David Corn Online
 

January 05, 2006

A Note from Paris

I'm still overseas. But thanks to the Internet--and a very smoky Internet cafe with a cat that hisses at me--I can see what I'm missing. For instance, Jack Abramoff being indicted in a fedora. Is anyone on Capitol Hill shouting, "Run for the hills?" I imagine that there's a line at DoJ for staffers and members who want to cut a deal before it's too late. ("Please take a number, and stand over there, Congressman.") I'm reminded of the story that I heard years ago about radical journalist Claud Cockburn. Supposedly, he once sent a telegram to members of Parliament that simply said something like, "Flee. All has been discovered." Then he tracked who left town.

I understand that Newt Gingrich has been complaining about congressional corruption. Isn't that like a toad complaining about warts on a frog? Before Tom DeLay came along, Gingrich was the Republican who created the most work for the (now comatose) House ethics committee. And is Chris Matthews really hooked up with an Abramoff charity? Did the CIA really help Iran figure out how to build a nuclear bomb, as James Risen claims in his new book. It's getting hard to keep up with all the craziness. What's next: news that the US went to war on the basis of assertions made by defectors who were known fabricators? Oh, I forgot. That happened already.

While in France, I collected a few interesting impressions in a short stay. Here's the first: Everyone was nice to this American, who speaks incredibly poor French. (So bad is my relationship with the language that my high school French teacher asked me to do France a favor and not even try.) After all the animosity hurled at France by the United States at the start of the Iraq war--remember pouring wine into gutters, banning French fries from the House cafeteria (that'll show 'em!), Bill O'Reilly's boycott of all things French (including, I suppose, French ticklers)--the French don't seem to be holding grudges. And gone is the traditional not-so-positive attitude toward Yanks--which I had fully experienced in years past. Perhaps they feel sorry for Americans who have to live through two Bush II terms. But that did get me thinking. Once Bush invaded Iraq, you would think that other nations would be angling to get a piece of the new Iraqi pie, even with an untamed insurgency under way. After all, there is a mess of oil there. And France, for one, has been known to have its opportunistic side. But even with the prospect of future profits dangling in plain sight, Bush has been unable to attract any other nation (besides the already-stuck-with-Bush Brits) to play a significant role in the rebuilding (and reprofitization) of post-invasion Iraq--a reconstruction that Bush has essentially abandoned. That sure sounds like a major failing to me.

Here's another: In the train station--before losing (and then finding)--our train tickets, I was perusing the book racks at the newsstand. The most prominently featured book was a French translation of an unclassified CIA report that looked at how present global trends might affect life in the year 2020. Yes, that's right. Front and center was this paperback. Here's how Robert Hutchings, the chairman of the National Intelligence Council, the senior body for US intelligence analysts, described the report, which was released in December 2004:

Mapping the Global Future: Report of the National Intelligence Council's 2020 Project is the third unclassified report prepared by the National Intelligence Council (NIC) in recent years that takes a long-term view of the future. It offers a fresh look at how key global trends might develop over the next decade and a half to influence world events. Mindful that there are many possible "futures," our report offers a range of possibilities and potential discontinuities, as a way of opening our minds to developments we might otherwise miss.

As I used to say to my students at Princeton, linear analysis will get you a much-changed caterpillar, but it won't get you a butterfly. For that you need a leap of imagination. We hope this project, and the dialogue it stimulates, will help us make that leap--not to predict the world of 2020, which is clearly beyond our capacity--but to better prepare for the kinds of challenges that may lie ahead.

For this project, NIC consulted with nongovernmental experts from around the world and conducted a series of regional conferences. The report lays out "relative certainties," such as

* globalization is largely irreversible and likely to be less Westernized
* the world economy will be substantially larger
* Asia is on the rise
* populations are aging in established powers
* nonstate actors are growing in power
* WMDs are spreading
* an "arc of instability" spans the Middle East, Asia and Africa
* environmental issues are more pressing
* the United States is still the most powerful actor in economic, technological and military terms.

The key uncertainties include:

* the extent of the gaps between haves and have-nots
* the management or containment of financial crises
* whether the rise of China/India occurs smoothly"
* whether the EU becomes a superpower
* the growth of jihadist ideology
* how far WMDs spread
* the world's ability to manage flashpoints and competition for resources
* whether the US loses its technological edge.

And the report looks at four fictional scenarios, noting these are not predictions: a Davos World of robust economic growth led by China and India, a Pax Americana, a New Caliphate in which religious identity politics challenges the global order, and a Cycle of Fear in which "concerns about proliferation might increase to the point that large-scale intrusive security measures are taken to prevent outbreaks of deadly attacks, possibly introducing an Orwellian world."

