Becuase I like donuts, I support George W Bush.

Mr. David Corn,

Great Post!

What do the rich and ultra-wealthy have to worry about?

Thanks for all of your work.

Kirk

The perpetual campaign, originating with Lee Atwater, has been the only consistent policy of the bush administration.

Everything bush touches turns to crap -- unrestrained growth of government, enormous domestic spending with little to show for it, the ill-planned prescription drug program, the Katrina fiasco, his failed wars in Iraq & Afghanistan, so on and so forth...

bush has not vetoed a single bill. He is a failure as a leader, yet many still view him as strong. If I were Hillary, I'd pass in '08. Two years from now, this country and the world could be in shambles -- at the hands of the busheviks.

I haven't seen bush at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry this a.m. -- but, what pure Rovian theatrics!  The anti-science pResident holding a staged press conference at a prestigious bastion of learning! Pure politics! No policy.

If Johnny Depp is a Republican, General Rove will lure him into holding a side-by-side photo-op with bush.  Boy, that would improve bush's ratings!

Fuck bush.

David you were great on the Diane Rehm show today. Hitting the nail on the head on all of the topics brought up. Thanks.

David brought up the "disconnect" between what the Bush administration continues to tell the American people and what actually taking place in Iraq and the reality on the ground for the Iraqi people.

You also asked whether the U.s. can claim any type of " moral posture" on what is taking place there.

This past week I drove my daughter to Chicago. On the 4th of July, I spent part of the day on the beautiful beachfront town of Evanston Illinois. Families were celebrating with picnics, barbecues, badmitton, all under the bright blue sky of Lake Michigan. It was festive. Yet all I could think about that day was (damn that Catholic and Union upbringing focused on Justice).. what this day was like for most people in Baghdad and in Iraq.

That evening I walked around the streets of Chicago around Logan Square with my daughter and one of her best friends. Fireworks were going off everywhere, the sounds were overwhelming. Again I thought about what it must be like to be in Iraq where bombs and violence daily fill the Iraqi peoples lives as a direct result of the U.s. invasion.

Through a great deal of interacting with folks from different walks of life I have become completely convinced that the majority of Americans are in a bubble of comfort and denial a complete "disconnect" having to do with the damage and suffering that we have caused the people of Iraq.

I know this is not positive or uplifting but I really believe most Americans are happy to stay in their bubble, with no "moral posture" pressing their pedals to the metal, burning massive amounts of oil and gas, going on vacations and malls?

People try to make excuses, "I am so busy"..or "I just can not relate"...How about some "new age fluff"..."oh I believe if I am nice to everyone directly around me that is enough". All of these responses sicken me. I have not gotten anywhere close to enlightenment, I judge these folks by their actions or lack of.

On the Rehms show today I especially appreciated when the topic of the possibility of Ken Lay's estate being "off limits" to those who were screwed by the Enron debacle. You said that "this would once again confirm that there are different rules for some" in this nation.

You can sure say that again David. Thanks again for using your laser like intellect and humour to cut through the hogwash.

“I was ecstatic they re-named 'French Fries' as 'Freedom Fries'. Grown men and women in positions of power in the U.S. government showing themselves as idiots.”

~ Johnny Depp

I saw his photo op on C-Span at the Dunkin Donuts. It amazes me that the leader of the free world gets so tripped up when speaking. He paid for someone's coffee all the while muttering something about the importance of paying. He sounded absolutely ridiculous.

John McCain and Hillary Clinton have something to worry about. The resources are stretched pretty thin and the next president will have to aspire to beef those resources up. (Not to mention the trade deficit, budget deficit and the national debt)

Politics and Politicians

I was ecstatic they re-named 'French Fries' as 'Freedom Fries'. Grown men and women in positions of power in the U.S. government showing themselves as idiots.

"America is dumb, it's like a dumb puppy that has big teeth that can bite and hurt you, aggressive. My daughter is four, my boy is one. I'd like them to see America as a toy, a broken toy. Investigate it a little, check it out, get this feeling and then get out."

(Johnny felt this was translated poorly and not what he really said to the German reporter - see next quote)

"Taken in context, what I was saying was that, compared to Europe, America is a very young country and we are still growing as a nation. It is a shame that the metaphor I used was taken so radically out of context and slung about irresponsibly by the news media. There was no anti-American sentiment. In fact, it was just the opposite. I am an American. I love my country and have great hopes for it. It is for this reason that I speak candidly and sometimes critically about it. I have benefited greatly from the freedom that exists in my country and for this I am eternally grateful."

"France, and the whole of Europe have a great culture and an amazing history. Most important thing though is that people there know how to live! In America they've forgotten all about it. I'm afraid that the American culture is a disaster."

All Johnny Depp.

I like the sugar donuts with red jelly inside.

Cheney behind turn toward dictatorship

In the winter of 1933, before Franklin Roosevelt's first inauguration on March 4, there was a clamor in the United States for a military dictatorship. The banks were closing, a quarter of Americans were unemployed, rebellion threatened on the farms.

Only drastic reforms, mandated by the president's power as commander in chief, would save the country. Something like the fascism of Mussolini's Italy, viewed benignly by many Americans in those days because it worked, or so everyone said, would save the country from communist revolution.

As Jonathan Alter reminds us in "The Defining Moment," his brilliant book about FDR's first hundred days, men as different as William Randolph Hearst, financier Bernard Baruch, commentator Lowell Thomas and establishment columnist Walter Lipmann argued for the necessity of dictatorship to reorganize the economy. Both the New Republic and the Commonweal (a Catholic liberal journal) advanced the same thesis.

The call for a military style dictatorship is the ultimate temptation to the greatest treason of a democratic society. Fortunately, FDR resisted the temptation and reformed the American economy by a mix of gradualist changes, like Social Security, and magical fireside chats. Unfortunately, years later he yielded to the temptation to a military dictatorship when he interned Japanese-Americans simply because they were Japanese. In the first case, he resisted the demands of the American people. In the second, he caved into their racist demands, just as Lincoln caved in to such demands and abolished habeas corpus during the Civil War.

More HERE

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

The power grab this time is based on the same lies and fabrications that started the illegal occupation of Iraq.

capt

An alcoholic in denial leading a nation in denial. That works, for American junkies.

Sure makes you wonder did the Bush administration come in with the idea to bankrupt the country both economically and morally? In the "Price of Loyalty" former Secretary of the Treasury Paul Oneil sure has me thinking so. Especially when he shares that he and Alan Greenspan had plans to turn a large part of the surplus from the last two administrations over to the projected Social Security shortfalls.

No instead of insuring the SS system, the BushBoys have lined their own oil pockets and killed thousands.

Did Bush "and some like to call them the elite, Bush likes to call them his base" move all of their investments to China? We know they were all ready neck deep in the middle east?

In Davids latest post the only thing I object to is putting the billions of dollars spent on the war before the thousands of lives (American and Iraqi's). It should also say "tens" of thousands of lives lost.

Colin Powell taken ill at Clinton dinner

ASPEN, Colorado (AP) -- Former Secretary of State Colin Powell was briefly hospitalized early Friday after he fell ill at a restaurant where he was dining with former President Clinton and others, police said.

Aspen police Sgt. Bill Linn said the four-star general told him it appeared to be a combination of altitude sickness and something he ate.

