Bush's Speech

Bush addressed the nation the evening of December 18, 2005. I did watch or hear the speech. I wrote down some notes about what he may say. I thought that he would say that he was wrong about attacking Iraq. Since Americans have short memories and they continue to not know right from wrong or good from bad, The American people will lap up Bush. It is simply amazing that the American people love him and believe that he can do no wrong.

Americans have not lost their moral compasses because they never had a moral compass. When I look at Bush and his worshippers, I see dry rot oozing from their skins. Americans are partners with Bush in lying, corruption, greed, hatred, murders, torture, war crimes, and Lucifer's followers.

War creates more problems than they resolve problems. No one wins in wars. Everyone loses. Americans do not like to lose so they will support Bush's endless wars.

David Corn wrote an excellent blog.

As I read Bush's words more closely, it reminds me of SSDD. Same shit, different day!!! Bush is a TOTAL HYPOCRITE.

Bunnypants is also total babble.

I'm glad I didn't watch it. Took a day off. Spent it with old friends, watching f'ball and drinking beer. After the games though, we watched "Born of the Fourth of July" which seemed the right movie for what we're experiencing now. If you'll remember, Tom Cruise's character still believed in the war (Vietnam) when he first came home. What an awakening he had, and America is awakening now again. Fk a bush speech, and fk an idiot American that would let said speech change his mind. ack!

Final Exam

Students, since you are my graduate students, I have upgraded the final exam. An earlier exam was for my undergraduate students. You have worked really hard these past four and one half years. You have seen our country go from a democracy to a Nazi/fascist government. OUR ELECTIONS ARE ELECTRONICALLY RIGGED WITH NO PAPER TRAIL. SHALOM AND THE COMMON GOOD HAVE RECEIVED THEIR DEATH NOTICES. In the process of change you have encountered more stress, nightmares, sickness, loss in wages, diseases, more contaminated waters, no health care, higher cost in drugs, more autism due to the increase in mercury exposure, outsourcing of jobs, more corporate corruption, higher costs in education, more lies, more wrong and immoral wars, a new god known as the bushgod, more porn from companies that contribute great amounts of money into the coffers of repugnants, more hatred, killing, torture, more crimes against humanity, and murders.

Your final exam will be only one question. How do you characterize and evaluate Bush and his Nazi/fascist regime?
a. corrupt
b. rotten
c. vile
d. scumbags
e. slime balls
f. demented
g. depraved
h. deranged
i. low life sludges
j. grubs
k. putrid stenches
l. definitely weasel like
m. decaying, smelling turds
n. broccoli farts
o. greedy
p. liars
q. warmongers
r. miserable
s. pathetic
t. worthless
u. clueless
v. useless
w. all of the above

Good luck with your exam and have a happy and safe vacation! With Bush's temper tantrums increasing and his mind frying from over use of drugs this unstable low life may be signaling new wars to solidify his legacy as a murderer and a war criminal president. Being a war president Americans will be even less safe. After Iran will be North Korea and several thousand off range nuclear missiles aimed at China. These attacks will put the American people in such disarray that there will no longer be any elections and the Nazi regime is in full control.

The Bushies are outmanuevering the Dems again...they are going to box them into voting against "the victory in Iraq" meaningless house resolutions to get them on record. And perhaps, with some fluke of luck,things may get a little better in Iraq....then there will be troop reductions in time for 2006 elections. Bush will cling to nebulous "victory in Iraq" mantra because no one can oppose or disprove it as a strategy. The Dems need to focus on the rampant corruption, violation of law regarding spying on US Citizens and the false, criminal rush to war....Hell, we impeached the last president over oral sex, surely we can investigate the above transgressions....The drumbeat to impeachment must begin, before the spin machine wins another round....

Skindog

Re the Christmas carol quoted by Bush:
You usually hear a redacted version.
It is based on a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, in response to a personal tragedy and the ongoing Civil War.
Bush doesn't do nuance.

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound the carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn, the households born
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
'There is no peace on earth,' I said,
'For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.'

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
'God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.'

From
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/h/iheardtb.htm

Them fighting Dems...

Maj. L. Tammy Duckworth of the Illinois National Guard, is running for Congress after losing both her legs flying a Black Hawk helicopter in Iraq. NY Times: "Ms. Duckworth, who was discharged from Walter Reed on Wednesday and from active duty the day before, decided to run for Congress, joining a growing group of a dozen Iraq veterans running next year-most, like her, as Democrats." "My role in the Army gives me the courage to make the tough decisions." "Those of us who've served on the ground have a unique perspective on the war and on what it means to serve in combat."

Read the article here.

Or watch the interview here.

Dipping in the till again

Washington - It's that time again. Like a bunch of cowboys on a Saturday night, the Bush administration and its pals in Congress have run out of cash and used up their credit.

Was it only a year ago that Congress, after postponing the politically discommodious chore until safely after the 2004 election, voted to raise the federal debt limit to $8.1 trillion?

Yep. Bush signed the bill, giving the U.S. government the go-ahead to borrow another $800 billion.

It wasn't enough. They've run through it. They're broke again, and sorely in need of another $800 billion or so.

And they're trying like heck to extend their credit without causing a public stir.

The proposed legislation will bring the public debt to nearly $9 trillion. If you have a family of four, your household's share is about $120,000.

And that's just the principal. We're paying more than $300 billion a year in interest to our increasingly foreign creditors. That's enough to pay for the war in Iraq, or raise and rebuild New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Off subject, what about V. Novak's husband, a Democrat, being tapped for FEC chairman? Does it look like a kosher "best man for the job" deal to you? Did his wife's emergence in the Plame affair simply get heads looking in his direction, and he shares their philosophy on campaign finances anyway? What do you think? Is he the KB&R to V's Halliburton?

Oooh bunnypants pants are on fire!! He basically said yeah we made alot of mistakes with our bad intelligence, its okay if you disagree, butt fuck you if you do you democrat partisan exploitists. He's the same old spoiled little brat who, after his behavior and poll numbers took him to the woodshed, he says he's sorry and then paints a rosy merry christmas and future for the Iraqi islamists. I am a defeatist hopefully in our 2006 elections against the repuglicans.

Mr. David Corn,

Good post, Keep up the good work!

I am sure the baby Jesus would approve of everything Bush says and does. Bush talks out of both sides of his mouth and he will never be able to un-ring those Christmas Bells.

I think when his poll numbers reflect less holiday cheer Bush will have to do something other than lies and call those who do not agree with his specific brand insanity defeatists.

Seem like Bush is buying some defeatist rhetoric to excuse his obvious failing.

The anti-war movement was made of the same rhetoric and "rolling thunder" in Vietnam and Cambodia was all happy talk about how we would make the NVA submit and peace was "on the march".

As you said - no amount of talk can change what is happening on the ground in Iraq.

Thanks

Kirk

Big Brother Bush

The president took a step toward a police state

The Bush administration is continuing its assault on Americans' privacy and freedom in the name of the war on terrorism.

First, in 2002, according to extensive reporting in The New York Times on Friday, it secretly authorized the National Security Agency to intercept and keep records of Americans' international phone and e-mail messages without benefit of a previously required court order. Second, it has permitted the Department of Defense to get away with not destroying after three months, as required, records of American Iraq war protesters in the Pentagon's Threat and Local Observation Notice, or TALON, database.

Both practices mean that a government agency is maintaining information on Americans, reminiscent of the Johnson and Nixon administrations' approach to Vietnam War protesters. The existence of those records should be seen against a background of the Bush administration's response to criticism of the Iraq war by retired Ambassador Joseph C. Wilson. His wife's career at the CIA was ended in revenge for an article he wrote unmasking a dodgy piece of intelligence that President Bush had used in a State of the Union message to seek to support his decision to go to war.

It appears that the phone and e-mail messages of thousands of Americans and foreigners resident in America have been or are being monitored and recorded by the NSA. Such action is not supposed to be taken without an application to and an order approved by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. Mr. Bush issued an executive order in 2002, months after the Sept. 11, 2001, attack, removing -- secretly -- that legal safeguard of Americans' privacy and civil rights.

The Pentagon's action as part of TALON will be put forward as an oversight, but the idea of the Department of Defense maintaining files on American war protesters, perhaps with easy cross-reference to the NSA's records based on the results of their monitoring of phone calls and e-mails of potentially those same protesters, makes possible a very serious violation of Americans' civil rights.

*****end of clip*****

I know, the story has become threadbare already but . . .

"Threat and Local Observation Notice, or TALON, database."

TALON, Hmmmm why does that name ring a bunch of bells?

Coincidence? I think this is too small a world for that to happen. Somebody at the five rings is having a little fun at our expense?

"Coincidence doesn't just happen" ~ Homer J Simpson

capt

Bigger Brother

President Bush was cavalier on Friday night when he told Jim Lehrer on PBS that a report about the National Security Agency eavesdropping on U.S. citizens was "not the main story of the day." He is entitled to his own news judgment, but it reveals a lot about his willingness to disregard constitutional safeguards and civil liberties while pursuing the war on terrorism. To the rest of us, the revelation in the New York Times that the National Security Agency has been eavesdropping on people within the United States without judicial warrants was stunning. In one of the more egregious cases of governmental overreach in the aftermath of 9/11, Bush secretly authorized the monitoring, without any judicial oversight, of international phone calls and e-mail messages from the United States.

The news came on the same day that Congress voted not to extend controversial aspects of the soon-to-expire Patriot Act, and on the heels of disturbing reports that the Pentagon's shadowy Counterintelligence Field Activity office has been keeping tabs on domestic antiwar groups, including monitoring Quaker meetings, under the guise of protecting military installations. The program is reminiscent of official efforts to spy on antiwar groups in the 1960s.

The scandalous abuse of Americans' civil liberties in that period led in the 1970s to a new set of laws aimed at curtailing domestic espionage by intelligence agencies. To balance national security needs with our constitutional liberties, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act created secret "FISA" courts in which the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other federal agencies can covertly obtain warrants to eavesdrop on suspected spies (now terrorists too) in the United States. These courts are generally efficient and deferential to the government. Yet the Bush administration still opted to cut them out of the process in some cases; warrants are still sought to intercept all communications that took place entirely within the United States.

Some critics say the FISA courts are too slow to issue decisions in an environment in which every minute counts, and that Cold War laws are ill-suited for a war on amorphous terrorist cells. If that's the case, the administration and Congress should have worked together to alter the courts' procedures or to amend the law. Instead, the White House unilaterally opted to exempt much of its antiterrorism efforts from any kind of judicial oversight —†just as it tried doing with its policies regarding detainees.

*****end of clip*****

I know, more of the same but . . .

If Bunnypants thinks it is right and proper to spy on American citizens - just think what he might be doing in Iraq? I bet that neo-democracy is as full of crap as Bush is. (okay well DUH!)

capt

Anonymous,

Thank you for the full poem, the context is important.

I agree with David's last sentiments; to bring up Christmas, a Christian holy-day in the context of the Iraq war sends the message that this is a Christian crusade against Islam. I don't think this was a mistake though. I think this was targeted to Bush's KKKristian base.

Anonymous,

Thank you for the full poem, the context is important.

David, I agree with yourlast sentiments; to bring up Christmas, a Christian holy-day in the context of the Iraq war sends the message that this is a Christian crusade against Islam. I don't think this was a mistake though. I think this was targeted to Bush's KKKristian base.

hmmm, I didn't think I posted that first one - I used the Preview button first, I thought...hence the differences.

