Russian-Made Missle brought down US Chopper

It is horrible, but ironic nonetheless. I can remember the glee with which the US's "stinger" missiles were touted with driving the Russians from Afghan skies.

Those who refuse to learn from it are doomed to repeat history.

-T

Mr. David Corn,

"For with this strike, the Bush administration essentially aided the enemy, who now can point to this episode as proof that Bush does not give a damn about innocent Muslim lives (which is what many people in the Arab world already suspect)."

I think more than a few are convinced and were so before we ever started.

Thanks!

Kirk

Oh, and when ANY questioning of ANY motives of this misAdministration is allowed to be labeled "aiding the enemy", then all hope for this "demoCRAZY" is lost.

-T

Whistling in the Wind

It's gotten so bad for whistleblowers in the Bush era that the federal agency designed to protect them has whistleblowers of its own.

Gabe Bruno is a 29-year veteran of the Federal Aviation Administration. A dedicated, faithful, and -- in retrospect, he believes -- "naive" public servant, Bruno learned the hard way that blowing the whistle within the federal government is at best, a futile endeavor, and at worst, a career-destroying choice. He agreed to share his story with AlterNet under the safeguards of the Whistleblower Protection Act.

In 1998, Bruno, a field manager at the FAA's Orlando, Fla., Flight Standards District Office, was assigned to oversee safety standards during the merger between Valujet and AirTran, shortly after the former airline suffered a tragic accident that killed all 110 passengers on board. In the aftermath of the Valujet crash, the FAA carried out a 90-day safety review and created a new inspection program for all airlines to comply with. To Bruno's amazement, however, the FAA never applied this new program to AirTran (which had absorbed Valujet) itself. Bruno made numerous attempts to address the problem, but was "actively denied" by the FAA.

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

Clip is just the first two paragraphs. A better piece than the clip.

capt

"DemoCRAZY"

Funny on so many levels.

HA!

capt

IF the Iraq war becomes an issue?? It should be THE issue! I will never vote for anyone that does not forcefully denounce this war, and any others in the works, and demand that our troops get back here to defend our borders, where they belong. This war for empire is ILLEGAL! I have read dozens of articles and comments voicing concern for the constitution and it's potential demise, but you know what, IT'S ALREADY DEAD! It died 5 years ago, all that's left is the funeral.

Maybe the game plan is working perfectly. Mess up so many things that the public cannot zero in on any one issue. The chaos theory. So many real and important issues going unnoticed or are diluted by the sheer number of crimes and screw-ups. A little assist from the corporate propaganda arm of the SCLM and the only question is: "Do you like your distraction shaken or stirred?"

capt

David:

Nice post. The fact our government refused to count Iraqi civilian deaths from the start and obstructs any attempt to show the coffins of dead servicemen underscores their contempt for any human life but their own. Add to that their willingness to send the sons and daughters of those they do not know into a battle based upon, at best, flimsy evidence of WMD and no planning, shows they do not discriminate in whom they subject to death and injury. It is not just invisible villagers they do not care about, but their own citizens whom they do not know.

The best way to find out the truth and how to act as a patriotic American is to believe just the opposite of what Bush rants, and do just the opposite of what he says. I often wake up at night in a cold sweat realizing that my nightmare about his regime being in power is reality.

Failing to call for Bush's impeachment at this point is to throw our democracy to the wolves. This is not a liberal, conservative, or progressive issue. The only true patriots in this Country are those who stand up to Mr. Bush and his fellow criminals. Facts speak louder than rhetoric, smears, etc., and they all point to ridding ourselves of this failed President and his administration.

I haven't read the post yet. Sorry David. Will do so shortly.

this post is to Happy.

HAPPY

My husband came home yesterday and told me that another firm has decided to outsource its programming department. Not my husband's firm. We've been through that. This time the firm is sending their internal workings to the Philippines. They told one guy at the firm to train the people who would be working on the data and he walked out. The people in the Philippines who will be taking over will have had one weeks training on what was described to my husband as 'extensive and complicated work'. Do the people making the decisions understand that? No. Do they care? No. This company is willing to put their internal information and all the computer work in a country thousands of miles away. They are willing to run a business on two different continents. Why? Because people like you want to be able to say, "I made three cents today on a dividend. Ooooh my stock went up."

Happy, your mentality and the results it encourages are part of the problem in America today.

Funny the chimpy cabal keeps accusing its opponents of aiding the enemy when they themselves are the real enemyof the world. George Bush has been CONVICTED by the International Criminal Tribunal for Afganistan but do we hear about that? what would the Veterans of Foriegn Wars think if they knew that, would they have been so gracious? The troops fighting the "enemy" in Afganistan and Iraq will be facing a new enemy right in their own bodies from DU. They will come home but the occupants of the countries we are forcing democracy on whether they want it or not, will be spending the rest of their lives surrounded by DU. Festering sores, birth defects, and death will surround them for thousands of years. Ah the Bush legacy coming home to roost. All in the name of fighting terrorism. Please read the link and pass it on to others so they may know what the chimpy cabal has done, to all of us, especially the most vulnerable, the children.

So, what is Bush's mission anyway? I haven't figured it out yet. It's hard to tell with sociopaths. It changes when a new target comes into range.

Ooops, I bet this is irresponsible debate.

# 9 Jeanne

My wife's current & immediate past ompanies both have some IT work performed overseas so this entire outsourcing issue is `personal' as well.
What many companies have failed to do is plan the transitions well. The trend has been going on forever and not likely to stop.

Where do you suppose American Imperialism is derived from? The sale of Americana all around the globe; be it simple Coke, movies, jeans, music, et. al. And for a long time, American companies have had foreign presence.

What the Left universally fails to recognize is that America was unique during the period after WWII when we were the only developed country left standing. That unchallenged post-war prosperity led to most of us being here today.

The world has changed dramatically! While Globalization has been around a long time, it has become much more pronounced today. China & India's embrace of Capitalism within the past 2 decades will impact all of our lives.

Capitalism has many issues but it does not seek to keep everyone poor or dependent on an inefficient state sector. The only countries that can afford Socialism, in all its theoretical glory, are countres like OPEC where the world will pay through the nose for a God-given commodity that none of its citizens created.

I believe the American people are as competitive as any on earth. Look at our unrivaled love of so many kind of sports. The problems that we face is education and the dominence of time-wasting endeavors like mass TV and to some extent, political/chat/BS blogs like this. The education establishment isn't interested in our kids but their own agendas.

I need to be going!

# 4
Capt,
That article reminds me of Katrina all over again. Everything this administration touches it breaks. All of the agencies they are destroying are not only vital to the health of the nation but also vital to saving lives.

"We believe in the digity of every human life" - bullshit.

#13
Oh man, irresponcible debate again.

The only countries that can afford Socialism, in all its theoretical glory, are countres like OPEC where the world will pay through the nose for a God-given commodity that none of its citizens created.

How do you explain Western Europe?

This is a great post.

Don't make me puke by telling me Bush believes in the dignity of every human life. Where is his efforts to help eliminate malnutrition, disease, human trafficking, economic and social exploitation.

Mariana Islands are a Commonwealth of the United Nazis of America. The repugnants want the islands to serve as a model for the United Nazis America. The workers work 12 to 14 hour days, 7 days a week for $350 a year. A Commonwealth is not a state and so it can be exploited by our country, the United Nazis of America.

