Tuesday Open Thread
Chat away...
Comments (309) «
Thanks again, Michael. Today is the day Cheney has his impeachment papers introduced!
Thanks, Michael,
Thanks, PD.
I want this one read and hopefully acted on:
WASHINGTON - A historic veto showdown assured, Democratic leaders agreed Monday on legislation that requires the first U.S. combat troops to be withdrawn from Iraq by Oct. 1 with a goal of a complete pullout six months later.
"No more will Congress turn a blind eye to the Bush administration's incompetence and dishonesty," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record) said in a speech in which he accused the president of living in a state of denial about events in Iraq more than four years after the U.S.-led invasion.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070423/ap_on_go_co/us_iraq;_ylt=ApSMRH2tHZrzftOlpRz6wTGs0NUE
PLEASE drop a note to Harry Reid, tell him to stay strong on this. To keep a withdrawal date attached, and let it be BUSH who ends up not funding the Troops! We have your back, Harry, stick it to them!
http://reid.senate.gov/contact/email_form.cfm
Oh, and one to Pelosi won't hurt either:
americanvoices@mail.house.gov
Good Post PamB...If Bush vetoes the bill, it will be he who is holding the troops as hostages to try to force the Congress to cave in. Really, lets tell it like it is, it's time to quit playing nice and impeach all of the Bush Crime Factory. We known who they are, where they are and what they have done...Let's just get on with what needs to be done and send a message to the rest of the world that democracy has been restored in this country.....John Boy...
Good mornin Dems. The Republicans will grab at any straw to attack a Democrat. No matter how insignificant (this is usually the only "straw" they can find) the Republicans will use it to try to damage the reputation of a good Democrat. This tactic always backfires but the kool aid drinking, attack orientid, glazed eyed Republicans will march in lock step with it. Here is John Edwards reply to the latest:
http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/567143.html
Have a great day, Democrats.
Posted by salutetheDems on April 24, 2007 at 09:26 AM
Good day, all. The contractors are here, and it's time to vacate the premises and pull the plug. See Ya!
Salute..I couldn't get that site to come up...can you link it?
It's time for me to take "Buddy" for his morning ride......Later....Have a great day!.....John Boy....
Don't know why cut and paste didn't work to make a link to the above. Go to:
Politics, story there.
Good morning folks! Washington state's AG's office is finally going to start looking into our crazy gas prices. Washington currently has the 2nd highest price average in the nation right now hovering about $3.14 a gallon.
Good morning folks! Washington state's AG's office is finally going to start looking into our crazy gas prices. Washington currently has the 2nd highest price average in the nation right now hovering about $3.14 a gallon.
Various comments from women about the loss of rights. Sharp and incisiveful. Then at the bottom the common sense words of Governor Dean.
Various comments from women about the loss of rights. Sharp and incisiveful. Then at the bottom the common sense words of Governor Dean.
Sunny: I think the RNC is throwing bones at Dobson to secure the religous right for 2008. (They haven't given him anything over the past 6 years). The FCC is also suddenly concerned about families and violent content on television. I'm sure we will be see quite few gay marriage issues hitting the front pages soon.
FINALLY ! SOMEONE TO LOOK INTO THIS POND SCUM'S CORRUPT, CRIMINAL DIRTY ACTIVITIES!
Maybe he will get frogmarched out yet!
"The Office of Special Counsel will investigate US attorney firings and other political activities led by Karl Rove.
Washington - Most of the time, an obscure federal investigative unit known as the Office of Special Counsel confines itself to monitoring the activities of relatively low-level government employees, stepping in with reprimands and other routine administrative actions for such offenses as discriminating against military personnel or engaging in prohibited political activities.
But the Office of Special Counsel is preparing to jump into one of the most sensitive and potentially explosive issues in Washington, launching a broad investigation into key elements of the White House political operations that for more than six years have been headed by chief strategist Karl Rove
Woo-hoo! It's about time SOMEONE seriously investigated it... And if OSC does it, then there's CAN'T be any insinuation that it's partisan, now can there...? FYI, those are the guys who enforce the Hatch Act.
Posted by sunny on April 24, 2007 at 10:37 AM
Ginsburg nailed it when she said that the Supreme Courts latest decision was more about the constitutional rights of women being eroded than about abortion.
The establisments, traditionalist and conservatives veiw of women quite simply is that a woman is property, much the same as a ride on lawnmower or a 3 bedroom ranch style home in the burbs.
I think it's about time that those of you that don't have a Y chromosome or a scrotum, got up and said enough is enough.
Ya'all either veiw yourself as something akin to the same value as a German Shepard in our culture or as a human being with the same rights as those of us, with testicles. This is about Equality and the rights of women and there are a bunch of us here that had had it with the suppression of equal rights for all genders and ethnic groups and yes, our gay and lesbian commmunity.
The biggest obstacle or the group that works it's ass off to suppress equal rights are the Fundamentalist Christian groups and yes, the Catholic Church. Ironic how Christ himself accepted all ethnic groups and hung out with both sexes, without judgement, yet as part of the Christian Doctrine, all but the Alpha A male, suffer some sort of discrimination. Unless of course you are a black Alpha A male.
Until we are a society that accepts that every human regardless of sex, color or ethnicity we will continue to make laws and have debates about rights. If laws are made by men that discriminate against your rights as a human being, I say, cuff me and I'll be happy to walk the Green Mile.
Time for the sisterhood to get militant.
And I say that as a humble male.
PamB,
He also serves at the pleasure of dumbya. I'd get excited but his bio is less than non-partisan.
From 2001-2003, Mr. Bloch served as Associate Director and then Deputy Director and Counsel to the Task Force for Faith-based and Community Initiatives at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he worked on First Amendment cases, regulations, intergovernmental outreach, and programmatic initiatives.
Good morning Gnois, I know there is a very loaded joke in that last post of yours but I'm going to just back away from it. :)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The brother of Army Ranger Pat Tillman told a House panel on Tuesday that the military tried to spin his brother's 2004 death to deflect attention from emerging failings in the Afghanistan war.
As the tide was turning in the U.S. battle against Afghan insurgents --and as media outlets prepared to release reports on detainee abuse at Abu Ghraib in Iraq -- the military saw Pat Tillman's death as an "opportunity," Kevin Tillman told the panel.
...
The chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform said Tuesday that the military "invented" stories about the death of Tillman and the capture of Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch.
"The bare minimum we owe our soldiers and their families is the truth," said Rep. Henry Waxman, D-California. "That didn't happen for two of the most famous soldiers in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars."
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/04/24/tillman.hearing/index.html
Good morning, all.
Posted by gnois on April 24, 2007 at 11:20 A
I agree, gnois. This sounds like an attempt by the White House to investigate themselves and declare they are clean. This is just the kind of whitewash you could have almost expected would be tried by these facist propagandists.
I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Bloch doesn't declare Rove a saint and asks us to pray to him for our forgiveness.
Never trust those who lay down with dogs to produce anything but fleas.
The interesting thing about the Pat Tilman thing is that it can serve as a warning to other celebrities who want to serve their country.
The military is not going to flat out admit that Tilman was killed on purpose because they felt that Tilman can better help recruiting as a martyr in order to stimulate a wave of patriotic sentiment.
The military has quotas and budgets to justify too. Tilman was just too good of an opportunity to pass up.
Either that or he's still alive and, after reconstructive surgery, working as a counterintelligence agent in south asia...
Posted by Kristen on April 24, 2007 at 11:24 AM
Top O' the day to you Kristen.
It's a delicate subject :)
But, the world and more specifically, this continent has gone nuts. Transparency has been eroded and alternate realities are as plentiful as google hits.
And, I'm negative today and looking for some positive imput. We as a culture as a society watch our representatives conduct a facade, that we assume is a congressional investigation. We say "yep, it's all black to me" and then without missing a beat, dumbya gets up and says, without apology I might add.."it's white". We say the guys delusional or whatever, but guess what, we shrug our shoulders and he still sit's in the oval. Best case scenario is the resignation that maybe there will be a change in 2008.
Bottom line, we may not like it, but it becomes acceptable. We adapt.
Which is what will happen with the latest supreme court ruling. May not like, won't burn any bra's or maybe we will, but more than likely, we'll and I say that in cooperation, adapt.
We are becoming a culture of adapting. Strip searches at airports, people listening in on our phone calls,an attorney general that only works and only cares about dumbya...we bitch and bitch, write or call, make a sign and march, but in the end, same shit, and we adapt.
I think it's a sin to consider a female as property and not a person that has exactly the same rights and responsibilities as a male. It should be considered a sin, not a slight, not a mistake, a effin' sin. Should had been on the tablet that Moses carved out on Sinai, if in fact he did that.
I'm not being negative or defeatist. I guess I'm just wondering what the hell it's gonna take to make change happen.
I don't consider change as being one more thing that I have to adapt to either or sucking it up. I mean real fundamental change.
Posted by Kristen on April 24, 2007 at 11:32 AM
Top o' the mornin to you!
As the tide was turning in the U.S. battle against Afghan insurgents --and as media outlets prepared to release reports on detainee abuse at Abu Ghraib in Iraq -- the military saw Pat Tillman's death as an "opportunity," Kevin Tillman told the panel.
So according to the grieving family, the GOP sees nothing wrong with taking advantage of the death of a soldier to divert attention from their own dirty deeds. Most Americans are no longer surprised by these realizations. But it doesn't make them any less angry.
I applaud Mr. Tillman for having the courage to go up to the Hill and tell the craven GOP bastards who enabled this sordid practice by the White House to go to hell to their faces. And I applaud those that gave him this "opportunity."
I'm telling you, so many Americans want an equal opportunity to kick the Republicans in the posterior for any number of reasons. Their time is fast approaching. How many more reasons will Bush give them before the coming elections are held?
In the meantime, every little public kick by an offended citizen adds to the building anticpation of how it will feel when they get their own chance to settle the score. Voters can almost relish the excitement now.
All we need to do is give the Republicans more rope and they will do the rest to themselves.
Every filibuster. Every veto. It's salt in open wounds.
Either that or he's still alive and, after reconstructive surgery, working as a counterintelligence agent in south asia...
Posted by Alexander on April 24, 2007 at 11:39 AM
Nice conspiracy theory. If true, let's hope he's going after Bin Lauden.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on April 24, 2007 at 11:32 AM
Sorry Blue and I 'm not picking on you, but here we go again.
So they investigate and discover the truth. We all knew the truth two years ago. We found out then that Tillman was killed by friendly fire and that Jessica Lynch was just a facade a bunch o' bullshit. But, what happened??
Not a g'damn thing. Now, officially, they are going to have an investigation and tell us exactly what we knew a couple of years ago. Just becasue they investigate it, what are they going to do?
Blame a couple of 3 or 4 stars that were in on it and then what, charge them with what. Those guys are gone, retired and now working as senior retired military advisers for the MSM.
The Tillman family will get the truth which will help them in a civil suit, which they will either pursue or settle and then what?
The administration will just get better at advising the military on how to conduct a propoganda campaign that might be based on facts or truth, but then, maybe not. How would you know?
They should have been busted when it happened and if we had a president that was a president and not some coke junkie who got there as a result of his skull and bones membership, a resignation would have been asked for, general would have been stripped of his pension and the president would have been embarrased.
But, bet your ass, he'll get on TV and say..."Yep, ya'll all think it's white, but trust me, it's black"
And we'll shake our heads and.....adapt.
The brother of Army Ranger Pat Tillman told a House panel on Tuesday that the military tried to spin his brother's 2004 death to deflect attention from emerging failings in the Afghanistan war
Blue, Watch what Limbaugh and other Right Wing Hate radio shows do to Tillman's brother today. also The Sick Repubs who come in here.
They will be calling him some kind of leftist extremist who just hates this President! What ever you do, don't ever, never tell the truth and expose this administration for the lying, inept criminals they are! Oh No. Keep covering up for them and attacking anyone else.
My husband said last night he had Hannity going on his radio. The ONLY thing that Hannity could drum up to bitch about was the fact that the NJ Governor, a LIBERAL, was driving without his seat belt! They have ZERO, nada , nothing good to talk about their party, so they have to try and bring down our's.
Pitiful, yet laughable.
Posted by gnois on April 24, 2007 at 11:45 AM
gnois,
You forget that the oppressed have always lived with disappointment and setbacks. You adapt to conditions but you don't give up. You use it as stimulus to energize your resources to get you to where you want to be.
The Republicans have pissed off a whole new generation. It will come back to haunt them. We now have an unlimited supply of fresh recruits.
Their base is dividing and fighting amongst themselves...and many of those seniors who were taken in with the tax and spend argument are dying away. Those that are left feel betrayed or used.
Get a load of what the Log Cabin Repubicans are saying on the Romney thread above. The same doubts and reservations could just as easily be made by younger evangelicals, fiscal conservatives, or those afraid of losing their jobs and futures to outsourcing, foreign visa holders, or illegal workers.
The GOP is out of touch, in denial, and just plain lazy, incompetent, and corrupt. Everybody but those in the Beltway has "accepted" that.
50 STATE CANVASS... This Saturday, April 28. For more information, click hereWho plans to participate?? What state?
Posted by PamB on April 24, 2007 at 12:11 PM
Pam,
Maybe Hannity would like to talk about the economic "opportunities" that will be coming from the burst in the housing bubble and sub-prime loan forclosures? "Progress" in Iraq occupation I assume he takes for granted...but none of the rest of us do.
In fact, nobody is taking anything for granted anymore in this country. The trust level is about zilch. And so is our patience with these GOP morons.
Gotta get on to some projects. bbl maybe.
If there was a manual written on how not to fight a war, it would be this administration's playbook."
I just watched Peter Granato, a former sergeant in Iraq, make that powerful statement in a new video project by MoveOn.org Political Action. VideoVets: Bring Our Troops home is an online collection of stories from veterans and military families about the Iraq War.
They deliver an important message to the White House: that supporting our troops doesn’t mean supporting the war.
What’s even better about VideoVets is they’re holding a contest -- Academy Award winning director Oliver Stone will turn the video with the highest online ratings into a new TV commercial. This is a big opportunity for opponents of President Bush’s misguided war to make our case on a national platform.
I’ve already visited the website and rated the videos. Will you join me?
over at atrios you can watch pat tillman's brother kevin and jessica lynch testifying before waxman's committee about what really happened to pat and jessica in iraq. it is very troubling.
Posted by gregg on April 24, 2007 at 12:59 PM
It was all part of the packaging of the war. They made heroes out of every soldier, no matter their accomplishments or failures. We let them do this and we let our military down in the end.
At some point though, I think that people will not want to hear any more truth and go back to sticking their fingers in their ears, chanting nanananananana...or watching the F-word channel again.
Poll Of The Day
Do you agree with Sen. Reid that the Iraq war is "lost" and that Pres. Bush is "in a state of denial?"
Suicide bombers kill 9 U.S. soldiers in Iraq
• NEW: Truck bomb kills at least 15 in Ramadi
• Insurgent group claims responsibility for deadly bombings at U.S. base
• Dual suicide car bombers in Diyala province kill nine U.S. soldiers, wound 20
• Mortar fire, bomb in student locker kill two in Baghdad
Full Story:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/04/24/iraq.main/index.html
I don't think that it would be that uncommon to call a death from friendly firing a death caused by enemy fire. Pat Tillman died in combat either way and he deserves his medals regardless.
I'm sure it has been done in other wars.
janis did you bother to hear what his brother had to say about the whole thing? if you did you must have only listened to every twentieth word or you....ah shit forget it!
Thanks for the link, DKA. Following another story on that same page:
Kucinich to unveil plan today to impeach Cheney
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Sabrina Eaton
Plain Dealer Bureau
Washington -- Rep. Dennis Kucinich, a staunch foe of the Iraq war, vocal critic of the Bush administration and Democratic candidate for president, says he will unveil a plan today to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney.
Activist groups that oppose the Iraq war have called for impeachment of Cheney and President Bush, but Democratic leaders who set the party's legislative agenda say they're not interested. That hasn't dissuaded Kucinich.
Last week, the Cleveland Democrat sent an e-mail to congressional colleagues that announced he has drafted "articles of impeachment" against Cheney.
