Nevermind the Christmas vs. Holidays vs. Chanukah vs. Kwanzaa debate. The second day of Fitmas is coming! Decorate your Fitmas tree with all your indictment wishes.
For those of you who are really annoyed by the whole made up "War on Christmas", why not send an email to the concerned women for america (mail@cwfa.org). It was one of their spokesMen who recently compared people that say Happy Holidays to nazis.
Here's the text from my email (short and to the point):
Happy Holidays!
How's you're War on Chanukah going?
peace on earth
goodwill towards men (and women)
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
An outline for an UnHoly war
Balled up in the Fetal position, I watched as the campaigner in chief made his first in a series of "stay the course" and "progress in Iraq" speeches and read the bush pamphlet "National Strategy for Victory in Iraq" or as I like to call it "An outline on nation building". There were a couple of new twists. The word "insurgents" has morphed, like so many rationales for war, into "the enemy" (rummy ran blocker on this one) and made up words like "rejectionists" and "saddamists". The no responsibility president almost admitted mistakes with statements like "we've faced some setbacks" and that "we learned from our early experiences." But most striking to me was the display of emotion when quoting a victim of his War in Iraq. The president held back the tears when quoting a letter left "on the laptop" of Corporal Jeff Star, getting choked up on the words "I'm here helping these people so they can live the way we live".
"I'm here helping these people so they can live the way we live."
Does that sound imperial to anybody else? Coupled with the old "you're either with us or you're against us" it sounds a little like the "god warrior" from trading spouses. Now, the bigger war of "ideologies" (AKA War on Terrorism) may have started with the attack on the US on September 11th, though it is argued that it started long before with previous attacks by "terrorists" or by US foriegn policies. Regardless of its beginning, the president of the United States seems to truly believe in its extension. He believes that the world would be better off if "they" lived like "we" do, or at least how we live ideally. Not how they are currently living along the US Gulf Coast or how the have nots and homeless live. But how we live to speak our mind freely without fear of retribution, unless of course you disagree with the president's policies (then it's watch your wife's covert status). It's, you know, Our freedom to choose Coke or Pepsi, Walmart or Target, Halliburton or Bechtel, protestant or evangelical.
It's hard to continue to argue about how bad an idea the hurried invasion/preemptive strike on Iraq was. An invasion "based on intelligence" that others believed, but no one was going to war over. Iraq was not a "urgent" threat to the United States. Before the sanctions on Iraq even started, back in Gulf War I, all they could try and hit us with were misguided scuds. Remember the surrendering Iraqi armyists? After getting beat back to Baghdad and over ten years of crippling sanctions, this was the greatest threat posed against us?
The argument that "we are fighting them there, so we don't have to fight them here" seems short sighted. What happens when it's over, assuming it ever will be? Where are the "terrorists" that attack our soldiers in Iraq today going to go when, and if, we leave? I understand that we will have men and women serving in Our multi-billion dollar bases there for a long time to come. But if Iraq does somehow, miraculously, stabilize, where will the "foreign fighters" turn. And then there are the "terrorist" attacks that have taken place in Europe and elsewhere while we were fighting "them in Iraq so we don't have to fight them at home".
This War in Iraq was not about saddam or the wounds left open from Gulf War I. WMDs were only a decent, at the time, enough excuse. Faux-patriotism and fear were used to ram a war through a, for the most part, gutless, rubber stamp congress and a confused and apathetic public who was bombarded with propaganda when it should have bombarded with discussion and debate. Last week the vice president came out of his undisclosed location to give a speech to American service men and women as part of the campaigner in chief's latest offensive. He said, among other things, that "The terrorists want to end American and Western influence in the Middle East." American influence in the Middle East. Now that sounds like the reason we are in Iraq. And why is that influence so essential. Oil! That's what this has always been about. We are building a nation and its military, for access to its oil and the contracts to drill and refine it.
This president, his administration, and Our toothless, rubberstamp congress have gotten us into this war (it is still a war and not "the peace"). We will not "cut and run", though I would be very surprised if troop levels don't come down significantly by the 2006 elections. As for leaving a "stable democracy" as a "model for the region", with the influence of "republics" like Iran on the Shi'ites, the continuous moves toward independence by the Kurds, and the assisinations and uprisings of the Sunnis, that's a little far fetched even to me.
We stopped when we did, and it was a unanimous recommendation on the part of the President's advisors, civilian and military, we stopped when we did because we had achieved our objectives. We had said from the outset that our purpose was to liberate Kuwait and destroy Saddam Hussein's capacity to threaten his neighbors, his offensive military capability, we did that. We destroyed about two-thirds of his army in that portion that he sent in to Kuwait and Iraq, and stripped him of most of his weapons of mass destruction.
Once we rounded up Saddam, then the question is what do you do? You're going to put a government in his place. Presumably, you're not just going to turn your back and walk away. You have to put some kind of a government in its place. And then the question comes is it going to be a Shi'a government or a Kurdish government, or maybe a Sunni government, or maybe it ought to be based on the old Baathist Party regime, or some combination thereof. How long is that government to be able to stay in power without US military support to keep it there? How long can we maintain the coalition?
How long could we have maintained that coalition of Arab states if we had been involved in the long-range occupation by the US in Iraq? I would guess if we had gone on to Baghdad I would still have forces in Iraq today. I don't know how we would have let go of that tar baby once we had grabbed hold of it.
How many additional American lives is Saddam Hussein worth? And the answer I would give is not very damn many.
-excerpts of then-Defense Secretary Dick Cheney's 1992 speech to the Discovery Institute in Seattle
"I'm here helping these people so they can live the way we live."
Does that sound imperial to anybody else? Coupled with the old "you're either with us or you're against us" it sounds a little like the "god warrior" from trading spouses. Now, the bigger war of "ideologies" (AKA War on Terrorism) may have started with the attack on the US on September 11th, though it is argued that it started long before with previous attacks by "terrorists" or by US foriegn policies. Regardless of its beginning, the president of the United States seems to truly believe in its extension. He believes that the world would be better off if "they" lived like "we" do, or at least how we live ideally. Not how they are currently living along the US Gulf Coast or how the have nots and homeless live. But how we live to speak our mind freely without fear of retribution, unless of course you disagree with the president's policies (then it's watch your wife's covert status). It's, you know, Our freedom to choose Coke or Pepsi, Walmart or Target, Halliburton or Bechtel, protestant or evangelical.
It's hard to continue to argue about how bad an idea the hurried invasion/preemptive strike on Iraq was. An invasion "based on intelligence" that others believed, but no one was going to war over. Iraq was not a "urgent" threat to the United States. Before the sanctions on Iraq even started, back in Gulf War I, all they could try and hit us with were misguided scuds. Remember the surrendering Iraqi armyists? After getting beat back to Baghdad and over ten years of crippling sanctions, this was the greatest threat posed against us?
The argument that "we are fighting them there, so we don't have to fight them here" seems short sighted. What happens when it's over, assuming it ever will be? Where are the "terrorists" that attack our soldiers in Iraq today going to go when, and if, we leave? I understand that we will have men and women serving in Our multi-billion dollar bases there for a long time to come. But if Iraq does somehow, miraculously, stabilize, where will the "foreign fighters" turn. And then there are the "terrorist" attacks that have taken place in Europe and elsewhere while we were fighting "them in Iraq so we don't have to fight them at home".
This War in Iraq was not about saddam or the wounds left open from Gulf War I. WMDs were only a decent, at the time, enough excuse. Faux-patriotism and fear were used to ram a war through a, for the most part, gutless, rubber stamp congress and a confused and apathetic public who was bombarded with propaganda when it should have bombarded with discussion and debate. Last week the vice president came out of his undisclosed location to give a speech to American service men and women as part of the campaigner in chief's latest offensive. He said, among other things, that "The terrorists want to end American and Western influence in the Middle East." American influence in the Middle East. Now that sounds like the reason we are in Iraq. And why is that influence so essential. Oil! That's what this has always been about. We are building a nation and its military, for access to its oil and the contracts to drill and refine it.
This president, his administration, and Our toothless, rubberstamp congress have gotten us into this war (it is still a war and not "the peace"). We will not "cut and run", though I would be very surprised if troop levels don't come down significantly by the 2006 elections. As for leaving a "stable democracy" as a "model for the region", with the influence of "republics" like Iran on the Shi'ites, the continuous moves toward independence by the Kurds, and the assisinations and uprisings of the Sunnis, that's a little far fetched even to me.
We stopped when we did, and it was a unanimous recommendation on the part of the President's advisors, civilian and military, we stopped when we did because we had achieved our objectives. We had said from the outset that our purpose was to liberate Kuwait and destroy Saddam Hussein's capacity to threaten his neighbors, his offensive military capability, we did that. We destroyed about two-thirds of his army in that portion that he sent in to Kuwait and Iraq, and stripped him of most of his weapons of mass destruction.
Once we rounded up Saddam, then the question is what do you do? You're going to put a government in his place. Presumably, you're not just going to turn your back and walk away. You have to put some kind of a government in its place. And then the question comes is it going to be a Shi'a government or a Kurdish government, or maybe a Sunni government, or maybe it ought to be based on the old Baathist Party regime, or some combination thereof. How long is that government to be able to stay in power without US military support to keep it there? How long can we maintain the coalition?
How long could we have maintained that coalition of Arab states if we had been involved in the long-range occupation by the US in Iraq? I would guess if we had gone on to Baghdad I would still have forces in Iraq today. I don't know how we would have let go of that tar baby once we had grabbed hold of it.
How many additional American lives is Saddam Hussein worth? And the answer I would give is not very damn many.
-excerpts of then-Defense Secretary Dick Cheney's 1992 speech to the Discovery Institute in Seattle
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Is ironic the right word?
Is ironic the right word for the US Supreme Court building falling apart right above where it says "Equal Justice Under Law"?
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Dear Mr. President,
"Throughout history, tyrants and would-be tyrants have always claimed that murder is justified to serve their grand vision. And they end up alienating decent people across the globe."
That's an interesting choice of words Mr. President. You should applaud whoever wrote them for you to read. Amazingly enough I agree with this pontification. The difference is it makes me think of you. In the partisan attack/justification for your war speech, that you chose Veterans Day to give, you claimed that Congress "had access to the same intelligence" as the president of the United States of America. That's false. Hell, let's call it a lie. Congress does not have access to the President's Daily Brief, not to mention the 92-page NIE (National Intelligence Estimate) that was given to Congress just days before they were to vote did not include all of the doubts within the intelligence committee. The resolution, that everyone seems to equate with a declaration of war, has been spun just like the "mission" we must "stay the course" to "accomplish".
"Whereas Iraq both poses a continuing threat to the national security of the United States and international peace and security in the Persian Gulf region and remains in material and unacceptable breach of its international obligations by, among other things, continuing to possess and develop a significant chemical and biological weapons capability, actively seeking a nuclear weapons capability, and supporting and harboring terrorist organizations;"
"Whereas members of al Qaida, an organization bearing responsibility for attacks on the United States, its citizens, and interests, including the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, are known to be in Iraq;" text from the Joint Resolution (the Bold was me)
That is what they voted on. These claims have yet to be substantiated, and pulling out the UN inspectors, headed by Hans Blix, after only one month in Iraq certainly insured that those claims would not be refuted before we invaded. You rushed us into a war of your choosing. There was no "unique", "urgent" or "gathering" threat to Our National Security, our freedom, or Our way of life coming from Iraq like you told us there was. We did not "know where they [the WMDs}" were like secretary rumsfeld told us. When the vice president said "there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction. There is no doubt he is amassing them to use against our friends, against our allies, and against us." in his push for war, he either didn't have all the facts or was spinning/cherry picking what "intelligence" he did have. Like used car salesmen, you sold this Nation your war not on the "liberation of Iraq" or the "removal of saddam". It was on the "threat of unique urgency" that Iraq posed, which it turns out it didn't. It is not your critics that are rewriting history. It is you.
