Morning Open Thread
Chat away...
Comments (90) «
Good morning. Passing along this comment from Bob Herbert:
Who knows how long it will be before the U.S. disengages in any significant way from Iraq. What you can take to the bank is that this country will not make any major advances in energy policy, in health coverage, in rebuilding its infrastructure, in improving its public schools or in curtailing runaway public and private debt until our open-ended commitment to this catastrophic multitrillion-dollar war comes to an end.
morning again, Dems. Keep your fingers crossed that this is the day that the IT crew will finally get the glitches out of this #*%&# blog! :)
sorry for length of this one, but I want to make sure this gets answered.
Posted by Sally*Sally* on July 1, 2008 at 04:30 AM
(1) if the earth is warming how come our winters are colder than ever? They are NOT. You are reading the wrong bullcrap!
NOTE: who #1 city is!!!!!
57% of Major U.S. Cities Are Seeing Warmer Winters
San Francisco (WeatherBill.com) – Winter is getting warmer for 57 percent of some of the biggest cities
in the United States. That’s the latest finding from the weather risk managers at WeatherBill. The study
highlights temperature changes across 42 states and 130 cities and finds that more than half of the large
cities studied are experiencing an increase in winter temperatures, especially in the Midwest.
In the winter, November through February, 74 of the 130 cities studied show increasing temperatures.
Increases are most prevalent in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas and in the Midwest. Eight
Midwestern cities, including Minneapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee and Omaha, show at least a 0.2ºF increase
annually. That equals a 6.0ºF increase over a 30 year period. Cities are experiencing temperature
increases in every United States region except the Pacific.
The study uses thirty years of historical data from 130 National Weather Service Stations to determine
winter and summer temperature trends for U.S. cities with a population of at least 100,000.
Top Five Cities Experiencing Winter Warming Trends
#1 Minneapolis/ St. Paul, Minnesota
Annual Trend Temperature: 0.2°F
Over 30 Years: 6.4°F
It’s not Minnesota summers that bring in the tourists. Winters are the bread-and-butter for the state.
Warmer winters are bad news for the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The cities host winter
tourists who flock to the state for winter recreation. Skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing businesses face
revenue losses and cost increases when the mercury rises.
http://www.weatherbill.com/static/content/temperature_trends_summary_2007-09.pdf
(2) if the earth is warming, how come it is cooling? It is NOT cooling! Wrong again!!!
We are now observing real changes due to higher temperatures. Here are some examples:
• The Mt. Kilimanjaro glacier, which has survived the past 11,000 years, is currently at risk of disappearing by 2020 if present rates of melting continue;
• Enormous tracts of Siberian peatlands, with vast stores of carbon, are beginning to thaw and release carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere;
• The Larsen B ice shelf in Antarctica has lost volume as large chunks (some as large as the state of Rhode Island) have recently broken free and melted;
• The annual surface area of Arctic sea ice has declined eight percent over the past several decades;
• Large-scale increases in ocean temperatures have been detected over the past 45 years; and
• Plants and animals are changing their habitation ranges, sometimes dramatically, such as robins and mosquitoes in the Arctic that were previously unknown there.
Antarctic ice core records vividly illustrate that atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels today are higher than levels recorded over the past 650,000 years (see figure below). Atmospheric CO2 levels have risen 30 percent in the last 150 years, with half of that rise occurring only in the last three decades. It is a well-established scientific fact that CO2 (and other gases emitted from industrial and agricultural sources) traps heat in the atmosphere, so it is no surprise that we are now witnessing a dramatic increase in temperature.
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science/hockeystickFAQ.html
(3) if the earth is warming, how come only liberal ass clowns believe the earth is warming? And yes, McCain is a liberl ass clown.
Liberals are NOT the only ones believing this. This is your Paranoia and Fantasy world again. YOU are the only one who does not believe it!
EVERY SINGLE COUNTRY in the world believe this. Every leader, every person. The majority of scientists who are worth a plug nickle, including NASA, know that it is warming! SMART people understand that it is warming.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070501193009AAdvx4j
(4) if the earth is warming why is that a bad thing, a warming earth would be far better than a cooling earth.
Because it causes flooding and climate changes like we are witnessing now.(hurricanes, tornados, typhoons, etc) It will change the shores of the continents in the USA and cities on the coasts will be gone. Droughts ! loss of coral reefs which are habitats for vital ecosystem for plants, animals, etc.etc, etc.
