May 17, 2008
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lastams
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Talking with Our Enemies: McCain Should Admit The Truth and Stop Attacking the Messenger
Exclusive Video: McCain Was For Talking To Hamas Before He Was Against It...
Hamas Schamas ¦
The question is, what radicals WILL McCain talk to?
IN IRAQ: The Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution,The KDP, THE PUK, Faylaq Badr, The Shahid Al-Sadr Force, The Islamic Movement of Kurdistan, Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas, Usbat Al-Huda (The daughters of Guidance),The Resistance Front, The Iraqi Organization of Liberation, Kata'ib Al-Zilzal Al-Mujahidah (Jihadist Earthquake Brigades), Kata'ib Salah Al-Din, Kata'ib Al-Mujahidin, Jama'at Al-Tawhid wa Al-Jihad (Unification and Jihad Group), Jaysh Al-Mahdi, Jund Al-Sham. (God's Wrath), Tha'r Allah, Mafariz Al-Intiqam (Martyrs Brigades of the Hamas Movement), Sarkhi Hassani, Mujahedin Allahu Akbar (God is Great Fighters),The Ba'ath Arab Socialist Party, Fedayeen Saddam (Saddam's Martyrs), Al-Qiyadah Al-Amah li Jaysh Al-Iraq, The Islamic Jihad Brigades of Muhammad's Army,
The Fadihla (Islamic Virtue) Party
The Accordance Front, The Awakening, The Freedom Fighters, The Knights of the Two Rivers, ,Gen. Qais Hamza (The Godfather) Aboud and his always popular "Scorpions"?
Ahmad (Trust me!) Chalabi, the controversial, ubiquitous Iraqi politician, now currently in disfavor for once again telling secrets to Iran?
And leave us not forget, officiating over this cauldron of Islamic idiocy that our President (with a straight face) calls a democracy, is his divine highness, The Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.
Are the Republicans willing to talk to him?
So just who will McBush talk to? God knows he can"t keep his Sunnis and Shiites straight, what will he do if faced with the whole stinking quagmire? posted 05/16/2008 at 06:54:06
The question is, what radicals WILL McCain talk to?
IN IRAQ: The Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution,The KDP, THE PUK, Faylaq Badr, The Shahid Al-Sadr Force, The Islamic Movement of Kurdistan, Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas, Usbat Al-Huda (The daughters of Guidance),The Resistance Front, The Iraqi Organization of Liberation, Kata'ib Al-Zilzal Al-Mujahidah (Jihadist Earthquake Brigades), Kata'ib Salah Al-Din, Kata'ib Al-Mujahidin, Jama'at Al-Tawhid wa Al-Jihad (Unification and Jihad Group), Jaysh Al-Mahdi, Jund Al-Sham. (God's Wrath), Tha'r Allah, Mafariz Al-Intiqam (Martyrs Brigades of the Hamas Movement), Sarkhi Hassani, Mujahedin Allahu Akbar (God is Great Fighters),The Ba'ath Arab Socialist Party, Fedayeen Saddam (Saddam's Martyrs), Al-Qiyadah Al-Amah li Jaysh Al-Iraq, The Islamic Jihad Brigades of Muhammad's Army,
The Fadihla (Islamic Virtue) Party
The Accordance Front, The Awakening, The Freedom Fighters, The Knights of the Two Rivers, ,Gen. Qais Hamza (The Godfather) Aboud and his always popular "Scorpions"?
Ahmad (Trust me!) Chalabi, the controversial, ubiquitous Iraqi politician, now currently in disfavor for once again telling secrets to Iran?
And leave us not forget, officiating over this cauldron of Islamic idiocy that our President (with a straight face) calls a democracy, is his divine highness, The Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.
Are the Republicans willing to talk to him?
So just who will McBush talk to? God knows he can"t keep his Sunnis and Shiites straight, what will he do if faced with the whole stinking quagmire? posted 05/16/2008 at 06:54:06
Swift Boating Comes to Jerusalem
What is it with the you bubbleheads that you"ll get all huffed up over whomever Bush proclaims as the enemy de jour and ignore everyone else completely.
While you"re all pumped up on Al-Qaeda in Iraq and the Iranian influence, you inevitably give the most repressive Islamic State a free pass;
A country who is still the chief financial support for AlQadea.
A country that is the number one source for foreign fighters in Iraq.
A country from which the majority of the 9-11 hijackers came.
Yet this country that has its foot on our collective throats, (or haven"t you been to a gas pump lately?) you ignored completely.
How is life in the bubble anyway?
Nice and simple? posted 05/16/2008 at 08:25:58
While you"re all pumped up on Al-Qaeda in Iraq and the Iranian influence, you inevitably give the most repressive Islamic State a free pass;
A country who is still the chief financial support for AlQadea.
A country that is the number one source for foreign fighters in Iraq.
A country from which the majority of the 9-11 hijackers came.
Yet this country that has its foot on our collective throats, (or haven"t you been to a gas pump lately?) you ignored completely.
How is life in the bubble anyway?
Nice and simple? posted 05/16/2008 at 08:25:58
Perhaps we should explain that to our good friends in Baghdad.
They seem to be talking to Iran all the time. posted 05/16/2008 at 08:13:49
They seem to be talking to Iran all the time. posted 05/16/2008 at 08:13:49
Yea, let"s not talk to the Iranians.
What happened Mr. Bush, didn"t the Iraqis didn"t get the memo?
After this big build up about how the Iraqi "government" was going over to confront Iran about supporting the militias, instead of a confrontation, the Iraqis get Iran to broker a cease fire between the Sadarists and the Militia of the Supreme Council (who basically have been using US troops to fight their battles for them). Well low and behold Iran sides with the Maliki/Al Hakim government which speaks volumes about Iranian "interference" in Iraq, most especially amongst our "friends" in Baghdad.
When Mr. Bush travels abroad, do they let him continue to live in his bubble, or do they occasionally try to interject some semblance of reality? posted 05/16/2008 at 08:12:22
What happened Mr. Bush, didn"t the Iraqis didn"t get the memo?
After this big build up about how the Iraqi "government" was going over to confront Iran about supporting the militias, instead of a confrontation, the Iraqis get Iran to broker a cease fire between the Sadarists and the Militia of the Supreme Council (who basically have been using US troops to fight their battles for them). Well low and behold Iran sides with the Maliki/Al Hakim government which speaks volumes about Iranian "interference" in Iraq, most especially amongst our "friends" in Baghdad.
When Mr. Bush travels abroad, do they let him continue to live in his bubble, or do they occasionally try to interject some semblance of reality? posted 05/16/2008 at 08:12:22
How about democracy in Saudi Arabia ...
Funny how they are always left out of the occasion.
In any case, I'm sure the war has all been an Israeli plot to have the United States take out the Sunni buffer which was Iraq and allow the influence of Shiite Iran to explode.
Sometimes you people just can"t see the forest for the trees, can you? posted 05/16/2008 at 07:09:39
Funny how they are always left out of the occasion.
In any case, I'm sure the war has all been an Israeli plot to have the United States take out the Sunni buffer which was Iraq and allow the influence of Shiite Iran to explode.
Sometimes you people just can"t see the forest for the trees, can you? posted 05/16/2008 at 07:09:39
After seven years of trying to force reality to conform to dogma, after destroying the Sunni buffer which was Iraq thereby allowing Iranian influence to explode in the region, George Bush has the balls to stand before the Israeli Knesset and lecture them on Mid East security issues and the dangers of diplomacy.
Christ. He"s lucky he wasn"t laughed off the stage. posted 05/16/2008 at 07:05:53
Christ. He"s lucky he wasn"t laughed off the stage. posted 05/16/2008 at 07:05:53
Since Bush refuses to meet with radical Moslems, how then does he explain the Iranian supported radicals that WE support as well.
Our troops have been engaged in bloody door to door combat, doing the work of Al-Hakim and his militia in their decades long war against Al Sadar and the Mahdi Army.
Lucky for us that Iran stepped in and brokered a cease fire.
