Odom in the News

A ray of hope..Negropante not going along with regime change agenda.
Iran Intelligence War By Robert Parry TomPaine.com
Monday 01 May 2006

In a replay of the Iraqi weapons of mass destruction charade, neoconservative supporters of George W. Bush are pushing the U.S. intelligence community to take a more alarmist view about Iran's nuclear program-only this time, the nation's top spy John Negroponte is resisting the pressure unlike former CIA chief George Tenet.

Tenet joined in Bush's hyping of the WMD evidence about Iraq-famously telling the President that the case was a "slam dunk." But Negroponte is defying hardliners who want a worst-case scenario on Iran's capabilities. Instead, he is citing Iran's limited progress in refining uranium and their use of a cascade of only 164 centrifuges.

"According to the experts that I consult, achieving-getting 164 centrifuges to work is still a long way from having the capacity to manufacture sufficient fissile material for a nuclear weapon," Negroponte said in an interview with NBC News on April 20.

"Our assessment is that the prospects of an Iranian weapon are still a number of years off, and probably into the next decade," said Negroponte, who was appointed last year as the Director of National Intelligence, a new post that supplanted the traditional primacy of the CIA director as the head of the U.S. intelligence community.

at truthout

#239 O'Reilly (previous thread) Yes yes yes..

This article is well worth reading at Weekly Standard. Mr Kristol one of the main regime change warmongers sounds worried that his psychopathic club may not get their way.

"Iran Is Not Iraq"
Much of the U.S. government no longer believes in, and is no longer acting to enforce, the Bush Doctrine.
by William Kristol
05/08/2006, Volume 011, Issue 32

"We are committed to a diplomatic course [to stop Iran's nuclear program] that should, with enough unity and with enough strength and with enough common purpose, make it possible to convince the Iranian government [to change its course]. . . .
"Let me go right to the crux of the question. The United States of America understands and believes that Iran is not Iraq. The Iraq circumstances had a special character going back for 12 years of suspended hostilities after a war of aggression which Saddam Hussein himself launched. . . .

"It goes without saying that the United States believes and others believe that, in order to be credible, the U.N. Security Council, of course, has to act. . . . The Security Council is the primary and most important institution for the maintenance of peace and stability and security, and it cannot have its word and its will simply ignored by a member state."
--Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Europe last week,
from Glenn Kessler's April 28 account in the Washington Post, "U.S. Tries to Calm Fears in Europe on Using Bases"

SAY IT AIN'T SO, CONDI!

In fact, Condi and her colleagues will try to say--privately and off the record--that it ain't so. They'll explain to Bush supporters here in Washington that the administration hasn't really gone soft on Iran. The State Department is just doing its job, reassuring the Europeans so as to keep them on board. Sure, hawks will worry that proclaiming "Iran is not Iraq" signals that
the Bush administration is now terrified even to threaten the use of force against terror-sponsoring dictatorships seeking weapons of mass destruction. But all options, at least theoretically, are still on the table. And Ahmadinejad is doing such a good job scaring the Europeans. This is no time for Washington to be scary!

No, it's time to be reassuring. That doesn't mean we don't do some finger-wagging when Ahmadinejad taunts and challenges us, saying one day he's going to destroy Israel, the next that he's going to transfer nuclear technology to Sudan, and meanwhile buying more long-range missiles from North Korea. But it would be simple-minded to rise to his bait, and to think that we really have to do something tough in response to him.

at weekly standard

Later ..Corn folks

David..General William Odom clearly with the "reality is reality" folks. Not the "perception is reality" side.

Mr. David Corn,

Another very good piece.

"It's far more engaging to listen to Zbigniew Brzezinski than Hillary Clinton on the subject of Iraq. You tell me what that signifies."

I would personally find almost anybody more engaging than HRC.

"This means that the policy debate has been vibrant, while the political debate has been muted."

I am not sure what you mean or who are the voices in the "debate" on either policy or politics. I might be reading too much into the word "vibrant."

Thanks for all of your work!

Kirk

What it signifies is that Democrats have been marginalized on national security issues and they are worried that the sound of their voices on these issue will jeopardize their prospects for making gains in the house and the senate this November.

Magnitude-8.0 Quake Strikes Near Tonga

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck early Thursday near the South Pacific nation of Tonga, and a tsunami warning was issued, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

A warning said it was possible a tsunami could hit Fiji and New Zealand. Police in Fiji and Tonga said there were no signs of impact from a tsunami.

Speaking about the time a wave was forecast to reach the islands, police spokesman Mesake Koroi in Fiji's capital, Suva, said there had been no immediate reports of a tsunami.

A police officer in Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa, said there were no immediate reports of damage or a tsunami.

Another officer in Neiafu, 180 miles to the north, said the quake was felt for about 90 seconds.

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

8 is a huge quake.

capt

On the issue of Iraq, it appears to me that Hillary Clinton voted as a political calculation, as did many other Democrats. I found this then, and I find it now, abhorent, repulsive, and downright [expletive deleted]!

The doubts about the aluminum tubes, and the Niger yellowcake were all there for any of us who were willing to look to find. I and many millions of others who took to the streets in America and around the world were well aware of the snow job being perpetrated. Any Congresscritter who voted for the war resolution did not do DUE DILLEGENCE in the most serious of affairs that they are ever called on to perform.

8 Good point. Their "yes" votes then are clubs used to discredit their credibility on foreign policy issues now. Irony?

ABC News' The Note: CIA leak jury may meet today
RAW STORY

*****************************

Maybe the pining days are over Capt.
Meanwhile, tsunami warnings are reaching to New Zealand and Hawaii. 8 is massive. Thoughts and prayers...

#9 - The shackles of the two party system, I'm afraid. Ironic chains, indeed.

#196 from the previous thread...

Hours after the hijacked planes flew into the World Trade Center Towers, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field, an FAA manager at the New York Air Route Traffic Control Center gathered six controllers who communicated or tracked two of the hijacked planes and recorded in a one-hour interview their personal accounts of what occurred, the report stated.

See, I toldja. That would be 'hearsay', not the true evidence... as in the actual taped communications with the plane. Why would they want to hear recollections instead of the real convos? That it wasn't official and it was done on 'company time' probably had alot to do with the supervisor destroying it. All that other stuff you ranted about doesn't make any sense either. You know as well as I do that shyt gets covered up and whistleblowers leak it later, to uncover incompetence and lies... but nary a single whistleblower has come forward with anything like your version of events. Didja listen to the linked recordings, including at least one other plane's replies to the controllers? Made up you say??

Humor needed. find some here

I was going to post this on the previous thread, but see that David has a new topic.

See "Curing Analytic Pathologies: Pathways to Improved Intelligence Analysis" by Jeffrey R. Cooper, Center for the Study of Intelligence, December 2005 (5 MB PDF) This is a PDF file -- I hope I post it correctly.

Author Cooper said he would welcome feedback from interested readers. Comments can be posted on the Secrecy News blog

Steven Aftergood is becoming an American hero, IMO.

Steven Aftergood
Project on Government Secrecy
Federation of American Scientists
web: www.fas.org/sgp/index.html
email: saftergood@fas.org

It is important for the generals to voice their concerns.

Blowing more snotbubbles to make a case. If you're trying to prove that Dems have illegally leaked secret info., It's a good idea to find a case where they broke the law or at least were investigated by the Justice Dept. for leaking information.

Posted by Pande

Never said it was proven an illegal leak (that's your lie) just as the Plame leak has not been proven to be illegal (that's your lie again).

What this shows is that the Dems can't be trusted with National Security.

_________________________________________________

This is your comparison to divulging the name of Valerie Plame and outing her operation to monitor Iranian nukes? That's really sad, the lengths that you will go to cover for the illegal actions of the White House.

Posted by Pande

If Valerie was monoriting Iranian nukes then where was she here?

Iran Went Nuclear Despite Secret Deal

A secret 1995 agreement between the Clinton administration and then-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin was supposed to halt the transfer of nuclear technology and military equipment to Iran.

But when the Russians continued to help build Iran's premier nuclear facility at Bushehr, the White House refused to impose sanctions.

Under the accord hammered out by Chernomyrdin and then-Vice President Al Gore, Russia had agreed to end all weapons sales to Iran by Dec. 31, 1999.

But after uncovering the confidential arrangement, the New York Times reported that the deal "essentially exempted Russia from American sanctions on arms deliveries to Iran [and] emboldened Moscow to ignore other agreements, particularly on sales of missile and nuclear technology to Iran."

Dems can't be trusted with National Security!!

Bushitler Failed Kindergarten

Bushitler is too stupid to be president

The generals are smarter than politicans when it comes to understanding war and its "causes." They understand the complexities of societal conditions that push men to war -- and in the currrent day, the generals know that the problems in Iraq cannot be solved by any predominately military solution. The politicians still have not learned that lesson -- the Dems let themselves get bamboozled.

bush and his handlers were talking about a "new era" in foreign relations even before the dust had settled after 9/11. bush decided to use military "resolve" to settle the score for 9/11 -- a shocked nation largely agreed with him, at first. (Too bad the American people don't know more about history...ah well.) The Dems have never recovered from ignoring their historic concerns over civil liberties and going along with giving bush authority to invade Iraq. The Dems have possibly missed their chance to think creatively and do anything to get us out of the mess we're in.

The old mindset about military intervention being the cure-all is a thing of the past -- the generals know this; the politicians do not.

David Corn, it says that Hillary will not make a good president, when, come 2009, we will need a great one.

The latest TomDispatch by Chalmers Johnson, which you can link from TomPaine.com today, offers --- from a completely different perspective --- reasons supporting 'out now'.

You have sunk to a new low, M.B. Now you are spinning so frantically for the Conservatives that you have tripped yourself up and lied yourself into a hole. Pathetic.

Posted by Pande

I'm not spinning for anyone. I haven't defended Randy Duke Cunningham, Tom Delay, Jack Abramoff, etc. It is you that constantly defends and lies for the Dems, not even Saladin stoops to your low!

Your 8-9 mins are up!

Rummie and Dummie

Bushitler is a terrorist and a war criminal

We will not leave Iraq until the oil wells are securely in OUR hands, er, Halliburtons hands.

They do'nt care about the people, kill em all, stack em up like cordwood and let Alah sort em out.

Time to get the freak naziesque moneygrubbing death cult out of office! NOW!!!

Bushisms

Poor Pandemoniac shows his lack of logic."

Supporting facts? None from the factchecker. Again, you are as useless as a budget director who can't balance a budget.

"It is assumptive that such poor syllogism is the cause of his pitiful standing in life."

factchecker (sic) doesn't bother with proof, or facts to support a single lemma.

While casting aspersions at (sic) everyone else he nevers (sic) addresses, much less answers, the questions of the motives of Ms. McCarthy.

Questioning motives is to address facts not in evidence. It's as pointless as addressing or questioning her state of mind. It has no bearing on the legality of rendition and torture.

And his work is rife with non-sequitirs (sic)."

Keep using those big words. You are getting more laughs than you will ever know.

I had said (sic) that her job was "verifying the authenticity of possible abuses of authority". But Pandemoniac said, no, that her job was "to investigate sensitive programs and call attention to problems". Well, in logic we call that a distinction without a difference. Wouldn't a normal person consider the abuse of authority to order torture "calling attention to problems"?

That's not what the IG's office is tasked to do. It doesn't go around picking bad apples (people). It monitors trees (entire programs). It's like the difference between Recess throwing staplers at people and his job fixing intell with the help of WINPAC. If you consider that the same scope and magnitude, I can't help you.

And he still fails to answer the question of whether these allegations of Eastern European "torture camps" were ever verified."

The reading skills of an M.B. Sill. The UK ambassador to Uzbekistan claims that he knew of several folks that were taken there and tortured. Who is in a position to verify this? Goss. But he won't. Who is in a position to investigate? Congress. But they won't. I can't write it any simpler than that.

"This gentleman, Pandemoniac, is one of middling debating skills but short on any type of gravitas."

Again, facts not in evidence. A factchecker without facts ... try harder, dude.

"He is a sophist at best, a charlatan at worst."

No facts and no logic. Impressive.

"Alas, he is probably the best the left has to offer."
Posted by factlesschecker at May 3, 2006 10:11 AM

Conservatives are cringing at the thought that anyone might mistake you for one of them.

Colbert's response to his appearance

Tomgram: Chalmers Johnson on Peddling Democracy

With thanks to David Benson for directing me/us to this article...

I am so glad that Pandemoniac is basing his entire argument of abuse in foreign prisons on the word of the UK Ambassador to, where was it again, Uzbekistan? Probably a friend of yours and a fellow traveller with the Right Hon. George Galloway.

I ask for red meat and am given swill. Again, probably the best the truly vacuous left has to offer, however.

Americans look for an alternative to this hapless,clueless, incompetent adminstration and congress, but their only alternative is the likes of you?

Please.

Torture "widespread" under U.S. custody: Amnesty International

Hmmmm...looks like Chalmers Johnson understands the situation in Iraq even better than the generals understand it (from above linked article):

"...The role of the American military in our war there has been an unmitigated disaster on every front, including the deployment of undisciplined, brutal troops at places like the Abu Ghraib prison. All the United States has achieved is to guarantee that Iraqis will hate us for years to come. The situation in Iraq today is worse than it was in Japan or Korea and comparable to our tenure in Vietnam. Perhaps it is worth reconsidering what exactly we are so intent on exporting to the world."

#29 Mr. factchecker,

If it was proven to your satisfaction that the US renditions people to secret prisons for torture, would that be wrong of America to do that? I mean, are you in favor of America doing things like that?
Just wondering if you're against it, or just the proof of it.
Next I'll ask why you think they are fighting back against it being uncovered. Why bother if it isn't true?

AFX News Limited:: US acknowledges torture at Guantanamo; in Iraq, Afghanistan - UN
Torture Documents Released Under FOIA

U.S. TORTURE google search

#27
Alan,
Cobert is a funny man.

David:

I love your opening with:

"One of the most passionate and articulate advocates of the get-out-now school is no liberal wimp. I'm talking about retired General William Odom, who once ran the National Security Agency."

IF you are from the Right, you would've started this post, like me, with:

"Most of the passionate and articulate advocates of the get-out-now school are liberal wimps. Not so with General Odom, who once ran the National Security Agency."

Good post; will be back later!

I think that DEN makes a good point about the situation with oil, Halliburton, and Iraq. The three are quite linked. I read where a soldier claimed that he was on duty protecting the pipeline that is/was being built for Halliburton. The situation is sick as far as I'm concerned.

#31
Micki,
Chambers Johnson has been on Democracy Now several times. He has always given a very clear view of what is happening in the middle east. Fisk is another good reporter. Dahr Jamail is another.

It is so far beyond a mess over there. It is a chaotic hell hole. I was listening to NPR this morning. They had a segment on drug use in Iraq. It is up. Surprise surprise. The report was good because it allowed the people to speak for themselves. That has been something that has been lacking in the reporting from Iraq.