"He is conscious and in very good spirits," Linn said shortly before Powell was released from Aspen Valley Hospital at 1:45 a.m. Linn said Powell asked him to speak with reporters.

Powell's Alexandria, Virginia-based secretary, Peggy Cifrino, did not immediately return a phone call left at her office.

A nursing supervisor at the hospital, where former Enron CEO Kenneth Lay was rushed to and pronounced dead early Wednesday, refused to comment.

Powell, 69, was in Colorado for the Aspen Ideas Festival, a conference in its second year that invites some of the world's leading thinkers.

The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and chief strategist of the 1991 Persian Gulf War against Iraq served as President Bush's secretary of state from 2001 until January 2005, when he was replaced by Condoleezza Rice.

More HERE

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

Things that make me go: Hmmmmm

capt

Trust me!!! Sugar donuts are not good for the heart.

There are American workers to work if we raise the minimum wage and to attach a rider that says everytime the Nazis in Congress receive a raise the minimum wage is raised.

Bush's entire life has been one big screw up. Everywhere he goes, he leaves a big mess.

I forgot to say that employers who hire illegal immigrants are fined heavily and given stiff jail sentences.

"Things that make me go: Hmmmmm"

D O N U T S .... Hmmmmm

If leading thinkers attend the Aspen meeting, why was Colin Lapdog Powell invited? All he is is a parrot.

In response to the minimum wage not being touched by the Republican controlled Congress in over eight years.

While in Chicago my daughter and I found some great items in the dumpster before the garbage people or is the politically correct term "sanitary experts" arrived. Of course I had to ask the people what they were making an hour, and what they thought about the amount of perfectly good items that were endlessly thrown out instead of simply being taken to a second hand store. Ten dollars an hour is what they are making in Chicago for a city job, that is hard work. Ten dollars an hour. They were all older individuals. How does anyone live on 10 dollars an hour in the city of Chicago? Yet thousands do in Chicago and around our nation on far less, the minimum wage.

IT IS OVER TIME FOR A REGIME CHANGE HERE IN THE STATES...

WW III to start over a whole seven minutes

Serbia Deploys Peacekeeping Forces To U.S.

BELGRADE Serbian president Vojislav Kostunica deployed more than 30,000 peacekeeping troops to the U.S. Monday, pledging full support to the troubled North American nation as it struggles to establish democracy.

"We must do all we can to support free elections in America and allow democracy to gain a foothold there," Kostunica said. "The U.S. is a major player in the Western Hemisphere and its continued stability is vital to Serbian interests in that region."

Kostunica urged Al Gore, the U.S. opposition-party leader who is refusing to recognize the nation's Nov. 7 election results, to "let the democratic process take its course."

"Mr. Gore needs to acknowledge the will of the people and concede that he has lost this election," Kostunica said. "Until America's political figures learn to respect the institutions that have been put in place, the nation will never be a true democracy."

Serbian forces have been stationed throughout the U.S., with an emphasis on certain trouble zones. Among them are Oregon, Florida, and eastern Tennessee, where Gore set up headquarters in Bush territory. An additional 10,000 troops are expected to arrive in the capital city of Washington, D.C. by Friday.

More HERE

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

Add my name to the list of insurgents.

capt

Wow! Seven minutes! North Korea is a nuclear giant!

Nazi America has her share of idiots

Here are two more idiots!!!

# 13 Gerald. On Lou Dobbs several months ago he reported that three individuals had been fined in 2003, zero in 2004, and 2005. There had not been anyone jailed for the illegal hiring of "illegal' immigrants.

As David said on the Rehms show today "there are different rules for people" in this nation.

The Aspen Institute started out as a balanced think tank of sorts. It is in lock down in regard to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. Never discussed honestly if, at all.

I have attended numerous conferences there when I lived and worked there and have continued to do so over the years

RE: Stumping for Joe Leiberman

Dear Senator Boxer,

Joe Leiberman is thoughtful man and a solid politician but he's on the wrong side of the Iraq war, permanent occupation, energy bill and social security privitization. While the DNC is a big tent, it's not big enough to embrace the entire Republican agenda. Please do not stump for or support Joe.

Thank you.

Neil

Write Sen. Boxer (HERE)

American Soldiers

2,848 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan for Bush and his lies.

18,500+ American soldiers have been maimed in Iraq and Afghanistan for Bush and his evil lies.

55,000+ of the 140,000 American soldiers are suffering from PTSD. Stress disorder has increased and the percentage is now around 40%.

Over 350,000+ Iraqis have been killed in Iraq since Bush declared shock and awe bombings on March 19, 2003.

Contamination from depleted uranium may have affected 125,000+ American soldiers and several million Iraqis.

Are you feeling more safe and secure with Bush in the WH and Cheney as his chief hatchet man overseeing Nazi America and her citizens?

Our military men and women are used as cannon fodder for a terrorist Nazi American government.

Our enemies are innovative and resourceful and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, AND NEITHER DO WE. George W. Bush, August 5, 2005

Rigged elections doom American democracy. American soldiers are being killed and maimed TO PROMOTE A NAZI AMERICAN STATE.

Henry Kissinger says that military men are just dumb stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy.

Nazi America is a mirror image of Hitler Bush.

Nazi Americans continually justify sin.

Nazi Americans are accomplices with Bush for his murders and war crimes.

#21 kathleen, yes, there are different rules and justice for different people in our nation. People with the gold make the rules.

Welcome To T.G.I. Fridays! May I Annoy The Living Shit Out Of You?

Hi, welcome to T.G.I. Fridays! May I annoy the living shit out of you? My name is Jenni, and I'll be your incredibly irritating server tonight! So, how are you folks doing this evening? Great!

Thanks sooo much for waiting! It has just been completely insane around here! So if I seem a little brain-dead, please bear with me!

Can I start anybody off with one of our overpriced, stupidly named drinks? We've got a new Totally Tropical Pina Colada Smoothie that's totally amazing. No? Just waters all around? Not feeling very adventurous tonight, are we? Hey, no prob! I'll be back with your aguas in just two shakes!

I am sooo sorry that took so long! Like I said, it's just been nuts. So, can I start you folks off with some greasy, disgusting appetizers? I highly recommend the Mexicali Rose Tequila-Fried Buffalo Wings. My personal fave, though, is the Five-Alarm Chili-Pepper Quesadillas with a side of Sesame-Seed-Grilled Tostadas and Margarita-Flavored Monterey Jack Dip. No? Just entrees? Wow, you folks don't mess around, do ya?

More HERE

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

I read this and laughed out loud thinking of Pande's S.H.I.T! lolololol

Thanks for the funnies Pande! As always.

capt

Up until recently Ohio and I believe it was Kansas had passed legislation in the past ( I think Kansas can still pay less than minimum) that trumped federal minimum wage laws. They could pay less than the federal minimum based on what a company profitted.

This was based on the constantly used mantra of we need to protect small business. What I could never understand about this law, was if you can slide the scale one way, why not the other. Why not pass federal laws that corporations or business profitting over a determined amount were required to pay a living wage. You know places like McDonalds, DUNKIN DONUTS, Wal Mart etc..places that make millions I mean Billions.