Oh well, one man"s terrorist is another man's leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/12/20061204-7.html posted 05/16/2008 at 06:22:23
Our troops have been engaged in bloody door to door combat, doing the work of Al-Hakim and his militia in their decades long war against Al Sadar and the Mahdi Army.
Lucky for us that Iran stepped in and brokered a cease fire.
Oh well, one man"s terrorist is another man's leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/12/20061204-7.html posted 05/16/2008 at 06:22:23
Conyers On Rove: "We'll Hold Him In Contempt"
Right On.
This Congress seems to be very good at holding hearings and very bad at taking any sort of action.
Let"s see now, we"ve have the usurpation of power through signing statements, admitted violations of FISA, the Hatch Act, the Presidential Records Act, voter suppression, contempt of Congress, and the list goes on.
The one thing this Congress does seem good at is spending money.
The Defense Appropriation bill spent over 600 billion of our tax dollars and contained over 1000 earmarks.
It passed the Senate 91 to 3.
Now how"s that for bipartianship in the hallowed halls? posted 05/16/2008 at 06:32:07
This Congress seems to be very good at holding hearings and very bad at taking any sort of action.
Let"s see now, we"ve have the usurpation of power through signing statements, admitted violations of FISA, the Hatch Act, the Presidential Records Act, voter suppression, contempt of Congress, and the list goes on.
The one thing this Congress does seem good at is spending money.
The Defense Appropriation bill spent over 600 billion of our tax dollars and contained over 1000 earmarks.
It passed the Senate 91 to 3.
Now how"s that for bipartianship in the hallowed halls? posted 05/16/2008 at 06:32:07
Right.
Anyone know what's happened to the OTHER contempt citations or what would make the Attorney General decide to act on this one? posted 05/16/2008 at 06:24:25
Anyone know what's happened to the OTHER contempt citations or what would make the Attorney General decide to act on this one? posted 05/16/2008 at 06:24:25
McCain Has Zero Plan to Get Us Out of Mess President Bush Has Created
Thanks to Joe Biden for being one of the few stumbling blocks in the path of the administration plan to expand the war into Iran.
After removing Admiral Fallon and inserting a second carrier group into the Gulf, Bushco only needs a plausible excuse, or one they can spin anyway, to start the bombs falling.
One must consider that our President is so delusional as believe that attacking Iran will UNITE the American people. The man does in fact live in a bubble.
Mr. Biden, Conyers, and others may have given the Whitehouse pause to consider the consequences.
Let us hope it"s enough. posted 05/16/2008 at 08:34:02
After removing Admiral Fallon and inserting a second carrier group into the Gulf, Bushco only needs a plausible excuse, or one they can spin anyway, to start the bombs falling.
One must consider that our President is so delusional as believe that attacking Iran will UNITE the American people. The man does in fact live in a bubble.
Mr. Biden, Conyers, and others may have given the Whitehouse pause to consider the consequences.
Let us hope it"s enough. posted 05/16/2008 at 08:34:02
McCain Predicts The Iraq War Will Be "Won" By 2013
Maybe the good Senator is thinking in Dog years.
Hell, it would make as much sense as anything else coming out of his mouth. posted 05/16/2008 at 07:28:48
Hell, it would make as much sense as anything else coming out of his mouth. posted 05/16/2008 at 07:28:48
Tom Friedman's Latest Declaration of War
What it truly amazing in all this rabid right wing desire to fight a holy war on Islam, is how Saudi Arabia always seems to get a free pass.
Here we have a country that is the very heart and soul of Islam, with what is arguably the most repressive Islamic fundamentalist society in the world; A country that can squeeze the American economy at will, and has practically no standing army.
I mean, if there was ever was a country more ripe for regime change, I can"t imagine.
The fact is that while we are investing in the "war on terror", the enemy, in large measure, is being financed by our good friends the Saudis.
Or partner in the war on terror, Saudi Arabia, continues to look the other way at wealthy individuals identified as sending millions of dollars to al Qaeda.
In fact, not one person identified by the United States and the United Nations as a terror financier has been prosecuted by the Saudis.
So what makes the Saudis so special?
Is the fact that they virtually own OPEC and control the flow of oil from every country in the Mideast, including Iran? Or is it the fact that they "reinvest" their vast wealth in the United States, and purchase the influence that allows them their low profile? posted 05/16/2008 at 07:26:38
Here we have a country that is the very heart and soul of Islam, with what is arguably the most repressive Islamic fundamentalist society in the world; A country that can squeeze the American economy at will, and has practically no standing army.
I mean, if there was ever was a country more ripe for regime change, I can"t imagine.
The fact is that while we are investing in the "war on terror", the enemy, in large measure, is being financed by our good friends the Saudis.
Or partner in the war on terror, Saudi Arabia, continues to look the other way at wealthy individuals identified as sending millions of dollars to al Qaeda.
In fact, not one person identified by the United States and the United Nations as a terror financier has been prosecuted by the Saudis.
So what makes the Saudis so special?
Is the fact that they virtually own OPEC and control the flow of oil from every country in the Mideast, including Iran? Or is it the fact that they "reinvest" their vast wealth in the United States, and purchase the influence that allows them their low profile? posted 05/16/2008 at 07:26:38
Bush Uses Holy Land Pulpit to Launch Smear Campaign
Ah yes, the Republican"ts have done such a great job at keeping America secure,
spreading democracy, and eradicating terrorism.
A recent report from the GAO reads,
"The United States Lacks a Comprehensive Plan to Destroy the Terrorist Threat and Close the Safe Haven in Pakistan"s Federally Administered Tribal Areas."
That is not some line buried in the report. That is the title.
So this is honestly what they are going to run on?
That they are better at keeping us secure? posted 05/16/2008 at 07:18:24
spreading democracy, and eradicating terrorism.
A recent report from the GAO reads,
"The United States Lacks a Comprehensive Plan to Destroy the Terrorist Threat and Close the Safe Haven in Pakistan"s Federally Administered Tribal Areas."
That is not some line buried in the report. That is the title.
So this is honestly what they are going to run on?
That they are better at keeping us secure? posted 05/16/2008 at 07:18:24
Cease-fire holds in Sadr City after deadly clashes
Were it not for the fact that American lives are being lost in horrendous door to door combat, there would be some humor in watching the Iraqis broker a cease fire through Iran.
There's been this big build up the past few weeks about how the Iraqi "government" was going over to confront Iran about supporting the militias and at the same time, we, the US Army, were going to put on this big show of captured weapons as "evidence" of Iranian involvement.
Well the Iraqi government goes over to Iran all right, and instead of a confrontation, gets Iran to broker a cease fire between the Sadarists and the Militia of the Supreme Council (who basically have been using US troops to fight their battles for them). Well low and behold Iran sides with the Maliki/Al Hakim government which speaks volumes about Iranian "interference" in Iraq, most especially amongst our "friends" in Baghdad.
Then the much promoted dog and pony show with all the captured weapons goes bust when an independent assessor determines that NONE of the weapons came from Iran.
Here the Bush administration's got two carrier groups in the Gulf just chomping at the bit to bomb Tehran, they've removed Fallon, their biggest obstacle, and all they need is a good excuse ... well an excuse they can spin anyway. And look what happens ... they keep stepping on their own dicks. Sometimes it's almost a good thing that these people are idiots. posted 05/13/2008 at 10:16:02
There's been this big build up the past few weeks about how the Iraqi "government" was going over to confront Iran about supporting the militias and at the same time, we, the US Army, were going to put on this big show of captured weapons as "evidence" of Iranian involvement.
Well the Iraqi government goes over to Iran all right, and instead of a confrontation, gets Iran to broker a cease fire between the Sadarists and the Militia of the Supreme Council (who basically have been using US troops to fight their battles for them). Well low and behold Iran sides with the Maliki/Al Hakim government which speaks volumes about Iranian "interference" in Iraq, most especially amongst our "friends" in Baghdad.
Then the much promoted dog and pony show with all the captured weapons goes bust when an independent assessor determines that NONE of the weapons came from Iran.