So why is it that French readers are buying this year-old report--which is available free on the web, though in English? Did the French editor of this volume find a conspiratorial twist to the report that has caught the imagination of readers throughout France? (Here's the future the diabolical CIA is planning for us in the year 2020!) I don't know. But this big-think exercise is apparently a commercial success in France--especially since the publisher did not have to pay the CIA for the right to sell a French version of a US government report. I was thinking that Jack Abramoff may want to get a copy of this report. Then I realized he should be out of the Big House way before 2020, perhaps by 2012 or so if all goes well. But might there be any members of Congress who ought to be looking ahead to what life might be like in 2020--when they have finished paying their debt to society?
******
NOTE TO READERS. I'll be on the road on Friday. Don't expect any postings. In the meantime, chat, post and argue--respectfully--in the comments section below. (Please, no mega-posts. Let's keep the conversation moving along. Post links, not entire diatribes.) And here's a question to consider: will the Democrats on the Senate judiciary committee during their opening statements at the Alito confirmation hearings next week effectively explain the case for opposing Alito, who certainly is a competent, experienced and smart judge, on the basis of his conservative judicial philosophy? Have at it.

Posted by David Corn at January 5, 2006 05:14 PM

Comments

1

David,
I'm with you on the language thing. In my 4th quarter of French in college, my teacher asked me a question. I answered in my best French, "Yes you are a dog."

I asked him if I should take another quarter and he just shook his head. I switched to Latin.

Posted by: Jeanne at January 5, 2006 05:33 PM

2

David,

Anyone who bad-mouths the French should remember that without them, there'd likely be no United States of America.

The Judiciary Comittee will start the big "move to the middle" with Alito's confirmation hearings. It is now officially an election year and positions of incumbents who are facing their constituency will couch all their statements AND questions according to what their handlers THINK the people want to hear...

Should be interesting, even with such...

"bon Voyage!"

-T

Posted by: Hajji at January 5, 2006 05:44 PM

3

Will the Dems on the judiciary committee effectively make a case for opposing Alito? I am not optimistic. I think it is up to American citizens to deluge their Senators -- Dem and Republican -- with pleas to oppose this nomination. We must make our own case and hope that ENOUGH SENATORS WILL LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE...based on these issues:

Campaign Finance Reform
Civil Liberties
Civil Rights
Corporate Power and Abuse
Disability Rights
Environmental Protection
Free Speech
Gay Rights
Immigrants' Rights
Older Americans' Rights
Privacy Rights
Public Education
Religious Liberty
Sensible Gun Control
Women's Rights
Workers' Rights

Posted by: micki at January 5, 2006 05:57 PM

Posted by: micki at January 5, 2006 06:00 PM

Posted by: micki at January 5, 2006 06:03 PM

6

David , if Chris Matthews is hooked up with an Abramoff charity he sure does not appear to be concerned at this point. Last evening I watched the MSM for three hours.

Matthews was on the Abramoff scandal for most of his hour..pounding hard. Olbermans program focused on the miners in West Virginia and the Abrams report was a complete joke...focused on the Cruise death/murder. Is it any wonder why people find the MSM to be a joke.

I have to admit I also watch 2 hours on Sunday watching Russert, Matthews and Stephanapoulos...like to try to hear what they are saying and provide myself with some perspective. It is often shocking how far behind the blogosphere the MSm continues to be.

STILL NO MENTION OF THE PROGRESSION OF PHASE 2 OF THE SSCI, anywhere in the MSM. I have been so frustrated with not only the MSM but Huffington, Corn, etc.etc. on this topic. That I spent two days on the phone several weeks ago with attorneys on the INtel Committee from both sides. I learned a great deal, took notes, and may try to turn the notes into a digestible piece. Writing is not one of my strengths so this will be a challenge.

Although I did find out that there is movement, and that Douglas Feith is the main holdout to the SSCI being able to access the documents from the OFFICE OF SPECIAL PLANS having to do with the supposed WMD'S. I still hope and pray that those responsible for the false intelligence are held accountable. These same radicals are making every effort to support military action in both Iran and Syria.

David I still have hope that you will turn your journalistic skills to this important investigation again...PHASE 2 is the one of the only investigations that may be able to hold anyone accountable.

To the Corn family...travel safe and get some deep rest. To David thanks for the space for healthy, respectful dialogue...even if we do not always agree.