I posted the whole poem YESTERDAY at 4 in the morning and nobody even noticed - psychic? *sigh*

It is by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) and was written during the civil war. Set to music years after the original poem was published.

capt

PS - double posts with the same timestamp. Impossible if the web-wizards cleaned up the file handling. (no malicious posts within 2 minutes is the goal) so two at the same time is system related on their side - not our fault!

I did not watch the Coward from Crawford last night but could not avoid a little clip on the local news this morning.

Anybody else notice the shaky hands?

Looks like Bush is very scared and this "speech" was an effort to quell HIS fears more than ours. That and a chance to use the bully(sh*t) pulpit to keep the mindless drones walking to the cliff and take a cheap shot at the opposition by calling them defeatists. That is suppose to shame the millions of GOPhers that have jumped ship.

Just an observation based on a very short clip!

capt

'Tis the Season to Be Wary: Christmas Wars are About Power, Not Christ

Prior to the radical right's takeover of America (which leaders like James Dobson, Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell modestly present as a goal rather than what it really is -- a done deal), Christians considered it in keeping with the American spirit of respecting other faiths to send "Happy Holidays" cards to non-Christian coworkers and neighbors, but such etiquette is now considered a sign of the card writer's weak faith, cowardice, or both. I can even remember when Christians thought it humorous rather than enraging when Jewish friends used the term, "Hanukkah bush" .

You'd better watch out, I'm telling you why…†

By now in Bush's divisive America we know the drill: The onset of the Christmas season is our cue to start getting angry. "Is America a Christian nation, or not? Christmas and Christians are being attacked -- we'll soon be extinct! We must defeat the infidels!"

Fundamentalists are keen to drive home the idea that their version of Christianity is the only religion that governmental properties and institutions must "respect" by broadcasting and displaying the same words, labels, and decorations that churches use. The American tradition of separation of church and state is now reframed as a tragic mistake (or sinful legacy) that must be rectified at once.

God rest ye angry gentlemen…†

Not every Christian falls for this belligerent approach to Christmas, as noted above, but I am sad to report that even the most tolerant conservatives I know have started parroting the lines they hear and read every day: "It's a shame we're not even allowed to say 'Merry Christmas' anymore" , "Christianity is threatened because now you can't call the tree downtown a 'Christmas tree'," and 'It's ridiculous that I have to think before I send out Christmas cards -- why should I have to send 'Happy Holidays' cards to people who might be Jewish or atheist? After all, I have a duty to share my faith…Æ..."

*****end of clip*****

Another good piece from the good doctor Whitehurst!

capt

What a great strategy. Invade a country don't tell anyone your plans for the aftermath, other than were just going to wing it, and then after having no "METRICS" to judge what actually has happened, give a speech explaining this is where we are. Brialliant it just cuts any disent or legitimate arguments to be made and hands the opposition their lunch. The administration's motto " Just do it" rules! Wasn't it great when WJC would and when he still does today, comment on something, being able to articulate minutia and details with at the very least a road map of where he was going. The seperation of the people and the state is in full blossom here today.The government really has gotten smaller, THE PART WE GET TO CONTROL. Thanks David for all the grokking.

Off Topic: Have you sent the V. Novak's a congragulatory note yet on his new job with the administration? Given the dust-up of the past few weeks, it was quite a coincidence, huh?

Speaking of grokking, I know many people who used to think they understood what America stands for, now they feel like a "Stranger in a Strange Land" --remember that muddled, but interesting, science-fiction book by Robert Heinlein?

This country has become a strange land, IMO. Who knows, we could be better off if Martians took over.

bush made crystal clear his true feelings about constitutional democracies. It was one of the very rare occasions that a bit of truth escaped those vile lips. His, "We're having our troops get slaughtered over there so they won't get slaughtered over here" routine was lame the first time he used it, it is a non event now. Feeding the war machine is what war mongers are all about, this crew is no different, except in their success in destroying the freedoms he claimed were the sole reason for all this hatred in the first place. I wonder, who benefits the most if Christians and Muslims wipe each other out in a nuclear Holy War?

#23 Robert Lenhard's (Mr. Viveca Novak) nomination to the FEC was first proposed in July 2003, but was not a popular choice in some circles because he was part of a legal team that challenged the constitutionality of McCain-Feingold campaign finace law.

So, it's not likely that this nomination is a quid pro quo for anything. Besides, Harry Reid recommended him back in '03.

"Of all the nonsense that twists the world, the concept of 'altruism' is the worst. People do what they want to do, every time." ~ Robert A. Heinlein, Jubal E. Harshaw in Stranger in a Strange Land

"Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.... Jealousy is a disease, love is a healthy condition. The immature mind often mistakes one for the other, or assumes that the greater the love the greater the jealousy." ~ Robert Heinlein (1907 - 1988), Stranger in a Srange Land

Have not read the book but saw these the other days so . . .

capt

Excuse my horrible spelling folks. many apologies, I'm multi-tasking and try not to read what i write before I send it. Sorry. Thanks again David for your time.

Oh, one other thing...the FEC is a meant to be 6-member bipartisan commission, so it really doesn't amount to a hill of beans that bush picked Democrat Lenhard.

busheviks make us so suspicious, that we see misdeeds everywhere. But, we should pick our battles more carefully. (Not saying anyone is looking for a battle here!)

#27 -- Gee whiz, capt! You have a quote handy for EVERYTHING!

David, I hope you're at bush's "press conference" even as I type this. Give him hell!

Under AP headlines, so pretty mainstream news, I would say, the headline reads:

"Gonzales: Congress essentially authorized domestic spying post-9/11"

Having a "whaaaa?" reaction, I opened the article. Here's my favorite paragraph:

''Our position is that the authorization to use military force which was passed by the Congress shortly after Sept. 11 constitutes that authority,'' said Gonzales. He called the monitoring ''probably the most classified program that exists in the United States government.''

Wow, there is some convoluted logic going on there. First statement: military force = spy on people at home, who are not in the military. There's a handy interpretation.

And the last statement' "Most classified program" - that is some of the "best" understatement/semantic tap-dancing I've ever seen. Yeah, I guess not telling anybody what you're doing because it's so illegal you should be shot for treason could be called classified.

Outrageous!

Um, why are we not outraged??????

Distinguished University of Minnesota Philosophy Professor Joins 9/11 Fight, Saying the Truth Must Be Uncovered
James H.Fetzer, PhD., has publicly thrown his hat in the ring to support other professors seriously questioning and casting doubt on the official 9/11 story.

By Greg Szymanski

A University of Minnesota philosophy professor, like an unexpected Christmas snowstorm, has dropped a large bundle of holiday cheer on the 9/11 truth movement, as this week he has thrown his hat into the ring with others seeking the truth.

I stand with Steve Jones, professor of physics at BYU and David Ray Griffin, professor emeritus of Theology at Claremont and other students and scholars of 9/11, who believe that extraordinary times require extraordinary measures, said James H. Fetzer, PhD., a distinguished McNight University professor at the University of Minnesota at Duluth.

Professor Fetzer now becomes another in a long list of academicians, including Jones and Griffin, who have cast severe doubt on the credibility of the government's official 9/11 story, calling for a renewed debate and independent investigation to get at the truth.

Fetzer has published more than 100 articles and reviews as well as 20 books in the philosophy of science and on the theoretical foundations of computer science, artificial intelligence, and cognitive science.

One fascinating aspect of 9/11 is that the official story involves collaboration between some nineteen persons in order to bring about illegal ends and thus obviously qualifies as a conspiracy theory, wrote Fetzer.

When critics of the government offer an alternative account that implicates key figures of the government in 9/11, that obviously qualifies as a conspiracy theory too. But what matters now is that we are confronted by alternative accounts of what happened on 9/11, both of which qualify as "conspiracy theories". It is therefore no longer rational to dismiss one of them as a "conspiracy theory" in favor of the other. The question becomes, which of two conspiracy theories is more defensible?
In concluding his academic look at 9/11, Fetzer boldly asks Americans to Endeavour to seek the truth in every possible way, suggesting the government-dominated mass media has presented one of the biggest obstacles.

This conclusion, moreover, receives confirmation from the conduct of our highest elected officials, who took extraordinary steps to prevent any formal investigation of 9/11 and, when it was forced upon them by tremendous political pressure, especially from the survivors of victims of these crimes, they did whatever they could to subvert them. There are good reasons for viewing The 9/11 Commission Report (2004) as the historical successor to and functional equivalent of The Warren Report (1964).

I therefore believe that those of us who care about the truth and the restoration of responsible government in the United States have an obligation to make use of every possible media venue from talk radio and the internet to newspapers and television whenever possible. The American people can act wisely only when they know the truth.
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One more for the side of truth. Why would ANYONE possibly be against an independent team, with no govt. or oil pipeline connections whatsoever, conducting a complete, scientific examination of what happened on 9/11? If they are telling the truth, why all the objections? I would like to start with lifting the gag order from Sibel Edmonds.

I use quotationspage.com for most quotes.

Their page has a search engine for 6 - 7 collections.

A quote for even this post! HA!

"I never have found the perfect quote. At best I have been able to find a string of quotations which merely circle the ineffable idea I seek to express." ~ Caldwell O'Keefe

capt

Pelosi Hails Democrats' Diverse War Stances

By Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, December 16, 2005; A23

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said yesterday that Democrats should not seek a unified position on an exit strategy in Iraq, calling the war a matter of individual conscience and saying differing positions within the caucus are a source of strength for the party.

Pelosi said Democrats will produce an issue agenda for the 2006 elections but it will not include a position on Iraq. There is consensus within the party that President Bush has mismanaged the war and that a new course is needed, but House Democrats should be free to take individual positions, she sad.

"There is no one Democratic voice . . . and there is no one Democratic position," Pelosi said in an interview with Washington Post reporters and editors.

Pelosi recently endorsed the proposal by Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.) for a swift redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq over a period of six months, but no other party leader followed, and House Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) publicly opposed her.

She said her support for Murtha was not intended to forge a Democratic position on the war, adding that she blocked an effort by some of her colleagues to put the Democrats on record backing Murtha.
----------
Has she completely lost her marbles?? Her strategy is to KEEP the dems divided and without the ability to make a stand, or come up with an alternate plan? I think I've heard it all now. I wonder if $57,000 in AIPAC contributions has anything to do with this brain-dead obstruction.

Gerald, I know how you puke a lot...well, I took an anti-emetic and am watching bush's press conference. It's hard work watching President Jumpy Jaw.

He just told us about "retrobution" but I didn't quite get his point.

He's falling apart, IMO, more so than usual. Give 'em the hook.

Coincidence? I think this is too small a world for that to happen. Somebody at the five rings is having a little fun at our expense?

"Coincidence doesn't just happen" ~ Homer J Simpson
^^^^^^^^^^6
I wasn't going to bother posting until I saw the above - - but there's that word coincidence again....so, imagine that the WTC was NOT a controlled demo., and that flight 175 had NOT been replaced with a 737, and that 19 little fools with magic boxcutters DID manage to pull off the crime of the century under the direction of bin Laden....911 could STILL only be explained in two ways:: either the govt. was complicit, or bin Laden and his followers were superhuman ::
osama bin laden: evil super genius?