Here the Bush administration's got two carrier groups in the Gulf just chomping at the bit to bomb Tehran, they've removed Fallon, their biggest obstacle, and all they need is a good excuse ... well an excuse they can spin anyway. And look what happens ... they keep stepping on their own dicks. Sometimes it's almost a good thing that these people are idiots. posted 05/13/2008 at 10:16:02
Iraq: Sadr City cease-fire signed after weeks of fighting
This is where the Bush administration begins to trip over it"s own lies.
They"ve been promoting this trip as the Iraqi government "confronting" Iran with evidence of their involvement in arming the militias.
.Instead, Iran brokers a truce between the Sadarists and the rival Supreme Council, once again demonstrating who actually has the respect of the Maliki government, the militias, and the Iraqi people.
One wonders how Bush will spin this one?
Afterall they"ve got two carrier groups just chomping at the bit to bomb Tehran.
Damnitall when the Iraqi"s just won"t cooperate with our fictionalized account of their civil war. posted 05/12/2008 at 14:47:25
They"ve been promoting this trip as the Iraqi government "confronting" Iran with evidence of their involvement in arming the militias.
.Instead, Iran brokers a truce between the Sadarists and the rival Supreme Council, once again demonstrating who actually has the respect of the Maliki government, the militias, and the Iraqi people.
One wonders how Bush will spin this one?
Afterall they"ve got two carrier groups just chomping at the bit to bomb Tehran.
Damnitall when the Iraqi"s just won"t cooperate with our fictionalized account of their civil war. posted 05/12/2008 at 14:47:25
Gas Prices Causing Surge Of Mass Transit Riders
Funny how the number one concern of Americans is getting so little press. Even on this site, the discussion is buried half way down the page, stuffed in with other "economic" news, because no one seems willing to take a serious look at what is going on.
When are we going to admit that this is about more than simple supply and demand?
Demand has just not increased so rapidly as to explain a thirty percent rise in oil prices in less than a month, yet no one seems to have a better explanation.
The fact is that the price of oil is set by a back and forth between OPEC, the cartel,and the Nynex spot market.
By far, the greatest influence on this market is Saudi Arabia. The Saudis dictate oil policy to ALL members of OPEC, impose quotas, and set the price of oil at every wellhead in the Middle East.
Of course through profit sharing agreements, whenever the Saudis make a buck, Exxon-Mobil and Shell make two; That's what makes the argument against "America's dependence on foreign oil" such a sham. I guess everyone thinks that the oil companies just got lucky. Lucky indeed.
So isn't it time to start asking some serious questions here? Instead of blaming things on the usual suspects, perhaps we should take an honest look at who controls our fossil fuel infrastructure, while we still have an infrastructure to support. posted 05/10/2008 at 16:13:27
When are we going to admit that this is about more than simple supply and demand?
Demand has just not increased so rapidly as to explain a thirty percent rise in oil prices in less than a month, yet no one seems to have a better explanation.
The fact is that the price of oil is set by a back and forth between OPEC, the cartel,and the Nynex spot market.
By far, the greatest influence on this market is Saudi Arabia. The Saudis dictate oil policy to ALL members of OPEC, impose quotas, and set the price of oil at every wellhead in the Middle East.
Of course through profit sharing agreements, whenever the Saudis make a buck, Exxon-Mobil and Shell make two; That's what makes the argument against "America's dependence on foreign oil" such a sham. I guess everyone thinks that the oil companies just got lucky. Lucky indeed.
So isn't it time to start asking some serious questions here? Instead of blaming things on the usual suspects, perhaps we should take an honest look at who controls our fossil fuel infrastructure, while we still have an infrastructure to support. posted 05/10/2008 at 16:13:27
Recently the oil industry ran a full-page ad in USA Today purporting to show the expenses involved in gasoline production. The ad was entitled "where your gasoline dollar goes" and contained a graph that showed the following expenses:
72% goes to the price of crude oil.
Another 16% is eaten up by refining, distribution and service stations,
and the last 12% is taken away by taxes for a total of 100 per cent expenses and no profit.
Yes that"s right, the oil industry would now like us to believe that they are in fact, non-profit organizations.
Apparently the mathematicians employed by the oil and gas lobbies come from the same school as the scientists that can see no evidence of global warming.
You seem to get your numbers from the same source. posted 05/10/2008 at 16:09:08
72% goes to the price of crude oil.
Another 16% is eaten up by refining, distribution and service stations,
and the last 12% is taken away by taxes for a total of 100 per cent expenses and no profit.
Yes that"s right, the oil industry would now like us to believe that they are in fact, non-profit organizations.
Apparently the mathematicians employed by the oil and gas lobbies come from the same school as the scientists that can see no evidence of global warming.
You seem to get your numbers from the same source. posted 05/10/2008 at 16:09:08
Military adds armor to Iraq vehicles as roadside bombs surge
Sorry if this was a bit off topic, but alas there is no string about government waste, or articles about the trillion plus dollars spent by this Congress in the past six months.
Nothing on Huff, or on Keith, and certainly not the evening news.
One wonders who GAO reports are intended for these days?
It would seem that Congress has little interest, and the press ignores them completly. posted 05/10/2008 at 10:10:30
Nothing on Huff, or on Keith, and certainly not the evening news.
One wonders who GAO reports are intended for these days?
It would seem that Congress has little interest, and the press ignores them completly. posted 05/10/2008 at 10:10:30
Much of our problem with "defense" spending is that it is less about defense than it is about defense contractors.
A recent GAO report found that 95 Department of Defense (DoD) weapons programs worth $1.6 trillion had a total of $300 billion in cost overruns.
Instead of demanding greater budget accountability and fiscal prudence, our "representatives"" answer to corruption and government waste is not to provide oversight, but to actually make overruns policy.
Believe it or not, some in Congress want to automatically lock in defense spending by establishing five percent of GDP as the floor for defense spending, basically writing the Pentagon a blank check.
$300 billion " just in cost overruns. That's enough to run the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan for two years.
With a $400 billion budget deficit and a $9 trillion national debt, when will we begin to pay attention to how our tax dollars are being spent and when will main stream media begin to actually report on government waste? posted 05/10/2008 at 10:04:52
A recent GAO report found that 95 Department of Defense (DoD) weapons programs worth $1.6 trillion had a total of $300 billion in cost overruns.
Instead of demanding greater budget accountability and fiscal prudence, our "representatives"" answer to corruption and government waste is not to provide oversight, but to actually make overruns policy.
Believe it or not, some in Congress want to automatically lock in defense spending by establishing five percent of GDP as the floor for defense spending, basically writing the Pentagon a blank check.
$300 billion " just in cost overruns. That's enough to run the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan for two years.
With a $400 billion budget deficit and a $9 trillion national debt, when will we begin to pay attention to how our tax dollars are being spent and when will main stream media begin to actually report on government waste? posted 05/10/2008 at 10:04:52
Oil surpasses $126 per barrel ahead of US driving season
Funny how the number one concern of Americans is getting so little press. Even on this site, the discussion is buried half way down the page, stuffed in with other "economic" news, because no one seems willing to take a serious look at what is going on.
When are we going to admit that this is about more than simple supply and demand?
Demand has just not increased so rapidly as to explain a thirty percent rise in oil prices in less than a month, yet no one seems to have a better explanation.
The fact is that the price of oil is set by a back and forth between OPEC, the cartel,and the Nynex spot market.
By far, the greatest influence on this market is Saudi Arabia. The Saudis dictate oil policy to ALL members of OPEC, impose quotas, and set the price of oil at every wellhead in the Middle East.
Of course through profit sharing agreements, whenever the Saudis make a buck, Exxon-Mobil and Shell make two; That's what makes the argument against "America's dependence on foreign oil" such a sham. I guess everyone thinks that the oil companies just got lucky. Lucky indeed.
So isn't it time to start asking some serious questions here? Instead of blaming things on the usual suspects, perhaps we should take an honest look at who controls our fossil fuel infrastructure, while we still have an infrastructure to support. posted 05/10/2008 at 09:31:10
When are we going to admit that this is about more than simple supply and demand?
Demand has just not increased so rapidly as to explain a thirty percent rise in oil prices in less than a month, yet no one seems to have a better explanation.