Posted by: kathleen at January 5, 2006 06:07 PM

7

Here is my contribution to doing something to help change the world for the better. This is intended to replace the pledge of allegiance to the flag, which is not really an appropriate oath.

I pledge allegiance to the Constitution
of the United States of America

And to the Republic for which it stands

Because both spring from love of liberty
and honor independence

God bless America
and all the people
who make her great

Posted by: Don Smith at January 5, 2006 06:18 PM

8

"concerns about proliferation might increase to the point that large-scale intrusive security measures are taken to prevent outbreaks of deadly attacks, possibly introducing an Orwellian world."

Nah. Sheer paranoid craziness.

Posted by: Don at January 5, 2006 06:18 PM

9

Gay rights and reasonable gun control have been real big winners in the past, for Repubs over Dems. A Rove wet dream. Sorry but for now in this day and age those are dead dead dead issues in any competitive race.

Posted by: Dean at January 5, 2006 06:24 PM

10

Great post! The NIC report is extensive and beyond trying to discuss on the whole. I put it in my computer benchmark for leisurely reading and as a reference. The world is rapidly changing. Our government must work to help Americans be part of our changing world. Humanitarian interests would be a nice change from America's typical beliefs to screw the foreign countries, the poor, the underserved, and the middle class.

I plead with Americans. Do not trust Bush!!! It is impossiblle to chage a zebra's stripes!

Posted by: Gerald at January 5, 2006 06:25 PM

11

Thanks Micki,
I signed it.

Posted by: Jeanne at January 5, 2006 06:25 PM

12

Dang Pandemaniac, I just saw your post on the previous thread. 6:00 AM yesterday. You were responding to some doofus and you said it GOOD! I learn from the I.D.(intelligent discussion) on this site.

Posted by: dubendorf at January 5, 2006 06:46 PM

13

Micki #5 & 6

Done and done

Posted by: Don Smith at January 5, 2006 06:59 PM

14

Micki:

Excuse me, #4 & 5. I've considered this nomination crucial to the ongoing welfare of the citizenry; S. Alito seems to me to be anti-people and pro his peers and the monied set. S. D. O'connor and her temperant voice will be sorely missed if this guy is confirmed.

Posted by: Don Smith at January 5, 2006 07:12 PM

15

I sent a letter to my Senator. Sent him the 20 questions and then wrote a little note on my concern for the nation and the citizenry.

Posted by: Jeanne at January 5, 2006 07:30 PM

16

David, I lived in Pornic, France with my wife (she's French, as are my two children) for nearly seven years and have recently moved back to the States(Savannah)...talk about a culture shock!
What's up......the French think, with good reason, that Americans are deserving of pity for "electing" that idoit...Twice!

Posted by: chillnmon at January 5, 2006 08:57 PM

17

WMD'S ARE SPREADING

Geez those neo-cons did a good job busting Valerie Plame's operation (following the sales of WMD's).

I wonder if it is true that someone in the Bush administration who was part of making WMD deals and investments did not want Plames's work to be successful.

Posted by: kathleen at January 5, 2006 09:12 PM

18

Kathleen, wasn't the whole thing with Brewster Jennings being shut down to eliminate any possibility that the Salting of WMDs wasn't going to get interupted?Or exposed. Didn't Plame's sources track some shipments from Turkey of those WMDs to be planted for the coalition forces to find? Why was Joe Wilson accused of lying for reading something that didn't exist yet? Well he knew about what the administration was up to and picked an alternative part of the bigger picture to blow the lid off. Read Michael Ledeen's article in todays NR online. The dude talks to a Ouija board. www.nationalreview.com/ledeen/ledeen200601060708.asp
This is guy who went to (IMHO) Italy and forged the yellow cake docs. There are too many blind stooges for this Administration.

Posted by: the Fly-Man at January 6, 2006 10:51 AM

19

...taking advice from Pande (or was it Hajji?) and moving over here. I thought this tidbit from salon.com was illuminating!

We don't report so you won't decide

"As we noted earlier this week, the Jack Abramoff scandal has drawn yawns from some on the right. We didn't know it was this bad: According to the Washington Post's Howard Kurtz, a Nexis search reveals that Fox's Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly have uttered not a single word about Abramoff so far this week."

-- Tim Grieve

Posted by: micki at January 7, 2006 10:32 AM

20

I'm not that smart, miki...it was Pande, of course!

I'm here, too!

Posted by: Hajji at January 7, 2006 11:23 AM

21

present

Posted by: dubendorf at January 7, 2006 12:44 PM

22

Carol here, too.

