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October 27, 2005More Leak Scandal Speculation/A Friday Prediction/A Bet for Cliff MayAfter a day of waiting--and not blogging about (and bothering you with) every rumor that shot across Washington regarding the leak scandal indictments (or lack thereof) because I am damn tired of speculating--I met a few journalist pals at an upscale DC restaurant. We had learned that Patrick Fitzgerald's team was partial to this establishment, and we we're hoping for a sighting. Yet Fitzgerald and his investigators did not show. Still, the night was not a total loss, the seafood chowder and crab cake were quite good. Then as we left, we ran into former ambassador Richard Burt, who was a top State Department official in the Reagan administration. During those years, Burt, a former defense correspondent for The New York Times, was the Reagan administration's point-man in its campaign against the nuclear weapons freeze campaign. He was also the boyfriend of Times reporter Judith Miller, who occasionally covered the nuclear weapons freeze story. In a recent New York magazine article on Miller, Franklin Foer reported this anecdote from Burt: On a summer afternoon in the early eighties, Judy Miller invited her exercise-averse boyfriend Richard Burt, then the Times' defense reporter, to watch her swim laps in the Washington Hilton pool. Afterward, lounging in the sun, Miller veered into one of her favorite lines of conversation: Does chemical or nuclear warfare inflict the most damage? Burt, who would go on to become an assistant secretary of State in the Reagan administration, has a serious cast of mind. But even he was taken aback by Miller's dark thoughts. "I remember being struck that there are not many people sitting around on a beautiful day thinking about weapons of mass destruction," he says. As we stood outside the restaurant with Burt, he asked us what we thought would happen with the leak investigation. We've stopped speculating, we told him. "I have an interest in this case," Burt said, then quickly adding, "but not the one you think." Was this a reference to Miller? He went on to explain that he is on the board of Hollinger, the Conrad Black media company that was looted by Black and other executives to the tune of several hundred million dollars. Fitzgerald is overseeing this investigation, and Burt told us that he doesn't want Fitzgerald distracted by the CIA leak scandal. One investigative panel absolved Burt of any wrongdoing in the Hollinger caper, and he indicated to us that he's been cooperating with the investigation. But talk of Fitzgerald's investigation of Hollinger got us thinking. One Hollinger board member who has not been absolved of wrongdoing is Richard Perle, who was a senior Defense Department official in the Reagan years and who served on a Pentagon advisory committee for the present Bush administration. He was one of the chief cheerleaders for the invasion of Iraq, telling me at one point before the war that Iraq could be conquered with a force of about 40,000 troops. (During the Reagan administration, Burt and Perle were referred to as the two Richards, with Perle renowned as a dark-prince of hawkishness and Burt depicted as the reasonable Reaganite.) One investigation of Hollinger concluded that Perle had "repeatedly" signed off on suspect transactions and that he should repay the company more than $3 million. Hmmmm, as observers of the leak scandal have speculated about the identity of Mr. X--that is, Bob Novak's primary source for the Plame/CIA leak--Perle's name has been mentioned. Perhaps for no good reason. But might Perle be of interest to Fitzgerald for two reasons? For being a Hollinger board member accused of wrongdoing and for being Novak's source? The odds are long on this, but what a weird bounce that would be. Whoops, I guess that was speculation. See how hard it is to resist. But it is worth noting that while we have been puzzling over Mr. X for over two years, Fitzgerald must know who that person is. Otherwise, Novak would be in jail. One reason why I have tried to throttle back on the speculation is because my one hunch is that Fitzgerald has unearthed information that will surprise all of us speculators. Posted by David Corn at October 27, 2005 12:08 AM |
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"HUBRIS is a bold and provocative book that will quickly become an explosive part of the national debate on how we got involved in Iraq." --Tom Brokaw |
Comments
Mr. David Corn,
Pretty good at not speculating? HA!
Good stuff. Every tid-bit is welcome.
Everybody knows Clifford May is delusional and was just spewing like a troll on a bad for Bush news day. He has not backed up anything he has said for quite some time. I wager he has no stones for a wager.
Thanks AGAIN! GOOD STUFF!
Kirk
Posted by: capt at October 27, 2005 12:38 AM
Hey guys, I just added "Traitor-gate" to Wikipedia's page on "Plame Affair". It's way down near the bottom on "notes", ie... "common terms for an ongoing scandal..."
Wikipedia/Plame Affair
Posted by: Alan at October 27, 2005 12:52 AM
At the bottom? You have been promoted to the third TERM!
"The Plame affair, Plamegate, Traitor-gate"
U R Rockin!
capt
Posted by: capt at October 27, 2005 12:56 AM
That is in the FIRST sentence!
WOW. Too Cool for school!
I am stoked!
capt
Posted by: capt at October 27, 2005 01:01 AM
President Bush: No Pardons for Treason
President Bush:
Your father called them the "most insidious of traitors." He was referring, of course, to those who reveal the identities of America's covert operatives.
It's now abundantly clear that people working in your administration conspired to do precisely that.
We call upon you to publicly renounce any potential use of your presidential pardon and let justice run its course in this case. I hope you agree that there is simply no reason to use pardon powers to shelter those who may have committed acts of treason against our nation.
Sincerely,
(your name here)
*****end of clip*****
There is another petition with the same message.
LetÕ³ all jump on this and make a preemptive strike on the power of pardon. Who knows maybe it will make a difference.
capt
Posted by: capt at October 27, 2005 01:08 AM
Somebody on this blog has some bragging rights!
Traitor-gate is official!
I hope you all do not mind that I brag about hearing it here first.
capt
Posted by: capt at October 27, 2005 01:12 AM
I'm reading the Brent Snowcroft article in the "New Yorker" right now. It's at...
New Yorker/Snowcroft
Posted by: Alan at October 27, 2005 01:13 AM
oh shyt, I didn't even notice it at the top! It's at the "notes" section too, but without the hyphen. Have y'all seen David Corn's entry in wikipedia? He says he gets ideas to research sometimes from our posts. *Toyota kick* "YAY"
Posted by: Alan at October 27, 2005 01:16 AM
Announcer: From our nation's capital, this is WASHINGTON WEEK. And now here's moderator Gwen Ifill.
Analysis: Week's developments in Iraq
GWEN IFILL, host: Now to Iraq. This was supposed to be another one of those corner-turning moments--a successful constitutional referendum, the prosecution of Saddam, or at least the beginning of it. Martha Raddatz is just back--36 hours on the plane--from witnessing all of this on the ground in Iraq.