The fact is that the price of oil is set by a back and forth between OPEC, the cartel,and the Nynex spot market.
By far, the greatest influence on this market is Saudi Arabia. The Saudis dictate oil policy to ALL members of OPEC, impose quotas, and set the price of oil at every wellhead in the Middle East.
Of course through profit sharing agreements, whenever the Saudis make a buck, Exxon-Mobil and Shell make two; That's what makes the argument against "America's dependence on foreign oil" such a sham. I guess everyone thinks that the oil companies just got lucky. Lucky indeed.
So isn't it time to start asking some serious questions here? Instead of blaming things on the usual suspects, perhaps we should take an honest look at who controls our fossil fuel infrastructure, while we still have an infrastructure to support. posted 05/10/2008 at 09:31:10
Rush Limbaugh Now "Backs" Obama
Limbaugh and his like can only exist in an information vacuum, and the media seem to
be quite content to leave that vacuum in place.
Recently on Olberman, when asked how anyone could believe the Clinton / McCain gas tax plan when virtually every expert said it was a gimmick , his guest answered that much of the American public was factually deficient.
A polite way to put it.
In the past five months this so-called do nothing Congress has managed to spend, unnoticed, over a trillion tax dollars, include over a thousand earmarks in legislation, and this week are putting the final touches on the pork-barrel obscenity known as the Farm Bill, in which we will once again pay wealthy landowners billions of dollars to not grow food.
But unless it's a huge political football, not a single action of Congress makes the evening news,
mostly doesn't make Olberman, or Huffington, and certainly isn't discussed by Rush Limbaugh.
Is it any wonder that Americans are "factually deficient" ?
Oft times I wonder if we not so much get the government we deserve as the government we don"t understand. posted 05/08/2008 at 09:32:37
be quite content to leave that vacuum in place.
Recently on Olberman, when asked how anyone could believe the Clinton / McCain gas tax plan when virtually every expert said it was a gimmick , his guest answered that much of the American public was factually deficient.
A polite way to put it.
In the past five months this so-called do nothing Congress has managed to spend, unnoticed, over a trillion tax dollars, include over a thousand earmarks in legislation, and this week are putting the final touches on the pork-barrel obscenity known as the Farm Bill, in which we will once again pay wealthy landowners billions of dollars to not grow food.
But unless it's a huge political football, not a single action of Congress makes the evening news,
mostly doesn't make Olberman, or Huffington, and certainly isn't discussed by Rush Limbaugh.
Is it any wonder that Americans are "factually deficient" ?
Oft times I wonder if we not so much get the government we deserve as the government we don"t understand. posted 05/08/2008 at 09:32:37
Obama Victorious, Clinton On The Ropes
While we are all distracted with the race that promises change in Washington, Mr. Reid was on the Stewart show two nights ago continuing to propagate the myth that due to a slim majority and a Republican president, Congress is getting nothing done.
In fact, in the past five months this Congress has managed to spend over 1 trillion tax-payer dollars and included over 1 thousand earmarks in legislation; most of which went unnoticed by main stream media and hence the American Public.
This week, the Congress continues to work on "improvements" to the Farm Bill, that odious piece of government waste in which we the taxpayers spend billions of dollars to pay wealthy landowners to NOT GROW FOOD. This year"s "improvements" include $500 million in tax breaks for racehorse owners and changes that will allow timber companies, such as Weyerhaeuser, to receive a major windfall to the tune of $435 million over the next 10 years.
So while we cry and moan that our divided Congress can get nothing done, when the pork begins to flow the bi-partisanship is frankly amazing. In the end we call for change and elect representatives that do anything but, and the reason is simple. So long as we DON"T PAY ATTENTION to what our representatives DO instead of what they SAY, we will continue to have a government run by special interests, who DO pay attention, and know how the game is played. posted 05/07/2008 at 09:11:25
In fact, in the past five months this Congress has managed to spend over 1 trillion tax-payer dollars and included over 1 thousand earmarks in legislation; most of which went unnoticed by main stream media and hence the American Public.
This week, the Congress continues to work on "improvements" to the Farm Bill, that odious piece of government waste in which we the taxpayers spend billions of dollars to pay wealthy landowners to NOT GROW FOOD. This year"s "improvements" include $500 million in tax breaks for racehorse owners and changes that will allow timber companies, such as Weyerhaeuser, to receive a major windfall to the tune of $435 million over the next 10 years.
So while we cry and moan that our divided Congress can get nothing done, when the pork begins to flow the bi-partisanship is frankly amazing. In the end we call for change and elect representatives that do anything but, and the reason is simple. So long as we DON"T PAY ATTENTION to what our representatives DO instead of what they SAY, we will continue to have a government run by special interests, who DO pay attention, and know how the game is played. posted 05/07/2008 at 09:11:25
Obama: North Carolina Win A Victory Against "Politics Of Division"
Not to decry Mr. Obama's fight to end the "politics of division" but perhaps the "politics of corruption" may be the more important battle.
Mr. Reid was on the Stewart show two nights ago continuing to propagate the myth that due to a slim majority and a Republican president, Congress is getting nothing done.
In fact, in the past five months this Congress has managed to spend over 1 trillion tax-payer dollars and included over 1 thousand earmarks in legislation; most of which went unnoticed by main stream media and hence the American Public.
This week, the Congress continues to work on "improvements" to the Farm Bill, that odious piece of government waste in which we the taxpayers spend billions of dollars to pay wealthy landowners to NOT GROW FOOD. This year"s improvements, include $500 million for racehorse owners, and massive tax breaks for the timber industry.
So while we cry and moan that our divided Congress can get nothing done, when the pork begins to flow the bi-partisanship is frankly amazing. In the end we call for change and elect representatives that do anything but, and the reason is simple. So long as we DON"T PAY ATTENTION to what our representatives DO instead of what they SAY, we will continue to have a government run by special interests, who DO pay attention, and know how the game is played. posted 05/07/2008 at 09:34:16
Mr. Reid was on the Stewart show two nights ago continuing to propagate the myth that due to a slim majority and a Republican president, Congress is getting nothing done.
In fact, in the past five months this Congress has managed to spend over 1 trillion tax-payer dollars and included over 1 thousand earmarks in legislation; most of which went unnoticed by main stream media and hence the American Public.
This week, the Congress continues to work on "improvements" to the Farm Bill, that odious piece of government waste in which we the taxpayers spend billions of dollars to pay wealthy landowners to NOT GROW FOOD. This year"s improvements, include $500 million for racehorse owners, and massive tax breaks for the timber industry.
So while we cry and moan that our divided Congress can get nothing done, when the pork begins to flow the bi-partisanship is frankly amazing. In the end we call for change and elect representatives that do anything but, and the reason is simple. So long as we DON"T PAY ATTENTION to what our representatives DO instead of what they SAY, we will continue to have a government run by special interests, who DO pay attention, and know how the game is played. posted 05/07/2008 at 09:34:16
The Times' Michael Gordon: A "Message Force Multiplier?"
Tom Engelhardt writes it Truthout today,
"American troops are fighting the Shiite militia of Muqtada al-Sadr, and they are fighting the Sadrist Mahdi Army militia in the name of an Iraqi government dominated by another Shiite militia, the Badr Corps of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, whose ties to Iran are even closer.
"And it no longer makes any particular sense, even by the standards of the Bush administration; nor, in the post-surge atmosphere, is anybody trying to make much sense of it."
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/050508D.shtml
Somewhere back in World War II we had a President that went on Radio to educate the American public about the War. These days the American public is fed bullshit about AlQaeda and Iran and couldn"t name a single group actually involved in the conflict.
If Americans understood whom we"ve been supporting, there wouldn"t be a single Republican re-elected. When it comes right down to it, at the end of the day the terrorists we support are virtually indistinguishable from the ones we are fighting, and none of them are worth another American life. posted 05/05/2008 at 16:42:51
"American troops are fighting the Shiite militia of Muqtada al-Sadr, and they are fighting the Sadrist Mahdi Army militia in the name of an Iraqi government dominated by another Shiite militia, the Badr Corps of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, whose ties to Iran are even closer.