Posted by: Carol at January 7, 2006 01:49 PM

23

Den, where I live I can't get anything but dial-up. No SBC, no VERIZON, no nothing. I have to wait until they send it thru the electric wires perhaps by the end of 2006.

Posted by: Carol at January 7, 2006 01:56 PM

24

Carol, sorry to hear of your lack of DSL, I thought I'd post to help if anyone had a choice and was able to switch. It only applies if you are a SBC customer. Sorry for any misunderstanding. I do recommend testing your line for static on the line, usually caused by bad house phonewire connections and connecting cords. I'm a technoid, I can't stop dispensing technoid advice.

Posted by: DEN at January 7, 2006 02:13 PM

25

Ok heres my post before switching to this thread, My favoite story of last year, The Onion report:With 2005 drawing to a close, the White House held a special ceremony in the East Room Saturday to commemorate its fifth year without any sort of oral-genital contact within its historic confines. "This administration has upheld its promise to restore dignity to the White House," President Bush said. "I can assure that no oneÑincluding myself, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, 'Scooter' Libby, or Condi RiceÑhas been the recipient, or provider, of the kind of unnatural, depraved, and frankly gross sexual act that, not too long ago, disgraced this office in the eyes of the world." Bush was then joined on stage by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and Tom DeLay to cut a perfectly square, frostingless vanilla cake made especially for the occasion.....But, But, who was pretty boy Jeffy giving lip service to?

Posted by: DEN at January 7, 2006 02:14 PM

26

Carol,

I downloaded MSN's dial-up Accelerator... It is free to MSN customers... Sacrifices grafix and video quality for speed. Great for news and info, bad for family photos and surfing porn. (or so they TELL me!)

-T

Posted by: Hajji at January 7, 2006 02:20 PM

27

Do we need congress anymore? Somethings gotta give, slow this thing down, it's spinning too fast!

Posted by: DEN at January 7, 2006 02:21 PM

28

AHHH! smell that troll-less air, just in time for me to go, bye.

Posted by: DEN at January 7, 2006 02:28 PM

29

Here I am! DEN, I can't get DSL either and the DirecTV satellite option is way more money then I want to spend, I'm not in a big enough hurry to fork out $70+ per month for internet! Verizon finally got around to getting DSL up and running in my old neighborhood 5 miles down the hill, so hopefully it won't take them long to catch up with me.

Posted by: Saladin at January 7, 2006 03:13 PM

30

ha. fresh air at last! hi guys - verizon can't get dsl in our neighborhood either, although only 1 1/2 miles away my brother can - cable net is way too expensive over here so....dial up it is!
check this out::
NAZI WORM AUTHOR PREPARES NET MELTDOWN
click my name to order the FREE DVD:
'CONFRONTING THE EVIDENCE: Reopen 911'
while you still can! 6-8 weeks delivery

Posted by: James Ha at January 7, 2006 03:36 PM

31

capt,

I may have been mistaken about your courage.

Since the released names of those involved in the ACLU / NAMBLA suit, I now realize you are more courageous than I thought.

I am impressed you allowed the ACLU to list you as a contributing NAMBLA member involved. A rather disgusting group you decided to join, yet courageous of you to admit it in public.

I don't know whether to applaud you or just vomit.

Posted by: barf at January 7, 2006 04:05 PM

32

How Much Authority Does the President Possess When He Is Acting as "Commander In Chief"?
Evaluating President Bush's Claims Against a Key Supreme Court Executive Power Precedent

I think in the coming days and weeks, we are going to be seeing and hearing more discussion of bush's arrogant claims of authority "during a time of war" as CiC. He is overreaching in his use of signing statements and in his administration's application of the unitary executive theory.

It is no wonder he hasn't vetoed a single bill. He doesn't have to. He just ignores them and does as he pleases.

In a saner world, bush's actions would be viewed as strangely self-destructive. But, in this world, he just keeps getting away with his destructive decisions -- democracy and the Constitution be damned!

Posted by: micki at January 7, 2006 06:38 PM

33

I don't know how many of you guys have seen the show Red Green. It's a show from Canada. Funny. My husband was watching it last night. Red and 2 of the other characters on the show were in a row boat fishing and they were talking. They got to talking about being president. I think they decided you don't have to go to college to be president and they started talking about Evil Knievel running for president.

And then one of them said "President Evil."
And they all remained quiet.

What does that tell you?

By the way, hope all the details are right. For those who watch, correct me if I'm wrong.