(5) Why do you want to waste trillions of dollars on an unproven and unprovable theory such as the dopey theory of global frickin warmin?
First of all, it is proven, we just cannot get our government to support it and allow reports that do so to come out, not even from their own government depts. You have seen the dozens of articles which certain Governmental groups put out, saying the WH will not let them report the truth! To not do something about this is to invite disaster to the world. It will cost a LOT more to do nothing!
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080619_climatereport.html
Lifestyles of The Rich & Out of Touch
Take a look at John McCain's ten homes valued at $13,823,269
www.mccainvminnesota.com/cribs.html
I believe frosty runs the McCain skunk-skinning operation in Minnesota.
I do hope Cindy has paid the the property tax on it in the last few years.
Wow. Only in Texas, could they let a guy off who shot 2 burglars in the back and killed them for burglarizing the next door neighbor's house!
In my past law classes, the punishment had to fit the crime. thus if you shot someone trying to break into your chicken house, the penalty of death was too great for the crime and you were held in charge of murder.
Texas man cleared of shooting suspected burglars
HOUSTON - Ever since he fatally shot two men he suspected of burglarizing his next-door neighbor's home, 62-year-old Joe Horn has been both praised and vilified for his actions.
Horn called 911 and told the dispatcher he had a shotgun and was going to kill the intruders. The dispatcher pleaded with him not to go outside, but a defiant Horn confronted the men with a 12-gauge shotgun and shot both in the back.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080701/ap_on_re_us/burglary_shooting
looks like he made himself judge and jury!
In the back, no less! now even the old bad cowboys use to have more ethics than that!
If you have not called, emailed, or faxed your Senator yet, PLEASE do so now. It doesn't matter if they are Repug or Dem.
Pamela,
All week I've read your emails, seen your comments online, and heard your phone calls. You don't want the flawed FISA bill to become law. I hear you and I wanted to let you know that I'm going to do everything in my power to stop this bill.
Much as I would like to I can't respond to each one of you individually so I've decided to respond online via video. I'd appreciate if you would take a moment to watch and pass it along to your friends and family or anyone you know that cares about preserving our right to privacy.
See My Online Response Here
Thank you all for standing with me and speaking out about stopping the FISA bill. It's going to be an uphill battle but your words of support are a constant reminder of why this particular battle is worth waging.
Sincerely,
Russ Feingold
United States Senator
Honorary Chair, Progressive Patriots Fund
So Obama is trying to federally fund Rev. Wright's ministry?
Obama to expand Bush's faith based programsBy JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer
CHICAGO - Reaching out to evangelical voters, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is announcing plans to expand President Bush's program steering federal social service dollars to religious groups and — in a move sure to cause controversy — support some ability to hire and fire based on faith.
Obama was unveiling his approach to getting religious charities more involved in government anti-poverty programs during a tour and remarks Tuesday in Zanesville, Ohio, at Eastside Community Ministry, which provides food, clothes, youth ministry and other services.
"The challenges we face today ... are simply too big for government to solve alone," Obama was to say, according to a prepared text of his remarks obtained by The Associated Press. "We need all hands on deck."...
BTW, good morning, all.
Michael,
There is another white hole inside the comments section of the New GI Bill thread. You can't comment which is really a shame.
I would have said:
Senator Webb has demonstrated that Democrats don't just give lip service to supporting our troops; we actually appreciate their service and make sure they are given the full benefits they deserve.
It's interesting that there was no photo opp for the signing of this bill and that it had to be included inside another funding bill because Bush had threatened to veto it.
It's almost like Bush felt ashamed.
Well, I'd like to think he feels ashamed about some of the things he's done in the last eight years...like giving McCain credit for this legislation when he didn't have anything to do with it (unlike Chuck Hagel who was not mentioned by Bush) and didn't even bother to return to Washington to vote for it.
Iraqi foreign minister urges security deal with USBy QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press Writer
BAGHDAD - Iraq's foreign minister says the country has little choice but to sign a new security agreement with the U.S. that would let American troops stay in the country after a U.N. mandate expires.
Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari recently returned to Iraq after meeting with President Bush in Washington to discuss the agreement, which has been criticized by many Iraqi officials worried it would leave too much power in U.S. hands...