"And it no longer makes any particular sense, even by the standards of the Bush administration; nor, in the post-surge atmosphere, is anybody trying to make much sense of it."
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/050508D.shtml
Somewhere back in World War II we had a President that went on Radio to educate the American public about the War. These days the American public is fed bullshit about AlQaeda and Iran and couldn"t name a single group actually involved in the conflict.
If Americans understood whom we"ve been supporting, there wouldn"t be a single Republican re-elected. When it comes right down to it, at the end of the day the terrorists we support are virtually indistinguishable from the ones we are fighting, and none of them are worth another American life. posted 05/05/2008 at 16:42:51
Why The 'Right' Gets Net Neutrality Wrong
Thank you. I wish that more writers would point out the sheer hypocrisy between modern "conservatives" and conservative principals.
What is it that the right doesn"t like about personal freedoms?
The same thing they don"t like about fiscal responsibility I suppose.
Time after time after time this party runs on a platform of personal freedoms and small government, and time after time they attack personal freedoms and balloon government spending and waste.
You"d think by now that people would have noticed.
With record budget deficits and American families struggling to make ends meet, this week senators led by Mitch McConnell secured $500 million in depreciation and capital gains tax breaks for racehorse owners in the current farm bill that Congress is finalizing.
Racehorse owners!
In addition the bill will change the tax treatment of timber sales so that timber companies, such as Weyerhaeuser, will receive a major windfall to the tune of $435 million over 10 years.
But perhaps most importantly the bill will continue the subsidy programs that go to millionaires who may or may not be active farmers.
What could be more obscene; with a world food shortage and an economy in the toilet to spend billions of dollars to pay wealthy landowners who DON"T EVEN GROW FOOD?
So yes, when did "conservative" principals turn into Corporate Socialism?
And when will people begin to notice? posted 05/05/2008 at 17:20:42
What is it that the right doesn"t like about personal freedoms?
The same thing they don"t like about fiscal responsibility I suppose.
Time after time after time this party runs on a platform of personal freedoms and small government, and time after time they attack personal freedoms and balloon government spending and waste.
You"d think by now that people would have noticed.
With record budget deficits and American families struggling to make ends meet, this week senators led by Mitch McConnell secured $500 million in depreciation and capital gains tax breaks for racehorse owners in the current farm bill that Congress is finalizing.
Racehorse owners!
In addition the bill will change the tax treatment of timber sales so that timber companies, such as Weyerhaeuser, will receive a major windfall to the tune of $435 million over 10 years.
But perhaps most importantly the bill will continue the subsidy programs that go to millionaires who may or may not be active farmers.
What could be more obscene; with a world food shortage and an economy in the toilet to spend billions of dollars to pay wealthy landowners who DON"T EVEN GROW FOOD?
So yes, when did "conservative" principals turn into Corporate Socialism?
And when will people begin to notice? posted 05/05/2008 at 17:20:42
Clinton Camp Says It Will Use The Nuclear Option
And if that doesn't work, expect Hillary to go all Liberman on us and run as an independent.
The underlying message here is that either McCain or Clinton are acceptable to the status quo revolving door special interest government that we jokingly call a democracy, and Barak Obama is not.
If the Democratic Party rank and file gets screwed in the process, then so be it.
What's more important; a bunch of ignorant working class citizens or PFIZER INC., AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS PAC,
THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
AFLAC INCORPORATED POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
DUPONT GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND,
HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP INC ADVOCATES FUND,
BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
MICROSOFT CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
WAL-MART STORES INC.,
LOCKHEED MARTIN, and the TIME WARNER POLITICAL ACTION CMTE?
Just a few of the names that are picking up the tab for the HRC campaign.
Time to wake up and smell the coffee ... the Clinton campaign is about a lot more that a few policy differences with Barak Obama; it's about the status quo vs. a true reformer. posted 05/05/2008 at 16:29:35
The underlying message here is that either McCain or Clinton are acceptable to the status quo revolving door special interest government that we jokingly call a democracy, and Barak Obama is not.
If the Democratic Party rank and file gets screwed in the process, then so be it.
What's more important; a bunch of ignorant working class citizens or PFIZER INC., AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS PAC,
THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
AFLAC INCORPORATED POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
DUPONT GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND,
HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP INC ADVOCATES FUND,
BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
MICROSOFT CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
WAL-MART STORES INC.,
LOCKHEED MARTIN, and the TIME WARNER POLITICAL ACTION CMTE?
Just a few of the names that are picking up the tab for the HRC campaign.
Time to wake up and smell the coffee ... the Clinton campaign is about a lot more that a few policy differences with Barak Obama; it's about the status quo vs. a true reformer. posted 05/05/2008 at 16:29:35
Clinton Defends 'Obliterate Iran' Comment, Obama Calls It Bush-Style 'Cowboy Diplomacy'
Right on.
The longer this nomination fight goes on, the more apparent becomes the difference between the two campaigns.
While the Obama camp projects an air of quiet but firm discourse, Hillary Inc. pursues an agenda based on moral indignation, innuendo and a rather loose interruption of the truth.
Now where have we seen this sort of politics before? posted 05/04/2008 at 14:59:46
The longer this nomination fight goes on, the more apparent becomes the difference between the two campaigns.
While the Obama camp projects an air of quiet but firm discourse, Hillary Inc. pursues an agenda based on moral indignation, innuendo and a rather loose interruption of the truth.
Now where have we seen this sort of politics before? posted 05/04/2008 at 14:59:46
Let"s review; Fallon, a man described the a lone voice against taking military action against Iran, suddenly resigns, only to be replaced by General Patraeus, Bush"s yes-man in Iraq.
On the day that Fallon resigns a second carrier group sails from San Diego for the Persian Gulf.
Numerous reports state that pressure has been building from Saudi Arabia for action against Iran. Not that the Saudis, who virtually control the production of oil in every OPEC nation would pressure the United States with say, $120.00 per barrel oil.
Patraeus deftly fields softballs thrown from McCain and others while testifying before Congress.
Among the questions Patraeus is asked if Iranian actions are killing Americans in Iraq to which he enthusiastically agrees.
Patreaus and Crocker are less forthright in their answers to Senator Boxer who want an explanation of Iranian involvement WITHIN the Iraqi government, the very government that we support to the tune of 12 billion dollars a month. Boxer also seems incredulous that the President of Iran is greeted with flowers and kisses while our own President must meet secretly in a desert location.
Patraeus and Crocker simply say that the situation is "complicated".
Complicated indeed.
Hillary has long been on board with the whole "let"s blame Iran" scheme for some time now.
Should we be surprised that the candidate receiving the greatest "donations" from the defense industry for her campaign would now seek to expand the war? posted 05/04/2008 at 14:39:47
On the day that Fallon resigns a second carrier group sails from San Diego for the Persian Gulf.
Numerous reports state that pressure has been building from Saudi Arabia for action against Iran. Not that the Saudis, who virtually control the production of oil in every OPEC nation would pressure the United States with say, $120.00 per barrel oil.
Patraeus deftly fields softballs thrown from McCain and others while testifying before Congress.
Among the questions Patraeus is asked if Iranian actions are killing Americans in Iraq to which he enthusiastically agrees.
Patreaus and Crocker are less forthright in their answers to Senator Boxer who want an explanation of Iranian involvement WITHIN the Iraqi government, the very government that we support to the tune of 12 billion dollars a month. Boxer also seems incredulous that the President of Iran is greeted with flowers and kisses while our own President must meet secretly in a desert location.
Patraeus and Crocker simply say that the situation is "complicated".
Complicated indeed.
Hillary has long been on board with the whole "let"s blame Iran" scheme for some time now.
Should we be surprised that the candidate receiving the greatest "donations" from the defense industry for her campaign would now seek to expand the war? posted 05/04/2008 at 14:39:47
Hillary's Psychic Reality
Isn"t it time that we take Hillary at her word when she calls to get all the Senators "on the record" so we"ll know is truly on OUR side?
So let"s see ¦ On the expansion of Nafta into Peru and the continuation of the fast tracked trade policy that has helped destroy the economy: Senator Hillary Clinton not voting.
