Morning all,

I'll be in an out today. Another hot day here in New England. Gotta get the outside work done early.

Ignore those playing games with Dem names. They are the cutsy little trolls, trying to fool some of the people, some of the time.

Don't forget, HONK for Impeachment and the End of the Republican Regime!

HONK HONK HONK

From: The Pen
Subject: Making The Most Of Sept 15 IMPEACHMENT Events

Date: Fri 08/31/07 06:07 AM

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP MAXIMIZE THE SEPT 15 MOBILIZATION

Besides the main demonstration in Washington on Sept 15 in support of
impeachment, activists are organizing local events all over the
country. The most critical aspect of these events will be using them
as a springboard to keep expanding the circle of activism. Our
effectiveness in making sure that all who attend these events are
fully connected to other ongoing impeachment initiatives will
determine the swiftness of our success.

That is why we want you to have an "IMPEACH CHENEY?" cap, just like
the other 10,000 impeachment mobilizers we have already shipped one
to. And we will still send you one for no charge, and all you have to
do is email us back with your mailing address. However, if you CAN
make a donation however modest, please use the form below to make
your request, for it is only your kind donations that have allowed us
to ship so many free caps to all those who truly cannot afford
anything.

IMPEACH CHENEY? CAPS: http://www.usalone.com/impeach_cheney_cap.php

Sorry if this double posts...it just doesn't want to show up.

Stampeding Elephants

Posted by Kristen on August 31, 2007 at 09:18 AM
that's funny!

I need to see some leadership, and I'd love to see a candidate show leadership on a looming intra-party disaster -- early primaries. Anointing a candidate by the end of February will give us less of a race, less of a choice, less substance in debate, and a candidate wide open to long-term assault from the Republicans. I think it will also make voter sick of the candidates and the process by November.

If we want to see more voter interest and involvement, I challenge at least one top-tier candidate to declare: "I will fight for my candidacy in a 50-State campaign all the way to the convention. I promise that the delegates on the floor will decide this nomination -- not just the big states, the big money, and the media. We're taking this campaign ALL the way to Denver."

I'd like to thank Bill Richardson for taking a stand to protect medical marijuana patients in his State. http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/67672.html
I'll be posting this link to the Drug Policy Forum for Oregon, and someone else has already posted it to www.oregongreenfree.com, so the patients of Oregon are seeing support from the Democratic Party across the State. Oregon Green Free has over 3000 online members, many of whom are politically active.

Sen. Craig no friend to 'greens' in NW

The federally funded Fish Passage Center quietly, credibly performed its vital task of counting declining salmon runs in the Columbia-Snake River system, until it stood as a potential obstacle to agencies and politicians running the river.

The Bonneville Power Administration, in 2005, mounted a sustained campaign to stop spring discharge of water over dam spillways -- nicknamed the "fish flush" -- to aid downstream migration of young salmon. The BPA wanted to generate kilowatts for sale to California.

Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, entered the picture. He inserted "report language" in a Senate energy appropriations bill, directing Bonneville to cut off money to the Fish Passage Center and transfer its functions.

The past year has seen a continuous stream of officials fleeing the White House: Dan Bartlett, Harriett Miers, Donald Rumsfeld, Karl Rove, and now Alberto Gonzales.

But as long as George Bush and Dick Cheney are still in office, we must remain vigilant. In picking the next Attorney General, we have a duty to hold the White House accountable, restore respect for the law, and prevent any further damage to our great nation.

Send a message that the American people will not tolerate another Attorney General who puts partisanship and ideology above the rule of law:

http://www.democraticmajority.com/attorneygeneral

Sincerely,

Senator Edward M. Kennedy

Goodfoe, here is a little cartoon to go with your 9:40 am post.

Full Support

How disgusting, Barnes and Noble has decided to sell the O.J. Simpsons book 'If I Did It'. I thought this book was pulled from being published?

Posted by Kristen on August 31, 2007 at 09:41 AM
Very funny!,,,I went back and looked at some of their older ones too....cute....when i first saw the caption "Full Support", I thought it might be a cartoon about fat old men who need bras....and I wondered how you knew...but I have lost some weight lately, down from 265 to 240,...so I am making progress...and no bra is needed...

Yes Yomama, my local news just covered the story about 15 minutes ago.

First off, I wish to COMMEND and state my appreciation to Gov. Bill Richardson. He has a willingness to take action even when it is a most controversial issue. As a Governor he understands how to govern by the people, for the people and most importantly he stands behind his people. I wish we had 49 more just like him.

Now, here are some links I discovered yesterday that will show you who, how and why Cannabis Prohibition is racist and who is responsible.

These are pdf files and each are only one page.
As per a Police Officer, these are "eye opening" and can really help you understand how the war against "we the people" has escalated and must be stopped.

"The Devil Weed and Harry Anslinger"
http://www.csdp.org/publicservice/anslinger.pdf

The next link will tel the story of who the father of prohibition is and motive along with the frightening manner in how Dr. Wright accomplished it. He told lies to the Admin and to the people after a trip overseas.

"The Man Who Gave Us The Drug War"
http://www.csdp.org/publicservice/hamwright.pdf

Here is the Reuters link about the book

Barnes & Noble

The articles says that while the initial publisher scrapped the book another publisher with the Goldman family published the book.

How disgusting, Barnes and Noble has decided to sell the O.J. Simpsons book 'If I Did It'. I thought this book was pulled from being published?
Posted by Kristen on August 31, 2007

yeah but they said they aren't going to advertise that they are selling it. they are just going to release it to the press that they aren't going to advertise for the free advertising.

Don't forget, HONK for Impeachment and the End of the Republican Regime!

HONK HONK HONK

Posted by PamB on August 31, 2007 at 08:55 AM
****

Pamb

I'll honk to that.

HONKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

jimmy, what are your thoughts of the Goldman family pushing for the book to be published when they were the ones leading the public outrage the first time around.

My opinion is that they finally found a way to get paid.

just as disgusting.
Over the summer, a federal bankruptcy judge awarded rights to the book to Goldman's family to help satisfy a $38 million wrongful death judgment against Simpson. (AP)

so really it is the goldman's selling the book for profit.