Pardons Granted 88 Years After Crimes of Sedition

Seventy-nine Montanans were convicted under the state law, considered among the harshest in the country, for speaking out in ways deemed critical of the United States. In one instance, a traveling wine and brandy salesman was sentenced to 7 to 20 years in prison for calling wartime food regulations a "big joke."

Hold on to your hats Corn-people. Look what I found.

Federal Study Finds Accord on Warming

A scientific study commissioned by the Bush administration concluded yesterday that the lower atmosphere was indeed growing warmer and that there was "clear evidence of human influences on the climate system."

The finding eliminates a significant area of uncertainty in the debate over global warming, one that the administration has long cited as a rationale for proceeding cautiously on what it says would be costly limits on emissions of heat-trapping gases.

------------>ahhh, but there's a "But..."

But White House officials noted that this was just the first of 21 assessments planned by the federal Climate Change Science Program, which was created by the administration in 2002 to address what it called unresolved questions. The officials said that while the new finding was important, the administration's policy remained focused on studying the remaining questions and using voluntary means to slow the growth in emissions of heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide.

"Jury Rejects Death Penalty for Moussaoui"

"I'm not spinning for anyone."
Posted by: M.B. at May 3, 2006 02:26 PM

Posting twice using the same cut and paste nonsense to make two OPPOSING points is the height of absurdity. You've spun yourself into a corner.

"I am so glad that Pandemoniac is basing his entire argument of abuse in foreign prisons on the word of the UK Ambassador to, where was it again, Uzbekistan? Probably a friend of yours and a fellow traveller with the Right Hon. George Galloway."

I can rewrite or redirect you to what I wrote. You have sunk below M.B.'s simian reading level. I said that allegations have been made by people (plural -- not just Ms. McCarthy) in the intelligence community and government sources from other countries. It is up to Mr. Goss to verify or congress to investigate. Conservatives in congress are either too lazy or too stupid to get to the bottom of these allegations. Me? I'd prefer that Congress look into it and clear things up. If you prefer that the name of our great nation get dragged through the mud by allegations of torture in Iraq, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Gitmo, just say so.

"I ask for red meat and am given swill. Again, probably the best the truly vacuous left has to offer, however."

Defending the Lawbreaking, DoNothing, Rubberstamp Republicans is all that the spinmasters on the Right have left. Cunningham is on his way to the pokey. Claude Allen, Scooter Libby, Congressmen Ney, Doolittle, Pombo, DeLay, Burns, and Harris are on the docket next.

The lawbreaking and corruptions start at the White House, trails into the halls of Congress and permeates every aspect of government that conservatives touch. No amount of lipstick will make that pig any prettier. Keep spinning. But more importantly, learn to read.

"Americans look for an alternative to this hapless,clueless, incompetent adminstration and congress, but their only alternative is the likes of you?"
Posted by: factless at May 3, 2006 03:05 PM

It's called accountability ...oversight ... Congress doing its job. If Conservatives don't like having people like me demanding that Congress do their jobs, they have landed on Planet Dipshit. That is the reason that the Republican Party is eating dirt and making mudpies. Democrats have been asking for investigation after investigation. All they want is for Republicans to let them do their jobs. But that's the problem with the majority party. They'd rather just sit on their hands and let goobers like you make excuses for them. If you're happy with Republican stonewalling, just say so.

My header would be... "Did Specter Gets Some Balls?"

Hearing vowed on Bush's powers
Senator questions bypassing of laws

By Charlie Savage, Globe Staff | May 3, 2006

WASHINGTON -- The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, accusing the White House of a ''very blatant encroachment" on congressional authority, said yesterday he will hold an oversight hearing into President Bush's assertion that he has the power to bypass more than 750 laws enacted over the past five years.

''There is some need for some oversight by Congress to assert its authority here," Arlen Specter, Republican of Pennsylvania, said in an interview. ''What's the point of having a statute if . . . the president can cherry-pick what he likes and what he doesn't like?"
===============
There's that word again, 'cherry-pick'. With repugs now using it too, it must be destined to become Dubya's nickname in history.

Maybe DoE scientists are not so good, after all: "The Los Angeles Times recently [before 2005 May 9] reported that government scientists apparently submitted phony data to demonstrate that a proposed nuclear waste dump in Nevada's Yucca Mountain would be safe." The Nation, 2005 May 9, p. 16.

Now everybody sing the refrain with me:
The DoE is not-your-friend.

How would you like to be Odom? Military leadership know their job is to finish the job but also do it with as little blood shed as possible. Civilians are not supposed to be part of the confict in the way they are in Iraq.

Can you imagine the nights awake for these career soldiers? They have a duty to their commander in chief but have realized early on that the president was incompetent and the plan for Iraq was worthless. Is Congress helping? Very few are. It took Murtha and Biden and a few others going over there and listening to the generals and the leadership in the field and then coming back and going on Meet the Press.

And then the republicans turn around and try to smear Murtha. What a joke. He basically told them to shut up and they ran back to their offices.

What does the military do? It seems that everything they do only makes it worse. They are waiting for solid leadership and the president gives them Rumsfeld. Rumsfeld puts men in place who will do as they are told. Look at Sanchez. He ordered torture. Look at Miller. He ordered torture. The military is also dealing with contractors who are making decisions that are causing instability as in the case of the Blackwater incident Jeremy Cahill wrote about.

So what's the next step?

As http://www.writingforums.com/showthread.php?p=678329#post678329 shows, prejudices prevail even when venerated people speak out in favour of something!

It STILL remains an US and THEM whorl

Pandes real agenda:

Radical organizations, including active communist and revolutionary socialist organizations, were the driving force organizing the immigration boycott rally at Union Square in New York City on Monday.

The "Immigrant Boycott Day" was intentionally scheduled for May 1, worldwide known as the communist and socialist "May Day" holiday celebrating the struggle of "exploited workers" internationally.

Beginning at noon, radical leftists groups – including the communist Workers World Party and the International Socialist Organization – brought printed placards and signs to Union Square. Members of the groups handed out copies of the Workers World and Socialist Worker newspapers, in both Spanish and English, along with the professionally printed placards with their radical message. Tables were set up to distribute socialist literature.

Posting twice using the same cut and paste nonsense to make two OPPOSING points is the height of absurdity. You've spun yourself into a corner.

Posted by Cornfused Pande

The point was that Halloway didn't step down out of honor for the better of his party as you suggested. The spinning is in your cornfused head.

More on Colbert by the guy who booked him

But he says he knew enough about Mr. Colbert — "He not only skewers politicians, he skewers those of us in the media" — to expect that he would cause some good-natured discomfort among the 2,600 guests, many of them politicians and reporters.

and

"There was nothing he said where I would have leapt up to say, 'Stop,' " said Mr. Smith, who introduced Mr. Colbert and sat near him on the dais. "I thought he was very funny," Mr. Smith added, though there was hardly consensus on that point yesterday.

If corporations stopped exploiting workers, there wouldn't be a need for socialist groups to try to organize labor.

So, illegal immigrants are Commies? haha
Or, did the Commies see a good opportunity to exploit someone else's issue?
That would be like... Bush 'n crew are wimpy libruls because Harry Taylor showed up at their gig.
Bush Event Goes Off Script

Re #50: Alan, a tarheel tells it right!

So, illegal immigrants are Commies? haha
Or, did the Commies see a good opportunity to exploit someone else's issue?

Posted by Alan

Alan, Lou Dobbs just wrote about this and you may think it is a laughing matter but this effects real wages which you Cornnuts keep complaining about.

So let me ask you a question:

Do you think meat packers wages going from $19.00 an hour to $9.00 an hour because of illegals is a laughing matter?

Do you not care about the lower income wage earners?

If Harry's a Tar Heel, then go UNC!!

Do you not care about the lower income wage earners?

Yep, but I think you don't. What is this fake concern? You were calling 'em Commies the post before.
Deflect from your stooopid-azz post to something completely diff. Spin away top-ster!

If corporations stopped exploiting workers, there wouldn't be a need for socialist groups to try to organize labor.

Posted by citizen X

Citizen X - illegals work for farmers, contruction contractors and landscapers mostly. I'm not familiar with illegals going to work for Microsoft, Intel, NBC, General Motors, etc. Organized labor is mostly for government employees and liberals so why the need for socialist groups?

Yep, but I think you don't. What is this fake concern? You were calling 'em Commies the post before.

Posted by Alan

Alan, come on- even I don't think your that stupid! Where did I call illegal immigrants commies, please show me?

If you would have read the post you would see that it was radical leftist commie groups that were organizing the protest. Does this help? I sure hope I'm not wrong about you being stupid!

So now that you have stated that you care about low wage earners what do you propose we should do about illegal immigrants that are bringing down their wages?

People like Pandemoniac are so blinded by their hatred for others, so into victimhood that they miss even the most obvious. I call both the White House and Congress "hapless, clueless and incompetent" and Pandemoniac thinks I am defending them?

This is why people of inferior intellect like him should be careful of what they say. People who have real brains, have real success stories in life see through the total vacuity of such arguments.

Then, again, perhaps it is better to have him at this site, impotently pecking away at his computer, rather than creating problems in the real world.

Then, again, it appears Pandemoniac has difficulty functioning in the outside world, anyway.

What is this fake concern?

Posted by Alan

How would you know if my concern was fake or not? Are you a fortune teller or palm reader?

I have stated that the illegals are bringing down wages and I have been on record asying they should be sent home.

I assume you agree with President Bush and Pande that we should let them stay rather they got here illegally or not. Other than you saying- you care- you give no solution to the problem.

So what say you?

"Under capitalism, man exploits man. Under communism, it's just the opposite."

~ John Kenneth Galbraith (1908 - 2006)

illegals work for farmers, contruction contractors and landscapers mostly.

Well DUH!! You forgot meat packers!

What you described are non-union jobs. So, can I deduce from that, that union = good? Good for you!
Patriotic union workers that had to fight for all our worker's rights that even non-union workers benefit from. Propz to them!

Jury spares 9/11 plotter Moussaoui

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia (CNN) -- Al Qaeda terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui should spend the rest of his life in prison for his role in the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, a federal jury decided Wednesday.

The nine men and three women returned their verdict on the seventh day of deliberations after reliving the September 11 attacks through weeks of harrowing testimony and evidence.

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

Thank goodness for small favors.

If they had decided to put him to death they would have made him into a martyr.

capt

Where did I call illegal immigrants commies, please show me?

Didja even read what you posted at #56??

Radical organizations, including active communist and revolutionary socialist organizations, were the driving force organizing the immigration boycott rally at Union Square in New York City on Monday.

The "Immigrant Boycott Day" was intentionally scheduled for May 1, worldwide known as the communist and socialist "May Day" holiday celebrating the struggle of "exploited workers" internationally.

So the illegal immigrants aren't Commies? They're just led by Commies. Oh, ok.

Now really LBH, you seem to have probz with Dubya 'n crew, so why are you constantly defending them? Join the constitution-loving progressives and be done with it. sheeeeshhh!

People who were unwitting dupes of the Communists, but not Communists themselves, were often referred to as "Useful Idiots" by the Communist Intelligentsia.

I would say that anyone marching in a parade but not knowing it was sponsored by ANSWER would fit that description.

Yeah, it was those awful socialists who brought us the 8 hour day, the 40 hour week, unemployment insurance, social security, etc., etc.

Check out the Haymarket story, the origin of May Day.

Rep. Ed Markey: The Threat Facing The Internet Is Very Real 5-3

Top CIA official under investigation for connections to the Randall Cunningham bribery scandal 5-3

36 US House Reps Want Bush Impeachment Probe 5-3

Secret Service records of Abramoff visits to White House will be incomplete 5-3

Cato Institute: Bush had shown disdain and indifference for the US constitution by adopting an astonishingly broad view of presidential powers 5-3

Bush and the Republicans to extend 70 billion in tax cuts 5-3

Midterm Presidential Approval and 2006 5-3

FEMA abandons New Orleans office 5-3

Nine states sue Bush over creating "incentives to build larger, less fuel-efficient models" of vehicles 5-3

******

Thanks POAC

People who were unwitting dupes of the Communists, but not Communists themselves, were often referred to as "Useful Idiots" by the Communist Intelligentsia.

I would say that anyone marching in a parade but not knowing it was sponsored by ANSWER would fit that description.

Welp, I just checked, and the Texas sun isn't egg-frying temp anymore, so I'ma go mow. Catch you guyz later tonight.

illegals work for farmers, contruction contractors and landscapers mostly.

Well DUH!! You forgot meat packers!

What you described are non-union jobs. So, can I deduce from that, that union = good? Good for you!
Patriotic union workers that had to fight for all our worker's rights that even non-union workers benefit from. Propz to them!

Alan, I take it back you're a dipstick at best!

My question had nothing to do with unions you moron!

Sorry, I was trying very hard not to reduce myself to Pandes level with the name calling but you needed it!

Re #68: Alan, xeriscape your yard. Then you won't need to either water or mow...

Now really LBH, you seem to have probz with Dubya 'n crew, so why are you constantly defending them?

By Alan

More help for the challenged progressive:

Bush + Pande + Alan = support illegals staying

LBH = send their asses home

Who's supporting Bush?

On AAR (Air American Radio)

Laura Bush says "George believed in abstinence, he saved himself until he was elected president so he could screw all Americans"

(Laura Bush was parodied)

HA!

capt

#48
Alan,
That's royal. Book the guy who's going to do the most damage and then claim that you never watched him much.

#LBH here is an article for your argument.
at American conservative

Regime Crisis

by Patrick J. Buchanan

At this writing, France has capitulated to mass demonstrations and canceled a labor law that would have let employers dismiss workers under 26.

For the French, the cave-in is truly bad news. It means the political system is not strong enough to take even modest measures to liberate France from a socialist system that is a freshwater fish in the salt waters of the Global Economy.

If despair and gloom are widespread in France, they are justified. With a birthrate below what is needed to continue as a French nation, its 5-8 million Arab and Islamic immigrants alienated, a limping economy, and no way to cast off socialist shackles, France’≥ future appears grim.

In America, too, a regime crisis appears at hand.

Millions have massed in cities from Los Angeles to Phoenix to Dallas to Washington to demand that 12 million illegal aliens be granted full rights of U.S. citizens and all talk of defending U.S. borders be halted at once. Republican and Democratic politicians have been rendered speechless by the size of the demonstrations.

But the demonstrations reveal something more unsettlling. That hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens, all subject to deportation, would defiantly march under foreign flags in U.S. cities suggests the government of the United States has lost its moral authority.

More At american conservative

It would appear that both Republicans and Democrats have become so incompetent as to be rendered practically useless.

Does anyone believe that a third-party candidate, such as a Colin Powell from the Republicans or an Evan Byah or Dick Lamm from the Democrats, wouldn't have widespread support?