The Red Green Show

Posted by: Jeanne at January 7, 2006 08:12 PM

34

A non-partisan joke for the Cornposters
............................
A man and his wife were discussing what they thought their son might be when he grew up.

"I have an idea," said the father. He put a ten-dollar bill, a bottle of whiskey, and a Bible on the coffee table. "If he takes the money he'll be a banker. If he takes the whiskey he'll be a wino, and if he takes the Bible that means he'll be a preacher."

So the man and his wife hide just before their son comes in the door, and watch from where they're hiding.

The boy saunters over to the coffee table. He picks up the ten-dollar bill, looks at it, then sets it down. He picks up the bottle of whiskey, uncorks it, sniffs it, then sets it down. Then he picks up the Bible, leafs through it, then sets it down.

Then the boy takes the money and stuffs it into his pocket, grabs the whiskey, and walks off with the Bible under his arm.

"Well how do you like that!" exclaims the father. "He's going to be a politician!"

Posted by: TRH at January 7, 2006 08:50 PM

35

President Bush was in a meeting about the War on Terror one day when an army general came bounding in and said, "Sir, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I just found out from my sources that 3 Brazilian troops were killed by a roadside bomb this morning."

President Bush stared off into space with an absolutely devastated look on his face, and his lower lip started to quiver like he was about to cry.

The general then said, "Sir, what's the matter? Troops have died every day, so why are you reacting like this now?"

He looked back at the general and said, "3 Brazilian? Isn't that a big number?"


Posted by: TRH at January 7, 2006 10:30 PM

Posted by: James Ha at January 7, 2006 10:37 PM

37

US Propaganda vs. Iraqi Reality


It appears as though the Cheney administration will soon "redeploy" thousands of US troops out of Iraq. While several permanent US military bases are under construction there as I type this, the Capital Hill Cabal, desperate to paint the Iraq disaster in a glorious hue, are working their pundits and spokespeople overtime to convince the ill-informed they have not failed dismally in every aspect of their illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq.

Continue reading "US Propaganda vs. Iraqi Reality"

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

Dahr has the inside scoop from inside Iraq. Worth a read to stay on top of what is really happening.


capt

Posted by: capt at January 8, 2006 12:11 AM

38

I just read the last few comments on the most recent thread and saw someone posting as david duke. Whether that person is truly a racist jerk, or is accusing me of being one, I am not sure. But I want everyone here to know I don't have a racist bone in my body. I have no issues with the Jewish people or any other race or religions. I am the epitome of mixed heritage and highly value the differences in all people. What I do have a problem with is any group, like the Zionists, that hide behind the identity of an entire race of people to commit genocidal slaughter against another group. Zionism is evil, it is racist, it practices a supremicism that equals all the david dukes in the world. They are cruel and ruthless and will stop at nothing to obtain their goals. They have usurped our govt. and foreign policy to the end result that we will soon see as the complete bankruptcy and destruction of this country. They are not Jewish at heart anymore than bushco are Christian at heart. Anyone who doesn't believe me should take some time to research the Zionist background, and all the members of the PNAC, including their teachers, particularly the evil leo strauss.

Posted by: Saladin at January 8, 2006 11:31 AM

39

FBI evidence of Mossad involvement in September 11 attacks on the U.S.?

An article by reporter Jim Galloway, published on The Austin American-Statesman on Nov. 25, 2001, stated that the FBI had evidence suggesting that the Mossad, the Israeli intelligence, along with some rogue American and foreign spy agencies, may be deeply involved in or even entirely responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks as well as other acts of terrorism against the United States.

According to Galloway, 100 of the 1,100 foreigners arrested by the FBI for suspicion of involvement in the 9/11 attacks were Israeli Jews. In fact, a Mossad surveillance team made quite a public spectacle of themselves on the day of the attacks. Five of the Israelis were arrested after angry witnesses had seen the five at a waterfront park in New Jersey apparently laughing and clowning, and photographing themselves in front of the burning towers." One witness told police at the time that the men were like happy, you know? They didn't look shocked to me.
One of the five Israelis had a German passport in addition to his Israeli passport. Another had an international flight booked to Thailand on September 13, two days after the attacks. The FBI also found out that one of them was a former paratrooper, assigned to an elite Israeli defense forces unit.

Two more Israelis were caught in a truck on Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania, near the site of the crash of American Airlines flight 93. Police became very suspicious when they found maps of the city with certain locations highlighted, box cutters (like the ones used by the hijackers), along with other incriminating evidence. Police also said that bomb sniffing dogs reacted as if they smelled explosives when they were brought to the Israelis truck.