The hardest thing about all of this is the fact that Our soldiers are in harm's way for your grand vision of what the Middle East should be. You have created a new training ground for terrorists greater than Afghanistan ever was. You have given the terrorists more rationalizations for their hate. Your war is sending our country further into debt, which was recently illustrated by your red senators joining Democrats in dropping your tax cuts for the rich. You say you "protect the United States" while at the same time your Federal Emergency Management Agency is telling the poor people, who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina, that they will be evicted after December 1 with no where to go.
I am not alone in wanting a "exit strategy" that is "well defined" for our troops in Iraq. Democratic hawks and doves, as well as red senators are all clamoring for a plan that you should have had before we invaded.
And now with your national security advisor and/or vice president quite possibly involved in the Valerie Plame case, your administration seems even more corrupt and dishonest. Your presidency will be remembered as a failure, disastrous to Our country's reputation and standing in the world and our Government's reputation and standing here at home. I leave you with these words from red Senator Chuck Hagel:
"America must approach the world with a sense of purpose in world affairs that is anchored by our ideals, a principled realism that seeks not to re-make the world in our image, but to help make a better world."
"The Bush Administration must understand that each American has a right to question our policies in Iraq and should not be demonized for disagreeing with them. Suggesting that to challenge or criticize policy is undermining and hurting our troops is not democracy nor what this country has stood for, for over 200 years. The Democrats have an obligation to challenge in a serious and responsible manner, offering solutions and alternatives to the Administration’s policies."
Friday, November 11, 2005
The wheels on the wagon are not what they use to be.
What the hell's going on here?!?!? The campaigner in chief is "killing" campaigns? The US is using white phosphorous incendiaries (a weaponized chemical) on Iraqis? The man accused of giving classified intel to Iran, not to mention helping to mislead our "leaders" into misleading Us into war, ahmed chalabi, is the administration's friend again? Howlin' wolfowitz's World Bank is saying that their redevelopment efforts in Iraq are being blocked by the violence he failed to consider in his rush to war? Senate reds are grilling oil executives? Argentinians are protesting the little prince and his policies? Paris is on fire? Scandal ridden lobbyist abramhoff asked the president of a West African nation for $9,000,000.00 to meet with the scandal ridden president of the United States? And bucky bush is throwing around a baseball in Panama? Wow! It's been quite the ten days.
Election day saw Democrat, Senator John Corzine, win the governorship in New Jersey, despite the sandalous resignation of the last (D) in the State House. This was a particularly negative, non-issue campaign. I did like Corzine's bush/forrester ads, and it looks like they were effective. In Virginia's gubenatorial race, the Democrat won, despite a last minute bush visit to his challenger. Some say the bush visit actually hurt the red's chances. In Maine, an anti-discrimination law protecting homosexuals was passed. Ahnuld's four ballot initiatives got voted down in California. And my personal favorite came from Dover, Pennsylvania, where members of the Board of Education, who argued on behalf of "intelligent design", were voted out. The reds did have a victory or two, as well, but a "ban on gay marriage" in Texas.... I thought that was understood.
We all know that, with a few exceptions, the Democrats are toothless. What we're beginning to see now is the deCONstruction of the reds by the reds. The in fighting is evident. Senator mccain is arguing with vice president DICK cheney about America's use of torture, or as the legislation phrases it "cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment" of prisoners. The administration wants to exempt the CIA from such restrictions on abuse. Nine red senators voted against mccain's amendment, the other 42 joined with the Democrats in support of it. And if the US using incendiaries (though not banned by name) in Iraq, someone needs to to police the police of the world?
One of the biggest surprises for me this past week was the grilling of oil executives by Senators, both Democratic and red, for their record profits from charging record prices. Going against big oil is a direct affront to this oil soaked administration. An administration whose energy policy is to lessen environmental regulations, increase subsidies, and give tax breaks to energy companies who have seen profit increases over the past three years far greater than they have ever seen before. At least the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge has been temporarily taken off the drilling block by the House of Representatives, even before postponing the vote on the budget cutting bill that would have befouled it.
This wagon is starting to lose it's wheels and the Libby trial hasn't even started yet. You remember Libby, he is the author of the beastiality laden, incestual novel "The Apprentice". Oh yeah and he lied before a Grand Jury investigating leaked information classified for Our National Security.
"What a Country"
-Yakov Smirnoff
Election day saw Democrat, Senator John Corzine, win the governorship in New Jersey, despite the sandalous resignation of the last (D) in the State House. This was a particularly negative, non-issue campaign. I did like Corzine's bush/forrester ads, and it looks like they were effective. In Virginia's gubenatorial race, the Democrat won, despite a last minute bush visit to his challenger. Some say the bush visit actually hurt the red's chances. In Maine, an anti-discrimination law protecting homosexuals was passed. Ahnuld's four ballot initiatives got voted down in California. And my personal favorite came from Dover, Pennsylvania, where members of the Board of Education, who argued on behalf of "intelligent design", were voted out. The reds did have a victory or two, as well, but a "ban on gay marriage" in Texas.... I thought that was understood.
We all know that, with a few exceptions, the Democrats are toothless. What we're beginning to see now is the deCONstruction of the reds by the reds. The in fighting is evident. Senator mccain is arguing with vice president DICK cheney about America's use of torture, or as the legislation phrases it "cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment" of prisoners. The administration wants to exempt the CIA from such restrictions on abuse. Nine red senators voted against mccain's amendment, the other 42 joined with the Democrats in support of it. And if the US using incendiaries (though not banned by name) in Iraq, someone needs to to police the police of the world?
One of the biggest surprises for me this past week was the grilling of oil executives by Senators, both Democratic and red, for their record profits from charging record prices. Going against big oil is a direct affront to this oil soaked administration. An administration whose energy policy is to lessen environmental regulations, increase subsidies, and give tax breaks to energy companies who have seen profit increases over the past three years far greater than they have ever seen before. At least the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge has been temporarily taken off the drilling block by the House of Representatives, even before postponing the vote on the budget cutting bill that would have befouled it.
This wagon is starting to lose it's wheels and the Libby trial hasn't even started yet. You remember Libby, he is the author of the beastiality laden, incestual novel "The Apprentice". Oh yeah and he lied before a Grand Jury investigating leaked information classified for Our National Security.
"What a Country"
-Yakov Smirnoff
Monday, October 31, 2005
Happy Halloween!!!!
Well, a weekend has past since Fitzmas began with the indictment of the vice president's chief of staff, scooter libby. Scooter was indicted on one count of obstruction of justice, two counts of perjury and two counts of making false statements. It is almost amusing, though more often infuriating, to watch red congress people talking about perjury like it was a "technicality" or red pundits, like bill safire, talking about the fact that no one was found guilty of breaking the law that was being investigated, the outing of a CIA operative. Perjury is a crime, some may have once said a "high crime". Obstruction of justice is a crime. Making false statements to a grand jury, especially one investigatinging a breach in NATIONAL SECURITY, is a crime. And Mr. Safire, where the hell were you when President William Jefferson Clinton was being asked if he had sexual relations with an intern during an investigation of a real estate deal from back when he was a governor that he and his family lost money on. Give me a Fucking break people!
The other thing I would like to say to people like red rep. hutchinson and red talking head, safire, is FITZMAS ISN'T OVER. This trial may actually see the vice president of the united states take the stand UNDER OATH, something I don't think he or junior have done, for anything, in the past five years.
Nominating justice sc-alito to the Supreme Court may change the conversation in certain spheres, but headlines from a trial pertaining to the lead up to bush's war of choice, into which we have pour hundreds of billions of dollars and the lives of over 2000 men and women, may just sell a few more newspapers than...
Surprise, suprise!! Little george has nominated an activist, red, judicial insider, member of the Federalist Society to the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, put the Ten Commandments on the White House lawn, and to make sure that the president, or vice president, never have to provide any documentation for anything.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Victory.
Yes it can be claimed, though mildly, on at least three fronts. The first, and most publicized, comes with the withdrawal of, unqualified crony, Harriet Miers from nomination to Our United States Supreme Court. As you’re cheering the end game of this bush blunder, keep in mind that his next nomination may have impeccable credentials and be so right that bush will seem centrist.
If that bombshell doesn’t do enough damage to the campaigner in chief's "political capital" for you, how about rummy's nuCLEar bunker buster program getting the boot. The "administration" and the Senate have dropped the program after a vigorous debate in the Senate. Sorry don. No Nukes!
Finally, and the sweetest to my populist side, is "stay the course" bush's recent "flip flop" on Davis-Bacon regulations in Louisiana. Immediately after Hurricane Katrina, bush suspended the regulations that required those contracted by the government to pay their labor the prevailing wage, which is usually close to the level set by local union contracts. Looks like junior's oil and construction buddies will have to pay legal workers a legal wage. Who knows, if they hire locals first this may really help some of those in need down there get back to their feet.
And let's face it, the oil companies that got "hit" by Katrina have been doing alright. They have set records with their spiking profits since the storm, while we pay spiking prices at the pump. And before you start telling me that the prices have been going down, don't you think that might have something to do with heating season coming?
"Fitzmas" is coming
The Trolley's off the Track
Please put your indictments in the White House's lap
And watch for the list of 4,500+ companies involved in the Iraqi oil for food scandal. What will the Wall Street journal Op-Ed page say if Halliburton or its subsidiaries are on it?
If that bombshell doesn’t do enough damage to the campaigner in chief's "political capital" for you, how about rummy's nuCLEar bunker buster program getting the boot. The "administration" and the Senate have dropped the program after a vigorous debate in the Senate. Sorry don. No Nukes!
Finally, and the sweetest to my populist side, is "stay the course" bush's recent "flip flop" on Davis-Bacon regulations in Louisiana. Immediately after Hurricane Katrina, bush suspended the regulations that required those contracted by the government to pay their labor the prevailing wage, which is usually close to the level set by local union contracts. Looks like junior's oil and construction buddies will have to pay legal workers a legal wage. Who knows, if they hire locals first this may really help some of those in need down there get back to their feet.
And let's face it, the oil companies that got "hit" by Katrina have been doing alright. They have set records with their spiking profits since the storm, while we pay spiking prices at the pump. And before you start telling me that the prices have been going down, don't you think that might have something to do with heating season coming?
"Fitzmas" is coming
The Trolley's off the Track
Please put your indictments in the White House's lap
And watch for the list of 4,500+ companies involved in the Iraqi oil for food scandal. What will the Wall Street journal Op-Ed page say if Halliburton or its subsidiaries are on it?
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Could it really be.....FITZMAS EVE?!?!?!
By most reports coming out today, this part (that's right, this may not be the end) of the investigation is coming to the point so many of us have been waiting for...
The indictment of karl turd blossom rove and vice president DICK cheney's right hand man, scooter libby, among others.
For the confused, Arianna Huffington has a cheat sheet up on the lies of our "leaders" as they pertain to this case, with links to back it up.
The cheney connection, made in the past few days, has given rise to further speculation that this prosecutorial "pitbull", Fitzgerald, is not stopping at the outing of a covert CIA agent, done purely for "the politics of personal destruction". He may be delving into the forged Niger documents themselves. Where they came from, who they came from, and who knew about them. What if the "folks" who wanted this war and needed some solid evidence of WMDs helped to put the forgeries in Italian hands. Maybe we should investigate the forgeries that Dan Rather used in his infamous report for similarities.
First things first, let's get these "evil doers" for perjury, obstruction of justice, and for divulging the identity of a CIA agent in this "post 9/11" national security focused world. Then we can go after them for the White House Iraq Group, the torture of prisoners, Gannon/Guckert, the paying of journalists, the price of Medicare, the Energy Task Force, Florida's 2000 presidential election, Ohio's in 2004, and the list goes on. So many scandals, so little time.
What do you want for Fitzmas?
The indictment of karl turd blossom rove and vice president DICK cheney's right hand man, scooter libby, among others.