Was it the definitive week the administration was hoping for, Martha?
Ms. MARTHA RADDATZ (ABC News): Oh, it certainly wasn't, particularly with the constitution. I think that last weekend it seemed like such a definitive time. There were so many people out voting. I was in a Sunni neighborhood, and to see these people streaming into this neighborhood to vote for the first time--I was in the Abu Ghraib neighborhood of the infamous prison, but it's a Sunni-dominated area--you had people there never before voted, coming forward, holding up the finger proudly and all saying, `No, no, no, we didn't vote for the constitution.' What's hard here, however, is we still do not know the definitive results. It was supposed to be out in a couple of days, but there are some irregularities and I can tell you right now I witnessed them. When we went into the polling places--and it was interesting, the first polling place wouldn't let cameras in. The second one was, `Come on in, come on in.' I thought, `This'll change under democracy. We'll come back in four years. This'll never happen again.' We were behind the voting booth. My cameraman was back there and there was a man who took seven ballots, at least, because we have it on camera and marked yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes...
IFILL: One guy?
Ms. RADDATZ: One guy and he wasn't the only one. And as my cameraman pointed out, we were only in there 20 minutes and we saw a variety of people...
*****end of clip*****
You would think such a thing would be all over the news.
Nobody can trust the MSM because of stuff like this.
capt
Posted by: capt at October 27, 2005 01:24 AM
I thought kicking out the moderates and especially the "old guys" (poppy's pals) might be the biggest mistake Dubya could make.
I am reminded that Bush 41 IS the CIA and I think there is an unexplored falling out between Cheney and 41? Pure speculation on my part but . . .
I am surprised that more military have not come out and broken ranks. I think the piece by Tom Engelhardt is a much more complete exploration of the issue.
capt
Posted by: capt at October 27, 2005 01:41 AM
David, do you really expect us to believe that Perle and Burt were referred to as "the two Richards?"
Posted by: Drewp at October 27, 2005 01:52 AM
DAVID - MAJOR STORY
Raw Story's Larisa Alexandrovna is in Florida. She says it is desperate.
Raw reporter, in hurricane zone, says situation extremely dire
WEST PALM BEACH -- Many residents of Broward County, Florida remain without food, water or medical supplies days after being pummeled by a stronger-than-expected Hurricane Wilma.
RAW STORYÕ³ Larisa Alexandrovna, who lives in the county, said the situation is far worse than the mainstream press is reporting. She believes part of this is due to the fact that residents are without phone service and largely unable to reach the outside world.
Ò”here is no food,Ó Alexandrovna said. Ò”he Salvation Army said that they would provide some dinners for people, but aside from the Salvation ArmyÓ there is little aid.
---
And a person posted this.
-------
Larisa is dead right. I am there too.
PB, FL. housesitting. I have seen no aid of any kind. No sign of fema. No water- no food- no ice. No power. Nothing. Cops telling us to evacuate and there is no gas. (He did agree to charge my computer at the station). Bush bros. strike again. Gross negligence. HELP: Please pressure the mainstream media to cover this. We are starving. People and animals. On Fitzmas eve no less.
Palmer66 | 10.27.05 - 12:58 am | #
Posted by: Jeanne at October 27, 2005 01:58 AM
Capt: "I am reminded that Bush 41 IS the CIA . . ." It's always struck me as odd that Wimpy served as CIA director for just 10 months, yet they named a building after him. He must have made quite an impression during that 10-month career.
Posted by: Drewp at October 27, 2005 01:59 AM
question for you guys...
Does anybody know if it's true, what David's linked article in the WaPo said about 'not being able to extend the grand jury a second time'??
If Fitz is expanding his probe into new areas *crossed fingers* (leased more office space across the street), he'll have to get a whole new grand jury up-to-speed. That might slow things down a notch or two. grrrrr
Posted by: Alan at October 27, 2005 02:40 AM
Hey, I think I just did it again at Wikipedia. I added "Bush's War" to their "Iraq War" article, at the the first line. haha Here's the link, see if it shows up for you. When I hit "save", it sure looked like it 'took'.
Wikipedia/Iraq War
Posted by: Alan at October 27, 2005 03:05 AM
nawp, it wasn't there when I went back
Posted by: Alan at October 27, 2005 03:07 AM
ok, I got it in "notes" at the bottom... least it shows up when I go back, either with AOL's browser or IE. It says this article needs cleaning up, so if anybody wants to spend some time on it, you might could get "Bush's War" added at the top. When I searched for "Bush's War", one came up as "Mr. Bush's War", but I didn't check it out.
second try
Where else can we add our thoughts in here???? must be tons of places
Posted by: Alan at October 27, 2005 03:16 AM
same article... "Iraq War", I just added this to "Terminologies" section...
(while the term Bush's War is often used by opponents)
Posted by: Alan at October 27, 2005 03:23 AM
This is fun! Under "Rationales" for the war I added...
The opponents main rationales are the "fixed inteligence" and lack of connection to 9/11.
*on that site, to get bold text, you just type this : ''' word you want bold '''
Posted by: Alan at October 27, 2005 03:38 AM
White House Plans to Deflect
If top aides are indicted in the CIA leak case, the administration strategy is to keep its distance.
By Doyle McManus, Warren Vieth and Mary Curtius
Times Staff Writers
October 27, 2005
WASHINGTON Ñ The prosecutor hasn't announced any indictments, but President Bush's aides and their allies in Congress are working on strategies to counter the blow if White House officials are accused of crimes.
The basic plan is familiar to anyone who has watched earlier presidents contend with scandal: Keep the problem at arm's length, let allies outside the White House do the talking, and try to change the subject to something Ñ anything Ñ else.
The White House doesn't plan to attack Patrick J. Fitzgerald, the special prosecutor in the CIA leak investigation Ñ at least not directly, several GOP officials said. Instead, expect Bush to unveil a flurry of proposals on subjects from immigration and tax reform to Arab-Israeli peace talks.
"We've got a lot of work to do, and so we don't have a lot of time to sit back and think about" possible indictments, Bush spokesman Scott McClellan said Wednesday, reflecting the strategy. "We're focusing on what the American people care most about, and that is winning the war on terrorism, succeeding in Iraq, addressing high energy prices É and helping the people in the Gulf Coast region recover and rebuild."
Republicans outside the White House are pleading with Bush to act quickly and decisively if aides are indicted. "What is of most concern is that the president handle it properly Ñ that he ask [officials who are indicted] to step down; that he not vacillate, not equivocate; that he be decisive," said Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.), a leading Republican moderate.