So the MSM decides that gonzo spew has more relevance than Al Gores speech? Chimpy trumps both? Where has my country gone? Remember when dissent was an active part of politics especially during the Vietnam conflict? Good article at Lew Rockwell addressing that very topic.

Gore is right

Rape

I awake each day more horrified how much we have Nazified ourselves as Nazi Americans. We rape people and plunder the land and Nazi Americans are not horrified. Yes, we really are the mirror image of Hitler Bush.

Don@15,

Do you mean Western Europe, with its 10% unemployment and 1% GDP growth?

Do you mean the Western Europe that has a negative native birth rate?

The Western Europe that can't even afford to defend itself?

The Western Europe where no one goes to church?

The Western Europe where the health care system costs are about to crush all the countries?

That Western Europe is the model you're holding out as a shining example of Socialism?

FUTURE PC's
check these out

Is Bush a Total Idiot

The Price Tag

Howard Dean does not stand by you Don & Robert

Looks like Howard Dean has revised his statement about no Democrat taking money from Abramoff. He now says after being shown the list of 40 congressman who have received money, that he meant to say "pratically none" have taken money.

Funny how the truth has to be forced out of the left.

James, WAAAAYY COOOL! I always appreciate new tools!

Hey Gerald, you smell something?

David, be careful using those FRENCH words...bush may try to get you for using FRENCH (l'OH, non !), as he did David Gregory when Gregory dared to ask a question bush did not like. bush may decide by presidential fiat that using FRENCH is emboldening the enemy!

“The guy memorizes four [French] words,” Bush said referring to Gregory, “and he plays like he’s intercontinental.” Then, added: “I’m impressed. Que bueno. Now I am literate in two languages.”
+++++
hahaha...bush literate in two languages!?

LBH,

Provide proof that any Democrats ever accepted a donation directly from Abramoff and I will let you say "I told you so."

You can't provide any such proof because none exists. You keep parroting the clowns at NewsMax and the Washington Times who repeat the mantra that Dems are dirty too because they've taken money from groups or organizations with even the most tenuous of links to Abramoff. I'm telling you to refrain for your own good because it makes you look really stupid. You just don't understand the issue, so give it up.

Bill@20
what makes you think western europe's unemployment rate is 10%?
do you think that a negative native birth rate at this stage of human evolution is a negative thing?
who told you that no one goes to church in western europe?
and does western europe at least HAVE universal health care?

order the FREE DVD::
'CONFRONTING THE EVIDENCE: Reopen The 911 Investigation'

WIN $1,000,000. by proving the govt's "pancake theory" of WTC collapse correct

Honest Leadership Petition

Honest Leadership Petition - January 2006

Our demand is simple. We want truly democratic government, served by elected representatives who uphold the highest standards of honesty and integrity. We demand sweeping reform to return our government to its basic responsibility: serving all the people of this great nation.

American history tells a story of expanding democracy, opportunity, and accountable governance. Throughout our history, the American people have demanded that their government reflect our nation’≥ highest ideals of openness and honesty, transparency and integrity and -- above all else -- a clear commitment to protecting the interest of the American people, not powerful special interests.

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

More keyboard activism.

capt

Bill,

I apologize for being less than clear. I am not going to get into a futile long-winded argument about economic systems with someone who considers OPEC to be a country. I'll make my point and be done with it.

You wrote:

The only countries that can afford Socialism, in all its theoretical glory, are countres like OPEC where the world will pay through the nose for a God-given commodity that none of its citizens created. [emphases mine]

Certainly the countries of western Europe have problems, but they aren't going to be switching over to laissez faire capitalism any time soon - and neither is the U.S., for that matter.

cont'd from #32

Sorry, hit post accidentally before I finished.

I wanted to point out how ridiculous it is to suggest that the citizens of western Europe democracies with socialist policies don't produce their own goods.

OK, now I'm done!

Poignant article Mr. Corn. Thank you for producing such well-written and passionate essays. "The problems that we face is education and the dominence of time-wasting endeavors like mass TV and to some extent, political/chat/BS blogs like this. The education establishment isn't interested in our kids but their own agendas." Hahaha! Mass TV is a direct result of mass consumption - how else are consumers going to be brainwashed to buy a bunch of junk they could easily do without? Most popular politics involves non-issues: gay marriage, intellectual property rights, keeping braindead people alive, etc, upon which the masses feed because it keeps them divided, confused, and irresponsible. Most politicians are funded by big business who have a stake in laws and the outcomes of elections. Sometimes pesky citizens get in the way by demanding clean air and water, so corporations hire politicians that will vote against laws requiring emissions standards. The "education establishment" indoctrinates children with national pride, a desire to compete, the understanding that they are insignificant, and the skills they need to work in today's workforce (and nothing more). All of these things are caused by, encouraged by, or otherwise augmented by capitalism. People like the money/achievement aspect of it, but they think that all the ills it causes are completely unrelated. Concentration of capital leads to concentration of power. Citizens do not run this country any more, businesses and corporations do. Sure, we vote as individual citizens, but only for candidates supported and funded by big companies. The current misadministration is a very good example of this disconnect with reality.

Don 28, they're still repeating the Iraqi WMD hogwash too. They have them in some secret hidey hole dontcha know! Probably in Iran, that's why we have to go kick their butt too, why must you make thinks SO complicated?? ;-)

If we attack Iran we are going to be real surprised quickly and also suffer a lot in the "homeland". Think gas prices, or actual shortages, inflation, and general bad times for a long time. Yep, if our current fuck up president can do something completely boneheaded this will be it, and I don't see any signs that he will do any different. Geez, maybe if he was a leader, like getting in front of the troops for once we could get lucky.

I suggest we rename the war on "terror" as the war on "Those who refuse to be victimized by Bush aggression". Then we can include those in the U.S., as well as those in foreign countries, who have their rights as human beings violated.
I am surprised that the media still lends credibility to a man who is a chronic liar.

Don#28

Howard Dean just admitted it! You wouldn't except the truth if it bit you in the ass!

Assclown #38,

What did Howard Dean "admit" and where did he "admit" it? Provide a link and if you're right, I will admit it.

But you can't. So I won't.

According to shrub this whole Iraq thing is a war on terrorism. Well he seems to have fooled alot of people into believing this. Since we are fighting in Iraq that would mean most of the terrorists must be in Iraq right? Is it just that Iraqi people are predisposed to being terrorists? Hey wait a minute, were those guys on 9/11 mostly Saudi? I think the shrub pulled a bait and switch on the public. I keep telling people the reason behind this whole war was to get shrub reelected. If you examine this administration's pre 9/11 rhetoric they were already lying about WMDs.

NASA people working on the recovery of the particles of the Stardust mission. It's still pictures refreshed every minute, so you can't really see alot. Still, it's pretty neat.

live Stardust webcam

Capt, here's another site with historical speeches I had in my 'favs' list. I like the "American Rhetoric" site better tho.

History and Politics Out Loud

In "Clear and Present Danger" the President got in big trouble for blowing up civilians in a strike on drug cartel leaders in the "War on Drugs". Not so in real life huh?

Cell transplant may cure diabetes
Diabetic children have to undergo daily insulin injections
Trials of a new treatment for diabetes could lead to a cure for the disease within 10 years, researchers say.

Doctors at Oxford's Churchill Hospital are trying to perfect the transplant of insulin-producing clusters of pancreas cells (islets) into patients' livers.

The cells then enable the patient to make their own insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels, like non-diabetics.

It is hoped the new treatment may end the need for patients to have pancreas transplants or daily insulin jabs.