Judith Reagan was originally going to publish the book, but her bosses pulled the plug on the project. O J, apparently had received an advance pf one million on the book. When the publisher asked OJ for the advance back, he told them he had already spent the money...It appears that a new, different publisher has picked up the rights to the book and is now going to publish it....

Good mornin all ... except trolls of course.

Red Blood, Black Rock Hotlist
by Devilstower
Fri Aug 31, 2007 at 06:11:58 AM PDT

Imagine you are in charge of safety for those laboring in America's mines. Now imagine you don't really care whether one, ten, or a hundred of these men and women die. All you care about is saving money for the corporations which are your real master. Once you have that mindset down, you're almost ready for a spot with the Bush administration. You just have to take one more step.

You have to be willing to take the broken bodies of those who have died through your own negligence and hold them up as reasons to reward those who collaborated in their deaths. That's exactly what the Bush administration did last week.

The federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, OSM, is proposing to exempt coal mining wastes from a 1983 regulation known as the Stream Buffer Zone Rule that prohibits coal mining activities from disturbing areas within 100 feet of streams.

...

Environmentalists who have received advance copies of the proposed regulations are outraged because the OSM proposes to exempt from the stream buffer zone rule those very mountaintop removal activities that are most destructive to streams, including "permanent excess spoil fills, and coal waste disposal facilities."

In a move that demonstrates more boundless gall than the invasion of Iraq, the Bush administration used the increase in underground mine deaths that has occurred on their watch, as a reason to remove restrictions on mountaintop removal mining. It's a direct payback to the "Bush Pioneers" who schemed in Cheney's energy task force. Under the pretense of safety, they're out to expand the very kind of mining that led to the greatest coal mining diaster of the last fifty years, a disaster that killed 125 people who weren't even in the mine. They're willing to surrender, for all time, mountains that date back half a billion years, along with streams and rivers that provide both drinking water and recreation for towns and cities in several states. And they think you'll be so upset about the men they helped to kill, that you'll let them get away with it.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/8/31/91158/9320

since it is part of money that will never be paid, you could say they found a way to be paid, but should you be looking to profit from your childs murder? were it me, maybe i would sue so this person who got away with murder could never live that comfortable life he had, but by denying him the right to sell it, they have completed this part.

IRS urged to pursue government delinquents

WASHINGTON -- Federal offices owe some $45 million in delinquent withholding taxes and the Internal Revenue Service needs to do more to ensure that the government lives up to its taxpaying obligations, according a report issued Friday.

The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, who oversees IRS operations, also found that as of January this year delinquent state and local government accounts totaled $254 million.

"It is outrageous that government entities are failing to pay their employment taxes," Inspector General George J. Russell said in a statement. "It is especially troubling that federal organizations are a part of this problem. The IRS must develop comprehensive procedures to remedy this inexcusable situation."

Jimmy, I agree. I think it is one thing to require O.J. to pay them and not allow him to live such a comfortable life, but their screams of outrage over the publishing of the book and their re-vicitimization seem hallow when you read they are using the book to gain monetarily.

Such is life in America. ;)

Here is some good news!

A recovering Johnson remains determined

After his progress in therapy exceeded expectations, he started doing Senate work from his Alexandria, Va., home.

"I was fully engaged with judgment calls about bill sponsorships; I made phone calls about South Dakota projects, and I was never discouraged."

He plans to return to Capitol Hill on Wednesday. His recovery continues, and he hopes to speak and walk better soon.

Time for Florida to take a conciliatory tone just as Howard Dean has toward them. They need to start emailing around the truth and take down the hateful articles from their website...as a start.

Then they need to carefully explain that it is their fault Florida lost their delegates, not the fault of the DNC. Further they need to explain the vote itself on January 29 on other issues totally counts. Stop the spin.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1467

Gen. Tommy Franks as the next vice president?

Three of the eight announced 2008 Republican presidential candidates are considering retired Army Gen. Tommy Franks as their vice presidential running mate. Franks has been strongly criticized for his closeness to Donald Rumsfeld and his lack of pre-invasion planning for Iraq. A book by a highly commended active duty Army officer said that Franks was “slow to grasp the realities of the war” and “overly optimistic” in his assessments.

Can U imagine???? Agh!!!

Morning Friends, Dinos, Rinos and Trolls! ;-)

Former Reagan aide: 'Brownshirt' Bush among top 'mass murderers of all time'

whoa - finally - it's not just us lefties

just saw this guy on CNN, and was interested in reading his report, especially since he is a self described liberal, working for the progressive think tank, The Brookings Institute. I find it odd that he'd make this assessment unless he's a paid 'enemy from within' to the BI.

uhhhmmmm, this story has been on for weeks now, with many follow ups by those who know what went on when he and the other guy were there.

they spent like 4 hours inside the Green zone, protected, and strictly not knowing what was really going on, to come back and say everything was going hunky dorey.

Catch up on the news, huh?

ROFLMAO @ NON-PARTISAN = FRANKS???

well then he's a gizzard pecking coward in not standing up to dingleberry W about the war!!!

{{{Pammay}}} will the circle be unbroken?

roflol! Is this your admirer with yet another lame name???

how demented of it.

blah blah blah

If you're NOT a troll then you need to HUSH up and READ this blog and see how it works and how many ugly nasty trolls come here.

DON'T worry about Pam or I. Worry about staying INFORMED!

and quit lying, it's so ugly

dumb ass

I served 6 yrs - but you are ignorant to all of us here. Your points fit your idea but your ideas are so shallow and small I feel sorry for you.

who am I suppose to obey??? U??? lmao yea right!!

UR ahole PUG Generals and their clan got us into this lie and no matter how you try to defend franks he's a loser butt kisser at best!

lying about franks

lying about knowing any of us

lying about caring what we thing

(if you didn't you wouldn't be here)

shall I go on? Liar!

excuse me that would be THINK not THING

(freudian slip perhaps)

lol

I seriously don't want to ruin my great day here with a troll so I'll just push on. Let those that want to play continue. Gorgeous day why waste it.

Peace Pammy!!

Lefty, at the risk of being redundant, may I once again invite you to read the story at the link below?

http://alternet.org/waroniraq/60950/

The Bush Savings and Loan President, who helped bankrupt them now wants to save homeowners, especially those Republican ones. Those rich ones while hurting the Katrina ones.