Oh how could I be so rational. \

In Cold Blood: The Glory of Spreading American Democracy

We (in NM) have a "living wage" in Santa Fe. Only applies to businesses with 25 or more employees.

It seems to be working. Santa Fe is a costly/pricey area to begin with so it was easier to implement there than here in Albuquerque.

There are some very viable solutions. Just resistance to paying more by employers that think it will come out of their bottom line.

capt

The glory of spreading our American democracy!

"15 Afghan civilians killed in US strike"

By our correspondent

PESHAWAR: US-led coalition forces killed Afghan civilians in an air strike on a village in the Kajaki district of the Helmand province on Wednesday. Members of the affected families and witnesses told the private Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) that 15 civilians, including women and children, perished in the bombing by coalition aircraft. Earlier, the coalition forces had claimed that 35 Taliban fighters were killed in the air strike on a "known Taliban compound" in Helmand during the night of July 5-6. It had ruled out the possibility of civilians getting killed in the raid. However, villagers in the area said at least 11 and up to 15 civilians were killed when coalition planes bombed two homes in the Ghech Zar village in the Kajaki district. Village elder Haji Habibullah told AIP that Imam Abdul Hakim, his 50-year-old brother, Abdul Karim, six children and four women died in the bombing. According to Haji Habibullah, five members of the family of Abdul Ali, nephew of clergyman Abdul Hakim, were killed in the bombing of the second home in the village.

This is only the beginning that we face for Hitler Bush's lies

#27 Gerald..the word from some returning soldiers is that there are many more horrendous crimes taking place than the American press has access to.

These are moments that I begin to believe in the death penalty.

Fifteen things to remember about Ken Lay and Enron

#31 kathleen, the reports we receive may only be the tip of the iceberg.

Conduct Unbecoming

81 prior thread, jeanne, re: mexican election:
The election is still being disputed and there is expected to be a mass rally. There is change a comin. People are no longer tolarant. They are no longer putting up with the lies and all the damage of the insidious neocon movement brings to a nation.
---
mexican people may no longer be tolerant but it would seem that here in america the sheople couldn't care less...baaa!

What is there not to love about Cindy Sheehan? Go girl right to our hearts!!!

Actually, if you raised the minimum wage that would only serve to make illegal labor more attractive. And, since neither the Democrats nor the GOP really want to reduce the numbers of illegal aliens, that would have a disastrous effect on legal workers: they'd be trying to offer their labor at the legal price, while illegal aliens would be offering less. They'd either be unemployed or be forced to lower their prices below the legal rate. See where supporting illegal immigration gets you? As for the donut shop, if we started enforcing our immigration laws they'd be naturally forced to raise the salaries they're offering. Or, someone would invent an even more advanced donut making machine. To learn what's really going on in this issue, see my Illegal immigration introduction.

Bush Says Lay Was 'A Good Guy'

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush said Thursday he hopes Enron Corp. founder Kenneth Lay's "heart was right with the Lord" when he died before he could be sentenced on fraud and conspiracy charges.

Bush called Lay, who was a friend of the Bush family and a large donor to the president's campaign, "a good guy." He said he was shocked to hear both about the Enron scandal and Lay's death this week from a heart attack at age 64.

"I was really surprised," Bush said on CNN's "Larry King Live." "You know, my hope is that his heart was right with the Lord and I feel real sorry for his wife. She's had a rough go and she's now here on earth to bear the burdens of losing her husband, a man she loved."

The president said he planned to write Linda Lay a letter expressing his condolences.

Lay faced life in prison after his convictions May 25 that ended a blockbuster trial stemming from one of the biggest business debacles in U.S. history.

Bush had nicknamed Lay "Kenny Boy" but pointed out they weren't always allied. He said Lay supported his opponent in his first Texas gubernatorial race, Democrat Ann Richards. When host King pointed out that Richards had told him earlier that she liked Lay, Bush responded, "Yes, he's a good guy."

"One of the things I respected him for was he was such a contributor to Houston's civil society," Bush said. "He was a generous person. I'm disappointed that he betrayed the trust of shareholders."

First lady Laura Bush, who joined her husband for the interview on his 60th birthday, said she didn't know Lay well. But she said she was acquainted with him and knew his wife and was sorry for her.

More HERE

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

Any question the elections are all "set"? No handler would let dick-tater big-mouth say anything about his "friend" (convicted and facing life in prison) not in a million years. The "FIX" is in.

A "good guy" compared to whom? The other felons that are still fleecing the public coffers?

capt

Go Girl Right to MY Heart

#38, Don't make me puke! Hitler Bush calls Lay a good guy. I know, I know, he looked into the eyes of Ken Lay an he saw the soul of a good guy. Here comes an upchuck! That was an unbelievable torrent of noxious fluids fom my stomach.

She should care

Good article, Mr. Korn!

Put a knife in the Democrats, they are done as a viable party in America!

Bush Has a New Top Career Patron

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2004 A small number of donations by employees of the credit card giant MBNA Corp. last month was enough to unseat Enron as President George W. Bush's top career donor.

The Delaware-based company has given Bush $605,041 over his career, while Enron ($602,625) slipped to second, according to a recent supplement to "The Buying of the President 2004," a book by the Center for Public Integrity detailing the financial interests behind each presidential candidate.

The Center's study found that investment companies continue to make staggering donations to Bush, driven by so-called bundlers. Nine of Bush's largest ten donors during October 2003 through January 2004 were financial services companies. All of Bush's ten largest donors from October through January are linked to bundlers who have pledged to donate $100,000 to $250,000 as part of the president's Pioneer and Ranger Programs.

More HERE

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

Enron - second by less than $2,500?

Yeah, barely knew him?

capt

Dude! he he, maybe those Iranians can't find anyone to work for them cuz there friggin Iranians. What a dumbass!he he

6). Mr. Lay met with Cheney to ask him to block the FERC from capping California's energy prices during the Enron-manufactured energy "crisis"

The electricty market manipulation perpetrated by ENRON cost CA customers MILLIONS of dollars. FERC exists to protect citizens from run-away rates when the markets are out of whack. Bush instructed his FERC chairman to not act. The intentional and illegal fleecing of california electricity customers was perpetrated by Lay and ENRON and supported by G W Bush. "He's a good guy." Right.

Signature - "There" versus "They're"?

Still tragic.

capt

Rovian Strategy

Fairy Tales for Nazi America!!!

Signature - Bunghole, still a bunghole!

Hand!

Rovian Strategy is a must read article!!!

Cuz there to friggin stupid. he he, dumbass

Biden's quip on Indian accents drawing scrutiny

WASHINGTON They say the main thing standing between Joe Biden and the White House is Joe Biden's mouth.

The would-be presidential candidate proved it again on a recent trip to New Hampshire, where C-Span cameras caught him telling an Indian-American activist that Indian-Americans are the fastest-growing immigrant group in Delaware.

In fact, Biden said, "You cannot go into a Dunkin Donuts or a 7-Eleven unless you have a slight Indian accent."

More HERE

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

Did Biden also throw in his support for Loserman?

THAT is what is wrong with the Democratic party - they no longer stand for progressive views, not in general. They do not seem to even try to be GOP-lite - why bother with any pretense.

capt

Chickenshit Bush talks about being a man. Here comes another upchuck. It was so long that it turned into the dry heaves. Dry heaves are terrible.