The research team hopes its trials, in adult patients with type 1 diabetes, will lead within the next five to 10 years to the perfecting of a simple operation that can reverse the condition in both children and adults.

The technique involves the removal of the clusters of cells - known as islets - from a donated pancreas in highly sterile conditions.

The cells are then injected directly into the patient's liver in what is a fairly simple procedure.

Jeanne, apparently all the regulars were kidnapped by trolls, check post times.

#26 DEN, what I smell are the SADISTIC repugnant farts.

Gerald, have you seen this? Illuminati devil worshippers, worse than nazis. I dont know if the author is credible however

Devils. No Den, just spoiled rotten children who physically grew up but unfortunately stopped maturing mentally around the age of 13.

Thus the manic desire to bike ride.

Spend a little time at infowars.com

Prober blasts Bill

WASHINGTON - A special prosecutor's long-delayed report charges that a coverup at senior levels of the Clinton administration killed a tax fraud case against ex-cabinet member Henry Cisneros, the Daily News has learned.
David Barrett's 11-year, $23 million probe, which will be released tomorrow, states in stinging terms that this Clinton coverup succeeded.

Cisneros was forced to admit in 1999 that he had made secret payments to a mistress before serving as Clinton's secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Barrett investigated tax fraud charges stemming from those under-the-table payments.

Then-IRS Commissioner Peggy Richardson, a close friend of Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), was involved in efforts to quash the probe, a source close to the case alleged.

But Richardson's role was cut from Barrett's report, which went through 26 drafts, because Democratic law firm Williams & Connolly successfully pressured Barrett to remove a section of the report naming her, a source said.

The law firm represents Cisneros, former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton.

A Williams & Connolly attorney declined to comment.

Before Cisneros' 1999 guilty plea, Barrett's office began a second phase based in part on allegations in a 1997 memo to IRS headquarters by whistleblower John Filan, an IRS criminal investigations chief in Texas.

In a memo obtained by The News, Filan accused top Clinton officials, including senior IRS lawyer Barry Finkelstein, of covering up Cisneros' tax fraud case by transferring it to two inexperienced lawyers in Washington.

Filan wrote that the two got orders "to kill the case from Barry Finkelstein at the outset."

Reached last night, Finkelstein declined to comment.

One of Cisneros' then-defense attorneys, Cono Namorato - who is now chief of IRS internal affairs - referred a reporter to Barrett's report
--------------------
I'm posting this so the trolls don't have to.

David, thank you for mentioning Lovelock's article about the earth's "morbid fever."

It has occurred to me that with our attentions focused on all the horrible things humans are doing to other humans, we don't focus enough on all the horrible things humans are doing to make the earth sick.

Even if we were to heal the deranged behavior of humankind, Gaia may be too ill to provide us humans with a home much longer. John (?) Lovelock sets himself apart on environmental changes because he is an advocate for nuclear energy, which he sees as a safe, reliable energy source -- but also, he sees nuclear energy as a means to counter the rising sea levels and lethal heat waves.

Wouldn't that be something if Iran just wanted to produce nuclear energy to help save the Earth?

Micki,
I've always heard that is what Iran wants to do.

Not One Dime

A radical plan to Abramoff-proof politics.

By James Carville and Paul Begala

Republicans are trying to run away from the growing Abramoff scandal like the devil runs from holy water. And who can blame them? While the GOP tries lamely to pretend that the lobbying scandal is bipartisan, the truth is that the pay-for-play politics that Abramoff exemplifies has become central to the GOP's governing model, in a way it has not been for either party in decades. That's why the officials so far snared are all Republican. The House GOP Leader, Tom DeLay, is indicted and disgraced. The White House's chief procurement officer, an Abramoff ally, has also been indicted. Republican Congressman Duke Cunningham has already pleaded guilty to corruption, and the feds are said to be hot on the heels of several of his colleagues.
This is shaping up to be the biggest political scandal in a decade, and the GOP knows it. And so Republicans have been jumping on the same "lobbying reform" bandwagon that many (though alas not all) Democrats have been driving for months. Each party has its laundry list of worthy procedural changes, from making retiring politicians wait an extra year before becoming lobbyists to ending the free lunches, dinners, and football tickets politicians accept from K Street.

Many of these ideas are fine, as far as they go. But we think they don't go anywhere near far enough. Indeed, they are likely to meet the same fate as the bipartisan McCain-Feingold bill. McCain-Feingold, which was reluctantly signed into law by President Bush in 2002, was an honest effort to limit the influence of big money in politics. But it has not succeeded. Politicians are spending more time than ever scrambling for money, and the influence of lobbyists and corporations has hardly declined.

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

Not one dime is what I would like to see!

capt

David...I have tried to take Fitzgeralds advice for the public that he expressed during the Oct press conference. He said "take a step back, take a deep breath, and let the process take place"...He went onto say "TRUTH IS THE ENGINE OF OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM".

Oh how I want to believe in what he said. There is still plenty of time for Rove and Cheney to be "frog marched" out of the White HOuse.

I have heard George Will on Stephanapolous's "This Week" infer that Cheney may resign due to health problems. Both times this was mentioned in the last few months the group then discussed who would take his place...Rice....McCAin?

#7 Capt...Rovian Rules listed in "Bush's Brain"
1. Hit your enemy as hard as you can. Be ruthless.
2. Never, ever admit that you have LIED. NEVER,
3. Keep the news and issues spinning, spinning...keep the distracted...distracted, so that they are never able to focus on one issue.
SURE SEEMS TO WORK

#11 Jeanne...It is difficult to figure out just what the "mission" is. Bankrupt the country, regime change in the middle east, beat down the middle class, outsource jobs, bust the social security system, completely support mult-nationals, increase arms sales for a long, long time, fleece the taxpayers...

ALL OF THE ABOVE

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. To be your own man is hard business. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.": Rudyard Kipling - (1865-1936)

=
"Protection, therefore, against the tyranny of the magistrate is not enough; there needs protection against the tyranny of the prevailing opinion and feeling, against the tendency of society to impose, by other means than civil penalties, its own ideas and practices as rules of conduct on those who dissent from them." : John Stuart Mill - (1806-1873) English philosopher and economist - Source: On Liberty, 1859

=
"The object and practice of liberty lies in the limitation of government power.": General Douglas MacArthur - (1880-1964) WWII Supreme Allied Commander of the Southwest Pacific, Supreme United Nations Commander

===

Thanks ICH Newsletter!

#52 Exactly. I was engaging in a bit of Socratic irony.

Iran Claims New Nuclear Breakthrough

Iran announced it has made another breakthrough in its controversial nuclear programme by successfully using biotechnology to extract purer uranium from its mines. A report on state television said researchers from Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, after six years of research, had mastered the technique of employing microbes to purify uranium ore in mines prior to mining.

It said "using biotechnology substantially decreases the cost, increases optimisation and prevents environmental contamination" in the process that leads to the production of yellowcake, or concentrated uranium oxide.

The report, quoting a senior researcher, said the microbes were "successfully used in experimental stages" in central Iran's uranium mines.

"This bacteria is very valuable" and makes the production of yellowcake "100 to 200 times cheaper", he said.

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

Iran has uranium mines so they have uranium. The enrichment is the sticking point with regard to the NPF.

Kind of like telling a country they can drill oil but not distill gasoline from their crude.

capt

micki & Jeanne, it is too bad our Nazi thugs in the WH do not want to save planet, Earth, with good deeds.