"Changing the subject will not work," said David Gergen, a former aide to Presidents Reagan and Clinton. "Giving more speeches about Iraq or the state of the economy doesn't have the weight that action doesÉ® It's dangerous for the country to have a disabled president for three years, and we're getting close to seeing that happen. I worry that they [Bush and his aides] are in denial."
*****end of clip*****
Notice the MSM "keep its distance?" As if they have some established "distance" and Bush is not wearing waders in a cesspool of lies, wars, and crimes against American citizens.
Watch for the distraction, Cheney will resign on Monday, the war in Syria/Iran is already underway.
Who will bee the new VP? Why neo-Condi of course. If anybody balks (left - right or center) they will be portrayed as either racist or gender prejudice.
Cheney will say health problems but it will be Bush that dies before the end of his term and the new figurehead will run and win by landslides as the necons wrest a super-majority on 2006.
Maybe a bad dream? A nightmare?
Time will tell.
Now for the overdose of cynacism: The MSM will jump on the hurricane rebuilding like it was always their bigghest concern. I fully expect to be offended by the coverage (read: coverup)
capt
Posted by: capt at October 27, 2005 06:55 AM
"CIA director for just 10 months"
But thereafter 41 was VP with a higher security clearance than his boss. So in a way he never stepped down from DCIA, he just added the title VP and hired a guy to answer to him.
capt
Posted by: capt at October 27, 2005 07:36 AM
According to Rush - Joe Wilson is the one the outed his wife?
I wonder why Clifford May has not "closed the deal" with his piffle about David?
HA!
Rush always brings to mind "Jabba the Hut" except I could better understand what Jabba was saying.
Maybe we should submit a picture of Rush for the definition of bloviate?
capt
Posted by: capt at October 27, 2005 07:50 AM
Re: The bit about White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux.
The MSM continually reports things as fact that there is no proof of. Consider George W. supposedly having not taken a drink in decades. This is always reported as absolute fact. How can anyone know? The proper way it ought to be reported is that "the President says he has not taken a drink in years."
And then there's the whole "weapons of mass destruction" thing. Before the Bush administration, they were called unconventional weapons or NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) weapons. That, however, was apparently not dire enough to scare the beejesus out of the voters, so they came up with weapons of mass destruction. And the media just went along with it, cravenly adopting their politically-loaded terminology instead of insisting on using more accurate terms. They tried the same thing with privatization of Social Security, but fortunately met with some resistence there.
Posted by: RAM at October 27, 2005 08:15 AM
Slightly Off Topic, but on CNN as a liberal bastion: last night Aaron Brown interviewed a reporter who'd done a story on Wal-Mart's "hire only healthy workers" memo. When Brown asked the reporter--sorry, didn't catch her name--whether Wal-Mart's claims of being the best among large retailers in providing health care for employees, the reporter trotted out the ol' who said what dance, with no sign of fact checking. She said, Well, Wal-Mart says it's the best. Other retailers disagree. WTF?
This is not a complex issue. Either they are better, the same or worse, and it would take actual reporting to distinguish among them. Since Katrina, I've seen less of this on the MSM and it was annoying to see it again on such a frikking simple story. Even Brown looked ticked and he didn't repeat her name as he said ta ta.
Posted by: leolabeth at October 27, 2005 08:17 AM
"And the media just went along with it"
Assuming the media did not engineer it?
Cart - horse or horse-cart?
capt
Posted by: capt at October 27, 2005 08:48 AM
RE: #22
Joe Wilson Outed His Wife, Media Ignores
Posted by: capt at October 27, 2005 09:16 AM
Miers withdraws, Bush "reluctantly accepted"
Posted by: capt at October 27, 2005 09:34 AM
Watch for a real big media blitz as Bunnypants taps Alberto "Torture Dude" Gonzales.
Whipping up a sizable distraction. The bigger the mess the better.
So the game is afoot!
capt
Posted by: capt at October 27, 2005 09:37 AM
"CIA director for just 10 months"
I believe Kevin Phillips, in American Dynasty, alleges Poppy served in the CIA as an asset.
Posted by: pol at October 27, 2005 09:57 AM
Alan! Too cool!
On THAT OTHER MATTER: Bush is going to pick a scarier one to replace Miers -- he's even warned us in the past of his intentions:
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."
*** GWB, August 5, 2004
Posted by: micki at October 27, 2005 10:01 AM
Harriet MyEars has withdrawn her nomination.
Now we find out who Bush really wanted for the job.
Posted by: geof01 at October 27, 2005 10:08 AM
Hmm. Richard Burt! Wasn't he implicated in leaking secrets to Israel way back when? I know Perle was. Abrams too. And now we have the AIPAC mess.
Given the radioactive nature of anything critical of the Amen Corner, you can be damn sure there is fire when there is any smoke at all. What has Fitzgerald given McNulty? Does it concern Black and his zealot wife, or is it AIPAC related?
Finally, with regard to Cliff May, why are these guys still on television? I can't remember that last time they were right about anything.
Posted by: skip at October 27, 2005 10:13 AM
A GRAND JURY'S TERM
Alan -- I cannot vouche for this information, but this is from a university website regarding federal grand juries.
Grand jury's term
Federal grand juries are of two types--regular and special. Regular grand juries sit for a basic term of 18 months, but that term can be extended up to another 6 months, which means their total possible term is 24 months. Special grand juries sit for 18 months, but their term can be extended for up to another 18 months; a court can extend a special grand jury's term for 6 months, and can enter up to three such extensions, totaling 18 months
Posted by: micki at October 27, 2005 10:26 AM
He could also empanel a new grand jury, theoretically.
Posted by: micki at October 27, 2005 10:27 AM
One saga comes to an end...
Harriet Miers has withdrawn as a nominee for the Supreme Court
US top court nominee steps down
Posted by: Alex Higgins at October 27, 2005 10:43 AM
micki, that has always been my favorite bushism. It does say it all.
capt. 27 and 28. I was reading when you posted. That's how I see it, "and on deck for the astros, it's Gonzales!".
capt. What's with Rush? The guy uses voice recog to write with and doesn't speak straight. No reference to his allegation that Joe Wilson was on a left-wing think tank show with a bio caption that IDs his wife. If this had any basis of truth or even was a bold attempt to create diversion, it would have been leaked Rove-style to Fitzgerald on the second day of his investigation.
I'll check in later. Someone has a tent emergency for their halloween party.