Democratic Party finally comes up with new agenda:

-The James Hartline Report- Breaking News May 3, 2006 (8:00am.pst)

Democratic Congresswoman Susan Davis Pushes For Legalization Of Sodomy In U.S. Military: Her Move Seen As Threat To National Security

Go Pande, Go Pande!

Exxon and Mobil sticking it to the American sheeple up the gas....

Break Up the Big Oil Cartel

By RALPH NADER

What a week it has been for the giant oil companies! Billions in record quarterly profits rushing into their coffers. An even bigger round of quarterly profits coming up. Gargantuan executive pay bonanzas. And a pile of "forces beyond our control" excuses to publicize in response to the empty outrage of Washington politicians and the real squeeze on consumers and small businesses.

Oil man Bush, atop his administration marinated with ex-oil executives in high positions, keeps saying there is little he can do. It is the market of supply and demand. Only fuel cells and hydrogen sometime down the 21st-century road can save the country from dependency on foreign oil, he says repeatedly. Plus more drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge.

The public heat about energy prices prodded Mr. Bush this week, however, to at least make a little change in rhetoric. He repeated his warning that his government will not tolerate any gouging. Yet the supine reporters did not ask him whether he has ever caught a gouger. But he did mumble something about higher fuel economy standards so that your car guzzles a little less gasoline. He said he will be meeting with the domestic auto company executives in the White House in mid-May. He praised ethanol again. He visited a gas station in Mississippi to feel the pain of the motorists.

Will Hollywood ever leave Washington, DC?

On Capitol Hill--aka wurthering heights--the Republicans are starting to talk tough, mumbling about larger taxes on oil industry profits--an idea Bush said he would veto last year. The Democrats cannot even agree on an excess profits tax, preferring the greasy band-aid of lifting the 18.4 cent gasoline tax for sixty days. This new detour is pathetic since it takes the heat off the industry's skyrocketing gasoline price which are well into the $3 to $4/gallon range in many places.
at counterpunch

Kathleen

I don't care too much for Pat Buchanan but agree that we have lost moral authority. I don't agree that we should do nothing or we will be in the some position that France is now in.

State of the Parties:
Republicans: RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman met with Republican members of Congress this week to impress upon them just how bad the opinion polls are looking for them, and warning that they face a possible catastrophe in November.

1) This warning contributed to GOP determination to pass a tax reconciliation bill that will extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts beyond their current expiration dates at the end of the decade.

2) On Tuesday, Senate Finance Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and House Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas (R-Calif.) were supposed to meet with President Bush in the Oval office to discuss the tax bill, which, if passed, will be one of the most important Republican accomplishments of 2006 leading into the midterm elections. But Grassley bowed out, giving the excuse that he had constituents in town from Iowa. Even in the face of disaster, Republicans seem unable to get their act together.

3) Despite all the media coverage given to the issues of immigration and "corruption," polls show that the issue currently concerning voters the most -- even more than immigration -- is the wasteful spending by the Congress. With its vote on Thursday in favor of the rule for the lobby reform bill, the House has taken its first step toward patching up damaged Republican credibility.

4) Republicans will focus in their campaign on the danger of electing Democrats to a majority in Congress. Their catch-word is "dangerous," a word taken from an ill-considered appearance by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) on the Senate floor next to a sign (color-coded to match her outfit) stating "Dangerously Incompetent" in large letters. The Stabenow appearance was meant to highlight the administration's incompetence.

Let's hear it for higher gas prices! $5, yes, $6, $7, even $8. Then maybe people will choose to 'have a hoot, don't polute', not contribute so much to climate change, and learn than nothing is life is free, but that public transportation is a socialist good!

I'm sure this will rile some cornposters!

Third Party Candidates are not an option according to the Dems

National Libertarian Party

Proposed Legislation Creates Treasury-Funded Campaigns for the Two Major Parties, Leaving Third Parties with No Means to Run (Washington, D.C.) On February 1, congressional Democrats, led by Rep. Obey of Wisconsin, introduced a bill, H.R. 4694, that would end viable, third-party competition in races for the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, ironically named the "Let the People Decide Clean Campaign Act," would mandate public funds (taken from the U.S. Treasury) to candidates for the House of Representatives and forbid candidates from taking private funds such as contributions from individual donors.

#60
An interesting story coming from the immigrant protest story is the protests of the African American workers. They want the jobs too and jobs with living wages. One woman said that now it's even harder to get jobs because you need to be bilingual. I feel tension building.

Alan Greenspan on third party

CNN.Com ^ | March 10, 2006 | CNN

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Recently retired Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan believes that there will be a major independent candidate for president from the nation's political center, according to a published report. In an interview with The New York Times about his post-Fed activities,

#6 O'Reilly,

That is what is putting me into a funk that I must fight out of. It doesn't help that we all have personal lives to deal with. Did any of you catch Stephen Colbert at the White House Correspondents Dinner. I'm late in commenting on it. He ripped! He comp;etely and totally ripped.

From a Rasmussen poll

April 27, 2006--Democrats currently hold a 12-point advantage over Republicans on a generic 2008 Presidential ballot. However, a third-party candidate focusing on immigration enforcement issues could fundamentally alter those political dynamics.

The survey also asked respondents how they would vote if "a third party candidate ran in 2008 and promised to build a barrier along the Mexican border and make enforcement of immigration law his top priority."

With that option, support fell sharply for both major parties. The Democrats still come out on top with support from 31% of Americans. The third party candidate moved into a virtual tie at 30% while the GOP fell to 21%.

"Then, again, it appears Pandemoniac has difficulty functioning in the outside world, anyway."
Posted by factless at May 3, 2006 05:42 PM

I must've hit a bit of a raw nerve there. Getting a little extra-bitchy. Huh-larry-us.

Still. 4 posts. No facts. So Factless .... if you aren't making excuses for Congress, why aren't you demanding an investigation by congress into the facts regarding rendition and torture in Iraq, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, etc, etc, ad infinitum, ad nauseam?

Spin. Twist. Contort. Saying that Republicans are clueless, hapless, ineffectual, useless, Rubberstamping, Borrow-and-spend losers doesn't erase the fact that you want Ms. McCarthy investigated; but you'll give the govt. a pass on rendition and torture. Calling the Republicans morons won't earn you any more points than claiming that the sun is hot. Big Whoop, even M.B. knows that.

Just because I rip your posts to shreds with ease doesn't mean that I'm bitter, angry, unhappy or in any way unsuccessful. Check out my weekly funnies tomorrow on this blog. They are to larf.

Don't be angry because I'm obviously smarter than you. Arm yourself with FACTS, Factless. I feel bad clubbing an unarmed man.

Let's continue to hope that Karl and the rest of the psychopaths croak!

May 3, 2006 -- The Federal grand jury investigating Leakgate, specifically Karl Rove, met today at the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse, however, Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald was not present. The press gathered in front of the building was small as compared to past events, including last week's testimony of Rove and last year's indictment of I. Lewis Libby. All indications are that some important news on the Rove front will be breaking soon.

Pande posts:

I must've hit a bit of a raw nerve there. Getting a little extra-bitchy. Huh-larry-us.

Sounds like the raw nerve is your ego being ripped apart by Fact Checker!

Just because I rip your posts to shreds with ease doesn't mean that I'm bitter, angry, unhappy or in any way unsuccessful. Check out my weekly funnies tomorrow on this blog. They are to larf.

Posted by Pande

Pande, you have yet to rip anyones post to shreds except in one of your wet dreams. Anyone who reads your posts can tell that you're bitter, angery, unhappy and unsuccessful unless your posts are all lies!

Pande,

I normally would (wisely) refrain from going toe-to-toe with you, but I have to intervene in this case.

"Extra Bitchy" was the term I used to differentiate "Timmy L" from the OGT (Original Gopher Tim) way back when...

Or perhaps one of these (or ALL of them) clowns is a mouse of many monikers?

-T

Pandes ego takes a dive:

Don't be angry because I'm obviously smarter than you.

Posted by Pande

"In jealousy there is more of a self-love than love"

Francois de la Rochefoucauld

Sorry, Hajji. I tried extra-moronic, extra-idiotic, extra-pendejo but none of them worked.

"Iran Went Nuclear Despite Secret Deal"
Posted by: LBH at May 3, 2006 02:09 PM

The title alone is suspect. That means that the secret deal was designed to stop Iran from going nuclear. Yet, the body of the article that you clipped says that the agreement was designed to allow Russia to get around the non-proliferation agreements. That should have made it easier not harder for Iran to go nuclear.

The article that you cut and paste makes no sense. Why would Iran go Nuclear "despite" a secret deal that was designed to make that easier?

Then there's this bit of history:
"A second key area of Russian exports is arms sales, which resumed in 2000 after Russia left the so-called Gore-Chernomyrdin protocol, a secret agreement between Moscow and Washington about restricted arms deliveries to Iran."

Why would Russia walk away from the Gore-Chernomyrdin protocol in 2000 if it was designed to make it easier for them to deal arms with Iran?

Obviously your article is a load of crap.

You REALLY need to learn how to link. You use the same crap to make two opposing points about Mollohan and we're supposed to trust that you are providing the relevant points?

Factless, check this out. This is how it's done:

If Bush-ehr (neat name, eh?) gets built, Conservatives have only Mr. Bush to blame. It's been in the works since the 70's. Big Dawg stopped Russia from completing the job. Funny how the greatest spurts in nuclear proliferation have come under Bush Sr. and Bush Jr. The Clinton Administration tried to stem the flow of nuclear weapons and nuclear technology. Bush meanwhile has allowed Pakistan, India and North Korea to stockpile its nuclear weapons and join the International Nuke Club. Hey, isn't one of those countries part of the Axis of Evil? Why does Mr. Bush hate America and let all these dangerous countries multiply the number of nuclear weapons that they possess?

I thought this part of the article linked below was particularly amusing:
At an October 5 joint subcommittee hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee devoted to Russian involvement in Iranian weapons programs, Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) grilled Assistant Secretary of State for Nonproliferation Robert Einhorn on Russian arms sales to Iran. Brownback, citing a recently released CIA report on proliferation which charged that Russia "remains an important source of conventional weapons and spare parts for Iran," asserted that Russia had not lived up to its "negotiated" 1995 deal to end its Iranian arms trade. The senator further explained that in return for the 1995 Russian commitment the United States had "pledged to avoid any sanctions."

Eight days later, The New York Times ran a front-page story on the 1995 aide memoire, quoting sections of the classified document. The article named the 1992 Iran-Iraq Arms Non-Proliferation Act as the law the Gore-Chernomyrdin agreement "appeared to undercut," though it erroneously stated that the legislation calls for sanctions to be applied to all countries that transfer weapons to state sponsors of terrorism.

Did Brownback or Roberts leak that classified document? Shame. Shame. Breaking the law. Breaking the law.

Again if the G-C protocol was designed to make Russian-Iranian arms deals easier and "undercut" non-proliferation agreements, why did Russia walk away from it in 2000?

The weapons deals that were done after the Gore-Chernomyrdin protocol were never illegal:
"On October 13, the day The New York Times article appeared, Richard Boucher stated that before Gore signed the aide memoire, the Pentagon reviewed the Russian arms sales and concluded that "none" would be destabilizing or would threaten the military balance in the Persian Gulf."

The State Department spokesman also asserted that none of the contracts were "sanctionable by law because they predate the effective date of the various lethal military equipment sanctions laws and because they did not meet the threshold for advanced conventional weapons, as defined in the Iran-Iraq Nonproliferation Act of 1992." A Gore aide, interviewed on October 23, further stated that "In no way did the Vice President pledge to forgo sanctions that would be applicable under U.S. law.

"Testifying before a joint hearing of Senate subcommittees on October 25, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Nonproliferation Controls John Barker provided the administration's fullest explanation of the deal. Barker stated the U.S. government only gave the assurance that it would take "appropriate steps" not to sanction Russia for its pre-1995 deals "after a careful review to ensure that they did not in fact trigger mandatory sanctions under the Iran-Iraq Act or other potential applicable sanctions laws."

There was a time when Republicans tried to do their job in keeping the Executive branch in check. Now that they've made it a habit of dealing with lawbreakers like Abramoff, they don't want to make any waves, lest they get swept under in their own whirlpool of corruption.

If you're looking for illegal dealings with Iran. Try Halliburton. That's where Cheney get all of his dirty money from.

Facts, Factless. You can't be a factchecker without 'em. You are one funny dude.

"Anyone who reads your posts can tell that you're bitter, angery (sic), unhappy and unsuccessful unless your posts are all lies!"
Posted by M.B. Sill at May 3, 2006 07:02 PM

Only those of you on the business end of my ass-kicking feel that I'm the meanest of the Cornbloggers. Don't hate me cause I'm smarter than you.

Ask everyone else, I'm a total sweetheart. I'm one smoove Brovah.

Oops forgot the link on the Russia moving away from G-C Protocol.

Pande

The Clinton Administration tried to stem the flow of nuclear weapons and nuclear technology. Bush meanwhile has allowed Pakistan, India and North Korea to stockpile its nuclear weapons and join the International Nuke Club. Hey, isn't one of those countries part of the Axis of Evil? Why does Mr. Bush hate America and let all these dangerous countries multiply the number of nuclear weapons that they possess?

You really believe that crap don't ya? I bet you voted for Clinton because he had nice hands too!

I must say that I'm a bit taken aback by the Moussaoui "Life" verdict. I was quite sure that despite there being no evidence whatsoever to support what he'd confessed to that somebody'd make sure to fire up "Old Sparky" for the sacrificial lamb.

I guess the illegal and immoral invasion of Iraq causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocents and the maiming and long-term dibilitation of countless others will have to suffice, for now.

-T

Sorry Pande, I assumed you already knew about the Clinton-Gore missile gate scandal beings you're obviously smarter than everyone.

Here ya go in a cornut shell:

Al Gore's secret deal helped Moscow improve its missiles using U.S. funding and technical engineering. Al Gore's secret deal helped the Russians keep Sukhoi Su-25 strike fighters in the air over Chechnya and Chinese Su-27 interceptors over the Taiwan Straits. Al Gore's secret deal kept the former Soviet war machine alive by allowing Russia to make and sell arms around the world without penalty.

Al Gore sent U.S. taxpayer money to subsidize Russian arms makers, helping to improve and develop new weapons that are now being sold to world powers unfriendly with the United States. As more and more of Al Gore's secret pact with Russia becomes public, it appears that Moscow has a good reason to love the vice president.

#46 Red-baiting. M.B., just out of curiousity, do you understand what I mean when I call you a red-baiter and why that makes you look like a moonbat freak?

#76 Gay-baiting. Same Question

Not answering either one of those questions would explain a lot about your ignorant cut-and-paste goofiness.