Too bad that Biden just had a good quote:

From ESCHATON

Biden on Blitzer:

DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The worst possible thing we could do is what the Democrats are suggesting, and no matter how you carve it, you can call it anything you want, but basically, it is packing it in, going home, persuading and convincing and validating the theory that the Americans don't have the stomach for this fight.

BLITZER: All right. You want to respond to the vice president, Senator Biden?

BIDEN: No, I don't want to respond to him. He's at 20 percent in the polls. No one listens to him. He has no credibility. It's ridiculous.

That's a good response from Biden, and it's the same response Democrats should be making not just for anything that comes out of Dick Cheney's mouth but anything which comes out of George Bush's mouth. Dems seem to generally lack the understanding of how effective general dismissive disdain and contempt can be. Bush has been in the 30s for about 4 months now. No one except the people who write The Note listen to him or think he has any credibility. He is, indeed, ridiculous.

And, contra Joe Lieberman, undermining the credibility of the president is the best hope we have for improving the situation in Iraq and everywhere else in the world.

-Atrios 2:04 PM

capt

Jus' Stuff -- From the wife who loved her corrupt husband, Ken Lay

This is the lovey-dovey wife who opened a 2nd hand shop as a PR stunt to try to rev up some sympathy for the bastard and his family.

Why are Americans so gullible?

I don't know Lt. Ehren Wataba, but I know his mother and spoke at length with her back in May in Hawaii about how Ehren morally did not want to go to Iraq and how he was being harassed by other members of his unit for his beliefs that the war in Iraq was wrong and that he didn't want to kill innocent people for BushCo.

Ehren tried everything he could within regulations and legal means to be excused from going over to the war crime in Iraq and becoming a war criminal himself, but nothing worked, so he refused to be deployed with his unit.

Today he was charged with missing movement, contempt towards officials, and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman! Are they kidding me? Are they kidding the world and hiding behind an ancient code while they are pretending that anything about Iraq or our government is "gentlemanly?"

How about looking at the Commander in Chief of our armed forces, George Bush, for one? George Bush is a dry drunk who runs our country like he ran all of his failed businesses---with an attitude that if he screws up, his daddy, or his daddy's friends, will bail him out. He has already said that the problem of Iraq will be solved by "future presidents" which absolves and excuses him from cleaning up the murderous mess that he has made.

Cindy Sheehan @ Common Dreams

The top ten power brokers of the religious right

butt head self-identifies as a butt head; call's Gerald bunghole.

You've been warned about name-calling butt head.

Hand! yourself.

"Half of the American people have never read a newspaper. Half never voted for President. One hopes it is the same half." ~ Gore Vidal (1925 - )

"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public." ~ H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)

Why Conservatives Can't Govern

Mr Corn believes that if someone isn't willing to work for min wage then not working at all is somehow better? Good argument!

His solution is to force the Iranians to pay more and then the doors will be flooded with workers. David is insinuating that these Iraian brothers are too stupid to offer a higher wage on there own to fill the positions needed so the government must make them do it. Another good argument!

Who needs a free market when you've got big brother.

#55 Gerald,

Thanks for this list. It's amazing how much money they have been able to build up. I've known for sometime that the agenda is to Christianize America. It's disgusting. We can't all be like them.

George Bush is as freaking, friggen, fckn clueless as his father who bought 2 pairs of black socks to stimulate the economy.

I'm an Independant but I can see that this blog is going into the toilet! Comeon, can't we have a more civilized debate here based on the postings by Mr. Corn and PLUS post more news-worthy postings ourselves, NOT postings from the Onion and other B-grade news sites.

Lets SHAPE UP this discussion, provide newsworthy articles from MSNBC, FOX, CNN, Washington Post, New York Times, and then base our arguments based on articles from major news sites.

Let's stop eating those red jelly donuts including Happy! Time to stop getting ourselves fat with B-grade discussions that are worthy of being flushed into the toilet or at least being scrolled by.

Rob

One more donut and then its off to the WSJ web site.

#56 . (dot), when people post on a website, they are open for a name call. It goes with the territory. If people call me a name, please say it with love. There are times when my wife calls me an old fart but she says it with love.

butt head self-identifies as a butt head; call's Gerald bunghole.

., Dude, I was calling you a bunghole, you bunghole!

Bernanke voices US deficit fears

US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke warns the increasing US budget deficit could put future living standards at risk.
story HERE

#60 Joe, who would want to be like the religious right? They are into hatred, murders, torture, war crimes, corruption, decadence, greed, and lies.

That's Mister . to you, Mr. B Head. Have a nice day.

Bernanke voices US deficit fears

Duh!!!

., dude, you must be really smart.

Mister dude!

he he

#60,

And this is with a conservative Congress. I've already felt my lifestyle going downhill. Things cost more than ever and wages are not increasing.

#67

I don't want to be anything like the religious right. They are nothing but pure scum in my book. Their agenda is to turn back the clock on everything. Things weren't better in the old days. Things are much better today with a more relaxed culture. I don't care what these rightists think.

Joe lies, when he cries

George Bush is as freaking, friggen, fckn clueless as his father who bought 2 pairs of black socks to stimulate the economy.

Ya, rightous! Jeanne, dudett, you've got such a trash mouth! That really excites Beavis to a shwing!

Lieberman will probably lose this election.

US foils 'New York tunnel plot'

Plotters are said to have talked of flooding New York's financial district. US authorities say they have disrupted the early stages of a plot to attack New York City's mass transit system.

The alleged plot was discovered during routine monitoring of internet chatrooms used by extremist groups.

One man has been arrested in Lebanon over the plot, but the FBI said it had no indication of imminent threats to New York's transport system.

A report in the city's Daily News tabloid said plotters discussed targets including the Holland Tunnel.

Intelligence was on top of its game and discovered the plot when it was just in the talking phase

But the FBI has not elaborated on the details, saying in a statement that it had "disrupted a terrorist network that was in the planning stages of an attack against the transportation system in the New York-New Jersey area".

Read MORE

Joe Lieberman is a guy who has really become comfortable with lying to his constituents. It's really true: Joe lies, and he especially lies when he cries like he did tonight about being challenged in a democratic election.

Veteran denies Iraq rape charges

A former US soldier has pleaded not guilty to raping and murdering an Iraqi woman and killing three family members.

Steven Green, 21, is accused of carrying out the rape and murders in Mahmoudiya, south of Baghdad, in March, along with other soldiers.

Mr Green faces a possible death sentence if convicted of the killings.

The US ambassador to Iraq and the commander of US forces in the country have promised a vigorous investigation into the alleged rape and murder.

Read More

#71 Joe, I know that you have no intention of being like the religious right.

Joe cries?

Dude, is Joe a soccer player, cuz I thought just soccer palyers cried. he he. Soccers such a girly sport. he he

#3 Micki

Johnny Depp is no Republican. Rest assured.

Right on to your short outburst and to David Corn's post. Both are well written. Bush does physically sicken one, doesn't he, as I said earlier in the last thread.

Regarding David Corn's post, Richard Haas also mentioned, on Hardball last night, the fact that Bushco has done absolutely nothing on global warming. Zilch. He's leaving that legacy to the next President too. In two years, the problem will only be worse, much worse, at the rate the greenhouse gases are piling up.