The FBI believes that most of the arrested Israelis belong to an Israeli intelligence unit operating outside New Jersey, near where the Anthrax letters were mailed. They all worked for a U.S.-based company known as Urban Moving Systems.

An FBI SWAT team raided the New Jersey warehouse of the Urban Moving Systems and confiscated a number of computer hard drives and files. It further adds that the Israeli owner of the company, Dominick Suter, closed his business days after the Sept. attacks and returned to Israel. He was in such a hurry that some of Urban Moving System's customers were left with their furniture stranded in storage facilities.

An article on Power of Prophecy reported that a war brewed inside the FBI between the agents conducting the probe and their superiors, who warned that involving the Israelis in the attacks could be an "explosive political volcano." But the lower-level agents didn't buy it. They believed that the arrested Israeli Jews might just hold the key to the whole 9/11 debacle. "These Israeli guys knew what was coming down," one FBI veteran was quoted as saying. "We would be fools if we let them just fade away into the sunset and pretend they weren't involved."

It was later confirmed that the five detained Israelis were in fact Mossad agents. However, FBI and Justice Department superiors succeeded in pushing aside the local FBI agents and the Israelis were released after spending just 71 days in U.S. custody. "Evidence linking these Israelis to 9/11 is classified. I cannot tell you about evidence that has been gathered. It's classified information, a U.S. official told Fox News at the time.

An article by political analyst Richard Becker published on Jan. 9, 2003 on the Workers World newspaper states that SHARON and other Israeli leaders aspire to fulfill what the goals of the political ZIONIST movement have been since its origin a century ago: to turn all of historic Palestine into an exclusively Jewish state. A central tenet of the ZIONIST ideology is expressed in the racist slogan, 'A land without people for a people without a land.'"

The implication of the Arabs in the 9/11 attacks provided the Israelis with a golden opportunity to achieve the above-stated goals because the world would view the Palestinians as terrorists.

Blaming the horrible attacks on the Arabs was the best thing that has even happened to Israel. Now Washington, once again, solidly stands in the pro-Israeli camp, and "Palestinians be damned!"
-------------
Why is information that contains the truth always classified?? The above scenario makes far more sense that the conspiracy theory of OBL directing 19 Arabs with box cutters from a cave in Afghanistan. Even a Hollywood writer could come up with a more plausible script!

Posted by: Saladin at January 8, 2006 12:04 PM

40

Can you believe Teddy Kennedy?
Sunday, Kennedy, on the George Stephanopoulos show, was talking about things Alito said in 1985. Kennedy, obviously does not believe people can change after 26 years. I guess Kennedy is admitting, he is still a drunken murderer, and will never change his ways. I hope Ted Kennedy does the world a huge favor by getting drunk, and killing himself this time, in a drunken car wreck.

Posted by: Ken at January 8, 2006 12:22 PM

41

Broken promises and business as usual

Some have fallen already: Scooter Libby, Duke Cunningham and others. Tom DeLay thought he could hold on to his leadership post but scandal-weary moderates forced him to quit his job before they fired him.

But our problems cannot be fixed with a few resignations or a handful of convictions. The system is rotten to the core and the rot is too widespread to just be cut out and thrown away.

This is no longer just a case of one rotten apple spoiling the bushel. The whole damn orchard is infected and the only answer may be to bulldoze the place and start over.

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

Bulldoze the place and start over!


capt

Posted by: capt at January 8, 2006 01:04 PM

42

Ministers Say They Blessed Seats Ahead of Alito Hearing

WASHINGTON -- Insisting that God "certainly needs to be involved" in the Supreme Court confirmation process, three Christian ministers today blessed the doors of the hearing room where Senate Judiciary Committee members will begin considering the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito on Monday.

Capitol Hill police barred them from entering the room to continue what they called a consecration service. But in a bit of one-upsmanship, the three announced that they had let themselves in a day earlier, touching holy oil to the seats where Judge Alito, the senators, witnesses, Senate staffers and the press will sit, and praying for each of the 13 committee members by name.

"We did adequately apply oil to all the seats," said the Rev. Rob Schenck, who identified himself as an evangelical Christian and as president of the National Clergy Council in Washington.

Rev. Schenck called the consecration service the kick-off in a series of prayer meetings that will continue throughout the confirmation hearing.