We have the NY Times & Time Magazine sitting on stories for a year that confirmed Bush was breaking the law by listening in on phone calls without obtaining a warrant. We have Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, & Jay Rockefeller saying nothing, KNOWING, that Bush was breaking the law. We have Hillary Clinton who is running 1st in the polls for the nomination in 2008, co-sponsoring an admendment on flag burning and supporting Bush's policies in Iraq. We have the 2000 Democratic VP candidate, Joe Lieberman, joining the Bush Kool Aid drinkers of America in supporting this immoral quagmire in Iraq. Thankfully, we have 11 congressional candidates who served in the Iraqi war and will anchor the takeback of the House in 2006. We need new leadership desperately. Russ Feingold is a good start but we need more Feingolds to take our country back from these cowardly Chickenhawks, who have set policies so that middle America and poor Americans pay for this war, instead of asking those who have the most pay their fair share.

#38 Crap happens when big money runs the show.

http://billmon.org/

Short and . . . well . . not-so sweet.

capt

"Crap happens when big money runs the show."

True and also a bit of a giggle!

Maybe I am finding humor everywhere and it might be a defensive mechanism but . . .

"Crap happens!"

HA & tee hee!

capt

From: Smoking Mirrors Blog

In the Land of The Stupids

Everything in the land of stupid makes a stupid kind of sense. Going backwards looks like going forwards. Painful things appear to be necessary things even when the pain is a reminder of the results of practicing stupid things. The stupider and more unreasonable everything becomes in reality, the more reality is adjusted in perception to make stupid look smart. It becomes okay to live and eat and breathe stupid.

Lies are not lies; they are adjusted truths that have been explained in terms of stupid. The mindless violence for gain is seen to be a cost effective investment for the general good. Pointless sacrifice of the many for the benefit of the few is, in the stupid perspective, a pervasive boon for the greatest good of the greatest number of people.

Cutting Medicare and food stamps and social services and all manner of benefits that would seem to be hallmarks of a successful society are proven to be wise and compassionate in the land of the stupids. Those who cannot spend the interest on their gains are given additional gains and those with little or nothing are bent over a barrel and a nation of stupids applauds as they are bent over the barrel.

The foreign policy of the nation is run from a small country in the Middle East that is the source of the majority of the trouble in that location and this is defined as legal and permissible in the land of the stupids. The leader of this small country tells a former leader of this small country that they don’¥ have to worry about anything that happens in the land of the stupids because they control this country. The hard physical evidence of this exchange is documented and reported in the news and easily obtained but, it didn't actually get said and nobody heard it exactly as it was said exactly because... because... they are stupid?

Massive buildings collapse in free fall and in defiance of physics as the result of a fire caused by the impact of a plane (hijacked by some terrorists of which nearly half were found to be living somewhere else after they died) into a building designed to withstand the impact of the plane where no buildings of similar type and even buildings less securely constructed have ever collapsed before; even when the fires raged for hours and hours longer. This is easily explained in the land of the stupids. The owner of a building not hit by anything is recorded as saying they would bring down the building and immediately the building that wasn't hit by anything comes down. This owner had weeks before acquired billions of dollars worth of terror insurance and so on and so on but, it didn't actually happen in the land of the stupids even though it did happen and it didn't really mean anything.

In the land of the stupids when you eat your own young you are actually being fruitful and multiplying. In the land of the stupids a country that stood in opposition to Stalinist policies can be applying textbook Stalinist policies taken from the Stalinist textbooks and the critics can be called Stalinists. In the land of the stupids the mouthpieces of the stupids can screech like crows and abuse like alcoholic parents and are pronounced to be fair, reasonable and eloquent voices bravely raised above the screeching of crows.

In the land of the stupids two and two does not make four. In the land of the stupids you can look right at something and not see it. In the land of the stupids something can be made simply and perfectly clear and immediately become complex and perfectly unclear. In the land of the stupids it is clear that you can be never be too stupid or too stupid.
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AMEN.

Howdy!

'Legtricty back on last night...wouldn't have noticed, except for the water started flowing out an open tap...

Phone lines still down...so I don't have any "internets" yet.

Don't have time to check, but please beat down anybody defending Bunnypant's justification for breaking the law by authorizing spying on American citizen's without judicial review...

Come to think of it, don't bother, just let them continue to spout their stupidity.

Heard a bit of the lying weasel's "address" last night. Lies even when he's trying to admit his past of lying.

Spc. Spanky's pretty sure they're headed for Tal Afar (sp?) really bad, bad news...Last weeks in Germany training to seek out IED's and uhm...well, you know...

Gotta run... I think this Library's bugged!

-T

Stupids are not born, they are nutured through a weak education and further raised by incompetants.

I was out last night and only heard Bush speak. I would have like to see his hands shaking, or see the look in his eyes. He was reading very smoothly for the most part, and it almost seemed that someone had impersonated his voice. A couple shots of bourbon before the broadcast could have helped in that respect.

So his polls are up 10% due to flip flopping stupid white men. His speach was so rhetorical as to be absurd. Newspeak.

I call his last five speeches the kitchen speeches. In each one he tries to present the directions to making an omelet. Toss all of the ingredients into the blender, turn on the spin, pour it into a hot pan, make sure that no one is watching (or would want to) and flip it over before serving.

Too bad that most of the people in the two democracies that were concerned (US and Iraq) could not agree less and want us out of Iraq.

Victory - in a war we are fighting against no army and no military presence, with an objective of killing more innocent bystanders that can be killed by the enemy.

Insurgents - most often referred to as patriots during a war for independence.

Sovereignity - something intangible that cannot bestowed on a foreign country,, but must be asserted from within. (By insurgency?)

War on Terror - a great plan to replace the Cold War and spur spending for durable military goods.

George W. Bush - The same Hapless fool that was placed in charge unconstitutionally by the Supreme Court.

Victory Plan - The recipe for an egg omelet which needs to be revised for human consumption.

The Stupids - maybe the martians have landed?

BAGHDAD TO SWARTHMORE

by Ben McGrath
Issue of 2005-12-26 and 2006-01-02
Posted 2005-12-19

A group of enterprising students at Swarthmore College, in Pennsylvania, has some advice for the politically disaffected: If you find the media’≥ Iraq coverage unsatisfactory, pick up the phone. Don’¥ call the Times, or CNN, or Rupert Murdoch; call Baghdad. There are a couple of Iraqi phone books available on the Internet, and plenty of interesting people willing to share their stories directly, from six thousand miles away, many of them speaking decent English. When your phone bill starts to get out of hand, try downloading Skype, software that allows two people to talk free, from anywhere in the world, using computer microphones and a headset.

Amelia Templeton, a senior history major, estimates that she has spoken with twenty-five Iraqis over the past year, and now, as she said the other day, "it’≥ a bad idea to ask me about Iraq unless you plan on listening for a while." One of the Iraqis she spoke with, a painter named Esam Pasha, who is a grandson of the former Prime Minister Nuri al-Said, has even invited her to visit Baghdad. "I was told that if I came he’§ pick me up at the airport," she said. "Given what that road is like, how dangerous it is going to and from the airport, that’≥ quite an offer."

Templeton is one of the editors at War News Radio, a weekly half-hour show broadcast on the Swarthmore campus station, and podcast over the Web, where it draws as many as three thousand listeners a day. The show’≥ stated aim is to "rediscover the voices of real people" in Iraq. It is supervised by Marty Goldensohn, a thirty-year veteran of public radio, who offered the students this essential kernel of advice: "Mumble with authority." He also said, "When you call the Pentagon, you just say, as if you were the New York Times, ‘â’≠ calling from War News Radio.’†You say it as if it were their failing if they haven’¥ heard of us."

#36 micki, Bush is nuts!

Hot Dogs

In a previous post I mentioned that for the past 20 or 25 years I have felt that the Supreme Court is irrelevant. The U.S. Supreme Court has overridden state laws.

A good example is the Court overrode the Michigan state law on hot dogs. Michigan had one of the toughest laws regarding what companies could use in making hot dogs. The federal law pandered to the lobbyists and added more filler in the hot dogs, such lips and assholes.

I guess when we eat hot dogs we are eating more lips and assholes. Let me be clear, I enjoy eating a hot dog. Basically I will eat Koegel hot dogs but if the store is out of Koegel hot dogs, I will eat Hebrew National hot dogs. On rare occasions I will eat a Ballpark Frank.

There are companies who will say that their hot dogs plump or puff up. There are hot dogs that will plump or puff up in boiling water or on a grill. Whenever I see these dogs puffing up, I am reminded of lips and assholes, such as a woman puckering lips to kiss and an asshole spreading to let the shit come through the cavity.

Remember when you bite into a hot dog, you are consuming lips and assholes and after you have finished eating a hot dog, you will have a shit eating grin on your face.

Mmmmmmmm

hot dogs

left pocket right pocket or 2 sides of the same coin

Leading Democrats have all stated their support for the war in Iraq, once again highlighting how we must see beyond the false left / right paradigm and make it known to others that the Republicans and the Democrats are left and right arms used for the same agenda by the elite policy makers.

To date, there has been no Phase II report.

Senior Democratic Senate aides familiar with the task force’s activities say Republicans are stonewalling. One aide, who asked not to be named citing the secrecy of the investigation, explained that without the power of subpoena, Democrats are left with few options. “Phase II is dead,” the staffer said.

Gerald - is he nuts or is he the Hotdog he claims to be?

the president said. "Do not give in to despair, and do not give up on this fight for freedom."

I don't think he has a thing to worry about. All of us have overcome despair and will continue our fight for freedom over his incompetent regime.

It has been said that Iraq is better off without Saddam. And it is apparant that Iraq qould be better off without Bush, and even more apparant the the US would be better off without either of them as well.

When Bush Said "And the need for victory is larger than any president or political party, because the security of our people is in the balance." I thought THIS IS IT! HE IS GOING TO RESIGN FOR THE GOOD OF THE NATION!

Imagine my disappointment.

LewRockwell.com has several very good articles for December 19, 2005.

Who are the war criminals?

As I read Justin's article, amazement overcame me of thoughts of a loving God. If God did not have love and patience for sinners, we would see these war criminals in America dying off like flies. God truly loves a sinner and He gives us many opportunities to love Him and our neighbors.
He wants us to repent and rejoice in His love. Let us return our love for God through our deeds. Remember we are all brothers and sisters in God.

The present administration’s arguments for or against the war, domestic spying or the rest are formalisms. The United States is not run by its elected officials anyway. Vast bureaucratic anthills undermine American democracy. The agencies and the departments whose responsibility it is to wage war and gather intelligence are peopled by unelected decision makers. Elected officials come and go, but these functionaries continue to control the government and its policies until they retire. They work in secret, protected by classified activities and identities. They are hungry spiders hiding in almost invisible webs who never question the nature of the work they do. How can a spider have an existential crisis? They believe in a form of Manichaeism where good and evil battle without pause, and they always assume they are the good guys. Some presidents are more cooperative than others, but all are at the service of these insect colonies.

H-O-T-D-O-G, H=heads, O=organs, T=testicles, D=drainage, O=oddparts, G=gristle....

#51 geof01, Bush is feeding us a lot of lip service and shit. If we eat his lip service and shit, he is making hot dogs of us.

#51, with DEN's summary of a hot dog can we eat another one?

Am I the only one that believes chimpy is enjoying a WHITE Christmas, jaw is a tell.