I posted this in the last thread, but consider it important enough to post again.

Study Links Extended Wildfire Seasons to Global Warming

The number and size of large forest fires in the West have grown "suddenly and dramatically" a study released Thursday says.

The scientific paper, posted online by the journal Science says wildfire season in Western states has grown up to 2 1/2 months longer since 1987 because of warmer spring temperatures and earlier, faster melting of mountain snow. The timing of the annual snowmelt, a key source of the West's water, also helps gauge the severity of the wildfire season.

I proudly point out that this study was co-conducted by my Alma Mater, the University of California at San Diego.

On David Corn's postulation that the guest-worker program so proudly trotted out by Bush can have the effect of keeping the minimum wage down, I fully agree. I brought that notion up before on the blog. When Bush proposes something, one always has to look at the economic benefits for the top of the wealth chain. He touts the guest-worker program by saying that, naturally, we can't return 12 million illegal immigrants to their home country. Which, of course, is true. But whoever said that a deeply right-wing House would ever see the light of reason? Obviously, the Senate's version of the immigration bill is better, but it's not nearly enough. This has to be an extrememly well-thought out legislation for an incredibly complex problem. Good luck, what with the current state of Washington politics.

#78 Gerald,

I suppose it isn't fair because I wouldn't know how to become one of them. It angers me that the religious right has so much pull in our government today. I suppose when you consider that there are 10 powerful arms of the religious right they are a big constituency.

Go-ahead for hacker's extradition

A US request to extradite a British computer hacker accused of the "biggest military hack of all time" has been granted by Home Secretary John Reid.

Gary McKinnon, who is accused of breaking into US government computer networks, has been fighting extradition since his arrest in November 2002.

Mr McKinnon was first arrested in 2002 by the UK's National Hi-Tech Crime Unit for hacking into a series of computer networks used by the US army, navy, air force, and Department of Defense.

The US, in its case for extradition, said Mr McKinnon caused more than $700,000 (?375,235) of damage while exploring the computer networks at various US military institutions.

It said one attack at the Earle Naval Weapons Station took place soon after 11 September 2001 and made it impossible to use critical systems.

The US Department of Justice said it took a month to get systems working in the aftermath of this attack.

Mr McKinnon, who was born in Glasgow, has admitted that he spent almost two years exploring these networks but has said he was motivated by a search for what he called "suppressed technology".

Energy costs hit big US retailers

US retail sales for June were mixed, amid signs that high gasoline prices had curbed shopping by consumers.

The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, saw disappointing results, but some mid-priced chains, including clothes firm Ann Taylor, saw strong increases.

Overall sales rose less than expected, with 2.8% growth in like-for-like sales that strip out newly-opened stores.

Analysts are worried that higher energy prices, combined with rising interest rates, could dent economic growth.

"It's a mixed bag, but it is definitely slower," said analyst Jharonne Martis of Thomson Financial.

June is deemed the most important month

more here

June and Christmas are the retailers money times. Things have definitely slowed down. My own employer is giving me less hours due to budget constraints. Maybe, I'm about to be let go - not sure. I believe that our lifestyles are set to go downward in the near future. Hopefully, the trend won't last forever.

#4 Kathleen

How ya doing? I do think when the word truly gets out about the depth of the global warming crisis and what could actually happen to each and every one of us within a matter of ten years, people will come around. This is no Osama bin Laden threat. This is our planet and our children's and grandchildren's future. This whole shibang is going to blow up within my child's lifetime (he's ll years old). When he saw the movie, he told me to run for Congress. He's out there now beating the streets, telling everyone he meets what they each can do to cut the emmissions.

Once they realize just how big and how close the threat is, they'll have no choice. Either way, they'll have no choice. Nature is going to do that for them.

#7 Capt

Yes, that's the Johnny Depp I've heard and read in interviews.

No wonder Joe and George are joined at the hips! They are both liars.

Lieberman claims these deals have helped Connecticut - but to even make such a dishonest claim is to once again expose himself as totally out of touch with Connecticut, and totally focused on making Washington corporate lobbyists happy. Clearly, he hasn't taken a quick drive up the Connecticut River Valley or up the Connecticut coast through towns like New Haven, Bridgeport and New Britain. Because if he had, all he'd have to do is look out the window to see that the trade pacts he's been jamming down his state's throat have destroyed his state's economy. If he was too lazy to come back home to see the consequences of his selling out firsthand, he could alternative just go pick up a copy of The Disposable American by New York Times writer Louis Uchitelle and read the first chapter - it's all about Connecticut and how Lieberman-backed policies have crushed workers there.

More jelly donuts. . .

24 leads Emmy drama nominations
Thriller 24 and medical drama Grey's Anatomy are among the top candidates on this year's Primetime Emmy shortlist.

#81 Joe, the problem is that the religious right are not very religious. Deeds are more important than lip service.

Airbus orders fall behind Boeing
European aircraft maker Airbus falls behind arch US rival Boeing in the number of new orders for planes.

It's like the old saying: Don't judge by what he says but by what he does.

Not to completely change the subject but go into buzzflash.com today and read about the villification of the New York Times. It is very interesting about the 4th estate and how it is being undermined today.

The Treason Card
By Paul Krugman
The New York Times
Published: July 7, 2006

The nature of the right-wing attack on The New York Times —†an attack not on the newspaper's judgment, but on its motives —†seems to have startled many people in the news media. After an editorial in The Wall Street Journal declared that The Times has what amount to treasonous intentions —†that it "has as a major goal not winning the war on terror but obstructing it" —†The Journal's own political editor pronounced himself "shocked," saying that "I don't know anybody on the news staff of The Wall Street Journal that believes that."

But anyone who was genuinely shocked by The Journal's willingness to play the treason card must not have been paying attention these past five years.

Read more HERE

How does one explain the Wall Street Journal?

To micki, Jeanne, and Cornposters, this is the first of my two letters that the Catholic News Service printed in their newspaper.

Dear Editor: The Catholic News Service had an article by John Thavis, "Vatican weighs in on U.S. strategy," May 19, 2006. It was a very good article to read. I only wish that this article would be printed in all the Church bulletins for Catholics to read. The Catholic News Service does reach many people but the church bulletins are more widely read by Catholics. The subheading of the article said, 'Opposes cuts to Palestinian authority, says intervention in Iran could be disaster.' Instead of the word could I would have used the word, "would." The reason that I say "would" is because Mr. Bush has repeatedly said that a nuclear war option is on the table against Iran. I believe that nuclear bombs dropped in Iran "would" kill people and not could kill people. Sincerely, Gerald

Are the Catholics returning to their former anti-war stance?

You are absolutely right - a nuclear bomb would kill the earth as well as the people. I sure hope that it is not on the table. There has to be a better way than attacking them militarily.

micki, Jeanne, and Cornposters, here is the second letter printed in the Catholic News Service newspaper.

Dear Editor: The Catholic News Service has a very appropriate article in the June 16, 2006 edition. The title is "Crisis for 46 million" by Nancy Frazier O’Çrien. Anthony R. Tersigni called the health care situation "a national disgrace" and asked, "Where is the outrage?" Outrage is an appropriate word for the health care problems in our country. What is in a number? We have 46 million uninsured Americans. What about the millions of Americans who are underinsured or the millions of Americans who are one catastrophic health care problem away from total financial ruin?