DEN & Jeanne, I have heard of the Illuminati from Alex Jones on infowars .com but I prefer to fill my thought processes with Jesus' love for you and me.

#57 capt, do you suppose the Nazis at 1600 PA ave. want Iran's uranium, oil, and brain power because Bush is greedy and totally brain dead?

#323 Hajji (prior post) The best book I have read on the topic of enviromental/cancer factors is a book by Sandra Steingraber called "LIVING DOWNSTREAM". In this book she targets the OHio River Valley several times(home of many coal burning power plants). This book is really worth reading.

As I said I tried to get both Bill Moyers and a doctor that was in a documentary Moyers did on the plastics industry. Doctor Landrigan and his medical crew, traveled around to cancer hot spots. They would come in and do blood test on the local population for heavy metals and particulate matter.

I called Sandra Steingraber to try to bring her into our area to address these issues. Her fee was too high to consider at that time. She is incredible, knowledgeable, compassionate and very concerned about enviromental factors involved with poor health.

It would have been great to turn the national health spotlight on APPALACHIA. Although as you know, it is difficult to get national attention in this part of the country unless it is a disaster (the recent coal mine tragedy).

STeingrabers book is worth reading.

DEN47
here is a whole gang of articles by that same guy

James, all things for this dude check out, sure has eye opening power.

THE FRANKLIN COVERUP SCANDAL The Child sex ring that reached Bush/Reagan Whitehouse

James check yer e-mail THX

Have you ever run across any psycopaths who felt that they were at fault for anything? GW Bush knows deep down in his bones that he is right and anyone who disagrees with him is wrong. He will blame everyone for else for any misforune that befalls America. We need to move on and impeach the son of a bitch.

In Your Face: The Globalists' Language is Hidden in Plain View

Fascinated by symbolism and numerology, the globalists' favorite tactic is to leave blueprints to their plans "hidden in plain view." From messages delivered to the masses through the media and films to Time Warner's all-seeing eye, we are repeatedly reminded by the illuminati themselves that they are controlling us and are omnipresent. World leaders from Clinton to Prince William have been photographed proudly flashing the sign of the devil. Architecture around the globe is laid out to represent their occult icons or structured based on occult numerology (like the pyramid Mitterand had constructed at the Louvre, which is made of 666 pieces of gold glass). The New World Order's symbolism is everywhere and there are globalist fingerprints all over the September 11th attacks as well as the Madrid train bombing.

Below are just some of the examples of how the Global Overlords are throwing their language and intent in our faces:

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

A good page with some disturbing information.

capt

There's nobody to do the impeaching. Add to that we're now going to have a 5/4 righty Supreme Court. The Dems could have made a stink and didn't. We're so doomed.

Flan, did you the synopsis you requested on the January 13th thread? Post #835.

See. Forgot the word, see. Sheesh.

a little humor about our pro football team (they suck and had the worst record this year)

** NAME CHANGE **
The Houston Texans will be changed to the "Houston Tampons" as they are
only good for one period and have no second string.

** COACHING CHANGES **
Dom Capers will be replaced by Monica Lewinsky. She will no doubt blow a few, but she certainly won't choke on the big ones!!!

This is from Howard Dean...

"Enough is Enough"

Many Americans sense that our government has been bought and paid for by powerful interests with deep pockets. They sense that our government's priorities are being dictated by something other than the public interest.

They are right.

Republican leaders in Washington have deliberately and shamelessly built a money-for-influence machine unlike anything our democracy has ever endured. Many Democrats have spoken out about this Republican culture of corruption over the past months and years. But today our party takes a giant step forward -- with a single voice, we demand sweeping reform.

Right now in Washington our leaders in the House and Senate are unveiling the Honest Leadership & Open Government Act -- a set of specific reforms that will completely change business as usual in Washington. Democrats in the House and Senate are united behind this legislation, which aims to fulfill a specific promise: to return power to the American people.

Change in Washington requires more than the support of Democrats in Congress or Republicans scrambling to save face. Making real change will require an outpouring of support for that change by ordinary Americans. Democrats across the country and in the halls of Congress must speak with a single voice.

Please join the demand for honest leadership on this historic day:

http://www.democrats.org/honesty

It's not just Washington that needs a change.

I am writing to you from Ohio, where this morning I stood with Democratic state legislators demanding the same honesty and accountability in a state where Republican officials have defrauded the public and infected everything from the budget to the voting process with cronyism and corruption.

Our work together building the Democratic Party in all 50 states will ensure that we have a potent, organized political force making the case for clean government everywhere.

The first step is to get everyone you know who is ready to say, "enough is enough" on board. Sign on to the demand for honest leadership and get the message out in your community:

http://www.democrats.org/honesty

This fight will not end today, and this demand will not go away. Every single Democrat in Congress will be pressing for this reform legislation, and everyone from governors to mayors to challengers running against incumbent Republicans will be carrying the banner of change.

Today Democrats across the country are united on the way forward. But as we head into this election year, there is one thing you should remember.

This legislation won't change anything for those elected leaders who have already demonstrated that they will break the law in their quest for money and power. One Republican leader has already pleaded guilty to bribery, another has been indicted for money laundering, and still more are under investigation.

We need a higher standard for all of our elected leaders. But when it comes to Republicans who have already broken the law, we need to clean house.

Let's do it together.

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

#58 Gerald, forgive me if you have already mentioned this, but have you read Jimmy Carter's new book? I think you would find it an interesting, compelling read.

David:

On `Hiding Behind the Troops', you made several statements that seem, `desperate', in trying to convey something more than there really exist.

Exhibit #1:
"And this botched operation has severely undermined the Pakistani government of Gen. Pervez Musharraf,...

I doubt that seriously but time will tell! Current levels of demonstration seems small and confined! al Queda and those who harbor and host them, may not be as popular as before.

Exhibit #2:
"Hunting mass-murdering terrorists who live among civilians is indeed hard and nasty work, which most people find morally justifiable."

While you went off on another direction after this sentence, most Americans would follow with " And in order to get these SOBs that hide among family & other civilians, it is unfortunate that some non-terrorists will very probably die".

Is it any wonder the Left do not have what it take to deal seriously w/terrorism?

Exhibit #3:
"Bush and his commanders in the war on terrorism are willing to waste non-terrorists to kill terrorists. Right or wrong, that is not caring about the dignity of every life."

The first sentence was wonderful and true! The main consideration after getting the terrorists is to minimize collateral deaths. Given the long effort, so far unsuccessful, to get the top level terrorists, if we had anything remotely `reliable', Bush or whoever is the CIC, better damned go for the Kill! Your second/last sentence is, IMO, a cheap shot!

ABC claimed they learned that four of the victims were 'higher-ups' in al Qaeda, including a master bombmaker. Ya think? Or is this something 'leaked' (before any so called DNA tests results) to influence public opinion?

Didn't Jimmy Carter visit the Bohemian Grove? Ah yes, here it is. I wonder why this professed Christian would ever step foot onto such overtly pagan and covertly evil ground. I know, I'm just a silly conspiracy theorist.

Alan, do you STILL believe in ALCIADA? Do you think that's who they're after? HMMMMM. Awful damn convenient.

Well yeah, kinda. I don't think it's a real organization though. "The Base" seems to me, would cover one hella lot of Muslims pissed off at us... millions more than before March '03. I believe our missle was intended for a terrorist, the Z-man, but they murdered innocent people just the same. I don't care how 'successful' they think it was, it's damn sure not winning hearts 'n minds!

and this isn't winning anything, PERIOD.