I was watching David Brooks on Public Television. He said that Bush was looking more relaxed while speaking. When I hear comments like that I want to laugh. Is this a debate club?

We never know about President Jumpy Jaw -- he says the damnedest things at times...but one thing he said in his "press conference" this a.m. that got my attention regarding the domestic spying:

THE PRESIDENT: Oh, I got you. Yes, sorry. No, I'm not going to talk about that, because it would help give the enemy notification and/or, perhaps, signal to them methods and uses and sources. And we're not going to do that...And the reason it's secret is because if it's not secret, the enemy knows about it, and if the enemy knows about it, adjusts.

And again, I want to repeat what I said about Osama bin Laden, the man who ordered the attack that killed 3,000 Americans. We were listening to him. He was using a type of cell phone, or a type of phone, and we put it in the newspaper -- somebody put it in the newspaper that this was the type of device he was using to communicate with his team, and he changed. I don't know how I can make the point more clear that any time we give up -- and this is before they attacked us, by the way -- revealing sources, methods, and what we use the information for simply says to the enemy: change.
___________
Did he let the cat out of the bag about prior knowledge? Did the WH plant a story about OBL's communications' methods?

DEN, did he have a WHITE night?

#59 More relaxed? He looked like a hyped-up asshole to me, joking at inappropriate times, and belittling the press.

AS this idiot for our leader careens down his self delusional path of our destruction we have to listen to him talk about how he is protecting the american people by taking away our civil rights? Am I missing something here? I would be satisfied if he just did what he swore to do, uphold the constitution and defend it from all enemies both foreign and domestic. He has committed impeachable offenses, now let's get to work and impeach this asshole and get on with the rest of his crowd, Darth cheney can be indicted easily as well, so we are moving down the food chain. Keep on going until we can appoint an honest dog catcher for president or maybe a plumber. If we do I will be the water in Iraq will be on quickly. If we keep on having fuck ups in office then we get fucked up situations. Pretty damn obvious to me.

#55 and not #51 was DEN's summary of a hot dog.

WTF miki, looks like a enebriated mind to me, all over the map. They do have the Afgani connection to the good shyt. Freudian slip...OH YA!

WTF miki, looks like a enebriated mind to me, all over the map. They do have the Afgani connection to the good shyt. Freudian slip...OH YA!

Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." Copied directly from the goddamn piece of paper itself. How big of a boot will it take to send chimpy packing back to Texas

Say it all together now: Chimpy lied, people died.

GWB: "We will defeat the terrorists by capturing and killing them abroad"

Because God knows Bush hasn't lifted a finger to improve domestic security. Even his criminal disregard for the Bill of Rights doesn't make us safer, it only undermines democracy and the rule of law.

Bush's motto on Homeland Security: Better to light a single copy of the Constitution than to curse the darkness.

DEN 55, a friend of mine refers to hotdogs as "lips and assholes!" GROSS!

GWB: "Now, there are more than 125 Iraqi combat battalions fighting the enemy--more than 50 are taking the lead--and we have transferred more than a dozen military bases to Iraqi control."

So if the Iraqis are starting to "stand up" then we can "stand down," right? Let's reduce our troop strength by 125 battalions right away.

"How big of a boot will it take to send chimpy packing back to Texas"

This big would do it:

http://10e.org/samcimg/redwing.jpg

But even Texas no longer wants the slug!

capt

Saladin #69 and others,

"Lips and assholes" is a pretty good way to describe the Bush Administration.

Lips

Mmmmmmmmmm

On the Lighter Side

You don't stop laughing because you grow old; you grow old because you stopped laughing.

The Four Stages of Life:
1. You believe in Santa Claus.
2. You don't believe in Santa Claus.
3. You become Santa Claus.
4. You start to look like Santa Claus.

Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.

Never buy a car you can't push.

capt, Paul Bunyan size ought to do it, yep maybe a Texas flyover on the way to the Gulf.

#67 DEN,

Chimpy lied; people died!
Chimpy lied; people died!
Chimpy lied; people died!

#68, 70, & 72 eggman, good post! Amen! Amen again!

#71 capt, who in their right mind would want an amoeba like Bush?

Chimpy spotted hanging around the WH, hey whats that in his mouth

I thought I would stop by an see how you treasonous liberals were handling the presidents speeches. Before I got here I had a good idea of what I was going to see. Nothing but the same old spew. If you jackasses hate the U.S. and what we stand for get the fuck out. Good question for you jackasses. What are you going to do and say when The WMD are found and victory is achieved? I wish the Justice Dept. would put one of you jackasses in jail for treason. Maybe then the spew will stop.

American Soldiers

American soldiers are being killed like flies for Bush's lies. To date 2,403 American soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.

DON'T PATRONIZE ME WITH TALK ABOUT HUMAN LIVES. COLIN LAPDOG POWELL

It sounds like human lives are not important to Lapdog.

There is no sense trying to make sense from those who have no sense!

Wolfowitz + World Bank = War + Poverty

As Diebold goes, so goes the election!

American democracy is dead as we know it. We are now OUTSOURCING our dead American democracy around the world with our dead and maimed soldiers who are fighting in foreign lands so these lands can revel in our dead democracy.

My fellow Americans, Bush does not view our Constitution as a piece of paper. He views our Constitution as a piece of toilet paper so he can wipe his ass with it.

When God means to punish a nation He deprives its rulers of wisdom. Linda Schrock Taylor

No one can terrorize a whole nation, unless we are all his accomplices. Edward R. Murrow

All Americans are accomplices in Bush's murders and war crimes.

To sin is a human business; to justify sin is a devilish business. Leo Tolstoy, Russian author 1828-1910

PEACE TAKES COURAGE!

After the Prudhoe Bay drilling the caribou herds were said to have increased by one-third, supposedly because they began to consume garbage of oil field workers. Then it was said the animals were gathering for the purpose of reproductive activities close to the warm pipeline itself, and that was the cause of their increase. Now drilling technology has improved significantly since Prudhoe Bay, and a billion barrels of oil can be extracted with many fewer workers. It will be interesting to see how much the caribou increase will be slowed by the reduced volume of human garbage.

#69 Saladin, the idea of lips and assholes that comprise the making of hot dogs has been around for some time.

We just finished decorating the tree and one of the radio stations had Christmas music and tears were in my eyes knowing that our soldiers will continue to be killed and maimed in Iraq. This will not be a happy time for me. Pray that God can end this wrong and immoral war!!!

DEN,

#77, I am beginning to think it was no pretzel that chocked the Coward from Crawford.

BTW - notice how quickly the smell of monkey-butt brings the delusional "you lefties" callers here? HA!

capt

There is talk about giving the boot to Bush. Why would anyone want to give Bush, a.k.a. shit, the boot and have shit all over your boots?

I want to take the time to wish my eleven foxes a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Eleven Foxes

What is great about the computer, I can log onto different websites and focus on some people and their articles. The eleven foxes for me are Arianna Huffington, Maureen Dowd, Teresa Whitehurst, Karen Kwiatkowski, Eleanor Clift, Molly Ivins, Cindy Sheehan, Katrina Vanden Heuvel, Sister Joan Chittister, OSB, Naomi Klein, and Devvy Kidd. Not only are these eleven women pleasant to look at, but they also write exceptional articles.

Here is a brief overview of why these writers are foxes for me.

1. Cindy Sheehan is a mother of a soldier that was killed in Iraq. She wants to know what noble cause killed her son. The chickenhawk, Bush, refuses to answer the question.
2. Eleanor Clift may not write articles like the rest of the women but I enjoy her intelligence in standing up to the bushcos when she appears as a guest on the various talk shows.
3. Molly Ivins is from Texas and she, too, will not take any crap from Bush or his family. Plus, any woman who drinks beer from the bottle is my kind of woman.
4. Arianna Huffington is a Republican but she is an objective person in assessing America’≥ problems. She chooses her country over her party.
5. Karen Kwiatkowski is a retired military general with a Ph.D. Her articles are well written and her love for the military is noted but she will not go along with stinking military thinking from the other generals and from that chickenhawk, Bush.
6. Teresa Whitehurst is a Ph.D. clinical psychologist who writes great Christian articles that reveal her discipleship in following Jesus.
7. Maureen Dowd is a columnist with the NYTimes. She, too, writes very good articles that reveal her innate nurturing and sensitivity as a true female. Why this gorgeous woman is not married I do not know.
8. Katrina Vanden Heuvel is new the list of foxes but she is a valuable member. Katrina writes articles for The Nation magazine.
9. Sister Joan Chittister, OSB, can be read on NCRonline.org. Sister Joan is a bit of a maverick for a Catholic nun but she does convey some interesting thoughts.
10. Naomi Klein writes for The Nation and her writings are also published on the Guardian.
11. Devvy Kidd writes for News with Views website. She has several interesting articles to read. You can also type in her name and you can check the articles.

There will probably be other names of foxes that will be added to my list but these eleven names are a good start.

I want to also wish that Maureen Dowd would find the man of her dreams during this new year.

Still looking for WMD? (worthless-moronic-dipshits) I hear they've been spotted all over D.C.

To boot or "86-43" either one!

HA!

To boot or "86-43" either one!

HA!

jaw is always a tell - did anyone notice how white of a christmas he had after the 2nd prez debate with kerry? jeez, he must've ground his teeth down to nubs - what a fool and what a country of fools that he rules

Don't I remember Bill Clinton being impeached over some blue dress incident...

We are all wearing the blue dress now!

Your great great grandchildren will be busy trying to fix this moron's countless fuck ups.

Worst president ever. God help us all.

IAVA: Operation Truth's New Name

Today, we are announcing that Operation Truth has been renamed Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). We have made great strides over the past year, but there is much left to do, and we will continue to work on behalf of the hundreds-of-thousands of veterans of these 21st-Century wars, as IAVA.

The change in name does not mean we are changing our mission one bit. Nor does it mean civilian support is no longer welcome. We are still the premier organization for the Troops and Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the civilians who support those Troops and Veterans. We will continue to work to ensure enactment of policies that benefit the Troops, both in the field and when they come home.

Stay tuned for some new exciting programs we will be unveiling in the coming weeks and months. Now more than ever, we need to come together to make sure politicians in Washington know we are holding them accountable for decisions they make that affect the wellbeing of the Troops and Veterans. Tell your friends to join IAVA today!

Please use the comment thread below to sound off about our name change. We’≤e always eager to hear your thoughts!

Thank you for REALLY supporting the Troops!

Read more . . .
IAVA Staff
04:00 PM Dec 19, 2005

#86 & 89, WMD's (worthless moronic dipshits) are spotted all over D.C. and beyond the Beltway. The dipshits are oozing from one state to another state. Soon our entire land will be a nation of dipshits.

LONG TIME, NO HOLLA!!

The Holiday Season???

Congress gives more tax breaks to rich folk, while over 250,000 people will be taken off the food stamp rolls, along with additional cuts at the VA, cuts in Student Aid, Medicaid&Medicare.

I remember when "Ol' Cockroach" DeLay made reference in the mid 90's about the republican party's quest to reshape America, where there will be no resemblance of any New Deal & Great Society programs. F#$k that c$%ksuckin' lil' b$%ch!

Now the bushites will feel the pinch of the new cuts to their Mommas, Daddies, Grannies & Paw Paws. And remember, you Kool-Aid drinkin' sheep, keep livin', and someday, you'll get old too, and you'll be on them knees and beggin' please for gov't help. THINK ABOUT IT!!