Bush gave him an offer he couldn't refuse?
Good morning, all!
Posted by SandyH on July 1, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Could be hard to do, seeing as how Rev. Wright retired months ago, and now lives in VA. (TUCC did build a new house for the Pastor but he doesn't own it, although he gets to stay there when he's in town.)
Posted by SandyH on July 1, 2008 at 10:24 AM
This is very sad. I have been strongly backing Obama up until this. He may have just lost my vote. I cannot suport anyone who does not strongly maintain the wall between church and state.
So you know what, Sandy? I'll forgive when they learn to LOVE. Until then, they can eat shit and die.
Posted by GregL on July 1, 2008 at 08:19 AM
GregL,
You have made a valid point. The little lady you mentioned might have already damned her soul.
But I still maintain that some of them can be reached and I pray that their hearts will thaw. All things are possible if you don't give up hope...and you get out there and work on it by canvassing so we don't seem so threatening.
Sorry, I'm one of those life is a half-full cup people. I know it can be irritating. I try to temper my enthusiasm with a little reality when I can.
Speaking of canvassing, I've noted a definite change in the older folks I've talked to of late. They're preparing themselves for something different. It's like they know we are on the wrong track and must do somethng abut it.
Voting for a person of color would be a life- altering event in their lives. They know what they have to do and they have to do it now. It's a major leap of faith that not many of us will never face and they are making it in the twilight of their lives.
It must be terribly frightening.
You have to appreciate the journey they are about to embark on and respect that they are even willing to contemplate it. We need them.
Gotta run. later.
Posted by PamB on July 1, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Pam, here's the Feingold video.
Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on July 1, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Come on, DPD. A religious person's ministry doesn't end when they retire. They have a calling. You don't just stop caring.
Obama is moving into uncharted waters. I don't know if he terribly smart or just making up as he goes along.
bbl.
Posted by goodfoe on July 1, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Hi, John Boy.
You have to have the patience of a saint to deal with this old jalopy lately. Give it a kick once in a while. Your posts finally appear...when they want to.
WHY aren't we running flip-flop ads? Why not show what mcbush said then, what he is saying now! Can we trust this man?
McCain's Energy Record Is On/Off
Tuesday 01 July 2008
http://www.truthout.org/article/mccains-energy-record-is-onoff
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- John McCain's campaign will stop advertising on several Web sites that have vilified Barack Obama as unpatriotic and, in one case, compared the Democratic nominee-in-waiting to Adolf Hitler.
A spokesman for McCain said Monday the campaign was not aware its ads were running on the pro-Hillary Clinton sites. He said the campaign has taken steps to block those sites from its online advertising network.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/01/mccain.ads/index.html
We did it - but our work isn't done.
Over the last two weeks, we've made 13,211 reported phone calls demanding that our elected leaders stand up to President Bush and stop any bill containing retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies who spied on Americans.
No one thought we could stop this bill. The so-called "compromise" bill was on a fast track to pass quickly through the Senate so the President could sign it before July 4th. Now, because you took action, that's not going to happen.
The vote on this bill has been delayed until after the holiday recess and Senator Russ Feingold has vowed that, if necessary, he will filibuster it. But Senator Feingold still can't win this fight alone. He'll need 41 Senators to support his filibuster.
Every Senator, Democrats AND Republicans, needs to hear from their constituents before the next vote -- but not over the phone.
This time we need to get our message across in person.
Visit your senators' district office. Your visit doesn't have to be long. You don't need to schedule it. And you don't have to meet with the Senator directly. We've created an easy handout you can just drop off. The fact you took the time to deliver your message in person will ensure your message has a tremendous impact.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR HANDOUT AND YOUR SENATOR'S OFFICE LOCATIONS NOW.
Posted by SandyH on July 1, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I think Obama is reaching a bit too far on this one. A lot of the evangelicals were coming over to our side anyway on issues like global warming and the environment, health care, mainly social justice issues in general. I don't think loosening up government donations to church based charities is necessary.
I strongly feel that there needs to be safeguards and strict oversight on ANY funding given to a religion-based charity to distribute. While many religion based charities would distribute aid fairly, there are those who claim to be charities who would use the money for browbeating people into joining their religion. I've seen it happen.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on July 1, 2008 at 11:52 AM
"Savage Politics" is more than just a pro-Hillary site, it's a flat out White Supremacist site. It's the one Miss Congeniality used to cite as "proof" of whatever anti-Obama BS she was spewing that particular day. She would C & P posts and put them here, never mentioning that they were copied from somewhere else, and leaving the impression that it was SHE who witnessed all these alleged shenanigans.