US officer tried over Iraqi death

The court-martial of a US officer charged with murdering an Iraqi general who was being held in custody has begun in Colorado.

Chief Warrant Officer Lewis Welshofer Jr denies murdering Maj-Gen Abed Hamed Mowhoush in 2003.

Sal, I forgot your email strips out 'inserted' pictures. That joke I sentcha was...

If big-breasted women work at Hooters, where do one-legged women work?

IHOP

Feeling Bohemian

It's camp time!

President Herbert Hoover dubbed it "the greatest men's party on earth." Others have called it the most exclusive summer camp in the world. Every July, the top movers, shakers and hotshots retire to the depths of the redwood forests of Sonoma for a top secret, completely hush-hush retreat. (No chicks allowed, by the way —†the camp is strictly Boys Only.) Situated seventy miles north of San Francisco on the Rusian River, the campground takes up 2,700 acres of redwood forest. And while there are extensive precautions to make sure regular Americans can’¥ get anywhere near it sentries "scan the outside areas with binoculars" and "infra-red sensors protect the perimeters" some shadowy tales of the goings on have leaked out. Here are some of the stories:

The club has approximately 2,500 members, with a combined wealth of an estimated $100 billion. Every Republican president since Coolidge has been a member, as well as a few on the other side of the aisle as well. Members include directors of Fortune 1000 companies, corporate CEOs, top government officials and business elites. The waiting list is 3,000 men strong and the average number of years spent on that list is anywhere from 15 to 20.

The list of former and current Grove campers is long and varied. Former guests include Henry Kissinger, Hearst, George Schultz, James Baker, Richard Nixon, the George Bushes, Newt Gingrich, members of the Bechtel family. In 2000, George Bush asked Cheney to be his running mate at the Bohemian Grove.

So, what do you do at the exclusive Grove? The men produce skits, musical acts, listen to speakers, eat drink and socialize. The last night of camp, the men put on an elaborate play with a cast of hundreds. Members stay in cabins with names like "Toyland," "Dog House," "Cave Mans" and "Sons of Toil." (Last year, George H.W. Bush and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld stayed in "Hill Billies.") But make no mistake, this is definitely a rich man’≥ playground, with private chefs, servants and waiters. And according to the New Statesmen, the no-girls-allowed policy means peeing on trees is all the rage.

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

Mayberry Machiavellians = Bohemian Hill Billies

HA!

capt

#79
Alan,
You are so sad.

Speaking of sleight of hand, Mr. Corn...

Either our efforts in Iraq are a noble cause or they are not, irrespective of what motivated the Bush administration when it led the charge in and whatever motivated Congress when it overwhelmingly approved it. By all accounts, the vast majority of the servicemen and women "in country" believe it is a noble cause. And by all accounts, the troops view attacks on whether the cause is noble as harmful to their morale.

Does that mean we cannot question whether it is a noble cause? I think not. We can and should, in honest debate. I trust that our servicemen and women would not shy away from that debate and I trust that the vast majority of Americans do see it as a noble cause.

But two things should be kept in mind: First, regardless of your view on whether our actions are right or wrong, disagreement should come with a recognition that we are there and that bad consequences necessarily follow if we pull out without finishing the job. If one wants to nonetheless argue the good of withdrawing outweighs the bad, well that's honest debate. Have it, but acknowledge that until a majority agrees, we all stand 100% behind those men and women putting it on the line.

Second, to attack Bush's motives is either (1) a cheap shot to avoid the question of whether the cause is noble or (2) an indirect attack on whether the cause is noble that necessarily distracts the debate from that question to the ancillary issue of proper motivation. Either way, by ignoring the core issue of whether the cause is noble, it impugns why we are there. It says to our armed forces that we believe they are not fighting for a noble cause but for oil, or Haliburton, or Israel, or some other lie. It tells them they are foolishly deceived. If you instead tell them you disagree that what they are doing is a noble cause, then they can proudly disagree or agree with that assessment. But they are not made out to be fools for believing in the cause.

Human Rights Watch Says US Policy Undermines Global Human Rights

A leading human rights organization has accused the Bush administration of using torture and inhuman treatment of detainees as a deliberate strategy in its war on terror. Human Rights Watch charges in a new report that the treatment of detainees has undermined the United States' ability to champion human rights around the world.

Human Rights Watch says policy decisions from senior Bush administration officials have created an atmosphere tolerant of abuse. The organization's executive director, Kenneth Roth, says it became clear this past year that torture and inhuman treatment are not simply the unintentional byproducts of these policy decisions.

"It's not simply a matter of neglect, or command failure," he said. "Rather the use of torture and inhuman treatment was the Bush policy. It was reflective of a deliberate decision by the most senior Bush administration officials to fight terrorism without regard to one of the most basic prohibitions there is in international human rights law."

The White House dismissed the report's criticism, saying the United States does not torture terror suspects.

THE AFGHAN EXIT STRATEGY

I want YOU to do it

As a result of the Afghan war, Pakistan's internal stability has seriously suffered - perhaps irretrievably. Washington is on a warpath with Tehran today. Iranians have alleged that their soldiers on the border with Pakistan were kidnapped 10 days ago in a covert US operation. Is the US stoking the flames of Balochi sub-nationalism in Pakistan with the objective of setting Iran's adjacent Balochistan region on fire?

Above all, in the overall climate of violence and anarchy, it is becoming increasingly futile to draw dividing lines in terms of political affiliations or ideologies - or in terms of Taliban and non-Taliban. In the mayhem of the sort that the Taliban seem to be getting ready to trigger, prevailing equations can change overnight. Things may look calm on the surface, but the undercurrents can be vicious.

The power calculus in Kabul that Washington thought it had astutely worked out was far too contrived and out of tune with Afghan ground realities to survive unless backed by an assertive US military presence for years to come. That is how the Afghan bazaar views the spectrum. The security guards in the presidential palace in Kabul let that be known when Cheney came calling.

Official US agency paints dire picture of 'out-of-control' Iraq

Analysis issued by USAid in reconstruction effort
Account belies picture painted by White House

Julian Borger in Washington
Wednesday January 18, 2006
The Guardian

An official assessment drawn up by the US foreign aid agency depicts the security situation in Iraq as dire, amounting to a "social breakdown" in which criminals have "almost free rein".

The "conflict assessment" is an attachment to an invitation to contractors to bid on a project rehabilitating Iraqi cities published earlier this month by the US Agency for International Development (USAid).

The picture it paints is not only darker than the optimistic accounts from the White House and the Pentagon, it also gives a more complex profile of the insurgency than the straightforward "rejectionists, Saddamists and terrorists" described by George Bush.

The USAid analysis talks of an "internecine conflict" involving religious, ethnic, criminal and tribal groups. "It is increasingly common for tribesmen to 'turn in' to the authorities enemies as insurgents - this as a form of tribal revenge," the paper says, casting doubt on the efficacy of counter-insurgent sweeps by coalition and Iraqi forces.

Meanwhile, foreign jihadist groups are growing in strength, the report said.

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

I do not see how this illegal and unwise mess is anything but a mistake. It is bad, it has only gotten worse. If this is what Bunnypants calls progress I would hate to see what he calls a miserable failure.

capt

Well Brian, I disagree with almost everything you said. It's not a noble cause. Faked evidence of WMDs isn't a noble cause at all. We were lied into it, and we need to get our soldiers home. Supporting the troops has nothing to do with trying to keep them there getting killed for lies. You're a pretty good spinner, but no amount of spin will make me believe that trying to get them home safe is 'bad for morale', or 'undermines the troops'. That's just b/s, like your whole post.