By 2010 we will have spent $2 trillion in Iraq on a war Secretary of State Rice says that both Afghanistan and Iraq may never have democracies. Why have so many human beings been killed and maimed in Afghanistan and Iraq? This $2 trillion dollars would have been better spent on health care and social programs in the United States of America and on other countries in the world. Is oil more of a priority than human life? Is the United States of America a truly pro-life country? What are the Americans true priorities? Are Jesus Christ and His words priorities in our life and in our nation? Or, do we only give Jesus Christ lip service so we can only leave the impression of being Christians and caring human beings? Sincerely, Gerald

#25 Capt

God. How many times has that happened to you? That's why I don't patronize those places anymore. It's just as well, too hard on the meager budget.

#37 TLB

That's where unions come in. And worker rights. It's all attainable if we elect the right people and stop the rollback. I've always argued the need to return to old-fashioned New Deal economics and politics.

Everyone!

Two threads back, I think at #265, Jeanne posted a link of an interview with Seymour Hersh. Here's the article he's just published this week in The New Yorker. As you all know, it's a must read. It is a follow-up to his first, most decidedly scary article on Bush's Iran intentions.

LAST STAND: The Military's Problem With the President's Iran Policy

...The U.S. Strategic Command, supported by the Air Force, has been drawing up plans, at the President's direction for a major bombing campaign in Iran.

Inside the Pentagon, senior commanders have increasingly challenged the President's plans, according to active-duty and retired officers and officials. The generals and admirals have told the Administration that the bombing campaign will probably not succeed in destroying Iran's nuclear program. They have also warned that an attack, could lead to serious economic, political and military consequences for the U.S.

Oh really? You mean oil? There are dire speculations that America could go dark if Iran responded by going at the soft targets all around the Persian Gulf, like Bahrain, Kuwait etc.

Furthermore, there is absolutely no intelligence on where any of the nuclear facilities the U.S. has alleged are in Iran except for those already known legitimately through the proper channels.

Military people call it "the son of Iraq."

I am being besieged to get off the computer. My older boys are both home today and they want the phone, so does my husband. (Their cells haven't been paid up. I don't even own one because of the cost. Can you spell resentment?) I am woefully behind here, and may not catch up--heavy schedule this weekend. Will certainly try. Adios.

#93
Way to go, Gerald!

#95
Gerald,
How long have you been sending letters to this publication? What has changed? Why are they now suddenly publishing your letters?

Bush or Keller?

Who do you trust?

When governments acquire emergency powers during wartime, it's with the understanding that the crisis is finite and that when the war ends the government will relinquish those powers. But what happens when a government defines its war as neverending, as the Bush administration has its so-called "war on terror"? As long as any jihadist anywhere threatens the West, the administration would have us believe, we must trust it and remain in a wartime crouch.

The current conflict will soon conclude its fifth year, making it longer than the war against Japan. Most of the temporary powers in the PATRIOT Act that had been scheduled for "sunset" were extended, and the administration has conjured secret powers not directly spelled out by legislation. The New York Times revealed one such example of administration overreach last December when it reported the secret NSA surveillance program. Two weeks ago the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times reported over administration objections the secret sifting of SWIFT bank transaction data by the CIA and Treasury Department, which the White House justifies under 1977 economic sanctions legislation.

In reporting the SWIFT story, both papers rejected the White House assertion that disclosure was improper. The president and the vice president condemned both papers, and an exploding carbuncle masquerading as a member of Congress called upon the attorney general to investigate the New York Times under the Espionage Act, the Comint Act, and "other relevant federal criminal statutes."

More HERE

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

Sure, the hypocrites get their underoo's in a wad over a story reported for years. The outing of an undercover NOC CIA officer is defended as a way to balance bad press? These slugs could not be more obvious. Tony Soprano would be a better more effect and honest chief executive.

I still think it is just more kabuki theater with the "old gray lady" playing her part as scripted. Mr. Corn did point out the fact that the NYT's could actually be a challenge to this WH.

capt

"If work at fast-food shops paid more, there would be more fast-food workers. Isn't that how the market works?"

Was this meant as a joke or is Corn serious (and thus economically ignorant) about this quote? Umm, if he is serious, it is more than a little scary. Mr. Corn, you are correct that as a general proposition, increasing the wage of a job will increase its demand in the labor market, but raising the minimum wage actually has the exact opposite effect. If we raise the min. wage to 9 dollars an hour, the current jobs that pay 9 dollars an hour loss significantly, drastically, incredibly their competitive place in the labor market. If you want more donut jobs, don't increase the wage to that of a car mechanics, it will only only get rid of the job entirely. Rather, lower the minimum and increase the options for the employer to be competitive.

With all due respect, how much do they pay you talk on all these little shows about policy?....

Here's an interesting segment on Democracy Now.

Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism

In her book, "Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism," author Michelle Goldberg examines how gay marriage has become "the mobilizing passion for much of the religious right." The book also charts how Christian fundamentalism is supported by Republican patronage and how under the Bush administration, it is increasingly shaping many aspects of public policy.

...MICHELLE GOLDBERG: Well, actually, I think that there is -- there's two different aspects to this. In a certain way, there might be a tiny silver lining to what happened in New York, in that the Massachusetts decision and all of these decisions legalizing gay marriage or in support of gay marriage have been this kind of fantastic recruiting tool for the right, because the right -- the movement that I’≠ talking about, the Christian nationalists, they -- it's not just that they're opposed to homosexuality. They offer this narrative of a giant homosexual conspiracy. They call it the homosexual agenda, and they write these books about this kind of massive plot to undermine the nation. And it's very, very dark and frightening, but it's also very, very effective.

When I was in Ohio in 2004, you could see these marriage issues, these ballot initiatives and constitutional amendments, allowed the churches to move huge parts of a kind of electoral apparatus inside their walls, because although churches can’¥, or under IRS rules they're not supposed to, endorse political candidates, they can take a stand on supposedly nonpartisan issues. And so, these gay marriage fights, when they get into the ballot process, into the constitutional amendment process, you're able to have the churches move the petition drives inside, move the phone banking inside, move the get-out-the-vote drives inside. And it was very, very effective for the right.

It's a huge loss to them when gay rights victories are established through the legislature. And so, if there's a silver lining in the New York decision, it's that it could prove -- it could kind of spur activists and spur politicians to move this forward in the legislature in a way that doesn't lend itself to kind of demagogic posturing about activist judges.

....MICHELLE GOLDBERG: Yeah, I mean, if you look at all of the polls about religion in America, the two sections that are kind of increasing the most are people who claim no religion and evangelical or nondenominational Protestants.

And so, one of the things that I encountered in my book, especially, you know, when I traveled all around the country reporting this, is that in certain senses what we have is not even two different attitudes towards politics or policy. You have really two different realities. You know, and so there's broad parts of the country where the conviction that there truly is a homosexual conspiracy and that it, you know, has its tentacles in schools and corporate America and government is -- you know, it's taken completely for granted. It's almost -- you know, it's kind of just part of the general political atmosphere.