Or how about in December when Congress passed a 600 billion dollar omnibus spending bill:
Senator Hillary Clinton; not voting.
Or the 600 billion dollar defense appropriation bill in January and it"s landmark one thousand plus earmarks?
Hillary Clinton, once again, not voting.
Now this week we have the obscene epitome of pork barrel politics known as the Farm Bill, where we will once again be spending billions of dollars to pay wealthy landowners to NOT GROW FOOD¦
Hillary Clinton? Not to be heard.
A guest on Olberman last night attributed whatever support there may be for the Clinton /McCain gas tax fraud to "limited knowledge voters".
Limited knowledge indeed.
If Clinton pulls out this nomination it will be though keeping her supporters pumped on promises and short on facts.
You know, she starts to sound more like a Republican everyday. posted 05/02/2008 at 20:42:39
So let"s see ¦ On the expansion of Nafta into Peru and the continuation of the fast tracked trade policy that has helped destroy the economy: Senator Hillary Clinton not voting.
Or how about in December when Congress passed a 600 billion dollar omnibus spending bill:
Senator Hillary Clinton; not voting.
Or the 600 billion dollar defense appropriation bill in January and it"s landmark one thousand plus earmarks?
Hillary Clinton, once again, not voting.
Now this week we have the obscene epitome of pork barrel politics known as the Farm Bill, where we will once again be spending billions of dollars to pay wealthy landowners to NOT GROW FOOD¦
Hillary Clinton? Not to be heard.
A guest on Olberman last night attributed whatever support there may be for the Clinton /McCain gas tax fraud to "limited knowledge voters".
Limited knowledge indeed.
If Clinton pulls out this nomination it will be though keeping her supporters pumped on promises and short on facts.
You know, she starts to sound more like a Republican everyday. posted 05/02/2008 at 20:42:39
Clinton's Gas Tax Plan Called 'Ineffective', 'Shortsighted'
While Hillary and McCain pursue this dog and pony show which, in the end, may save the American public a few cents, currently in joint committee is the extension of the Farm Bill. Perhaps the worst example of corporate welfare on the planet, we hear nothing from the candidates or the press about this 300 billion-dollar pork barrel. At a time of economic crisis and diminishing world food supplies the very idea of paying billions of dollars to wealthy landowners to NOT GROW FOOD, is obscene beyond measure.
Yet all we get from the candidates are "solutions" that make effective sound bites and accomplish little.
Where was the demand to help the American worker when Nafta was extended or two 6 hundred billion dollar spending bills were passed?
Why is it that we keep forgetting these candidates, all of them, are all sitting members of the United States Senate; that they can make a real difference TODAY.
Isn"t it time to start paying attention to what our "leaders" do instead of what they promise?
Isn"t that how we"ve gotten ourselves into this mess in the first place? posted 05/01/2008 at 09:14:26
Yet all we get from the candidates are "solutions" that make effective sound bites and accomplish little.
Where was the demand to help the American worker when Nafta was extended or two 6 hundred billion dollar spending bills were passed?
Why is it that we keep forgetting these candidates, all of them, are all sitting members of the United States Senate; that they can make a real difference TODAY.
Isn"t it time to start paying attention to what our "leaders" do instead of what they promise?
Isn"t that how we"ve gotten ourselves into this mess in the first place? posted 05/01/2008 at 09:14:26
Defining Insanity
How much of this should be laid at the feet of main stream media and their penchant for treating politics as entertainment?
On this very day, our Congress is working out the final details of another 300 billion-dollar pork barrel outrage, known as the Farm Bill. Unlike other bills, Congressmen don"t even try to justify this one; they just hope that no one will notice we are paying wealthy landowners billions of dollars to NOT GROW FOOD.
So while they posture for the cameras, holding hearings questioning why oh why things are getting so expensive, they quietly agree on 600 billion dollar spending bills and other obscenities like this Farm Bill.
As to the actual candidates, who are (surprise surprise) still sitting members of the United States Senate,
you can bet not one will get within spitting distance of the Capital as this particular piece of odious legislation oozes from committee. They all took the same stand (none at all) with the Military Appropriations Act in January, and the Omnibus Spending Bill in December; together costing the American taxpayer over ONE TRILLION DOLLARS and setting new records for earmarks, over one thousand in one bill alone.
So as the Farm Bill quietly slips though Congress, perhaps the media can tell us who were wearing flag pins as our "representatives" continue to flush our economy down the toilet.
God forbid they, the media, should every take their heads out of their collective backsides and being to
report reality. posted 05/02/2008 at 07:48:09
On this very day, our Congress is working out the final details of another 300 billion-dollar pork barrel outrage, known as the Farm Bill. Unlike other bills, Congressmen don"t even try to justify this one; they just hope that no one will notice we are paying wealthy landowners billions of dollars to NOT GROW FOOD.
So while they posture for the cameras, holding hearings questioning why oh why things are getting so expensive, they quietly agree on 600 billion dollar spending bills and other obscenities like this Farm Bill.
As to the actual candidates, who are (surprise surprise) still sitting members of the United States Senate,
you can bet not one will get within spitting distance of the Capital as this particular piece of odious legislation oozes from committee. They all took the same stand (none at all) with the Military Appropriations Act in January, and the Omnibus Spending Bill in December; together costing the American taxpayer over ONE TRILLION DOLLARS and setting new records for earmarks, over one thousand in one bill alone.
So as the Farm Bill quietly slips though Congress, perhaps the media can tell us who were wearing flag pins as our "representatives" continue to flush our economy down the toilet.
God forbid they, the media, should every take their heads out of their collective backsides and being to
report reality. posted 05/02/2008 at 07:48:09
Probing a Political Paradox: Why the Discredited Right Still Sets the Agenda and Dominates the Debate
Perhaps we should remember that we live in Republic, not a democracy.
We don"t all gather at the town hall and vote on the laws of the land: we elect representatives to do that for us. In order for the system to work, we need to make sure that our representatives represent us.
We have to pay attention.
How many of us, the ones that vote at all, even know who their representatives are?
Of those that can name their Congressmen, how many know how they voted on important legislation?
How many even know what legislation is being considered?
Granted, Americans are a busy lot but there is more than sufficient opportunity for to take part in this government, or at least try to understand it, without losing precious quality time from golf and tv.
The reason that FOX and RUSH and COULTER can fabricate stories and have them believed is that so many of us have become complacent and no longer pay attention.
The only thing that separates the power of the voter from the power of the lobbyist is the fact that they DO pay attention, and then buy the government that THEY deserve. posted 05/04/2008 at 20:07:00
We don"t all gather at the town hall and vote on the laws of the land: we elect representatives to do that for us. In order for the system to work, we need to make sure that our representatives represent us.
We have to pay attention.
How many of us, the ones that vote at all, even know who their representatives are?
Of those that can name their Congressmen, how many know how they voted on important legislation?
How many even know what legislation is being considered?
Granted, Americans are a busy lot but there is more than sufficient opportunity for to take part in this government, or at least try to understand it, without losing precious quality time from golf and tv.
The reason that FOX and RUSH and COULTER can fabricate stories and have them believed is that so many of us have become complacent and no longer pay attention.
The only thing that separates the power of the voter from the power of the lobbyist is the fact that they DO pay attention, and then buy the government that THEY deserve. posted 05/04/2008 at 20:07:00
The Republicans target an "authoritarian" segment of our population; those people who tend to follow a leader blindly and once convinced will become so fixed in their belief that all the facts in the world will not dissuade them.
It gives the Republicans a huge advantage in that facts become subjective. If something is repeated often enough, it becomes true.
Now that the Party has it"s own 24 hour News Network, backed up by 24-hour right wing radio, it is possible to keep their followers sufficiently ignorant and easily whipped up through moral indignation.
Being supported by the lunatic fringe also give them a huge club to wield against more conventional media.
Currently the RNC is attempting to force networks to pull a DNC ad, which basically states McCain"s views on Iraq as expressed in his own words.