Posted by: geof01 at October 27, 2005 10:48 AM
Sorry guys I know this is off topic but I have a thing about storm relief. It's supposed to be there. I'm not talking about restoring electricity right away. I'm talking about food and water. It drives me crazy.
---------
President to visit Florida amid aid bickering
....Miami mayor: System Flawed.
"That didn't satisfy Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez, who said at least one relief site of 11 in his area had run out of supplies Wednesday, and others were running low.
"When this inventory runs out at these different distribution centers, we do not know and FEMA cannot tell us when they will be resupplied," Alvarez said. "It's the process and how it's structured, and it's flawed."
Similar complaints were made by New Orleans officials, especially Mayor Ray Nagin, after Hurricane Katrina.
On Wednesday, many Floridians struggled to find food, water, ice and gas on the third day of recovery from Wilma, waiting in line for hours - sometimes in vain.
"This is like the Third World," said Claudia Shaw, who spent several hours in a gas line. "We live in a state where we suffer from these storms every year. Where is the planning?"...
-------
Bickering? This reporter needs to live without food for a few days and then he can tell me if his demands for relief are "bickering" or "demands for needed services". Something tells me this story was supposed to slip under the rug because it illustrates another example of incompetence.
Posted by: Jeanne at October 27, 2005 11:01 AM
Jabba the "Rush" just spews crap he can never back up (ala Clifford May) and the ditto head cross confirm with each other just like the bunch of bobble heads they are.
Posted a thread or two ago regarding Fitzgeralds investigators asking neighbors if anyone knew her (Plame's) employement or status, no and no.
Facts are facts and you will find none in the echo chambers or out of the mouths of the Reich-wing-nuts or our resident trolls.
Right and wrong no longer matters to these creeps. "Win at all cost" is no victory. Like it or not, I think some are learning the lesson the hard way.
This translates into the "say anything" to try to win the argument no matter if it is true or factual (see any troll post).
capt
Posted by: capt at October 27, 2005 11:24 AM
Dear Mr. Prosecutor
By Jim Lobe, AlterNet.
Posted February 17, 2004.
If the Justice Department wants to know who leaked Valerie Plame's identity, all they have to do is talk to a longtime Republican operative named Clifford May.
There is at least one person who knew of Valerie Plame's relationship to the CIA even before Novak published his column: Clifford May. He is the president of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD), a non-profit organization founded two days after the 9/11 attacks that, in its words, "conducts research and education on the war on terrorism." More importantly, there is no reason why Mr. May should have known about Plame's CIA credentials, nor did he possess the requisite security clearances to do so. Tracking down the source of his "leak" could well bring us closer to identifying the culprits who gave the same information to the likes of Bob Novak.
Mr. May has not been coy about sharing his knowledge of Plame's CIA background. On Sept. 29, the same day that the Washington Post confirmed that the CIA had asked for a criminal investigation of Novak's sources, the National Review Online published a column by Mr. May claiming to be in the know long before Novak blew her cover. "That wasn't news to me," he wrote. "I had been told that -- but not by anyone working in the White House. Rather, I learned it from someone who formerly worked in the government and he mentioned it in an offhand manner, leading me to infer it was something that insiders were well aware of." Mr. May later told Fox News the same day that Plame's identity was "something of an open secret."
Mr. May's assertions raise some troubling questions. Exactly who were the "insiders" for whom this was "something of an open secret?" How did they obtain this information and why did they pass it on so readily to someone like him?
Mr. May is, of course, a longtime Republican operative. Once the director of communications at the Republican National Committee, he also worked for BSMG Worldwide, one of the world's largest and most politically connected public and media relations firms, before founding the FDD in 2001. His organization is packed with Republican "insiders." The board of directors includes Steve Forbes, Jack Kemp, and Jeane Kirkpatrick, while former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former CIA director R. James Woolsey are on its list of "Distinguished Advisors."
*****end of clip*****
Did I mention Clifford May "outed" himself?
HA!
capt
Posted by: capt at October 27, 2005 11:44 AM
Jeanne,
There should not be a SINGLE person in line for ANYTHING in South Florida!
How long did those people KNOW Wilma was coming, hmmmmm? How many of those people have BATHTUBS (duh, fill it up.) How many Wal Marts, Targets, grocery stores, etc. etc. are in South Florida? (Duh, stock up BEFOREHAND) How many people own can-openers in South Florida?
These people were (gasp!) UNPREPARED! What kind of nation have we become when people do not have the common sense to PREPARE for a disaster? It is simply unreasonable to expect the government to hold your hand every time something happens. Government has a role to play, but it is only part of the system. People simply must be self-reliant until help can arrive. It is crazy to suggest that emergency supplies can arrive hours after a disaster of this magnitude! The roads are impassable, WELL DUH! How are supplies supposed to arrive quickly?
I guess by now you get the picture. I just go crazy when I read press accounts that make it seem like the government is at fault when people are negligent in preparing for what they know is coming.
It is somewhat understandable, however as large segments of society have apparently bought into the lie that it is government's responsibility to take care of them.
Get a grip, folks.
Posted by: Tim at October 27, 2005 11:45 AM
#31 geof01 -- Yes, I think you're right -- now, we will find out who the busheviks REALLY wanted. Pretty damned frightening.
PS Good luck with the tent.
Posted by: micki at October 27, 2005 11:47 AM
So Meiers is gone, by her own choice, if we are to believe what they are saying in the White House. I guess it was the only face-saving way for the WH to get out of the mess it had created.
Like all on the left, I'm holding my breath. My big fear is that some really scary right-wing Bork type will now be put forward.
This'll teach you to travel, David! You're missing your chance to get right in on what is surely the big story of the week! Have a great time in Arkansas.
Posted by: DavidS at October 27, 2005 11:50 AM
#40 -- You insensitive, selfish SOB. (I call 'em like I see 'em when pushed!) Millions of elderly live in Florida -- many CANNOT take total care of themselves w/o assistance. Buzz off.
Posted by: micki at October 27, 2005 11:50 AM
I heard Harriet Miers had asked Bush to withdraw her nomination on NPR on my way to work. A couple thoughts struck me.
First, it seems this is a White House bordering on either utter disarray or incompetence. It is incredible that the nudge, nudge, wink, wink of "I know her heart" didn't get through to Bush's base. How could all these people who blindly support his Iraq policy, tax cuts, etc., fail to take him at his word? Even more indicative of the disarray view is that this political machine failed to nudge and wink hard enough to bring the base in line. Or does this indicate a decision by Bush himself that reflects his own level of incompetence?