For the confused, Arianna Huffington has a cheat sheet up on the lies of our "leaders" as they pertain to this case, with links to back it up.
The cheney connection, made in the past few days, has given rise to further speculation that this prosecutorial "pitbull", Fitzgerald, is not stopping at the outing of a covert CIA agent, done purely for "the politics of personal destruction". He may be delving into the forged Niger documents themselves. Where they came from, who they came from, and who knew about them. What if the "folks" who wanted this war and needed some solid evidence of WMDs helped to put the forgeries in Italian hands. Maybe we should investigate the forgeries that Dan Rather used in his infamous report for similarities.
First things first, let's get these "evil doers" for perjury, obstruction of justice, and for divulging the identity of a CIA agent in this "post 9/11" national security focused world. Then we can go after them for the White House Iraq Group, the torture of prisoners, Gannon/Guckert, the paying of journalists, the price of Medicare, the Energy Task Force, Florida's 2000 presidential election, Ohio's in 2004, and the list goes on. So many scandals, so little time.
What do you want for Fitzmas?
Friday, October 14, 2005
Withdraw the Harriet Miers nomination.
As we wait for "Fitzmas" to come with gifts of indictments for those who've exposed, lied, and conspired, the rumor mill churns out of control. Rumors of cheney, rove and the unrelated rummy leaving Our White House certainly are fun to think about, but perhaps they are a little premature. Prosecutor/"pit bull" Patrick Fitzgerald's investigation has been amazingly tight lipped, which helps speculators run wild with ideas of the fall of the White House Iraq Group (WHIG), the expulsion of "the brain", and dare I say it, little bush being forced to say something along the lines of "I do not recall", "it depends on what the definition of is is." or better yet "I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow."
You can get an idea of what this administration would look like without "Turd Blossom" (the president's term not mine) from the blunder known as the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court of the United States of America. A nomination that should be withdrawn. But don't take my word for it. Check out david brooks's (red) column on miers's published, cliche-ridden, article in the Texas Bar Journal. Or how about bork's (red) words of anger towards the nomination. David frum (red) is out raising money for ads against miers. Wacko name callers like coulter (red) and krauthammer (red) are voicing their disbelief at the nomination of a woman, who answered a question on her recent Senate questionnaire concerning her experience with the law with an anecdote about rushing to a man's death bed to make sure his will was in order. The Senate's questionnaire was actually returned to Ms. miers as "insufficient", "inadequate" and in the words of one senator "insulting".
It is not that she has never been a judge. Justice Rehnquist wasn't a judge, but he was considered by many a brilliant legal thinker and an able scholar. His opinions were concisely argued. His bachelor's and three master's degrees from Standford and Harvard clearly show that he was on a path acceptable for the Supreme Court. I say all of this while biting my tongue about my opinion of most of his.
It is not because she is an evangelical christian. Anyone can observe any religion they choose or none at all. There's is a problem, however, with a person's religion being a qualifier for being a Supreme Court justice or any other governmental position for that matter. It establishes one religion as preferred by the United States of America. Some may say that's down right unconstitutional. Not to mention the back door conference calls with conservative groups ensuring them that she will not change back to the way she was before she saw the light.
The Supreme Court of the United States of America is the highest court in the land. It is the pinnacle of achievement for those in the legal profession. It is the crown jewel of one of Our three branches of Government, though it has become far too political in recent history. It is a place where the best legal and constitutional scholars and experts should sit in judgement on the important cases deserving of its chambers.
Nominating a personal friend and lawyer, based at least partially on her religion, is an insult to all those who study, research and opine on subjects facing Our Constitution and Our Nation. Being the president of the Texas Bar does not demonstrate a lawyer's legal expertise, knowledge, or philosophy as much as it does his/her political ambition. There is a litmus test for this nomination. It is one part she's my friend and one part she'll overturn Roe v. Wade.
This nomintaion is another disgrace perpetrated by this administration, and perhaps bush's lack of "brain" is to blame.
"He [the President] would be both ashamed and afraid to bring forward, for the most distinguished or lucrative stations, candidates who had no other merit than that of coming from the same State to which he particularly belonged, or of being in some way or other personally allied to him, or of possessing the necessary insignificance and pliancy to render them the obsequious instruments of his pleasure."
From Federalist #76: Alexander Hamilton in the New York Packet April 1, 1788
(other excerpts of the Federalist papers concerning the nominating and appointing of Supreme Court Justices)
You can get an idea of what this administration would look like without "Turd Blossom" (the president's term not mine) from the blunder known as the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court of the United States of America. A nomination that should be withdrawn. But don't take my word for it. Check out david brooks's (red) column on miers's published, cliche-ridden, article in the Texas Bar Journal. Or how about bork's (red) words of anger towards the nomination. David frum (red) is out raising money for ads against miers. Wacko name callers like coulter (red) and krauthammer (red) are voicing their disbelief at the nomination of a woman, who answered a question on her recent Senate questionnaire concerning her experience with the law with an anecdote about rushing to a man's death bed to make sure his will was in order. The Senate's questionnaire was actually returned to Ms. miers as "insufficient", "inadequate" and in the words of one senator "insulting".
It is not that she has never been a judge. Justice Rehnquist wasn't a judge, but he was considered by many a brilliant legal thinker and an able scholar. His opinions were concisely argued. His bachelor's and three master's degrees from Standford and Harvard clearly show that he was on a path acceptable for the Supreme Court. I say all of this while biting my tongue about my opinion of most of his.
It is not because she is an evangelical christian. Anyone can observe any religion they choose or none at all. There's is a problem, however, with a person's religion being a qualifier for being a Supreme Court justice or any other governmental position for that matter. It establishes one religion as preferred by the United States of America. Some may say that's down right unconstitutional. Not to mention the back door conference calls with conservative groups ensuring them that she will not change back to the way she was before she saw the light.
The Supreme Court of the United States of America is the highest court in the land. It is the pinnacle of achievement for those in the legal profession. It is the crown jewel of one of Our three branches of Government, though it has become far too political in recent history. It is a place where the best legal and constitutional scholars and experts should sit in judgement on the important cases deserving of its chambers.
Nominating a personal friend and lawyer, based at least partially on her religion, is an insult to all those who study, research and opine on subjects facing Our Constitution and Our Nation. Being the president of the Texas Bar does not demonstrate a lawyer's legal expertise, knowledge, or philosophy as much as it does his/her political ambition. There is a litmus test for this nomination. It is one part she's my friend and one part she'll overturn Roe v. Wade.
This nomintaion is another disgrace perpetrated by this administration, and perhaps bush's lack of "brain" is to blame.
"He [the President] would be both ashamed and afraid to bring forward, for the most distinguished or lucrative stations, candidates who had no other merit than that of coming from the same State to which he particularly belonged, or of being in some way or other personally allied to him, or of possessing the necessary insignificance and pliancy to render them the obsequious instruments of his pleasure."
From Federalist #76: Alexander Hamilton in the New York Packet April 1, 1788
(other excerpts of the Federalist papers concerning the nominating and appointing of Supreme Court Justices)
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Politics and Terror
Nobody could be that fiendish. Bush's re-address on the "war on terror" and the evils of the terrorists happens and then a few hours later there's the specific threat on New York City Subways causing the heightened alert. The alert is later found to be quite possibly "made up". And there must be a reason for New York officials to hold on to this information, for several days, before releasing it on the day of the Harlem Mayoral debate that mayor bloomberg refused to be a part of. To speak fear is abhorrent enough, but to cause it for political gain, spin, or distraction? What Red Blooded, Patriotic, American, in their "right" mind, could possibly do such a thing?
On a recent Countdown, Keith Olbermann listed 10 times the terror alert level was raised at a time when the bush administration was in need of a distraction from the news or support for a speech. Coincidences? You decide. You're probably going to have to, I can't see anyone having the cojones to investigate the sick idea of fear mongering for real.
The full list of thirteen is up at Bloggermann.
On a recent Countdown, Keith Olbermann listed 10 times the terror alert level was raised at a time when the bush administration was in need of a distraction from the news or support for a speech. Coincidences? You decide. You're probably going to have to, I can't see anyone having the cojones to investigate the sick idea of fear mongering for real.
The full list of thirteen is up at Bloggermann.
Friday, October 07, 2005
The EPA's blind eye
As the federal government and mayor of New Orleans urge gulf coast residents to return to their homes, some are reminded of the air quality issues that were ignored shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Has the "toxic soup" left behind by Hurricane Katrina been adequately dealt with? Is the drinking water in the soon to be re-populated areas clean enough? Or will this just be the subject of yet another after the fact commission in the future?
Thursday, October 06, 2005
This is My America.
A rant inspired by Lewis Lapham’s satirical Notebook piece in the Oct. 2005 edition of Harper’s in which he asks “in a major rather than minor key” “Can we make America the best damned fascist state the world has ever seen?”
The U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader, already reprimanded three times by his peers on the House Ethics Committee, has been indicted not once but twice. The U.S. Senate Majority Leader is under investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for insider trading. The administration's top federal procurement official has been arrested by the FBI for making false statements about golf trips paid for by a lobbyist who seems to be everybody’s friend. The Deputy Secretary of State (the top political advisor to the president), the Vice President’s Chief of Staff, and quite possibly the Vice President, himself, have been implicated in the treasonous and careless act of publicly identifying a CIA agent in an attempt to discredit a former ambassador’s opposing view to one of the administration’s “weapons of mass destruction” claims. The "weapons of mass destruction" claims given as reasons for Our invasion of Iraq remain unfounded. The inexperienced crony appointed to head the "post 9-11" Federal Emergency Management Agency resigned without accepting any blame for a Federal response to a hurricane and levy breach that took five days to commence (for more appropriate disaster preparation and response see the work of former FEMA director James Lee Witt or, more recently, the days leading up to Hurricane Rita). Instead the president sheepishly said “I am responsible” as if words are enough. The nepotism continues with the president’s latest nominee to the Supreme Court, the apex of the United States Judicial system. The nominee’s experience, for the most part, comes from her job as personal counsel and cover to her appointer since his days as governor. This is My America. The America left to me and my generation.
This is an America where the number of millionaires and billionaires continues to rise at a rate almost equal to the rise in the number of poor. In this America, allegiance is pledged not to Country, but to brand name. This is an America where the bottom line is the only line, where defense spending is never questioned, and where the executive branch rules the legislative branch. Gone are the days of “The buck stops here” unless you are on the bottom of the governmental or military ladder. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” has morphed into the only thing we have is fear. Fear is how elections are won, liberties are lost and dissent is squashed. Our culture of spin and deception has made dissent anti-American, torture justifiable, and tens of thousands of Americans left, on their homeland, without food, water, sewerage, and electricity for five days “their own fault”.
In the terms recently given to us by the U.S. Congress General Accounting Office, the “covert propaganda” being perpetrated by our government and its hired journalists warrants punishment, but there is barely a reaction. Simply more fodder for the disgusting and disheartening joke that’s referred to as public discourse in this America. Fake reporters propped up by the administration to ask “talking points” questions that turn out to be of the few that receive the closest to answers. This is the America I have inherited. For the rich, screw the poor! Mass produced, overly processed, poisoned food sold cheap to continue to feed the machine.
And of course there is the war of aggression, the war of choice, the War in Iraq. Iraq, where the liberated are starting to ask the question: When will we be better off then we were? Iraq, built on the success of Afghanistan, where elections have been fixed and opium production is at an all time high. Iraq, where we have turned the corner three times so far and are do to do so again on October 15. But who will fight and die for this new constitution? In America, there are those who fight that our Constitution stand as the framers framed it as they fight to add to it intolerant discriminatory amendments in order to define religious terms and give government the power of sanctification currently bestowed upon churches and temples. People fight for more unwanted pregnancies (unborn children) while they fight the welfare system that provides for many of the born. A tax cut and spend America that thinks putting corporate profit before clean air and water makes sense and the idea that bombing will not stopping bombings is the talk of “wackos”.