Tricky Dick's Watergate Thompson, who will take Executive Privilege higher in abuse. A President that will never be a "We the people" leader.

Are you always this hostile towards those that aren't within the circle of 'friends' that post here typically. I can leave as fast as I came, if you'd prefer.
Posted by lefty_winger on August 31, 2007 at 11:29 AM

Hostile? Because I DARED to print the truth about a situation you are now 2 weeks late in posting about? Because I told you that you should read up, before posting things you obviously know nothing about? These 'circle of friends' here are people I have fought the Democratic fight with for 4 years, and I know them, trust them, and respect them! You, on the other hand seem to have a tendancy to post things that ride on the distorted line !

As far as Franks, Petraus, and other Generals who all are ass kissing, rubber stamping, cronys of bush, they may have stellar past resumes, but the fact is, like gonzales, they will Lie and slant and spin to make Bush and his illegal invasion look good. Have you seen the Generals he got rid of who had the ethics to say NO, this invasion is a failure?

So don't come off high and mighty, like some poor victim here. If you don;t know the facts, just keep quiet !

I personally am all for the the Republican candidates picking warmongering butt kissers as running mates, I don't think any of have a chance of winning when Americans want new ideas and change in Washington.

Good late morning, all.

Posted by theo on August 31, 2007 at 09:28 AM

theo,

Hear, hear!

I think this primary situation is insane. If the powers that be are going to make us stick with it, couldn't the DNC at least hold the results or not certify them until July? I'd like to see state conventions ratify or modify the vote because it's just too frickin' early.

What are we going to do for six months? Throw rotting vegetables and dead cats are both candidates? Now there's a novel way to get citizens involved in and get them to take the whole process seriously.

The MSM will be whining that the candidates haven't announced their running mates and Cabinet picks by March...and then ripping them apart...for six long months.

I can see it now. The media divas will be blaming the candidatesfor getting us into Iraq without a plan to get us out.

I think that's what this is all about. It's Rove's plan to keep the heat off Bush, so Cheney can attack Iran without anyone noticing what he's doing. Why are we playing along with it?

Dr. Dean needs to round up the cats and have a showdown with all the candidates. The primaries need to be later and every state given a chance to be relevant.

Good afternoon fellow Democrats.

Anyone who uses a nickname like Lefty shouldn't expect anything but ridicule. When are the auditions for your next production of "Guys and Dolls"? I'd like to try out for the part of a Salvation Army babe.

bbl.

First Gay Iowa Couple Married

DES MOINES, Iowa -- A minister married two men outside his Iowa home Friday morning, sealing the state's first legal same-sex wedding. Less than 24 hours earlier, a judge had thrown out Iowa's ban on gay marriage.

The Rev. Mark Stringer declared college students Sean Fritz and Tim McQuillan legally wed.

"This is it. We're married. I love you," Fritz told McQuillan after the ceremony on the front lawn of the Unitarian minister's home in Des Moines.

On Thursday, Polk County Judge Robert Hanson ruled that Iowa's 1998 Defense of Marriage Act, which allowed marriage only between a man and a woman, violated the constitutional rights of due process and equal protection of six gay couples who had sued.

The ruling cleared the way for gay couples across the state to apply for marriage licenses in Polk County, and more than a dozen had by Friday morning.

I read Tony Snow was stepping down not because of his illness but the money wasn't enough.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- White House press secretary Tony Snow, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, will step down from his post Sept. 14 and be replaced by deputy press secretary Dana Perino, the White House announced Friday.

Earlier this month, Snow had told conservative talk-show host Hugh Hewitt that "financial reasons" may prevent him for serving the remainder of his boss's presidency.

"I'm not going to be able to go the distance, but that's primarily for financial reasons." Snow said. "I've told people when my money runs out, then I've got to go."

According to The Washington Post, Snow makes $168,000 as the White House spokesman.

Snow, 52, had been treated for colon cancer in 2005. In March, during surgery to remove a growth from his abdomen, doctors discovered that the cancer had returned and spread to his liver.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/31/white.house.snow/index.html?iref=topnews

Though we often disagree with him, I'm sure all of us would like to extend our sympathy to Mr. Snow and his family and wish him a speedy and full recovery.

Lefty, you believe war profiteering is needed, or else no one would be interested in working for a company, or a company working for the government.?

You really believe that is what capitalism and democracy is all about? And, correct me if I'm wrong, didn't Franklin say about the war, and I quote: "I don't want to see a single war millionaire created in the United States as a result of this world disaster"?

And, what is the libel you keep referring to? In order to prove libel, don't you have to show you've been harmed in some way?

Posted by lefty_winger on August 31, 2007 at 12:44 PM

Good afternoon. That is why I support Sen. Biden (D-DE) because only he has laid out a comprehensive strategy for dealing with the blunders of the Bush Administration in Iraq. For anyone else interested, you can read the senator's strategy here: http://www.joebiden.com/issues/?id=0009 . Or, just give the site a visit here: www.joebiden.com

What about the war on our own soil?

Marijuana mega-grows are popping up across the country, and always blamed on cartels of whatever the local minority of the moment is.

Why are our borders open to these invasions?

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/481487,CST-NWS-dope24.article

http://thepinetree.net/index.php?module=announce&ANN_user_op=view&ANN_id=3181

http://www.koin.com/Global/story.asp?S=6834033

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/85613.html

http://www.knowgangs.com/news/july07/0723.php

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20070724/NEWS/707240498

http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070722/NEWS03/70722002

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_6443699

Bob, I have sympathy for his family but a lot nicer people have suffered from cancer and many of them have been lost in the red tape of the pro-life Bush adminstration...I truly have little time to think about the Bush apologist Tony Snow.

Posted by gro4me on August 31, 2007 at 01:04 PM

While I can understand what I believe to be your position on the legalization of marijuana and though it would be an excellent source of taxation for revenue generation, at this point in history, I do not believe that a majority of Americans would support this, or a similar position. Perhaps after the baby boomers are gone...

On a side note!

THE NEW PRESS SEC IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

Posted by lefty_winger on August 31, 2007 at 12:52 PM

I might not go as far as beautiful, especially with the cancer of the soul she most likely has, being a faithful member of the Evil Empire. But she's definitely a lot hotter than Baloney Snow.

