounds me with its rational clarity:

Price of oil plunging, but cost of gas won’t
Taxes, refining costs and competition among stations will slow drop
Updated: 9:05 p.m. ET Jan 19, 2007
NEW YORK - The headlines say oil prices have fallen 15 percent this year. Gas station receipts tell a different story — the cost of filling ’er up has slipped from about $35 to $33. Big deal.

The cost will probably drop further, but drivers shouldn’t hope for a big windfall at the pump: there’s a lot more that goes into gasoline prices than the current cost of crude oil.

still paying $2.50 a gallon around here

100
gregg on January 20, 2007 at 07:29 AM

NYTimes
New Warnings on Climate Change

By ANDREW C. REVKIN
Published: January 20, 2007
The main international scientific body assessing causes of climate change is closing in on its strongest statement yet linking emissions from burning fossil fuels to rising global temperatures, according to scientists involved in the process.

In fresh drafts of a summary of its next report, the group, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, has said that it is more than 90 percent likely that global warming since 1950 has been driven mainly by the buildup of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping greenhouse gases, and that more warming and rising sea levels are on the way.

Some scientists involved in drafting the report confirmed and clarified details but asked not to be identified because it was not finished.

In its last report, published in 2001, the panel concluded that there was a 66 to 90 percent chance that human activities were driving the most recent warming.

The shift in language in the current draft, while subtle, is substantive. If it remains in the final version, scheduled for release in Paris on Feb. 2, it will largely complete a quest that lasted decades to determine if humans are nudging the earth’s thermostat in potentially momentous ways.

NOW can we take this seriously mr. cheney???

101
gregg on January 20, 2007 at 07:34 AM

ya know barry commoner was warning us about global warming and CO2 concentrations thirty five years ago. so little was done by so many administrations and leaders both republican and democratic and so much was done to convince us it was all a big fantasy by corporate vampires.....i would love to see these turds put on trial for crimes against the future of humanity and be jailed.

102
gregg on January 20, 2007 at 07:37 AM

Good morning fellow Democrats.

103
BobVADemHawk-Gore-Clark2008 on January 20, 2007 at 08:19 AM

Tough talk on Iran by this administration means that this President (and I use the term loosely) will be going into Iran (remember George W constantly stated that there were no plans to invade Iraq), so get your sons, daughters, cousins, nephews, nieces, aunts and uncles ready for another conflict, while George W's family, friends, colleagues, cronies, talk show hosts
Michael Medved, Laura Graham, etc...) who back wars but do not fight them, sit back and let others do the fighting.

104
JoeB on January 20, 2007 at 08:22 AM

yes joe, it sounds like the same old riddle only startin from the middle...

105
gregg on January 20, 2007 at 08:32 AM

Morning, Dems! Looks like today is the day for Hillary's announcement.

gg, gas is $2.50 here, too.

106
Cyn_NY on January 20, 2007 at 09:09 AM


Posted by gregg on January 20, 2007 at 07:29 AM

morning gregg:

I heard a discussion on TV the other day, and they were saying that the current dip in the Gasoline was due to the fact that that Energy Bill was coming up in Congress, and they did not want to incite consumers to be calling their Congressmen! That by summer, we will be right back up bordering the $3 per gallon we were.

107
PamB on January 20, 2007 at 09:12 AM

The main international scientific body assessing causes of climate change is closing in on its strongest statement yet linking emissions from burning fossil fuels to rising global temperatures, according to scientists involved in the process.

Kind of shoots Frosty's jet stream theory all to hell, no??

108
Cyn_NY on January 20, 2007 at 09:13 AM

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Reuters) - Intensifying a war of words over a U.S. troop buildup in Iraq, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused President George W. Bush on Friday of playing politics with soldiers' lives, a charge the White House called "poisonous."
"The president knows that because the troops are in harm's way that we won't cut off the resources," Pelosi, head of the Democratic-led House, told ABC's "Good Morning America. "That's why he's moving so quickly to put them in harm's way."

Saying Democrats were waging a "sound-bite war," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino fired back: "Questioning the president's motivations and suggesting that he for some political reason is rushing troops into harm's way is not appropriate, it is not correct and it is unfortunate."

The bitter exchange marked an escalation in the political fight over Bush's plan, unveiled last week to a skeptical public, to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq as part of a reworked war strategy.
Currently about 130,000 U.S. troops are there...
"But we will hold the president accountable," she said. "He has to answer for his war. He has dug a hole so deep he can't even see the light on this ... It's a historic blunder."