One post she liked in particular (she e-mailed it around and posted it here at least twice) was headlined with a picture of over 20 burning crosses, but her C & P never showed it. I Googled a few random lines and got the source. (Caution, blatant racism pictured).
If Grampy Grumpy wants to pull ads from racist anti-Obama sites he should look at Larry ("Tiny") Johnson's "No Clue" and the execrable "Hillaryis44".
Those people are the cult zombies.
Obama’s FISA opportunity
Olbermann: Criminal prosecution loophole is candidate’s big chance
Does this sound like anybody we know?
The OKW was formed on 4 February 1938 following the Blomberg-Fritsch Affair, which led to the dismissal of Generalfeldmarschall (and Reich War Minister) Werner von Blomberg and the dissolution of the Reichskriegsministerium (Reich War Ministry). The OKW replaced the War Ministry. The appointments made to the OKW and the motive behind the reorganization are commonly thought to be Adolf Hitler's desire to consolidate power and authority around his position as Führer and Reich Chancellor (Führer und Reichskanzler), to the detriment of the military leadership of the Wehrmacht.
Good morning/afternoon Dems.
I listed to Gen. Clark last night and again this morning on Good Morning America and am in complete agreement with him. The crew this morning tried to bait him but were unsuccessful. He would be an asset to the next administration, no doubt.
Another Pug who can't figure out how to pay his housing costs.
According to National Journal, in July 2007, Sen. Coleman began paying Mr. Larson $600 per month to rent a portion of a basement apartment in a Capitol Hill townhouse owned by Mr. Larson. After the magazine began making inquiries about the senator’s living arrangement, Sen. Coleman “discovered” that he had failed to pay rent in November 2007 and January 2008, and his wife gave Mr. Larson a personal check for the $1,200. Last year, Sen. Coleman sold Mr. Larson some furniture -- a couch, table and chairs and a desk -- to cover one month’s rent, and Mr. Larson held onto Sen. Coleman’s March rent check for three months, until June 17, before cashing it only days after National Journal began asking questions.
(Bold, mine)
CREW FILES ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST SEN. NORM COLEMAN OVER QUESTIONABLE RENTAL ARRANGEMENT
Getting discounted rent from a Pug "operative" doesn't sound very kosher either.
Posted by SandyH on July 1, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Thanks for posting that about Obama. I read this expansion is for those institutions that are involved in "anti-poverty programs". This can pretty much include every single church/religion in our country. I say this because I have been heavily involved in getting cultural businesses a 503(c)(3) IRS status. Getting status as tax-exempt isn't that hard -- keeping it is the trick. There is very little investigating done by the IRS initially, but once the business starts filing its returns, the IRS is rather invasive. The reason why the tax-exempt organizations have so strongly benefited from our government is because the IRS doesn't do enough investigation. I'm trying to be confident that under Obama's directive, the IRS will be more diligent.
I know it can be irritating. I try to temper my enthusiasm with a little reality when I can.Posted by SandyH on July 1, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Naw, you don't need to do that. That's what I'm here for. :)
Btw, did I mention you're one of the good ones?
Just stopping by at lunch...
Study: World Gets HappierLiveScience Staff
Mon Jun 30Despite the anxieties of these times, happiness has been on the rise around the world in recent years, a new survey finds.
The upbeat outlook is attributed to economic growth in previously poor countries, democratization of others, and rising social tolerance for women and minority groups...
A survey released last week found one reason America doesn't top the list: Baby Boomers are generally miserable compared to other generations.
Further, a public opinion poll released by the Pew Research Center in April found that 81 percent of Americans say they believe the country is on the "wrong track." The response is the most negative in the 25 years pollsters have asked the question...
What a difference two Bush Terms has made. Just imagine what a third one would do to our nation's happiness.
Anyone for a little McSame?
A spokesman for McCain said Monday the campaign was not aware its ads were running on the pro-Hillary Clinton sites.
Posted by BlueinIdaho on July 1, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Blue,
Boy, the McCain camp spent a lot of money betting that Hillary was going to be the candidate (the one they could maybe beat). And they've been still wasting after the Clintons came on line?