"This is a complaint about the facts that are being misrepresented in the ad, and this being a deliberate falsehood, that we are saying, stations have an obligation to protect the public from airing a deliberate falsehood," said Sean Cairncross, an RNC lawyer.
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! But apparently there is no sense of irony in Republicana.
The "major" news outlets will no doubt consider this shot across their bows and wonder just how far they should stray from allowing the Republicans to continue setting all the boundaries of the debate. posted 04/29/2008 at 09:06:23
It gives the Republicans a huge advantage in that facts become subjective. If something is repeated often enough, it becomes true.
Now that the Party has it"s own 24 hour News Network, backed up by 24-hour right wing radio, it is possible to keep their followers sufficiently ignorant and easily whipped up through moral indignation.
Being supported by the lunatic fringe also give them a huge club to wield against more conventional media.
Currently the RNC is attempting to force networks to pull a DNC ad, which basically states McCain"s views on Iraq as expressed in his own words.
"This is a complaint about the facts that are being misrepresented in the ad, and this being a deliberate falsehood, that we are saying, stations have an obligation to protect the public from airing a deliberate falsehood," said Sean Cairncross, an RNC lawyer.
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! But apparently there is no sense of irony in Republicana.
The "major" news outlets will no doubt consider this shot across their bows and wonder just how far they should stray from allowing the Republicans to continue setting all the boundaries of the debate. posted 04/29/2008 at 09:06:23
McCain calls Obama insensitive to poor people
When will we wake up to the understanding that these people don"t live in the same world as the rest of us?
They are not like us; none of them, the politicians or the pundits.
They don"t worry about things like the price of milk or what it costs to fill the family car.
They don"t worry about putting their kids through collage.
They don"t worry about things like retirement or healthcare or crime in their gated communities.
What they know about us, the American people, comes from polls conducted by corporate owned media centers. They live in a bubble and pick and choose whom to interact with.
How amazing is it that come election time they all roll up their shirtsleeves and pretend to be Joe Public, and how much more amazing is it that we continue to buy the act.
All three of these candidates are current serving US senators, although by viewing their complete avoidance of actual legislation; the extension of Nafta into Peru, two six hundred billion dollar spending bills, and this week, the extension of the Farm Bill, one might find it hard to surmise what any of these candidates would actually do if elected.
Would that the Press focus on their actual, current jobs, and start treating this election as something more that political entertainment; perhaps then the American people could begin to separate the candidates from their media personas. posted 04/28/2008 at 08:48:14
They are not like us; none of them, the politicians or the pundits.
They don"t worry about things like the price of milk or what it costs to fill the family car.
They don"t worry about putting their kids through collage.
They don"t worry about things like retirement or healthcare or crime in their gated communities.
What they know about us, the American people, comes from polls conducted by corporate owned media centers. They live in a bubble and pick and choose whom to interact with.
How amazing is it that come election time they all roll up their shirtsleeves and pretend to be Joe Public, and how much more amazing is it that we continue to buy the act.
All three of these candidates are current serving US senators, although by viewing their complete avoidance of actual legislation; the extension of Nafta into Peru, two six hundred billion dollar spending bills, and this week, the extension of the Farm Bill, one might find it hard to surmise what any of these candidates would actually do if elected.
Would that the Press focus on their actual, current jobs, and start treating this election as something more that political entertainment; perhaps then the American people could begin to separate the candidates from their media personas. posted 04/28/2008 at 08:48:14
Global Food Crisis Worst In A Generation, World's Poor Suffer Most
How obscene is it that while facing a World food crisis, we continue to pay wealthy landowners billions of dollars TO NOT GROW FOOD.
This week the Congress is scheduled to debate (and quickly pass) a continuation of the Farm Bill through 2012. In 2005 alone, when pretax farm profits were at a near-record $72 billion, the federal government handed out more than $25 billion in aid, almost 50 percent more than the amount it pays to families receiving welfare.
The largest annual subsidy, called direct and countercyclical payments, is given to farmers regardless of what crops they grow " or whether they grow anything at all. The Washington Post found that, since 2001, at least $1.3 billion was paid to landowners who had planted nothing since 2000.
The current Farm Bill expires May 2nd, this Saturday, and its" renewal has received no real opposition from either Party. In fact Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has added a provision which will extend Farm subsidies to race horses.
Race horses!
In a world faced with starvation, this bill more than any other highlights the warped priorities of our leaders and their complete indifference to the needs of society as a whole.
Strange, how the media has paid it so very little attention. posted 04/28/2008 at 09:05:12
This week the Congress is scheduled to debate (and quickly pass) a continuation of the Farm Bill through 2012. In 2005 alone, when pretax farm profits were at a near-record $72 billion, the federal government handed out more than $25 billion in aid, almost 50 percent more than the amount it pays to families receiving welfare.
The largest annual subsidy, called direct and countercyclical payments, is given to farmers regardless of what crops they grow " or whether they grow anything at all. The Washington Post found that, since 2001, at least $1.3 billion was paid to landowners who had planted nothing since 2000.
The current Farm Bill expires May 2nd, this Saturday, and its" renewal has received no real opposition from either Party. In fact Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has added a provision which will extend Farm subsidies to race horses.
Race horses!
In a world faced with starvation, this bill more than any other highlights the warped priorities of our leaders and their complete indifference to the needs of society as a whole.
Strange, how the media has paid it so very little attention. posted 04/28/2008 at 09:05:12
McCain Exploited Legal Loophole To Use Wife's Jet On The Cheap
Not to be taken as in any way supportive of John McCain, but damn, wouldn"t it be nice to focus on some actual issues in this debate.
We seem to have forgotten that these three candidates still have actual jobs in the US Senate.
This week Congress will most likely vote, and pass, the Farm bill; perhaps the largest collection of government handouts on the planet. How incredibly obscene is it that while we struggle with an economy in recession and an increasing world food shortage, that our Congress is once again set to spend billions of our tax dollars to PAY PEOPLE TO NOT GROW FOOD.
Yet we"ve not heard a peep from the Candidates or the press about this 300 billion-dollar obscenity, which will undoubtedly pass on a 3 AM vote.
We shouldn"t be surprised I supposed; much of the legislation of the past year has been strenuously avoided by ALL the candidates, including the extension of Nafta into Peru, and two six hundred billion dollar spending bills this past winter.
God forbid these people should actually take a stand and LEAD BY EXAMPLE.
And God forbid the press should treat this race as anything more than personalities, polls, and scandals. posted 04/27/2008 at 09:35:51
We seem to have forgotten that these three candidates still have actual jobs in the US Senate.
This week Congress will most likely vote, and pass, the Farm bill; perhaps the largest collection of government handouts on the planet. How incredibly obscene is it that while we struggle with an economy in recession and an increasing world food shortage, that our Congress is once again set to spend billions of our tax dollars to PAY PEOPLE TO NOT GROW FOOD.
Yet we"ve not heard a peep from the Candidates or the press about this 300 billion-dollar obscenity, which will undoubtedly pass on a 3 AM vote.
We shouldn"t be surprised I supposed; much of the legislation of the past year has been strenuously avoided by ALL the candidates, including the extension of Nafta into Peru, and two six hundred billion dollar spending bills this past winter.
God forbid these people should actually take a stand and LEAD BY EXAMPLE.
And God forbid the press should treat this race as anything more than personalities, polls, and scandals. posted 04/27/2008 at 09:35:51
Democrats Fear Clinton's Attacks May Cause Racial Backlash
What a truly rude and ignorant thing to say.
I guess this comes from the same sense of entitlement that the Clinton camp always seems to bring to the contest.
Of course the Obama supporters will support Hillary in the general;
short of a viable third party candidate, where is the choice?
Business as usual DLC style or Business as usual RNC style.
It's been said the difference is this: the Democrats meet lobbyists at fundraisers while the Republicans give them an office in the West Wing.
We'll take corruption Clinton style any day; but allow us to imagine that we could have done better. posted 04/26/2008 at 16:05:37
I guess this comes from the same sense of entitlement that the Clinton camp always seems to bring to the contest.
Of course the Obama supporters will support Hillary in the general;
short of a viable third party candidate, where is the choice?