These are the people I send my prayers and thoughts to, while Snow spends his days spinning the Bush lies into tangled little spider webs, these young men and this family are the ones that get snared.

Soldier buries brother in life, brother in war

CLOVIS, California (CNN) -- Jeff Hubbard fought back tears as he talked about his boy -- a "great, great young man" who was killed last week in Iraq in a helicopter crash. It's the second time he's had to bury a son killed in the Iraq war.

This time, it was made even more tragic. His third son, also a soldier in Iraq, was immediately on scene of last week's helicopter crash and watched as soldiers carried the remains of his brother, 21-year-old Army Cpl. Nathan Hubbard, from the crash site.

Germany wants to spy on suspects via Web

BERLIN - German officials on Friday defended a proposal to use "Trojan horse" software to secretly monitor potential terror suspects' hard drives, amid fierce debate over whether the measures violate civil liberties.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070831/ap_on_hi_te/germany_trojan_horses;_ylt=AtM.42trpbyhDp6IPss8rNes0NUE

I think Congress need to study the right of foreign government to spy on U.S. citizens "At Will" in the U.S. Where they monitor what is written on private computers, maybe trade secrets.

Germany wants to use Trojan sponsored viruses where is the control of Civil Liberties. Congress need a GAO like organization to protect U.S. citizen from warrant less surveillance. The White House may use German to bypass U.S. law with its Guantanamo power.

"Posted by gro4me on August 31, 2007 at 01:04 PM

While I can understand what I believe to be your position on the legalization of marijuana and though it would be an excellent source of taxation for revenue generation, at this point in history, I do not believe that a majority of Americans would support this, or a similar position. Perhaps after the baby boomers are gone...

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden-Obama2008 on August 31, 2007 at 01:12 PM"

80% (est)support Medical Cannabis
65% (est)support taxation/regulation as of the last poll I found awhile back.
maybe its time for another Quality national poll?

I favor saving the Billions spent on cannabis eradication because there is MORE cannabis out there now than ever. I would rather see the Billion's in NEW revenue going into state and federal coffers than bleeding out. Billions in NEW revenue can go a long ways towards other heath programs, like for the kids and aged, helping Katrina victims and education..or all of the above.

no, I don't think about Tony Snow. If you noticed I did say I have sympathy for his family.

As for where I measure up on your little ruler? That is not something I worry about.

Posted by compostrose on August 31, 2007 at 01:34 PM

Thank you for your input. Do you have a source on that polling you cited? We would agree that another national poll would be in order but, I would recommend that for after the election.

We also agree that medical marijuana should be legal nationwide with the same controls as used on drugs such as Oxycontin, a.k.a. "Hillbilly Heroin", or any of the narcotics prescribed for pain management. However, I can't see the DNC making that a plank in the party platform for 2008 unless there is some polling of the type you suggest indicating the level of support you cite in the aforementioned statistics.

I do not believe that a majority of Americans would support this, or a similar position. Perhaps after the baby boomers are gone...

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden-Obama2008 on August 31, 2007 at 01:12 PM

65% (est)support taxation/regulation as of the last poll I found awhile back.

Posted by compostrose on August 31, 2007 at 01:34 PM

Well, in most countries that would be a majority, but this is Bush's dream (our nightmare), he gets to decide what constitutes a majority, and he says a majority is 30% or lower of the people being on his side. So we need to get...well, we can't GET a majority ever, cuz the number we need just gets higher as Bush's numbers get lower.

On a serious note, I would be interested to see this poll of which you write. Do you have a link?

This is a fantastic article by NY State Senator Liz Kruger about the sub-prime lending fiasco.

We have all seen the ads: "No money? No Credit? No problem!" It is this type of irresponsible misinformation to consumers that has contributed to the sub-prime mortgage crisis facing New York, and gripping the country. Impacts of the sub-prime mortgage crisis are reverberating throughout the entire economy. As we saw with the savings and loan crisis of the late 1980s, irresponsible and overly risky behavior on the part of financial institutions has the potential to undermine major sectors of the economy, affecting everyone. And as with the savings and loan crisis, much of the focus has been placed on bailing out the companies who made unwise investments. It is critical to remember that the victims in this sad situation are not the financial institutions, or even the broader community of investors in these companies, but the homeowners who were literally manipulated into taking loans they could not afford, many of whom have already lost their homes. The impact of foreclosures goes beyond the individual, destabilizing entire communities. The truth is, we are talking about people who wanted the "American dream." They wanted to buy a house—to have a stable home for themselves and their families, and improve their communities. But there have been too many disingenuous, predatory lenders out there who have not been following the rules of the game, and who have been manipulating information in order to get people to sign on the dotted line for mortgages they can't afford.

http://dailygotham.com/blog/sen_liz_krueger/home_sub_prime_home

For the Record, Congress Never Passed a Benchmark to Privatize Iraq's Oil

Posted August 31, 2007 | 01:17 PM (EST)
Read More: Breaking Media News, U.S. Congress, George W. Bush

stumbleupon :For the Record, Congress Never Passed a Benchmark to Privatize Iraq's Oil digg: For the Record, Congress Never Passed a Benchmark to Privatize Iraq's Oil reddit: For the Record, Congress Never Passed a Benchmark to Privatize Iraq's Oil del.icio.us: For the Record, Congress Never Passed a Benchmark to Privatize Iraq's Oil

If you formed your impressions solely from mainstream media coverage in the United States, it is quite likely you would have the following understanding of the draft "oil law" being considered by the Iraqi parliament: the US Congress has set a benchmark for the Iraqi parliament to pass an "oil law," and in order to satisfy the benchmark the Iraqi parliament must pass the law it is currently considering.

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This is quite a false impression, as can be seen by examining the press coverage and comparing it do what the law passed by Congress actually says.

On July 23, the New York Times reported:

Efforts to achieve national reconciliation in Iraq received a double blow on Sunday. Lawmakers acknowledged that there were still many differences on a proposed law to manage oil revenue, the country's most lucrative resource, making it unlikely they would approve a law before September, when the Bush administration must report to Congress on Iraq's progress toward meeting certain legislative benchmarks.

This strongly implies that if the Iraqi parliament passed the "proposed law to manage oil revenue" it would satisfy the "legislative benchmark."