"Sorry, I was trying very hard not to reduce myself to Pandes level with the name calling but you needed it!"
Posted by: M.B. Sill at May 3, 2006 06:03 PM

Moral relativism. When WMD-Timmiee comes back, we'll have him 'splain that to you. He talks at your primitive level.

"You really believe that crap don't ya? I bet you voted for Clinton because he had nice hands too!"
Posted by M.B. Sill at May 3, 2006 07:19 PM

I'm just linking the facts, M.B. Ask factless, he can fill you in on the importance of establishing a factual basis for your arguments. You really oughta try it instead of just making shit up. And seriously, learn how to link. I'll try to help you out in that regard when I get home.

Did Brownback or Roberts leak that classified document? Shame. Shame. Breaking the law. Breaking the law.

Posted by Pande

LBH helps smarter Pnade

However, documents forced from the Clinton administration by the Freedom of Information Act show that part of the secret 1995 Gore agreement with Moscow included more than weapons for Iran.

#95 FACTUAL SUBSTANTIATION. Find it. Link it. Share it. You've finally accepted the fact that I'm smarter than you. Now try to show us that you aren't just pulling lies out of your arse.

Russia walked out on a deal that gave them all that good stuff? Either they are the world's biggest idiots or you're ... ah, never mind.

And if it was a secret deal, how did the Defense Dept. review the details?

Keep trying. Wait. Ain't it time for your shift at the Gas-n-sip? Check back tomorrow. I'll have a little cut-and-paste solution to your linking needs.

So was that Brownback or Roberts?

APOLLO ALLIANCE: The Ten-Point Plan for Good Jobs and Energy Independence

...off to a slow start. Too bad the Congress, the busheviks, the American sheeple are all yakking about high gas prices instead of actually doing something about the basic problems.

were the terrorists helped?
or were they the helpers?
911highjacker.com/

I know we've been over this at least a few times but I, for one, think no one is a lost cause:

come on- even I don't think your (sic) that stupid!

I can't speak for anyone else but I think your difficulty learning when to use YOUR and YOU'RE does not reflect on your intelligence. See if this helps:

YOUR POSSESSION
YOU'RE THAT STUPID.

Pandes smarter side:

If you're looking for illegal dealings with Iran. Try Halliburton. That's where Cheney get all of his dirty money from.

Halliburton started getting contracts under Clinton-moron!

More spin from Mr Jealousy

#94 Gee, Hajji, maybe the Decider-in-Chief will decide to fire up old sparky because...well... because, he makes up laws as he goes along.

(I'm only being 1/2 facetious.)

You've finally accepted the fact that I'm smarter than you.

Whatever you say Mr. Jealousy!!

LBH & Pande --- A pox on both their houses! Both the Demolicans and the Repubcrats!

LBH --- Haliburton, as a company, has been around under that name at least since the 1960s. Probably, given the nature of its business then, had gvmnt contracts then, too.

83 Nice post. Thank you.

Only those of you on the business end of my ass-kicking feel that I'm the meanest of the Cornbloggers.

Posted by Pande

I've never said you're mean. I have said anyone who plays soccer obviously needs to make up for his lack of manhood somehow, which explains all your macho tough guy talk.

LBH --- Haliburton, as a company, has been around under that name at least since the 1960s. Probably, given the nature of its business then, had gvmnt contracts then, too.

By David Benson

Thank you for making my point

Oh ya, I forgot about Jooeek being raised by lesbians. Not having a daddy shows your frustration with manhood.

More and endless personal attacks speak to your lack of good character and education.

How petty.

If David ever decides to put an end to the personal attacks you will not be missed.

"Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established."

~ Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC), The Confucian Analects

capt

"If the innocent honest Man must quietly quit all he has for Peace sake, to him who will lay violent hands upon it, I desire it may be considered what kind of Peace there will be in the World, which consists only in Violence and Rapine; and which is to be maintained only for the benefit of Robbers and Oppressors.": - -- John Locke - (1632-1704) English philosopher and political theorist.

=
They could be made to accept the most flagrant violations of reality, because they never fully grasped the enormity of what was demanded of them, and were not sufficiently interested in public events to notice what was happening : George Orwell

=
Political language. . . is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind: George Orwell

=
The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, but he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them: George Orwell

===

Thanks ICH Newsletter!

Odom is a hero.

Bob

Only in the southern part of the United States, west of Florida and east of California do so many grown men think of soccer as an unmanly sport.

I played soccer in elementary school and switched to football for high school and college. It never fails to amaze me when people cast aspersions on the game of soccer.

It is the most popular sport worldwide and it hosts the most widely attended international event, The World Cup. (Yes, more popular than NASCAR and Formula 1 combined.)

It's too bad there are so many provincial Americans who hold firmly to narrow-minded opinions.

Dear Harry,
I found some home video footage from the white house. I thought you'd like to see it.

White House Egg Role

Beyond Incompetence: Washington's War in Iraq

"ICH" -- -- If there is a central principle animating Noam Chomsky's commentaries on US foreign policy, it is his affinity for Realpolitik analysis. As Chomsky argues in a recent interview, "Our leaders have rational imperial interests. We have to assume that they're good-hearted and bumbling. But they're not. They're perfectly sensible." This methodological axiom presents some serious challenges for those trying to understand the US war in Iraq. With so much evidence of bumbling within the Bush White House, it is tempting to join the chorus of critics, led by the Democrats, who say that incompetence is the defining feature of US foreign policy. Is it possible to tell the story of the US invasion of Iraq as "perfectly sensible"?

Chomsky is adamant and he is right to warn against the idea that foreign policy elites are more fool than knave. "Consider the actual situation, not some dream situation... If we can enter the real world we can begin to talk about it... We have to talk about it in the real world and know what the White House is thinking. They're not willing to live in a dream world."

What, then, is the "actual situation" that led the Bush administration to make the "perfectly sensible" -- if entirely imperialist -- decision to invade Iraq and topple the regime of Saddam Hussein? Here, according to Chomsky, is the real world:

More HERE

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

A good piece.

capt

"Odom is a hero."

I'll second that!

capt

Beating About The Bush? Not With Hersh

05/03/06 "The Independent" -- - LONDON: Sy Hersh is an ornery, cussed sort of guy, not one to suffer fools gladly. As the man who broke the My Lai story and the atrocities at Abu Ghraib, I reckon he has a right to be ornery from time to time – and cussed.

He’s dealing with powerful folk in Washington, including one – George W Bush – who would like to cut him down. And when Hersh wrote – as he did in The New Yorker this month – that "current and former American military and intelligence officials" have said Bush has a target list to prevent Iran obtaining nuclear weapons and that Bush’s "ultimate goal" in the nuclear confrontation with Iran is regime change – again! – you can see why Bush was worried. "Wild," he called the Hersh story. Which must mean it has some claim to veracity.

So when I cornered Hersh at Columbia University in New York and dropped him a note during a Charles Glass presentation asking for an interview, I expected a stiff reply. "Anything you ask," he scribbled obligingly on a piece of paper.

More HERE

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

Fisk is rockin’!

capt

"If David ever decides to put an end to the personal attacks you will not be missed."

I'll second that.

Birdflu or POTUS deploys armed forces domestically?

As the Bush administration releases an update to its $7.1 billion bird flu plan, a Pentagon official said today that the military would primarily provide support to the federal government in the event of an outbreak.

The military would assist with transporting critical resources via air, medical lab testing, distributing pharmaceuticals, providing surge medical capability, assisting with inter-agency planning, providing communications to civil authorities, assisting with mortuary affairs, and, of course, drawing upon the vast network of military public affairs capabilities across the country.

The official would not speculate on whether troops could be asked to perform any police duties in an outbreak, but added that troops could provide security and quarantine assistance to civil authorities.

(link)

House passes sham "lobbying reform" bill thanks to Dem defections

No restrictions on lavish gifts or travel to exotic locations, no ethics training, no ban on revolving door "legislator to lobbyist" moves, no earmark reform, and no enforcement of existing rules.

And look who helped make it a reality:

Barrow
Boren
Boswell
Cuellar (who is begging for another primary challenge in 2008)
Marshall
Matheson
Melancon
Taylor (MS)

(link)

Answering the "Dems Backed Bush Too!" Charge
By SusanG on GOP incumbents | dailykos | 5/3/6

In my post earlier today about Booting the GOP Enablers, some commenters discussed how individual Republican incumbents will try to slither their way out of taking responsibility for destructive votes by pointing out that some Democrats supported bad policy too.

Once again, I offer to Democratic challengers facing this tactic a possibly simple-minded approach: Acknowledge how our system works, then move in for a specific kill.

Example, using Medicare: (link)

The Republicans are Running out of Gas
By DarkSyde on energy |Daily Kos | 5/3/6

I can think of a hopeful explanation for why the $100 Republican gasoline rebate flopped worse than Bob Dole without Viagra: The American people are waking up. They're hip to the GOP gyp. They're on to the neocons. They're fed up with the shifty shenanigans and Abramoff earmarks. They're waking up to the Republican Culture of Corruption, the oily ease with which fat-cat lobbyists stroll unopposed through gold trimmed halls of power, while the working classes that pay the lawmakers salaries and vote them into office are left standing in the cinder block waiting room undergoing a body cavity check. Yes, it looks like the American people, all of them, are getting jiggy with it. Gas prices got everyone's attention. (link)

David and fellow cornbloggers and spoof posters and insulters. You've got the Pajamas Media logos up now as well as new ads. The page seems to load just as fast as before - I'm on a high speed connection.

The new ads are distracting however because they have the animation. It can be annoying to read your thread or someone else's post while ads in both the left and right gutter flash and blink. I'm glad the ads are only at the top of the page. For what's its worth I'm sure you can tell my preference is for ads that do not flash and blink like a pinball machine.

I saw a NETFLIX ad. It's a good deal if you like movies. I've been a customer for a while now. It's a great service most of the time. Sometimes, the DVDs arrive scratch - which means they don't inspect them for skips and scratches unless that last viewer reports it. That sucks because you carved out two hours and the movie is un-viewable.

I watched Walk The Line last night.(Yes! From NETFLIX) It was real good. I especially enjoyed the music, which was performed by Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. Growing up on rock and pop, I never was a big country fan but the movie turned me on to it.

Tomorrow, I'm heading down to the local vintage record store to buy me a John Cash album and maybe a June Carter album while I'm at it.

Hello!!!!!
Study: US mothers deserve $134,121 in salary

A full-time stay-at-home mother would earn $134,121 a year if paid for all her work, an amount similar to a top U.S. ad executive, a marketing director or a judge, according to a study released Wednesday.

...To reach the projected pay figures, the survey calculated the earning power of the 10 jobs respondents said most closely comprise a mother's role -- housekeeper, day-care teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager, van driver, chief executive and psychologist.
---------------------
Where the hell is the nurse in that list? Or the diplomat? the cop? Day care teacher....how about teacher in general? Oh and computer maintenance person. Referee. Ass kicker. Accountant. Gardener. Seamstress. And that's just in one day...I might add sometimes in one hour.

Jeane,

If only I had a psychologist. But aren't they male? No offense to our learned male readers. It's time for a little self indulgence.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

#123
O'Reilly,
My kids love Johnny Cash. They aren't country fans but love great music. Cash was great. They especially like the CD "American IV: The Man Comes Around". He sings a Trent Reznor song "Hurt". I think my daughter told me that he recorded the CD when he could barely perform. Great CD. Go on the Barnes and Noble web site and listen to the music.

David Corn cross posted on www pajamasmedia.com

#125 Jeanne,

Sorry for mispelling your name.

Thanks Jeanne.

It was touching to learn that June died of complictions from a heart valve operation and John died four months later. He didn't want to live without her.

"Withdrawal will encourage the terrorists"
David, it seems to me that there are already many terrorists of different stripes right now. Between what some of our troops are doing, and some British troops, along with some covert Israeli agents and private mercenaries, I don't see how it could possibly get any worse. Bring them home, NOW!

Alan, I've already said I am done with this debate. The day is coming when all those many unanswered questions are going to bite bushco in the ass. Are you one of the people who feel no further investigation is needed? If so, I think you are becoming a minority, polls show different.
-------------
From Stop the Lie.com
Universal

It was fun while it lasted...

It looks like Universal Pictures decided to take down their "Flight 93" forum. In all honesty, I'm shocked they didn't do it sooner. The boards were quickly overrun with visitors DESTROYING the government's account of 9/11. -From a commercial standpoint, that can't help you "sell" a movie based solely on the government's version of events.

Poll after poll at the site showed 80% of respondents believed there is a cover up surrounding 9/11. And if you saw the posts, you'd understand why. Anyone coming in with a "blank slate" undoubtedly left with mounds of excellent information they never heard in the mainstream media. I suspect many left with a higher appreciation for those out there fighting for the truth.
-------------
I for one am relieved that the people are taking off the rose colored glasses and asking questions, because there are a lot.

BulbCam
Posted May 3, 2006 07:06 PM PST

A webcam pointed at the oldest known working light bulb in a Fire Station in Livermore, California. Age 104 years. Remember when America made products with that kind of reliability and durability?

More headlines from WRH

Depleted Uranium - Far Worse Than 9/11
In 1979, depleted uranium (DU) particles escaped from the National Lead Industries factory near Albany, N.Y.,which was manufacturing DU weapons for the U.S military. The particles traveled 26 miles and were discovered in a laboratory filter by Dr. Leonard Dietz, a nuclear physicist. This discovery led to a shut down of the factory in 1980, for releasing morethan 0.85 pounds of DU dust into the atmosphere every month, and involved a cleanup of contaminated properties costing over 100 million dollars.
Posted May 3, 2006 09:26 AM PST

In the chaos of Iraq, one project is on target: a giant US embassy
In the pavement cafes, people moan that the structure is bigger than anything Saddam Hussein built. They are not impressed by the architects claims that the diplomatic outpost will be visible from space and cover an area that is larger than the Vatican city and big enough to accommodate four Millennium Domes. They are more interested in knowing whether the US State Department paid for the prime real estate or simply took it.
----------
Mr. Rivero has been busy today.

#131
Now watch somebody hit it with a ladder.

"Out there fighting for the truth." Sure.

And just what are you doing "fighting for the truth" other than repeating and repeating your mantra?

I have no greater appreciation for the Crusaders for the Truth that you represent than I did before the flick "Flight 93" hit the theaters. There are a lot of unanswered questions, but there is also much that you and your followers do not know. You will not "save" us from anything. If you are "done with this debate" please spare us from continuing to post your "arguments" to support your position. Be done! To paraphrase an outspoken woman named Carol, "SU."

#134
Caroline,
Whether you believe that debate or not doesn't matter. What matters is they are forcing an airing out of the facts. Maybe James and Saladen are right. Maybe they're wrong. What I know for sure is that there wouldn't be all the questions if the investigation had been done right. When you sweep something under the rug people assume there's a reason why you did that. I welcome James and Saladin to continue to ask the questions until the real story gets told.