What a typical rich-ass Republican. Since McCain was actually wasting other people's money not his own, he didn't care if they were still doing it.
Or maybe he just forgot?
A Dakota County judge has found Wal-Mart Stores Inc. guilty of violating Minnesota's labor laws.District Judge Robert King Jr. ruled after a nonjury trial that Bentonville, Ark.-based retail giant Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) owes employees $6.5 million, and faces up to an additional $2 billion in damages.
The suit, filed on behalf of about 56,000 Wal-Mart and Sam's Club employees, alleged that Wal-Mart managers forced hourly workers to work off-the-clock during training and denied full rest or meal breaks, in order to keep labor costs down. The suit was given class action status in 2003.
Judge: Wal-Mart violated MN labor laws, must pay $6.5M
Gee, I'll bet their plan to save a few hundred bucks a week doesn't seem like such a good idea now.
Of course, the Wingers on the Supreme Court will lower the damages down to 1 $5.00 gift card per employee and use that Exxon Valdez ruling as precedent.
Posted by Butte on July 1, 2008 at 12:15 PM
I agree. Obama is compensating for something he doesn't really need go push. Or does he generally agree with it in principle?
I'm from a different generation than the one he grew up in. I feel that breaking down the separation of state and religion leads to misuse and bullying. But I haven't been going to church regularly in years; he has.
He's been a hands-on activist while I've been a Soccer Mom trying to keep my freelance business going much of the last 15 years. I'm not as engaged as I once was.
I'm naturally skepical of most government programs that are farmed out and have little oversight. I've seen way too much abuse of the system that I've had to operate in the last eight years.
There is a reason for privatization and it's not to save money or be more efficient.
I'm going to give Obama a benefit of the doubt on this till he's proven wrong. Then we'll see how he handles it. If he digs in and makes excuses instead of changing the policy, he will have proven himself to lack the judgment he likes to sell himself with.
The ball is in his court. Time will tell.
later.
I hope this isn't a case of Pug dirty tricks gone wild, but given their past history (i.e., harassing that whistle blower in the Seigelman case) I wouldn't put it past them.
Darcy Burner, her husband, son and dog escaped unharmed this morning from a serious fire at their Carnation home. There is no word yet on what the cause might be, but the campaign tells me that the house might be “a total loss.”
I think that all these global warming denyers should get together and hold a conference on a cruise ship. There they can nod at one another while smoking their low-nicotine cigarettes and share opinion pieces written over the internets. They could call it the "Hurricanes don't scare us" tour, all the while making very certain that they don't sail toooooo close to the edge of the earth.
Click the link for a map of their tour:
Wow, Sun Myung Moon's "Moonie Times". What an impeccable source. Unimpeachable. Honest to the Nth degree.
What happened, American Stinker didn't have anything today?
But the U.S. Energy Information Administration, an independent statistical agency within the Department of Energy, concluded that new oil from ANWR would lower the world price of oil by no more than $1.44 per barrel—and possibly have as little effect as 41 cents per barrel—and would have its largest impact nearly 20 years from now if Congress voted to open the refuge today. EIA produced the analysis in response to a request by Republican Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska, who noted that the last time the agency had taken a look at the economics of ANWR production was in 2000, when oil was $22.04 a barrel.
EIA said its projection is that ANWR oil production would amount to 0.4 percent to 1.2 percent of total world oil consumption in 2030. The figure is low enough that OPEC could neutralize any price impact by decreasing supplies to match the additional production from Alaska, EIA noted.
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/national/2008/05/23/arctic-drilling-wouldnt-cool-high-oil-prices.html
Poll: Majority against free trade(CNN) -- As Sen. John McCain prepares to promote free trade during a high-profile trip to Colombia and Mexico, a poll out Tuesday suggests the issue may be a political hurdle as the general election campaign heats up.
Sen. John McCain's free trade stance could pose a problem in November, according to a new poll.Sen. John McCain's free trade stance could pose a problem in November, according to a new poll.
According to the CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll, 51 percent of Americans view foreign trade as a threat to the economy -- the first time in a CNN poll that a majority of Americans report holding negative views on free trade.
That compares with only 35 percent of Americans who felt free trade posed a threat to the economy in 2000, and 48 percent who felt it was a threat in 2006...