HAVE A SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON!

Cornposters, can you now start to understand how far Americans have embraced hatred, murders, torture, and war crimes? We are a nation of murderers and war criminals. Let us stop forsaking God and replacing Him with the bushgod.

Senator Byrd: No President is Above the Law

December 19, 2005
byrd2006.com

Senator Byrd


Americans have been stunned at the recent news of the abuses of power by an overzealous President. It has become apparent that this Administration has engaged in a consistent and unrelenting pattern of abuse against our Country's law-abiding citizens, and against our Constitution.

We have been stunned to hear reports about the Pentagon gathering information and creating databases to spy on ordinary Americans whose only sin is choose to exercise their First Amendment right to peaceably assemble. Those Americans who choose to question the Administration's flawed policy in Iraq are labeled by this Administration as "domestic terrorists."

We now know that the F.B.I.'s use of National Security Letters on American citizens has increased one hundred fold, requiring tens of thousands of individuals to turn over personal information and records. These letters are issued without prior judicial review, and provide no real means for an individual to challenge a permanent gag order.

Through news reports, we have been shocked to learn of the CIA s practice of rendition, and the so-called "black sites," secret locations in foreign countries, where abuse and interrogation have been exported, to escape the reach of U.S. laws protecting against human rights abuses.

*****end of clip*****

Sen. Byrd is rocking in the free world.

capt

Gerald 94, you see, we ARE living in the Land of the Stupids!

Osama, Saddam? What's in a name?

Mon Dec 19,12:40 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With a slip of the tongue, U.S. President George W. Bush briefly turned Osama bin Laden into Saddam Hussein on Monday.

Bush momentarily switched the names of his two greatest nemeses in a news conference at the White House where he was defending his decision to authorize eavesdropping on Americans suspected of links with al Qaeda and other organizations in the U.S. war on terrorism.

"In the late 1990s, our government was following Osama bin Laden because he was using a certain type of telephone and then the fact that we were following Osama bin Laden because he was using a certain type of telephone made it into the press as the result of a leak," Bush said.

"And guess what happened. Saddam ...Osama bin Laden changed his behavior. He began to change how he communicated. We're at war. And we must protect America's secrets."

The Bush administration sought to convince Americans before the invasion of Iraq that Saddam Hussein's government had links to bin Laden's al Qaeda. No such links have been proven.
-----------
Slip of the tongue? I don't think so.

This is an interesting website. Unfortunately, the dialogue appears a bit one-sided, and I hope this group is open-minded, and can truly engage in dialogue.

Has anyone ever asked, what if Bush turns out to be right? We won't know for 15-20 years. I recall the outrage when Reagan wanted to put nukes in West Germany. I recall the second-guessing when he spoke in West Berlin, and provocatily told Gorbachev to pull down the wall. Reagan has his share of opponents who vocally denounced these actions as leading to WW III. I believe he was right, but he may have been lucky that John Paul II was pople, and that the implosion of the USSR was inevitable.

The Republicans were radically and vocally opposed to Truman when he came up with the containment strategy for communism -- and were wrong.

Are you rooting for the USA to succeed?

What would pulling out mean for the USA for the next 20 years?

Was what the US and the world doing on September 10th working?

How should we handle Iran?

If you could pick a president to handle Iran (FDR, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Reagan) to handle Iran, who would you pick? and why?

This is an interesting website. Unfortunately, the dialogue appears a bit one-sided, and I hope this group is open-minded, and can truly engage in dialogue.

Has anyone ever asked, what if Bush turns out to be right? We won't know for 15-20 years. I recall the outrage when Reagan wanted to put nukes in West Germany. I recall the second-guessing when he spoke in West Berlin, and provocatily told Gorbachev to pull down the wall. Reagan has his share of opponents who vocally denounced these actions as leading to WW III. I believe he was right, but he may have been lucky that John Paul II was pople, and that the implosion of the USSR was inevitable.

The Republicans were radically and vocally opposed to Truman when he came up with the containment strategy for communism -- and were wrong.

Are you rooting for the USA to succeed?

What would pulling out mean for the USA for the next 20 years?

Was what the US and the world doing on September 10th working?

How should we handle Iran?

If you could pick a president to handle Iran (FDR, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Reagan) to handle Iran, who would you pick? and why?

The name of the boogeyman can change as long as the sheeple think there is a wolf about they will herd themselves.

capt

U.S. House Wraps Up Budget With Defense Plan, Spending Cuts
Dec. 19 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. House adjourned for the year after approving a $453 billion Department of Defense budget for fiscal 2006 and $39.7 billion in spending cuts over five years to benefit programs such as Medicaid and student loans.

The defense budget faces opposition in the Senate, where Democrats plan to raise procedural objections because the legislation includes a provision to open Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration.

``The rules are being changed in the middle of the game,'' said Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat. Rules prohibit attaching any provision to a House-Senate agreement that wasn't originally passed in either chamber. ``This abuse of power will have long-term ramifications in this body.''
------------
Comment from Mike Rivero; Gotta get rid of those useless eaters, and make it impossible for kids to go to college so they’¨l enlist.

I'd like to know what drilling in the ANWR has to do with defense spending.

I prefer this analysis:

LAST night, in his Oval Office address, Presi dent Bush graciously gave his critics their proper due — even as he was putting them in a strategic and ideological box from which they will not be able to escape.
Yes, he said, we went to war believing that Saddam Hussein had WMDs, and much of the intelligence proved to be wrong. Yes, he said, the war has been more difficult than his administration expected it would be.

And yes, he said, there is a serious argument against his entire approach in Iraq and the War on Terror that cannot simply be dismissed. The loss of life and limb in Iraq "has led some to ask if we are creating more problems than we are solving."

He called that question "important," and said "the answer depends on your view of the War on Terror."

Those killing and maiming American troops include foreign terrorists, which has made Iraq a battlefield in the terror war. "If you think the terrorists would become peaceful if only America would stop provoking them, then it might make sense to leave them alone," he said.

This is a very simple, but ultimately accurate, reflection of a strain of so-called "realist" thought that courses through the non-psycho criticisms of the Bush administration policy. We are under attack, according to this line of thinking, because we are being provocative towards our attackers.

"This," Bush said, "is not the threat I see." The threat he sees is from a "global terrorist movement that exploits Islam in the service of radical political aims." The terrorists he fears "view the world as a giant battlefield — and they seek to attack us wherever they can. . . . And if we were not fighting them in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in Southeast Asia and in other places, the terrorists would not be peaceful citizens. They would be on the offense, and headed our way." After all, when we were attacked on 9/11, we were not in Afghanistan, or Iraq.

"My conviction comes down to this," Bush said. "We do not create terrorism by fighting the terrorists. We invite terrorism by ignoring them."

Thus, in a gesture rare for any president, did Bush fairly summarize criticism of his policy and then attempt to rebut it in a straightforward and humble fashion.

"I have heard your disagreement, and I know how deeply it is felt," he said to his critics. "Yet now there are only two options before our country — victory or defeat."

If you want to think I've done the country wrong by getting us into this war, Bush was saying, that is your right. But now that we're in it, we have to win it. Victory should be a goal supported by all Americans because defeat would mean a win for terrorists, the abandonment of those in Iraq who have risked their lives to work toward democracy, and the undermining of all our military has sought to achieve there.

The good news, he said, is that "not only can we win the war in Iraq — we are winning the war in Iraq."

The Iraqi election on Thursday followed months of new successes in fighting foreign terrorists and Saddamists. "For every scene of destruction in Iraq," the president said, "there are more scenes of rebuilding and hope. For every life lost, there are countless more lives reclaimed. And for every terrorist working to stop freedom in Iraq, there are many more Iraqis and Americans working to defeat them."

Efforts in Iraq have improved because "we have learned from our experiences, and fixed what has not worked. We will continue to listen to honest criticism."

And then, having painstakingly constructed his relentlessly fair argument, he then turned it back on his critics with airtight logic.

"There is a difference," he said, "between honest critics who recognize what is wrong, and defeatists who refuse to see that anything is right. Defeatism may have its partisan uses, but it is not justified by the facts."

Thus, the president was saying, I hereby acknowledge both my mistakes and my responsibility for the decisions I've made. You have every right to blame me and hold me liable if you think the choice was the wrong one. You may even make "partisan use" of the war if you wish.

But in the end, "the need for victory is larger than any president or political party." In the end, "the security of our people is in the balance." Hate me. But if you love America and its brave men and women in uniform, you will agree with me that "the road to victory . . . is the road that will take them home."

Checkmate, Mr. Murtha.

Greg,

This is not a quiz game show blog. Tell us what you think, what president you would pick and why.

You share your opinion and if anybody is interested in commenting they will.

capt

Greg, I would like to answer, but it is impossible to have a debate when the premise of one side is based on totally erroneous information. How can a policy based on decades old lies be defended? BTW, what is it about Iran that needs to be handled? They are no threat to us or Israel for that matter, but they are a threat to the hegemony of the petrodollar. Care to comment on the upcoming Iranian Bourse?

World Peace Forum Moves to Create International Peace Secretariat

by Eric Garris

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - At the invitation of the Perdana Peace Foundation, I spent the week attending their Global Peace Forum.

The foundation was started by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the former prime minister of Malaysia, who was also the keynote speaker at the event.

The conference was attended by approximately 2,000 people from dozens of nations. The speakers included antiwar hero Daniel Ellsberg, antinuclear activist Helen Caldicott, outspoken British MP George Galloway, Iraq war veteran Jimmy Massey, Prince Alfred of Liechtenstein, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, and former UN officials Hans von Sponeck and Denis Halliday.

Antiwar.com editorial director Justin Raimondo and myself were among the featured speakers. The event was financed entirely by corporate and NGO sponsors, including top Asian companies, as well as a few Western companies like Dell Computer and Nestle.

*****end of clip*****

"I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it." ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

War is not the answer.

Bring the troops home.

capt

"Unfortunately, the dialogue appears a bit one-sided

If you are seeking balance you might try a site that is not named:

http://www.bushlies.com

(put the URL above in the address line and press enter)

See, the dialogue here is not seeking balance with delusional thinking or 20 year hypotheticals. We are grounded in reality.

Probably not the place to look for balance since we all know Bush is a liar, lied us into an illegal and unwise military action that has killed hundreds of thousands to find out there are no WMD's, no CBW, no threat to the USA, no connections to Al Qaeda, no reason to worry, no-fly zones north and south.

However, the fact that Iraq changed to euro's was the straw that broke the camels back.

There are blogs that seek a balance. Many of them. On balance we try to stick to the facts and tell the truth here. That might not be what you are looking for.

capt

Sen. Barbara Boxer is NOT a WMD, see

Go Barbara!

Our country is not the only thing to which we owe our allegiance. It is also owed to justice and to humanity. Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong: James Bryce

=
A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle; and patriotism is loyalty to that principle: George William Curtis

=
Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.": John Milton

===

Thanks ICH newsletter!

Actually, quite a few people asked (pondered), "What if bush is right?" There was a flurry of wondering about just that leading up to and following the "free" election in Iraq in January.

Thinking people came to the conclusion, based on bush's actions and lies, that he hasn't been right about much of anything.

But, Greg, this isn't a quiz show. Why don't you share your thoughts and ideas and, if anyone is so moved, he/she will respond.

#107 THANKS!

Just a little bit of what DEN directed us to....