Brian,
We can pull out now having not accomplished anything or next year having not accomplished anything. Bush and his gang screwed up. The war is not winnable. There is nothing noble about it. Bush and his crew are using the military in a very deceitful way and without, I might add, the equipment they need to stay alive. They are using contractors who in some cases have ignited anger with the Iraqi people and then the military has to go in as the enemy instead of in a peace time capacity.
I stand 100% behind the troops but not behind the President. He has deceived the military and their families. He deceived the Congress. He lied to the American people. What do you think the Iraqis think about the fact that Bush lied to get us into war?
I was around during Viet Nam. There was no winning that war. Reality finally hit when Walter Cronkite said so. The Vets from that era and the first gulf war are the ones who are saying it this time. The military coming home from the war zone are saying it. This administration is incompetent. They don't care about casualties. They care about the bottom line. Money, money, money.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/02/AR2005060202158.html

Democrats Also Got Tribal Donations
Abramoff Issue's Fallout May Extend Beyond the GOP

By Jeffrey H. Birnbaum and Derek Willis
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, June 3, 2005; Page A01

Lobbyist Jack Abramoff and an associate famously collected $82 million in lobbying and public relations fees from six Indian tribes and devoted a lot of their time to trying to persuade Republican lawmakers to act on their clients' behalf.

But Abramoff didn't work just with Republicans. He oversaw a team of two dozen lobbyists at the law firm Greenberg Traurig that included many Democrats. Moreover, the campaign contributions that Abramoff directed from the tribes went to Democratic as well as Republican legislators.

Among the biggest beneficiaries were Capitol Hill's most powerful Democrats, including Thomas A. Daschle (S.D.) and Harry M. Reid (Nev.), the top two Senate Democrats at the time, Richard A. Gephardt (Mo.), then-leader of the House Democrats, and the two lawmakers in charge of raising funds for their Democratic colleagues in both chambers, according to a Washington Post study. Reid succeeded Daschle as Democratic leader after Daschle lost his Senate seat last November.

Democrats are hoping to gain political advantage from federal and Senate investigations of Abramoff's activities and from the embattled lobbyist's former ties to House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.). Yet, many Democratic lawmakers also benefited from Abramoff's political operation, a fact that could hinder the Democrats' efforts to turn the lobbyist's troubles into a winning partisan issue.

"It wouldn't surprise me to see the Abramoff controversy impact both parties," said Tony Raymond, co-founder of PoliticalMoneyLine.com, which gathers lobbying and campaign finance information.

Democratic lawmakers who responded to inquiries for this article said that any money they received from the tribes had nothing to do with Abramoff. They were quick to say they did not know the man.

Federal investigators are examining the millions of dollars in lobbying and public relations fees that Abramoff received from the tribes. They are also looking into his dealings with members of Congress and their staffs, lawyers involved in the inquiry said.

Most lobbying firms here are bipartisan, to give their clients access to key lawmakers of both major parties. Abramoff's group was no exception. Although he was recognized as a Republican lobbyist who was close to DeLay and other party leaders, Abramoff was careful to add at least two Democratic lobbyists to his group during his five years at Greenberg Traurig. By the end, seven of his lobbyists were Democrats.

"Lobbying shops typically direct contributions to both parties because they want contacts on both sides of the aisle," said David M. Hart, a professor of public policy at George Mason University. "Lawmakers in the minority can also have a lot of clout."

According to documents and tribal officials familiar with the Abramoff team's methods, the lobbyists devised lengthy lists of lawmakers to whom the tribes should donate and then delivered the lists to the tribes. The tribes, in turn, wrote checks to the recommended campaign committees and in the amounts the lobbyists prescribed. The money went to incumbents or selected candidates in open seats.

Because of the makeup of his team and the composition of Congress, the Abramoff lobbyists channeled most of their clients' giving to GOP legislators, according to a review of public records. Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), chairman of an Appropriations subcommittee that frequently deals with Indian matters, received the largest amount from the tribes as well as from the Greenberg Traurig lobbyists who helped direct those donations: $141,590 from 1999 to 2004, the study showed.

But Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.) ran second, with $128,000 in the same period. From 1999 to 2001, Kennedy chaired the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which solicited campaign donations for House candidates.

The Indians' largess flowed to higher-ranking Democrats as well. Senate Democratic leaders Reid and Daschle each received more than $40,000 from the tribes and from lobbyists on Abramoff's team during the period. Gephardt got $32,500.

Of the 18 largest recipients of tribe contributions directed by Abramoff's group, six, or one-third, were Democrats. These included Sen. Patty Murray (Wash.), who chaired the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee from 2001 to 2002, and Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (N.D.), a leader in Indian affairs legislation.

Over that period, while Abramoff and his lobbyists directed nearly $4 million in funds from the tribes to lawmakers, they also gave from their own pockets. Two-thirds of the total went to Republicans and one-third was handed out to Democrats, according to The Post's calculations.

The six wealthiest tribes that had hired Abramoff's group were the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana, the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana and the Tigua Indian Reservation.

Greenberg Traurig declined to comment. An Abramoff spokesman said: "Each tribe has its own protocol for approving political contributions made by the tribe. Mr. Abramoff and his team provided recommendations on where a tribe should spend its political dollars, but ultimately the tribal council made the final decision on what political contributions to make."

Democratic lawmakers sought to distance themselves from Abramoff.

A spokesman for Kennedy said the congressman's donations from the tribes "have nothing to do with Abramoff." Kennedy traces the money's genesis to his family's long-standing commitment to Indian causes, to the fact that he co-founded the Congressional Native American Caucus in 1997, and to his personal relationship with Mississippi Choctaw Chief Philip Martin, whom Kennedy met in 1999 on a fundraising trip for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "They just became close friends," said Kennedy spokesman Sean Richardson.

James Patrick Manley, Reid's spokesman, also asserted that Reid's connection to tribes was remote from Abramoff. He said that Reid does not know Abramoff. But Abramoff did hire as one of his lobbyists Edward P. Ayoob, a veteran Reid legislative aide. Manley acknowledged that Ayoob helped raise campaign money for his former boss. Lawyers close to the Abramoff operation said that Ayoob held a fundraising reception for Reid at Greenberg Traurig's offices here.

"There's nothing sinister here," Manley said. Reid is a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee with strong relations with Indian tribes, he explained.

Daschle was familiar with another of Abramoff's Democratic lobbyists, Michael Smith. According to Steve Hildebrand, who was Daschle's campaign manager last year, Smith "helped with a lot of Democratic campaigns." In addition, Daschle was a favorite of Indian tribes and received donations from 64, including five Abramoff clients. "We took about $150,000 in this last election cycle from Indian tribes around the country," Hildebrand said. "Tom is viewed as a champion of Indian issues. We have nine tribes in South Dakota, and they worked hard for him."

Murray also was said to have never laid eyes on Abramoff. "Our office has not had any contact with Jack Abramoff," said the senator's spokeswoman, Alex Glass. "She's been active in Indian health care and in supporting their sovereign governments; that is why they decided to contribute to her. They see her as an advocate."

During the time Murray chaired the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Abramoff's major tribes were significant contributors. Election reports show that the grand total from the tribes to that committee in 2001-2002 reached $175,500.