What would the founding fathers think of This America? A nation with eyes glazed over by celebrity, ambition revolving around money with little or no concern for the greatness, or even goodness, ones deeds. What would they think of a “misunderestimated” president misspeaking at podiums from which a nation was once inspired? What would the creators of America think of towns with character sanitized by the Everytown Starbucks society and jobs long since left for the cheaper unregulated labor of foreign countries?
The vacuum of real leaders can go unfilled only as long as the frustration can hold. President Bush, I would love to just “Get on with my life”. I would love to, as the Dalai Lama says, “Internally disarm”. I just don’t feel right about letting this all go with out yelling from the top of my virtual mole hill.
The U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader, already reprimanded three times by his peers on the House Ethics Committee, has been indicted not once but twice. The U.S. Senate Majority Leader is under investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for insider trading. The administration's top federal procurement official has been arrested by the FBI for making false statements about golf trips paid for by a lobbyist who seems to be everybody’s friend. The Deputy Secretary of State (the top political advisor to the president), the Vice President’s Chief of Staff, and quite possibly the Vice President, himself, have been implicated in the treasonous and careless act of publicly identifying a CIA agent in an attempt to discredit a former ambassador’s opposing view to one of the administration’s “weapons of mass destruction” claims. The "weapons of mass destruction" claims given as reasons for Our invasion of Iraq remain unfounded. The inexperienced crony appointed to head the "post 9-11" Federal Emergency Management Agency resigned without accepting any blame for a Federal response to a hurricane and levy breach that took five days to commence (for more appropriate disaster preparation and response see the work of former FEMA director James Lee Witt or, more recently, the days leading up to Hurricane Rita). Instead the president sheepishly said “I am responsible” as if words are enough. The nepotism continues with the president’s latest nominee to the Supreme Court, the apex of the United States Judicial system. The nominee’s experience, for the most part, comes from her job as personal counsel and cover to her appointer since his days as governor. This is My America. The America left to me and my generation.
This is an America where the number of millionaires and billionaires continues to rise at a rate almost equal to the rise in the number of poor. In this America, allegiance is pledged not to Country, but to brand name. This is an America where the bottom line is the only line, where defense spending is never questioned, and where the executive branch rules the legislative branch. Gone are the days of “The buck stops here” unless you are on the bottom of the governmental or military ladder. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” has morphed into the only thing we have is fear. Fear is how elections are won, liberties are lost and dissent is squashed. Our culture of spin and deception has made dissent anti-American, torture justifiable, and tens of thousands of Americans left, on their homeland, without food, water, sewerage, and electricity for five days “their own fault”.
In the terms recently given to us by the U.S. Congress General Accounting Office, the “covert propaganda” being perpetrated by our government and its hired journalists warrants punishment, but there is barely a reaction. Simply more fodder for the disgusting and disheartening joke that’s referred to as public discourse in this America. Fake reporters propped up by the administration to ask “talking points” questions that turn out to be of the few that receive the closest to answers. This is the America I have inherited. For the rich, screw the poor! Mass produced, overly processed, poisoned food sold cheap to continue to feed the machine.
And of course there is the war of aggression, the war of choice, the War in Iraq. Iraq, where the liberated are starting to ask the question: When will we be better off then we were? Iraq, built on the success of Afghanistan, where elections have been fixed and opium production is at an all time high. Iraq, where we have turned the corner three times so far and are do to do so again on October 15. But who will fight and die for this new constitution? In America, there are those who fight that our Constitution stand as the framers framed it as they fight to add to it intolerant discriminatory amendments in order to define religious terms and give government the power of sanctification currently bestowed upon churches and temples. People fight for more unwanted pregnancies (unborn children) while they fight the welfare system that provides for many of the born. A tax cut and spend America that thinks putting corporate profit before clean air and water makes sense and the idea that bombing will not stopping bombings is the talk of “wackos”.
What would the founding fathers think of This America? A nation with eyes glazed over by celebrity, ambition revolving around money with little or no concern for the greatness, or even goodness, ones deeds. What would they think of a “misunderestimated” president misspeaking at podiums from which a nation was once inspired? What would the creators of America think of towns with character sanitized by the Everytown Starbucks society and jobs long since left for the cheaper unregulated labor of foreign countries?
The vacuum of real leaders can go unfilled only as long as the frustration can hold. President Bush, I would love to just “Get on with my life”. I would love to, as the Dalai Lama says, “Internally disarm”. I just don’t feel right about letting this all go with out yelling from the top of my virtual mole hill.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Tell Me What Democracy Looks Like..
This is What Democracy Looks Like!
If you support the protests in DC, but didn't go, there is a petition at International ANSWER you can sign to show it.
Be sure to check out George Galloway's speech from Saturday's rally.
If you support the protests in DC, but didn't go, there is a petition at International ANSWER you can sign to show it.
Be sure to check out George Galloway's speech from Saturday's rally.
7 and 7 (a rationalization)
7 reasons to go to the protests in DC this weekend.
1. Bush is ruining Our country's economy, destroying the environment, nullifying Our credibility and standing in the world, has willfully mislead a Nation to War, appoints cronies, with absolutely no experience, to jobs that have Our Safety in their descriptions, hires journalists to sell his programs, allows fake reporters into his pressroom to float softballs, and on and on and on.
2. Bush's war of choice in Iraq has cost Us $170,000,000,000.00+ and we still have not found the weapons of mass destruction or any other urgent or unique threat posed by saddam hussein that "justified" this "preemptive strike".
3. To visibly (and audibly) show the support, solidarity, and passion of those of us against this administration and its policies.
4. The 1907 American troops and 26054 Iraqi civilians that are dead.
5. To know that you are not alone in being angry and obsessed with Our Federal government and its policies.
6. To hear what Cindy Sheehan, Ian McKaye, Steve Earle, Wayne Kramer, Jello Biafra and a slew of others have to say .
7. To yell, scream, pump your fist and flash the peace sign at a White House that is incompetent, secretive, disconnected, uncaring, unethical, and immoral.
7 reasons not to go to the protests in DC this weekend.
1. Multiple signs, slogans, and rally chanting points have made recent protests seem like an unfocused mob of radicals.
2. Hurricane Rita re-breaching the levees of New Orleans make me think now might not be the best time. Even Michael Moore is focusing his energy on helping the people of Louisiana right now, instead of attending in DC. I know he has his cameras with him, but he is providing more than his fair share of aid.
3. Hurricane Rita will take all the media's attention this weekend, especially the 30 seconds worth of coverage they had planned for the protests.
4. They didn't work before the war, at the start of the war, or before the last election.
5. Both sides continuing to scream at eachother may actually be, in the words of John Stewart, "hurting America".
6. There may be more effective ways to use my energy for the betterment of my country and against these asses of evil.
7. Giving yourself a break, and sleeping in on Saturday.
Update: 8. Going to see the Dalai Lama speak at Rutgers University early Sunday morning.
1. Bush is ruining Our country's economy, destroying the environment, nullifying Our credibility and standing in the world, has willfully mislead a Nation to War, appoints cronies, with absolutely no experience, to jobs that have Our Safety in their descriptions, hires journalists to sell his programs, allows fake reporters into his pressroom to float softballs, and on and on and on.
2. Bush's war of choice in Iraq has cost Us $170,000,000,000.00+ and we still have not found the weapons of mass destruction or any other urgent or unique threat posed by saddam hussein that "justified" this "preemptive strike".
3. To visibly (and audibly) show the support, solidarity, and passion of those of us against this administration and its policies.
4. The 1907 American troops and 26054 Iraqi civilians that are dead.
5. To know that you are not alone in being angry and obsessed with Our Federal government and its policies.
6. To hear what Cindy Sheehan, Ian McKaye, Steve Earle, Wayne Kramer, Jello Biafra and a slew of others have to say .
7. To yell, scream, pump your fist and flash the peace sign at a White House that is incompetent, secretive, disconnected, uncaring, unethical, and immoral.
7 reasons not to go to the protests in DC this weekend.
1. Multiple signs, slogans, and rally chanting points have made recent protests seem like an unfocused mob of radicals.
2. Hurricane Rita re-breaching the levees of New Orleans make me think now might not be the best time. Even Michael Moore is focusing his energy on helping the people of Louisiana right now, instead of attending in DC. I know he has his cameras with him, but he is providing more than his fair share of aid.
3. Hurricane Rita will take all the media's attention this weekend, especially the 30 seconds worth of coverage they had planned for the protests.
4. They didn't work before the war, at the start of the war, or before the last election.
5. Both sides continuing to scream at eachother may actually be, in the words of John Stewart, "hurting America".
6. There may be more effective ways to use my energy for the betterment of my country and against these asses of evil.
7. Giving yourself a break, and sleeping in on Saturday.
Update: 8. Going to see the Dalai Lama speak at Rutgers University early Sunday morning.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
I was wrong.
Up until now, it has been very hard for me to restrain the rage that I have felt since tv cameras started to show the stranded, dying, and desperate in New Orleans. In private, that anger has been matched by guilt. I feel guilty for not mourning the death and devastation that Hurricane Katrina has caused. For the million plus people who were evacuated and have been rescued the nightmare of the past week and a half is over, but they have awakened to a life without their family, their home, their possessions or their job (those who held one). People from throughout the Country have come forward with help. For some that aid has been monetary. Others have sent food, clothing, diapers, toys, and other necessities. Cities are “adopting” cities and towns. People are opening up their homes to perfect strangers.
This is a National crisis of unprecedented proportion, and should be treated as such, by those in Our government and those of us who like to talk about Our government.
As they continue to rescue and recover Americans, the immediate focus should be on the quest to find “new lives” for the refugees of this storm. There may be towns in the US that have lost a lot of their workforce due to factory closings or other residential flight. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to set up housing where jobs exist, and get these people started as soon as possible. The feeling of abandonment must weigh heavy on those who waited for days for help, without any communication with or from the outside world. Taking these people to a place where they may have a “real” future may begin to reinstall a faith that Our government cares for Our people and does everything in its power to protect and support them. Once New Orleans is drained and decontaminated, perhaps refugees can be offered jobs in its reconstruction. Maybe this could happen in Mississippi even sooner, because there is no standing liquid there. This, too, is well off in the distance. Though, planning it certainly is not.
My only defense, and it really is not much of one, is the fear that things will be forgotten and/or covered up. There is a fear that web sites will be scrubbed of pages concerning the five days following Hurricane Katrina’s landfall and the three days before it. Such activity has occurred before. The scale and the cost of the failures that took place in response to this storm are far too large to be forgotten. An independent investigation will put together a timeline much more complete than anything we have seen as of yet. That investigation should be conducted sooner rather than later, but now is not the time.
I know this email/blog will attract negative responses, as the last one did. I am not writing it in an attempt to kowtow to any opinion, except that now is not the time. It is hard for me to contain my bile when I see Americans suffer, as these Americans did, on their/Our own land. Sympathy and support is what they need right now, not the angry focus on what went wrong or who should be held accountable. Those who are responsible for the safety of the American public failed. But first, we must figure out how to help those citizens who have survived, identify and count those that have not, and resurrect New Orleans, Biloxi, and the rest of the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Mississippi.
I apologize if my early politicizing detracted from what the people of this region of Our Country have endured and continue to endure. My anger would not have been as uncontrollable had things in the immediate wake of Hurricane Katrina gone differently.
This is a National crisis of unprecedented proportion, and should be treated as such, by those in Our government and those of us who like to talk about Our government.
As they continue to rescue and recover Americans, the immediate focus should be on the quest to find “new lives” for the refugees of this storm. There may be towns in the US that have lost a lot of their workforce due to factory closings or other residential flight. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to set up housing where jobs exist, and get these people started as soon as possible. The feeling of abandonment must weigh heavy on those who waited for days for help, without any communication with or from the outside world. Taking these people to a place where they may have a “real” future may begin to reinstall a faith that Our government cares for Our people and does everything in its power to protect and support them. Once New Orleans is drained and decontaminated, perhaps refugees can be offered jobs in its reconstruction. Maybe this could happen in Mississippi even sooner, because there is no standing liquid there. This, too, is well off in the distance. Though, planning it certainly is not.