Colbert poll

David opines: "The prewar dream of a liberal Iraqi democracy friendly to the United States is no longer credible."

To so unequivocally say "no longer credible" is overly negative (ie. defeatist)! The more appropriate wording might be "..is now rather doubtful." Alright, from the Left perspective, perhaps "very doubtful". As you have worded, what if things turnaround in an unexpectedly positive way?

David also says: "No Iraqi leader with enough power and legitimacy to control the country will be pro-American."

Well, I doubt many people actually expected a single leader to be able to "control the country" unless such a leader is a Sunni, a Shiite and a Kurd all at the same time. Wasn't it always assumed that some kind of a governing council/cabinet, proportional to demographic makeup, will share/rotate the real power.

Now that we've clarified the overall goal of a leadership group, NOT a singular leader, let's consider your "won't be pro-American" part. For the forseeable future, Iraq's work-in-progress Democracy will need to be pro-somebody. Pundits on the Left say `pro-Iran, anti-US'; possible but I don't buy it! IF Iraq do not evolve into total civil war, they will be pro-American, something like Pakistan is today.

You are somewhat correct to surmise that IF there is a single powerful leader able to "control the country", such a leader is unlikely to be pro-American, at least, not in an open way. In many respects, Sistani fills this `surmised' role, at least among the Shiites and some secular Sunnis.

Lastly, David, glad to see you've got some ads. Sure, they are annoying at times, but they do help to pay our bill here!

134. I am not wading into the substance of your discussion: I'm commenting on Carol's comment to me yesterday, in which she told me to "Shut Up" because she is opposed to censorship.

Aside from whether it was Carol who posted under Carol's name, I didn't find her approach compelling.

Be that as it may, there is some question as to whether Carol would address another cornblogger that way, or whether that post was a spoof.

Eureka!

caroline, you are amazing. Since when have I or any other 9/11 skeptic, that is a large percentage of the people on this blog, claimed to have all the answers, or said we could save anyone from anything? Our whole point all along is that we DON'T have the answers, and we WANT to have them. Your rude and belligerent comments towards me are uncalled for, I never address you. My comment was for Alan. I couldn't care less what you think, telling me to shut up is not only rude but childish.
Thank you Jeanne for a rational response. I don't think any troll as been as hateful towards me as that so-called "progressive" caroline, who has, from day one, engaged in verbal assault, abusive language and general meanness towards me, I don't even know why. I have many political disagreements with people here, but I don't feel the need to make cruel and unnecessary insults. Maybe it makes her feel good.

PS to #137

Citing Pakistan without clarifying leaves the wrong impression. The ones doing the governing there, though not as a democracy, are pro-American even while the `complicated' population hold divergent views of us.

LBH, MB & factchecker, you are doing a "heck of a job" keeping a certain Texican `pinned' here!

#137
"Lastly, David, glad to see you've got some ads. Sure, they are annoying at times, but they do help to pay our bill here!"

I believe, correct me if I'm wrong David, that they only pay the bills if you click on them.

I suspect many left with a higher appreciation for those out there fighting for the truth.

there's an entire segment of the population that IS out there passing out flyers, making copies of dvd's, staging community lectures, pestering their reps and generally making nuisances of themselves.

but there is also much that you and your followers do not know. You will not "save" us from anything.

the more I learn the more I realize just how much I don't know, but right or wrong, I've made and passed along almost 100 911 dvd's -
I hold no illusions of "saving" anyone; I'll leave that to the jehovas witnesses, but I recommend stocking up on food items with a long shelf-life while they are still affordable. and I vote for Saladin.

what's wrong with this picture?

I'll wade in...surprise, surprise. ;-)

Jeanne,

I have no problem with a serious quest for knowledge and the truth. That is healthy. But, there is a fine line. When a political ideology drives the "truth seekers," that's where I part company. What we have, so far, in this quest for truth on 9/11 borders on a series of elaborate fables, intertwined with some provable non-fiction.

I have no doubt that there are clandestine and covert political activities in our country, but many of the people, and the groups they join, who seem to thrive on turning a kernel of truth into "THE TRUTH" often do more harm than good to their cause. That is what happens in conspiracy theories -- look at the long delay in getting certain groups to use condoms in the early days of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Well, that's another story...

While Saladin and James may have legitimate concerns, it is my opinion that their approach does nothing to advance the quest for truth on 9/11. I respect you if you disagree with me, but I respectfully disagree that their type of questioning is productive. I will agree that they are the reason we are having this discussion, but it is not a fruitful discussion. ;-))

If the quest for truth on 9/11, or any other event that warrants that type of search, was based on methodological, sound theoretical, and empirical footing I would say, "Go for it."

O'Reilly, Carol posted at the bottom of the previous thread stating that she did, indeed, post the comments.

I respectfully disagree that their type of questioning is productive...... but it is not a fruitful discussion.

what pray tell, about this blog IS productive? this isn't the blog where I fruitfully discuss 911, this is the blog where I ram my opinions/observations down everyone's collective throat - and I make a general nuisance of myself all on my own, without the benefit/hindrance of any political ideologies or groups, thank you very much!

What was the name of that character in the Star Wars series? "How wude!"

James, I have read quite a few of the links you provided about 9/11. My take is that the official findings have BIG holes and inconsistencies and that they unsatisfactorily explain many credible observations. I believe the WTC buildings per pre-wired for demolition. That is not to say militant Muslims didn?t hijack planes and destroy the planes, the passengers and themselves but I don't think all four strikes are of a kind nor that the strikes razed the buildings. Bush says (twice) he watched the first plane hit the first building. That's bizarre because who would think to be watching? PNAC was looking for a Pearl Harbor. No way a commercial airliner crashed into the Pentagon. Why was the wreckage from fourth plane spread out over miles if it crashed upside-down after a roll? The wreckage indicates it fell in pieces. I don?t say this to influence anyone else. I say it because when I started reading posts here, I didn't hold the same beliefs I do now.

Two years ago I went skiing out west. I brought a copy of David's last book. It opened my eyes. When I got home, I found David's website. It opened my eyes and served as a home base for blogging, reading blogs and reading news feeds. If you don't have news feed reader get one. Many of them are free: BLOGLINES

There is an inside Washington buzz that helps explains a lot of what we see in the MSM - not that I watch MSM TV much - but I do watch NewsHour, C Span, read the NYT, WaPO, and a ton of stuff linked to by bloggers. I've stayed on top of Plamegate, The 2004 Election, Congress, the White House method of operation, 911, immigration, tax policy, FDA, SCOTUS appointments, Enron, California energy scandal, Iraq War Run-up, and the death of a dear friend in Iraq.

David's analysis in his last book along with a few other books gave me some tools to understand better my countries government. While I'm not pleased with what I've learned, I am pleased that I have learned it. Thanks also to fellow cornbloggers who "think", "ask questions" and engage in "interesting discussion." . . . even those who tell me to shut up although I certainly would appreciate you finding a more respectful way of expressing that point of view.

And back to you O'Reilly... just cause noone (I haven't at least) has posted it, doesn't mean we don't appreciate your contributions. We do, and we read 'em.

when I started reading posts here, I didn't hold the same beliefs I do now.

me too, I don't believe in the things I once did - for instance, I used to think that the democrats were the political party that cared about the "little guy" - now I view them (collectively) as puppets, bending over backwards to bend over forwards at nearly every turn. of course I will still vote for one in the next pres. election, just in case my vote is going to be counted - ha.

as far as 911 goes, there are a lot of fruitful discussions in various blogs far and wide, many of them seemingly endless variations of egghead v. egghead engaged in a battle of wits for scientific supremacy. I've since come to realize that 911 was much more devious and yet infinitely simpler than it appeared. for example, consider that there are only 4 different video captures of the 2nd plane's impact with wtc2, and we were only shown the ACTUAL IMPACT a few times on 911, and then never again. before anyone scoffs at that statement they should research it. anyway, ALL 4 video records of the same IMPACT (captured from different angles) show an aluminum plane slipping thru the side of the steel tower (without slowing or any of it breaking off) like casper the ghost. like a cartoon. and then almost a complete second later there's a terrific explosion and a whole lot of smoke. what a spectacle. the whole world saw it on TV. shock and awe.
look at this:: ghostplane/vanishment
read this:: 911hoax.com
am I a nut? yes. but I'm not a fool.

Crooks has the Peal Jam video for Saturday Night Live posted. Song is "Worldwide Suicide"

Lyrics:
I felt the earth on Monday
It moved beneath my feet
In the form of a morning paper
Laid out for me to see
Saw his face in a color picture
I recognized the name
Could not stop staring at the
Face I'd never see again

It's a shame to awake in a world of pain
What does it mean when
the war is taking over?
It's the same every day
I heard my name
Why can't they say that
The world be left to hold her

The whole world
World over
It's World Wide Suicide

The whole world
World over
It's World Wide Suicide

Medals on a wooden mantle
Next to a handsome face
That the President took for granted
Writing checks that others pay
And in all the madness
Thought become numb and naive
So much to talk about
And nothing for us to say

It's the same every day
And the wave won't break
Tell you to pray while
the devil's on his shoulder
Laying claims to the tainted soldier said
I'm not a quitting
The truth's already out there

The whole world
World over
It's World Wide Suicide

The whole world
World over
It's World Wide Suicide

Looking in the eyes of the fallen
You've got to know there's another
Another
Another
Another
Another

waaaaayyyyyyyyyyy

It's a shame to awake in a world of pain
What does it mean when
the war is taking over
It's the same every day
And the wave won't break
Tell you to pray while
the devil's on his shoulder

The whole world
World over
It's World Wide Suicide

The whole world
World over
It's World Wide Suicide

The whole world
World over
It's World Wide Suicide

The whole world
World over
It's World Wide Suiciiiiiiiiiide

Just a reminder--if you're weary of the Bushevik cultists, they almost never visit driftglass.blogspot.com, and Drifty is quite droll. Off to mine more NaCl now.--KC

Jar-jar-binks?

How wude?

capt

Seen this young guy (24) on the Daily Show. He's Republican and a staff writer for the Weekly Standard. Smart guy, tells the truth. Maybe this book will wake up a few of the real conservatives who'll throw out the crooks.

The K Street Gang: The Rise and Fall of the Republican Machine

No one can argue with the stunning success of the 1994 Republican Revolution.

But what happens when ideologues succumb to the temptations of power? In Weekly Standard, writer Matthew Continetti's eye-opening and very timely THE K STREET GANG: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE REPUBLICAN MACHINE, he shows us what happens when you go to Washington to do good but end up staying to do well, and includes the shocking stories of key players like Jack Abramoff, Tom DeLay, Ralph Reed, and Grover Norquist, and many others. THE K STREET GANG looks at lobbying, how the Republican Party has become captive to special interests, and how those special interests distort American politics. Continetti reveals shocking truths about his own party:

Here's the rest...

The dangers posed to our democracy by the doubling of lobbyists in the past 10 years.

How Tom DeLay rose to power, and then handed his power over to special interests.

How Jack Abramoff bilked Indian tribes out of tens of millions of dollars.

How Abramoff and Ralph Reed manipulated Christian conservatives into shutting down casinos - on behalf of other casinos.

How one of Abramoff's business partners was murdered in a gang-land style hit.

How Grover Norquist's firm lobbied on behalf of alleged Islamic terrorists.

From a young American conservative comes a shocking political story that reads like the best true crime. Please get in touch if you are interested in a review copy.

Warning Signs to Watch

Historic Factors Leading to the Rise of Fascist States:

1) Massive public investment in the military-industrial complex;

2) Expansion of global influence through military conflict / occupation / acquisition of resources;

3) Ownership and control of the media and information outlets by the ruling elite;

4) Growing disparities between economic classes, with a greater consolidation of wealth among the ruling elite;

5) Suppression of labor movements and workers' rights initiatives;

6) Diminution of individual civil rights (usually under a pre-text of fear) and intolerance for dissenting points of view;

7) Subversion or elimination of democratic election processes.

Victory! No-Permanent-Bases Amendment Passes Both Houses!

Your efforts paid off. The Senate, like the House, passed an amendment to the supplemental spending bill banning the use of any of its funding for the construction of permanent bases in Iraq. Will the amendment survive a Republican-run conference committee? We'll be watching. Meanwhile give yourselves a huge pat on the back and get ready for the next fight. Here it is:

Tell Congress to Tell Bush and Cheney not to Attack Iran
George Bush is considering attacking Iran, including using nuclear bombs to do so. Such an attack would be illegal and disastrous. Congress can prevent it, but only if Congres asserts its Constitutional right to decide whether or not the United States goes to war. Congressman Peter DeFazio's H. Con. Res. 391 expresses "the sense of Congress that the President should not initiate military action against Iran with respect to its nuclear program without first obtaining authorization from Congress." This bill is rapidly picking up cosponsors, but needs more. Ask your Congress Member to sign on today. Ask your Senators to take the same step in the Senate.

CONTACT CONGRESS

Chomsky on Impeachment and the Next War

Noam Chomsky has recorded a public service announcement available for radio play on the topic of investigating grounds for impeachment of Bush and Cheney. Chomsky has also written a wonderful new book, which Stephen Lendman reviews below. He includes this update on Chomsky's views as expressed in the book:

"I hope Chomsky's assessment in the book is right that a second Middle East war is not imminent. However, I read the signs less optimistically, and from an April 29 email I received from him responding to this review which I sent him he's now more inclined to believe the US plans hostile actions against Iran and Venezuela. He added he 'wouldn't be surprised to see (US inspired) secessionist movements in the oil producing areas in Iran, Venezuela and Bolivia, all in areas that are accessible to US military force and alienated from the governments, with the US then moving in to "defend" them and blasting the rest of the country if necessary.'"

Listen to the PSA

billmon

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist today denied reports that his presidential ambitions have slipped into a persistently vegetative state, saying they are alert and responding to visual stimulus.

“Based on the videotapes I’ve seen of recent GOP dinners in New Hampshire and Iowa, I would say my political prospects definitely display signs of higher brain functions,” Frist told reporters in Washington. “They can blink and swallow, and their eyes will still track objects – such as large contribution checks – waved in front of them.”

i really wish people would stop confusing true conservatives with republicans and the republican party. the republicans haven't been conservative for a long time now.

i really wish people would stop confusing true liberals with democrats and the democratic party. the democrats havent been liberal for a long time now.

Earlier Spring Starves Migratory Birds

Trees are blossoming, plants are flowering, and temperatures are warming up. Spring is finally is here and everyone seems happier. Well, except for the pied flycatcher, a small bird that can't schedule its breeding time to cope with the earlier spring season caused by climate change.

The pied flycatcher winters in West Africa then migrates to The Netherlands for spring breeding. Offspring feed on caterpillars.

Because spring is arriving sooner than in the past, the caterpillar population peaks earlier than the flycatcher's arrival, resulting in scarcity of food for the chicks, a new study reports.