In March 2001, Dorgan held a fundraising event during a hockey game in a skybox leased by an Abramoff company at MCI Center. But the senator said he believed that the box was controlled by Greenberg Traurig. The event was organized by Smith, the Democratic fundraiser, he added.

"I was unaware that Abramoff was involved," Dorgan said.

So yes Don, democrats did receive donations from Ambramoff.

Who ever said that the Left can not be trusted on the war on terror because they are more concerned with unintentional civillian casulties. I could not have said it better! So these Leftists would rather spare bin Laden's life in order to save civillians!?!? They are overly concerned with civillian casulties. The greater good is served by bringing the terrorists to justice. No one wants civillians to die, but it's virtually IMPOSSIBLE to prevent civillian casulties in some instances. But does that mean we should just stop killing terrorists?? Hell no!

I don't even know why I'm posting this on this blog, since 90% of these liberal posters think the U.S. is waging a war OF terror.

I just wanted to say, Capt, Robert Schwartz, Saladin, you guys are the republicans' best friends!! With your kooky conspiracy theories, moral relativism and anti-American sentiment. The majority of Americans don't want to be associated with people who the America is a terrorist nation or that President Bush is a terrorist. And yes, despite your denial, he won both the 2000 and 2004 elections.

Alan, as Brian said, you're telling the troops that they're dying for lies!! The war was not based on a lie, and it was not just based on WMDs. Secondly Alan, what is Bush to believe when every intelligence agency in the world thought Iraq had WMDs, even former President Clinton thought he did?? It was also remove Saddam Hussein because of his violation the 1991 cease fire agreement, his violation of 17 U.N. resolutions and because of his support for terrorism. Last, but not least, to free the Iraqi people from Saddam Hussein's tyranny. Alan, see this is why liberalism is based on emotion, not logic!! So Alan, would you PREFER to continue to have innocent Iraqis killed and beaten and raped by not pursuing action to REMOVE Saddam Hussein??? Far more Iraqi's would have been killed if Saddam Hussein was left in power than what anything the U.S. has done. But no, that doesn't fit your agenda, you WANT to be able to say that America is a bad country!!

Just returned from hearing Ohio Congressman Sherrod Brown who is running against Paul Hackett in the Democratic primary for Senate. Who ever wins the primary will be running against Republican Senator Dewine. Long overdue to send this guy on his way home... permanently

They are both incredible candidates. I really wish Hackett would choose to run against Schmidt again instead of having two terrific candidates running against one another.

After Schmidt stuck her foot in her mouth with her outrageous comment in regard to Representative Murtha taking a stand on the quagmire in Iraq. Hackett would win this time in the Republican dominated area around Cincinnati Ohio. It would be a "slam dunk".

HMMM...Where have I heard that before?

What is happening in peoples home states in regard to Senate primaries?

#82 Brian our americans soldiers were sent to Iraq based on complete and utter LIES. You can continue to attempt to spin the LIES into a noble cause, but LIES ONLY SPIN INTO MORE LIES.

The right wing radicals that took us into the war in Iraq believe firmly in the NOBLE LIE...that the means justify the end...that the end justifies the means. The means were complete and utter LIES.

We have to support our troops, by supplying all of their military needs, supporting not cutting their benefits, by providing for their care both mentally and physically, and by providing the truth and the means to get out of Iraq...

Hopefully Hopefully all of this does not cause more death and destruction for the people of Iraq who have suffered so much.

What is all this stuff I'm hearing bout "Bohemian Grove?" I mean come on! Its'old. That song was made in the 70's for Christ sake and by a band with the silly name of "Queen." Why, if it weren't for comedy movies and reunion concerts in Wembly Arena, nobody would even hear the song. And the guy who sang it, isn't even alive anymore! It's just..

"Voiceoverus interruptus"

"Emily, the song you are referring to is "Bohemian Rhapsody." "Bohemian Grove" is a place where a number of supposed grown up men go to be not so grown up for reasons no normal person would understand, or remotely try to understand."

Nevermind!

Senator's 'tainted money' rejected by tribes

Burns can't give away Abramoff-linked cash; ex-staffer's Bowl trip probed

WASHINGTON - Montana Republican Senator Conrad Burns is having a hard time giving away campaign cash he received that was linked to indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

In recognition that much of the money distributed by Abramoff had been siphoned from Native Americans, Burns had tried to give the money to Indians in his home state. However, a meeting Tuesday evening of the Montana Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council rejected Burns' donation of $111,000, which was made up of contributions from Abramoff, his associates and his tribal clients. Burns was present during some of the proceedings.

James Steele, chairman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, would not elaborate as to why tribal leaders rejected the offer. However, tribal officials familiar with last night's vote said that they did not want to appear to have "bailed out the senator." They described the offer from Burns as being "tainted money."

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

Tainted money REJECTED (OUCH! that has got to sting) The tribes do not want that foul lot of chump change.

HA!

capt

Tim L, you're just ate up with it. There were NO TERRORISTS in Iraq. We had NO REASON to go there. Saddam was a terrible tyrant, but so are a few others, and we didn't invade them, did we? All that b/s you cited is just that, b/s. There were weapons inspectors in Iraq right up until Doofus had 'em pulled out because it was uncovering his lies. Wake tha fk up and support our troops by bringing them home!

Kathleen, believing something to to be true that turns out not to be true, is NOT a lie, it is a mistake.

I guess when a weather man makes says what the forcast will be, and it turns out not to be, it is a lie???

Ex-heads of EPA blast Bush on global warming

Republicans, Democrat say president is neglecting environment

WASHINGTON - Six former heads of the Environmental Protection Agency —†five Republicans and one Democrat —†accused the Bush administration Wednesday of neglecting global warming and other environmental problems.

"I don’¥ think there’≥ a commitment in this administration," said Bill Ruckelshaus, who was EPA’≥ first administrator when the agency opened its doors in 1970 under President Nixon and headed it again under President Reagan in the 1980s.

Russell Train, who succeeded Ruckelshaus in the Nixon and Ford administrations, said slowing the growth of "greenhouse" gases isn’¥ enough.

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

Busheney cannot service big oil and their pals AND protect the environment so too bad for the planet.

capt

Have fun, I will return.

Did you hear that an outfit called the Cybercast News Service questioned the circumstances surrounding the awarding of two Purple Hearts to John Murtha? No vet in government that opposes old Bush is safe. Not far down the road one of the guys in Iraq will run for and win some office and he'll be a Democrat. Will they besmirch him/her too? So much for "supporting" our troops. That's kind of like "their" preoccupation with a fetus until it's an actual person. Just wait until one of our Iraqi "heroes" gets in their face.

#76 Saladin ...fill me in on the "ALCIADA". Tell me where to go and read more.

What were all of the arrest quite a while ago in Italy of CIA agents. Do these arrest tie into the source of the NIger documents?

hahaha Here's a shot from Tim L's article he just posted, dated from June '05

Over that period, while Abramoff and his lobbyists directed nearly $4 million in funds from the tribes to lawmakers, they also gave from their own pockets. Two-thirds of the total went to Republicans and one-third was handed out to Democrats, according to The Post's calculations.

Nevermind that we've seen the whole list of Abramoff's personal contributions, from the FEC records... and there were NO DEMOCRATS on that looooooong-azz list.

Timmieeeee! Wake up Timmieeeee!