He declined further comment on his effort until today's news conference.
Cheney spokeswoman Megan McGinn says her boss isn't worried. "The vice president is focused on the serious issues facing our country," she said.
Political analysts interviewed Monday predicted Kucinich's impeachment drive won't accomplish anything except boosting his stature among party activists.
"The Howard Dean wing of the Democratic Party will love this. They will eat it up," predicted University of Dayton political scientist Christopher Duncan, who said Democratic leaders don't want to push impeachment because they want to show they can unite the country.
"This is an act of symbolic politics," he continued. "I do not think Dick Cheney will be impeached. I wish there was someplace in Vegas where I could get a bet down on that."
The best they could counter with was "the Howard Dean wing"?? Not even, "nuh-uh, we know our boy's not a crook and we can prove it"? Well, with the wingnut right batting for Deadeye Doink, not to mention that they haven't a counter or an excuse as to his total and complete criminality, impeachment may not only be certain, but absolutely necessary.
The longer the criminality goes on, the longer the neoKKKons are left running around loose, the more it becomes painfully obvious that the entire WH is involved in a criminal enterprise, replete with lies, corruption, legislation for sale and wars for wild profit. If there were any real justice left in the justice system, hangings would ensue for the entire sorryass neoKKKon wackogelical Constitution-destroying lot of them.
You forget that the oppressed have always lived with disappointment and setbacks. You adapt to conditions but you don't give up. You use it as stimulus to energize your resources to get you to where you want to be.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@
SandyH,
What happens when your resources are all used up?
janis did you bother to hear what his brother had to say about the whole thing? if you did you must have only listened to every twentieth word or you....ah shit forget it!
Posted by gregg
I did read some of what was said and I do understand his hurt at learning the truth behind his death. But it doesn't make it better learning that his brother died at the hands of a fellow soldier does it? I imagine that in a firefight bullits are flying everywhere and it would happen easily.
But it doesn't make it better learning that his brother died at the hands of a fellow soldier does it? I imagine that in a firefight bullits are flying everywhere and it would happen easily.
Posted by JanisInMemphis on April 24, 2007 at 01:38 PM
Don't you understand----it is the LYING they are pissed about. Someone came to their house and told them he died by ENEMY fire, not more incompetency with troops who did not have anywhere near enough training . Sheesh!
Don't you understand----it is the LYING they are pissed about. Someone came to their house and told them he died by ENEMY fire, not more incompetency with troops who did not have anywhere near enough training . Sheesh!
Posted by PamB
They send soldiers with a chaplin out pretty quickly after a soldier dies. Did they already know for certain at that time that it was friendly fire?
Janis,
That's not the point. But I'm sure you already understand that the point is that the military and the administration have lied, have lied repeatedly, and continue to lie in the face of all refutation.
At some point, the horseshit has to stop. There's no pony in that pile of manure the administration have been manufacturing and we all damned well know it.
The American people, who are financing BushCo's little enterprise in Iraq and have magnanimously brought Halliburton back from bankruptcy to wild profitabilty, deserve at the very least to be told the truth about what has transpiring all along.
Unless you get your news from Faux Noise and really don't care much about truth, that is...
From Atrios:
"Well, this guy makes disparaging remarks about the fact that we're not Christians, and the reason that we can't put Pat to rest is because we're not Christians," Mary Tillman, Pat's mother, said in an interview with ESPN.com. Mary Tillman casts the family as spiritual, though she said it does not believe in many of the fundamental aspects of organized religion.
"Oh, it has nothing to do with the fact that this whole thing is shady," she said sarcastically, "But it is because we are not Christians."
The problem is that the Christians that we have today really believe that God prays to them, God seeks their guidance before passing judgment. 'If you're not with us, you're against us' is their mantra.
Therefore, if you question the "conventional wisdom" of a Christian, then, their pet God has no value for you. Get it? They use this to cover their myriad of lies and distortions, but it's all in God's name.
I'll say it again, in my mind this is the epitome of blasphemy, or of using the Father's name in vain.
Unless you get your news from Faux Noise and really don't care much about truth, that is...
Posted by HillWilliam
I don't get my news from Faux news. Pretty much I listen to public radio all day and they reported his death back then as from the enemy.
Pam says that our soldiers were undertrained. I can't believe that. They go through basics and special training so they had to be as prepared as they could be I would thing. No one can guess what actual combat situations are like until they get into them.
Poll Of The Day
Do you agree with Sen. Reid that the Iraq war is "lost" and that Pres. Bush is "in a state of denial?"
Yes
82%
No
18%
Total Votes: 902
janis, watch his whole testimony at atrios. it takes 15 minutes. he is not upset that his brother got a medal, he and his family are angry about alot of things among them that the government lied about what happened to distract the american public from how bad the war in iraq was going at that time and part of the lie was to make up a scenario about how pat got his head blown off. i would think a christian like yourself would listen closely to the thoughts and feelings of the family of a deceased soldier before formulating opinions about how others should fee.
why am i talking to an obvious troll? perhaps i have lost my mind. must get outdoors and enjoy this weather. bbl.
Cheney the Dick was just on CNN criticizing Senator Reid for disparaging comments about his administration's (yes, HIS) foreign policy in Iraq. He also cited that it was one of the recommendations to surge more troops into Iraq.
janis, watch his whole testimony at atrios. it takes 15 minutes. he is not upset that his brother got a medal, he and his family are angry about alot of things among them that the government lied about what happened to distract the american public from how bad the war in iraq was going at that time and part of the lie was to make up a scenario about how pat got his head blown off. i would think a christian like yourself would listen closely to the thoughts and feelings of the family of a deceased soldier before formulating opinions about how others should fee.
Posted by gregg
What is atrios? If it a vedio site I'm not sure if I can download anything from there, this old computer is slow (on dialup).
Oh, I didn't know that was the reason he was angry because of the army not telling them that. I thought he was mad because on of his fellow soldiers shot him. I guess that makes more sense now.
As I said, I couldn't listen to what his family said, I didn't hear it on the news yet so I guess it would be hard to hold my opinions until then. Why are you trying to keep calling me things?
I like the CNN sub-title line currently.
TRUTH: CASUALTY OF WAR?
Gotta go...
see ya.
bbl
Posted by davidual on April 24, 2007 at 01:36 PM
You create new ones.
If life gives you rotten lemons; you make a new kind of lemonade from limes, coconuts, and rum. Where do you think swing, the blues, rock and roll, and reagae music comes from?
We are the creative ones, david.
Dig down deep and you'll find the inspiration to join with others in the same situation and find a solution. The only thing we lack is the will...and that comes to us in the darkest places and from the brightest light.
Posted by JanisInMemphis on April 24, 2007 at 02:04 PM
What is atrios?It's a blog. You can find a link to it in the right hand (red) column of this page or click here.BTW, Wikipedia defines a troll as:...someone who intentionally posts derogatory or otherwise inflammatory messages about sensitive topics in an established online community such as an online discussion forum to bait users into responding.
Posted by Terra on April 24, 2007 at 02:37 PM
Then there are those other trolls that post nonsense on blogs to get people to reply with information that everyone else in the world already knows.
"The American people are capable of determining their own ideals for heroes, and they don't need to be told elaborate lies. I had the good fortune to come home and to tell the truth. Many soldiers, like Pat Tillman, did not have that opportunity." - Jessica Lynch
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/04/24/tillman.hearing/index.html
If there was a manual written on how not to fight a war, it would be this administration's playbook."
As we all not, Pam, this is not a war. It's an occupation.
It was supposed to be a cakewalk and a capitulation. But Iraqis do not take direction well. If I was in their place, I wouldn't have either. Who wants to be invaded and occupied by strange people from some far away place?
This might ring a bell with those who are familiar with "War of the Worlds".
When you've been reduced to nothing, you have nothing to lose by fighting back. And if a keystone to your cutural/religious background is martydom, it's a big plus to keep it going.
The neocons failed to take any of this into consideration before the invasion. They were too busy planning on how they were going to spend the oil profits and accept all that candy and flowers from the grateful throngs of happy natives.
Nobody, not even the stupidiest barbarians in history, would ever have have raced into this sort of a foreign entanglement.
Gee, I wonder how the tragedies of Tillman, Abu Ghraib and the Hamza killings occur?
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon's bolstering of its ground forces in Baghdad by borrowing money and people from its sister services is further straining a stretched Air Force, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley said Tuesday.
The result, Moseley said, is people being assigned to jobs they weren't trained for. He cited Air Force airmen being used to guard prisoners and serve as drivers and cited one instance in which a female Air Force surgeon was assigned typing chores.
...
Moseley said that more than 20,000 airmen have been assigned into roles outside their specialties.
Among these, having to guard detainees is a prime example, Moseley said.
"Not only do we not have a prison, but very rarely do we have anybody in prison," he joked.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/24/air.force.iraq.ap/index.html
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Hamas militants fired a barrage of rockets and mortar shells toward Israel on Tuesday and said they considered a five-month truce with Israel to have ended.
The rockets fell after nine Palestinians were killed in fighting with Israel over the weekend. Most of the dead were militants, but Palestinians said at least two civilians, including a 17-year-old girl, were killed.
Also in Gaza, an angry clan stormed the parliament building, carrying the body of a slain family member, to demand the killers be brought to justice.
Tuesday's rocket attack, which came on Israel's 59th Independence Day, caused no damage or injury. However, it marked the first time Hamas openly acknowledged firing shells toward Israel since agreeing to a cease-fire along the Gaza-Israel border in November.
A spokesman for Hamas' armed wing said the group considered the truce to have ended.
"The cease-fire has been over for a long time, and Israel is responsible for that," the spokesman, Abu Obeida, told the Voice of Palestine radio station.
Hamas had largely held back on attacks in recent months, particularly during its negotiations on a power-sharing agreement with the Fatah movement of moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Now the Muslim militant group appears to be spoiling for a fight, especially in the absence of any progress toward the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit.
Shalit was captured by Hamas-allied militants in Gaza last June.
"This is a message to the Zionist enemy that our strikes will continue," Abu Obeida said of the rocket fire. "We are ready to kidnap more and more, and kill more and more of your soldiers."
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070424/D8OMU8R82.html
I emphasised the last paragraph in that article for a reason. I wanted everyone who is prone to blame Israel first to read that. Let the record reflect that on this date in history it was Hamas who ended the truce, it was Hamas, that broke the peace, it was Hamas that fired the first shots, an it was Hamas that called for more kidnappings and other violence. And when Hamas is wiped off the face of the planet, it will be their fault as well.
Last month the military concluded in a pair of reports that nine high-ranking Army officers, including four generals, made critical errors in reporting Tillman's death but that there was no criminal wrongdoing in his shooting.
a group of officers investigating other officers, i wonder how this was going to turn out? just shows the officer "corps" is alive and well.
Is the Surge Backfiring?
The paratroopers tasked with controlling the volatile territory on the outskirts of Baquba knew they would face attacks from insurgents in the area as they stepped up their presence by manning such patrol bases. But they saw little choice, since the ongoing surge strategy calls for U.S. forces to abandon the old notion of return-to-base patrols in favor of living full time in deadly areas.
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1614091,00.html?xid=site-cnn-partner
Translation for the neoconservatives: More chocolate and flowers for the troops.
Posted by JanisInMemphis on April 24, 2007 at 02:04 PM
I'm planning a trip to Graceland. Do you know where I could find someone to plan a renewal of vows? Do they have a gift registry at the Elvis gift shop?
Posted by BobVADemHawk on April 24, 2007 at 02:51 PM
Exactly where in that article does it provide evidence that Hamas started this?
"The cease-fire has been over for a long time, and Israel is responsible for that," the spokesman, Abu Obeida, told the Voice of Palestine radio station.
Posted by SandyH on April 24, 2007 at 02:48 PM
Listened to a General on the Young Turks this am. He was in charge of training the Iraqi's Military. He said no problem teaching them how to shoot a gun, how to put on a uniform, stand at attention and act like a soldier but what they didnt anticipate was the effort it was going to take to get them to fight for a cause.
Think patriotism and it's side kick, the dehumanization of the enemy, gotta have a bad guy.
There is no Iraq in the minds of most Iraqi's. There are sects and for the last 3 decades, in spite of the leadership, they kind of got along.
Bottom line, Iraq will probably never be able to defend itself because it will take decades for them to do that. They are used to occupation or a dictatorship and they are quite happy to go about their business daily.
And I'll bet that is just what the private contractors have in mind.
Need an army, have we got a deal for you.
Someone else to consider:
http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/issues/Iraq_7_Point_Plan
Posted by BlueinIdaho on April 24, 2007 at 02:48 PM
Blue,
I'm surprised this didn't occur a lot earlier in this fiasco. Are they having trouble even recruiting mercenaries?
WASHINGTON April 23 (UPI) -- An agency that oversees the World Bank is asking for the resignation of the bank's president, former deputy U.S. Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz.
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2007/04/23/wolfowitz_asked_to_resign_from_world_bank/
I hear there's an opening as War Czar...
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Hamas militants called Sunday for a fresh wave of attacks against Israel after troops killed nine Palestinians in weekend fighting, straining a five-month cease-fire.
In response, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' more moderate Fatah movement urged him to consider breaking off contacts with the Israeli government, despite his pledge to the United States to hold regular meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Hamas and Fatah are in a coalition government.
Among the nine Palestinians killed were two gunmen and a 17-year-old.
Israeli officials defended the killings as part of operations that have reduced attacks against Israelis.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/world/353369,CST-NWS-meast23.article
Posted by BobVADemHawk on April 24, 2007 at 02:51 PM
.....and you left out the best part and I'll highlight some bit's that kind of stand out there.
In other developments Tuesday, Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres offered a positive view of the Arab peace initiative, but said it was still too early to judge it.
The plan offers Israel peace with the Arab world, in return for an Israeli withdrawal from the territories it captured in the 1967 Mideast War. The plan also calls for a solution for Palestinian refugees and their descendants, in all several million people.
Asked about the plan, Peres told The Associated Press:
"There is music but not yet an orchestra, and you have to look who's going to play and who's going to conduct, but we like the music."
Fourty years is a long time and I would probably run out of patience too.
But, I guess the calming words of Peres, talking about music would settle down some of my impatience even if I had never seen where I was born because it was now in occupied territory.
That probably wouldn't be pissing me off.
Let me get this right though. Hamas kidnaps an Israeli soldier and Israel levels Lebanon and refuses to remove itself from territories occupied for 40 years.
Natives are getting restless and start firing a few volleys.
But they are the bad guys, right?
SandyH..I have been having some rough days so I'm not posting as much as I used to. But as much as I can, I still try to read this blog fully. You are continuing to do a super job at posting very good articles and well reasoned views. Thanks and keep up the good work...
I'm planning a trip to Graceland. Do you know where I could find someone to plan a renewal of vows? Do they have a gift registry at the Elvis gift shop?
Posted by SandyH
Hello Sandy. Oh yes, you can get married or renew your vows at Graceland. It is a very nice place with a quaint chapel. Here's there website:
http://www.elvis.com/graceland/chapel/
I'm not sure about the gift shop having a registry but you could call there (there's numbers on the website) and I bet they could set something up for you and your husband.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on April 24, 2007 at 02:59 PM
It states that practically everywhere in the article that Hamas has begun hostilities by their own admission.
Pam says that our soldiers were undertrained. I can't believe that
Posted by JanisInMemphis on April 24, 2007 at 01:53 PM
You ought to expand your reading, listening, watching to something other than public radio then, because this has been ALL OVER THE NEWS lately, how the military is so desperate for guys, they get a few weeks very basic training, nothing on how to survive in the middle of a Civil War, and send over there.
We just had one from CT killed like 2 weeks after he arrived, and his Mother was on TV talking about how little training he got when they threw him on a plane and sent him over!
SO, now they don't have training, and they don't have safety equipment !
Instead of blogging, why don't you spend your time going into some news sites, including overseas ones, likes bbc, and guardian and Scotsman, and australiandaily, and asia times.