Second, it is stunning that it was conservatives who killed this nomination. What a rebuke to Bush -- his own right wing, conservative Christian base basically slapped him in the face. While that doesn't bother me all that much, it is frightening to see just how much power these groups wield. Essentially, they have just demonstrated they truly can dictate the actions of a sitting president.
What's the bottom line? My thought is Democrats, liberals and the rest of the country better watch out for what's coming next in terms of nominees.
Posted by: Tim at October 27, 2005 11:55 AM
Jebby says blame me!
************
A modest proposal -
Seeing as how the Bush Administration:
1) Lost the popular vote in 2000,
2) Strictly speaking came to a statistical tie in FL in 2000, (by whatever shenanagins is moot for this purpose,)
3) Narrowly won in 2004, (again, leaving Ohio shenangins aside,)
4) Is under investigation for outing a NOC CIA agent, and also for forging document which,
5) Lied us into a war,
and also considering that,
6) The House Majority leader is under indictment,
7) The Senate Majority leader is under SEC investigation,
I propose that all Supreme Court nominees be put off until after the Presidential Election of 2008.
The Court can function just fine with eight justices. If any matter is so controversial as to result in a split decision, that matter would be decided by the lower courts ruling remaining in effect until such time as the Court's being brought back up to its full compliment. This should only occur now after the nation's pulse be taken again in a national referendum, such as the Presidential Election affords.
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at October 27, 2005 12:15 PM
I suppose #6 could get an asterisk - he's just the de facto leader now, and he hasn't given up is office space.
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at October 27, 2005 12:18 PM
DAVID! How can you be traveling on Thur & Friday! That's like some father saying to his height-of-labor wife, "Sorry, dearie, I'll be traveling while you issue forth the heir."
WE haven't got sources. We need you to midwife this thing so we're the knowingest hotshots on our block.
Posted by: pogblog at October 27, 2005 12:19 PM
"I guess by now you get the picture. I just go crazy when I read press accounts that make it seem like the government is at fault when people are negligent in preparing for what they know is coming.
'It is somewhat understandable, however as large segments of society have apparently bought into the lie that it is government's responsibility to take care of them."
Tim, the thing that drives me crazy is when people make callous remarks like this and scoff at the very notion that there should be a safety net for vulnerable people.
What you call a "lie" is most people's reasonable expectation that as a society we should look after each other and have proper sytems in place to keep each other alive - particularly after - for goodness' sake - a natural disaster.
"These people were (gasp!) UNPREPARED! What kind of nation have we become when people do not have the common sense to PREPARE for a disaster?"
Tim, people who aren't that well off can't just leave their homes and jobs just like that.
What if you are immobile because you are old or infirm?
What if you have no money or transporatation?
What if you have to care for someone and can't leave them?
What if you have no place to flee to?
How do you 'stock up beforehand' if you can't afford to feed your children without a hurricane?
How does your proposed brand of ill-informed 'common sense' help them?
"People simply must be self-reliant until help can arrive."
What is this? The 19th century?
Should the richest country on the planet tells its poorest and weakest citizens to rely on themselves in the face of a hurricane? You "get a grip".
This kind of thing exposes the moral bankruptcy of the gruesome ideology of the American conservative movement.
Posted by: Alex Higgins at October 27, 2005 12:20 PM
#45 - Also includes a strong wish for the continued health of the remaining Justices! (I recognize the implicit fault with my proposal, but I don't have a better one.)
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at October 27, 2005 12:25 PM
#40
Tim,
Bathtub full of water. What happens when your roof blows off? Or when your neighborhood is destroyed and you share the things you have? Or you're too broke to buy grocieries? Or you are disabled? Or elderly?
It's real easy to blame the people of Florida for not being prepared. Try going through a major storm. For you to tell me, from your computer desk, that they should have been prepared is just too easy. They don't care what your expectations of prepared are. They are trying to get back on their feet.
When I sounded the alarm it was because I was reading about people in the area - a reporter from Raw Story - who were reporting a crisis building.
Now, I could have ignored the report and said "Well they should have filled their bathtub with water and opened a can of beans" but I thought it would be better to pass along the news. Forgive me for being a "liberal humanitiarian".
Posted by: Jeanne at October 27, 2005 12:44 PM
BOB IN NORTH DAKOTA IS A BROKEN RECORD
For the last time...you-all are going to be disappointed. I am predicting that Rove (and Cheney) will not be indicted. The Second-Coming-sized headline will not occur. Even if old Bob is wrong about that, there is no way in hell that Cheney or Rove will spend a nano second in jail (although a perp walk in handcuffs on TV would be nice). Bush will pardon them. They have Bush by the balls. They have enough to send him up, too, or at least get him impeached. Write in on the wall.
Bob in North Dakota
Posted by: Bob in North Dakota at October 27, 2005 12:47 PM
Well said, Jeanne, good post.
Posted by: Alex Higgins at October 27, 2005 12:55 PM
Bob you're wrong. Fitzgerald is a man on a mission. He is so single minded that he put lasagna in the oven and forgot about it for three months. This man and his team have indictments and they are going to deliver them. It's not like he doesn't have anything to work with. My God.
Even Ann Coulter, (OMG I still can't believe what I read), even she is brushing off the fact that yes Rove and Libby will get indicted. In her eyes we need to get rid of a guy in the white house named Scooter anyway. And the hates Rove so who cares. What does that tell you?
It tells me they are trying to minimize the damage. The White House will go on. Ok Ann.
Posted by: Jeanne at October 27, 2005 12:57 PM
51 You make an interesting, albeit oft repeated, point, Bob. Assuming you are correct, what is the result in public outrage and voter backlash from said pardons?
Greetings to all, friend and foe alike, from sunny South Carolina.
Lurkin' and workin'
Robert
Posted by: Robb at October 27, 2005 01:01 PM
Only US Seeks to Justify Abuse: Human Rights Watch
Published on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 by Agence France Presse
********************
Exxon Mobil profit booms on oil prices
Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest publicly traded oil company, on Thursday said quarterly profit surged 75 percent to nearly $10 billion, raking in a bonanza from record oil prices.
The profit was the highest in the company's history, surpassing the record it set in the 2004 fourth quarter. Revenue jumped 32 percent to just over $100 billion.
****************
In Hurricane Tax Package, a Boon for Wealthy Donors
By Stephanie Strom The New York Times
A little-noted provision in the tax relief package to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina is shaping up as a windfall for charity and a drain on government coffers.
It allows donors who make cash gifts to almost any charity by the end of this year to deduct an amount equal to virtually 100 percent of their adjusted gross incomes, double the normal limit of 50 percent of income. The tantalizing prospect has set off a financial scramble among some wealthy donors and charities vying for their dollars.