The Times continues:

The oil law, which would set up a system for managing and developing Iraq's oil resources and would have a companion revenue-sharing law that would apportion oil income among the various groups, had been considered the most likely to be passed before the September report to Congress. But by the time the Iraqis return to Parliament in September, it is highly unlikely that they could meet the midmonth deadline in the United States.

According to the Times, the law "would set up a system for managing and developing Iraq's oil resources." A "companion" revenue-sharing law - that is, a different law - "would apportion oil income among the various groups."

Therefore, if the impression that this article gives is correct, then Congress passed a benchmark that requires the Iraqi parliament to pass a law to "set up a system for managing and developing Iraq's oil resources."

But that's not what Congress did - a fact that can be easily verified, since laws passed by Congress are published on the internet.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/for-the-record-congress-_b_62669.html

****

As usual, the GOP is confusing the issue. The benchmark and the draft Iraqi "hydrocarbon law" are not at all the same. The Dems benchmark calls for an equitable distribution of income from Iraqi oil. the "hydrocarbon law" that the GOP, and Bush-Cheney in particular, are pushing is a rip-off of Iraqi oil!

Just wanted to make sure that everyone understood the difference so you don't get sucked into false premises of these GOP pundits and waterboz.

This is a fantastic article by NY State Senator Liz Kruger about the sub-prime lending fiasco.
****

cyn_ny, that's well stated. I would add that Bush admin. encouraged this process to pump up a phoney economy based on housing growth.

Posted by lefty_winger on August 31, 2007 at 01:32 PM

Bob, thanks for putting politics aside and joining me in regards to his health and well being. Some of us are compassionate enough to care about people no matter their political affiliations.

Agreed. I think that sometimes we all forget that we are all Americans and that the majority of Republicans are members of the loyal opposition, not some sinister cabal hellbent on overthrowing democracy on a planetary scale. Although, we have seen some examples....

However, in defense of my friends and fellow Democrats here, the same thing happens on the right-wing blogs. In the past month, certain elements of the GOP have floated the notions that Sen. Clinton (D-NY) is a "Manchurian Candidate" and Sen. Obama (D-IL) is an Islamic extremist. That is the politics of desperation and we should not sink to that level.

Partisanship is the true enemy here. Whenever we dismiss an idea simply because it came from the opposition, we diminish what we are capable of. I'm not advocating selling out our principles however, there has got to be a better way of conducting the business of government than the bitter partisanship of the past decade.

Hi Kristen,

I happened to turn to C-Span last night, where there was a repeat of yesterday's Press meeting, and Snow was on. MY GAWD, the man looks like hell! He has gone down hill rapidly. I have a couple of other family friends right now with cancer, going thru treatment, but other than baldness, they do not look bad. YET this man, even in the throes of a life threatening illness, was spinning and distorting the news coming out of the WH. refusing to answer frank questions, side stepping answers. I guess he will go to his grave, defending and brown nosing this President . God have mercy on his soul! He obviously has not asked himself, WWJD!

ps, isn't it coincidental, that the trolls have seemingly disappeared, and all of a sudden, we have a couple of newbies with chips on their shoulders????? hmmmmm, amazing.

roflol! Is this your admirer with yet another lame name???

how demented of it.

Posted by Dawnie on August 31, 2007 at 11:32 AM
****

Dawn,

lefty_winger = harpy

irritated_dem = sally

Those boz have a new game. They pretend to be "concerned Dems" who are going to set the party on the "right path" (emphasis on the word right).

Well according to a study/poll done in 2004 by of adults over the age of 45 only 23% supported legalizing all marijuana use.

http://www.csdp.org/research/aarp_medical_marijuana.pdf

and another report that reviewed the results of three separate surveys, still not a clear majority supporting legalized marijuana use.

http://www.csdp.org/research/gallup_marijuana_2005.pdf

Posted by lefty_winger on August 31, 2007 at 12:15 PM
****

Consider that post ... it's harpo's style to a tee where he dissembles each sentence (formatted in blocks) and posts nonsense.

lefty_winger = harpo

Partisanship is the true enemy here. Whenever we dismiss an idea simply because it came from the opposition, we diminish what we are capable of. I'm not advocating selling out our principles however, there has got to be a better way of conducting the business of government than the bitter partisanship of the past decade.

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden-Obama2008 on August 31, 2007 at 01:55 PM
****

Bob, you are being suckered by the trolls.

Lefty_winger = harpo
irritated_dem = sally

They are playing a new game with the blog. It's called let's pretend to be "concerned Dems".

http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3392#nationwide

http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3392#statewide

I believe that "waiting" is a huge part of the problems we are facing now. This issue has been "standing in line, forgotten and suppressed" as long as its going to be. In the meantime sick people have died while in custody, are incarcerated, are denied access to this efficacious herbal therapy and have suffered beyond their ailments. It's wrong to continue turning a blind eye towards THEM! I do not agree that waiting for new polling until after the after the election is the right decision.
Don't even get me started on the sheer absurdity of the cost to the tax-payers to continue Cannabis prohibition! Billions EVERY year spent on Cannabis alone!
With all due respect and like it or not, this is already a campaign issue amongst the voters, in spite of the muted spoken support from the candidates..Bill Richardson has actually taken action.
Trust me, this is well noted and a very popular topic right now.

ps, isn't it coincidental, that the trolls have seemingly disappeared, and all of a sudden, we have a couple of newbies with chips on their shoulders????? hmmmmm, amazing.

Posted by PamB on August 31, 2007 at 01:55 PM
****

PamB, no coincidence. They have a new game to play called "concern trolling".

lefty_winger = harpo
irritated_democrat = sally

rj,

ever since that 'embarassed_conservative," and I forget thename of the other Republican who came in here, and told these trolls they made the party look bad, the ashamed trolls have played this new game of hide and seek so their fellow Republicans will not think poorly of them and think they are sick, hateful jerks ! Yet they are addicted to this blog and to hate.

Krauthammer: In order to save the Iraq government, we must destroy it Hotlist
by mcjoan
Fri Aug 31, 2007 at 10:01:58 AM PDT

Apparently, Bush's speech equating Iraq and Vietnam has found a convert. Krauthammer seems convinced that Iraq really is like Vietnam, arguing that old maxim "in order to save a village, it was necessary to destroy it."