Why is John McCain campaigning for president in other countries? And why is it always about free trade and then there are fund raising events held while he's there?
This guy is can't win support inside this country for his policies and he can't raise any cash for his candidacy here.
The Founding Founders were specific in their warnings against foreign influences on our Republicc.
The Republicans have clearly gone against these wishes and are pushing the envelope with it comes to allowing foreigners to run our economy...and now our elections?
Ok, I'm being selfish but I sure hope this doesn't derail Burner's campaign. I really want her to beat Reichert this time around.
Posted by Sally*Sally* on July 1, 2008 at 01:50 PM
Thank you for continuing to focus on an important issue that needs to be front and center in this campaign and which the multinationals would like buried.
I'm sure the the GOP and their business interests appreciate that you are making global warming a fear factor with many who had never heard of it before.
Keep up the good work. It only steers most reasoning Americans to Al Gore's work and others who have the credibility that your "authorities" seem to lack.
Your one-man crusade must take you away from your skunk-skinning operation which I know is the joy of your life.
Posted by Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on July 1, 2008 at 01:49 PM
DPD,
So you think the Texas cattlemen might be trying to burn out the settlers? I wouldn't but it pass them either. They seem to think they are entitled somehow.
Posted by Kristen on July 1, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Apparently there is a blockage in the tubes... :)
Blue, it's about time Michael took the matter in hand cleaned out those tubes.
Cripes, it takes about an hour for the posts to show up, and it's STILL stuck on Sally's 1:50 post. I had to log out and log back in. Let's see if this thing works this time.
McCain Heads Today for Colombia, Where Adviser Has Long Had TiesCharlie Black lobbied for years on behalf of Colombia’s leading foreign oil producer.
By LARRY ROHTER
Published: July 1, 2008At a time when the role of lobbyists and special interests are at issue in the presidential campaign, Senator John McCain leaves Tuesday on a trip to Colombia, where a senior adviser to him has long had business and political ties.
Charlie Black lobbied for years on behalf of Colombia’s leading foreign oil producer.
Since 1998, the lobbying firm headed until recently by Charlie Black, one of Mr. McCain’s closest confidants, has earned more than $1.8 million representing the Occidental Petroleum Corporation, the leading foreign producer of gas and oil in Colombia. The lobbying firm, BKSH & Associates, has also represented Colombian textile and apparel manufacturers and a former foreign minister and presidential candidate who is also a prominent businesswoman.
According to official filings, Mr. Black, who resigned as chairman of BKSH in March, lobbied Congress, the State Department and the White House on Occidental’s behalf regarding “general energy issues” and “general trade issues” involving Colombia. His list of activities also included winning “foreign assistance for Colombia” and efforts to block an economic embargo against the country, which has a questionable human rights record.
“Though he did not have high visibility, we encountered his shadow often,” said Larry Birns, director of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, an advocacy group that monitors Latin American human rights and political issues from Washington...
www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/us/politics/01black.html?_r=1&ref=us&oref=slogin
So McCain is using a staff member's lobbyist relationship to funnel oil industry money to his campaign without any oversight?
Black is acting as the bag man..laundering the money before its reported as contributions? I guess it would be a lot harder to account for those contributions if they were made inside this country?
- During an interview with National Journal, John McCain was asked if “military service inherently makes somebody better equipped to be commander-in-chief.” McCain said, “Absolutely not…I absolutely don’t believe that it’s necessary.” [National Journal, 2/15/2003]
(Bold in original)
McCain In 2003: ‘I Absolutely Don’t Believe’ Military Service Alone Qualifies Somebody For President
And, since this is a reputable web site, as opposed to some link-less wingnut screed that the trolls love to cite, be sure to click on all the sources available via the internal hot-links.
The MSM was reading a press release and showing stock film from the McCain campaign yesterday about his "new" Straight Talk Express...the jet which he's using while out of the country promoting jobs for other nations.
I thought it fitting that McCain has embraced the airline industry as his latest symbol. We all know how consumers feel about the way the airlines are operating lately.
Reform, Prosperity, Peace?
It's more like:
Less service, less flights, more fees, more hassle.
That's what McCain is promising American voters if he becomes president? That is extraordinary straight talk for any Republican.
And I didn't think the word "peace" was in McCain's vocabulary?
blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/07/will-new-plane.html
Posted by BlueinIdaho on July 1, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Blue,
Maybe we should all MoveOn?