**********
No lack of shyt around.
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at October 27, 2005 01:09 PM
Jeanne wrote:
>Bob you're wrong. Fitzgerald is a man on a mission
I write from my cynicism, not from my hopes. Of course, a televised perp walk with Rove and Cheney in handcuffs (leg irons would be a nice touch, too, in case Mr. Fitzgerald is reading) would be the best dose of reality that EITHER party could witness. But it will never happen.
Bob in North Dakota
Posted by: Bob in North Dakota at October 27, 2005 01:17 PM
Alex, Jeanne--why even waste time trying to answer Tim the troll? You'd have better luck trying to deprogram a Moonie.
From the swamps of Arkansas, Ivory Bill Woodpecker
Posted by: Ivory Bill Woodpecker at October 27, 2005 01:18 PM
Robert wrote:
>Assuming you are correct, what is the result in public outrage and voter backlash from said pardons?
It doesn't matter. A Bush approval rating of -2%, and losing the Congress and White House to the Democrats, is better for Bush than Cheney and Rove telling all. Especially Rove. He is even more bulletproof than Cheney.
Bob in North Dakota
Posted by: Bob in North Dakota at October 27, 2005 01:20 PM
Pot not a major cancer risk: report By Amy Norton
Although both marijuana and tobacco smoke are packed with cancer-causing chemicals, other qualities of marijuana seem to keep it from promoting lung cancer, according to a new report.
The difference rests in the often opposing actions of the nicotine in tobacco and the active ingredient, THC, in marijuana, says Dr. Robert Melamede of the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs.
He reviewed the scientific evidence supporting this contention in a recent issue of Harm Reduction Journal.
Whereas nicotine has several effects that promote lung and other types of cancer, THC acts in ways that counter the cancer-causing chemicals in marijuana smoke, Melamede explained in an interview with Reuters Health.
"THC turns down the carcinogenic potential," he said.
For example, lab research indicates that nicotine activates a body enzyme that converts certain chemicals in both tobacco and marijuana smoke into cancer-promoting form. In contrast, studies in mice suggest that THC blocks this enzyme activity.
Another key difference, Melamede said, is in the immune system effects of tobacco and marijuana. Smoke sends irritants into the respiratory system that trigger an immune-regulated inflammatory response, which involves the generation of potentially cell-damaging substances called free radicals. These particles are believed to contribute to a range of diseases, including cancer.
But cannabinoids -- both those found in marijuana and the versions found naturally in the body -- have been shown to dial down this inflammatory response, Melamede explained. [...]
***************
There have been reports for years that there were studies underway which showed anti-tumor tendencies of THC, but were ordered destroyed by the Nixon Administration. Couldn't help sharing some good news.
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at October 27, 2005 01:25 PM
Lee Bailey Hutchinson
Legal Technicalities
I would like to comment on something that slime and scum said. When Clinton was in office, the repugnants came after him for what they considered perjury and obstruction of justice charges. These were criminal acts.
But, when a repugnant is guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice charges, these charges are considered legal technicalities. Lee Bailey Hutchinson is the poster child for what is wrong with America. We have slime and scum running and ruining this country like Lee Bailey Hutchinson.
There was not much said about HutchinsonÕ³ comments because we know that the repugnant cabal is crazy. However, we must not overlook these crazy comments by nutcases like Lee Bailey Hutchinson.
Posted by: Gerald at October 27, 2005 01:32 PM
Stop War on Hurricane Victims
Nearly three million people have been displaced from their homes because of recent hurricanes. Many have lost everything. Yet federal laws prohibit these victims from receiving welfare, food stamps, public housing, student loans and other benefits if they have a drug law conviction. Tell Congress to suspend these bans so hurricane victims can get aid. - Drug Policy Alliance
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at October 27, 2005 01:33 PM
Alex, Jeanne--why even waste time trying to answer Tim the troll? You'd have better luck trying to deprogram a Moonie.
Interesting challenge. Sounds like I may have found a new calling in life...
I want to try and change right-wingers and fundamentalists "one soul at a time" as someone or other once put it.
Posted by: Alex Higgins at October 27, 2005 01:35 PM
Losing Ground
Posted by: Gerald at October 27, 2005 01:39 PM
First, I did not post #44
Second, on Florida:
Ever heard of EVACUATION? I forgot to mention that as the OBVIOUS first choice. Just take you own poll of the folks in Key West who CHOSE to stay and see what they tell you!
While you are at it, go ahead and ask a the folks waiting in line how they prepared for the disaster. I'll bet good money they are mostly able-bodied folks who didn't lose their homes.
BTW, I live in an area which has experienced hurricanes and I've been through them. My mom and dad are of the generation that understands that people must be self-reliant and take primary responsibility for their lives. During one hurricane, we went ONE WEEK (possibly more) without power, etc. and we didn't even need to leave our home. Nuff said.
The real Tim
Posted by: Tim at October 27, 2005 01:42 PM
American Soldiers
2,248 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan for BushÕ³ evil lies.
Posted by: Gerald at October 27, 2005 01:43 PM
The thing I like about answering trolls is that I can keep making my point over and over and over. They're like the straight man in a comedy routine.
I consider them the monkey soldiers in the Wizard of Oz. They fly in and they fly out. I try hard not to flail at them but rather hit them directly with a one two punch.
Posted by: Jeanne at October 27, 2005 01:48 PM
Only a moron or someone afflicted with the mental disorder known as liberalism could make a statement equating the death of our fine soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq to a supposed "lie."
This includes that media whore, Sheese-han.
Posted by: Tim at October 27, 2005 01:49 PM
Jeanne,
And the reason I like exposing the lunacy of the left is that they are so predictable. Raise a point and they always try to kill the messenger.
Hell, you don't even know the definition of words you attempt to paint me with. Get a life.
Posted by: Tim at October 27, 2005 01:51 PM
Jeanne,
Gee, I didn't feel anything yet...
Posted by: Tim at October 27, 2005 01:52 PM
Timothy Petition congratulates himself on someone noticing that Rumsfeld was insulted here yesterday. Also : Get that birthday card for Condoleeeeza Rice in the mail, y'all, because my sources she will turn 51 years young on November 14 . Nothing quite like a Secretary of State incapable of winning the international community's support for "securing" the ummmmm .... the ....... international community.