In order to save Iraqi government (and the myth that the precious surge really did work), we have to start over:

Maliki is not just weak but unreliable. Time is short. We should have long ago -- say, when national security adviser Stephen Hadley wrote his leaked memo last November about Maliki's failure -- begun working to have this dysfunctional government replaced....

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/8/31/13024/7951

****

Kraut Hammer is a disgusting neocon.

Tony Snow quits Hotlist
by kos
Fri Aug 31, 2007 at 09:28:11 AM PDT

We'll always have the memories.

NBC News has learned that White House Press Secretary Tony Snow will step down Sept. 14 as the president's chief spokesman and the public face of the White House. Dana Perino is expected to replace him.

He is expected to make his announcement during today's on-camera White House briefing at 12:45pm. President Bush is expected to make a statement at the briefing. Snow formally informed the president yesterday.

Snow says his departure is based on family finances. "If I had the dough I'd stay 'til the bitter end,” Snow told NBC News. As an assistant to the President, Snow earns the highest-level salary among White House officials at $168,000 a year.

****

Bye, bye Tony Snow Job. I wish him well with his health but have no desire ever seeing him in politics / media again.

Pam, treatment for colon cancer is pretty difficult. (not that other cancer treatments are a walk in the park). When my mother was going through treatment for colon cancer a few years back it definitely felt at times the cure was worse than the disease. Two years later she is still struggling with the side effects from her treatment.

I surely don't wish illness on anyone, I choose to worry about the ones struggling to make ends meet on $25k per year and no health insurance, not those that can't keep their spending in check and make $168k work for them.

Posted by rjsnj on August 31, 2007 at 01:59 PM

With all due respect, I think you're jumping to conclusions. Besides, I haven't seen any cheap shot attempts come from the two bloggers you cite. If they are trolls, which I am not convinced of, at least they're behaving repsectfully and I would think that type of behavior is always welcome here.

You and I disagree from time to time and we carry on civil conversations. Let's extend the same hospitality here. Besides, we all know where the big sticks are in case someone gets out of line... :-)

Posted by PamB on August 31, 2007 at 02:03 PM
****

PamB, I believe it. They love to change not just their names but their tactics. But, they give themselves away with the hot buttons that can be pushed. It's no coincidence they went on and on about gay marriage (big issue for sally). Harpy likes to disagree for the sake of annoying people. He tried to do it to me with his inane comments about how bonds work. Geez, just read the terms and conditions of any treasury bond. You can't simply demand that the US government sends your principle back. But anyway ...

While I can understand what I believe to be your position on the legalization of marijuana and though it would be an excellent source of taxation for revenue generation, at this point in history, I do not believe that a majority of Americans would support this, or a similar position. Perhaps after the baby boomers are gone...

As the Baby boomers begin to inundate the healthcare system, it will be impossible for docotrs to ignore such a versatile tool for fighting Osteoporosis and Alzheimer's.

THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) has been shown to preserve accetlecholinesterace ( a chemical necessary for brain function that is degenerated in Alzheimer's) and acts as an antioxidant that inhibits the uptake of amyloid salts (which are thought to be a cause of Alzheimer's) and directly attacks the fatty plaque build-ups that charcterize Alzheimer's. Another cannabinoid has been shown to bind to the CB2 receptor found on osteoclast and osteoblast cells that are responsible for bone density regulation. By applying this cannabinoid to mice with induced mouse osteoporosis, they were able to diminish bone loss. This study indicates massive potential for a treatment for osteoporosis from cannabis based medicines.

Outreach will be needed, but letting seniors know that they don't have to smoke marijuana to get medical benefit from it is a big step. And when people find themselves in a hopeless situation, they often become willing to accept things they never thought they would.

Posted by compostrose on August 31, 2007 at 01:59 PM

OK, that's fair enough. I wish you the best of luck and support on your legislative agenda. Please continue to post and cite sources for your views. I believe you'll find a number of like-minded people here who'll be sympathetic to your views.

comptrose, I don't see anywhere in your link the number ~65% in favor of legalized/taxed usage.

While I can understand what I believe to be your position on the legalization of marijuana and though it would be an excellent source of taxation for revenue generation, at this point in history, I do not believe that a majority of Americans would support this, or a similar position. Perhaps after the baby boomers are gone...

As the Baby boomers begin to inundate the healthcare system, it will be impossible for docotrs to ignore such a versatile tool for fighting Osteoporosis and Alzheimer's.

THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) has been shown to preserve accetlecholinesterace ( a chemical necessary for brain function that is degenerated in Alzheimer's) and acts as an antioxidant that inhibits the uptake of amyloid salts (which are thought to be a cause of Alzheimer's) and directly attacks the fatty plaque build-ups that charcterize Alzheimer's. Another cannabinoid has been shown to bind to the CB2 receptor found on osteoclast and osteoblast cells that are responsible for bone density regulation. By applying this cannabinoid to mice with induced mouse osteoporosis, they were able to diminish bone loss. This study indicates massive potential for a treatment for osteoporosis from cannabis based medicines.

Outreach will be needed, but letting seniors know that they don't have to smoke marijuana to get medical benefit from it is a big step. And when people find themselves in a hopeless situation, they often become willing to accept things they never thought they would.

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden-Obama2008 on August 31, 2007 at 02:08 PM
****

Bob, just read all of their posts and you can tell.

Knock yourself out conversing with them. I won't!

Oops! Sorry about the double post (again, blush). I'll try to get the hang of it.

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Biden-Obama2008 on August 31, 2007 at 02:08 PM

I pretty much figure since they've been posting for two full days (more?) under the same names, that means the DNC staff has no problem with them, therefore I have no problem with them, aside from completely disagreeing with some of their ideas.

Posted by gro4me on August 31, 2007 at 02:19 PM

My 2:13PM post applies to you as well. Obviously, y'all have a well thought out position on this topic. Good luck with it. I hope you're successful in your endeavor.