You will be surprised how open your eyes will become.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on April 24, 2007 at 03:11 PM
Israel drops a few bombs in Idaho. Israeli officials defended the killings as part of operations that have reduced attacks against Israelis.
Posted by gnois on April 24, 2007 at 03:01 PM
gnois,
But many Iraqis are related either through their tribal heritage or by marriage. I don't think this is as simple as Shiite vs Sunni vs Kurds. In many ways a lot of Iraqis were united in their distaste for Saddam.
Now they are united in their distaste for Bush and his incompetence. If we as a nation can come together against Bush, I think the Iraqis might, too...if only long enough to get rid of him and his occupying force.
You'd think some enterprising Arab visionary might take the initiative here. All they would have to do is unite the various factions long enough to kick out the outside Islamic fighters. Then demand that Malwaki petition the UN for our immediate withdrawal. I bet any number of Arab nations would sponsor such a move.
And I'm not too sure that isn't exactly what al Sistanti is working on right now. Al Sadr abruptly pulled out of the government for some reason. He has a mind of his own but seems to follow instructions from the elder clerics when they are united in purpose.
One thing's for sure. Push is coming to shove over there. This surge is going no where..just like all the rest of them.
Posted by BobVADemHawk on April 24, 2007 at 03:16 PM
Funny, I don't see that in the article. As a matter of fact, what I do see is that Israel killed nine Palestinians and Hamas retaliated. But, go ahead and place the entire blame on Hamas.
Posted by JanisInMemphis on April 24, 2007 at 03:15 PM
Thanks. I just knew you would have the answer.
In response, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' more moderate Fatah movement urged him to consider breaking off contacts with the Israeli government,
Nuf said....
Posted by goodfoe on April 24, 2007 at 03:14 PM
Hi, John Boy. Glad to see you here from time to time. Hope you and your wife are doing well.
Posted by gnois on April 24, 2007 at 03:18 PM
They wouldn't dare. Everyone knows that every Idahoan is given a loaded gun at birth...along with their automatic admission into the RNC.
But many Iraqis are related either through their tribal heritage or by marriage.
Fighting to defend your family or sect is one thing and that's not the problem. A national identity is quite another. The one common unified resistance is against occupation and we are the ones trying to train them to defend against that.
It's would be like Custer trying to train the Indians to fight against the whiteman army.
Or, an abused wife being trained by her abusive husband on how to kick the shit out of him.
"Here honey, watch how I kick my own ass"
Thanks. I just knew you would have the answer.
Posted by SandyH
Oh, you're most welcome Sandy. Try to do it if the fall or spring if you can because the summers in mempgis are very hot and humid.
How nice for you and your man.
Bye for now.
Posted by SandyH on April 24, 2007 at 03:20 PM
I can't help but get the feeling that MominTn is baaaaaaaaaaaack...
elvis registry?
they serve grilled peanut butter & banana sandwiches while you shop. ;p
All roads seem to lead back to Jerusalem, don't they? It's the key to the door through which we all will find peace.
If those living in the neighborhood would quit depending on others half way around the world and attend to finding ways to work out their problems amongst themselves, there would be a lot less foreign interference which just keeps the killing going on.
Syria might be persuaded to call off the dogs if Israel gave them back the Golan Heights. Turkey might be persuaded to counter Iran if they were allowed to handle their Kurd insurgency. Israel might be persuaded to give the Palestinians a home if they were allowed to have one. Iran might lay off the nuclear bombs if they thought Israel was going to play by the nuclear rules, too.
Egypt knows how it's done. They came to grips with the problem three decades ago. When our new president is sworn in, I'd make a bee line over to Cairo and get the ball rolling.
Unless a Republican wins. In that case, everyone is screwed for another four years with our military establishment going down for the last count. To think they actually borrowed a doctor from another branch and set him to typing forms...is that an inspiring move by our leadership or what?
later.
Just a little fyi:
Forever Stamps On Sale Now
Although the U.S. postal rate isn't going to change until May 14, 2007, the Forever stamp is now being sold at post offices everywhere at the new 41¢ rate. What does forever mean? It means, regardless of any postal rate changes in the future, your forever stamp will always be valid at the new rate, eliminating the need to buy one or two cent stamps.
Forever stamps can be purchased in booklets of 20 stamps at your local post office, by calling 1-800-STAMP-24, or by visiting the USPS website at www.usps.com. Starting May 14, they will be available in sheets of 18 at automated teller machines. Collectors can order a first day of issue postmark by placing a Forever stamped envelope into a self-address envelope addressed to:
Forever stamp
Postmaster
2970 Market St
RM 525
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Remember there is no charge for the first day of issue postmark, but all orders must be placed by June 14, 2007.
First Day Covers, bearing the Forever stamp and an official first day of issue cancellation, are available in the USA Philatelic Catalog. A free catalog can be requested by calling 1-800-STAMP-24 or by writing:
Information Fulfillment
Dept. 6270
US Postal Service
P.O. Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
Monday April 16, 2007
here is why the Tillmans are pissed:
what if this had been your husband or brother, Memphis?
WASHINGTON - An Army Ranger who was with Pat Tillman when he died by friendly fire said Tuesday he was told by a higher-up to conceal that information from Tillman's family.
"I was ordered not to tell them," U.S. Army Specialist Bryan O'Neal told the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
He said he was given the order by then-Lt. Col. Jeff Bailey, the battalion commander who oversaw Tillman's platoon.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070424/ap_on_go_co/tillman_friendly_fire
Posted by Esmeralda on April 24, 2007 at 03:42 PM
No kidding. I'm in heaven. If only I could get my husband to wear a suit and tie.
Well, I suppose he can just wear his Cardinal shirt instead. I was thinking of asking Dorsano and DPD to be best men but they would wear their Cubs shirts. I don't want a rumble in The Chapel.
Me and my man. That sounds familiar somehow.
I actually met Elvis at a casino in Vegas once. He was such a nice young man. He showed us to a table and got us a free drink while we waited for his show to begin. They just don't raise them that way anywhere but in the South.
bbl.
woo-hoo! vitual wedding showers for SandyH (elvis themed) and Esmeralda (hearts & shoes)
I have always said that we, as Democrats, must do the samething back at the Repubilicans and with the same force that they shove down our throats. They don't play fair. It's that plain and simple. If we are to be the party of the people, then we must lead with the same full force that they do.
They will always go for the throat. It's time we repay them back.
Case in point: Kucinich decided not to introduce any impeachment action against Cheney today because poor ol' Dick had to go to the hospital and have his leg checked out. Yep - poor ol' Dick did just that and then proceded to jog up the Capital steps and blast Reid for his remarks about the war.
When will we ever learn - go for the throat - the hell with them.
before the blog police get me, a tidbit: (I'm the one)
Americans support uniform license standards
A new poll shows that 70 percent of Americans support the introduction of national standards for driver's licenses under the Real ID Act, despite opposition from several state legislatures and charges that the program amounts to a national ID card.
The poll, a UPI/Zogby survey of nearly 6,000 adults across the country, also found that a large number -- more than 44 percent -- would support a federal law mandating compulsory national biometric ID cards for all U.S. residents. A slim majority -- 51 percent -- would oppose such a national ID scheme however, and nearly one in four opposed the Real ID Act.
'Antichrist' to preach in Guatemala
He calls himself the Antichrist, wears the number 666 tattooed on his arm and claims a following of 2 million people.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on April 24, 2007 at 03:23 PM
"Insurgents stronghold discovered in potato processing plant located in Boise, Idaho"
Local authorities have pinpointed the exact location and a weapons cache described as one rivaling those usually found only, in the middle east.
"These insurgents have been known to train small children, some from birth, in the use of highly sophisticated weaponry and currently have the most heavily armed militia of pre-schoolers on any continent" an unidentified Defense Department spokeperson said.
Hey - the ACLU has filed a law suit at the State of Indiana over their "God" license. You see, some bangers here in this state thought it would be a great idea to have "In God We Trust" as one of a special license plates being ofered. We have other plates too - environmental, educational, even one for cancer...all cost $40 with part of that cost being $15 for admin. fees. It seems like the State decided to forgo that $15 for their god plates so the ACLU is suing - saying that they can't collect the $15 for one special plate but not the other.
The best thing I can say about Indiana is that when god flushed his tiolet - out spewed the State of Indiana.
Posted by Esmeralda on April 24, 2007 at 04:03 PM
That breaks my heart. If only that boy could experience the joys of childhood that most twelve year olds have in this country. Such a disgrace.
Many House Democrats Undecided on Supplemental Conference Report
ok - just a quick run through
Will be lurking as I always do - I do miss not being able to post like it used to be.
Keep on rockn'
Pam,
As someone who has family serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, I strongly disagree with your assertion that our troops are undertrained.
I have not seen one legitimate news source indicating as such.
Posted by gnois on April 24, 2007 at 04:08 PM
True to our State motto: Idaho, where the Constitution stops at the second amendment.
Posted by Esmeralda on April 24, 2007 at 04:03 PM
http://www.b-29s-over-korea.com/Japanese_Kamikaze/Japanese_Kamikaze03.html
Mankind has always found a novel way to dehumanize an enemy and the more brutal, the better.
Funny how Karma has a way of balancing the universe.
sam waterson is on cnn shilling for fred thompson by suggesting that the best ticket for 08 would be a republican for pres and a democrat for vp. sam is having trouble seperating television lawyer shows from reality.
Blue,
you mean to tell me that there are other amendments?
wow
smile
Posted by CRTG on April 24, 2007 at 04:19 PM
Only the San Francisco Chronicle but it only took two seconds to find this on troop training.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/02/04/MNG9ONUKVT1.DTL
Some had only a few days to learn how to fire their new rifles before they deployed to Iraq -- for the third time -- last month. They had no access to the heavily armored vehicles they will be using in Iraq, so they trained on a handful of old military trucks instead. And some soldiers were assigned to the brigade so late that they had no time to train in the United States at all. Instead of the yearlong training recommended prior to deployment, they prepared for war during the two weeks they spent in Kuwait, en route to Anbar, Iraq's deadliest province.
Soldiers of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division had so little time between deployments to Iraq they had to cram more than a year's worth of training into four months.
Some had only a few days to learn how to fire their new rifles before they deployed to Iraq -- for the third time -- last month. They had no access to the heavily armored vehicles they will be using in Iraq, so they trained on a handful of old military trucks instead. And some soldiers were assigned to the brigade so late that they had no time to train in the United States at all. Instead of the yearlong training recommended prior to deployment, they prepared for war during the two weeks they spent in Kuwait, en route to Anbar, Iraq's deadliest province.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/02/04/MNG9ONUKVT1.DTL
crtg, here is a piece from the ny times. go to their web site and archives for the whole article. hope your loved ones return safely.
March 20, 2007
Army Brigade Finds Itself Stretched Thin
By DAVID S. CLOUD
FORT POLK, La., March 14 — For decades, the Army has kept a brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division on round-the-clock alert, poised to respond to a crisis anywhere in 18 to 72 hours.
Today, the so-called ready brigade is no longer so ready. Its soldiers are not fully trained, much of its equipment is elsewhere, and for the past two weeks the unit has been far from the cargo aircraft it would need in an emergency.
I agree with the lack of equipment argument (something my brother constantly complains about) but the idea that our troops are not trained properly is hog wash.
I have raised this issue with my brother and I get blasted every time I raise it. Equipment yes, training no.
thanks gregg,
not sure if I agree with it but thanks anyway. the nytimes isn't on my reading list anymore after it got caught making up facts to support some of its writers articles. i know other outfits do the same thing but as the gold standard, the nytimes knew better.
well, CRTG, I don't know where you have been the last months, but there has been news about the military sending in troops with too little training. It has been on CNN more than once.
Here are a few things I just googled.
But now, experts say, the protracted Iraqi war, the shortage of military police and a lack of training have hampered the United States' war efforts
http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2004/040514-training-abuse.htm
At Wednesday afternoon's White House press briefing, Press Secretary Tony Snow was asked about an Associated Press report about two Army units forced to skip desert training to accomodate President Bush's new strategy to escalate the number of troops in Iraq. The White House spokesman suggested that troops "rushed" to the battlefield can "also do training in theater
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Snow_Troops_rushed_to_Iraq_due_0228.html
WASHINGTON - Two Vietnam combat veterans teamed up Wednesday to urge new limits on U.S. troop deployments to Iraq and to require that soldiers have proper training and equipment when sent into battle
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1216&u_sid=2355707
WASHINGTON Two soldiers killed in Iraq in February may have died as a result of friendly fire, Army officials said Wednesday, not from enemy fire, as the press reported.
The military suspected friendly fire later in February but did not inform the dead soldiers' families of these new doubts.
One of the soldiers died just hours after arriving in Iraq -- and was one of those troops rushed to the country in the "surge" who did not receive full training.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003567503
oh, and ps, here is a bunch on the wounded ones sent back, too:
http://thinkprogress.org/?tag=Military
I have raised this issue with my brother and I get blasted every time I raise it. Equipment yes, training no.
Posted by CRTG on April 24, 2007 at 04:34 PM
tell your brother to thank God that he has not been exposed to those coming over not knowing shit about what to expect or what to do, or how to use the equipment! But it IS happening!
Good evenin:
Business and Conservatives Desperate to Stop Employee Free Choice Act
by James Parks, Apr 23, 2007
Over the weekend, we saw another example of how badly Big Business and its allies in Congress want to stop the Employee Free Choice Act. Today’s Daily Labor Report (subscription required) says Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) railed against the legislation during a speech at the conservative Heritage Foundation. He reportedly said the bill “promises to savagely curtail” workers’ right to a private-ballot election on whether they want union representation.
Hatch urged employer organizations and conservative groups to organize strong opposition to the legislation and to use talk shows, blogs and advertisements to educate the public about its “dangerous” provisions and rebut “fabrications” allegedly made by unions.
The legislation, S. 1041, would rein in the employer harassment, intimidation and stalling that tens of thousands of workers encounter every year when they try to form unions and bargain for a better life. It also would allow workers to decide to join a union by majority sign-up or card-check when an employer agrees to recognize the union if a majority of workers sign union authorization cards.
Business groups and others that oppose the Employee Free Choice Act claim the current National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election system is a good and democratic thing. But by the time employees get to vote, the environment has been so poisoned by employer intimidation and harassment that free and fair choice isn’t an option. (Read why the majority sign-up process is fairer than an NLRB election.)
I am fed up with this blasted repig orin hatch. It's time for the Democratic party, think tanks, etc... to go on the warpath against this enemy of the working man.
Join Me in Supporting
Universal Health Care for All Americans
The health care crisis we face today affects everyone, overwhelming America’s workers and businesses. Many low-wage earners do not receive health benefits and cannot afford insurance. Higher salaried workers know that the cost of their health insurance may lead to the next round of layoffs.
Astonishingly, more than 46 million Americans lack basic health care coverage. Millions more face high deductibles and staggering costs leaving essential care out of reach.
We can no longer seek gradual reforms or provide insurance companies with financial incentives to solve this problem. The time has come for a single payer national health insurance system that provides complete care to all Americans.
Lend your help to enact national health insurance for all Americans
66 Members of Congress have already joined me as sponsors of H.R. 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act. My bill would create a universal health care system by strengthening and extending the Medicare program to cover all Americans. Under this legislation, no one would be denied full medical services, including prescription drugs and preventive care, throughout their entire lives.
The United States is the only industrialized nation in the world that does not guarantee such health care to its citizens. We spend $1.7 trillion, or $5,800 per citizen, each year on health care.
As a nation we can save money, improve care, and expand coverage by passing H.R. 676.
Make your voice heard now
There are many voices calling for health care reform. Some suggest that the government should give billions of dollars to insurance companies to cover the uninsured. Other proposals only cover children or shift the entire burden of healthcare to employees in the form of health savings accounts.
Unfortunately, patchwork fixes like these will not work. Nothing short of comprehensive reform through single payer health care will solve this problem.
We must not let the movement toward universal health care be co-opted by proposals that serve to enrich those seeking to extend the status quo at the expense of true reform.
Join me in a statement of support for H.R. 676 and single payer health care:
"We, the undersigned, believe that establishing a universal health care system is essential to resolving our nation's health care crisis. We strongly support the passage of H.R. 676 to provide a strong single payer coverage program."