Asked whether she was accusing Bush of manipulating the timing of the new deployment to avoid congressional action, Pelosi hedged slightly on her initial charge. "I would certainly hope he didn't manipulate the timing of sending the troops in. I think he could have told us about it sooner."

The White House struck back at Pelosi for suggesting Bush had political motives for moving quickly on the troop increase. "Those particular comments were poisonous," Perino said.

"Speaker Pelosi was arguing in essence that the president is putting young men and women in harm's way for tactical political reasons," she said. Perino said Bush "is sending the troops to Iraq quickly because he wants to win."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070119/pl_nm/iraq_usa_dc_4

I would ask Spokeswoman Perino the following question, "Do we not have reason to questions the President's motivations considering the only valid reason remaining that we invaded in the first place is that Saddam Hussein was a despotic leader guilty of war crimes?" Madame Speaker, keep doing what you're doing. Unless the White House comes up with at least 100,000 additional troops, which should've been there in the first place and if they had we wouldn't be there today, and a way to sustain them in Iraq for at least two years without further breaking the Army or the Treasury, then it's time to begin phased withdrawal.

109
BobVADemHawk-Gore-Clark2008 on January 20, 2007 at 09:27 AM

Morning all,

Gas is $1.99 a gallon here in New Mexico. One station I know of is still $2.15.

We received about a quarter inch of snow yesterday. The storm pounded and is still pounding eastern New Mexico, the Texas Panhandle, and Oklahoma yesterday and is heading east. I hope this is our last bad storm. They are blaming it on the El Nino causing moisture to sweep from the Gulf of California towards the northeast.

110
Johnedwrd on January 20, 2007 at 09:33 AM

DEMOCRATS had better WAKE UP. Both Clinton and Obama are longshots and are UNelectable. Too many people hate her for many reasons. Ombama is a mystery with only two years in an state legislature and 2 years as a US senator. Charisma, the abilty to give a damn fine speech, and good looks is not good enough reason or qualification to lead a country in this day and time. I will support the party, come hell or high water. There will be persons, who have not and will not rise about the race thing, not to mention making special notation of his middle name. Content of character and STANCE on the issues, the abilty to lead is paramount here. Don't kid yourself niether is electable. We aren't electing a movie/rock star here. The Republicans and the MEDIA will have a hayday. While I'm at it, history teaches that anyone from the Northeast has had and will have a helluva time.

111
DrTrocar on January 20, 2007 at 09:39 AM

DEMOCRATS had better WAKE UP. Both Clinton and Obama are longshots and are UNelectable. Too many people hate her for many reasons. Ombama is a mystery with only two years in an state legislature and 2 years as a US senator. Charisma, the abilty to give a damn fine speech, and good looks is not good enough reason or qualification to lead a country in this day and time. I will support the party, come hell or high water. There will be persons, who have not and will not rise about the race thing, not to mention making special notation of his middle name. Content of character and STANCE on the issues, the abilty to lead is paramount here. Don't kid yourself neither is electable. We aren't electing a movie/rock star here. The Republicans and the MEDIA will have a hayday. While I'm at it, history teaches that anyone from the Northeast has had, and will have a helluva time.

112
DrTrocar on January 20, 2007 at 09:40 AM

Wow, she just announced and the trolls are already spewing...

113
Cyn_NY on January 20, 2007 at 09:45 AM

Jan. 20, 2006 (ABC News)— Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., has announced that she is forming an exploratory committee for president, thereby launching a bid to become the first female chief executive of the United States.

"I'm in," she said on a Web site, hillaryclinton.com. "And I'm in to win.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=2810072&page=1

Madame Senator, good luck with your presidential bid. May the best person win.

114
BobVADemHawk-Gore-Clark2008 on January 20, 2007 at 10:07 AM

Posted by Cyn_NY on January 20, 2007 at 09:45 AM

Ain't that the truth! No rest for the wicked, I suppose.

115
BobVADemHawk-Gore-Clark2008 on January 20, 2007 at 10:10 AM

Good morning JohnE, BobVa, Cny and Doc....It's a great day to carry the fight forward...did I misss Gregg?...Gregg, are you out there or walking the pooch?......

116
goodfoe on January 20, 2007 at 10:13 AM

on my way goodfoe. mornin to ya son!

117
gregg on January 20, 2007 at 10:16 AM

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - A former militia man convicted of tax evasion prepared for a government siege Friday at his fortress-like home, but U.S. marshals gave no indication they were planning to confront him.

Ed Brown said he was ready for a swarm of federal agents to descend on his property to execute an arrest warrant issued after he failed to appear for the end of his trial. He and his wife contend that they did not have to pay income taxes, and his supporters say a conflict could be violent.