Time Mag Slams Media For Edwards Coverage; Says Reporters Making "A Dumb Argument" Hotlist
by davidsirota [Subscribe]
Fri Aug 31, 2007 at 07:20:06 AM PDT

Two weeks ago, I asked a pretty simple question: What is real-life hypocrisy, and what is faux hypocrisy manufactured by the political Punditburo in lieu of actual reporting? I asked this question in the wake of right-wing Denver Post columnist David Harsanyi screaming from the ramparts about how John Edwards is supposedly a hypocrite for having an ownership stake in an investment fund that has ownership stakes in some subprime lenders. I asserted that just because a candidate wants to change the laws that govern the land (in this case, lending laws) doesn't mean they don't live in the current world as it is, and certainly doesn't mean they are a hypocrite. It doesn't mean they've made a smooth political move - but again it doesn't even come close to meaning they are a hypocrite.

Shocker, my view hasn't really broken the Washington Punditburo's fabricate-a-gotcha rituals - though finally, at least one of the big traditional media outlets has actually taken the time to report the Edwards situation accurately.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/8/31/101816/450

This is huge and cannot be ignored Hotlist
by nyceve [Subscribe]
Fri Aug 31, 2007 at 05:35:34 AM PDT

A new ally has just joined the battle for healthcare reform.

The American Cancer Society announced today that it will devote its entire advertising budget to educating the American people about the collapse of our healthcare system.

Going forward, at least through the 2008 election cycle, you won't see the usual American Cancer Society advertising advocating smoking cessation programs, and the importance of screening tests like mammography and colonoscopy. Instead, the fabled organization will warn the American people of the dire consequences if we fail to repair our broken American healthcare system.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/8/31/72357/6185

Pam, we have a friend staying with us right now. He and his family will be moving back from Va. where the wages were so low he just couldn't make it work for them. He came back here about two months ago and his family is still in VA and started school.

Well his son's history teacher assigned and extra credit assignment that required the kids watch the news on tv and then report on the current event. My friends have chosen not to have tv. My friend's wife called to find out if there was an alternative source her son to could to get the news and do the extra credit assignment.

The teacher was shocked they didn't have tv and went on and on about how they limiting his education and how important the tv news is to be a well rounded individual. When in the world did teachers start advocating the tv or picking up a newspaper?

Frameshop: Dems Should Walk Away Hotlist
by Jeffrey Feldman [Subscribe]
Fri Aug 31, 2007 at 06:58:59 AM PDT

According to the Washington Post, Harry Reid is again 'negotiating' with Senate Republicans about ways to end the nightmare on Baghdad Street often referred to as 'the war in Iraq' (i.e., it's not a 'war'--it's a burned-out military occupation). What's up for negotiation this time? You guessed it: Bush wants $50 $200 billion more for Iraq. Apparently, Republicans are willing to sit down and talk about legislation to get out of Iraq, with just a few conditions: they refuse to use the words 'deadline' or 'timetable' or 'withdrawal.' In other words, the Republicans are happy to negotiation with Democrats about ending the war on Iraq, but refuse to allow any of the words Americans use to talk about ending a war.

Now, I ask myself: would I sit down at the negotiating table if the opposition put forward that kind of condition as their opening position? Let me think...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/8/31/95218/6469

****

First off, Bush just got 120 billion so why would he need 200 billion more so quickly ... think hard ... yep, he's starting a war with Iran!

If Reid negotiates away another 200 billion with no timetable then he truly is not being faithful to the voters in 2006. There is no way Bush needs another 200 billion right now just to maintain the occupation.

Hi Pam,...Having fun yet?

Posted by lefty_winger on August 31, 2007 at 02:24 PM

A troll is defined as a member of an opposition party who posts here for the sole purpose of being disruptive and/or spreading misinformation.

Anyone who votes to give Bush any more money for this occupation is a jellyfish!

DNC staff has no problem with them,
****

gregL, not exactly. They post behind a proxy server so it's hard to identify them. The DNC should change their software to prohibit posting behind a proxy server. But, they say there isn't a budget for that ...

Everyone is entitled to draw their own conclusions. PamB and myself recognize their style of posts along with their hot buttons. I suspect they the usual two trolls.

Hey big deal, you are free to converse with them if you want ... I haven't seen anything from either worth commenting on ... just alot of disagreement with the bloggers.

kater, later,........
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's

Anyone who votes to give Bush any more money for this occupation is a jellyfish!

Posted by goodfoe on August 31, 2007 at 02:34 PM
****

goodfoe, it's already looking bad. Both Reid and Durbin are pre-aanouncing their hands - did anyone teach these guys how to play poker?

Durbin is saying that there's no way he will agree unless there is a timetable. Reid unfortunately is taking a very weak starting position. He wants the Pugs to tell him what conditions they would accept! That's one heckuva of a way to stand your ground. I am not saying he will agree with them but is that the best way to start a negotiation? I doubt it.

Posted by lefty_winger on August 31, 2007 at 02:34 PM

I respectfully disagree. Local control of school curriculums lead to such nonsense as Intelligent Design, Abstinence Only, and other examples of blurring the line between church and state.

I believe that the curriculum the education of our children depends on should have federal oversight. That is yet another reason of why elections matter. It an early debate, if memory serves, three of the GOP candidates, Gov. Huckabee (R-AR), Sen. Brownback (R-KS), and someone else, stated that they believed the planet was only 6000 years old. Would anyone with a modicum of sense want this person elected President so they could dictate policy on any level?

More Realism, Less Spin
The New York Times | Editorial

Friday 31 August 2007

A new report from Congress's investigative arm provides a powerful fresh dose of nonpartisan realism about Iraq as President Bush tries to spin people into thinking that significant - or at least sufficient - progress is being made. With a crucial debate on Iraq set for next month, the report should be read by members of Congress who may be wavering in the fight with the White House over withdrawing American troops.

The Government Accountability Office, in a draft assessment reported yesterday, determined that Iraq has failed to meet 15 out of 18 benchmarks for political and military progress mandated by Congress. Laws on constitutional reform, oil and permitting former Baathists back into the government have not been enacted. Among other failings, there has been unsatisfactory progress toward deploying three Iraqi brigades in Baghdad and reducing the level of sectarian violence.

These conclusions are in line with a recent National Intelligence Estimate that found that violence in Iraq remained high, terrorists could still mount formidable attacks and the country's leaders "remain unable to govern effectively."