Thank you for your continued support for a better democracy.
Your Friend,
John Conyers, Jr.
Just in case anyone missed this . . .
Latest Afghan abuse claims spark cries for O'Connor's resignation
The opposition made calls for the defence minister's resignation Monday, after the publication of a damning report about the torture Afghan detainees face when Canadian soldiers transfer them to Afghan security forces.
Full Story:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/04/23/afghan-torture.html
Posted by US-can-win on April 24, 2007 at 05:43 PM
When are you signing up?
Kucinich calls for Cheney impeachment
• Kucinich expected to detail Cheney impeachment articles
• House Judiciary Committee would review articles and decide on inquiry
• Kucinich is running for '08 Democratic presidential nomination
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/04/24/kucinich.cheney.ap/index.html
John Kerry discusses Iraq on the floor of the Senate. Watch the video:
http://video.johnkerry.com/video/flash/041207_senate_floor.html
Kucinich calls for Cheney impeachment
****
Impeach Cheney
Impeach Cheney
Impeach Cheney
Posted by US-can-win on April 24, 2007 at 05:57 PM
I was trying to advise people what a mistake this would be for our country and Iraqs. Too bad I was proven right, huh?
US can win what? It's the Iraqi people's country not ours. Or do the right wingers still think they can control the Iraqi oil wealth?
Frustration Over Wall Unites Sunni and Shi'ite
By Alissa J. Rubin
The New York Times
Tuesday 24 April 2007
Baghdad - The unexpected outcry about the proposed construction of a wall around a Sunni Arab neighborhood has revealed the depths of Iraqi frustration with the petty humiliations created by the new security plan intended to protect them.
American and some Iraqi officials were clearly taken aback by the ferocity of the opposition to the wall, and on Monday the United States was showing signs of backing away from the plan. The strong reaction underscores the sense of powerlessness Iraqis feel in the face of the American military, whose presence is all the more pervasive as an increasing number of troops move on to the city's streets.
And it has proved to be an unlikely boon for Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, making the Shiite politician - at least for now - into a champion for Sunnis because he publicly opposed the wall's construction.
At a rally on Monday, residents of the Sunni Arab neighborhood of Adhamiya pledged support for Mr. Maliki because of his declaration on Sunday in Cairo that construction of the wall around their neighborhood must stop. Their endorsement was all the more telling because many Sunnis see Mr. Maliki as the representative of a government bent on Sunni oppression.
"My view of Maliki has changed since I heard of this news, and we hope he would be able to carry out this decision," to stop the wall's construction, said Um Mohammed, a teacher in Adhamiya.
"We denounce the building of the wall, which will increase the sectarian rift," she said as she stood with more than 1,000 neighborhood residents at the peaceful protest.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/042407B.shtml
****
So, what grade`F moron thought of building a wall through Baghdad? Walls are symbols of repression and are hated throughout the world whether it's the Berlin wall or the wall separating Israeli and Palestinians.
Iraq Blast Kills Nine GIs, Injures 20 at Outpost
By Karin Brulliard
The Washington Post
Tuesday 24 April 2007
Suicide attack in Diyala among deadliest of war.
Baghdad - A suicide bomber rammed an explosives-rigged truck into a U.S. military outpost near Baqubah on Monday, killing nine soldiers and wounding 20 in one of the deadliest single ground attacks on U.S. forces since the start of the war in Iraq, military officials said early Tuesday.
Suicide attackers rarely penetrate defenses that surround American troops, but a 10-week-old U.S. counterinsurgency strategy has placed them in outposts and police stations that some soldiers say have made them more vulnerable.
The military said the attack occurred near the capital of Diyala province, about 35 miles northeast of Baghdad, where U.S. soldiers have been engaged in increasingly fierce fighting with Sunni insurgents. A 10th soldier was killed Monday in a roadside bombing in the Diyala town of Muqdadiyah, the military said.
The truck bombing caused the highest number of U.S. fatalities in a ground attack since Aug. 3, 2005, when 14 Marines were killed after their amphibious assault vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Haditha.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/042407L.shtml
****
Nine more Americans killed by Bush, Cheney and the GOP party.
FBI Asks Tom Feeney About Trip With Abramoff
By Anita Kuman
St. Petersburg Times
Monday 23 April 2007
Feeney's office said the congressman is cooperating voluntarily.
Washington - The FBI has asked U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney for information about his dealings with Jack Abramoff as part of its ongoing investigation into the lobbyist convicted of defrauding clients.
FBI agent Kevin Luebke refused to say whether Feeney, a Republican from the Orlando area, is under federal investigation.
Federal agents also have asked the St. Petersburg Times for an email sent to the newspaper by Feeney's office describing a golfing trip the congressman took with Abramoff to Scotland in 2003.
Feeney did not return calls for comment Monday. But his Washington office released a statement to the Times late Monday.
"Rep. Feeney considers this an embarrassing episode in his 17-year career as an elected official and an expensive lesson for him as a public servant," according to the statement.
Feeney is one of three House members who accompanied Abramoff to Scotland on trips that included rounds of golf at the legendary Royal & Ancient Golf Club at St. Andrews.
The others are: former Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, who is serving prison time for corruption, and former House Republican leader Tom DeLay, indicted in Texas for alleged improper fundraising, is under investigation.
"The Justice Department has been investigating activity surrounding Jack Abramoff," according to Feeney's statement. "The Justice Department has contacted Rep. Feeney to request more information regarding this matter and he is pleased to voluntarily cooperate."
The FBI contacted the Times last week to ask for the February 2006 email that Feeney's then chief of staff Jason Roe wrote to the newspaper in response to a series of questions about interactions between Feeney and Abramoff. The Times has referred the FBI's request to its attorney.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/042407N.shtml
****
Abramoff investigation just keeps expanding. It will ultimately reach Gale Norton and then from Rove and from Bush / Cheney ... the impeachment boz.
)Every soldier over there signed up (no daft)
2)where do you get your news (the Cuba Daily)?
3) last time I checked AVG age in Iraq 27yrs old
Posted by US-can-win on April 24, 2007 at 05:43 PM
Hey old fella, WTF does ANY of this have to do with the lack of training the Military is giving to recruits before they are rushed off to fight in the middle of a Civil War in an illegal occupation of a country???????
You better lay off that stuff YOU are smokin', it has fried your little brain.
And it is always you little chicken hawks who come in here, whose penises get big talking about how we are going to win this war, who know dipshit about it!
what a lot of courage this took. It would have been far easier to sit back and pretend to be a hero, but she obviously has ethics which the Republicans do not.
"The former US private Jessica Lynch today condemned what she said were Pentagon efforts to turn her into a "little girl Rambo", and accused military chiefs of using "elaborate tales" to try to make her into a hero of the Iraq war.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2064616,00.html
good news. they won!
BYU Students, Grassroot Donors Make Anti-Cheney Graduation a Reality
What a wonderful story: Conservative religious people openly rejecting the Bush Administration. Successful grassroots organization. Progressives putting their money where their mouth is to make a statement. And perhaps most importantly, a graduation ceremony for absolutely admirable students untainted by a pathological, sinister, maniac vice president.
If it was our intention to control the oil we could take over the intire sandbox.
****
The In-Tire Sandbox? Are those some new sort of tires you put on a pick-up truck?
What the heck are you talking about? How would you take over the entire sandbox anyway?
****
I dont believe
this operation was carried out properly, but I do not believe we have to lose to leave. McAuther said war sould always be a last resort, but if you do it you go in full strength...nothing less.
****
It was an immoral war from the start! The Iraqi people didn't attack us on 9/11. McAuther? You must be senile or can't spell at all ... you probably mean MaCartur. Well, as memory serves he really blew it in Korea with a poorly thought operation where he spilt his forces divided by a mountain range ... only to get beaten back by thousands of Chinese who sneaked into the country
Great analogy! Yet another war that bogged down into a bloddy stalemate.
Can't you right wingers stick to the present reality? Analogies to past wars even Vietnam are rarely useful. This was a war that didn't need to be fought and now it has turned into a bloody occupation with a people who want us to leave.
So, what are we winning?
talking about how we are going to win this war,
****
Win what? Can the right wing please explain - what is it that we win?
They deny that we went there for oil. Okay, then what are we doing?
They claim we went there to get rid of Saddam. Okay, we did. So why are we still there?
They claim we are bring democracy to Iraq. Okay, they had over three elections, a constitution and a standing government. Now, they need their freedom from us.
They claim we are fighting terrorists over there so we don't have fight them over here. Yet, military intelligence indicates a fraction of a percent the the insurgency are foreign fighters.
And why couldn't they come over here even if we are over there? Is there so sort of force field bottling in all of the terrorists in Iraq?
They claim the terrorists could just wait us out.
But the insurgency is the Iraqi people. Of course they can wait us out. They live there! It's their country.
Posted by rjsnj on April 24, 2007 at 06:29 PM
I guess that depends on who "we" is. I saw recently that the cost of a armored humvee in this war is currently ten times what one cost in 2003. And, Halliburton is building quite the corporate superpower in Dubai where prior to 2003 it was nearing bankruptcy.
So, for some it is a WIN. For the rest of America it is a painful loss that many of us tried in vain to warn against.
So, for some it is a WIN.
****
blue, for the war profiteers and defense industry warfare is always a WIN. The "we" is the people of the United States. What is it that "we the people" win? Seems to me that creating mountains of debt is not winning. Seems to me that killing thousands of Americans and seriously wounding tens of thousands more is not a win.
Meanwhile, Bin Laden laughs his butt that he was able to:
1) Distract us from getting him.
2) Provide recruitment propaganda for his ideas.
3) Bankrupt ourselves.
For the rest of America it is a painful loss that many of us tried in vain to warn against.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on April 24, 2007 at 06:38 PM
and it still pisses me off, blue, that it took this long for the rest of America to wake up and realize they were lied to also! That they were duped, naive, gullible, and have let 3800 American boys get killed because of it.
Time for my Dem meeting. back later.
The major malfunction here is that we have ambitious Americans without knowledge of military affairs getting involved, distorting the views of those few military leaders in support of their devious aspirations, which ultimately end in the defeat of a U.S. military and country divided. All because a few foolish individuals thought that their sparse knowledge of military matters must be enough to make them equal those military men and women they considered to be other than intelligent. This nation's military leadership either works as one unit or it doesn't work at all.
ever notice how cheney does dissapearing act when crap about to hit fan? or is it just coincidental that his knees have heart attacks at the same time?
WE NEED LEADERSHIP NOW!!
DEFEND AMERICA-FIRE THE REPUBLICANS!
Kucinich Has Introduced Articles of Impeachment Against Vice President Richard Cheney
Submitted by davidswanson on Tue, 2007-04-24 15:10. Activism | Impeachment
Congressman Dennis Kucinich has introduced articles of impeachment against Vice President Cheney. Here they are, along with supporting materials.
It's time now for us to follow through by asking the rest of Congress to get on board with the American public, and by letting the media know where we stand.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/21699
****
Hip Hip Hoorah
Did anyone catch it on C-Span?
Impeach Cheney
Impeach Cheney
Impeach Cheney
He-ART Of American Teaching
Teaching history of our founding fathers fight.
Patriots learning about Constitutional rights.
Principles ground in “We the people” birthrights.
Blessing being educated equal, seeing the light.
American dream of any class to shine in delight!
-----------------------------------------------
Educators teaching integration, not segregation!
Saga of our nation showing all people respect.
Every street having a dream fantasy of success.
Teachers digging deep within mentoring skills.
Wealth coming from seeing students reach up,
And letting GO!
Note: Inside an uneducated nation, you do not have true Freedom and Democracy, especially if you do not teach it Constitutional History! Bush Republicans want non-educated citizens they are easier to control as their puppets.
Teachers Dancing Solutions!
David L. Young 04/21/07
Kucinich announces impeachment charges against Vice President Cheney
Submitted by davidswanson on Tue, 2007-04-24 22:04. Congress | Impeachment
By Michael Roston, RAW STORY
After a series of delays, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), a candidate for president in 2008, announced a series of charges against Vice President Dick Cheney in Washington, DC, late in the day. Kucinich alleged that the Vice President had committed a series of impeachable offenses, and he was therefore introducing Articles of Impeachment against Cheney in the Congress today.
Kucinich started off by reading the opening words of the Declaration of Independence, arguing they were "instructive at this moment."
"Whenever any government official becomes destructive of the founding purposes, that official must be held accountable," he said.
The Ohio Democrat's move intended to provide a "defense of the rights of American people to have a government that is honest and peaceful."
Kucinich excoriated the Vice President who he called "a driving force for taking us into war against Iraq under false pretenses, and is once again rattling sabers of war against Iran, with the same intent to drive America into war, again based on false pretenses."
Afternoon all,
Has anyone heard of the Hatch Act passed in 1939 to end corruption in the federal government. Federal employees, by law, cannot be involved in any political activities. They can vote but they can't use politics in their job or campaign for any candidate.
Guess what. KKKarl and many other of bush's cronys have been violating the law for some time now. They are being investigated. Indictments could be forthcoming.
This isn't any surprise but KKKarl says "the law doesn't apply to me". I have news for the total asshole. If I have my way he will go to jail for life. First of all they need to smack that arrogant bastard look off his face and slap him in chains.
Rove's White House political activity probed
I wrote this September 11, 2001. It comes from a journal I still have.
"Having known that Osama had this plan in the works for nearly a decade, I find it impossible to think that his true intension would be to wage all out war on us here in the United States. The logistical obstacles that he would have to overcome are simply too great. I think he intends to draw us into a war with him in territory he knows and where he has the upper hand."
We were appalled by attacks on the U.S.S. Cole and Embassy bombings, and then put more targets directly in the line of fire. These targets just happened to be combat forces, who would be okay were it not for the fact that they perform a mission that they were neither trained nor equiped to perform. We do not train our combat forces to perform the duties of a police officer and yet some are asking that they do just that.
My point here is to show that the strategy is not working and that it was refuted all the way along the way by those military leaders, such as myself, who knew better. The administration is again destorting the facts when it suggests that the military under their leadership was allowed to perform their duties free of political meddlings.
PamB on April 24, 2007 at 06:27 PM,
hahaha, Thanks Pam, it's good to see Mr. Cheney on the other side of the stone wall for a change.
Has anyone heard of the Hatch Act passed in 1939 to end corruption in the federal government. Federal employees, by law, cannot be involved in any political activities. They can vote but they can't use politics in their job or campaign for any candidate.
Guess what. KKKarl and many other of bush's cronys have been violating the law for some time now. They are being investigated. Indictments could be forthcoming.
****
Hi John, the Bush crime family has violated that act in a number of ways:
1) They used the social security trustees to push for privatization. They even indoctrined lower level administrators in privatization.
2) The GAO administrator Doan used government facilities and staff to show a slide show on how the GOP can beat Democrats in 2006. The Dems have the full content of the presentation.
3) The WH has planted fake news stories with the media. Even planted "reporters" in the WH to ask Bush softball questions ... remember good ole Jeff Gannon?
ABC News was just reporting that the average hedge manager makes about $1.5 Billion a year. They went on joking about it asking, gee how can you spend that much. I can tell them how to spend it. Help the poor and help the middle class in America that is getting screwed. Someone is paying this $15 Billion to these assholes and it is us, the investors.
These people should be taxed to the hilt. It is totally obscene. ABC was joking about it which is also totally obscene.
I heard that college professors are getting pissed off because they only make something like $150,000 a year and they are seeing college coaches making Millions. This is totally obscene and unfair.
When are we going to get our priorities straight.
The administration is again destorting the facts when it suggests that the military under their leadership was allowed to perform their duties free of political meddlings.
****
marine, now isn't the ultimate farce. Here's Bush whining that Dems are trying to micromanage the war. So, what exactly has Bush done? Anytime that anyone in the military expressed an opinion, he pretended to listen and then gummed it to death. He main consultant on the "surge" was not professional active military but was Kagan in the AEI think tank. How ridiculous is that. He went to the very same neocons that got us in trouble in the first place.