Now that the Iraq war has cost the American taxpayers AT LEAST $ 200 billion
it may be time to ask Japan, India, South Africa , Brazil , Saudi Arabia ( snicker, snicker ) , and Saturn to pitch in a couple hundred billion dollars for keeping the galaxy safe. But Condi's got shoes to shop for ............
Anyway, thanks for reading this and please visit www.operationtruth.com
I cannot say for sure if I am " real "
or not, but I am at # 102 on the " make the Constitution better " HIT PARADE . www.warisaracket.org
Thanks, Thanks, Thanks , Timothy Petition
Posted by: Timothy Petition at October 27, 2005 01:52 PM
#64 Tim,
You are as full of yourself as you are full of hate and the child inside you head is showing what an egotisical mind-numbing neo-loser if you think you are the "real" Tim?
You are not for real, you do not qualify.
I hook my blog to my name. If you really want a reality check come on by, you might learn something starting with a simple inderstand that you are not the only ANYTHING, just another neocon walking in hate-step with your lying master.
You are a follower, so follow my lead and hook up a valid email address or link to YOUR blog. Loser.
Posted by: Tim at October 27, 2005 01:56 PM
Timothy Petition (ha, nice play on words),
Your're still the jerk you always have been on this blog. Spoofing is your specialty ,the refuge of cowards unwilling to debate.
Some things in life just never change, do they?
Posted by: Tim at October 27, 2005 01:57 PM
Should be my sources I N F O R M me .... six of one, half dozen the other.....
Posted by: Timothy Petition at October 27, 2005 01:57 PM
Colonel Wilkerson on the Diane Rehm show talked about losing over a battalion of soldiers due to wounds and deaths. Sad, very sad because Bush lied!!!
Posted by: Gerald at October 27, 2005 02:00 PM
How am I going to keep you Tim's straight? Other than one is a monkey.
Tim of #69, if you are really tim h I will stop being mean.
Posted by: Jeanne at October 27, 2005 02:00 PM
#71
FYI, I've ALWAYS been the one and only "Tim" here, my friend. I just don't post very often as I have a life.
In case you haven't noticed, it's rude to use someone elses name. Mine is linked to my REAL e-mail address.
I know who you are and you haven't changed a bit over these many moons!
Posted by: Tim at October 27, 2005 02:01 PM
What are you and I debating ????? I thought Jeanne was the target. Just wonderin' ----- Timothy Petition
www.warisaracket.org Please consider placing your name (s) there.
Posted by: Timothy Petition at October 27, 2005 02:01 PM
Jeanne,
No, I'm not "Tim h" although I do remember who he is...
Posted by: Tim at October 27, 2005 02:02 PM
Only a moron or someone afflicted with the mental disorder known as liberalism [...]
Hell, you don't even know the definition of words [...] Tim
4 entries found for liberal.
To select an entry, click on it.
liberal[1,adjective]liberal[2,noun]liberal artslimousine liberal
Main Entry: 1libᥲᡬ
Pronunciation: 'li-b(&-)r&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin liberalis suitable for a freeman, generous, from liber free; perhaps akin to Old English lEodan to grow, Greek eleutheros free
1 a : of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts b archaic : of or befitting a man of free birth
2 a : marked by generosity : OPENHANDED b : given or provided in a generous and openhanded way c : AMPLE, FULL
3 obsolete : lacking moral restraint : LICENTIOUS
4 : not literal or strict : LOOSE
5 : BROAD-MINDED; especially : not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms
6 a : of, favoring, or based upon the principles of liberalism b capitalized : of or constituting a political party advocating or associated with the principles of political liberalism; especially : of or constituting a political party in the United Kingdom associated with ideals of individual especially economic freedom, greater individual participation in government, and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms designed to secure these objective.
**************
Just too easy.
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at October 27, 2005 02:02 PM
Does that mean you'll be on the petition ?
www.warisaracket.org Regardless, I am at # 102 THAT'S MY NA M E ... Timothy Petition
Posted by: Timothy Petition at October 27, 2005 02:07 PM
"Ever heard of EVACUATION?"
Tim, we dealt with that one.
As for the rest of your post, you have added no new information, merely reiterated the heartlessness and misinformation of your previous post.
"And the reason I like exposing the lunacy of the left is that they are so predictable."
As Christopher Hitchens once said, being predictable about a point of principle is actually a good thing. A self-respecting person should want people to be able to predict what view they would take on such a basic matter as emergency disaster response (i.e. there should be some, and it should be effective).
"Raise a point and they always try to kill the messenger."
This comes right after you called a bereaved mother a "whore" because you disagree with her.
The correct term for that is hypocrisy.
You may want to work on the log in your eye before complaining about the splinters in everyone else's.
Posted by: Alex Higgins at October 27, 2005 02:16 PM
#81
He He He He He
Posted by: Jeanne at October 27, 2005 02:25 PM
From Democracy Now headlines.
Renewed Patriot Act to Alter Death Penalty Rules
The Washington Post is reporting the House bill that would renew the USA Patriot Act includes little-noticed provisions that would dramatically alter the federal death penalty system. The bill allows for smaller juries to decide on executions and grants prosecutors the right to re-try suspects if a jury deadlocks on sentencing. The bill also triples the number of terrorism-related crimes eligible for the death penalty. The Justice Department has already endorsed the provisions. Jennifer Daskal of Human Rights Watch, told the Post : "These are radical changes in the way federal death penalty cases are litigated, and they were added virtually without any debate."
Posted by: Jeanne at October 27, 2005 02:57 PM
Democracy Now had a segment on the torture agenda of this white house. Here is part of the transcript.
------------------
AMY GOODMAN: Why would, Scott Horton, Vice President Cheney, who his whole office is under fierce scrutiny right now, aggressively pursue this, to say the least, extremely controversial -- The Washington Post says Òµnprecedented for an elected official of the executive branch to propose to the Congress, legally authorize human rights abuses by Americans.Ó Why now?
SCOTT HORTON: Well, the charitable explanation would be to say that he really believes coercive techniques are necessary for security. I'm not inclined to be charitable on this issue. I think there's another reason. The reason is that if this matter were thoroughly investigated, if a commission of inquiry were created, and that measure is pending, that commission is going to show that Vice President Cheney is the man who unleashed torture and promoted it within our military and our intelligence service.....
.....AMY GOODMAN: Scott Horton, yesterday, we interviewed General -- well, now Colonel -- Janice Karpinski, the commanding general at Abu Ghraib. The only general to be demoted in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. What about that, the fact that -- well, where is everyone else in this story? Where is General Miller? Where is General Sanchez? What's happened to these people?