Your one-man crusade must take you away from your skunk-skinning operation which I know is the joy of your life.
Posted by SandyH on July 1, 2008 at 02:49 PM
you should see the hat he made for himself, Sandy!
:)
And now for a message from the people who brought us Bandar Bush and Bin Lauden...
Saudi king urges consumers to get used to high oil prices
Jul 1
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, whose nation is the world's number one oil exporter, called on consumer countries to get used to high prices in comments published on Tuesday.
"Consumer countries have to adapt to the prices and the mechanisms of the market," the king said in an interview published by the Kuwaiti daily Al-Siyassah.
"We have nothing to do with the current sharp increase in crude prices," he said reiterating the Saudi position that speculation, rising demand and the taxation of oil products in consumer countries were to blame.
"These countries must reduce their taxes on fuel.. if they want to contribute to easing the burden on ordinary consumers," he said.
www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080701112646.vg97wut2&show_article=1
(Enphasis mine.)
So this is was the copy point that Bush finally persuaded the Saudis to push? I bet Spunky is angry that the King didn't work in something about drilling in Anwar, too.
hmmmm, still puzzled over how they can look at a military man who was un-skilled enough to get shot down, and caught!
"McCain, with a family tradition of military service and his own history as a decorated Vietnam prisoner of war, holds natural appeal for members of the military and veterans. Indeed, an AP-Yahoo News poll conducted last month (in June), found that veterans favored McCain over Obama 49 percent to 32 percent, while the two candidates ran about even in the population as a whole. Three-fourths of veterans in the survey thought McCain would be a good leader of the military, compared to one-fourth who thought likewise of Obama.
Nonetheless, dissatisfaction with the course of the war under President Bush and with the treatment of veterans returning home has given Obama, who did not serve in the armed forces, an opening with military voters and veterans, as does his appeal to younger people.
http://news.yahoo.com/page/election-2008-political-pulse-military-voices
They seem to think they are entitled somehow.
Posted by SandyH on July 1, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Exactly, Sandy. The fascist corporatists not only think they are entitled, they also think that if no one can stop them, they can do what ever they feel like doing. I can hear the comment being shared amongst the oil execs, bushgoon, and shooter at those secret meetings, "who's going to stop us?" What a bunch of arrogant rich kid bastards! There's a reason this perverted administration has remained so secretive and it's the reason congress needs to shake these suckers till they squeal.
peace -- We{US{Me+You}}+Them
sorry if this posts twice---
They seem to think they are entitled somehow.
Posted by SandyH on July 1, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Exactly, Sandy. The fascist corporatists not only think they are entitled, they also think that if no one can stop them, they can do what ever they feel like doing. I can hear the comment being shared amongst the oil execs, bushgoon, and shooter at those secret meetings, "who's going to stop us?" What a bunch of arrogant rich kid bastards! There's a reason this perverted administration has remained so secretive and it's the reason congress needs to shake these suckers till they squeal.
peace -- We{US{Me+You}}+Them
Fed auctions $75 billion to ease credit stressesTuesday July 1
By Jeannine Aversa, AP Economics WriterFed auctions another $75 billion to ease credit stresses, more loans on tap this month
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Federal Reserve has auctioned another $75 billion in loans to squeezed banks to help them overcome credit problems and announced it will provide a fresh batch of the loans this month.
The central bank on Tuesday released the results of its most recent auction -- the 15th since the program began in December. It's part of an ongoing effort to ease financial turmoil and credit stresses...
Is it just me or shouldn't there be someone concerned about this?
What would happen if the Fed wasn't bailing out these banks and other financial institutions by printing reams of worthless dollars?
Is this just plugging holes a levy that is about to burst?
And everytime they do it aren't we the taxpayer put on the hook to back these unsecured giveaways loans?
I hadn't realized that this has been going on continually since the lid was blown on the practice earlier this year.
We have essentially done the Savings and Loan bail out 15 times already this year?
And why hasn't Congress been in charge of deciding whether these irresponsible banks are given loans?
There is really something not kosher about this.
I'm angry that the media isn't talking about it and that there seems to be another one of those instances that the Executive has taken over another of Congresses powers.
It's one surprise another; one outrage after another.