Having witnessed the change in mentality first hand as a Marine Corps Sergeant and Officer Candidate, I can tell you that a fundamental alteration in military thinking takes place just as George Bush takes the electoral college. One day our approach to counter-terrorism resembles a police effort and the next it resembles all out war. (This occurs before the attacks of September 11, 2001 and may well have led to an increased interest in extremism inside those Middle Eastern nations who were likely the focus of covert operations during that time.)
One day our approach to counter-terrorism resembles a police effort and the next it resembles all out war.
****
Yesh even that makes no sense. At one point after 9/11, I heard analyst after analyst all say that fighting terrorist is not the same as conventional warfare. They all admitted that large forces would be ineffective and that special operations and/or specially trained units would be needed. And then what did they do? They fought just as if this is a conventional war. They even use conventional war analogies not understanding that the Iraqi never intended to fight in a conventional way. So even at the level of tactics they are wrong. Beyond the tactics, I question the morality and necessity of Iraq. I absolutely reject the necessity of staying there with a large force for the long run.
Giving these people their country back is the only way the situation will ever calm down.
Opposing forces pay strict attention to one anothers actions. There is seldom a moment during which one side or the other is completely taken by surprise. Both engage in a constant game of adaptation which it is hoped will lead ones opponent to fall behind. The attacks of September 11, 2001 are an example of this adaptation. It ocurrs more than a year after it becomes obvious to anyone with eyes and ears that a new mentality is at work in the United States.
There is no doubt in most minds that Iraq had nothing to do with terrorist attacks prior to our invasion. Israel even denounced the notion of Iraqi involvement in the attacks of 9/11. There has been a concerted effort bent on improperly tying Iraq to terrorism throughout.
I can't wait to see cheney behind bars looking out. He should be sentenced to life without possibility of parole.
The same applies to bush, gonzales and KKKarl.
Indeed, all the problems mentioned by Iraq War supporters in building support for that war are clearly representative of what has become known to us as a conventional threat. You have Saddam Hussein, an unpredictable and violent dictator, who employs an army that is trained in the use of conventional weapons and conventional warfare. On the other hand you have leaders like Osama bin Laden, who stands before no country and trains rebels in unconventional methods of warfare.
Good evening, everyone.
All this talk about winning, losing, defeat, victory, surrender...all in a country that has nothing to do with us. Who cares? Whether we stay or leave Iraq, it won't make any difference as to what finally happens there.
Bush fatigue.
The controversy now being played out in the media is just White House propaganda. It's the same smoke screen they used to get us over there and then justify staying way too long...when neither was ever necessary. The constant barrage of fake arguments and fained outrage is really getting old.
Bush fatigue.
It's a smoke screen designed to keep the war profiteering going and perhaps steal a few oil fields from the warring Iraqi factions while they are busy blowing each other up in a civil war obviously caused by Bush.
It's not our fight. Period. If the neocons want to keep this debacle going till Bush leaves office, let the oil companies pay Halliburton to supervise the mercenaries.
Our troops are not indentured servants. We will no longer let our military establishment fall victim to this bungled, hostile corporate takeover which is draining us of our most precious resources.
Bush fatigue.
Enough with the stalling and jive talk. If the President wants the money, he can have it. But he has to accept a timetable for re-deployment. Or, if he prefers, he can continue to "surge" with the same hot air and lies that started this mess.
New Orleans still needs to be rebuilt and the next hurricane season is fast approaching. If those levies break again, Bush better think about lawyering up for an impeachment trial...and I don't mean with incompetent attorneys like Meirs and Gonzales.
Bush fatigue.
The only Bush ever to have worn battle fatigues is apparently sick of all the baloney, too. Give your old man a break, son.
I can't wait to see cheney behind bars looking out. He should be sentenced to life without possibility of parole.
Posted by Johnedwrd on April 24, 2007 at 07:19 PM
John,
I think it's far more likely that he will end up in a pen at an animal shelter under observation for rabies from foaming at the mouth with so much maliace toward the rest of the world.
Because Saddam Hussein holds together a nation, through use of force or otherwise, it becomes necessary to consider thoroughly the ramifications of his ousting. On the other hand, since Osama bin Laden controls no nation such consideration is not necessary. Neither is Osama likely to be deeply affected when forced from his current location although Saddam would be as he and his forces are not prepared to lead operations from without their strongholds.
good evening, gentledems
Republican puts out 'action alert' claiming Rice will be subpoenaed tomorrow
Michael Roston
Published: Tuesday April 24, 2007
A spokesman for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice suggested that she had more important things to do than testify before Congress the day before a House Committee is threatening to issue a subpoena for her cooperation with an investigation into the evidence used to build the case for the Iraq War.
Meanwhile, a Republican Congressman sent out an "action alert" claiming that "we've gotten word that Waxman will issue a subpoena to Secretary Rice tomorrow morning," adding that such a move could allow the GOP to show how Democrats are "trying to win the political war for themselves no matter its effect on America’s efforts to promote peace and democracy abroad."
"I can only assume that members of Congress would rather have the secretary of State be focused on issues of war and peace," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack in a press briefing today, and then listed her obligations over the next month.
He added, "So she can be doing those things, or she can be testifying before Chairman Waxman's committee about an issue that has been about as investigated as an issue can possibly be investigated."
The attacks of September 11, 2001 are an example of this adaptation. It ocurrs more than a year after it becomes obvious to anyone with eyes and ears that a new mentality is at work in the United States.
Marine,
Posted by Marine on April 24, 2007 at 07:15 PM
So Bin Lauden saw the ultimate weakness and put his plans into action?
I often wondered how our enemies would react when they saw how easy it was for the Chinese to force that one of our planes down and dismantled it. Bush didn't do a thing in retaliation. It took him almost a week to even react.
We've had mental midgets deciding our military's strategy for too long now. Right now it would be best to let the President huff and puff but be ultimately responsible for ending this war if he decides that non-binding resolutions are more important than real support for our troops.
continued
He was responding to an inquiry regarding whether or not Rice would agree to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform prior to the Memorial Day recess, as requested by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA). Chairman Waxman is scheduled to have a hearing tomorrow to consider issuing a subpoena to compel Rice's cooperation with his probe.
McCormack further dismissed the question of how the case for the Iraq War was built as too old to be worthy of concern.
"I'm not quite sure what these questions about her job four years ago, and a four-year-old controversy that has been thoroughly investigated, have to do with her current-day duties," he said.
But, he maintained that the State Department's response to Waxman's questions would ward off any need for a subpoena or testimony.
"Congressman Waxman has had a series of questions for Secretary Rice, and we started out at the -- some 50-plus questions. I think we've narrowed it down to about three, and we will be providing a response to those last three questions, I expect, later this afternoon to Chairman Waxman and his committee," he added.
rjsnj..your memory is bad look it up, McAuther was fired for wanting to fight a war to win by a Democrat
****
US-can-win, why don't you learn how to spell first before writing your dribble. My memory is fine. Good ole Doug made a royal mess in Korea.
Truman had no choice but to fire him because he was totally out of control.
Sandy, the Chinese did take a look at that plane but it came back to us in one piece. The aircraft was released July 3, 2001, 3 months after it had made an emergency landing there.
There has been a concerted effort bent on improperly tying Iraq to terrorism throughout.
****
marine, to some extent, Iraq was a disingenous attempt to turn the fight against Bin Laden into a conventional war. But, I think you miss the big picture when you focus on the tactics too much. You need to examine the underlying intent.
The neocons need endless war. They got exactly what they wanted with 9/11. They then disingenously tied Iraq to 9/11 to continue this war, get a foothold in the Middle East for further wars and if all went well gain control over Iraqi oil resources.
Death by Focus Group
i hate "p.r." pigs almost as much as the lying radicals in the bush crime family.
I understand the big picture quite well rjsnj. You push from your angle and I'll push from mine. We'll meet back in the middle in the long run.
Posted by Marine on April 24, 2007 at 07:48 PM
Marine,
You don't think the chinese took it apart and made copies of the things that most interested them? I can't believe that they just washed and waxed it for three months waiting for someone to pick it up. I guess I just have a devious mind.
A spokesman for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice suggested that she had more important things to do than testify before Congress the day before a House Committee is threatening to issue a subpoena for her cooperation with an investigation into the evidence used to build the case for the Iraq War.
****
More important things to do? No one even wants to talk to her so exactly what does she have to do that is more important? I know ... she has some serious shoe shopping to do.
Hey Condi, get it together and drag yourself over to Congress or you will be in contempt.
more corporate media whores warring against the truth...
CNN
Isn't it enough for the RNC to run one cable news network. They've got to run CNN too?
Headline now running on CNN: "Cheney attacks defeatist Dem plan"
okay, take a quick look during a commercial break.
Cheney attacks defeatist Dem plan
****
That's fine ... Articles of impeachment have been filed against him. Gear up Dick Head because you are about to be sent packing.
i hate "p.r." pigs almost as much as the lying radicals in the bush crime family.
Posted by fade2bluz on April 24, 2007 at 07:51 PM
I've tried to reform, fade. Old habits die hard.
President Eisenhower was an honorable man. He did what he could to prevent this nation from travelling down the road its been headed, after having helped the world defeat a similar threat from Germany.
Existing Home Sales Fall
- - - - - - - - - - - -
By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer
April 24,2007 | WASHINGTON -- Sales of existing homes plunged in March by the largest amount in 18 years, reflecting in part rising troubles in the subprime mortgage market.
Analysts cautioned that tougher approval standards by lenders in response to the increase in mortgage delinquencies will depress sales further in coming months. They said a rebound in housing may not occur until 2008.
The National Association of Realtors reported Tuesday that sales of existing homes fell by 8.4 percent in March, the sharpest drop since a 12.6 percent plunge in January 1989.
The decline, which was three-times what had been expected, pushed sales down to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.12 million units, the slowest pace in nearly three years.
You push from your angle and I'll push from mine. We'll meet back in the middle in the long run.
****
marine, that will work. They both lead to an intersection that is up in flames.
The decline, which was three-times what had been expected, pushed sales down to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.12 million units, the slowest pace in nearly three years.
****
fade, we are well on our a way to a serious recession. This is the phoney Bush economy coming unglued.
Thom Hartman laid it on some repig today that was blaming Janet Reno for Waco.
Hartman straightened out the troll. His research shows that the plan for raiding the Waco compound was conceived by bush the first in late 1992. When Reno took office, the FBI asked her for the go-ahead and she said yes.
He also said that the Nixon planned and put into motion the Bay of Pigs just before the 1960 election. Nixon thought it would help him win the election. Kennedy made the mistake of starting the invasion before he really got familiar with it.
So repigs should stop blaming Kennedy and Clinton for these raids. They were planned by repigs for political purposes no doubt.
I've tried to reform, fade. Old habits die hard.
Posted by SandyH on April 24, 2007 at 07:56 PM
very funny. darlin', you couldn't be a p.r.pig if you were dropped in the pen. you'd be all positive and hopeful and try to convert 'em.
not everyone working in p.r. is a pig, of course.
now, i'll change my mind if it was you that led the focus group on the abortion language used to attack the procedure, i.e. "partial birth"
the war of the words...we always lose. never mind that we have truth on our side. they have the airwaves, the corporate whores and the p.r. pigs.
I don't know that I can think of anything more important for Condilezza Rice than to stand before the People's Congress and justify her actions in the build-up for war with Iraq. Her integrity is in question and she of all people must understand what effect this might have on her abilty to perform her duties. If her subordinates even suspect that she is in some way corrupt, then she has some serious problems.
rj, The economy is really looking bad. During the last depression caused by chimp, Sr. the price of gasoline got down to about $0.89 a gallon. During the coming depression, the price of gasoline will probably go up.
I think it's far more likely that he will end up in a pen at an animal shelter under observation for rabies from foaming at the mouth with so much maliace toward the rest of the world.
****
The best nickname I heard for Cheney is "Snarl Puss". He has a permanent snarl on his puss. You would think with all of his money that he would be happy. Oh well, money really doesn't buy happiness.
rj,
The "Snarl" could be brought on by being married to the shrew elizabeth. She is as nasty as he is.
"Cheney attacks defeatist Dem plan"
You mean our plan to defeat the GOP in 2008? You do realize that is how many people will interrupt this headline?
If I was the White House, I wouldn't be using that word in any form with their track record. People already relate failure with them so strongly.
Well, you all have a good night. And keep the pressure on these people. The only way that they are ever going to learn that they can be held accountable for their actions is if we hold them responsible for their actions. It's time to teach the spoiled brats a little discipline.
Hi Marine, hope your pain is manageable. it's nice to see you.
Hi rj, it's not lookin' too good. Toyota Q1 profits took over the number one spot. fortunately for the fat CEOs at GM, that doesn't hurt their outrageous bonuses. the workers are going to be hurt, badly.
Toyota concentrated on quality, fuel economy--not making effing HUMMERS!
John, don't you love Hartman? and Steph? and Randi? and Malloy?
speaking of Malloy, NovaM still doesn't have 5,000 founding members, folks who throw in a hundred bucks for a year of podcasts....
ya get whatcha pay fer. i don't have an opportunity to get Steph for free, so i pay. happily.
progressive radio voices will be silent if we don't support them. remember that list urging corporations to boycott Air America?
i do.
i don't give them one damned dime, unless it's impossible. such as this cable.
The Iraqi Refugee Crisis
Dahr Jamail
The war in Iraq has caused one of the most severe refugee crises in history, and no one seems to be paying attention.
Since the shock-and-awe invasion of Iraq began in March 2003, that country's explosive unraveling has never left the news or long been off the front page. Yet the fallout beyond its borders from the destruction, disintegration, and ethnic mayhem in Iraq has almost avoided notice. And yet with -- according to United Nations estimates -- approximately 50,000 Iraqis fleeing their country each month (and untold numbers of others being displaced internally), Iraq is producing one of the -- if not the -- most severe refugee crisis on the planet, a crisis without a name and without significant attention.
For the last two weeks, I've been in Syria, visiting refugee centers and camps, the offices and employees of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and poor neighborhoods in Damascus that are filling up with desperate, almost penniless Iraqi refugees, sometimes living 15 to a room. In statistical and human terms, these few days offered a small window into the magnitude of a catastrophe that is still unfolding and shows no sign of abating in any immediately imaginable future.
The "Snarl" could be brought on by being married to the shrew elizabeth. She is as nasty as he is.
***
John, yeah that is pretty bad ... By the way, she was a member of the neocon AEI. Isn't it amazing that these neocon birds flock together ...
The "Snarl" could be brought on by being married to the shrew elizabeth. She is as nasty as he is.
Posted by Johnedwrd on April 24, 2007 at 08:06 PM
ah Lyn, the porn writer
Good evening,
I'm just wondering, can some web site be arranged, neutrally, to present candidate's positions and let them answer questions? It might help to overcome the media focus on their less important features and give more citizens access to their elected officials.
The conservatives have a bias for untruthfullness, and people are really tired and sick of it being forced-fed via MSM.
fade,
I get Steph, Thom and Randi on Progressive radio out of ABQ but Malloy is on after sundown. The FCC makes them turn the power down so I can't hear it. I am still convinced that it is a repig plot through bush's crony in charge of the FCC. They don't make the repig station lower their power.
they have the airwaves, the corporate whores and the p.r. pigs.
Posted by fade2bluz on April 24, 2007 at 08:02 PM
fade,
They don't have us.
We are that loose cannon they can't control and don't understand. And we are willing to do the hard work and personal contact that they assign to others...who then turn around and piss people off when they don't do it any of it right.
Take the money and run...that's all they have done since they took over.
None of those forces they are marshalling against us are fooling the majority anymore. You'll see. Even the people they hire in marketing to advance their corrupt, mad agenda hate them. You can be sure Rove won't get his money's worth from dirty tricks this time around.
I tell you, fade. We have friends in high and low places...and some of the most unexpected other places this time around. They're pulling for us. If we stick to our guns, we will overcome.
The Iraqi Refugee Crisis
Dahr Jamail
The war in Iraq has caused one of the most severe refugee crises in history, and no one seems to be paying attention.
****
Dahr Jamail is doing an amazing job reporting the true situation in Iraq. What a disgrace Bush and Cheney are.