And you see it reinforced in these churches.
------------------
Peaple actually believe the BS. They actually believe the con. George Bush walks into their group and tells them we need to be in Iraq and the economy is crap because.....homosexuals are dangerous people. In the meantime their sons and daughters are sent to war because they can't find jobs here in the U.S of A.

Did someone say jelly donuts? mmmmm!

#100
Guy,
You live on minimum wage. This country is supposed to be about OPPORTUNITY, not just for you but for everyone who lives here. That opportunity is not supposed to come IF you work three jobs and have five people working in your household. You are not supposed to have to pray every night for a sliver of hope.
You live on minimum wage with no insurance.
I don't think David was joking.

I've been asking the NYT's for a cost of living wage increase since Clinton was president. Now those were some good times!

What is a more interesting fact about David's post is where our 'leader' chose to make his stop. Alexandria, Virginia is, if I'm not mistaken full of money. Who in that area is going to work for minimum wage and who is going to bus from Washington D.C. or area to Alexandria, Virginia to work for minimum wage in a donut shop?

Ms Jeanne,

Damn, I thought we had it bad. I'm confused though, how can you afford a computer and the internet if your so poor?

Neo-Nazi National Alliance leader indicted in civil rights conspiracy

June 9, 2006 -- A federal grand jury has indicted the top leader of the neo-Nazi National Alliance, once the most feared hate group in America, and charged him and two subordinates with conspiring to deprive non-white people in Salt Lake City of their civil rights, the U.S. Department of Justice announced today.

Alliance Chairman Shaun A. Walker, 38, was arrested at the West Virginia headquarters of the group on Thursday. On the same day, Travis D. Massey, 29, the Alliance's Salt Lake City unit coordinator, and Eric G. Egbert, 21, of Salt Lake City were arrested in Utah. Each man is charged with one count of conspiracy to interfere with civil rights and one count of interference with a federally protected activity.

"These arrests may mark the final stage in what has been a long decline in the National Alliance," said Mark Potok, director of the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project, which has monitored the Alliance since the 1980s. "What was once the most important hate group in America may soon be just a memory."

Prosecutors allege that the three engaged in a conspiracy between December 2002 and March 2003 to provoke fights with non-white persons "in order to make them afraid to appear in public, work and live" in Salt Lake City, prosecutors said. If the men are convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison apiece.

More HERE

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

This is where hate can take you. Start with some simple hate-speech - graduate to hate crimes - join the AB in prison.

"Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster. Your life will never be the same again." ~ Og Mandino, The Greatest Miracle in the World

"I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love." ~ Mother Teresa (1910 - 1997)

capt

#106
Did I say me, LHB?

I think the NYT's hasn't given me a raise since Clinton was pres is because their trying to make Bush look bad.

I know this because I got a .25 raise every four years when Clinton was pres. Man those were some good years.

Or, maybe, the times is just waiting for the government to tell them to be more responsible.

Nah! It's Bush!

Back to the night shift for me.

One question: Why is sharing information among ourselves not enough? You just HAVE to post to these jerks?

WHY?

Do you really expect a discussion?

You are posting to the same creepy creep:

Case in point:

"if your so poor"

"If YOU'RE so poor?

Not that the personal nature of the insult should give you a clue? Do not even try to tell me EVERY troll cannot form a contraction? That is - what - third grade English?

Ciao for now. More fun in the small hours of the morning. The children are safe in their beds.

capt

This also from Democracy Now headlines.

Pentagon Allowing Neo-Nazis, Extremists in Armed Forces
In military news, the Southern Poverty Law Center is warning the Pentagon's recruiting difficulties have allowed "large numbers of violent neo-Nazis and skinheads extremists" to join the armed forces. The Center says the numbers could reach into the thousands. Pentagon investigator Scott Barfield said graffiti advocating the Aryan Nations has appeared in Baghdad. He said commanders are not taking action even after being notified of the presence of extremists or gang members amidst their ranks. Barfield added: "They don't want to make a big deal again about neo-Nazis in the military because then parents who are already worried about their kids signing up and dying in Iraq are going to be even more reluctant about their kids enlisting if they feel they'll be exposed to gangs and white supremacists."
-------------
Wow, this is going to great things for our reputation abroad.

Hey, I would also like some of that free health care like Ms jeanne. How does that work exactly?

89
Airbus orders fall behind Boeing
---
that's what happens when boeing makes an aluminum plane with a composite plastic nosecone that can punch and slice thru hardened steel columns and steel reinforced concrete as if they weren't even there. i'd like to see an airbus try to do that!

"If your such a bunghole"

"If you're such a bunghole"

"If you are such a bunghole"

Dude, take your-you're-you are- pick!

Once a bunghole, always a bunghole!

hand!

You are right, Jeanne. Alexandria, VA is an affluent city/town. You can bet that the employees of that Dunkin Donuts do not live in the community.

Ms jeanne,

Are you saying that you just made up bullshit and this touching story wasn't from your own personal experience?

Enough BUNGHOLE conversation for me too. See you guys later.

Lots of talk no action. People in america are just too damn comfortable and need to get a little reality in their confused rushed life. If you think that sending your kids to a private school because the public schools have been starved of much needed funds then get ready for a change in lifestyles. In the immediate future you are all going to have a wake up call, not an easy one, but hey you will get through it, remember what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, huh? Hope that the majority of folks understand the term derivative and hedge fund. Those are your killers, and it will take away any confidence you have in our so called economy and the american way of life, that actually just perpetuates the oligarchs in charge. You have to break a few eggs to make an omelete. Of course if you and your family are on the wrong end of this stick then pay no attention to anything I just said, and remember to enjoy the new lifestyle. Maybe you can get a good paying job in Mexico, cleaning some mexican houses for a good wage that isn't provided in the US anymore. Ha.

Maybe you can get a good paying job in Mexico, cleaning some mexican houses for a good wage that isn't provided in the US anymore. Ha.

By Mr What the F**k

Now that conservatives have taken over the country this might just be possible.

Jeanne - My comment (#100) was directed towards Mr. Corn's economic assertion that an increase in minimum wage will increase the number of people willing to work for minimum wage. I said nothing about poor people, slivers of hope, insurance, 3 jobs, exc.. My position is empirically supported by a number of economic studies conducted after the two minimum wage increases in the 90's. I wasn't so much trying to prove an increase in min. wage is bad (although I think it is, particularly for poor people), but rather that Mr. Corn should be more careful in his economic statements when advocating certain positions. To be quite honest, though, your retort is fairly typical of the hyper-emotionalism (with the more than faintest wisp of envy & anger) of min. wage increase supporters.