SCOTT HORTON: That's a good question. In fact, every time the Senate Armed Services Committee meets, you hear Senator Warner, Senator McCain, Senator Graham and all the Democrats asking that very same question. And this affair is not going to be resolved until there is accountability established at the command level. And Brigadier General Karpinski, I won't use her demoted rank, clearly bears responsibility, but so do others high up the chain of command, including the Vice President and certainly including Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, and this is something that has to be really thoroughly investigated and acted upon, and in the end of the day, it will have to be acted upon through prosecutions.
JUAN GONZALEZ: And if those prosecutions were to occur, do you think that they would have to be initiated by some other U.S. attorney. I mean, what would be the possibility of Fitzgerald even extending his investigation so broadly, even into cover-ups of the torture situation by the government? Who else would initiate those prosecutions?
SCOTT HORTON: Well, I think this is very important question. In fact, it's something I have discussed with senior military people regularly. Their concern -- they don't want the International Criminal Court. They don't want foreign prosecutions. And they really see the cost of avoiding that sort of international accountability as being sure that we do the job ourselves at home.
And, of course, it can't be done by this Justice Department or by Attorney General Gonzales. He is too deeply wound up in this himself. In fact, note the Justice Department is not prosecuting the homicides that are connected to the C.I.A. As soon as it did that, such a prosecution, the question of the Justice Department's own torture memoranda would come forward. So, what you need is someone like Patrick Fitzgerald, frankly. You need a special prosecutor who is appointed to develop a case and bring charges.
Posted by: Jeanne at October 27, 2005 03:20 PM
Jeanne#83, RS on your no disaster relief for druggies, it is all so ovewhelming. Individual examples of our debate- free congress, conference committee reconciliations of bills that are rewritten , it all seems to be over. Thankfully, a glimmer of justice exists with Fitz. If they get to him, its over. And you cowardly dems better join the solution and represent a better world. to think the earth could actually be a paradise and greedy m'fkrs are so dedicated to evil. Sorry for my ramble, stupid people piss me off. Thanks David, Capt., Katheryn, Jeanne, Alan, Hajji(sp),Robert S., and the rest for helping me deal with the pigs.
Posted by: Dubendorf at October 27, 2005 03:23 PM
David, Thank you for all of your work and insights. Although you are behind ANTI-WAR's Justin Raimando on the Richard Perle assertion, that he may be Mr. X. Justin came out with that assertion over a year ago.
I know this should not be a race, although it is interesting to witness which journalist were right on target even a few years ago, with so many just catching up.
I still have my fingers crossed..hoping and praying that Fitzgerald serves the public and justice by speaking and enforcing TRUTH TO POWER.
Americans and others around the world need to witness justice taking place in the United States.
Posted by: kathleen at October 27, 2005 04:01 PM
Jeanne, your last 2 stopped the deal. Too depressing to think that 1 side of USA thinks torture is OK. I mean, our future might be worse than the divide in Iraq. If its not the voting machines it is the voters. A person who believes in cheney and torture is hard to share a country with. HELP. Patriot act my ass
Posted by: Dubendorf at October 27, 2005 04:06 PM
i meant Kathleen
Posted by: Dubendorf at October 27, 2005 04:09 PM
Alex... no Tim... no The Tim Project... whatever,
Correction: I called her a MEDIA whore. Thers's a difference. MH is a term used in the business.
If your brain is still functioning you might be able to deduce what the term means.
Actually, Ms. Sheesh-han is quite the virgin when it comes to going on a real talk show - one that will ask her some real questions. She is literally EVERYWHERE and will go on any show EXCEPT the ones where she would be exposed for the MH that she is...
Posted by: Tim at October 27, 2005 04:56 PM
indict them all and let a jury sort it out and i would expect BOTH Cheney and Bush to be named unindicted co-conspirators (you know what my guess is probably worth)
Posted by: gary nater at October 27, 2005 08:15 PM
Record breaking oil profits reported today. Add that to the quagmire in Iraq, tens of thousands dead due to these LIES, gas prices rising, losing health coverage, loss of jobs, more poverty, the scab of racism being ripped off by Katrina , although it has been quickly put back on the gaping wound, no-bid contracts in Iraq and in the south, terroism rising around the world, college cost going up.
Who are these folks in the Bush administration working for? Certainly not the american people. The time is over due to throw these criminals out of the White HOuse.
Posted by: kathleen at October 27, 2005 09:04 PM
"Correction: I called her a MEDIA whore. Thers's a difference. MH is a term used in the business."
I'm aware of what you said, and given the target, the difference matters very little in decent company.
It also came right after you made the statement that the left always tries to "kill the messenger" - an accusation followed immediately by you committing the very offence you complained about.
And her name is Cindy Sheehan, by the way - but you already knew that.
Perhaps if a mother of a dead soldier led a vocal campaign in support of the Iraq War, people on the left might resort to similar abuse against her, but i suspect most would lay off out of a sense of respect, as certainly all those of my acquaintance would. I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't call such a person a media whore even if they courted publicity a lot. And if some fool on the left did, i have no doubt that the whole of America would get to hear about it in fake-outraged terms from the right.
Leading commentators on the right have not managed the same restraint for Cindy Sheehan, just as many could not resist the urge to make tasteless smears against the people of New Orleans, because their suffering embarrassed the White House.
Posted by: Alex Higgins at October 28, 2005 06:04 AM
DAVID,
You're such an obvious liar!
This post states:
Regular readers know that I am no fan of May after he ridiculously argued that I was the reporter who really outed Valerie Wilson. (Click here for more on that craziness.) So I was happy to see Johnson rip into May, saying that May was dead-wrong and has produced no evidence to back up this claim. Johnson then said he would bet May $5000 that he could not prove his assertion about Valerie Wilson's cover.
What Thompson really said was:
JOHNSON: Not only does Ñ you know, Bob Novak once again demonstrates he doesn't know what he's talking about. And that is a lie. I defy anybody. I have got $5,000 that says that you can't find a reference to Valerie Plame and the CIA prior to Robert Novak's column. Can't do it. The fact that she's married...
Big discrepancy there. YOU say the bet was about whether or not you were the source.
The TRUTH is that the bet was about whether a reference to Plame's name and the CIA could be found before Novak's column. Those are two different things.
No wonder the majority of Americans don't believe people like you anymore. You write stuff that's disprovable in about 7 seconds!!!
But, keep it up. By making such fools of yourselves, you're making the good guys' jobs so much easier!!
With Love,
Mikey
Posted by: Mike at October 30, 2005 06:14 PM