Impeach Cheney
Impeach Bush
fade,
What would the religious right think of her writing porn. I guess it's ok so long as you are the vp's wife.
CREW: OSC wrong choice for Bush, Rove investigation
RAW STORY
Published: Tuesday April 24, 2007
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) today sharply criticized the decision to allow the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) to launch a broad investigation into three brewing Administration scandals, alleging that the move "suggests the possibility that the White House is orchestrating a cover-up of its illegal and improper activities."
As RAW STORY noted earlier, the Los Angeles Times reported today that "the Office of Special Counsel is about to launch a sweeping investigation into Karl Rove's political operations."
The investigation will touch on three major administration scandals, according to the report. "The new investigation, which will examine the firing of at least one U.S. attorney, missing White House e-mails, and White House efforts to keep presidential appointees attuned to Republican political priorities, could create a substantial new problem for the Bush White House," the Times explained.
But as editor for The Nation David Corn noted, OSC head Scott Bloch, a presidential appointee, has been marred with scandal himself. The Washington Post reported in February that the Office of Personnel Management's inspector general has been investigating Bloch for alleged intimidation of career appointees. In May 2005, the Post reported on Bloch's refusal to enforce a discrimination ban within his office. And in April 2005, Bloch's office was accused of political bias.
CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan commented, “Having transformed OSC into a virtual black hole for legitimate complaints of retaliation, Bloch is decidedly not the right person to tackle the issues of misconduct and illegality that surround top White House officials.” Sloan continued, “There is a serious question as to whether Bloch will just provide cover for an administration that has been covering for him."
LINK TO FULL CREW PRESS RELEASE
Condi, is busy with Kissi, attempting to quietly learn diplomacy:
A return to realism?
By Edward Luce, Lionel Barber and Guy Dinmore
Published: April 23 2007 03:00 | Last updated: April 23 2007 03:00
Shortly before our appointment with Condoleezza Rice, Henry Kissinger was spotted slipping into the state department building. As the chief architect of American foreign policy in the late 1960s and 1970s Mr Kissinger remains an icon of the "realist" school of diplomacy so pilloried by Ms Rice's current and erstwhile neo-conservative colleagues in the Bush administration. A brilliant - if cynical - operator who was able to further US interests from positions of apparent weakness, particularly after humiliation in Vietnam, Mr Kissinger meets the current secretary of state regularly, according to an aide.
There may be lessons to learn in the present day from this experience as America faces a similarly disastrous war in Iraq and, as a result, a dramatically weakened position abroad.
www.ft.com/cms/s/46babd5a-f136-11db-838b-000b5df10621.html
Nice to see you, Tom
Yahoo, Slate join Huffington U.S. presidential debate
Tue Apr 24, 2007
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Huffington Post political blog has signed on Web media company Yahoo Inc. and online news site Slate to help host two debates among U.S. presidential hopefuls ahead of the 2008 election.
Arianna Huffington, a commentator who once ran for governor of California, told Reuters in January she was inviting candidates to hold the first online debate, a new benchmark for the Internet's political influence.
"This presidential campaign is going to happen on the Internet more than any other," Huffington said in an interview on Monday. "We have so many candidates announcing on the Internet, we have ads on the Internet that have more power and reach [than television ads]."
Democratic candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama used their Web sites to launch their presidential campaigns early this year.
YouTube, Google Inc.'s video-sharing site, has signed up both senators, as well as rivals such as Republicans Mitt Romney and John McCain, to launch their own Web channels.
The Huffington Post said on Monday Yahoo and the Washington Post Co.'s Slate would help it host two online-only debates, one for Democratic candidates and a second for Republicans, to take place after the U.S. Labor Day holiday in early September.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean will give opening remarks for his party's debate. The Huffington Post did not give details on which candidates agreed to participate.
Candidates will be able to appear online from any location, and will be streamed on the Yahoo Web network and the Huffington Post and Slate sites. PBS public television host Charlie Rose will moderate, selecting questions posed by an Internet audience.
The contenders "all have a different appreciation for the Web than they even did in 2004," said Cyrus Krohn, director of Yahoo's election strategy.
"In the past, candidates or consultants were just trying to hold off on the Internet as long as possible," he said. "This is a medium that can't be ignored any longer."
I guess it's ok so long as you are the vp's wife.
Posted by Johnedwrd on April 24, 2007 at 08:25 PM
yeah, or loofah boy, the harrassturbater
here in the metro east, Frankin and Randi were on the talk station. then Thom was on for a while. now, it's the usual clown team in the morning, Boortz and the reincarnation of Rudy apologist Dennis Miller. only progressive voice left is Randi.
i can't hear her past five, either. i think they deliberately roll back the power during drive time.
not to say i couldn't be paranoid. but i've seen too much of this stuff to be anything but a skeptic
hello bloggers!
we went up to Tech and moved our daughter out this weekend. we walked around and saw some of the memorials. it was really nice but of course I bawled like a baby. she was really close to the first 2 murders and I am having a hard time talking/ranting about it right now. I posted some of the pictures I took on my website.
"This is a medium that can't be ignored any longer."
Posted by fade2bluz on April 24, 2007 at 08:31 PM
fade hello, I thought someone here would know the status of internet election actions.
My idea is for a site with areas for each office at national, state and local elections with the list of candidates at each office and then each opens up to see the positions and take questions on these positions.
It is somewhat problematic, but it would be very useful, and get the issues out.
Transcript of Kucinich Press Conference
Submitted by davidswanson on Tue, 2007-04-24 23:07. Congress | Impeachment
Kucinich Introduces Impeachment Articles Against Cheney
CQ Transcripts Wire
REP. DENNIS J. KUCINICH, D-OHIO: Thank you very much for being here.
We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that, among these, are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the government; and, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it.
These words from the Declaration of Independence are instructive at this moment. Because not only whenever any form of government, but whenever any government official becomes destructive of the founding purposes, that official or those officials must be held accountable.
Because I believe the vice president's conduct of office has been destructive to the founding purposes of our nation. Today, I have introduced House Resolution 333, Articles of Impeachment Relating to Vice President Richard B. Cheney. I do so in defense of the rights of the American people to have a government that is honest and peaceful.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/21728
Read on! On that note have a good evening.
BBL
Am I still welcome here? I was looking for responses to my posts last night and couldn't find my posts.
{{{SADIE}}}
i've been thinking about you. hope you can catch your breath and breathe deeply again, soon.
wow, how horrifying?
great to see you, gf
It is somewhat problematic, but it would be very useful, and get the issues out.
Posted by TomN on April 24, 2007 at 08:45 PM
sounds like a great proposal for California Dems
we have time to get this rolling and i think it's a spectacular idea
ManInTheMac, i'm going to look now. gimme a sec
I guess I am. While I am a member of the opposing party, please know that I'm a nice guy. That troll that was attacking Esme this weekend just spun me into a level of pissed off I've not been into in a while.
Posted by TomN on April 24, 2007 at 08:18 PM
Tom,
The League of Women Voters used to do that until the Republicans decided they didn't want women in charge of anything that they couldn't control or exploit.
The GOP swift boated this organization back in the 1980's and destroyed its reputation for being neutral. The League was threatened with litigation and legislation in the last election for daring to stage voter registration drives across the country and especially in the South. (Sound familar?)
Traditionally, this was the place where people went to get information about candidates and propositions. They still issue voters guides and stage debates in communities across the country, but it has been wounded and stigmatized as a partisan organization. It's a complete lie.
So now presidential debates and candidate forums are sponsored by Faux News. Big improvement?
That is, until very recently, when John Edwards told them to go to hell with the rest of the Democrats following his lead.
It's was all part of the conservative think tanks’ strategy of "truth cleansing" that began during the Reagan age and now continues directly from the inside of the White House by Karl Rove.
He's done a better job than Herman Goebbels ever did when it comes to blending the line between political propaganda and government dogma. I'll give him that, but all bad things must come to pass.
People wake up and realize it was all a nightmare. They don’t have to be afraid to think for themselves and question what is so obviously lies that are being told to them.
“There is a serious question as to whether Bloch will just provide cover for an administration that has been covering for him."
*****
The responsibility of investigation is on congess if the other departments are compromised?
oh, that was the night before. nobody responded because that's blog policy. ignore the trolls, malicious posts, etc.
i ignored GOTV because the fact that those comments were uncalled for ...so why draw attention to them?
i try to ignore trolls. usually pretty well.
btw, essie is a strong woman and strong women defend themselves, just fine. it's not necessary to point out the obvious. we love essie and she knows it.
you called us out, if i remember correctly. just because someone posts something, doesn't mean we accept it. that was nice of you to defend her. you did just the group unfairly, though.
these personal attacks take the focus off the issues.
oh Mac
you are welcome here. most definitely! i did kinda get a kick out of your chivalry.
gotta say, though, that country gal can handle herself with grace...
Tom,
Melanie Sloan's CREW is the group that brought the Foley scandal to light. This is in able hands. I think you're correct, the congress.
oh yeah, Happy Day. today the average woman starts getting paid this year...
Today the National Organization for Women and our allies are calling attention to the persistent wage gap between women and men by observing Equal Pay Day. This year we pause on April 24—symbolizing the day that women workers finally "get out of the red" and their 2006-2007 earnings finally equal men's earnings from last year alone.
Why do women have to work an extra 114 days to keep pace with men? Because full-time women workers are paid an average of 77 cents for every dollar men are paid. Women of color are short-changed even more, with African-American women paid only 71 cents and Latinas just 58 cents on men's dollar.
Posted by fade2bluz on April 24, 2007 at 09:00 PM
I know she can. She and I come from the same place, and I respect her greatly. I grew up in Byesville, and Sunday trips to Seneca lake were what summers were all about.
Nice job, Pragmatic American
time for Malloy.
enjoy the night, y'all and
keep it lit~
Hi Sandy,
Bless you, you've hit it! The league of women voters is neutral and is well known. It is a perfect opportunity to restore them to a most useful service.
Hi all, in for another quickie, thanks for puttin up wid me. My son and I were riding to the dollar tore today after school and he said to me, you know, dad, I'd like to walk Mr. Bush to the roof a of a skyscraper and tell him to look down, and ask him what he sees. If he says little cars and people, I'd tell him there are people starving down there, there are people in pain, you can't see that? Then he said he would just walk away from him and leave him there, but he would leave the door unlocked to come back down from the roof.
:-)
This is the song that was playing from the CD player.
Question. If the highest paid American men are white and the highest paid American women are also white, then how is actually helped most by a push that focuses on the inequality of pay between men and women?
In this country many excuses are used in an attempt to explain why those least hard working families among us should receive the most compensation. These margins have only widened with time and yet we chose not to focus on solving that problem.
I'm certain that professional women make a good point when suggesting that they are paid less than their male counterparts, but it is only because I know for certain that the same mentality responsible for this inequality have also concocted a means by which to justify the same practice throughout the workplace. Professional women, like those men who fill positions farther down the line, receive less pay because that is the way those few highly compensated individuals want it.
This is something like the concept of trickle down economics, only we call it the law of "Crap rolls down hill". For the top to bring home the big bucks those lower down must bring home less, and so on and so on right down to the janitor who does decidely more work than the man on top for what the man on top considers chump change.
{{{DAVID}}}
glad i did not miss your post. that's beautiful. you guys are a full house, and better days are coming. know that, okay?
i've been in your shoes and feel it. believe me, you've got the wealth of the world with that young man who is already so wise and loving.
i hope for you...
give that sweet child a hug from aunt fade. and one for you, too.
you are loved.
Why do women have to work an extra 114 days to keep pace with men? Because full-time women workers are paid an average of 77 cents for every dollar men are paid. Women of color are short-changed even more, with African-American women paid only 71 cents and Latinas just 58 cents on men's dollar.
I noticed that you lumped all men into one group to make this comparison. I'd like to know what the numbers look like when compared white man to white woman, African-American man to African-American woman, and so on. Do you have those numbers too?
www.VOTE411.org
NEW LEAGUE SITE IS ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR ELECTION INFORMATION
Washington, DC– The League of Women Voters today launched www.VOTE411.org, an easy-to-use, nonpartisan national Web site that provides essential information for voters for the upcoming November 7 th elections. The League joined forces with Yahoo! to create a place on the Internet for voters to get the election information they need and can use.
“For decades, you’ve seen League members registering voters at your grocery store, hosting debates and candidate forums in libraries or TV stations, and rolling up their sleeves to make sure all voters are equipped with the information they’ll need on Election Day,” said national League president Mary G. Wilson . “We have a reputation for providing quality, comprehensive and unbiased information to voters, and now we’re bringing that expertise online.”
www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=6892
Yea! Now to get publicity and cache so that every candidate has to come on board. And need some access keys for the candidates to edit and respond on their info sites.
Marine on April 24, 2007 at 09:27 PM,
Because we don't live in a social democracy.
Social democracy is a political ideology that emerged in the late 19th century out of the socialist movement. Unlike socialism in the Marxist sense, which aims to replace the capitalist system entirely, social democracy aims to reform capitalism in order to remove its perceived injustices[citation needed].
[more from wikipedia]
Marine,
This is enlightening.
================
Facts About Pay Equity
* In 2005, women's median annual earnings were only $.77 for every $1.00 earned by men. For women of color, the gap is even worse – only $.71 for African American women and $.58 for Latinas.
* The General Accounting Office compiled data from the Current Population Survey regarding the ten industries that employ 71 percent of U.S. women workers and 73 percent of U.S. women managers. In seven of the ten industries examined, the pay gap between full-time male and female managers widened between 1995 and 2000.
* If women received the same wages as men who work the same number of hours, have the same education and union status, are the same age, and live in the same region of the country, then these women's annual income would rise by $4,000 and poverty rates would be cut in half. Working families would gain an astounding $200 billion in family income annually.
* Pay equity in female-dominated jobs (jobs in which women comprise 70 percent or more of the workforce) would increase wages for women by approximately 18 percent.
* Fifty-five percent of all women work in female-dominated jobs (jobs in which women comprise 70 percent or more of the workforce) whereas only 8.5 percent of all men work in these occupations. However, the men working in female-dominated jobs still receive about 20 percent more than women who work in female-dominated jobs.
* Women are paid less in every occupational classification for which sufficient information is available, according to the data analysis in over 300 job classifications provided by the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics.
* In 1963, the year of the Equal Pay Act's passage, full-time working women were paid 59 cents on average to the dollar received by men, while in 2005 women were paid 77 cents for every dollar received by men. In other words, for the last 42 years, the wage gap has only narrowed by less than half of a penny per year.
more
Social democracy is a political ideology that emerged in the late 19th century out of the socialist movement. Unlike socialism in the Marxist sense, which aims to replace the capitalist system entirely, social democracy aims to reform capitalism in order to remove its perceived injustices[citation needed].
Davidual, this is the same reasoning used to justify the inequality of wages among men and women. Remember, the case was once made that women contributed less as a result of their gender. This is not at all unlike the suggestion that one contributes less due to his or her lack of specific knowledge or skills. In fact, the argument did suggest that women were lacking in just these areas in order to deny them equal compensation.
Posted by SandyH on April 24, 2007 at 03:54 PM I was thinking of asking Dorsano and DPD to be best men but they would wear their Cubs shirts.
:)
Sandy! I had read that you were planning a trip to Graceland but I didn't realize there was more to it.
What helps struggling families is what interests me. I don't like gender battles because they too often invade the home. That being said, if fighting this battle from the angle of the woman worker helps the struggling families, then I am all for it.
Marine,
you lost me @9:46
women's wages have NEVER been correlated to the lack of skills or knowledge.
organized labor has recently changed their gender-biased ways...very recently. no matter how you slice it, it's discrimination. African American males are in the same boat, btw.
today is the day we focus on women's wages. there are certainly plenty of other inequality issues to discuss, as well.
children, however, are most adversely affected by these policies. they are the majority of our nation's poor.
and let me have twenty five bucks out of every hundred you make for about, your lifetime, and then let's talk.
gender battles?
you're not on my team, buddy. and if they are brought into the home, it's the woman that winds up at the ER
gender battles?
is that like the race card? cuz baby that's a real card, too. is it impolite to speak of it?