Zarqawi death has 'little impact'
In Middle East

US envoy to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad admits the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has not reduced the violence.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5149806.stm

I only wish every American, and certainly every elected official, had access to what we just heard today from Gen. McCaffrey. He is just back from Guantanamo, Kuwait, Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan. While it is impossible and unfair to summarize his remarks (a marginally-cleansed version of the brief he has delivered to the president and secretary of state and others), and while I don't speak for the general, he painted Baghdad as a place more dangerous than any on earth. More dangerous than Saigon ever was. To paraphrase: An American, driving through Baghdad for a 24-hour period without security, would have no expectation of living through the experience. While he is confident as to our domestic safety (with the possible exception of an overdue spectacular attack or cluster of them), he paints a picture of entire societies "on the bubble" in the places where America has troops committed. He is as patriotic a man as I have ever known (upon retirement he was the most heavily-decorated four-star general in the Army). He is a hugely astute analyst of geo-politics, and a clear-eyed realist. He is the most vocal booster of the American volunteer fighting force that I know. He gestures often with the reconstructed hand of a badly-wounded combat veteran, and teaches at his alma mater, West Point, where his military maneuver (the famous "left hook" across Iraq) is taught by other professors in adjacent classrooms. He thus speaks with great credibility and honesty, and we are so fortunate to have him as a member of our family. I told one of our newsroom summer interns afterward that being able to sit in on today's briefing with Gen. McCaffrey might be the most valuable hour of his entire summer.

Nightly News' Brian Williams on Gen McCaffrey latest assessment

LBH,

I agree Zarqawi's death has "little impact" on Middle East, Waht the article should have said was:

Zarqawi's death has "huge impact" on progressives in the US.

You see this was a defeat to progressives not the terrorists. We have no one to root for in the defeat of the American military and the Bush administration. Now all we have is blaming our troops at large of being murders and rapist. Having Zarqawi was like the Clinton years for us progressives. Damn!

.

Thank you Joshua. Now, why don't you link those studies you speak of.

See, the difference between you and me is...I have lived through the fear of losing everything and you...I suspect, have never had a hard day in your life. It's probably exhilarating to figure out how not to give people a living wage. I prefer to just give them one. Hyper-emotionalism...it's called passion. I could describe what I think you are but that wouldn't get us very far would it?

Joshua, there was a time that I feared for my children's future. Do not...do not...call it hyper emotionalism. It is far more than that.

Bush does not have a clue. Not a clue. He and his group of fanatics are destroying this nation. I think it would be better to work to make our country stronger than going into an illegal war. Wouldn't it be better to find a solution to our oil dependence? Or perhaps find a solution to the health care crisis? Big business are asking for solutions in these areas too. I personally think there is a way to raise the minimum wage. When the worker being paid minimum wage is working at a 1955 year level it's time to look for a solution.

What the article should have said...

What the article should have said...

Zarqawi's death has "huge impact" on progressives in the US.

What the article should have said...

Zarqawi's death has "huge impact" on progressives in the US.

What the article should have said...

Zarqawi's death has "huge impact" on progressives in the US.

What the article should have said...

Zarqawi's death has "huge impact" on progressives in the US.

When the worker being paid minimum wage is working at a 1955 year level it's time to look for a solution.

Thanks Jeanne, Now why don't you link this study you speak of?

I personally think there is a way to raise the minimum wage.

Jeanne

Ya, I want $10.00 an hour with benefits!

And some free jelly donuts for mandatory breaks!

Yes, David Corn, the POTUS is going to need quite a thorough cleaning after George XLIII is done with it. Fortunately, tho', the cleaning crew is paid minimum wage...

I don't think Ken Lay ìwas a good guy." Lay was tried and convicted of the biggest corporate fraud and conspiracy in the history of the United States. Many Americans were victimized by his unethical and illegal business practices.

When California was enduring the ENRON manipulated energy crisis, Lay went to Cheney to call off FERC, which has the power to regulate energy costs. Cheney and Bush called off FERC and California Citizens paid exorbitant prices for electricity.

Ask the people who worked at Pacific Light and Power who lost all their retirement assets. Rank and file ENRON employees were locked-out of managing their 401k assets while corporate management, some of whom were recently convicted of fraud and conspiracy, were allowed to trade their shares.

When asked about the $182 million in stock shares Lay redeemed, his wife responded that it is all gone. Itís human to have compassion for a person who lost their husband. It's hard to have compassion for a person who lies to protect their ill-gotten wealth.

More than a few people are skeptical about the story of Ken Lay's death. I donít think there are more conspiracy theorists with access to Internet now than there used to be. I think over the last six years, we've become familiar with the character of the people we've elected to national office and we donít trust them to be honest or do the right thing.

#135
I agree. Lots and lots of secrets with the group in the white house. Very unhealthy.

Speaking of the White House...

Man indicted in phone jamming case will argue Administration approved election scheme

The fourth man indicted in a New Hampshire phone-jamming scheme -- in which Republican operatives jammed the phone lines of Democratic get-out-the-vote efforts in a 2002 Senate race -- will argue at trial that the Bush Administration and the national Republican Party gave their approval to the plan, according to a motion filed by his attorney Thursday.

Shaun Hansen, the former owner of the company that placed hang-up calls to jam Democratic phone lines, was indicted in March for conspiring to commit and aiding and abetting the commission of interstate telephone harassment relating to a scheme to thwart get out the vote efforts on Election Day, 2002.

His lawyer's motion signals that Hansen intends to argue that he was entrapped because the Administration allegedly told his superiors the calls were legal. The filing indicates, however, that Hansen does not have firsthand knowledge of Administration intervention.

....Phone calls lead to White House

Phone records show hundreds of phone calls from the New Hampshire Republican Party and convicted phone jammer James Tobin to the White House Office of Political Affairs during the time the scheme was being planned and carried out.

The Republican National Committee, which shelled out millions to defend Tobin, has said it is "preposterous" to suggest the calls involved phone jamming.
--------
Preposterous.

#98 Jeanne, I have been sending letters for about two years and nine months and about one in five or one in six letters are printed.

#94 Joe, just because the Catholic News Service may be concerned about Catholic Social Teaching does not mean that the lay persons are interested. Remember 54% of the Catholics voted for Hitler Bush and his murders and war crimes. G.K. Chesterton has said that the greatest stumbling blocs to Catholicism are Catholics.

I am a Catholic and I am a sinner but I do believe that I know what murders are and what war crimes are. 54% of the Catholics do not know the difference and that is why they are complicit in the murders and war crimes against the Iraqi people. They may know the Our Father prayer but they do not know that we are all brothers and sisters in God.

Daily intelligence brief: Baghdad's 'dreams and desires are shrinking'

"A daily intelligence brief on Iraq, prepared by a private contractor for the U.S. military and companies working in Iraq, paints a grim picture of life in Baghdad," according to the Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire.

An email to the paper went unanswered. RAW STORY is currently trying to obtain a copy of the brief.

Tpday's daily intelligence report documents a slew of attacks around the capital, the Journal says.

"The levels of torture and execution-style killings…†illustrate the increasing disregard for human life by the perpetrators for those not of their own grouping," the brief says.

Marked "official use only," the report describes Baghdad as a crestfallen metropolis.

"Baghdad looks so exhausted these days and so do her people; the relentless violence, the lack of basic services and the scorching heat abolishes human desire to do anything or to even think of anything," the report compiled by SOC-SMG Inc., a Nevada contractor, says. "Living for many Iraqis was reduced to existence a long time ago; dreams and desires are shrinking under the heavy shadows of the situation."
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The Bush White House did this. The neocons demanded it. We all have different dreams I guess.

Point well taken, Gerald. Catholics are just as diverse as any other group.

The thing that always interests me is that I've heard that Catholics are supposed to accept the Pope's words without question. So, the anti-war stance should be Catholic in nature. But, you are one of them - so you know best.