Capitol Hill police said they weren't aware that the three had entered the hearing room earlier, but added that hearing rooms typically aren't locked because "they're not of interest to anyone." Lt. Dominick Costa said the Judiciary Committee room will be swept for bombs and perhaps for electronic bugging equipment before the hearing begins.

The three ministers insisted they weren't taking sides in the Alito debate. "This is not a pro-Alito prayer," insisted the Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition. With abortion, public prayer, gay marriage and right-to-life issues among those topping public debate, however, "GodÉis interested in what goes on" in the nomination hearing, Rev. Schenck said.

The two men, along with Grace Nwachukwu, general manager of a group called Faith and Action, read three Psalms outside the committee room, knelt to say the Lord's Prayer and marked a cross in oil on the committee door before leaving.

Rev. Schenck said he and Rev. Mahoney had blessed the same room before hearings for Chief Justice John Roberts last year. That hearing "went very well," Rev. Schenck said.

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

The slugs crowned Rev. Sum Dumb Moon "prince of peace" in our senate building. Nobody knew that was happening either.


capt

Posted by: capt at January 8, 2006 01:13 PM

43

Gerald -

Penguins?

Is this what you mean?

capt

Posted by: capt at January 8, 2006 01:24 PM

44

Wait until you see this. Sooooo funny.

Dean issues Smack-down on Wolfie

They are trying so hard to link Democrats to Abramoff's scandal that on today's Late Edition, Howard Dean almost set Wolfie's beard on fire.

-------------------
The sigh at the end is unforgetable.

Posted by: Jeanne at January 8, 2006 03:56 PM

45

I'm sick and tired of hearing people screaming about Teddy Kennedy. Let's not forget that Laura Bush ran a stop sign and killed a teenager. Where's the difference, I ask? I'm afraid the answer lies in the fact that Kennedy's reckless accident had the hint of (dare I say it?) sex. Yep, those so-called conservatives are always at heightened interest in a situation when it involves what goes on below the belt and in the bedrooms. Are you trying to say that the death Laura Bush caused was a more honorable death in some way because it had nothing to do with (gasp) sex? One accident is not worse than the other when both are caused by carelessness and reckless driving. They're either equally tragic, or neither is. Both were young(er) when the accidents happened, and both were tragic. Stop being hypocrites.

Posted by: jay at January 8, 2006 04:03 PM

46

45 jay

They're either equally tragic,

However, only one of the drivers ran home, while a young woman took two hours to slowly drown in the car, while Teddy got lawyered up for eight hours, before telling anyone about the drowning girl, who was still alive when he so cowardly ran away and left her to die.

I could be wrong. Did Laura leave the scene of the accident, run home and wait eight hours while getting lawyered up?

Posted by: Ken at January 8, 2006 04:25 PM

47

What does being a dem or repub have to do with either incident? This is the most pitiful example of left-right snippiness I have yet encountered. Do you think the first question either victim may have considered was what political affiliation the drivers may have been? If you are a dem and are hit by a dem, would that make you feel better? Could it be that there are simply human beings out there that are irresponsible jerks? Jeez Louise!

Posted by: Saladin at January 8, 2006 07:26 PM

48

The 'fin de regime'?


An out-of-touch George Bush now presides over a lost foreign war and a morass of influence peddling

By Eric Margolis

WASHINGTON -- China's Taoists philosophers warned that you become what you hate. We see this paradox in Washington, where the current administration increasingly reminds one of the old Soviet Union.

The U.S.S.R. went bankrupt after spending 40% of national income on the military. President George Bush's administration will spend a staggering $419.3 billion US on the military this fiscal year. An additional $130 billion US has been budgeted in 2006 for the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.

That's $10.8 billion a month -- 40% above previous estimates -- and somewhat more than the monthly cost of the Vietnam War at its height. Add to this huge sum an estimated $1.5 billion in monthly secret expenditures in Iraq and Afghanistan by CIA and Pentagon intelligence.

Astoundingly, U.S. military spending in 2006 will equal the rest of the world's total combined military expenditures. I just saw an ad for the new, $115-million F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, trumpeting how its radar can "intercept communications of insurgents." Using a $115-million aircraft to listen to cellphone calls by a bunch of jihadis in Waziristan staggers the imagination.

Meanwhile, Moscow on the Potomac is in an uproar over government spying on citizens, torture, and what appears to be the mother of all influence-peddling scandals. Revelations that the super-secret National Security Agency and FBI have been monitoring domestic as well as international telecommunications have roused even the deadheads in Congress and the lapdog media. FBI agents are reportely spying on such nefarious "terrorists" as vegetarians and animal rights activists.