I still have a problem seeing how racial inequality will be resolved in this way as it does nothing to address the fact that well-to-do families are so much more likely to continue to be well-to-do simply because they have access to institutions that the less well off do not have access to. If you can explain how this hierarchal structure does not closely resemble that of our colonial oppressor, England, I would very much appreciate it. Perhaps I am wrong, but it was my understanding that our system was meant to correct this structure by rewarding those who contributed most best of all.
Posted by TomN on April 24, 2007 at 09:37 PM
League of Women Voters might be able to pull off a nonpartisan stance. When i was campaigning for Kerry, many people asked where they could find information that wasn't biased?
of course, that is not the television. it's ridiculous that the medium most widely used to disseminate information is nothing but carefully crafted disinfo, misinfo and lies
it will take more than a fairness doctrine restoration to repair this breach.
wish i knew what...
Fade, my wife and I consider them gender battles because they do at times cause conflicts between men and women and do most definetly focus on the differences between those genders. I can see that this touched a nerve in you. That was not my intension. I am not your enemy here and do not in any way resemble that which you fight.
What would the religious right think of her writing porn. I guess it's ok so long as you are the vp's wife.
Posted by Johnedwrd on April 24, 2007 at 08:25 PM
John,
I've wondered about this, too. I guess they see what they want to see. Or they just don't bother to look if their GOP benefactors keep the faith- based graft coming?
My guess is that the Falwells and Robertsons feel they are like Catholic bishops who can grant absolution of sins...for a price.
Didn't that preacher who was so against gays but didn't have any problem having gay affairs on the sly...and who has now proclaimed himself "cured"... participate in a weekly conference call with Bush at the White House with the rest of the broadcast Christian hypocrites to pray for our wickedness?
I guess they prayed for Lynne's gay tendencies to be cured, also.
But they must now be damning the hell out of Mary Cheney for daring to contaminate her fetus in a lesbian relationship.
Who knows where these "God Hates the World, God Hates the People" nut jobs are coming from? If they relate well with Bush, then they must be mad as hatters....or drunks.
Perhaps I am wrong, but it was my understanding that our system was meant to correct this structure by rewarding those who contributed most best of all.
Posted by Marine on April 24, 2007 at 10:00 PM
Capitalism protects capital. Only through organized labor movements have any gains been made. EVER. ANYWHERE. and before that happens, it gets very, very bad.
SOLIDARITY is the only way workers have any voice in terms of their compensation.
Human Capital is now the way workers are named in the latest HR publications. Language reflects reality. Not a good sign. Used to be called personnel, the human resources...see the pattern?
Fade, the only system I knew saw myself and my female counterparts equally compensated for our efforts. I've been disabled by military service in case you have forgotten and have probably made less than you annually as a result.
fade,
What is amazing is these inequalities were allowed to happen. Was the intention merely corporate profits, or was there something sown in there to cause strife and division amongst the competitors?
Why would the system want division and conflict?
We are but one race and are here to love and help each other. The human condition whose lesson here seems to be equality, not just of peoples, but of all life.
Human Capital is now the way workers are named in the latest HR publications. Language reflects reality. Not a good sign. Used to be called personnel, the human resources...see the pattern?
This is a good point, Fade. What is more troubling is that it is being written by men and women alike who obviously consider themselves more valuable than those individuals they evaluate along the way. Like I said, this nation suffers from a superiority complex much like England did when it became necessary for our ancestors to part ways.
I haven't caught up on the reading thing, but did we have an appearance from the Mac Man? I'm still several hours behind.
BBIAB, still catching up.
cheney apparently took a shot at george mcgovern. george shot back...with great accuracy and massive firepower. can it be that bush and cheney and their ilk have no idea what real people think of them:
Vice President Dick Cheney recently attacked my 1972 presidential platform and contended that today's Democratic Party has reverted to the views I advocated in 1972. In a sense, this is a compliment, both to me and the Democratic Party. Cheney intended no such compliment. Instead, he twisted my views and those of my party beyond recognition. The city where the vice president spoke, Chicago, is sometimes dubbed "the Windy City." Cheney converted the chilly wind of Chicago into hot air. [...]
He also said that the McGovern way is to surrender in Iraq and leave the U.S. exposed to new dangers. The truth is that I oppose the Iraq war, just as I opposed the Vietnam War, because these two conflicts have weakened the U.S. and diminished our standing in the world and our national security.
In the war of my youth, World War II, I volunteered for military service at the age of 19 and flew 35 combat missions, winning the Distinguished Flying Cross as the pilot of a B-24 bomber. By contrast, in the war of his youth, the Vietnam War, Cheney got five deferments and has never seen a day of combat — a record matched by President Bush. [...]
On one point I do agree with Cheney: Today's Democrats are taking positions on the Iraq war similar to the views I held toward the Vietnam War. But that is all to the good. [...]
We, of course, already know that when Cheney endorses a war, he exempts himself from participation. On second thought, maybe it's wise to keep Cheney off the battlefield — he might end up shooting his comrades rather than the enemy.
On a more serious note, instead of listening to the foolishness of the neoconservative ideologues, the Cheney-Bush team might better heed the words of a real conservative, Edmund Burke: "A conscientious man would be cautious how he dealt in blood."
Tom,
Women don't negotiate for money, due to socialization. I've had a dog in this fight for a long, long time.
We still don't have an amendment guaranteeing our equality. That is highly significant, though not unexpected.
Women didn't earn their voting rights long past the time they stood in solidarity as abolitionists and advocates for black male suffrage.
One of the main reasons why i so object to religion mixed with policy is that the bible makes for a lousy model. We are supposed to obey, yes? The helpmate?
How many of those witches were men?
Women's power is a threat. Too bad. I think we'd be much less inclined to blow things up.
Was the intention merely corporate profits, or was there something sown in there to cause strife and division amongst the competitors?
Why would the system want division and conflict?
Two good questions Tom, both of which I believe influence the decision to create gender inequality in the work place. If you can lure the genders into conflict then you can prevent those who attmept to gain equality as a family or even as a community from ever being able to. At the very least you can delay that process.
There are masterminds and then their are pawns. Pawns act as they are manipulated to act, as the poor white southerner was convinced to consider him or herself superior to the black southerner so that the plantation own might continue to prosper, so would the poor man be convinced to consider himself superior to the woman in order that the priviledged class might continue to prosper.
Fade, the point I made is that those women I worked with and for were compensated at a rate equal to that which their male counterparts received. Numbers are another issue altogether.
Been thinking of Vonnegut's "casino-ism" description of the world's mad capitalism.
The people with the big amounts of capital own the casino. The workers are the guests and gamblers who get to wager their small capitals. The odds favor the house, but it is stil rewarding in some sense to play. And it is the only game in town.
I think the US is building prisons to house gamblers who can't stay out of debt. That keeps the other gamblers in a more rewarding frenzied state and working harder at getting a better stake.
you had a government job. that is one of the places where economic equality and diversity are the rule.
the radicals currently dismantling the civil rights division will do everything they can to change that.
you can take that to the bank, and i'll take my quarter.
i have a master's degree, two undergrads and i still don't earn forty grand.
i love my work, so that's fine with me. i'm not in this fight for me.
How many of those witches were men?
About half of them were men. Witches were originally the spiritual leaders of indigenous groups in Europe. They were killed off along with those women spiritual leaders who lived as equals among them. Women were warriors in these cultures and performed any other task that a man might have performed.
Posted by dorsano on April 24, 2007 at 09:51 PM
dors,
It started out as a joke and it's getting out of hand. My husband set me up and I fell for it. Don't ever try to outsmart a man who knows you too well.
We're going to Graceland this weekend, but it remains to be seen if we will embarrass ourselves there. As for renewing our vows...I can't remember them. All I know is that I didn't say anything about obeying anyone.
But I might hit him for a complete new trousseau...from the Elvis gift shop. Do you think sally* would be our flower girl?
* * * *
By the way, I wanted to share this with you from our discussion last night. I didn't see your post till this morning.
I think it had something to do with them being Cubs fans, Sandy.
Posted by dorsano on April 23, 2007 at 10:31 PM
Then Lord knows they tried hard to overcome the obstacles placed in their way?
Our parents sure knew how to make those special memories that lasted long after them, didn’t they? And on a shoestring.
I remember fondly those nights my dad would come home from work and we walked over to Sportsmen’s Park to see the Cardinals play and have hot dogs for dinner.
I guess your parents did the same sort of thing with your family.
* * * *
I'm sorry I have to leave when I'd like to stay and chat, but I have things to do before bed.
Good night, all.
has a president ever been so despised or thought of so badly? i was around for nixon and bush makes him look like clark kent.
Salem--about a third. so we won't quibble.
our history is not one of equality. the new Supremes a real threat to women for generations to come. the christofacists have had roots here, and reason...our framers, founding fathers recognized the importance of the separation of powers. religion has long been used as a force of oppression
that is why it has no place in government. certainly not. especially in the justice system.
The Oxford English Dictionary tells us that Witch is a Celtic word exclusive to the Celtic tribes. It does not describe "seers" or "wise ones" in any culture other than the Celtic culture. When scholars, anthropologists, religionists, and sociologists refer to other magical systems, such as voodoo or satanism, as forms of Witchcraft, they misuse and abuse the term. The early Celts considered the word Witch an honorific or desirable form of address that would automatically precede a person's name, as in "Witch Morgan" or "Witch Bridget." Using Witch in this way conveyed social superiority and prestige and was understood to mean "the good people" or "the people who followed the customs of the land."
I FINALLY caught up. I'm watching the PBS "Independent Lens" documentary about ENRON and all the crapola they did with Cheney's help. If your local PBS station carries it, it is well worth more than a look-see. It's called ENRON: The Smartest Guys in the Room,.
Hard to believe that there is a weatherman (25 + years) who is beyond being "loved" but has been elevated to the status of "beloved" here in Chicago, and his little brother is the biggest prick to come down the pike. (Hint, their name is Skilling). O.K., not much of a hint, was it?
Superman, beware! Geologists have announced the discovery of a mineral with virtually the same chemical composition as kryptonite -- a substance that the comic superhero must avoid at all costs.
if only it was just the chimp. they've darkened every door they have ever walked through.
{{fade}},
Once humans were domisticated the men had to find a way to not be made redundant. Men are terrified of woman's power and have subjugated them with cruely and terror to retain dominance.
Women are the hope for this world.
Peace
Posted by DPD on April 24, 2007 at 10:43 PM
i've got that on d.v.d.
it's stunning, isn't it?
fertility and life were once objectified and worshiped...ice ages ago
Fade, I don't see too many who claim to Christians actually following the teachings of Christ. First is the fact that many accounts of his life are simply tossed aside without reason, perhaps because they did not support the structure you allude to. Then there is the fact that it was used by the Roman Empire to continue its pre-Chrisitian domination despite the fact that Christ specifically spoke against such things. The hypocrisy just gets more sickening from then on. I'll spare you.
We have Freedom of Religion here. Whatever you deem to be your religion, that's your religion. There was no stipulation saying that yours had to well established at the time or else Mormons wouldn't exist. To even refer to this nation as a Chrisitian nation is to my mind a violation of the Freedom of Religion this country rightfully owns.
gregg, very nice piece
Who was the real loser of '72?
THE VICE PRESIDENT spoke with contempt of my '72 campaign, but he might do well to recall that I began that effort with these words: "I make one pledge above all others — to seek and speak the truth." We made some costly tactical errors after winning the nomination, but I never broke my pledge to speak the truth. That is why I have never felt like a loser since 1972. In contrast, Cheney and Bush have repeatedly lied to the American people.
Does the House bill mentioned really make spying on computers legal if done by businesses?
Are there safeguards against unscrupulous spying by unscrupulous businesses?
Please see URL:
http://weblog.infoworld.com/gripeline/archives/2007/04/spy_act_only_pr.html?source=NLC-GRIPE&cgd=2007-04-24
I assume some companies would limit their spying on my computer to only what is honorable. I bet some companies would not limit their spying.
I have to keep my mother's medical information on my computer. It is necessary. She is 83. Her medications are constantly changing. Keeping her medical information on my computer is the only way I can easily and safely keep her information up to date. It is a matter of life and death, literally, that her medical information be up to date and correct--I am not exaggerating. I would be very, very angry if an unscrupulous company spied on my computer, and got into her medical information. I would want the company put out of business. I would want the managers and executives and owners of the company put in prison with no chance of parole.
If the URL describing the bill becomes law, would unscrupulous companies be able to spy on my computer and hide behind that law?
What ever happened to privacy? I do have a right to privacy, don't I?
To even refer to this nation as a Chrisitian nation is to my mind a violation of the Freedom of Religion this country rightfully owns.
Posted by Marine on April 24, 2007 at 10:53 PM
indeed. it's also historically inaccurate.
{{{Tom}}}
i think of Melanie Sloan, Cindy Sheehan, Mary Tillman, Jessica Lynch, Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Boxer, and so it goes
Peace
Once humans were domisticated the men had to find a way to not be made redundant. Men are terrified of woman's power and have subjugated them with cruely and terror to retain dominance.
This is a commonly held belief among those who have been touched by colonialism. Having little to no contact with indigenous peoples it is not surprising that these individuals would mistakenly assume that no other way of seeing the world had ever existed. Colonial powers and their successors were skilled in this form of manipulation.
In reality there are now and always have been cultures in which men and women respect one another equally. These peoples understand that one does not exist without the other and that one in fact needs the other to survive. This is a way of life foreign to most Enlish speaking people I meet and like many other things accepted as gospel by English speaking people this too is inaccurate.
The problems of this world are not going to resolved by placing our uttermost trust and confidence in one gender or the other, no more so than they are to be resolved by placing our full faith in one religious belief or another. We are all members of this community and until we start behaving as equal members we shall continue to experience the problems we face.
i miss jen. don't know how she posted that music but i like Satellites here
good night marine.
fade the oversight is getting outasight!
Since Democrats assumed control of Congress in January, they have hired more than 200 investigative staffers for key watchdog committees. They include lawyers, former reporters and congressional staffers who left oversight committees that had all but atrophied during the six years that the GOP controlled Congress and the White House. They have already begun a series of inquiries on subjects ranging from allegations of administration meddling in federal scientists' work on global warming and the General Services Administration's alleged work for Republican campaigns to how disproved claims that Iraq had purchased nuclear material from Niger evolved into a case for war.
Democrats have been emboldened, investigators say, by their House and Senate judiciary committee colleagues' inquiries into the firings of U.S. attorneys. Last week's day-long testimony by Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, some Democrats said, was a reminder of how rare Cabinet-level grillings had become on Capitol Hill. By the end of today, the Senate Judiciary Committee alone is set to authorize subpoenas for 15 people in the inquiry on the prosecutor dismissals.
let investigations rain down like water, and convictions like a mighty stream
hey kids dlc or no dlc this sounds great to me. will have to see if it is carried live anywhere on the various electronic devices here in the house:
Senior Democrat Plans Speech Attacking Bush Record
By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 24, 2007; 8:54 PM
A senior Democratic leader, in a speech Wednesday at the Brookings Institution, will tie together a long series of Bush administration scandals, controversies and missteps into what he argues is a campaign to turn the government into an appendage of the Republican Party.
The speech by House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) marks an escalation in the party's rhetorical war with President Bush. For much of last year's campaign season, Democrats called the Bush administration incompetent. Now they are preparing a darker case, accusing the administration of harboring malevolent intent.
To make his case, Emanuel will cite the firings of eight U.S. attorneys, the discrediting of a key critic of the justification for war in Iraq, the hiring of young, inexperienced Republicans to oversee Iraq's reconstruction, secret meetings between Vice President Cheney's energy task force and oil industry executives, the downplaying of links between greenhouse-gas emissions and global warming, the alleged use of the General Services Administration for partisan purposes and the hiring of an attorney for the International Arabian Horse Association to head the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
"Americans have learned just how the Bush Administration works and are discovering that under President Bush, no function of the federal government is free from the influence of politics. And this is no accident. It's all by design,"
hey ralphie boy!!
wow the troll took a long time to appear tonight. perfect as i need some shut eye.
nite fade and friendly lurkers ( gig? ). same place tomorrow morning.
well ya know fade if they are looking up each others asses they might finally find the sacred tablets of ayn rand? anyhow see you in the morn.