Alan, your intellectual dishonesty and deceit is UNBELIEVABLE!!! The bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that YOUR party called for(!!!) concluded that Iraq DID have ties to terrorism, as did the bipartisan 9/11 commission that YOUR party called for!!

Bohemian Grove? That's the faggiest goddamn thing I've ever seen!

-Richard M. Nixon

show me, Tim L, where the 911 commission concluded that Iraq had ties to terrorism.

Bullshyt Timmieeee! They found no such thing. Did you read them yourself?? I bet you're waiting on pins and needles for Phase 2, aren'tcha?

Oh yeah, and since you brought it up... why did Doofus fight tooth 'n nail to NOT HAVE a 9/11 Commission? AND, if his cause was so 'noble', why couldn't Doofus testify under oath and without his baby-sitter? hahaha

#101
That's the first time I've ever agreed with Nixon.

Alan would you go to the Bohemian Grove?

James,

Did nixon really say faggiest?

Must have been when he was on Laugh In

Tim ...I sincerely believe that many in the Bush administration have committed very serious crimes sending american soldiers into an unnecessary war.

As Alan pointed out until Phase 2 of the SSCI is completed and the OSP (the Office of Special Plans) turns over all records...the spin will continue.

I hope I linked El Baradei's March 7the 2003, speech at the UN.

I am such a klutz when it comes to the simplest of computer skills.

Alan would you go to the Bohemian Grove?

say wha? haha

I'd never be invited for one, and hell naw, I wouldn't go. LOL
A hunting camp is as close as I've come to a male-only event.
Was that a serious question?

Tim click my name and read El Baradei's words.

#109
My husband wouldn't go near the place either. These rich boy clubs are kinda weird.

Lassie! How ya doin' girl? *pats head*

What is it girl? *concerned look*

Has Timmie fallen in a well?!!
Has Timmie hurt himself in the barn?!!
What is it girl?? Take me to him!
----
----
What was it this time, Hon?
Ehhh, Timmie got his foot caught in his mouth again. He's ok now. We got him squared away... till next time. *shrug*

"Good girl Lassie!"
*more pats on the head*
(end of story)

Transcript of ElBaradei's U.N. presentation

Here you go Kathleen.

Poor Lassie.

Jeanne,

I think Alan would prefer Coconut Grove!

I beg your pardon, mama, what did you say?
My mind was drifting off on Martinique Bay.
It's not that I'm not interested, you see;
a gusty Georgia is just no place to be.

think Jamaican in the moonlight.
Sandy beaches, drinking rum every night.
We got no money, mama, but we can go;
We'll split the difference, go to Coconut Grove.

Keep on talking, mama, I can hear
Your voice, it tickles down inside of my ear.
I feel a tropical vacation this year,
Might be the answer to this hillbilly fear.

Think Jamaican in the moonlight.
Sandy beaches, drinking rum every night.
We got no money, mama, but we can go;
We'll split the difference, go to Coconut Grove.

Voila! An American Dream.
Well, we can travel girl, without any means.
When it's as easy as closing your eyes
And dream Jamaica is a big neon sign.

Just keep talking, mama, I like that sound.
It goes so easy with that rain falling down.
I think a tropical vacation this year,
Might be the answer to this hillbilly fear.

Just think Jamaican in the moonlight.
Sandy beaches, drinking rum every night.
We got no money, mama, but we can go;
We'll split the difference, go to Coconut Grove.

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded this song.
What famous female recording artist performed on the song with them?

Well, when I want a beach, it's only about 35 minutes away. More if I take the ferry to the Bolivar Penninsula. The 'cool' place now isn't Galveston, or Freeport... it's Crystal Beach.
Ferry is free too. hey

Oh, for the love of God, it's Tim L again.

So yes Don, democrats did receive donations from Ambramoff.

No, Tim L, Democrats did not receive donations directly from Abramoff. The article that you so rudely posted in it's entirety (I have to believe you don't link purposely) says no such thing. You and LBH share the trait of poor reading comprehension. Accepting campaign donations from native American tribes who did business with Abramoff is not illegal.

Dance, dance, dance, Timmy. Back when the dirt started becoming public, Republicans denied repeatedly that there were widespread problems. Then Jack started singing and now the RNC talking point becomes "Dems did it too!"

As I have stated, over and over again, if there are dirty Democrats involved, throw them out on their asses. Unfortunately for wingnut apologists like you, Tim, this is primarily (if not entirely) a Republican scandal and the efforts at obfuscation aren't fooling anyone.

Jeanne, Alan, kathleen:

Tim L has already given the responses that show why I rarely engage in these comment debates. The ties to terrorists were ubiquitous, as the 911 Commission and Senate Select Commission on Intelligence (along with others) determined. All indications (including the Kay report for the Iraq Survey Group) also found plenty of WMD components, precursors and programs. Saying otherwise doesn't change the facts. I have trouble finding true mistakes of fact, let alone lies.

On WMDs, the only thing not found were large stockpiles of WMDs ready for deployment. Only three possible conclusions: (1) All of the world's intelligence agencies were wrong. (2) They were spirited away to Syria. (3) Saddam destroyed and hid them all in the last days. Neither (1) nor (2) gives any comfort, and (3) doesn't cause any regrets or guilt.

But really beside the point, isn't it? Motives and even past mistakes can be argued about later (just like the congressional hearings on how we blew the Pearl Harbor intellegince waited until after WWII). Attacking the motivations (lies! money!): distractions or cheap shots.

The only real question is whether the cause is noble. To be clear: this question exists independent of the motives (lies! money! oil!) that may or may not have motivated the Bush administation and Congress when they brought us into this war. If the end is good and the means justified, then motives can be questioned later. That's not lies spinning into lies. That's a realization that good can come from bad.

Jeanne asserts the cause is not noble, but without any reasons or basis. kathleen dodges it with more accusations of improper motives, but without any reason to believe that improper motives taint a good result accomplished through justified measures "in country". Perhaps the intention is not to further the debate (in which case, its just more of the distrations and cheap shots), but I wasn't convinced.

Reports from the soldiers on there and politicians who have visited have overwhelmingly praised the Iraqis who are developing liberal institutions (with their own Islamic character), creating incredible economic growth, seizing opportunities they never had and taking up arms against the terrorists indiscriminately slaughtering them. That kind of "give me liberty or give me death" attitude certainly inspires awe in me. And I find it immeasurably superior to the indignity (not to mention unwanton slaughter) under Saddam's tyrannical regime.

Will it all far apart? I can't say for certain whether it will or not (Jeanne seems to know it will accomplish noting, but chooses not to share her inside scoop with the rest of us). But I am cautiously optimistic. 2005 saw the adoption of a reasonably decent, liberal constitution and election of a democratic parliament with high turnout -- and even now, after the results are questioned, Iraqis are choosing to resolve the election problems through democratic negotiation rather than sectarian violence. The "clear and hold" military strategy seems to be working. Recruitment for Iraqi armed services remains high and their effective ever increasing. The economy is growing at an incredible pace. These signs point to success, not failure.

As for Vietnam (right or wrong), whether that was first lost on the battlefield or on the home front remains an open question which will never be answered with certainty. But one thing is certain: losing on the home front will inevitably result in losing on the battlefield. This war can be ended by destroying the morale of our troops, which can be accomplished by repeating over and over that they are risking it all for a lie rather than to help Iraqis acheive a small piece of the liberty and prosperity we enjoy or by telling them that they - not the bombers targeting mosques and markets and childen - are terrorizing the Iraqis (as Jo