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

Of course the neocons are rooted in neo-liberal thinking and communist leanings. It is what they are. There is not one thing conservative about Busheney or the neo-conservative movement. They are reactionary radicals the exact opposite of conservative. They are big government, pro-war, deficit spending chicken-hawks that have gotten everything wrong thus far and they claim all success? Nothing conservative about anything they have done.


capt

Posted by: capt at January 8, 2006 10:12 PM

49

10 to 1 sez that both kennedy and laura were driving under the influence

Posted by: James Ha at January 8, 2006 10:16 PM

50

Just two things...

Regarding David's comment about the French not holding any grudges toward the US...I read an article in The New Yorker discussing the current situation between the UK and France and how the UK has replaced the US in terms of being disliked by the French. Apparently the French think of the US as one would some slightly-prickish colleague who was very successful, with a beautiful family, just gliding through life...who out of the blue shaves their head, quits their job and leaves their family for a religious commune in Montana. All you can do is shake your head sadly wondering when they'll come to their senses. (okay that wasn't verbatim from the article so I hope I did it justice) I just can't stop laughing at that mental picture of the US, too true.

Secondly...

I also just finished another article regarding Joseph Kony of Uganda. Anyone heard of this nut? And why isn't the world outraged???

Posted by: bailey at January 8, 2006 11:24 PM

51

47 Salasin
What does being a dem or repub have to do with either incident?

Nothing. That was just something you added to the discussion.

Posted by: Ken at January 9, 2006 03:30 AM

52

I find it comical how politically desperate the democrats became ever since they lost control of Congress in 1994. The judicial approval process was never politicized until whack jobs like Kennedy, Shumer, Feinstein, etc. were in the minority. Ginsberg was never treated this way and look at her insane personal philosophies. I believe she received 96 votes. I doubt we will see the same from these liberal losers.

Posted by: Steve at January 16, 2006 04:13 PM

53

Sorry, but you were dead wrong on Fox today (1/16/06). The sanctions sgainst Iraq din NOT get rid of Sadam's WMD program--most evidence points to his moving them out right before the American invasion. And the UN, even if it sanctions Iran for its nuclear program and based on past actions, will wink at any violations of the sanctions, as individuals and countries skirt any rules to line their own pockets.

Thinking like yours will destroy the US.

Posted by: jay price at January 16, 2006 04:13 PM

54

I THINK THAT GEORGE BUSH IS A GREAT PRESIDENT
AND I WISH HE COULD RUN FOR A THIRD TERM.

Posted by: JOHN at January 16, 2006 04:49 PM

55

I am sure the UN is salivating at the prospect of "managing" another sanctions program where they can skim billions more off the top since the Oil for Food program was such a tremendous success (for them). The UN is a worthless organization with a proven track record of ineffectiveness and corruption. With Russia and China vetoing any action on Iran, it is no wonder why Bush had to do it himself. Get the UN out of the US once and for all.

Posted by: Steve at January 16, 2006 05:16 PM

56

You continually label Democrats as DEMOCRATIC while they are no such thing. Look up the definition. What I want to alert you to is that Russia is still as Communistic as it ever was. Do you not know who invented Communism in the first place? What makes you think those people (Zionists) ever abandoned their goal? Their agenda? Who were the first traitors to sit in the chair (electric)? Think about the traitors we have suffered in the last half century--all Zionists or sycophants. Has America adopted the Communist Manifesto Ten Planks? Look it up! Has the ACLU studiously followed the Communist agenda? How about left-wing liberals? They are every one either dedicated Communists or they are knowing or unknowing servants of this insidious movement. So is Israel (at least part of it). Zionist-Israeli's have given USA wrong information (Mossad) in several very significant situations, engineered the attack on WTC after teaching some Arabs how to do it. Israel is not any ally of the USA in spite of idiot-Robertson, Graham et al pronouncements. Putin (I call him Ras-Putin) has pulled the wool over the eyes of G Bush as has Vicente Foxx. I think it was an error that we elected the first Bush and then the second, but we are where we are just as with B Clinton and J Carter--huge errors, all. But, it would have been infinitely worse had we elected J Kerry. Because we Americans are defiantly disobeying God's Commandments, our great and comfortable country is gradually being taken away from us. We will all suffer from disregarding God's Laws, even if less than 100% of the population is guilty. It occurs to me that I am not telling you anything that you do not already know. I enjoy your infrequent appearances on Fox News--whether I agree or not.
--js

Posted by: John Salter at January 16, 2006 05:18 PM