"If Mexico came up on my land and tried to take my land, would I not fight?" Brown said. "The United States is the same exact thing as Mexico in this state."

Brown, 63, and his wife, Elaine, 65, were convicted Thursday of plotting to conceal their income and avoid paying federal income tax. They argued the tax is illegitimate and they are not required to pay it.

U.S. marshals said negotiations with Brown continue and they have no plans to attack Brown's Plainfield home or act quickly on the arrest warrant. He has been holed up in his home with armed supporters for much of the trial.

"He wants attention. We're determined to keep this very low-profile," U.S. Marshal Stephen Monier said.

Brown said he has a stock of food and supplies and that his home can run on wind and solar generators.

"It's all set up for me to stay here forever," Brown said by phone.

Elaine Brown, a dentist who earned most of the couple's income, was staying at her son's home in Worcester, Mass., pending the couple's sentencing in April. She said she had no plans to return to Plainfield, where she fears there will be a violent confrontation.

The Browns' case has found support on the Internet from militia members to libertarians and anti-tax groups.

Rick Stanley, a Denver-based Web radio host and a militia leader, urged listeners to join Brown at his home.

"We are continuing to ask patriots to surround Ed Brown's property and life with a ring of armed Americans with firearms and video cameras to protect a fellow American," he said. "This is the flash point. This is the time of raised pitchforks."

Uh, Mr. Brown, the last time I checked, NH was still part of the union. SO PAY YOUR FREAKIN' TAXES! I often wonder what some people think that leads them to believe they are above the law.

118
BobVADemHawk-Gore-Clark2008 on January 20, 2007 at 10:16 AM

so hillary is running, could be a long shot or could be that she wins in a landslide. early to tell. richardson, obama, hillary....good choices all around. bbl.

119
gregg on January 20, 2007 at 10:18 AM

Good morning Goodfoe. Hope all is well your way today.

120
BobVADemHawk-Gore-Clark2008 on January 20, 2007 at 10:19 AM

Y'all have a nice day. See ya' late this afternoon.

121
BobVADemHawk-Gore-Clark2008 on January 20, 2007 at 10:25 AM

JohnE...saw on TV a little while ago that you are still getting pounded....our ice and sleet left Thurs....part of storm coming this way, but rain not snow and ice...will have more flooding and auto accidents on the freeways....see where they recovered that abducted girl in Clovis.....John Boy

122
goodfoe on January 20, 2007 at 10:28 AM

BobVA....thx and the same back atcha!!!!

123
goodfoe on January 20, 2007 at 10:31 AM

Gregg...feel like half of the Mexican Army marched over me all nite long...When you finish with the lab, if you have any of the martunis left over from last nite and could send a pithcer full our way, me and Buddy would sure appreciate it....John Boy....

124
goodfoe on January 20, 2007 at 10:35 AM

If you are interested in a video, outlining Sadam Hussein's history, including the USA's part in everything he did, this is an excellent review of it all, including his letting the US know he was going to invade Kuwait, and they said OK, and turned the other cheek until world outrage forced them to attack them.

http://www.bushflash.com/thanks.html

125
PamB on January 20, 2007 at 10:50 AM

Good late morning, everyone.

Just one tidbit for now, then I'm back to making chili (gotta use up all that venison) and blonde brownies for the gang up at the Owl's Nest. The guys are hanging drywall in a garage. I figure they'll be hungry come noon.


The "clown" (as DPD has dubbed him) probably jinxed the game.


New Rules Still Allow Congress Many Perks


On the Monday that was supposed to start the new Congress's first five-day workweek, Minority Leader John A. Boehner helped persuade his Democratic colleagues to give House members the day off.

The Ohio Republican had his reasons. He was going to see Ohio State compete in the national championship football game in Arizona. Boehner had tickets for the stadium's nosebleed section. Then, Boehner's office said, Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. offered him a bird's-eye seat in one of the company's skyboxes.

126
Esmeralda on January 20, 2007 at 10:54 AM

ok, I fibbed. This one is too good to pass up. I hope MJ is out there to read it.

I wasn't born when JFK was President (boy am I thankful his wife wasn't named Helga!) and was only 4 when Bobby was taken from us, but these are exciting times to live in with Sen. Clinton announcing her committee. Loved her words, "in it to win." I'm leaning her way...haven't decided yet.