Rahm's advance comments are up at Josh Marshall's
i like this:
The Administration would like the press and public to believe all of this corruption and cronyism consists of isolated instances and one-offs. But I ask you:
Michael Brown. Scooter Libby. Bernard Kerik. Halliburton. Philip Cooney. David Safavian. Lurita Doan. Matteo Fontana. Sue Ellen Wooldridge. Steven Griles. Alberto Gonzales. FEMA. Iraq intelligence. Iraq reconstruction.
This Hall of Shame is no accident and these are not isolated incidences. It’s a pattern of political appointees who put partisan interests ahead of country –- and were told to do so.
The good news is that this pattern of putting party first and country second has been brought into the light of day and can no longer be explained away as the product of errors or lapses in judgment by individuals. The implausible excuses are piling up, the explanations becoming harder and harder to believe and the truth more difficult to obscure. Americans now know that we are witnessing much more than just incompetent individuals at work. We are watching corruption in action.
N.W.T. minister extends invitation to Al Gore
Former U.S. vice-president Al Gore is considering a trip to the Northwest Territories, thanks to an invitation extended to him Monday by N.W.T. Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister Brendan Bell. Full Story:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2007/04/24/nwt-gore.html
Impeach Cheney Now!
On this page you will find Congressman Dennis Kucinich's Articles of Impeachment against Richard Cheney, along with supporting materials and a great deal more.
G'Nite, gregg.
fade, that ENRON thing should be shown in EVERY High School and College Business and / or Ethics class!
It should be MANDATORY viewing so that we can possibly get rid of that entire "Greed is Good" culture that bubbled to the surface during the Ray-Gun reign of terror. I'm pleased as punch that DAVID STOCKMAN is finally getting his come-uppence.
The "Greed is Good" culture is alive and well. GM and Ford are headed up by these people. They either refuse or they are too stupid to recognize that they are losing market share by not producing cars the American people want. That is why Toyota has pulled out ahead. All they can do is blame the unions.
We must start enforcing the Sherman Anti-Trust Act that ray-gun eliminated. There is too damn much power sucked up by these conglomerates. It has degenerated to the point where there is no competition in business and we are paying through the nose. Gasoline is a good example. Early in the last century, the government broke up Standard Oil because they owned everything the oil wells, the refineries, and the distribution. We are back to where there is no competition. These major oil companies and many other companies need to be broken up.
The BEST way to save the American Auto Industry is to institute single payer health insurance. Also, tax and tariff ALL so called "American" cars that are more than 40% foreign. Toyota has 10 plants in the Continental USA, and has plans to open more. GM and Ford are shutting down plants and moving their production to Asia and South America (since they have already saturated their investment limits in Mexico).
Gee, maybe it's the 'bonuses and bottom line' mentality that has the US on the ropes.
Yep.
Just had to post this tameness thing. I saw the PBS show on dogs and had to look up this study.
People were domesticated from what? Why don't, can't we grow up?
EARLY CANID DOMESTICATION: THE FARM FOX EXPERIMENT
Published by American Scientist, Vol. 87 No. 2 (March-April 1999)
Article by Lyudmila N. Trut, Ph.D.
Foxes bred for tamability in a 40-year experiment exhibit remarkable transformations that suggest an interplay between behavioral genetics and development.
***
Belyaev believed that similarity in the patterns of these traits was the result of selection for amenability to domestication. Behavioral responses, he reasoned, are regulated by a fine balance between neurotransmitters and hormones at the level of the whole organism. The genes that control that balance occupy a high level in the hierarchical system of the genome. Even slight alterations in those regulatory genes can give rise to a wide network of changes in the developmental processes they govern. Thus, selecting animals for behavior may lead to other, far-reaching changes in the animals' development. Because mammals from widely different taxonomic groups share similar regulatory mechanisms for hormones and neurochemistry, it is reasonable to believe that selecting them for similar behavior — tameness — should alter those mechanisms, and the developmental pathways they govern, in similar ways.
***
Another interesting change is that the cranial morphology of domesticated adult males became somewhat "feminized." In farmed foxes, the crania of males tended to be larger in volume than those of females, and various other proportions differed sharply between the sexes. In the domesticated foxes the sexual dimorphism decreased. The differences in volume remained, but in other respects the skulls of males became more like those of females. Analysis of cranial allometry showed that the changes in skull proportions result either from changes in the timing of the first appearance of particular structures or from changes in their growth rates. Because we studied the skulls only of adult foxes, however, we cannot judge whether any of these changes are pedomorphic, as Morey believes they are in dogs.
reactor-core.org/taming-foxes.html
Pedomorphic.
G'night chillen
G'Nie, Tom; but before you go I must say "Huh?" Too "heavy" for me right now.
Heavy storm came throufgh Spring,Tx this about 4 am.....sever damage in other areas......
Heavy damage in Ft Worth, tornado in Eagle Pass, 6 dead, power out there, details sketchy,....next band of storms moving east, should pass through here in about 2 hrs......next band shows hail now moving toward Eagle Pass.....bbl....
Fade....The Woodlands, Tx....heavy thunder, lightning, rain, tree limbs down, some power out,...possible tornadic action, but no sever damage reported at this time....7 car wreck on 45 and Rankin which is the way both my wife and daughter go to work....bbl....
Why don't the Democrats correct the phony definition of this conflict that we are in! As long as they let them call this a war, it will be more difficult to accomplish the desires of the citizens, and that is to end it.
In my opinion, and by most historical definitions, the War was over when we toppled Saddam's regime.
The American people were never given the option to go into a nation building phase, which obviously requires many more resources than fighting a war. It is ludricrous for us to think we can change the culture of one of the most ancient civilations in the history of mankind! What is going on now is no more a war than the "War on Poverty" or the "War on Drugs!" By the way, did we win those?
morning goodfoe and wmdc1960,
You are absolutely correct. The war on terror is a misnomer (lie). What we are seeing now is a civil war and we should get the hell out. Perhaps it is a police action where individual criminals should be arrested and prosecuted.
The only reason we are calling this a war is that cheney said so. If we call it a war, haliburton can screw the American people.
Impeach bush and cheney. Fire rove, rice, rumsfeld, gonzales and wolfowitz. Then try them all for treason and hang them.
goodfoe,
I hope you came through the storm without too much damage. I am originally from California. I can handle an earthquake but a tornado scares the hell out of me. At least with an earthquake, your house isn't spread all over the next county.
We have a son in San Antonio. Were they hit hard?
Here in NM we had some high winds (45) and showers yesterday. There is a warm front on the way.
JohnE...No news on San Ann at this point is good news....Eagle pass is about 150 miles s. of San Ann, there tornado, 80 hurt, 6 dead in one home. sewer plant destroyed...Denton and Flower Mound nt Ft Worth hit hard...DFW airport shut down all night,,,hundreds of passengers stranded...this storm has created damage from the border at Eagle Pass all the way up into Corlorado....listening to the news JohnE, still no news on San Ann...nothing new to report on The Woodlands.....will keep you posted if I hear anything new...going back up line...bb
good morning, y'all
hope you and your loved ones are safe, John Boy. mine too.
Tom, great piece! thanx
John, Toyota builds a quality product and that's why some of us buy a car. Remember the commercials with the rock music playing, while the passengers sing along? Marketing.
PD is right about the health insurance, but it's only one step. Building a better car with better fuel economy is the way to be number one.
Renzi is involved in the US attorney scandal, too.
going down like bowling pins
That troll that was attacking Esme this weekend just spun me into a level of pissed off I've not been into in a while.
Posted by ManInTheMac on April 24, 2007 at 08:50 PM
Good morning, Mr. Mac. Thank you, but, no need to be pissed. bluzy is correct, I'm one tough biddy. And I do feel loved beyond measure. ;)
The issues of the day rule, the personal relationships are just an added bonus.
Here's a tidbit...work related, of course.
From CQ Weekly: Election Board Facing Votes of No Confidence
After the turmoil over the 2000 presidential election, Congress created a bipartisan commission that was supposed to do nice, non-controversial things: hand out some federal grants, do some studies, certify voting machines, promote voting practices that seem to work well.
Instead, the Election Assistance Commission is now surrounded by controversy and tough questions. And the same lawmakers who could barely be bothered to pay attention to its creation four years ago are putting it under the microscope now.
Enjoy the day, everyone.
Wether the occupation of Iraq ends now or in 2009 the Republicans will blame the Democrats for the loss. Lets get it over with now. Sign the petitions to your congressman to end it. The Republicans are determined to mine this for every piece of silver they can. They are the traitors to our country and way of life.
The Pentagon's chronic neglect of Iraq vets
Military officials knew long ago about the failure to take care of America's war wounded at the beleaguered Walter Reed hospital.
By Mark Benjamin
April 25, 2007 | WASHINGTON -- When the Walter Reed scandal exploded in the media in February, bringing wide attention to inadequate care for veterans at the Army's flagship hospital, Defense Department officials expressed shock and claimed ignorance. Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., the assistant defense secretary who oversees military medicine, declared at a press conference on Feb. 21: "This news caught me -- as it did many other people -- completely by surprise."
But Salon has learned that the Defense Department had been conducting monthly focus group discussions with soldiers treated at Walter Reed since before the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq had even begun, and that it continued to do so as wounded veterans of those conflicts arrived at the facility. The interviews with outpatients were set up to monitor Army healthcare and provide military officials with direct information about it.
"They were trying to find out the good and the bad and the ugly," said a former Defense Department official familiar with the DoD focus groups. "That is the good-news story. The bad-news story is they did not do anything about it."
The focus groups were conducted every month and included soldiers and their families, according to the former Defense Department official. The interviews sometimes took place at Walter Reed or in the department's Force Health Protection and Readiness offices in northern Virginia. That office helps write DoD healthcare policy and monitors health trends among returning veterans.
A Pentagon spokeswoman, Cynthia Smith, confirmed in an e-mail to Salon that the interviews with wounded veterans had taken place, describing them as "focus groups to gain useful input from troops who've deployed and accessed the military health system." Terry Jones, another Defense Department spokesman, said in a separate e-mail that soldiers participating in the DoD interviews were encouraged to be candid. "They are asked how well the system has worked in identifying and treating any health problems experienced before, during, and after deployment."
shameful!
morning fade,
Why can't these overpaid CEO's see that the American people want an economical car. They can't afford the gas to go to work. What is with these people? They should all be fired.
I bought a Toyota van in 1991. It had a lot of little problems and isn't the best built car in the world.
I bought a Dodge Dakota in 1995 and it is still going strong with no mechanical problems at all. It has about 120,000 miles on it. We bought a Dodge Grand Caravan in 2005 and it is incredible with all the electric doors and fold down seats. I am sticking with Dodge.
We priced Ford and GM and their vans were ugly and overpriced.
GM and Ford continue to build these gas hog pickups and the humvee. When are they going to learn. Maybe they have morons in charge just like our government.
Second band of storms moving into Houston area,...trailing storms, flood watch and tornado watch in effect,...no flooding reported here so far...possible trailing storms later in day....Chan. 11 has had a reporter on the ground in The Woodlands,...nothing new there yet.....tornado and flash flood watch until 9 am....I think this storm has already passed San Ann....no reports of damage there...College Station reporting by phone that middle school suffered damage....
Good Morning, ALL!
Did everybody see Jon Stewart's smackdown of McCain on the Daily Show last night? If not, they will rerun it @ 10AM EDT. I'm assuming C & L will have the video sometime today.
mornin' remodelin' man
i'll look for it when i get home tonight. thanks
John, my Camry is 13 years old and will hit a hundred thousand miles next oil change. fuel economy is excellent. NO problems, EVER
i think that's their best model. i'm hoping we're only halfway through our relationship. i don't put a lot of miles on (obviously) and it's been more dependable than any car i've owned previously.
my Chevy S-10 was a disaster. the engine blew up
i got the notice of a defect in the mail while i sat on I-45 in Conroe sweltering...
glad you found a vehicle that works for you.
great day, everyone...we're half the way down the home stretch.
keep it lit~
have a good day fade,
I had a 1986 Ford Mustang and a 1984 Chevy van. They were both pieces of crap. The Ford was worse. Dodge is owned by Daimler (German). No wonder it is good.
The CEO's and executives of Ford and GM need to be fired. The stockholders should call a special meeting and fire their asses. In their place put some people that have vision and know what they are doing.
JohE...I drive a '95 Ford Taurus, 120,000 miles on it....been a very good car, just put a rebuilt water pump on it, other than that, just change the oil and keep on trucking...my wife drives an '06 Ford Fusion seem to be a well built car, V6 and very, very fast,...about 20 miles per gal city driving....our Ford Focus was a nice driving little car but had a lot of problems.......traded it in on the Fusion....
I thought Kucinich filed Impeachment papers against cheney yesterday. I haven't heard a peep from the MSM. They seem to be kissing White House ass again. This has to stop. The impeachment should be front page in the papers and the top of the news on television. The MSM needs to be punished severly for marching lock-step with the pugs and not serving the people of America.
Good morning all,
Now THIS would really make my day!
COULD THE sexy but controversial conservative gadfly Ann Coulter go to jail? According to Observer columnist Joe Conason - Ann is guilty of voter fraud. He says when the far-right Coulter registered to vote in Palm Beach back in 2005, she wrote her address as her Realtor's office. She then signed the form despite its warning that falsifying any information on it makes one liable to felony prosecution.
http://www.rawstory.com/showarticle.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bradblog.com%2F%3Fp%3D4451
goodfoe,
Sounds like Ford has cleaned up their act. I know they have been trying. They do have the fusion which is an economical car.
GM was working on an electric car a couple of years ago and they were finishing up the road testing and was rather successful. Then all of a sudden they secretly crushed the cars and said they weren't going to pursue the electric car anymore. What happened?
Were they threatened by cheney or the oil companies? Maybe these are more charges we can bring against cheney before we hang him.
morning Pam,
I read where the repig US attorney shills have been filing voter fraud charges against individuals (probably minorities).
They had better file charges against ann coldsore. She obviously did it on purpose.
JohnE..CBS showed Kucinich on the House floor speaking about filing on "Shot Gun"....their brief comment was that there would not be much support for impeachment of Cheney....
fade2bluz on April 24, 2007 at 09:28 PM
Fade,
Thanks for your optimism. From where I sit I do not get much of that.
Regarding equal pay for the genders, one thing that happened from the ERA movement of the 70's and 80's is that brought down mens pay to close the pay gap.
We also saw businesses use the mass entrance of women in the workforce as a way of saturating the labor market, and henceforth, this assisted with stagnating wages.
When the workers adjusted to needing to people working in a household, and the employment pool was turning into an employees market, the government relaxed immigration policy to allow more immigrants into the country, which had the effect of watering down wage pressure and wages.
I think women have made good progress, but because of the events I just mentioned said progress has not been witnessed by gross wages.
For too many years, thirty by my estimate, government and business has colluded to stagnate wages for all. Lost in the overall mix of this, either by accident or choice, is the inequality of genderized pay scales, as well as the pay scales of minority workers.
I think marine has a good point. I, too, would like to see information about wages comparing gender by race, and then race to race. We may get a clearer picture.
However, we still must guard ourselves from the collusion of government and business to maintain lower wages.
Yowza! I just heard that Stephanie Miller will be taking over the Imus slot for a "fill-in" run next week! Maybe Dan Abrams looked at the demographics and decided that 3 FOX networks ain't exactly a money maker.
good morning friends. boy i haven't slept this late since my college days and those all night double deck pinochle games!
PamB....Ann Coulter sexy? I almost puked when I read that. I think she is one of the ugliest women on the planet!And that has nothing to do with her mouth which is a toilet!
JohnE...When I have had problems,...both Ford Motor Car Co in Dearborn and Ford Credit treated me more than fairly, They bent over backwards to help me out! Can't say enough good things about them! I'm not in love with the dealership I do business with but nothing in life is perfect....
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