This altered timing and resulting food shortage has led to a population decline of 90 percent over the past two decades in areas where the food peaks earlier. However, numbers dropped only about 10 percent in areas where food peaks the latest.

"The flycatchers have advanced their laying date but not the timing of their spring arrival in The Netherlands," the study authors write. "The advancement in laying date was not sufficient to track the advancement of spring."

These long-distance flyers have a fixed spring migration schedule and cannot predict at their wintering grounds when spring begins at their breeding ground some 2,796 miles (4,500 kilometers) away.

Other migratory birds could suffer similar population declines if they are unable to adapt their journey to warmer temperatures, the researchers said.

The study is detailed in the May 4 issue of the journal Nature.

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

Lose one species and everything goes out of balance. Bad news no matter the cause - there will be no undoing the damage. *sigh*

capt

Baghdad anger at Bush's undiplomatic palace

THE question puzzles and enrages a city: how is it that the Americans cannot keep the electricity running in Baghdad for more than a couple of hours a day, yet still manage to build the biggest embassy on earth?

Irritation grows as residents deprived of airconditioning and running water three years after the US-led invasion watch the massive US embassy they call "George W's palace" rising from the banks of the Tigris.

In the pavement cafes, people moan that the structure is bigger than anything Saddam Hussein built. They are not impressed by the architects' claims that it will be visible from space and cover an area larger than Vatican City. They are more interested in knowing whether the US State Department paid for the prime real estate or simply took it.

More HERE

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

Paid for the real estate? I wonder who we might have paid? Saddam?

This is one more of those "put yourself in their shoes" issues. The scenario would chap my hide if I was Iraqi.

capt

Peddling democracy the US way

We Americans have never outgrown the narcissistic notion that the rest of the world wants (or should want) to emulate us. In Iraq, bringing democracy became the default excuse for our warmongers - it would be perfectly plausible to call them "crusaders", if Osama bin Laden had not already appropriated the term - once the George W Bush lies about Iraq's alleged nuclear, chemical and biological threats and its support for al-Qaeda melted away.

The president and his neo-con supporters have prattled on endlessly about how "the world is hearing the voice of freedom from the center of the Middle East", but the reality is much closer to what Noam Chomsky dubbed "deterring democracy" in a notable 1992 book of that name. We have done everything in our power to see that the Iraqis did not get a "free and fair election", one in which the Shi'ite majority could come to power and ally Iraq with Iran. As Noah Feldman, the Coalition Provisional Authority's law advisor, put it in November 2003, "If you move too fast the wrong people could get elected".

More HERE

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

Paid for the real estate? I wonder who we might have paid? Saddam?

This is one more of those "put yourself in their shoes" issues. The scenario would chap my hide if I was Iraqi.

capt

Team Abramoff Visited the White House over 200 Times in Bush's First 10 Months in Office

The Secret Service released logs showing the comings and goings of convicted Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff and members of his staff at the White House that present a jaw-dropping level of access to the Bush Administration after the 2000 election:

Abramoff was a $100,000 fundraiser for Bush [in 2000] and lobbying records obtained by the AP show his lobbying team logged nearly 200 meetings with the administration during its first 10 months in office on behalf of one of his clients, the Northern Mariana Islands.

As Keith Olbermann pointed out last night, someone from Abramoff's firm was at the White House every business day for 10 months through October 2001.

That's a whole lotta access.

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

One more lie to add to the piles of lies.

"Ken Lay? Barely know him" and "Jack who?"

No small wonder they were hiding the pictures. What an embarrassment for our country to have sunk so low into a third rate criminal enterprise.

capt

Skewering comedy skit angers Bush and aides

Comedy Central star Stephen Colbert's biting routine at the White House Correspondents Association dinner won a rare silent protest from Bush aides and supporters Saturday when several independently left before he finished.

"Colbert crossed the line," said one top Bush aide, who rushed out of the hotel as soon as Colbert finished. Another said that the president was visibly angered by the sharp lines that kept coming.

"I've been there before, and I can see that he is [angry]," said a former top aide. "He's got that look that he's ready to blow."

Colbert's routine was similar to what he does on his show, the Colbert Report, but much longer on the topic of Bush, suggesting that the president is out of touch with reality. Aides and reporters, however, said that it did not overshadow Bush's own funny routine, which featured an impersonator who told the audience what Bush was thinking when he spoke dull speech lines.

In fact, some aides crowed over reports that the president easily bested Colbert in the reviews of both comedy acts.

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

Bunnypants was about to mess his underoo's? What a sad commentary that such a short interaction with a little reality would make him so upset. It he took a full day trip into reality his head would surely explode.

Talk about living in their own reality?

"aides crowed over reports that the president easily bested Colbert in the reviews of both comedy acts"

No, but having aides crowing about Bush besting Colbert IS clear evidence they are completely detached. That is very funny and a bit scary. Of course they probably think Bush is more popular than Jesus so what should we expect?

capt

Siena Research Institute: Bush Presidency Is A Failure

With President Bush's approval rating at 33% it comes as no surprise that his presidency, if it were to end today, would be viewed by political historians as a failure, according to a new survey by the Siena College Research Institute (SRI). In its expert opinion poll, SRI said 8 out of 10 history and political science professors put Bush's ranking at "below average" or "failure," with over two-thirds saying there's little chance for him to improve his rating.

Bush's abysmal record in office includes a failed war that's spiraling out of control; a challenged economy with skyrocketing energy costs, rising interest rates and inflation and stagnate wages; a woefully inadequate response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita; multiple criminal scandals; and potentially treasonous activity by administration officials and the president himself. As a result, he's been ostracized by his own party and has become a burden on GOPers seeking re-election in November. Both he and his overall agenda have miserably failed in the eyes of voters, Congress and the media.

The SRI survey is one of the most respected rankings of American presidents, based on a model developed by Arthur Schlesinger, Sr. over 50 years ago. In 1982 it developed its own methodology for presidential rankings.

Among the questions asked of the experts: "George W. Bush has just finished five years as President. If today were the last day of his presidency, how would you rank him?" The responses were: Great: 2%; Near Great: 5%; Average: 11%; Below Average: 24%; Failure: 58%."

"While time is needed to fairly and accurately gauge how well any president ranks with his predecessors, George W. Bush starts with a ranking that could hardly be lower," said Thomas Kelly, professor emeritus of American studies at Siena College.

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

A miserable failure. Worst president ever. Things will get worse. The future of democracy is very dark when the worst president in history is:

"asserting that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress when it conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution."

That seems more the problem and less the answer.

capt

Under 20% think Bush is even average?

That puts our resident troll WAY out there on the hard right fringe. Clearly in the under 2% group.

Talk about self-marginalizing!

capt

"LBH, MB & factchecker, you are doing a "heck of a job" keeping a certain Texican `pinned' here!"
Posted by: Happy booting down at May 3, 2006 11:55 PM

Wow. Hapless made an unintentional funny. Ranting angrily (or angerily, as the Bush-oisie might say) about my anger is the funniest thing to hit this block since Antoine.

It's good to see that you approve of their empty gay-baiting, red-baiting and the endless spewing of baseless lies about Mr. Bush. If that's all that is holding the Conservative movement afloat, you're in worse trouble than I ever imagined. When the ship is going down, you guys at least have each other to cheer.

Reading skillz. Sitting amongst the orangutans, I notice M.B. trying to figure out why Halliburton was in Iran dealing with the Axis of Eeeeeevil. Not government contracts, not under Big Dawg. Dealing with Iran while the White House laughingly approves of M.B's lies and trying to change the subject to avoid the truth getting out.

Then I see funny stuff about a third-party being touted as the salvation of the Conservatives. IT reminded me of the nonsense about Steele getting saved by his African American connections. Too Hilarious for words.

Not as funny as Hapless' assessment that Dems are suffering in the polls under Conservative Idiotocracy.

The red-baiting is just sad. When "Commie" is the worst thing you can say and it isn't an apt or accurate epithet, the lies are exposed for all to see. When you come here as an embarrassment to the Conservative movement, I say booyah, baby. Don't leave. Don't stop. Let everyone see that the Conservative movement has turned into a stopgap for simps and gullible dolts.

Links, dudez. You need links. Except for Factless. He needs facts.

Hapless, if you think me spending 20 or 30 minutes a day driving Conservative talking points down your throats is "keeping me pinned," you need to come back tonight for my Thursday nite funnies. I have a feeling you're gonna like it.

Kathleen, do you use an Apple computer or a windows-based one? Your instructions might be a tiny bit different.

Let's hope this hypertext thingie works....

1) copy and paste the following formula from beginning to end.

<A href="http://www.google.com/">link</A>

2)carefully delete the http://www.google.com without erasing the quotation marks or anything else

3) replace it with your link by copying and pasting it from the address bar in your browser.

4) and you should get something like this:

link

Steps 2 and 3 are the trickyiest; but with a little practice, you too will be linking like a pro in as little as 10 minutes. Really!

Roll the testimonials.

Ha, I made an unintentional funny. That is the trickiest, no?

Examples of the president's signing statements

Nov. 6, 2003: US officials in Iraq cannot prevent an inspector general for the Coalition Provisional Authority from carrying out any investigation. The inspector general must tell Congress if officials refuse to cooperate with his inquiries.

Bush's signing statement: The inspector general ''shall refrain" from investigating anything involving sensitive plans, intelligence, national security, or anything already being investigated by the Pentagon. The inspector cannot tell Congress anything if the president decides that disclosing the information would impair foreign relations, national security, or executive branch operations.

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

"if the president decides"

Wow, he is such a tricky little turd cutter. If he decides information might get him impeached or face charges for war crimes he can decide to just skip it? That is up there with the FBI investigating the FBI. The results are too predictable.

capt

Comparing Bush to Hitler

Compare George W. Bush to Adolph Hitler and you piss off some people, inflame others who either agree or disagree, and start a debate over when criticism of a public official goes too far.

"You go too far with the Hitler comparison," reads a typical email from one of the Republican lemmings who still think Bush has some redeeming qualities. "It's unfair."

Perhaps, but unfair to whom? I'm not sure it's possible to be unfair to Bush, the man who promised "the most ethical administration in history" but delivered, instead, the most corrupt, scandal-ridden, dishonest government I've seen in 40 years of writing about, or working in, politics.

Perhaps it is unfair to Hitler. Adolph was, after all, a powerful public speaker with an incredible command of his native language. Dubya is a pathetic speaker who has trouble stringing enough words together to form a simple declarative sentence.

Yet such comparisons become more and more evident. Hitler rode roughshod over the laws of his country, ignored civil liberties, called those who opposed him "unpatriotic," and created a powerful secret police that spied on citizens of Germany.

Sound familiar? It should. Bush routinely ignores the laws of the land, tramples on civil liberties, calls those who oppose him "unpatriotic," and has created the powerful, secretive Department of Homeland Security to spy on citizens of his country.

More HERE

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

A couple of points from AAR yesterday: Hitler thought himself a Christian and believed he was going to bring about a thousand years of peace. Some of the most insidious evil is the good or well intentioned self-delusion. Some of the worst examples of inhumanity to man come from megalomaniacs that favor ego over reality and eventually self-destruct because of the unavoidable conflict.

capt

Iraqi general warns recruits against protests

ARMY BEING REBUILT

Most armies punish soldiers who desert, in some cases with courts martial.

However, the Iraqi army, being rebuilt from scratch since the fall of Saddam, is struggling to attract recruits in the face of unrelenting insurgent attacks and allows soldiers to leave without punishment.

Under army regulations, if a soldier is absent for five or more consecutive days, his unit can terminate his contract. He should then turn in his uniform and equipment.

The policy has been criticised in private by U.S. military commanders eager to see Iraqis take over more responsibilities.

More HERE

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

Between the above policy and the guys being lured away by better pay, perks and a better chance at survival I cannot see how we are doing any good at all? Seems like even a trillion dollars funneled to Texas cronies cannot make thus mess any better. When is enough enough?

capt

"being rebuilt from scratch since the fall of Saddam"

From the above post - the Iraqi army was disbanded by L. Paul Bremmer and was not a direct result of the "fall of Saddam".

Some pretty weak reporting to gloss over the horrendous mistakes made by our very own Iraqi dictator (Bremmer).

capt

capt, it's odd how the "Palace" building is going so smoothly but they can't manage to get the electricity on for more then a few hours a day for the general population.

Bush Disarms Comedy Central's Colbert

Bush Outironicizes Colbert

Bush's standup comedy routine with impersonator Steve Bridges at side-by-side podiums (someone sitting outside the Washington Hilton all night even told me TWO presidential limos arrived) has now been widely reported, with jokes like "the press humiliates me by not editing what I say" and parodying his "nukular" instead of "nuclear" pronunciation, joking about his pitiful 36% approval rating and saying Laura was "muy caliente."

Bush may not be able to beat the Iraqi insurgents or Osama bin Laden, but he surely put Steve Colbert's performance afterward to shame. Has he disarmed Comedy Central by being funnier than they are? I certainly thought so.

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

Talk about the bottom 20% (+/-) being detached from reality?

For some odd reason these guys being so far removed from any hint of reality is a chuckle!

capt

#175

Priorities, eh?

Like EXXONMOBILE giving the $400 MILLION retirement package but spending only a fraction of that on r and d for alternative fuels.

Priorities.

capt

#152
Dear Kid,
Thank you! Thank you for the suggestion. It brought me some inside info on our friend Tom. Thank you again.

Captain Obvious goes Clown Loco

Hero/columnist goes fearlessly medieval: metes out fierce beatings to assorted potted plants, empty boxes.

Do not listen to the irresponsible rumor that Captain Obvious has been hospitalized for "observation".

That a third-shift cleaning crew at the downtown offices of the New York Times discovered a near-naked, letter-opener-wielding Thomas Friedman leaping from desktop to desktop, chirping like a tree frog. Or that the NYT has denied the whole story, claiming that the janitorial staff were all still just joyously deep in their cups over a certain protest march that took place on Monday.

So please pooh-pooh any suggestion that he was found clad only in a loincloth made of discarded Home Depot receipts for Morning Glory starter kits. His belly distended and lips a-smear with seeds: a howling, tubby refugee from some bad, made-for-teevee remake of "altered States".

A '60s Buzz Recycled
Teens Rediscover Morning Glories Can Be Used as a Hallucinogen

They have such whimsical names as heavenly blue, crimson rambler and pearly gates, and delicate blooms that crawl quickly up trellises.

But when morning glory seeds aren't planted -- when they are instead ingested -- whimsical thoughts can crawl through altered minds with kaleidoscope-like visions.

And teenagers know this.
--------------------
Oh God, now they'll make this illegal. *We only plant them at my house*

Jeanne, I love morning glory's, they are one of my favorite flowers, I plant them every year. But I think, like Datura, the goon squad would find it impossible to eradicate because it is a very prolific seed producer, they will just have to live with it!