Now, I'm gonzo! Have a great day! (p.s. if you are fortunate enough to have a cold, blustery day like I am, hang your sheets on the line. they smell and feel so fresh)

In Bobby Kennedy, we saw the best of ourselves


Across my generation, Robert Kennedy still casts a shadow like no other political leader. Through the fragile grace of his life and the hesitant magnificence of his words, he embodied what we hoped the world might become. When he died, he became the great might-have-been. And so, in our smaller, still living way, did our generation.
I have Bobby Kennedy's picture on my wall, and a book of his speeches is always within arm's length as I write. Emilio Estevez, whose film about the senator's assassination opens next week, is more passionate still. He says in a New Statesman interview that Kennedy's death marked the end of decency. America, he believes, has spent the past four decades trying to put the pieces back together again. One knows what he means, but that's not quite right. The years through which Bobby Kennedy lived were hardly one of the human race's finest eras. The America in which he died was no pre-lapsarian Eden.


127
Esmeralda on January 20, 2007 at 11:03 AM

[b]ush will propose in his State of the Union address a tax break for people who buy their own health insurance and a limit on how much coverage individuals can receive tax free at work.

The proposal to be announced Tuesday offers a tax deduction to people who purchase coverage and urges those with generous plans to either embrace cheaper insurance or pay taxes on part of it, according to a [b]ush administration official familiar with the proposals. I suppose this guy lives to piss people off.

128
Veneita on January 20, 2007 at 11:21 AM

NBC poll

129
Veneita on January 20, 2007 at 11:24 AM

I just read an article (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070120/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush ) about Bush proposing a tax deduction for buying health insurance while taxing those who get "gold-plated" health insurance through their employer.

This seems like another senseless proposal. If you're the working poor and can't afford health insurance, how much will a tax deduction help? If you are earning $8/hour or $16K/year and a decent health plan runs $5K/year in premiums, will a $500 tax deduction help much?

Conversely, what is the definition of a gold-plated health insurance plan? One that covers prescription drugs and mental health care?

What we need in this country is a comprehensive, universal health care system. One in which all of our society contributes fairly. It should be based on both what you need in coverage and in what your able to pay. There are various ways to do this, but this latest Bush proposal is insignificant.

130
rogue2 on January 20, 2007 at 11:35 AM

Hard Right *...there you go again...silly as ever. Couldn't get it up again last night so you have to displace your agression on the blog. Woe is us.

131
salutetheDems on January 20, 2007 at 11:39 AM

$1.92/gal at Wal Mart.

Posted by TheRightHonorable*Frosty* on January 20, 2007 at 11:30 AM

That's for the cheap crap that makes your vehicle sputter and aluminum heads ping more than usual. For 8 years I kept high test in my car, then when I went out on my own, I had to watch every penny, thus forcing me to use the cheap low test. It still costs me $35 to fill up once a week. I use gas treatment everytime I get an oil change too. Thank goodness I'm a home loving person. If I was a run-run, I'd be broke!

I'm glad you don't have any problems paying any amount for your petro.

132
Esmeralda on January 20, 2007 at 11:42 AM

Veneita.....Re health insurance...I don't know where or how he could possibly come up with something like this at this time....the man is totally insensative to the feelings of average Americans...this proposal will undoubtedly benifit the insurance companies and the wealthy when we learn more about it...WHAT AN ASS!!!!

133
goodfoe on January 20, 2007 at 11:42 AM

People have always enjoyed discussing the weather. It's ever changing. There are many factors that complicate it's forcasting.

It was reported on my local weather that at this time in 1994, the temperature was -32. Today it's 32. Quite the jump over the years.


Steve, how can you not realize that humans living over the centuries have done actions to alter it's natural courses? Gas emissions, electricity, burning of coal, dumping trash...it's changed our environment. Why was the rain water orange here in my neck of the world this past summer? Did God sprinkle some orange zest over SE OH?

134
Esmeralda on January 20, 2007 at 11:54 AM

I personally think some tax break for those that purchase their own insurance isn't a bad thing. This will directly benefit many small business owners and/or those that end up having to purchase insurance because it isn't provided by their employers.


135
Kristen on January 20, 2007 at 11:58 AM

Hi Es, Orange rain?! Folks used to joke around about rusting in all the rain of the NW but thankfully it is still not rust colored.

136
Kristen on January 20, 2007 at 12:07 PM

Esmeralda on January 20, 2007 at 11:54 AM

Esmeralda,

He realizes what you are saying, but he likes to talk crap because in his mind we all talk crap here. Like his gas prices non-factoid, here's a department of energy link to the gas prices in minnesota.

Also, it is normal for gas prices to be lower in the winter in placs like Minnesota because the energy companies are making money on heating consumption.

That is the main reason gas prices have not come down in New York, as much as Minnesota, because New York has experiences a warmer than usual winter and, henceforth, the energy companies have not made as much money from the heating secter.