My only defense, and it really is not much of one, is the fear that things will be forgotten and/or covered up. There is a fear that web sites will be scrubbed of pages concerning the five days following Hurricane Katrina’s landfall and the three days before it. Such activity has occurred before. The scale and the cost of the failures that took place in response to this storm are far too large to be forgotten. An independent investigation will put together a timeline much more complete than anything we have seen as of yet. That investigation should be conducted sooner rather than later, but now is not the time.
I know this email/blog will attract negative responses, as the last one did. I am not writing it in an attempt to kowtow to any opinion, except that now is not the time. It is hard for me to contain my bile when I see Americans suffer, as these Americans did, on their/Our own land. Sympathy and support is what they need right now, not the angry focus on what went wrong or who should be held accountable. Those who are responsible for the safety of the American public failed. But first, we must figure out how to help those citizens who have survived, identify and count those that have not, and resurrect New Orleans, Biloxi, and the rest of the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Mississippi.
I apologize if my early politicizing detracted from what the people of this region of Our Country have endured and continue to endure. My anger would not have been as uncontrollable had things in the immediate wake of Hurricane Katrina gone differently.
Why were they waiting?
The aircraft carrier, USS Bataan, went under used in the Gulf from day one. They stood there, awaiting orders, as we watched Americans plead for help. Whose orders were they waiting for? Why did they wait so long to give them?
The USS Bataan can make up to 100,000 gallons of its own water a day.
The USS Bataan can make up to 100,000 gallons of its own water a day.
For all of you talking point line toters out there.
There is a Katrina timeline (with plenty of back up) available at Think Progress. It shows that not only did Gov. Katheen Blanco declare a State of Emergency on the Friday before Katrina hit, but it was declared a FEDERAL emergency the Saturday before landfall. That gave rise to this White House statement, released on August 27, 2005 “Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.” Not to mention the fact that the Gulf Coast States requested troop assistance from the Pentagon back on Friday August 26, 2005. Lack of leadership at the Federal level is what is most at fault in the response to Hurricane Katrina. The buck stops at the president. Pictures of him with acoustic guitars and birthday cakes show you where his head was.
Absolutely Disgusting!
How low can this man's politics possibly go? Firefighters are told to assemble in Atlanta. They do. They wait... and wait for orders to proceed to assist those who are crying out for help. But after handing out FEMA flyers what's their first assignment. "Stand beside President Bush as he tours devastated areas". Absolutely disgusting!
Friday, September 02, 2005
Finally!
Finally help arrives. This after a desperate heartfelt plea from New Orleans Mayor and a pathetic photo op with the president. I only hope 7,000 Guardsman will be enough.
Update: There will be 30,000 National Guard Troops sent to the Gulf Region.
Update: There will be 30,000 National Guard Troops sent to the Gulf Region.
"The results are not acceptable"
You're GODDAM right they're not, Mr. president. As New Orleans police superintendent Edwin P. Compass III put it "We're in our fifth day and adequate help to quell the situation has not arrived yet,".
Why has it taken so long? Why do I not see a sky full of helicopters over New Orleans? Why are the waters not filled with boats? FIVE DAYS!!! Where is Operation New Orleans Rescue? It is absolutely unbelievable!
Why has it taken so long? Why do I not see a sky full of helicopters over New Orleans? Why are the waters not filled with boats? FIVE DAYS!!! Where is Operation New Orleans Rescue? It is absolutely unbelievable!
Thursday, September 01, 2005
They need Our help.
It's impossible to imagine what the people of coastal Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are going through. Their homes obliterated. Their belongings washed and/or blown out of existence. Family and friends killed or missing. They've gone days without water, food, electricity, or air conditioning. Thousands of refugees migrated to a Superdome shelter only to be shuttled to the Astrodome after the first fell victim to the rising waters and raging winds. Some families have lived in these southern towns and cities for generations, only to have everything destroyed. The liquid they walk through is a mix of water, sewage, gasoline, and death. There is no food left to even loot. 30,000 National Guard troops are being sent in. Why it took this long to have them sent in is part poor planning by the federal government (there was at least two to three days of warnings before this storm made land fall) and part because of the use and overuse of the National Guard as an occupying force in bush's War in Iraq. But now is not the time for that discussion.
These refugees need our help. Their lives, homes, livelihoods, and communities have been taken by Hurricane Katrina. It's going to be a long, long time before the million plus refugees of the gulf coast will be able to get their "life back in order" as the president optimistically put it Wednesday afternoon. Right now you can help by donating your money or your time to the Red Cross.
I'm not a religious person, but there is a candle wrapped in Mardi Gras beads lit in Hoboken in remembrance of one of my favorite cities in the world.
Update: There were and are plenty of National Guard in this Country to have brought aid and order to New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Regions of Lousiana and Mississippi, they were just waiting for orders.
These refugees need our help. Their lives, homes, livelihoods, and communities have been taken by Hurricane Katrina. It's going to be a long, long time before the million plus refugees of the gulf coast will be able to get their "life back in order" as the president optimistically put it Wednesday afternoon. Right now you can help by donating your money or your time to the Red Cross.
I'm not a religious person, but there is a candle wrapped in Mardi Gras beads lit in Hoboken in remembrance of one of my favorite cities in the world.
Update: There were and are plenty of National Guard in this Country to have brought aid and order to New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Regions of Lousiana and Mississippi, they were just waiting for orders.
Astounding!
This picture of the president of the United States was taken on Tuesday August 30, 2005. While victims of the worst natural disaster in our nation's history were wading through the south, looking for shelter, their "leader", in a "My Pet Goat" moment, was strumming away on his presidential guitar. In fairness, he is "cutting his vacation short" by two days to go back to work in Washington (poor guy only got a month off).
2.7 million people without power, families being rescued off of rooftops by helicopter, no air conditioning in 90+ degree Louisiana and Mississippi heat, hundreds of thousands evacuated not to return to their homes for months, if there is a home left at all, and what does Our president do on day one? He plays a little guitar backstage with country Singer Mark Wills. The lack of serious leadership from this man is astounding.
I'm sure there are 6,000+ National Guard soldiers, from Lousiana and Mississippi, that wish they were home to help.
You can help the relief effort by donating your money or your time to the Red Cross.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Right Wing Wackos, Leadership, and Our vacationer and chief
Pat robertson LIED when he first tried to back away from his statements on assassinating the democratically elected leader of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez. Mr. Chavez recently made the buried news for giving land titles to 6, of an eventual 15, indigenous tribes, who had rightful claim to their land. No wonder robertson was pissed off, that was down right christian of Chavez, don't you think? Chavez, who's now thinking of taking legal action against robertson, first responded with a "who is pat robertson?" Well Mr. Chavez, aside from inciting violence against you, robertson is an evangelist that has the ear of the president of the United States; much like an astrologer once had the ear of a former first lady. He also runs a "school of law" which I'm sure has been "intelligently designed" to make it illegal for anyone but him and his friends to yell fire in a crowded theater.
And speaking of conservative wackos speaking out, how about former dead head ann coulter saying "the residents [of New York] would immediately surrender" if attacked by terrorists. I guess there is still one person that needs the president to remind them of what happened on and right after September 11, 2001. Where's rudy guiliani with the rebuttal on this? How about some "Leadership" rudy?
Speaking of leadership, at least two Democrats seem to be stepping up. Wesley Clark, who is guest blogging at TPMCafe, had an excellent conversation starting piece on a real strategy for Iraq in the Washington Post last week. Senator Russell Feingold has also taken to the plate and the stump, speaking out for a target date for withdrawing troops. It is not a "cut and run" policy. It's called an "exit strategy". Something the reds, junior included, were in favor of before getting us into their quagmire in Iraq. That is one question I would like to see asked of this president and his administration, war mongers in particular, "Did Operation Iraqi Freedom have a clearly identified exit strategy before it began?" Of course Our president doesn't answer questions of those who oppose his views. His response to questions regarding the parent of fallen serviceman, Casey Sheehan, was "I think it's also important for me to go on with my life". That says a lot about this vacationer in chief, a spoiled man/child that has been handed everything his entire life, by daddy and his friends. That explains Our country's the rich get richer and the poor grow in number economy.
And speaking of conservative wackos speaking out, how about former dead head ann coulter saying "the residents [of New York] would immediately surrender" if attacked by terrorists. I guess there is still one person that needs the president to remind them of what happened on and right after September 11, 2001. Where's rudy guiliani with the rebuttal on this? How about some "Leadership" rudy?
Speaking of leadership, at least two Democrats seem to be stepping up. Wesley Clark, who is guest blogging at TPMCafe, had an excellent conversation starting piece on a real strategy for Iraq in the Washington Post last week. Senator Russell Feingold has also taken to the plate and the stump, speaking out for a target date for withdrawing troops. It is not a "cut and run" policy. It's called an "exit strategy". Something the reds, junior included, were in favor of before getting us into their quagmire in Iraq. That is one question I would like to see asked of this president and his administration, war mongers in particular, "Did Operation Iraqi Freedom have a clearly identified exit strategy before it began?" Of course Our president doesn't answer questions of those who oppose his views. His response to questions regarding the parent of fallen serviceman, Casey Sheehan, was "I think it's also important for me to go on with my life". That says a lot about this vacationer in chief, a spoiled man/child that has been handed everything his entire life, by daddy and his friends. That explains Our country's the rich get richer and the poor grow in number economy.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Yellow Chicken Hawks... the lott of them.
Operation Yellow Elephant
I was recently re-emailed this list of politicians and pundits. It makes me sick to see the red "chicken hawks" support the president's War of Choice and Aggression in Iraq, sending of the sons and daughters of others to fight for their political and material spoils.
Democrats:
Richard Gephardt: Air National Guard, 1965-71.
David Bonior: Staff Sgt., Air Force 1968-72.
Tom Daschle: 1st Lt., Air Force SAC 1969-72.
Al Gore: enlisted Aug. 1969; sent to Vietnam Jan. 1971 as an army journalist in 20th Engineer Brigade.
Bob Kerrey: Lt. j.g. Navy 1966-69; Medal of Honor, Vietnam.
Daniel Inouye: Army 1943-47; Medal of Honor, WWII.
John Kerry: Lt., Navy 1966-70; Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V, Purple Hearts.
Charles Rangel: Staff Sgt., Army 1948-52; Bronze Star, Korea.
Max Cleland: Captain, Army 1965-68; Silver Star & Bronze Star, Vietnam.
Ted Kennedy: Army, 1951-53.
Tom Harkin: Lt., Navy, 1962-67; Naval Reserve, 1968-74.
Jack Reed: Army Ranger, 1971-1979; Captain, Army Reserve 1979-91.
Fritz Hollings: Army officer in WWII; Bronze Star and seven campaign ribbons.
Leonard Boswell: Lt. Col., Army 1956-76; Vietnam, DFCs, Bronze Stars, and Soldier's Medal.
Pete Peterson: Air Force Captain, POW. Purple Heart, Silver Star and Legion of Merit.
Mike Thompson: Staff sergeant, 173rd Airborne, Purple Heart.
Bill McBride: Candidate for Fla. Governor. Marine in Vietnam; Bronze Star with Combat V.
Gray Davis: Army Captain in Vietnam, Bronze Star.
Pete Stark: Air Force 1955-57
Chuck Robb: Vietnam
Howell Heflin: Silver Star
George McGovern: Silver Star & DFC during WWII.
Bill Clinton: Did not serve. Student deferments. Entered draft but received #311.
Jimmy Carter: Seven years in the Navy.
Walter Mondale: Army 1951-1953
John Glenn: WWII and Korea; six DFCs and Air Medal with 18 Clusters.
Tom Lantos: Served in Hungarian underground in WWII. Saved by Raoul Wallenberg.