FCC approves Net-wiretapping taxes
By Declan McCullagh and Anne Broache
Staff Writer, CNET News.com

Published: May 3, 2006, 10:53 AM PDT

update WASHINGTON--Broadband providers and Internet phone companies will have to pick up the tab for the cost of building in mandatory wiretap access for police surveillance, federal regulators ruled Wednesday.

The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to levy what likely will amount to wiretapping taxes on companies, municipalities and universities, saying it would create an incentive for them to keep costs down and that it was necessary to fight the war on terror. Universities have estimated their cost to be about $7 billion.

"The first obligation is...the safety of the people," said FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, a Democrat. "This commission supports efforts to protect the public safety and homeland security of the United States and its people."
-----------
Safety for the people, what a CROCK! The 9/11 benefits just keep rolling in for the fascist-nanny state, don't they? You know who will ultimately have to pay for the govt. to spy on us, US!

Few plants can produce as many seeds as hemp/marijuana - that has not slowed the efforts to make growing them illegal.

Bush Rating on Iraq Falls to 30% in U.S.

Fewer Americans are satisfied with the way their president is dealing with the situation in Iraq, according to a poll by CBS News. 30 per cent of respondents approve of the way George W. Bush is approaching the issue, down eight points since May 2005.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein’s regime was launched in March 2003. At least 2,409 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 17,700 troops have been wounded in action. 51 per cent of respondents think the U.S. should have stayed out of Iraq.

In December 2005, Iraqi voters renewed their National Assembly. On Apr. 21, the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance nominated Jawad al-Maliki for the position of prime minister.

On May 1, Bush met with state secretary Condoleezza Rice and defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who made a surprise visit to Iraq last month. The president declared, "A new Iraqi government represents a strategic opportunity for America—and the whole world, for that matter. This nation of ours and our coalition partners are going to work with the new leadership to strengthen our mutual efforts to achieve success, a victory in this war on terror.

When asked to provide their views on the Iraq war, 36 per cent of respondents support the rationale of removing Hussein and staying in Iraq to help build a new government, 28 per cent believe U.S. troops should have left Iraq after Hussein was toppled, and 33 per cent think the U.S. should have never gotten involved in Iraq in the first place.

Polling Data

More HERE

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

It will all the more amazing when the neocons sweep the midterms - they will defy all the polls and steal another election and dare anybody to do anything about it.

Concerning the possibility - I have no idea what anybody could do.

I hope I am wrong.

capt

"You know who will ultimately have to pay for the govt. to spy on us, US!"

Um, maybe our grandchildren and great grandchildren but . . .

UGH!

capt

Capt and Alan,
I have been very busy lately and have been unable to scour the internet for news. Thanks to you guys I have read some really interesting stuff.

PS. Gerald I always find your articles interesting.

capt, the reason pot is illegal is because of it's many proven benefits, not because it gets you high! The pharma/petro/forest interests will not allow such huge competition. Fortunately morning glorys and datura have no such benefits, so they don't care!

Pande,
Orangutans are pretty smart. Might I suggest sliding a little farther down the evolutionary scale, maybe to lemurs? Or mudsuckers?

Hey man, got any shrooms? no not lbh or fatchecker.

"capt, the reason pot is illegal is because of it's many proven benefits, not because it gets you high! The pharma/petro/forest interests will not allow such huge competition. Fortunately morning glorys and datura have no such benefits, so they don't care!"

Agreed, however I hear 25 to 30 Morning Glory seeds are a trip and getting high can (in rare cases) be a benefit! (or so I've heard) HA!

capt

Sal, here all the time I thought pot was illegal so we would not be able to have fun, the man tryin to keep us down. Booze must be OK cause it IS legal.

Den,

All one needs is the right (or should I say righteous) spores and a growing medium. The rest is fundamental.

Here is a little fun site:

http://www.shroomery.org/

capt

U.S. Marines go hungry; going to the Iraqis and basically saying, 'feed me.'
Source: Scripps Howard News Service
URL Source: http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.c ... tail&pk=TROOPS-HUNGER-05-02-06
Published: May 3, 2006
Author: BOB KERR

The Iraq war has been the war fought on the cheap _ not enough body armor, not enough armor on vehicles, not enough night vision equipment.

It has been the war in which packages from back home have had to fill some crucial needs.

Now, we have chow call at the Greenwood Credit Union in Warwick, R.I. It's the latest in home-front intervention. It's partially in response to the unthinkable image of U.S. Marines approaching Iraqi citizens and asking for food because they do not have enough.

There's a big barrel in the lobby of the credit union on Post Road in Warwick. It's decorated with ribbons and it's there because Karen Boucher-Andoscia's son, Nick Andoscia, called and asked his mother to send food.

Pounds and pounds of food started showing up amid the daily business of loans and deposits and withdrawals. Marianne Barao, the branch manager, said it could be done, the credit union could become the place where people help feed hungry Marines who are risking their lives on a skimpy diet.

"We sent out 51 pounds this week," says Karen. "There are customers coming in saying, 'What do you need?' "

The credit union is paying the cost of packing and shipping.

Any packaged food is welcome. So are baby wipes because showers are even rarer than a full meal. And foot powder.

The last thing he should have to worry about is an empty stomach. The last thing he should have to do is approach Iraqis and ask for food.

You have to wonder what the gracious hosts must think when a fighting man from the richest country on earth comes to their door in search of something to eat.
------------
Compassionate conservative support for the troops, begging for food from natives that they can wash down with halliburton supplied contaminated water.

How to Kill a War in 10 Not-So-Easy Steps

1. Keep it simple: At marches against the war, the message is not just "get out of Iraq." It's get out of Haiti, Palestine, Afghanistan; hands off Cuba and Hugo Chávez; single-payer health care now; repeal the Patriot Act; and 9-11 was an inside job. War opponents justifiably see Iraq as part of a network of detestable policies. But the official message has to be streamlined. "Part of winning over the blue-collar workers and the middle class is the language that you choose," says Evan Stavisky, a lobbyist with the Parkside Group, a powerful lobbying firm. There's a danger in having too many messages and an art in how you phrase them. The problem in the 2004 election, says Stavisky, was that "the [anti-Bush] message was geared at people who thought like them. You've got to stop preaching to the choir and start preaching to the public."
+++++++

This advice in The Village Voice from active (lobbyists) applies to many issues of the day.

#192

Grrrrrrrrr.

The mess just gets more shameful by the day.

capt

capt, when one thinks about Ohio's Tuesday primary, one does wonder if "anything can be done."

Bob Ney, Mr. Corrupt Representative No. 1, in the Abramoff case; Jean Schmidt (think Paul Hackett and Jack Murtha and false campaign claims); and Kenneth Blackwell all won in the Republican primary on Tuesday.

Ken Blackwell, the bush-backing SecState, will "manage" the Ohio election in November, at the same time he is on the ballot for governor. Mr. Irregularity has the inside track, for sure.

Some things never change.

It is beyond maddening~!

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!

capt

Keith Olbermann pointed out that someone from Abramoff's lobby firm was at the WH every business day for 10 months through October 2001.

Not many photos to "prove" it, but it sure is a whole lot of A-C-C-E-S-S!

From: Voice of the White House

We do a good deal of private polling here in the White House. Public polls reflect what those who commission them want to see. A pro-Bush site would show him at 36% popularity rating while our polls (conducted almost daily and covering a much larger body of the civic population than the public ones cover) show him at 32% and falling.

The idea of a sudden terrorist attack just before the mid terms is being spoken of here more often. One of my friends, who reads official reports, says a study has been made, and submitted, both to the White House and the Pentagon, concerning the sinking of a cruise ship full of granny ladies and kiddies. Would they actually let this happen? Oh yes, they would, but only if they have plausible deniability to hide behind. None of the frightened Republicans here, in the government and Congress, want to be indicted for their blatant thefts and peculations and will do absolutely anything to keep from going the way of Libby or DeLay. (And probably Rove.)

Big oil has posted its first quarter figures for 2006 and ExxonMobil made an $8.4 billion profit, Chevron $4 billion and ConocoPhillips over 3 billion. The public is starting to get really nasty but there is nothing Bush nor his crooked Republican friends can do about it. The oil companies have been accommodating to Bush's requests to keep prices down, but now that peak driving months are coming, the companies have told the Bush people to stuff it. Bush and his crime partners will never, under any circumstances, take on the oil people. There are billions and billions of dollars at stake here and if Bush were to get up on his hind legs and bite them, he wouldn’¥ see next Christmas. A newly-minted Cheney, on the other hand, would give them the keys to the Mint the day he took over the job.

With a barrel of light crude oil approaching the $100 level, a $5 per gallon charge at the pumps over in the next two months is a very reasonable assumption at this point. Hotels and the tottering airlines will take a terrible beating this year as gold and gas soar upwards.

There is an old saying; whom the Gods destroy, they first make mad. Keep that in mind over the next few months. And if you read that the Vacation Princess is blown up off of Malaga by Muslim terrorist's, all passengers feared lost, don't believe it.
------------
Of course, everyone WOULD believe it.

link

Somebody wanted to know if extraordinary rendition was true.

#105 - The Brown & Root part of the KBR subsidiary of Halliburton had heavy involvement with the Texas politics of LBJ.

197 I think there about 22 business days per month. 30 days - 8 weekend days = 22 days per month.

Another was to say it is that someone from Abramoff's firm was there just about every business day.

I wonder what they talked about. It's hard to imagine they were part of the team. We'll be guessing forever unless someone squeals because the WH would take a subpoena all the way to Supreme Court.

Secret government.

We the sheeple of the United States of America do hereby promise to never question the actions of our governing bodies because only they know what is good for us.

We must never attempt to change the present form of government because it would imperil us all in the scary unknown.

If anyone we determine to be non-sheeple attempts to change the activities of the government, they should be immediatly removed from society and sent to the indoctrination centers until which time it is deemed appropriate.

As sheeple we must insure the purity and sanctity of the system and never allow it to be undermined by free thought.

We the sheeple also agree to raise our children to be good sheeple and continue our fine tradition of values

As sheeple we hereby are obligated to enforce the following values upon all others.

1. Never question anything.

2. Never attempt to change any rules.

3. Never allow freedom to overide what is necessary to maintain a strong sheeple state.

4. Never allow any news media to report anything but good news.

Any deference from these rules shall result in extensive re-indoctrination of the offending party.

O'Reilly, yes you said it better. That would be over 200 visits.

Did Gannon/Guckert ever make it onto Abramhoff's payroll? Just wondering...

One more thing DEN, swallow all propaganda, no matter how it's sticks in your throat, with a smile!

Sal, that is covered in #1, HA!

Republican Mudsuckers? That's funny.

J-Dub, they don't want to know if it's true. They're looking for excuses to absolve the White House of all their stoopid mistakes.

Morning Glory Seed Basics
by Erowid

Erowid is one of the better sites for factual substance information, as opposed to, say ONDCP.

#199 Oh, but he was a Canadian citizen. That's almost as bad as "looking French."

But seriously, thank you for that link. It is an extraordinary story.

This may have been linked by someone in the last week, if so I apologize for repeating. This is a article well worth reading.

April 26, 2006

Wilkerson Fingers the Neo-Cons on Iran
"The Secret Cabal Got What It Wanted: No Negotiations."
By GARY LEUPP

It was May 2003. President Bush had declared ҍission AccomplishedӠin Iraq. The State Department, which had been unenthusiastic about that war, was not inclined to provoke another with Iran and indeed had been calling for diplomatic engagement with the reform-minded Khatami regime. That regime for its part asked the Swiss ambassador to Tehran to forward to the United States a request for talks. These would address U.S. concerns about its nuclear program, as well as the lifting of sanctions and normalization of relations.

Secretary of State Colin Powell and his deputy Richard Armitage were inclined to accept the offer. Vice President Cheney, soon to declare, җe donմ negotiate with evil, we defeat it,Ӡwas not. Nor was Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Douglas Feith and his Office of Special Plans. Indeed, Cheney and his neoconservatives had the State Department rebuke the Swiss intermediary as they began to ratchet up the tension level between the countries to its present near-breaking point.

This is the extraordinary narrative provided in large part by a highly reliable source, Powellճ former chief of staff, General Lawrence Wilkerson. He minces no words. Ӕhe secret cabal got what it wanted: no negotiations with Tehran,Ӡhe told Gareth Porter of Inter Press Service last month. ҁs with many of these issues of national security decision-making, there are no fingerprints. But I would guess Dick Cheney with the blessing of George W Bush [is responsible].Ӡ

at counterpunch

196 and 108

Thanks, you are probably right about the motives of the "we don't do that sh!t" crowd.

Bunch of ostriches.

I just felt I finally had something to contribute to this thread, after reading so many posts of good info, I was shocked to be able to present something that I thought was obvious(*it happened years ago and has been sporadically reported on since*) to all.

It is much more fun to sit back and watch though as y'all play whackatroll with the unarmed combatants in the infowar.

Mexico President Refuses to Sign Drug Bill By MARK STEVENSON, Associated Press Writer
Wed May 3, 10:49 PM ET

Mexican President Vicente Fox refused to sign a drug decriminalization bill Wednesday, hours after U.S. officials warned the plan could encourage "drug tourism."

Fox sent the measure back to Congress for changes, but his office did not mention the U.S. criticism.

Fox will ask "Congress to make the needed corrections to make it absolutely clear in our country, the possession of drugs and their consumption are, and will continue to be, a criminal offense," according to a statement from the president's office.

On Tuesday, Fox's spokesman had called the bill "an advance" and pledged the president would sign it. But the measure, passed Friday by Congress, drew a storm of criticism because it eliminates criminal penalties possession of small amounts of heroin, methamphetamines and PCP, as well as marijuana and cocaine.

*************************

I'd guess Uncle Sam just asked Vicente Fox to bend over and smile.

When we look at the historical aspects of the WoSD here in America we find a number converging interests, all of them significant.

There is the racist/xenophobic vector, comprising the Chinese opium issue, tied into the building of the railroads, and the Mexican marijuana issue which was also sold along the lines of Black jazz musicians preying on white women. - See Harry Anslinger

There is also the vector of the Du Pont Co. and artificial fibers, the Hearst Co. and paper, and we all know that Mr. Diesel designed his engine to run of vegetable oil, don't we?

There is also the legal bludgeon which has been used to keep uppity unfortunates in their places; keeping scores of thousands from the voters roles and into forced labor.

Should have read 196 and 198 above, not 108, no offense to the member in 108.

See, I am not perfect and can admit my mistakes.

Can others?

PHASE II OF THE SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE SHOULD BE HOLDING FEITH ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE CREATION AND DESSIMINATION OF LIES THAT HAS RESULTED IN TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DEAD. HE IS ONE OF THE KEY LEADERS OF THE "PSYCHOPATHS GONE WILD" CLUB.