BOXER ASKS PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS ABOUT FORMER WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL’S STATEMENT THAT BUSH ADMITTED TO AN ‘IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE’

Washington, D.C.– U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today asked four presidential scholars for their opinion on former White House Counsel John Dean’s statement that President Bush admitted to an “impeachable offense” when he said he authorized the National Security Agency to spy on Americans without getting a warrant from a judge.

Victims of Creeping Fascism

By Charles Sullivan

12/19/05 "ICH" -- -- When a sitting president declares that the constitution is just "A God damned piece of paper," it reveals much about his inner character; or lack thereof. It reveals dangerous illusions of omnipotence, contempt for the law, and scorn for the people. It was George Bush who uttered those tortured words to Whitehouse aides last week. Easily misled by false idols intoxicated with power and driven by insatiable greed, we are witnessing nothing less astonishing than the demise of the American experiment. Dreams of democracy, justice, peace and hope are receding into the dim recesses of ever more distant memory. We see them morphing into an Orwellian nightmare of monstrous proportions that promises to pursue us to our graves. If we continue on this course of ethical decline, in another decade we will not even be able to recall the forms and texture of those dreams that once held so much promise.

*****end of clip*****

I still think when all is said and done, Orwellian will be a gross understatement.

capt

Mr. Corn...at the end of the day, spin does not matter. Reality (eventualy) trumps spin. This war is going to end badly. It doesn't matter how many speeches the Moron-in-Chief gives from the Oval Office. By invading Iraq, we set in motion a series of events that we cannot control. The Shia will get theirs. The Kurds will get theirs. The Sunni are totally screwed. After the wealth is divided between the Shia and Kurds, the Sunni Triangle will become the empoverished hotbed of terrorism for the Middle East, making Palestine look like a Sunday School picnic. It matters now how much spin is put on it. We will pull out, eventually. When the last helicopters leave the green zone in Bagdhad (as they did Saigon), the spin will be over. It was a failed policy, with no chance of success. None. This war will end badly. Write it on the wall. Bob in North Dakota

Thank you for the responses. I am concerned about a nuclear-armed Iran, and I don't know what the West can do about it. I agree with Bush when he said that this is where the US will pay a price for the faulty WMD intelligence, because if we were wrong about Iraq, we might also be wrong about Iran.

I do recall similar criticisms of Reagan, but believe in the end he did more good than harm. I am asking readers of this blog how they felt about Reagan, and with the benefit of hindsight, do they see any good in his actions?

Personally, I will vote for Lieberman if he gets the nomination, because I believe only a democrat who believes in success in Iraq can do a better job uniting the country. My choice to my question would be for FDR to be president to handle the Iran situation (as I see it) for the same reason.

However, there was no response to my original question, and I am curious why?

Are you rooting for the US to succeed?

What are the true consequences if we don't?

Pres Bush continues with the neo-con "NOBLE LIE" strategy....that the means justifies the end, as long as it is not their children being killed. These folks are brutal psycho-paths...they have no conscience.

# 9 Alan...I was able to see Major Tammy Duckworth on George Stephanapolous program "This Week". What an incredibly brave and intelligent woman. She is going to shake some folks up with her honesty and integrity.

# 5o James Ha...I spent about 3 hours on the phone last week with staff for the Phase II INtel Committee from both sides of the table, there is some movement and commitment.

Although the move that Senator Roberts made several months ago to have the Inspector General of the Pentagon review the actions of the Office of Special Plans is the big issue.

It is Douglas Feith who has been the major road block to the complete investigation of all of the intellgence. ONe of the attorneys I spoke with said that Feith has been using Senator Rockerfellers statement that he made a few years ago "that there may have been some unlawful activity" in regard to the pre-war intelligence, as an excuse for not handing over critical information.

Folks need to continue to call their own representatives and specifically Senator Pat Roberts demanding that the Phase II committee have access to all of the OFFICE OF SPECIAL PLANS documents. That this committee's investigation continue along with the Pentagon's investigation (which will not be as thorough).

CONTINUE TO CALL...WRITE AND VISIT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT PHASE II.

#96 Capt...I wish I had the energy and intellect of Senator Byrd for just one day. This gentleman is amazing. It is really worthwhile to go see this guy in action....LIVE IN WASH D.C.

To all...even though I think the consumptive focus of this holiday season is twisted. There are so many families who do not have the means to provide even a few gifts for their children, so many people struggling. '

It is the time of year to find another family to share with. A complete holiday meal, gifts for their children..etc...etc.. What would Mother Theresa, Buddha and Jesus do....give..give..give of your heart, your light and your wallet.

In regards, to Bush using the "dictator" word in today's press conference. I think this is the first high-level use of the term in the media that I heard of. Was he responding to some light weight blogging or his own internal associations.

I have heard the well-chosen word "king" (over "dictator") being used by one senator, which alludes more to our origins of shaking off the monarchy and the cause of our constitution. I think there is a nuanced meaning that associates dictators with power grabs and abuse, while kings and monarchies are about the right to rule. I think it says something that he used this word as part of his defense (ala Nixon's "I'm not a crook"). It seems like he is in a position where he can only defend, and not lead by example and push forward... if he isn't acting like a dictator then he doesn't need to say the dictator word (i.e. he shouldn't dignify the idea with a response). Instead, one should just say what he does and provide the most positive light and reasoning around it... the problem is that he doesn't have a real vision that is positive for the american people it is built on fear and behind the scenes corruption and plundering of the american people. In his own mind, he might be trying to rationalize that he is not a dictator type.

Our country got founded due to one Mad King George, I hope our country does not disintegrate with a new Mad King George or a dictator George.

The first sign of corruption in a society that is still alive is that the end justifies the means.

- George Bernanos

I am not one of you but I thank you for all of your expressing your thoughts. I can't imagine how miserable my life would be if I believed it is led by murderers, Nazis, etc... and that my tax dollars are part of the `war effort'! I thank God (yes, I believe) for the diversity our country permits to the extent that there are such extremes of beliefs! It is so easy to criticize but so hard to decide! So far in my adulthood, I know Reagan was right and so far, Bush is right! I presume none of you can deny that our country has NOT had a domestic attack worthy of news!

Are you rooting for the USA to succeed?

is that some kind of trick question? - what is the USA supposed to succeed at? crushing the rebellion? somehow pacifying the entire region? securing the oil for democracy? all of the above? -
any claims to altruism on the USA's part are belied by the use of white phosphorous and the extensive but no doubt "unfortunate" collateral damage

# 114 Greg Tidbits. what is your definition of the U.S. succeeding? Based on what the Bush administration said prior to the invasion the only thing I would have considered succeeding is finding the WMD's that they told American and the world that Iraq posessed.

Greg...reading almost the whole PROJECT FOR A NEW AMERICAN CENTURY WEBSITE. AND THE DOCUMENT "A CLEAN BREAK A NEW STRATEGY FOR SECURING THE REALM" written by Richard Perle and David and LIv Wurmser, helped me understand the agenda of these radicals.

Reading a great deal about these right wing radicals philosophy and their agenda, helped me realize we are not dealing with conservatives, we are dealing with people who have a fascist philosophy..Their motto is "do as we say not as we do"

and NEO-CONS KNOW (LIE) BEST

Also I highly recommend spending some time at the (IAEA) INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY WEBSITE. Go read the letters from Iraqi and Iranian military analyst to Mr. El Baradei about what they think about Israel's stockpiles of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons that go unchecked by the IAEA. Go read about what they feel about Israel continuing to refuse to sign onto the NPTreaty that both Iran and Iran signed onto long ago. This is a real thorn in many people's side in this part of the world, with good reason.

While I agree that the Iranian leaders comments about Israel are totally outrageous. Equally alarming were the comments made by Ariel Sharon and Richard Perle about Iran at the AIPAC conference last spring. BOth Sharon and Perle pushed for U.S. military action against Iran. They made these outrageous demands out loud with no hesitation. Sure did not read much about their comments in the american media.

Such doom and gloom by the Cornnut naysayers!!

Come on trolls it's Christmas!!!

Can't you be thankful for anything?

Bush approval rating up to 47% -
Now thats gotta hurt!!

Kathleen,

Thanks for the reminder.

We all have food, some are going hungry. Let us all share some food or money for food. If you do not know who your local food banks are take the time to find one. Most all cities have homeless shelters. One in three homeless is a veteran, consider it supporting the troops.

Here in Albuquerque we have a food drive where we can leave cans and such next to the mailbox and the USPS will collect and deliver to our food bank. We have a tree in the downtown plaza that has children’s names and what the wish for on cards like ornaments. You pick one (or more) and get the gift and return it to under the tree.

We cannot have much of a celebration while hundreds of thousands of our best and brave are still in harms way. We can help the children and hope the conflict does not end up costing them more than their future tax dollars.

capt

I appreciate your desire for diversity of views, let's hope that all these views truly get heard and reasoned in congress and not let one view dominates in backroom committee rooms to the extent that other views are denied all but perfunctonary access. Which is the case today, but its starting to crack a little.

Also some like to argue that our military preserves our right to views that are diverse, however I also argue the freedom of press and the right to free speech, and the right to assemble, and the right to bring grievances before our government are also just as important to keep our nation healthy and to keep our liberties just as much as the military and these things should not be compromised anymore than having a good military.

The argument that no attack has not occurred on US soil is inherently a weak proof. This was discussed in postings that are now about 2-3 weeks old. The premise is that we and other nations are still under attack. It also took I think about 7 or more years between the two WTC attacks, so time will only tell.

Also, if we are not attacked it is credited to Bush, if we are attacked it will be spun that we who criticized his policies have hampered Bush... so in either case we lose if we are or are not attacked. Which means its a non-starter argument to justify the actions of this administration. Irregardless of attackes, right is right and wrong is wrong.

THE ENDS DO NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS.

The first sign of corruption in a society that is still alive is that the end justifies the means. - George Bernanos

#122 was a response to #117 (somehow that got deleted)

I presume none of you can deny that our country has NOT had a domestic attack worthy of news!

no, not since 19 arabs (7 of which have since claimed to still be alive) used magic boxcutters and 5 planes (2 of which were invisible) loaded with magic jetfuel which brought down 3 towers (in a manner which defies the laws of physics) and punched a 14 ft. diameter hole thru several rings of reinforced concrete at the pentagon (also defying the laws of physics) all under the noses of NORAD and the USAirforce (even though they had never failed in the exact same highjacking drill 67 out of 67 times prior to that day), no none can deny that our country has NOT had a domestic attack worthy of news!

#95 capt, if I recall weren't the repugnants saying that Clinton was behaving above the law? Now Bush is claiming that he is above the law. Some strange things are happening in America.

#96 Saladin, Land of the Stupids is so sad!

I do not want Americans to believe that we cannot be vigilant with regard to our enemies but we can still be vigilant in trusting the American people. Bush's distrust of the American people could be his downfall.

The trolls should give us their formula for a better America. Several months back I challeneged the trolls to give us a plan for a better America, there were no takers. Since then we have had more undertakers handling our dead Americans and Iraqis.

#112 capt, a true Christian would not defame the name of God.

#116 Yelnats, there will be no 2008 election because Bush's dictatorship will be well sealed before 2008.