Republicans:
George W. Bush: failed to complete his six-year National Guard; got assigned to Alabama so he could campaign for family friend running for U.S. Senate; failed to show up for required medical exam, disappeared from duty.
Dick Cheney: did not serve. Several deferments, the last by marriage.
Dennis Hastert: did not serve.
Tom Delay: did not serve.
Roy Blunt: did not serve.
Bill Frist: did not serve.
Mitch McConnell: did not serve.
Rick Santorum: did not serve.
Trent Lott: did not serve.
John Ashcroft: did not serve. Seven deferments to teach business.
Jeb Bush: did not serve.
Karl Rove: did not serve.
Saxby Chambliss: did not serve. "Bad knee." The man who attacked Max Cleland's patriotism.
Paul Wolfowitz: did not serve.
Vin Weber: did not serve.
Richard Perle: did not serve.
Douglas Feith: did not serve.
Eliot Abrams: did not serve.
Richard Shelby: did not serve.
Jon Kyl: did not serve.
Tim Hutchison: did not serve.
Christopher Cox: did not serve.
Newt Gingrich: did not serve.
Don Rumsfeld: served in Navy (1954-57) as flight instructor.
B-1 Bob Dornan: Consciously enlisted after fighting was over in Korea.
Phil Gramm: did not serve.
John McCain: Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross.
Dana Rohrabacher: did not serve.
John M. McHugh: did not serve.
JC Watts: did not serve.
Jack Kemp: did not serve. "Knee problem," although continued in NFL for 8 years.
Dan Quayle: Journalism unit of the Indiana National Guard.
Rudy Giuliani: did not serve.
George Pataki: did not serve.
Spencer Abraham: did not serve.
John Engler: did not serve.
Lindsey Graham: National Guard lawyer.
Arnold Schwarzenegger: AWOL from Austrian army base.
Ronald Reagan: due to poor eyesight, served in a non-combat role making movies.
Pundits & Preachers
Sean Hannity: did not serve.
Rush Limbaugh: did not serve (4-F with a 'pilonidal cyst.')
Bill O'Reilly: did not serve.
Michael Savage: did not serve.
George Will: did not serve.
Chris Matthews: did not serve.
Paul Gigot: did not serve.
Bill Bennett: did not serve.
Pat Buchanan: did not serve.
Bill Kristol: did not serve.
Kenneth Starr: did not serve.
Antonin Scalia: did not serve.
Clarence Thomas: did not serve.
Ralph Reed: did not serve.
Michael Medved: did not serve.
Charlie Daniels: did not serve.
Ted Nugent: did not serve. (He only shoots at things that don't shoot back.)
John Wayne: did not serve.
"From that day to this, our country has always counted on the bravest among us to answer the call of duty."
-Cheney
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Dr. Hunter S. Thompson's final farewell.
Our Doctor
Remains blast to the heavens
Hallowed be thy name
Our kingdom was dumb
When this War was begun
For fear that they'd be dubbed Ex-patriots
Give us this day to speak our rage
And forgive us our restrained dissent
As we sit and fear those that will rise up against us
Those who slander and mislead Our nation
And preach not the end of terror
But to displace Ours onto Them.
Forgive the US good doctor for buying the ticket to this ridiculous ride. For being bamboozled by a swine infested white house, spewing oil at every pore. For listening to the fear mongers and the corporate shark propagandists. Grant us peace and unity in our day. Let us offer each other a sign of peace.
Hunter S. Thomson's last wish was granted last Sunday, the first televised day on the 2005 football season. Coincidence? Though in hindsight, maybe the hilarious first Sunday (Go Simpsons!)of the new fall season on FOX would have fit nicely too. Way to remember September 11th, Rupert. Thompson's ashes were shot out of a 150 foot tall "Gonzo" cannon during a zambelli fireworks. Johny Depp, who paid for most of it, was there along with Ed Bradley, Senator John Kerry, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and about 250 other invited guests. The vacuum created by the loss of our icons seems to be growing. Who will wear the next set of shoes so impossible to fill. We'll miss you Dr. Thompson.
Friday, August 19, 2005
"I am a war president."
The vacationer in chief has officially broken the record for days off from Our White House. Imagine if he had to punch a clock or fill out a time sheet like so many of us have to.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Support the Troops, Oppose the War!
Yesterday (8/9/5) a man dressed in military blues looked me in the eye with incredible disdain and said "Fuck You Faggot!" as he spit at my feet. True story. I can only assume it was the peace sign on my bag that the man didn't like. Perhaps he had fought for Our freedom or more recently Iraq's freedom. I can understand his frustration with seeing an able bodied American male in shorts and a Jersey Fresh shirt running a community farmers' market. Not only was I not putting my life on the line for Iraq's freedom, but I was flaunting my opposition to both the war and the president by affixing a NO-W button and peace button to the bag on my back, not to mention the audacity of placing an American flag pin complete with red, white, and blue ribbon between them.
I think of Our troops everytime I pick up the newspaper. Everytime I read that more soldiers have been killed or injured by increasingly sophisticated roadside bombs or ambushes it gives me a sick feeling deep in my stomach. I am against bush's War of choice in Iraq, but I am not against Our troops. Soon to be "medically retired" US Army private Terry Rodgers said it best while lying in a Walter Reed hospital bed. A nurse had asked him if he would like to meet president bush He responded "I don't want anything to do with him," "My belief is that his ego is getting people killed and mutilated for no reason -- just his ego and his reputation. If we really wanted to, we could pull out of Iraq. Maybe not completely but enough that we wouldn't be losing people -- at least not at this rate. So I think he himself is responsible for quite a few American deaths." Mr. Rodgers's story is hard to read, but is certainly important. A friend of mine, whose son is currently fighting in Baghdad, tells me that we don't know the real story of what's going on over there. And, unfortunately, she is not refering to the rosy picture the administration and their friends say the "liberal media" is not covering.
War is hell. War is horror. War is violence unfathomable to me, as I'm sure it is to many. That is why it should be the "last resort". There should be no other choice. That was not the case with this war. We heard "urgent", "unique", "mushroom cloud", "Threat", "weapons of mass destruction". All of which were false. We told the inspectors to leave. This was a predetermined plan thrust upon a nation engulfed in feelings of fear and national vulnerability. A war that's only remaining rationale is humantarian, despite the fact that it is killing thousands.
Terry Rodgers is not the only military personnel speaking out against this war. I can't imagine what it's like to wake up, pick up a gun, and face an enemy willing to take their own life so that one more American or American sympathizer is killed. It takes bravery and discipline that should only be employed when the threat against the United States is clear, present, and dare I say it, imminent.
The bush administration needs to be held accountable for the selling of this War.
"After eleven years during which we have tried containment, sanctions, inspections, even selected military action, the end result is that Saddam Hussein still has chemical and biological weapons and is increasing his capabilities to make more. And he is moving ever closer to developing a nuclear weapon."
-the president October 7, 2002
WRONG!!!!
Support the Troops! Bring them home!
I think of Our troops everytime I pick up the newspaper. Everytime I read that more soldiers have been killed or injured by increasingly sophisticated roadside bombs or ambushes it gives me a sick feeling deep in my stomach. I am against bush's War of choice in Iraq, but I am not against Our troops. Soon to be "medically retired" US Army private Terry Rodgers said it best while lying in a Walter Reed hospital bed. A nurse had asked him if he would like to meet president bush He responded "I don't want anything to do with him," "My belief is that his ego is getting people killed and mutilated for no reason -- just his ego and his reputation. If we really wanted to, we could pull out of Iraq. Maybe not completely but enough that we wouldn't be losing people -- at least not at this rate. So I think he himself is responsible for quite a few American deaths." Mr. Rodgers's story is hard to read, but is certainly important. A friend of mine, whose son is currently fighting in Baghdad, tells me that we don't know the real story of what's going on over there. And, unfortunately, she is not refering to the rosy picture the administration and their friends say the "liberal media" is not covering.
War is hell. War is horror. War is violence unfathomable to me, as I'm sure it is to many. That is why it should be the "last resort". There should be no other choice. That was not the case with this war. We heard "urgent", "unique", "mushroom cloud", "Threat", "weapons of mass destruction". All of which were false. We told the inspectors to leave. This was a predetermined plan thrust upon a nation engulfed in feelings of fear and national vulnerability. A war that's only remaining rationale is humantarian, despite the fact that it is killing thousands.
Terry Rodgers is not the only military personnel speaking out against this war. I can't imagine what it's like to wake up, pick up a gun, and face an enemy willing to take their own life so that one more American or American sympathizer is killed. It takes bravery and discipline that should only be employed when the threat against the United States is clear, present, and dare I say it, imminent.
The bush administration needs to be held accountable for the selling of this War.
"After eleven years during which we have tried containment, sanctions, inspections, even selected military action, the end result is that Saddam Hussein still has chemical and biological weapons and is increasing his capabilities to make more. And he is moving ever closer to developing a nuclear weapon."
-the president October 7, 2002
WRONG!!!!
Support the Troops! Bring them home!
Friday, August 05, 2005
I think that is Bullsh*t!!!!!!
Did Mr. self righteous, james dobson, really say "In World War II, the Nazis experimented on human beings in horrible ways in the concentration camps, and I imagine, if you wanted to take the time to read about it, there would have been some discoveries there that benefited mankind."
Something done at a nazi concentration camp could have "benefited mankind"? WOW!
To quote bob novak "I think that's bullshit."
And do you know what else is "bullshit"? Our Commander in Chief telling us that "we are at war" while he's off to his vacation home in Texas. Maybe he'll sign the "energy bill" surrounded by all his old (and future) oil buddies. They're sure celebrating this latest corporate give away. Who knew the United States would further subsidize an industry that's already swimming in profit? Oh wait... we all did.
My favorite piece of dung flung this week came from the President's statements on "intelligent design" in our schools. "I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought. You’re asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas, the answer is yes."
You're right, Mr. President, people should be exposed to different ideas in school. The native american point of view of Our country's early history, for instance. That our "founding fathers" were human. That homosexuality exists and some people think that's just fine. How about the school of thought that there is no god? Now that would be a good class for a sixth grader, wouldn't it Mr. President? There is no evidence of creationism ("intelligent design"). It is strictly faith based, and religous faith should not be taught in Our Public schools.
Something done at a nazi concentration camp could have "benefited mankind"? WOW!
To quote bob novak "I think that's bullshit."
And do you know what else is "bullshit"? Our Commander in Chief telling us that "we are at war" while he's off to his vacation home in Texas. Maybe he'll sign the "energy bill" surrounded by all his old (and future) oil buddies. They're sure celebrating this latest corporate give away. Who knew the United States would further subsidize an industry that's already swimming in profit? Oh wait... we all did.
My favorite piece of dung flung this week came from the President's statements on "intelligent design" in our schools. "I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought. You’re asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas, the answer is yes."
You're right, Mr. President, people should be exposed to different ideas in school. The native american point of view of Our country's early history, for instance. That our "founding fathers" were human. That homosexuality exists and some people think that's just fine. How about the school of thought that there is no god? Now that would be a good class for a sixth grader, wouldn't it Mr. President? There is no evidence of creationism ("intelligent design"). It is strictly faith based, and religous faith should not be taught in Our Public schools.
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Enemy Combative Treatment
Whether the bush boys call it "the War on Terror" or the "struggle against violent extremism", the open ended fight against "evil doers" has people worried. Red Senators, like former POW john mccain, are beginning to enter the fray concerning the treatment of prisoners, excuse me "unlawful enemy combatants". Even U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour sounded off on secret military tribunals and the right to counsel while sentencing the "millennium bomber" to 22 years for plotting to bomb Los Angeles airport on millennium eve. The Washington Post recently reported that some of the now infamous interrogation tactics used in abu ghraib began at guantanamo bay. No wonder the president is blocking the release of more images from the American controlled prison in Iraq. New reports of abuses continue to come in, from electrocution and extortion to beatings with sledgehammer handles.