Gas prices in New York State


137
davidual on January 20, 2007 at 12:11 PM

Gas preicesin New York State

Here's that link. Sorry!

138
davidual on January 20, 2007 at 12:13 PM

Rogue2,

Could you please define 'fairly'? It is the capitalist' mindset that since they provide the resources for many to maintain a living, no matter how loosely they define 'living', that it is only 'fair' that they (the capitalist') enjoy more benefits from the fruits of their capital. So, what is fair, and whose definition should hold precedence in defining all of societies health care needs?

139
davidual on January 20, 2007 at 12:24 PM

NEW THREAD

140
goodfoe on January 20, 2007 at 12:24 PM

JohnE...saw on TV a little while ago that you are still getting pounded....our ice and sleet left Thurs....part of storm coming this way, but rain not snow and ice...will have more flooding and auto accidents on the freeways....see where they recovered that abducted girl in Clovis.....John Boy

Posted by goodfoe on January 20, 2007 at 10:28 AM

Yeah, we are still getting pounded alright. We are supposed to have another 1 to 3 inches before noon. WeatherBug.com shows some huge cells over Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle heading into Missouri and Kansas.

I was wondering where that girl got away. All I heard that it was New Mexico. Do you think it could be one of those repug pedophiles that kidnapped the girl? We have them on the run.

141
Johnedwrd on January 20, 2007 at 12:41 PM

Essie,

I'll bet your chili is great. I made some a couple of weeks ago without the beans and put too much onion in it.

We pour the chili over tamales. It's a great combination.

142
Johnedwrd on January 20, 2007 at 12:44 PM

John Boy-

I am furious about the clowns health care proposals. You're correct. Only people earning big bucks can afford health insurance unless it is provided by their employer. Even then it is getting very expensive. People earning minimum wage are screwed.

The clown and the face shooter are trying to do away with employer provided health insurance.

We must have universal health care.

143
Johnedwrd on January 20, 2007 at 12:53 PM

Hillary needs to confront bush and punch him in the nose.

144
Johnedwrd on January 20, 2007 at 12:55 PM

John Boy-

I am furious about the clowns health care proposals. You're correct. Only people earning big bucks can afford health insurance unless it is provided by their employer. Even then it is getting very expensive. People earning minimum wage are screwed.

I'll be Congress will all have their health coverage including all their aids. If they eliminate our employee health coverage we need to eliminate them at the ballot box.

The clown and the face shooter are trying to do away with employer provided health insurance.

We must have universal health care.

145
Johnedwrd on January 20, 2007 at 01:02 PM

Farcical estimates of national risks?

"[L]et's imagine the future. What if he fails to comply and we fail to act, or we take some ambiguous third route, which gives him yet more opportunities to develop this program of weapons of mass destruction and continue to press for the release of the sanctions and continue to ignore the solemn commitments that he made? Well, he will conclude that the international community has lost its will. He will then conclude that he can go right on and do more to rebuild an arsenal of devastating destruction. And some day, some way, I guarantee you he'll use the arsenal. And I think every one of you who has really worked on this for any length of time, believes that, too." – President Bill Clinton

9/11 connection to Iraq? No, the Joint Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq does not say that, it states the following:

Whereas members of al Qaida, an organization bearing responsibility for attacks on the United States, its citizens, and interests, including the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, are known to be in Iraq;

This is an incontrovertible fact and is all the justification we will ever need for deposing Saddam and staying in Iraq until we have won.

146
Jon2004 on January 22, 2007 at 04:12 PM

Dadie must be one sickoooooooooo. For her to refer to Bush as "ugly hate filled face" after her diatribe on vomiting leads me give absolutely no credence to anything she says or ever will say. Whats her feel on Kennedy & Kopechne I wonder?

147
jr213 on January 22, 2007 at 05:05 PM

oops should have been SADIE in previous post !

148
jr213 on January 22, 2007 at 05:06 PM

State of the union 2007
Bush proves again that he is determined to have and continue a war in Iraq. In many ways America’s presence there is simply irrelevant to the fighting factions, and only gives an excuse for the terrorists—Al Qaeda et al—to remain. The truth is they might take more punishment from an angry Iraqi homeland than they can presently get from America. Our hands are tied by the descretion of a Shiite government, for which we have become a cat’s paw. Perhaps if we disentangled the war in Iraq from the real war on terrorism we would find that we have been hitting ourselves in the head with a hammer to swat a fly in our eye.
Good for Senator Weber, who understands the difference between a war with merit, and one built on one man’s obsession.

149
Wordlight on January 24, 2007 at 12:57 AM


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