Kristol: 9/11 Happened Because Clinton Didn't Authorize A Warrantless Domestic Spying Program

Fox News Sunday this morning:

BILL KRISTOL: I wish Bill Clinton had done this. I wish we had tapped the phones of people that Mohammed Atta, that Mohammed Atta here into the United States, if we discovered phone calls from Afghanistan to him. That's why 9/11 happened. That's what connecting the dots is.

JUAN WILLIAMS: If you're going after the terrorists so would a FISA court support it, just as you support it.

The right-wing pundits have no real answer to this story. So they are going with what they know: blame Bill Clinton.

*****end of clip*****

Darn that Clinton!

Jeeze, if we had just installed the surviving fascists nazis we brought over from Germany after world war two we could have had national socialism fully enforced here. All the telephone lines could be tapped, all dissent quelled and we could be fighting the real enemy at any given moment. We could have the Bushitler youth goose stepping with the brown-shirts, heck we could have already dealt with all of those pesky libertarians and gun loving conservatives and the neocon - neoliberal agenda of fixed democracy at the end of a rifle barrel could have already taken over the planet. The new world order in force on a global scale.

We should be farther along, or Jesus will never come back!

Yeah, that's the ticket!

capt

Thank you for the responses. I don't understand the tone directed at me after (what I had hoped) were civil posts intended to stimulate a discussion.

It is easy to see how politicians, who must feel strongly, can't agree to even have a civil conversation. Greg Tidbits? Am I supposed to be antagonized? Defining Iraqi success in ways that make my question seem ridiculous? Is it ridiculous to ask if you're rooting for the US to succeed?

Personally, I'm glad Saddam is gone, and I remind you that it was the official policy of the United States to seek regime change (under Clinton-Gore). Now that we are in Iraq, shouldn't we all pull together and try to help the country, even if that means time and money?

If we spend $1 trillion to get there and another 10,000 soldiers die in Iraq (see below -- don't just at this) -- but it is successful, then that country will positively influence it's neighbors and help avoid future September 11's.

Please don't flame back on my comment on soldiers dying, I did not type that casually and my family has paid its fair share of sacrifices on behalf of our country.

I am rooting for the US to succeed, even though the definition of success is difficult to measure. A stable Iraq with an elected government that can protect its citizens and not threaten its neighbors would be a success.

In a sense, the people responding have the perfect hedge -- if Bush is right and Iraq becomes stable, you live in a better and more secure world -- if Bush is wrong, you can claim vindication, and let our children deal with the consequences of what Bush did.

We should be able to have a civil discussion without resorting to pettiness and attacks. Is that so unreasonable?

The Formula

I am giving you a formula that I believe will bring about justice and peace. Actually, God has given me these ideas directly for a better world. You can accept what I say through Divine Providence or reject what I say. We are all given a free choice. The decision is yours alone.

1. Shalom translated means peace but it is more than peace. Shalom is God's vision of the world. It is God's dream that Shalom comes only to the inclusive embracing community that excludes no one.
2. In each of us there is a Jesus and a Hitler. We should always strive to bring out the Jesus in us.
3. Love is wanting the best for another person or persons.
4. Try to emulate Mother Teresa who saw in each human being the face of Jesus.
5. War is outmoded; no normal person chooses war over peace.
6. From James in the New Testament –†Faith without deeds is worth nothing.
7. Practice your faith that believes in the true God. God wants us to love one another.
8. Read the Bible because it is Gods love letter to us.
9. Read Mattie Stepanek's books on Heartsongs.
10. John Kerry says that it is not important for God to be on our side, what is important are we on God's side?
11. Read Matthew 25:31-46! When you do it to the least of my brethren, you do it for me.
12. Read Matthew 5:1-12! The beatitudes!
13. Read Luke 10:25-37! Who is my neighbor?
14. Read Luke 12:13-21! These verses warn us against greed.
15. Be aware of the Just War Theory! Are we in imminent danger?
16. Practice being a Conscientious Objector!
17. St. Ambrose says, "I shall pass this way but once, any good that I can do let me do it now, because I shall not pass this way again."
18. Totus Tuus means all yours. We are all God's children.
19. Paul Wellstone says that politics is not about power. Politics is not only about money. Politics is not about winning for the sake of winning. Politics is about the improvement of people's lives. It is about advancing the cause of peace and justice in our country and in the world. Politics is about doing well for people.
20. Mr. Bourn who built the Filoli Home and Gardens that is south of San Francisco says that we must fight for a just cause; we must love our fellow man; and we must live a good life.
21. When we recite the Lord's Prayer, we are acknowledging that God is the Father and we are all brothers and sisters.
22. The Cross is a sign of contradiction. It is not about death and hatred; it is about life and love.
23. St. Irenaeus says, "The glory of God is man fully alive." Man can only be fully alive when he loves God with his whole mind, body, and soul. And, when he loves his neighbor, as he loves himself.

Many persons will have and will offer various formulas for justice and peace. The end result will center on whether or not we have love and mercy in our hearts. Justice and peace can never move forward unless we have a conversion of the heart.

Leo Buscaglia reminds us that the heart sees what the eyes fail to see. In life we may be called upon to see with our hearts. Our hearts must be filled with love and mercy.

The moral demise of a nation precedes the ultimate demise of a nation. America is in a state of moral demise because Americans do not believe in God. They have chosen the antichrist of money, nuclear weapons, and the words of Bush.

Greg #114

There can be no success in Iraq for the USA (read Bush) because there is no success or failure in duplicity. There is only duplicity in duplicity.

Greg, what is success for the US? If FDR was in charge of Iran it would go something like this, First, provoke them into an attack, second, let the attack happen so you have an excuse to nuke them back to the stone age, and last, pretend you are some big hero. How do you imagine the consequences getting any worse? bush, with the help of congress, has turned our constitution and the Bill of Rights upside down. Iraq is one giant radioactive hellhole with it's infrastrusture completely destroyed. How is this situation good for anyone?

Nicholas Kristof/Bill O'Reilly Feud Heats Up

By E&P Staff

Published: December 18, 2005 11:45 AM ET

It all started exactly one week ago when New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, taking note of Bill O'Reilly's focus on keeping the Christmas in Christmas, suggested that the Fox personality might honor the season better by exposing the continuing genocide in Darfur, which the TV host has allegedly "ignored." O'Reilly responded by denouncing Kristof as a "left-wing ideologue."

Today, in his column, Kristof replied in kind, while disclosing that he puts up a "Christmas" tree himself, not a "holiday" tree.

"Perhaps I'm particularly sensitive to religious hypocrites because I've spent a chunk of time abroad watching Muslim versions of Mr. O'Reilly - demagogic table-thumpers who exploit public religiosity as a cynical ploy to gain attention and money," Kristof explained. "And I always tell moderate Muslims that they need to stand up to blustery blowhards - so today, I'm taking my own advice."

Then he went on to call O'Reilly "a self-rightheous bully in the style of Father Coughlin or Joe McCarthy," suggesting that perhaps he was a leftwing plant meant to make conservatives look bad.

"So I have a challenge for Mr. O'Reilly: If you really want to defend traditional values, then come with me on a trip to Darfur," Kristof concluded. " I'll introduce you to mothers who have had their babies clubbed to death in front of them, to teenage girls who have been gang-raped and then mutilated - and to the government-armed thugs who do these things.

"You'll have to leave your studio, Bill. You'll encounter pure evil. If you're like me, you'll be scared. If you try to bully some of the goons in Darfur, they'll just hack your head off. But you'll also meet some genuine conservative Christians - aid workers who live the Gospel instead of sputtering about it - and you'll finally be using your talents for an important cause.

"So, Bill, what'll it be? Will you dare travel to a real war against Christmas values, in which the victims aren't offended shoppers but terrified children thrown on bonfires? I'm waiting to hear."

We're sure to hear something from O'Reilly this week--although it may not be what Kristof hopes to hear.

*****end of clip*****

You have to enjoy someone telling it like it is to O’åielly!

HA!

capt

Nicholas Kristof/Bill O'Reilly Feud Heats Up

By E&P Staff

Published: December 18, 2005 11:45 AM ET

It all started exactly one week ago when New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, taking note of Bill O'Reilly's focus on keeping the Christmas in Christmas, suggested that the Fox personality might honor the season better by exposing the continuing genocide in Darfur, which the TV host has allegedly "ignored." O'Reilly responded by denouncing Kristof as a "left-wing ideologue."

Today, in his column, Kristof replied in kind, while disclosing that he puts up a "Christmas" tree himself, not a "holiday" tree.

"Perhaps I'm particularly sensitive to religious hypocrites because I've spent a chunk of time abroad watching Muslim versions of Mr. O'Reilly - demagogic table-thumpers who exploit public religiosity as a cynical ploy to gain attention and money," Kristof explained. "And I always tell moderate Muslims that they need to stand up to blustery blowhards - so today, I'm taking my own advice."

Then he went on to call O'Reilly "a self-rightheous bully in the style of Father Coughlin or Joe McCarthy," suggesting that perhaps he was a leftwing plant meant to make conservatives look bad.

"So I have a challenge for Mr. O'Reilly: If you really want to defend traditional values, then come with me on a trip to Darfur," Kristof concluded. " I'll introduce you to mothers who have had their babies clubbed to death in front of them, to teenage girls who have been gang-raped and then mutilated - and to the government-armed thugs who do these things.

"You'll have to leave your studio, Bill. You'll encounter pure evil. If you're like me, you'll be scared. If you try to bully some of the goons in Darfur, they'll just hack your head off. But you'll also meet some genuine conservative Christians - aid workers who live the Gospel instead of sputtering about it - and you'll finally be using your talents for an important cause.

"So, Bill, what'll it be? Will you dare travel to a real war against Christmas values, in which the victims aren't offended shoppers but terrified children thrown on bonfires? I'm waiting to hear."

We're sure to hear something from O'Reilly this week--although it may not be what Kristof hopes to hear.

*****end of clip*****

You have to enjoy someone telling it like it is to O’åielly!

HA!

capt

Gerald,

I think your post is beautiful, and I will look up the references I am not familiar with. Your comments were very constructive and positive, and I thank you for that (although I hope your wrong about George Bush).

Merry Christmas to you.

Greg

Kristol

Kristol, you are an asshole. Clinton was being impeached for a blowjob. If he had authorized domestic spying without legal warrants, he would have been a dead duck and removed from office. Warrants without legal authorization is an impeachable offense and lying about a blowjob is not an impeachable offense.

Kristol, you are an asshole.

Kristol

Kristol, you are an asshole. Clinton was being impeached for a blowjob. If he had authorized domestic spying without legal warrants, he would have been a dead duck and removed from office. Warrants without legal authorization is an impeachable offense and lying about a blowjob is not an impeachable offense.

Kristol, you are an asshole.

Greg Tibbits ( I did not write Tidbits intentionally) I apologize.

YOu do know that Iraq/Hussein had absolutely nothing to do with 9/11 ?

The pre-emptive invasion of Iraq did not make the world safer for americans or anyone else for that matter.

Our children will have to literally pay for the invasion of Iraq not only with dollars, we seem to be more like prisoners in our own country.. traveling for Americans is far more dangerous than it was 10 years ago. Not because of 9/11 but because of these unilateral/pre-emptive actions by the Bush administration. People around the world hate us more now than ever before.

The Pew Research website is a great place to read about the consequence of the Bush administrations actions.