Don't get me wrong. I understand that "these people behead their enemies". They certainly do not abide by the Geneva Conventions. But we should hold ourselves to a higher standard, and I believe, in part, that we do. But "in part" is not good enough. Aren't We there to fight oppression and torture chambers (not to compare Our torture with that of saddam's).
I am one of the 51% of Americans who believe We were mislead into this war. And life in Baghdad doesn't seem to have improved since We invaded. My problem is not with , it's with the chicken hawks in charge of them. This war is about greed, oil, Halliburton and a new guantanamo bay facility in the middle of the middle east. And with the "exit strategy" changing depending on who you talk to, the outcome of the struggle/war does not look good.
Don't get me wrong. I understand that "these people behead their enemies". They certainly do not abide by the Geneva Conventions. But we should hold ourselves to a higher standard, and I believe, in part, that we do. But "in part" is not good enough. Aren't We there to fight oppression and torture chambers (not to compare Our torture with that of saddam's).
I am one of the 51% of Americans who believe We were mislead into this war. And life in Baghdad doesn't seem to have improved since We invaded. My problem is not with , it's with the chicken hawks in charge of them. This war is about greed, oil, Halliburton and a new guantanamo bay facility in the middle of the middle east. And with the "exit strategy" changing depending on who you talk to, the outcome of the struggle/war does not look good.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Hey "Free" Press! Pull This!
Gary Trudeau has angered the "liberal" media again, causing certain papers to pull his comic strip "Doonesbury". At issue is the use of the president's nick name for karl rove. That nick name... "Turd Blossom". What would Uncle Duke do?
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
It's Away!
Space shuttle Discovery launched successfully at 10:39 AM, July 26, 2005. Marking the first shuttle launch since February 1, 2003. Congratulations NASA! Well done!
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Stay on Target...Stay on Target
The president has once again taken a matter, vital to our National interests, and used it as a poltical tool. In this instance, what the president needed was a change in spotlight. On July 19, 2005 (a week ahead of schedule) bush nominated a "blank slate", "conservative leaning" (at the very least), advisor during the 2000 Florida recount to the Supreme Court of these United States. That being said, I am going to try to refrain from commenting/attacking this two year judge until his hearings, which will most likely occur during our "war time" president's MONTH LONG VACATION, also known as August. The amazing thing is.... the spotlight hasn't changed.
The nasty little mess rover and cheney's chief of staff, scooter, got themselves into, while they were coming up with, then CIA director george tenet's statement on the uranium that saddam Wasn't getting out of Niger, seems to have stuck in the craw of the newly found press. Maybe these bush administration officials didn't get the June 10 State Department memo classifying Valerie Plame's identity as TS. No, not that TS, the one that means "Top Secret". Apparantly former bush mouth piece, ari fleischer, was seen holding it. Although that's, reportedly, that's not what he said to the Grand Jury. A Grand Jury indeed. So grand that john bolton may have even talked to them. I wonder if he'll be recess appointed as the United States Ambassador to the UN, while Judith Miller is in jail refusing to say he was her source. Wouldn't that be something? I wonder if the discrepancies in the testimony of rove, scooter, and Matt Cooper amount to obstruction of justice or perjury. You remember Matt, he spoke with the treasonous duo after the State Department memo was issued. And condi thinks Sudan has a "credibility problem".
And while the "media" has not been distracted (a miracle) from the scandal even with the Supreme Court nomination, other stories have been servicing. Like the current Iraqi Prime Minister laying a wreath on the grave of ayatollah khomeini, praising him while trying to better his friendship with his neighbor, Iran. That doesn't sound too good. How about the fact that the NY Times reported that "half of the police units and two-thirds of the new army battalions are only 'partially capable' of carrying out counterinsurgency missions, and only with American help" in Iraq. That seems a much less rosy picture than the 160,000 Iraqi troops the administration continues to tout as ready. No wonder rummy and the boys are trying to up the recruitment age to 42. It's a good thing that karen hughes has finally had enough of her family and is coming back to work public diplomacy for junior. He can use all the help he can get. Hopefully, it still won't be enough.
"I don't know Joe Wilson. I've never met Joe Wilson. I don't know who sent Joe Wilson. He never submitted a report that I ever saw when he came back."
-dick cheney
Mr. vice president, that is getting harder and harder to believe.
The nasty little mess rover and cheney's chief of staff, scooter, got themselves into, while they were coming up with, then CIA director george tenet's statement on the uranium that saddam Wasn't getting out of Niger, seems to have stuck in the craw of the newly found press. Maybe these bush administration officials didn't get the June 10 State Department memo classifying Valerie Plame's identity as TS. No, not that TS, the one that means "Top Secret". Apparantly former bush mouth piece, ari fleischer, was seen holding it. Although that's, reportedly, that's not what he said to the Grand Jury. A Grand Jury indeed. So grand that john bolton may have even talked to them. I wonder if he'll be recess appointed as the United States Ambassador to the UN, while Judith Miller is in jail refusing to say he was her source. Wouldn't that be something? I wonder if the discrepancies in the testimony of rove, scooter, and Matt Cooper amount to obstruction of justice or perjury. You remember Matt, he spoke with the treasonous duo after the State Department memo was issued. And condi thinks Sudan has a "credibility problem".
And while the "media" has not been distracted (a miracle) from the scandal even with the Supreme Court nomination, other stories have been servicing. Like the current Iraqi Prime Minister laying a wreath on the grave of ayatollah khomeini, praising him while trying to better his friendship with his neighbor, Iran. That doesn't sound too good. How about the fact that the NY Times reported that "half of the police units and two-thirds of the new army battalions are only 'partially capable' of carrying out counterinsurgency missions, and only with American help" in Iraq. That seems a much less rosy picture than the 160,000 Iraqi troops the administration continues to tout as ready. No wonder rummy and the boys are trying to up the recruitment age to 42. It's a good thing that karen hughes has finally had enough of her family and is coming back to work public diplomacy for junior. He can use all the help he can get. Hopefully, it still won't be enough.
"I don't know Joe Wilson. I've never met Joe Wilson. I don't know who sent Joe Wilson. He never submitted a report that I ever saw when he came back."
-dick cheney
Mr. vice president, that is getting harder and harder to believe.
Friday, July 22, 2005
Gas prices got you down?
Looking for someone to blame? OPEC? The Saudis?
Well, you don't hear oil companies complaining. "By just about any measure, the past three years have produced one of the biggest cash gushers in the oil industry’s history." They must have friends as high up as their social conscience (if they have one) is low. Praise be to capitalism.
Well, you don't hear oil companies complaining. "By just about any measure, the past three years have produced one of the biggest cash gushers in the oil industry’s history." They must have friends as high up as their social conscience (if they have one) is low. Praise be to capitalism.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Move over rover....
(image stolen from Americablog)It's hard to surf the "internets" lately without running into benedict rove. I've had probably a dozen petitions emailed to me in the past two days calling for rover's resignation and/or expulsion from Our White House. With hesitant glee I sign them all and wholeheartedly agree. The president should suspend/revoke karl's security clearance privileges and then send him back to Texas. He can hang out with karen hughes and our other favorite red criminal tom delay.
The question is how long can the little prince and his flunky keep their fingers in their already cracking dyke of credibility that is currently holding back a river of rove detractors, without retracting any of the "ridiculous" statements they made during the beginning of the federal grand jury investigation? We will have to see. The "I never said her name" defense should go about as far as "it depends on what the definition of is is" did, especially since he is quoted in a Matt Cooper email referring to Valerie Plame as "wilson's wife". Legal hairsplitting didn't work for President Clinton, but the "impeachment by any means necessary" attitude of reds at that time is very different from the until recently timid Democratic Party of today.
Legality aside, what rove has done is certainly unethical and is at odds with National Security policy. He, at the very least, took part in the outing of a CIA agent for purely political purposes. It is appalling that the reds see this as fine.
Discussing classified information, especially the identity of a CIA agent, with a person who has zero security clearance, whether the party already knows the information or not, warrants a suspension of security clearance privileges. It is yet another black mark on the weak and weakening credibility of this administration, in particular, how they dealt with those critical of their march to war in Iraq. I can still see the WMD flag twirlers now.
"Spoke to Rove on double super secret background for about two mins before he went on vacation ..."
"it was, KR said, wilson's wife, who apparently works at the agency on wmd [weapons of mass destruction] issues who authorized the trip."
- Matt Cooper's email
Whoever, as a result of having authorized access to classified information, learns the identity of a covert agent and intentionally discloses any information identifying such covert agent to any individual not authorized to receive classified information, knowing that the information disclosed so identifies such covert agent and that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal such covert agent’s intelligence relationship to the United States, shall be fined not more than $25,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
- 50 USC 421(b)
Thursday, July 07, 2005
FREE JUDITH MILLER!!!!!!!!!!
Judith Miller, a journalist for the NY Times, has been jailed. Not because she faked credentials to get into the White House press room and ask the president and his flunky questions! Not because she was paid by the administration to praise their policies while still under the guise of neutrality! No, Judith Miller is "being held in civil contempt of court", because she refuses to divulge her source on the Valerie Plame scandal. A scandal that she has not written about.
Senior administration officials made public (first through robert novak) the identity of CIA agent Valerie Plame in an attempt to discredit her husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson. Ambassador Wilson was trying to tell the world that there was no credible evidence that Iraq was seeking significant quantities of uranium from Niger. The president of the United States referenced this claim in his State of the Union Address in 2003 to further scare Us into his War in Iraq. The "documents" supporting the Iraq-Niger uranium connection were forged, and "obvious" fakes at that. The claim remains unfounded.
So there Judith sits. Novak has testified. Time magazine has given the courts the notes of the other journalist involved, Matthew Cooper. Mr. Cooper is now going to testify, and I would assume give up his sources to avoid jail-time.
The ability to conceal your source isn't for the journalist's protection. It is for the source's. Sometimes a source needs to feel free of retribution to be comfortable enough to speak out. In this case, however, the source was not acting as a whistle blower. They instead were acting to distract the public and smear a man for political gain and further their march to their War in Iraq.
I respect Judith Miller for going to jail to keep her source confidential and to adhere to a trust in journalism that should not be breached.
"If journalists cannot be trusted to guarantee confidentiality, then journalists cannot function and there cannot be a free press," "The right of civil disobedience is based on personal conscience, it is fundamental to our system and it is honored throughout our history,"
-Judith Miller from a statement made today after Judge Hogan's ruling
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
United States Constitution
Amendment I - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.
"abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press"
Maybe we should look up freedom in the dictionary. What do you think King Richard?
Senior administration officials made public (first through robert novak) the identity of CIA agent Valerie Plame in an attempt to discredit her husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson. Ambassador Wilson was trying to tell the world that there was no credible evidence that Iraq was seeking significant quantities of uranium from Niger. The president of the United States referenced this claim in his State of the Union Address in 2003 to further scare Us into his War in Iraq. The "documents" supporting the Iraq-Niger uranium connection were forged, and "obvious" fakes at that. The claim remains unfounded.
So there Judith sits. Novak has testified. Time magazine has given the courts the notes of the other journalist involved, Matthew Cooper. Mr. Cooper is now going to testify, and I would assume give up his sources to avoid jail-time.
The ability to conceal your source isn't for the journalist's protection. It is for the source's. Sometimes a source needs to feel free of retribution to be comfortable enough to speak out. In this case, however, the source was not acting as a whistle blower. They instead were acting to distract the public and smear a man for political gain and further their march to their War in Iraq.
I respect Judith Miller for going to jail to keep her source confidential and to adhere to a trust in journalism that should not be breached.
"If journalists cannot be trusted to guarantee confidentiality, then journalists cannot function and there cannot be a free press," "The right of civil disobedience is based on personal conscience, it is fundamental to our system and it is honored throughout our history,"
-Judith Miller from a statement made today after Judge Hogan's ruling
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
United States Constitution
Amendment I - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.
"abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press"
Maybe we should look up freedom in the dictionary. What do you think King Richard?
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
No news is good news, I guess......
Sorry for the extra long gap between posts. I just couldn't think of anything to write about. Sure the latest public relations stunt by the administration, hesitantly covered by the networks, did nothing for Americans' image of our campaigner-in-chief. Zogby's "response to the speech" poll had the little prince's approval rating actually going down since being in front of his non-applauding Fort Bragg military audience. Maybe they had gotten wind of statements made by the Mayor of Baghdad on the lack of water, electricity, and sanitation in that nation's capital after two years of the US led occupation. Or maybe they were just disappointed that he didn't wear his Airborne costume. Junior wasn't the only one with Iraq troubles. "Last throes" dick found himself disagreeing not only with ol' rummy on the Iraq situation, but also the Commander of U.S. Central Command and top American commander for the Middle East, General Abizaid. King Richard doesn't seem to understand that "last" is the word he should be looking up on CNN, not "throes" (as Doonesbury so eloquently points out).
Nothing really to report from the land of the euro (1 EUR = 1.19 US$) either. Italy is seeking to arrest 13 "purported" CIA operatives for kidnapping. Maybe they should give the president's personal assistant a call for more information on their identities. It turns out rover may have had a hand in the Plame outing, after all. It's a shame "rather-gate" won't be investigated. I would have loved to find the assistant's fingerprints all over that forged document. Oh and there was Spain joining Canada in approving same-sex marriages. Geez, didn't these guys learn from US-England relations that we don't do favors for our strongest allies, even with Earth in the Balance. Imagine how we'll treat nations at odds with the intolerant, anything but compassionate, "christian" reds that run our show. Speaking of red, China now seems to think holding Our IOU's, and supplying Our leading department stores is no longer enough. They're starting to buy "US" businesses, starting with oil giant unocal.
So aside from the downing street memos getting a front page spot on the Washington Post, what really was there to report from the past week and a half? A "moderate" reagan appointed supreme court judge who held the "swing vote" on a few KEY issues retired? Let's wait for the Rehnquist shoe to drop before we get into this political bloodbath. Right now the reds can't agree on the legitimacy or role of the Supreme Court, let alone a list of possible nominees.
Actually there was something that happened over this Fourth of July weekend that I found ground breakingly news worthy. NASA, who recently had their funding cut, hit a moving comet with an 820-pound probe at a speed of 23,000 miles per hour, some 83 million miles from Earth. Did you hear that? That's the sound of the entire "star wars" missile defense team's jaws dropping.
"The ultimate test of man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard."
Gaylord Nelson, former governor of Wisconsin, founder of Earth Day (1916-2005)
I was never 'the new Teddy Pendergrass,' 'the new Sam Cooke,' 'the new Otis Redding,' 'the new Marvin Gaye.' I was Luther from day one, from the day I began, and I think that's a very important thing. And I think that's what sustained my career for so long is that when I start, you know it's me.
Luther Vandross (1951-2005)
Nothing really to report from the land of the euro (1 EUR = 1.19 US$) either. Italy is seeking to arrest 13 "purported" CIA operatives for kidnapping. Maybe they should give the president's personal assistant a call for more information on their identities. It turns out rover may have had a hand in the Plame outing, after all. It's a shame "rather-gate" won't be investigated. I would have loved to find the assistant's fingerprints all over that forged document. Oh and there was Spain joining Canada in approving same-sex marriages. Geez, didn't these guys learn from US-England relations that we don't do favors for our strongest allies, even with Earth in the Balance. Imagine how we'll treat nations at odds with the intolerant, anything but compassionate, "christian" reds that run our show. Speaking of red, China now seems to think holding Our IOU's, and supplying Our leading department stores is no longer enough. They're starting to buy "US" businesses, starting with oil giant unocal.
So aside from the downing street memos getting a front page spot on the Washington Post, what really was there to report from the past week and a half? A "moderate" reagan appointed supreme court judge who held the "swing vote" on a few KEY issues retired? Let's wait for the Rehnquist shoe to drop before we get into this political bloodbath. Right now the reds can't agree on the legitimacy or role of the Supreme Court, let alone a list of possible nominees.
Actually there was something that happened over this Fourth of July weekend that I found ground breakingly news worthy. NASA, who recently had their funding cut, hit a moving comet with an 820-pound probe at a speed of 23,000 miles per hour, some 83 million miles from Earth. Did you hear that? That's the sound of the entire "star wars" missile defense team's jaws dropping.
"The ultimate test of man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard."
Gaylord Nelson, former governor of Wisconsin, founder of Earth Day (1916-2005)
I was never 'the new Teddy Pendergrass,' 'the new Sam Cooke,' 'the new Otis Redding,' 'the new Marvin Gaye.' I was Luther from day one, from the day I began, and I think that's a very important thing. And I think that's what sustained my career for so long is that when I start, you know it's me.
Luther Vandross (1951-2005)
Monday, June 27, 2005
A major threat indeed
Major Corporations have been raping our land, destroying our small businesses, and writing government policy for far too long. Their latest conquest...... Ian McKaye's Minor Threat. It's seems that nike has decided to take the album cover art of the indie-credible Minor Threat and rework it into a sneaker ad targeted at skaters, punks and Dischord fans everywhere. This would be fine, although a surprising sell out, if the sweatshop sneaker company asked the band's permission. Surprise, surprise, they didn't. If you haven't already, Stop buying nike. If this theft isn't reason enough for you, check out the documentary "The Big One". For all you fans of nike's subsidiary, converse, and their Chuck Taylor All Star, get the sweat shop free union made version at No Sweat Apparel. We have to vote with our dollars. It's the only thing anyone seems to care about.
"No amount of money is worth losing control of our music."
-Ian MacKaye
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Secracy leads only to speculation.
Iraq's Justice Minister Abdel Hussein Shandal recently said "it seems there are lots of secrets they want to hide." You are absolutely right, sir. Whether it has to do with the US involvement in delaying the trial of saddam hussein to which you refer or the intelligence intercept documents of john bolton that have been requested by the Democrats, it certainly does seem that there are "lots of secrets they want to hide". Why should the little prince and king richard change their secret ways now? Let the GAO put in as many requests as it wants. Dick's duck hunting judge buddy and the head nodders behind him will just rule to secure their secrecy again anyway. This leaves us with only speculation. What fun!
1. Old news - the Energy Task Force
Now I understand that the president and his minions reserve the right to get opinions and counsel from whomever they like, and that if everything said was on the record, perhaps people would speak and act differently. Energy policy is something that has desperately needed to be addressed for a number of years, but all we know about those who drew up this administration's attempt is that there were NO environmentalists involved. Thanks to Justice "quack, quack" scalia's ruling, we're left to speculate. My guess is that the oil industry was very involved, Kenny Boy's Enron in particular. I know that's the odds on favorite. My longer shot is bandar bush. Enron would be understandable enough to the American public, but a Saudi prince? Now that's a reason to keep the task force's identities hidden.
2. Identities - names in secret national security intercepts that Bolton requested and received
The reason bolton continues to get the NO votes out isn't his surly attitude towards his subordinates. It's not because he chases people down hotel hallways. Democrats are demanding that the administration turn over the names of people listed in intelligence intercepts whose identities bolton asked for and received. Now who could be on that list that would keep them from giving the Democrats what they desire to pass bolton through the US Senate. Here's a guess, Valerie Plame. You remember Valerie Plame. She's the active CIA operative whose identity was given to a red columnist by an "administration official". The little prince and his personal assistant used bolton to make sure chads were (weren't) counted correctly back in 2000. Maybe they thought he was just the guy to bring down administration critic, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, by outing his wife and endangering her life. Say what you will reds, Joe Wilson said the yellow cake from Niger "intelligence" was crap, and guess what. It was.
3. the trial of saddam hussein
It's being said that the US is delaying the trial of saddam hussein, and one is left to wonder why. The butcher of baghdad "gassed his own people" back when reagan was president, right? The US actually supported his reign initially, as well as supporting Iraq in their war against Iran. That was until reagan's administration decided to sell arms to Iran so that the US could fund rebels in Nicaragua. So why would the United States want to slow saddam's trial? Since the administration makes no comment on the justice minister's charges let's guess. While we were "supporting" Iraq on the down low during the Iran-Iraq war, maybe just maybe, we provided them with arms. And maybe just maybe, he used those arms on his own people. Or maybe the little prince really is worried about Iraq having a good court and justice system first. Though that does sound like a bit too much fore thought from a man who went into war without a plan for its aftermath, let alone an "exit strategy".
So let the personal assistant come out using 9/11 as a political spin wheel, goading Democrats into saying they were for the war that they now say is a "grotesque mistake". Hey karl, some of us still remember that the War in Afghanistan was the response to 9/11 and remains separate from the War of Choice in Iraq, which is a "grotesque", "quagmire" of a "mistake" requiring more money or military than we can afford to "win".
"The mission must be clear. Soldiers must understand why we're going. The force must be strong enough so that the mission can be accomplished. And the exit strategy needs to be well-defined."
- g.w. flip floppin' bush 10/17/00 in the third Gore-bush presidential debate
1. Old news - the Energy Task Force
Now I understand that the president and his minions reserve the right to get opinions and counsel from whomever they like, and that if everything said was on the record, perhaps people would speak and act differently. Energy policy is something that has desperately needed to be addressed for a number of years, but all we know about those who drew up this administration's attempt is that there were NO environmentalists involved. Thanks to Justice "quack, quack" scalia's ruling, we're left to speculate. My guess is that the oil industry was very involved, Kenny Boy's Enron in particular. I know that's the odds on favorite. My longer shot is bandar bush. Enron would be understandable enough to the American public, but a Saudi prince? Now that's a reason to keep the task force's identities hidden.
2. Identities - names in secret national security intercepts that Bolton requested and received
The reason bolton continues to get the NO votes out isn't his surly attitude towards his subordinates. It's not because he chases people down hotel hallways. Democrats are demanding that the administration turn over the names of people listed in intelligence intercepts whose identities bolton asked for and received. Now who could be on that list that would keep them from giving the Democrats what they desire to pass bolton through the US Senate. Here's a guess, Valerie Plame. You remember Valerie Plame. She's the active CIA operative whose identity was given to a red columnist by an "administration official". The little prince and his personal assistant used bolton to make sure chads were (weren't) counted correctly back in 2000. Maybe they thought he was just the guy to bring down administration critic, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, by outing his wife and endangering her life. Say what you will reds, Joe Wilson said the yellow cake from Niger "intelligence" was crap, and guess what. It was.
3. the trial of saddam hussein
It's being said that the US is delaying the trial of saddam hussein, and one is left to wonder why. The butcher of baghdad "gassed his own people" back when reagan was president, right? The US actually supported his reign initially, as well as supporting Iraq in their war against Iran. That was until reagan's administration decided to sell arms to Iran so that the US could fund rebels in Nicaragua. So why would the United States want to slow saddam's trial? Since the administration makes no comment on the justice minister's charges let's guess. While we were "supporting" Iraq on the down low during the Iran-Iraq war, maybe just maybe, we provided them with arms. And maybe just maybe, he used those arms on his own people. Or maybe the little prince really is worried about Iraq having a good court and justice system first. Though that does sound like a bit too much fore thought from a man who went into war without a plan for its aftermath, let alone an "exit strategy".
So let the personal assistant come out using 9/11 as a political spin wheel, goading Democrats into saying they were for the war that they now say is a "grotesque mistake". Hey karl, some of us still remember that the War in Afghanistan was the response to 9/11 and remains separate from the War of Choice in Iraq, which is a "grotesque", "quagmire" of a "mistake" requiring more money or military than we can afford to "win".
"The mission must be clear. Soldiers must understand why we're going. The force must be strong enough so that the mission can be accomplished. And the exit strategy needs to be well-defined."
- g.w. flip floppin' bush 10/17/00 in the third Gore-bush presidential debate
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