Stop NeoCon Feith From
Getting Georgetown Sinecure!
From Michael Collins Piper
piperm@lycos.com
5-2-6

Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service has announced the appointment to its faculty of infamous former Bush administration armchair neo-conservative warhawk Douglas Feith.

Feith needs no introduction to those who are aware of his role in providing false intelligence that was used to justify the war on Iraq.

What many people do not know is that Feith was expelled from Ronald Reagan's National Security Council back in 1982 after he was monitored by the FBI on
possible espionage for Israel.

When American men and women are dying in Iraq and losing arms and legs and eyes and coming back home butchered and maimed, why should this war-monger be honored by Georgetown with the right to "conduct seminaras as a visiting professor and distinguished practitioner in national security
policy"?

This man should be in prison, rather than ensconced at Georgetown.

Spread the word to everybody who has an interest in putting these criminal war-mongers in their places. Urge them to contact the office of the School of Foreign Service Dean, Robert Galluci, c/o his scheduler, Jennifer Feltner at

jaf54@georgetown.edu
or call the School of Foreign Service at
(202) 687-5696.

Demand that Feith be dismissed immediately. Let's teach Feith and these other criminal neo-conservative warmongers a lesson.

If you know of Georgetown graduates, particularly alumni who donate to the university, urge them to take action and spread the word as well.

---Michael Collins Piper

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
He makes me down to lie
Through pastures green he leadeth me the silent waters by
With bright knives he releaseth my soul

He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places
He converteth me to lamb cutlets
For lo,m he hath great power and great hunger
When cometh the day we lowly ones
Through quiet reflection and great dedication
Master the art of karate
Lo, we shall rise up
And then we'll make the bugger's eyes water.

209 We're watching. Unlike in 2001. . . now. . .we're watching.

"... hours after U.S. officials warned the plan could encourage "drug tourism."

I must say that I've only been to Tijuana once, during a vactation to Coronado,CA, but, uhm, if my Tequilla-clouded memory serves me at all I have to ask...

"Isn't there already more storefronts selling PHARMACUETICALS to non-prescription carrying Gringos than there are black-and-white painted burros that "Pepe" will take your picture with?

"Drug Tourism"...has the de-criminalization of pot in Canada done much to inspire massive cross border caravans of long-haired, bleary eyed hempheads? Not really, but there sure still seem to be a LOT of gray-haired tour buses stopping at Canadian pharmacies for low-cost "legal" drugs...

-T

Robert I am thinking you may have linked something about this the other day? If not here you go.
Poppy" Bush Linked to JFK Assassination?
Source: Wayne Madsen Report
URL Source: http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/
Published: Apr 29, 2006

April 29, 2006 -- FBI agents lied about what they wanted from Jack Anderson's papers. The FBI agents who, in December, approached Olivia Anderson, the widow of deceased investigative reporter Jack Anderson and more recently, in March, author and researcher Mark Feldstein, who is writing a book about Jack Anderson, were interested in far more than the names of sources in the America-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) espionage case. That explanation by the FBI did not hold any water since Jack Anderson had not been active in pursuing that particular story -- he had suffered from Parkinson's Disease since 1986. According to individuals close to the FBI fishing expedition, the actual documents the FBI wanted to seize were files Anderson collected in the 1960s that linked George H. W. Bush's activities in Texas in 1963 to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas on November 22 of that year. Bush was a friend of George DeMohrenschildt, Lee Harvey Oswald's Belarusian-born contact officer. DeMohrenschildt befriended Oswald and arranged for him to settle in Dallas after leaving the Soviet Union. DeMohrenshildt "committed suicide" shortly before he was due to testify before the 1978 House Assassinations Committee. The elder Bush's name, address, and phone number in Midland, Texas was found in DeMohrenshildt's address book under the heading "Poppy

Hapless, if you think me spending 20 or 30 minutes a day driving Conservative talking points down your throats is "keeping me pinned," you need to come back tonight for my Thursday nite funnies. I have a feeling you're gonna like it.

Posted by Pande

That's only because it takes you all friggin day to think of a come-back. Now go back to your impressive programmer job for USAA.

The shootings at Kent State were the culmination of four days of loud and large demonstrations by students, who were protesting the American invasion of Cambodia which President Richard Nixon had launched on April 25. The invasion further inflamed students as they had already seen educational deferments become more difficult to achieve and believed that the expansion of the war into another country increased their risk of being drafted.

I believe this sad occasion is a fitting day to think about the similarities between the Iraq war and Vietnam and the comparable effects it may soon have on a new generation. With Vietnam, our government misled the nation into war, gave an unrealistic estimate of how long and difficult the conflict would be and promised to liberate a struggling people from oppressors. And, with television truly coming into its own, the bloody fighting was beamed into living rooms on a nightly basis.

Sound like what's happening right now?

For even scarier similarity, read the words of former Kent State student Dean Kahler, now 57, who was shot in the lower back and left paralyzed on May 4, 1970. Kahler talked in 2000 about his thoughts immediately after Nixon's announcement of the Cambodia invasion.

"When he made the announcement, a very defiant announcement that we were invading Cambodia, he didn’t care what people thought about it -- that's the impression I got and that many of my fellow students got at the same time too. To me, it didn’t make sense. Why were we expanding the war when he was talking about ending the war and bringing our troops home and getting out of there?

"We were invading another country. I thoroughly agreed with the history and political science department at Kent who, the next day, on May 1st, buried a copy of the Constitution because they felt that he had overstepped his powers as Commander-in-Chief by sending troops into another country. The mood kind of changed on campus at that point in time."

Excerpted from: How Kent State Could Happen Again

*******************************

"It's still hard to believe I had to write this song. It's ironic that I capitalized on the death of these American students. Probably the most important lesson ever learned at an American place of learning. David Crosby cried after this take." - Neil Young

Ohio

Tin soldiers and Nixon's coming, we're finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drumming, four dead in Ohio.
Gotta get down to it, soldiers are cutting us down. Should have been done long ago.
What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground?
How can you run when you know?

Gotta get down to it, soldiers are cutting us down. Should have been done long ago.
What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground?
How can you run when you know?

Tin soldiers and Nixon's coming, we're finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drumming, four dead in Ohio,
four dead in Ohio, four dead in Ohio, four dead in Ohio, how many more?
Four dead in Ohio, four dead in Ohio, four dead in Ohio, home many more?

#216

Excellent point - counter-point!

capt

link

pan, 169 - how were you able to post the proper code for a link without it actually making a link?

The red-baiting is just sad. When "Commie" is the worst thing you can say and it isn't an apt or accurate epithet, the lies are exposed for all to see.

Posted by Pande

Comie, the worst thing? That's the best thing!

By Brian DeBose
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
May 4, 2006

Black leaders say Mexicans and other Hispanic nationals are getting preferential immigration treatment, as the U.S. systematically turns away people from countries with largely African-descended populations, such as Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

"We've told Haiti that their development strategy cannot be to send people to the United States, and if you put them on a boat we will send them back. But for Mexico it is OK," said William E. Spriggs, chairman of Howard University's School of Economics and a senior fellow with the Economic Policy Institute.

The leaders, especially conservatives, say the country can't have an honest immigration reform debate without discussing how much people are being paid and why only certain nationalities are allowed to come into the country illegally and work off the books.

Not only are you being led by leftist comies and bringing down real wages but you're pissing off African Americans.

White House says Bush doesn't speak Spanish all that well
________________
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush likes to drop a few words of Spanish in his speeches and act like he's proficient in the language. But he's really not that good, his spokesman said Thursday.

"The president can speak Spanish but not that well," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said. "He's not that good with his Spanish."
_________________

Well, that's at least TWO languages he's able to mutilate on a regular basis!

What's spanish for "Worst President EVER?"

-T

Pendejo?

Wig-Wearing Mike Tyson Retires From Foxy-Boxing

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ—çike Tyson, his bikini straps slipping from his shoulders, his makeup running, and his long blonde wig in disarray following a fourth-round knockout delivered by Melonee "Boom-Boom-Chick" Gilchrist, announced Tuesday night that he is retiring from foxy-boxing with a career WFBA record of 1-6.

"It's time," said Tyson, still unstable on his four-inch stiletto heels after the hard uppercut from Gilchrist that knocked off not only his trademark tiara, but also both of his gold hoop earrings. "I think I should hang it up now while I still have my health, my looks, and a very, very tiny shred of self-respect."

Ringside observers say Tyson, who will turn 40 next month, was never really in the fight, displaying bad mobility in his red patent-leather thigh-highs, failing to keep his impeccably manicured hands up and cycling, and being consistently rocked by straight lefts and looping rights from Gilchrist despite outweighing her by over 120 pounds.

"I just wasn't afraid of him," said Gilchrist, who began the process of psyching out her more famous opponent at the pre-fight weigh-in, responding to the former heavyweight champ's disparaging comments by nearly flooring him with a single swing of her purse that knocked beads from Tyson's weave. "All the ones he beat back in the day—îrevor Berbick, Bonecrusher Smith, Robin Givens—¥hey went into the ring in fear of him, but I didn't."

Priceless Photo

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Now this is news!

capt

Arbusto AlSaudi?

I don't know Spanish, but the Mexican word for worst president would be Polk.

Kathleen - I don't recall whether I posted that or not, although I had of course, seen it previously.

It is all so very strange and convoluted, when we peer into these cases; where data and noise are in a danse macabre.

Interestingly, at the Senate Judiciary hearing the other day Senator Magic Bullet himself said something cryptic to Robert Mueller about the FBI's involvement with what he deemed the "single-bullet theory". I've yet to peruse the transcript, and it went by so quickly that I wasn't quite sure what I had heard...

James-214

BAAAAAAA

excellent.

"See, I am not perfect and can admit my mistakes."

I have more experience being mistaken than taken.

I have never experienced being perfect and can only imagine the feeling. There may have been a notion on my part once or twice but alas I was mistaken.

capt

I saw this on DU this morning, they're great:

http://www.airfarceone.net/bigpubstickers.html

Congresswoman, Bono widow claims Reps can't afford college
RAW STORY
Published: Thursday May 4, 2006

Mary Bono (R-CA), California Congresswoman and widow of entertainer Sonny Bono, has claimed before a House committee that a congressional salary won't pay for college, according to today's issue of Roll Call.

Maybe Rep. Mary Bono (D[sic]-Calif.) voted for that pay raise last year because her annual salary of $165,200 just won’t be enough to pay for her 18-year-old son Chesare, better known as Chez, to attend college this fall.

************************************

[According to] a table [which] is used by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). HHS publishes these statistics annually in the Federal Register. U.S. median income is $65,093.

So, that being median; the lower boundaries of the scale are nowhere near that range, the policies of this administration continue to flout the huge aggregate number of the GDP inflated by record foreign investments which do abdolutely nothing for the economies of most American's. Mrs. Bono's tears fall on very unsympathetic hears in this corner.

even my correction was a mistake.

It was 206 and 208.

Man, some days, you can't do nothin' right.

Now I know how the little man in the big white house feels.

Colbert Reaction Shows Media Are Frightened Of Bush

Another alarm bell warning that dictatorship is near

In the aftermath of the dinner reports are emerging that Bush is on the warpath. "He's got that look that he's ready to blow," one aide told US News and World Report. Those familiar with Bush's tantrums and swearing fits will not be shocked to hear that the 'Commander in Chief' has once again reverted to the behavior of a 6-year-old in the face of criticism and lack of fealty.

But if Bush is the 6-year-old with a temper problem then the media is the younger kid that he bullies. The yellow streak witnessed at Saturday's dinner mirrors the standard of journalistic integrity these whores uphold. Prostrate and kneeling before their imperial master, they once again fall in line to sell another war without end.

When a satirical routine that mocks the President is treated with hushed tones and darting glares from the very supposed guardians of free speech, it spells danger for the ability to dissent in America without being castigated as a misbehaving gadfly.

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There is the follow-up Colbert Report show video link at the linked piece.

capt

Fear is a powerfull motivational force. The fear shown at the Press Club event by a lot of the audience is indeeed very telling. To put yourself in a position worrying about what someone will think if you laugh for example shows an incredible loss of backbone. Stand for your beliefs and stand proud, do not cower like a sniveling milksop just because you might be looked at as less than you are by your peers.

Colbert proved once and for all there is NO LIBERAL MEDIA. There are leaders and there are followers, following is SAFE, leading adds risk, risk of being wrong. It is far better to risk being ridiculed than to cower in the shadows like the trembling crowd that night.

The truth can only be truth, spoken well and with ferver is the AMERICAN way, anything else is unacceptable.

"NO LIBERAL MEDIA"

Ergo the SC before the LM?

Unless when people use SCLM they mean "Scum-bag Corporate Lapdog Media" Hmmm - that is close to accurate.

capt

"If the truth doesn't save us, what does that say about us?"

~ Lois McMaster Bujold, Diplomatic Immunity, 2002

At its heart, the modern Republican election machine is nothing more than a scam to put money in the pockets of right-wing billionaires. It works like this: the rich conservatives don't want their taxes raised, so they want to keep Democrats out of office at all costs. That means they have to elect Republicans. But the problem is, the demographic for people who want to cut rich peoples' taxes just ain't very big. This is where the conservative "values voters" come in. The rich Republican elite promise to end abortion, ban gay marriage and seal off the U.S-Mexico border, even though they have zero intention of following through on any such promises. Once elected, they swiftly cut taxes and then do their best to ignore the concerns of the Christian right. In the past, they've blamed their inactions on obstructionist Democrats, activist judges or Bill Clinton's penis. But now that they've controlled all three branches of the federal government for the past four years, they're running out of excuses.

sadly, no.

"The truth is the kindest thing we can give folks in the end."

~ Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811 - 1896)

Capt, unfortunatly it is us getting it in the end, rear end that is.

Hamas representatives are on Talk of the Nation right now. If you have questions call 800-989-talk. Or e-mail talk@npr.org

James, 221, it's one of the perks of having invented the Internets. BBL. There are substitute-symbols for each of the < and > characters that you can use to avoid making an active link. You can see them if you view a page source. You can see all kinds of wonderful secrects if you view a webpage's source code, eh Capt?

Capt, you have gotten to be so fluent in Español. Kudos. Or as Antoine would say "buenos nachos."

"That's only because it takes you all friggin day to think of a come-back. Now go back to your impressive programmer job for USAA."
Posted by: LBH at May 4, 2006 12:00 PM

When you grow up, you'll learn that it's not about "comebacks," it's about presenting facts in an articulate manner. Facts rock.

so M.B., have you tried to make a link yet? I would be ever so proud if you learned, even if you just tried. It's as simple as cut and paste.

Que Onda Loco?

Too bad it's hard to have much fun around here anymore. I kind of miss it once in a while. Post a couple of fairly run of the mill paragraphs from a stodgy, old school, economic conservative, and some people get bent out of shape and post rude remarks they would never speak in person. Uncivilized. Barbaric even.

RE: #192. I'm speechless. I must go off to mine more NaCl now.--KC