And we have McCain flying around the world essentially negotiating away more of our American jobs for bribes from foreigners to fund his campaign?
Everything is broken including this blog.
Well, the world is coming to an end.
MSNBC just reported that Starbucks is going to shutter 600 of its stores.
What next? Walgreens scuttling its drive thru business.
The economy is slowly coming to a halt...and we are discussing faith-based initiatives and whether McCain was studying military strategy with his North Vietnames cell block jailers?
Posted by SandyH on July 1, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Sandy, due to the economy, I stopped my Starbucks addiction this past winter. On average, I was spending $40-50 a week (!!!) on lattes and carmel machiatos. That money now goes to the cost of everything else having increased. Living in the city, I'm happy to say that I don't have a car so I don't have to pay for gas, but my home energy costs have skyrocketed, not to mention the price of kibble for the puppy.
Attn: IT Dept.
The blog has been stuck now for approx 90 minutes! Is there a gateway that perhaps needs to be opened?
Afternoon all good Dems,
The pseudo-religions bates brothers who spew their hate for "liberals" every day on religious radio are morons. They claim to be experts in the economy, foreign affairs and anything else they can think of. They said it is the Democratic Congress starting in 1968 that put us in the position we are in today. They gave raygun and both asshole bush's a free pass. Talk about losers.
They are certainly not experts in oil exploration.
They were whining about oil today and that they talked with a texas oil man who said he could bring the Anwar oil field into full production and have one well completed within a year.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
What a pair of morons. An oil field can certainly not be brought into full production with just one well. Talk about neocon thinking. They can't do anything right. The morons that listen to these two believe everything they say and just lap it up. If they shit on a table, these dweebs would just eat it up and ask for more.
We are doomed with narrow minded assholes like this on MSM radio and television.
I heard of a new poll today that 43% of the nation believes we can drill our way out of this predicament. They do not believe we need conservation. This country is full of morons who unfortunately are allowed to vote.
Ford and GM suffered huge losses last month. If we had reguired auto manufacturers to meet stringent mileage requirements 30 years ago like Jimmy Carter wanted, we wouldn't be in this predicament. The free market just doesn't cut it. The CEO's of Ford and GM are too stupid to see what is right in front of their stupid faces.
Japan saw it and they are being very successful today. These same damn CEO's no doubt bribe the neocons big time.
They skate and we get f**ked.
Hezbollah said to train Shiite militiamen in IraqBy HAMZA HENDAWI and QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press Writers
BAGHDAD - Hezbollah instructors trained Shiite militiamen at remote camps in southern Iraq until three months ago when they slipped across the border to Iran — presumably to continue instruction on Iranian soil, according to two Shiite lawmakers and a top army officer.
The three Iraqis claim the Lebanese Shiites were also involved in planning some of the most brazen attacks against U.S.-led forces, including the January 2007 raid on a provincial government compound in Karbala in which five Americans died...
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080701/ap_on_re_mi_ea/hezbollah_in_iraq
(Emphasis mine.)
Why would Hezbollah offering any interviews that might put a spotlight on a role in Iraq? Why would they be sharing info with Iraqi government officials?
Note the sources. Could this be the same group of sources that the Pentagon used to tell us that all the arms coming into Iraq were from Iran? Then it turned out that they were actually being bought in Pakistan and some of the former Soviet Republics?
You also have to wonder if Chalabi might be one of the governmental sources. He and his slimy group of neocon surragates always seem to be at the middle of any expose' that is leaked to the press.
And they are always wrong.
Are the Bushies brimming the pump for their next attack in the Middle East in either Iran or Syria?
I wouldn't put it past Condi Rice to be stiring the pot so she can get some concessions from Syria. Veiled threats come in many ways. The reference to Lebanon is telling.
Anybody have the link to the new DCCC ad with Bush talking? I love it! I like the part were he uses the slogan I've repeated here, "GRAND OIL PARTY!"
Who says nobody reads this blog? HA!
"What's good for big oil is good for America, right?" (snicker "gick, gick, gick")
Good job, DCCC. Keep it up!
Anybody have the link to the new DCCC ad with Bush talking? I love it! I like the part were he uses the slogan I've repeated here, "GRAND OIL PARTY!"
Who says nobody reads this blog? HA!
"What's good for big oil is good for America, right?" (snicker "gick, gick, gick")
Good job, DCCC. Keep it up!
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