First W's interview w/ Lehrer. Can the man make a complete sentence? It didn't appear so.
His speech was bad smelling smoke.
The "press" conference was bad as well. Never answered a question. Made proclamations no one has the gumption to call a lie. Bossy, snide and dismissive to the press. How can they stand being in the same room with him? What is everyone waiting for? What happened to Jack Anderson-Mary McGrory-style press? Only Sy Hersch continues on. Forget Bob Woodward. He's lying. What are they waiting for? How can NYT wait a year with a smoking gun? How many more will be killed while we whistle like nothing's happening?

Tonight was my first visit to this Corn site and my posting (#117) inadvertently left out "after 9/11/01" as for no (more) domestic attacks! Some liberal sharpshooter (#124) shot me down! Fine! My error of omission. As for my raising a 2~3 weeks old No More Attack issue, I don't think so! This issue don't grow old! And everyday, this is an issue of utmost importance in most Americans' minds. Many Democrats, Most Liberals, and All Progressives just don't get this! Clinton had years.....you get the point! Now to address all of the righteous people, I think I can speak for most of my friends regarding `Domestic Spying' and `Ends justify the means'. If you believe the NSA/CIA/etc... have all the manpower in the world to snoop on random Americans without warrants, I would like to sell you some prime moonscape on the cheap. As law-abiding citizens, why should I/we be worried that our calls or emails may be canvassed if somehow, my identity has been hijacked by "Evil-Doers"? Have you not noticed the numerous monitors that are installed, even at traffic lights? Besides, Bush was very clear, but definitely not the MSM, that he specifically authorized international communications and on something like ~30 ocassions. Whether he really had the legal right or not, "frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn". I, and most Americans, want a President that will do what it takes to protect us. And as for whether Ends Justify the Means, most of us know the correct answer: "SOMETIMES!". If someone is holding my family hostage...cops are helpless....BUT I have one of them SOB in my clutches, you bet I would do much more than what the LAW allows to save my family! Truth be told, 99% of you liberals would do the same! Damn your righteousness! This is another solid reason why you lose national elections because of your having lost touch w/humanity. In case you didn't know, humanity is filled with conflicting ideals and that there is never a single right answer for every circumstance. We live (and die) in the real world and it is a waste of time to raise a stink because we can't be perfect!

Mr. Tibbets wrote: ---- Are you rooting for the US to succeed? What are the true consequences if we don't? ---- I am sad to say that these questions are irrelevant. By invading Iraq, we indeed removed a brutal dictator, but we also unleashed forces beyond our control. The Sunni, a 20% minority, suppressed the 80% of a country, by brutal force. Yes, we removed the brutal dictator, but in doing so, we unleashed forces we cannot control. The Shia want lands and oil back, that were taken by Saddam. The Kurds want lands and oil back, that were taken by Saddam. They want payback. Their politicians, perhaps not much less corrupt than Saddam, want the oil money. The question "Are you rooting for the US to succeed?" is irrelevant. I am rooting for the Minnesota Vikings to succeed (boy, talk about lost causes), but that has NO RELEVANCE to the outcome in Iraq. I can root for our troops all day long, but the fact is...unless we kill every person in Iraq, we cannot control the outcome. We have unleashed pent-up hatreds beyond our control. This war WILL end badly, no matter WHO we root for. Those are the 'true consequences'. The outcome was pre-determined the second we invaded. Bob in North Dakota

138 - I'm not a liberal and I got your point @117, but my point @124 was that 911 was a false flag operation perpetrated by our own govt, the very people who are supposed to look after us, not enrich themselves and their pals at the expense of us and the rest of the peasants -

To James (#140, #124, etc...): The `9/11 Conspiracy Theory' of our own gov't orchestrating 9/11 makes a chilling story and I'm certain Hollywood will make a docu-history film of it: directed of course, by Michael Moore, starring Bagdad S. Penn w/soundtrack by the Dixie Dicks. While I can't personally say with 100.000% certainty that "James, it ain't so!", my limited, vs. most liberals, intelligence can't stop wondering how can minor non-secret secrets like Valerie Plame's ID and Spying of Int'l communications of individuals (suspected of being Evil-Doers) be leaked but yet, something the scale of 9/11 has sprung no leaks? I get it, while no liberal, you think the BushGod made it happen and then `disppeared' all conspirators and their thousands of family members.....

your failure to be informed is your own problem - good luck

James Ha, ha, ha, ha,...Thanks for the chuckles...but of course, I am not informed since I don't believe 9/11 is a US Gov't conspiracy...how typical of a condecending liberal's (who won't admit it) response! Liberals used to mean all of the good things about America but it is apparent "Liberals" today are an oxymoron...at least, they are informed about everything..Good Night! Ha, Ha, ha, ha...

Kathleen,

Thank you for your response (I make more than my share of typos!)

Yes, I know that Saddam had no connection with 9/11, and that the Bush administration's attempts to link them are a stretch. I use the word stretch carefully, because I still don't believe that he lied deliberately so that he could invade Iraq -- with a free press, why would he do that? I believe, in the post 9/11 mindset, that Bush was unwilling to accept any possibility that Saddam could enable the proliferation of WMD to people who clearly could be suicide bombers. But I'm not hung up on whether there was, or was not a link, because we're stuck in Iraq now -- therefore what's the best thing going forward?

Bob in North Dakota raises an interesting question (besides the Vikings -- come on, the Chargers needed you to beat the Steelers ) -- it is a theory that this war must end badly. I personally believe that the stakes are enormous, and losing shouldn't be considered an alternative. If it takes 25 years to stabilize, how can we NOT invest the 25 years?

I think that Bush and his administration has badly mismanaged the war by underestimating the insurgency and overestimating the love of the Iraqi people.

I think revisiting the errors that got us here does nothing to help us solve the problem we are now in.

I think there is alot more that is going right in Iraq than people are hearing about.

I think a united United States would have a better chance of helping the Iraqi people than our bitterly split country does.

I think Bush has paid an enormous price for his miscalculation because he's not accomplished alot of what is important to him (primarily domestic agenda like Social Security reform, but also Iran) and is constantly on the defensive.

I know this price that Bush's paying is not sufficient for his political opponents, who detest the decisions he made and the manner in which he made them, and who will only accept his head, not his words.

But is this attitude the best thing for the US to succeed?

sean, anyone with even a modicum of curiosity can do some research and see for themselves that there was no 757 that impacted the pentagon - if you find me to be condescending then so be it, but I say that I am no less a conservative than I am a liberal, as if that even had anything to do with anything - if you actually believe the govts fairytale re: 911, then it won't be for lack of my attempt at your enlightenment:
ASCE's Pentagon Building Performance Report

James: I happen to have a Masters in Civil Engineering (Go Wrambling Wrecks on Dec. 29) and long ago, read the report you referred to. Numerous holes were evident (to us unbiased `engineering experts') and that report was discredited almost immediately upon publication. I frankly couldn't believe the stinks over non-issues such as V.Plame and yet, what you seem to believe (9/11 Gov't Conspiracy) is so `juicy', how come the NYT, WP, CBS, Hollywood, etc... haven't sent hords of its Pulitzer-prize political hacks into digging this up? The WSJ has an excellent Editorial this morning... As a moderate GOP, I for one, am not at all displeased w/the superflous fuss being raised by the Left on wiretapping, unwinnable war, immediate-but-not-really-really-immediate withdrawl. The more shrills, the more thrills for us observing the leadup to the 2006 elections. I can't wait for the flip-flopping that will be coming up as the polls begin to show how the same old Dem overreach is backfiring! I hate the political divisiveness of our country and the lack of a credible opposition. This, from an ex-John Anderson Independent and Ross Perot admirer (ditto w/Joe Lieberman).

A true American hero is Joe McCarthy! Now that ought to pull some liberal heads out of their asses! We need a Republican Sen. like McCarthy to step up to the plate and start asking the Treasonous Democrates some really tough questions under othe so treason quickly turns into perjery.

sean I don't really care about any dems, or hollywood, or the NYT - the report you say you reviewed a long time ago is barely a year old; not really so long ago at all, and it is the ASCE's report that has been discredited by this report:: REPORT with mathematics and photographs, not the other way around - I would think that since you have a masters in engineering it would be obvious to you -

going back to the media for a moment, it seems that they avoid the subject of 911 like the plague - if all the 911 skeptics including BYU prof. Jones, and prof. David Ray Griffin, and prof. James Fetzer are high, then why aren't they publicly discredited in the media? I would think that the powers that be would bend over backwards to defend their official fairytale - in the instance of 911 the official silence speaks volumes to me -

oh ya, click my name to order the FREE DVD:
'CONFRONTING THE EVIDENCE: Reopen 911'
by Dr. David Ray Griffin
shipping/handling included

I love this line, David: "Rhetoric only goes so far in trumping reality". Anti-war protest in Vietnam; success -- US leaves; US loses, commies win. Result (in reality): commie supported genocide. Anti-war protest in Iraq; so far, failure -- Bush is re-elected, US stays, US wins, terrorists lose. Result (in reality, so far): US supported democracy. Unfortunately, "democracy" doesn't mean human rights, nor successful market economies. It's only voting for politicians. A good step.

David- newsflash- it's not all about you. I used to read this column regularly but lately, between your sorry (and factually incorrect) defense of your friend Viveca Novak and your apparent need to be journalism's "it" boy, I don't frequent this place. Maybe you should go back to speaking truth to power, instead of spending so much time sucking up to it?

David, I read you every day, I'm a fan and I'm grateful to you for keeping the heat on Herr Bush when few had the balls to do so, especially with regard to the Plame outing. So I was somewhat disturbed to see you defend Viveca Novak after her role in that matter first became known. I admire loyalty to a friend as much as the next guy, but her actions smelled bad to me. I gave you the benefit of the doubt for giving her the benefit of the doubt. But then we learned that her husband is being appointed to the FEC. This has such a stink of quid pro quo to it, that for the sake of your own hard-won credibility you simply must recognize that she has sold out, and you must condemn her. Otherwise, you will have voluntarily joined the "Anything my friends do is OK club," and you will have no more moral standing than the goddamned Bushies. Think about it. We're caught up in a war for the soul of the good America, and your friend Viveca sabotaged the best chance we've had to win our first battle. For the time being, I still believe in you, but you must smell the coffee and distance yourself from that woman to preserve your own integrity.

Re post 85: No list of fabulous American women, aka "foxes," can have any credibility with me unless 9/11 widow Kristin Breitweiser's name is near the top of it. Her recent submission on The Huffington Post should be read and saved by everybody. It's a masterpiece!

In regards, to Bush using the "dictator" word in today's press conference. I think this is the first high-level use of the term in the media that I heard of. Was he responding to some light weight blogging or his own internal associations.

I have heard the well-chosen word "king" (over "dictator") being used by one senator, which alludes more to our origins of shaking off the monarchy and the cause of our constitution. I think there is a nuanced meaning that associates dictators with power grabs and abuse, while kings and monarchies are about the right to rule. I think it says something that he used this word as part of his defense (ala Nixon's "I'm not a crook"). It seems like he is in a position where he can only defend, and not lead by example and push forward... if he isn't acting like a dictator then he doesn't need to say the dictator word (i.e. he shouldn't dignify the idea with a response). Instead, one should just say what he does and provide the most positive light and reasoning around it... the problem is that he doesn't have a real vision that is positive for the american people it is built on fear and behind the scenes corruption and plundering of the american people. In his own mind, he might be trying to rationalize that he is not a dictator type.