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/083107C.shtml

Katrina All the Time
By Paul Krugman
The New York Times

Friday 31 August 2007

Two years ago today, Americans watched in horror as a great city drowned, and wondered what had happened to their country. Where was FEMA? Where was the National Guard? Why wasn't the government of the world's richest, most powerful nation coming to the aid of its own citizens?

What we mostly saw on TV was the nightmarish scene at the Superdome, but things were even worse at the New Orleans convention center, where thousands were stranded without food or water. The levees were breached Monday morning - but as late as Thursday evening, The Washington Post reported, the convention center "still had no visible government presence," while "corpses lay out in the open among wailing babies and other refugees."

Meanwhile, federal officials were oblivious. "We are extremely pleased with the response that every element of the federal government, all of our federal partners, have made to this terrible tragedy," declared Michael Chertoff, the secretary for Homeland Security, on Wednesday. When asked the next day about the situation at the convention center, he dismissed the reports as "a rumor" or "someone's anecdotal version."

Today, much of the Gulf Coast remains in ruins. Less than half the federal money set aside for rebuilding, as opposed to emergency relief, has actually been spent, in part because the Bush administration refused to waive the requirement that local governments put up matching funds for recovery projects - an impossible burden for communities whose tax bases have literally been washed away.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/083107M.shtml

Posted by lefty_winger on August 31, 2007 at 02:38 PM

I am from Richmond, VA and I've lived in VA, except for a four-year stint in the U.S. Army, all of my life.

As far as I am concerned, please feel free to post here anytime. We have our fair share of partisan hacks just like the GOP does. Do bear in mind that this blog is quite liberal as are the vast majority of the bloggers here. As one often in the position of representing the center of the political spectrum, I can say from four years of experience that if you don't have a thick skin, this is not the blog for you. Just keep your arguments out of the personal arena and you'll do fine.

Welcome aboard!

Just stopping by.

Posted by lefty_winger on August 31, 2007 at 12:46 PM

lefty, lefty, lefty,

You really should consider dating some liberal arts majors, particularly those in music or theatre arts. You honestly have never been exposed to the classical American musical comedies?

Just think. Through interaction with some of these nice men or women, you might encounter some Young Democrats. And who knows? It might change your whole perspective on life and point you in a new direction.

Think about it. I hate the thought of you wasting so much of your time here trying to convert people who have already made up their minds. You're obviously far too talented to spend your days pandering and simpering to a bunch of and moderates and liberals who find your constant banter tiresome at best.

Branch out and see the world. Leave the far right behind in the restrooms of life.

Branch out and see the world. Leave the far right behind in the restrooms of life.

Posted by SandyH on August 31, 2007 at 02:55 PM
****

LOL! restrooms of life ... where the far right hangs out ...

Since Americans going to Mexico must get visas and pay $20 to stay over 72 hours will Mexican truckers have to. Also they should be required to have Mexican passports to enter. Why do we have Bush laws that apply to US and non-citizens get a Republican free ride. It seems Bush uses economic ethinic cleansing for his royal family.

Iraq Militias Fighting for Supremacy By CHARLES CRAIN/BAGHDAD

In his speech Tuesday to the American Legion President Bush proclaimed, "For all those who ask whether the fight in Iraq is worth it, imagine an Iraq where militia groups backed by Iran control large parts of the country."

That doesn't take a vivid imagination, however - the reality on the ground is that Iran-backed militias and their political allies already control large parts of the country. And as this week's violence in Karbala demonstrates, those militias are fighting each other for supremacy as U.S. and British influence wanes...

news.yahoo.com/s/time/20070831/wl_time/iraqmilitiasfightingforsupremacy

Some in the media aren't having many problems mocking Bush on this Memorial Day weekend. My guess is that this writer has served in the military (unlike Bush) or has close relatives stationed in the Middle East now.

comptrose, I don't see anywhere in your link the number ~65% in favor of legalized/taxed usage.

Posted by Kristen on August 31, 2007 at 02:16

kristen, i must apologize. the reason i put (est) is because i am going from memory, not having the poll results at my fingertips and have confused "favoring medical" for favoring taxation and regulation. my error.
thankyou for your patience with me
cr

Sandy,

I think on most political issues people are not readily convertible. You might find an issue here or there where people can be convinced especially if they have no strong opinion.

For the most part, people tend to align their political perspective with their experience.

Just a few random crumbs scattered to the scavengers in a trail from Crawford to Jackson Hole are enough to keep the speculators going hot and heavy?

Stocks Rise After Bush, Bernanke Speak

Friday August 31
By Tim Paradis, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks ran up big gains Friday as investors took comments from President Bush and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke as reassuring signs that Wall Street wouldn't be left to deal with problems in the mortgage and credit markets on its own. The Dow Jones industrials rose more than 150 points.

Investors initially balked early in Friday's session when comments from Bernanke didn't indicate a cut in the benchmark federal funds rate was imminent. However, they seemed to move past some of their initial disappointment and concentrate on comments that the Fed would step in if needed.

Bernanke, speaking at the Fed's annual conference in Jackson Hole, Wyo., said the central bank will "act as needed" to prevent the credit crisis from hurting the national economy...

/biz.yahoo.com/ap/070831/wall_street.html?.v=41

later.

great article.
"The public agrees marijuana prohibition is misdirected. Recent polls show 80 percent of people support medical marijuana use and 76 percent support the decriminalization of recreational use.

"When we started, no more than 25 percent of Americans supported the belief that we ought to stop arresting people (for pot)," Stroup said. "Now three out of four Americans believe a pot smoker should not be treated like a criminal. That's a heck of a step forward."
the rest here:
http://cannabisnews.com/news/23/thread23222.shtml

Posted by lefty_winger on August 31, 2007 at 03:10 PM

Senator Warner (R-VA) is 81 and would be 88 when his next term would be over. I can respect his decision to retire. While I've disagreed with him more than I've agreed with him, I appreciate his many decades of service in many capacities to our country. After all, it was his generation that kept us safe from the likes of Hitler, Mussolini, Hirohito (sp?), and Stalin.

I served as a 05K20, Electronic Warfare Signal Intelligence Non-Morse Interceptor. It was the same job as a naval NCO with the rating of CTT, Cryto Tech. I went to BT at Ft. Jackson, SC, AIT at Corry Station in Pensacola, FL, and served in Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany in 1986 and 1987.

And you?