Business as usual DLC style or Business as usual RNC style.
It's been said the difference is this: the Democrats meet lobbyists at fundraisers while the Republicans give them an office in the West Wing.
We'll take corruption Clinton style any day; but allow us to imagine that we could have done better. posted 04/26/2008 at 16:05:37
Wow really bought the whole package, eh?
I'm sure Ms. Clinton really IS just a nice old lady who wants to help all the poor people in the country.
Sure.
You know before calling other people morons, try stepping back a pace and taking a real look
at a totally pragmatic ruthless politician,
who looks very nice on TV.
You know perhaps she is the most qualified... the most qualified to deal with the Insurance lobby and defense lobby and billions of dollars in corporate handouts, but she is also the most likely to
maintain a status quo, corporate run, revolving door government.
Some of us think we deserve better. posted 04/26/2008 at 15:57:12
I'm sure Ms. Clinton really IS just a nice old lady who wants to help all the poor people in the country.
Sure.
You know before calling other people morons, try stepping back a pace and taking a real look
at a totally pragmatic ruthless politician,
who looks very nice on TV.
You know perhaps she is the most qualified... the most qualified to deal with the Insurance lobby and defense lobby and billions of dollars in corporate handouts, but she is also the most likely to
maintain a status quo, corporate run, revolving door government.
Some of us think we deserve better. posted 04/26/2008 at 15:57:12
Obama is the liar here?
And the Clintons just, uhmmmmm, misstate things when they're tired ... three or four times ... and maybe just exaggerate a little.
You know that seems to be the one real difference between the candidates;
that Obama may not be right, but he doesn't deliberately misstate the facts (sometime known as lying).
After seven years of being manipulated it has been frankly refreshing to hear from someone who actually seems to believe the words coming from his mouth.
Calling Obama THE liar is like, well the pot calling the kettle ... posted 04/26/2008 at 15:48:07
And the Clintons just, uhmmmmm, misstate things when they're tired ... three or four times ... and maybe just exaggerate a little.
You know that seems to be the one real difference between the candidates;
that Obama may not be right, but he doesn't deliberately misstate the facts (sometime known as lying).
After seven years of being manipulated it has been frankly refreshing to hear from someone who actually seems to believe the words coming from his mouth.
Calling Obama THE liar is like, well the pot calling the kettle ... posted 04/26/2008 at 15:48:07
Yes, I suppose I am confused at that.
I'm confused that while it appears Clinton is supported by the same big money K-street backers as McCain, she is always playing the "populist" on TV.
When her support comes from such regular folks as PFIZER INC., AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS PAC,
THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
AFLAC INCORPORATED POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
DUPONT GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND,
HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP INC ADVOCATES FUND,
BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
MICROSOFT CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
WAL-MART STORES INC.,
LOCKHEED MARTIN, and the TIME WARNER POLITICAL ACTION CMTE.
Just to name a few,
where do you think her real interests lie?
Confused?
I mean it's nice that you bought the package that there is this great difference between the DLC and the RNC, but at the end of the day, they all serve the same masters.
And believe me, it ain't you. posted 04/26/2008 at 15:36:19
I'm confused that while it appears Clinton is supported by the same big money K-street backers as McCain, she is always playing the "populist" on TV.
When her support comes from such regular folks as PFIZER INC., AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS PAC,
THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
AFLAC INCORPORATED POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
DUPONT GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND,
HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP INC ADVOCATES FUND,
BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
MICROSOFT CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
WAL-MART STORES INC.,
LOCKHEED MARTIN, and the TIME WARNER POLITICAL ACTION CMTE.
Just to name a few,
where do you think her real interests lie?
Confused?
I mean it's nice that you bought the package that there is this great difference between the DLC and the RNC, but at the end of the day, they all serve the same masters.
And believe me, it ain't you. posted 04/26/2008 at 15:36:19
Why should we be surprised that the Clinton and McCain camps seem to be continually on the same page?
As Michael Moore said "The richest 2 percent of Americans are represented by 2 political parties.
The other 98 percent are represented by NO political party."
Obama for better or worse represents the first real challenge to the status quo, corporate ownership of a revolving door government.
Expect the Republican Party, who afterall have the same backers as the DLC, to do everything in their power to insure that a genuine reformer never sets foot in the oval office;
even if that means supporting the other candidate, as they did with Liberman in 2006.
It"s one thing to preach change at political rallies, it"s another to actually upset the "system"
"What you want in a system is ostensible diversity that conceals an actual uniformity"
Gobbels posted 04/26/2008 at 15:02:43
As Michael Moore said "The richest 2 percent of Americans are represented by 2 political parties.
The other 98 percent are represented by NO political party."
Obama for better or worse represents the first real challenge to the status quo, corporate ownership of a revolving door government.
Expect the Republican Party, who afterall have the same backers as the DLC, to do everything in their power to insure that a genuine reformer never sets foot in the oval office;
even if that means supporting the other candidate, as they did with Liberman in 2006.
It"s one thing to preach change at political rallies, it"s another to actually upset the "system"
"What you want in a system is ostensible diversity that conceals an actual uniformity"
Gobbels posted 04/26/2008 at 15:02:43
In a recent New York Times interview Congressman Clyburn, the number three ranking Democrat in congress, revealed that there was a feeling that Senator Clinton was deliberately attempting to make Obama unelectable in the general; the assumption being that if McCain won in November, she, Hillary, could run against him in 0-12.
The point missed is that this may be is less about a Clinton run in 0-12 than it is about
this election, this year, and which candidates are and are not "acceptable" to the our corporate owned government.
What seemed surprising on it"s face, appears less incredible when one looks at the actual backing of these candidates. The big money side of the Democratic Party is supported by the very same interests that have supported the Republican candidates for years. In point of fact, the differences between Clinton and McCain, and here we are speaking about fundamental reform in government priorities, are in fact fewer than the differences between Clinton and Obama.
David Sirota has famously said that there are two parties in Washington, the People party and the Money party.
At the end of the day Clinton is acceptable to the powers that be, Obama is not.
The defense industry, insurance industry, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and all the other "special" interests, have two horses in this race, not one.
Is it any wonder that Clinton and McCain seem to be reading from the same teleprompter?
The fact is, they are basically on the same team. posted 04/26/2008 at 09:44:22
The point missed is that this may be is less about a Clinton run in 0-12 than it is about
this election, this year, and which candidates are and are not "acceptable" to the our corporate owned government.
What seemed surprising on it"s face, appears less incredible when one looks at the actual backing of these candidates. The big money side of the Democratic Party is supported by the very same interests that have supported the Republican candidates for years. In point of fact, the differences between Clinton and McCain, and here we are speaking about fundamental reform in government priorities, are in fact fewer than the differences between Clinton and Obama.
David Sirota has famously said that there are two parties in Washington, the People party and the Money party.
At the end of the day Clinton is acceptable to the powers that be, Obama is not.
The defense industry, insurance industry, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and all the other "special" interests, have two horses in this race, not one.
Is it any wonder that Clinton and McCain seem to be reading from the same teleprompter?
The fact is, they are basically on the same team. posted 04/26/2008 at 09:44:22
US Weighing Readiness For Military Action Against Iran
We need to remember that these are still the same Neocons who formulated their world view in right wing think tanks and have been trying to force reality to fit their views ever since.
It should have been obvious from the beginning that we could not secure Iraq without the help of an operational Iraqi security force; which Bremer promptly disbanded (with their weapons), so the fact that attacking Iran is functionally insane should not preclude the obvious intent of this administration to pursue that very course.
One need remember that Bush considers himself a misunderstood genius whom history will vindicate and Cheney virtually lives in a bubble, surrounded by yes-men and requires that every TV within earshot is turned to FOX news (I"m not making this up ¦ the man literally lives in his own Neocon bubble).
If we don"t take the matches away from these people, and soon, we will find ouselves embroiled in an international disaster of unimaginable proportions. posted 04/26/2008 at 15:19:40
It should have been obvious from the beginning that we could not secure Iraq without the help of an operational Iraqi security force; which Bremer promptly disbanded (with their weapons), so the fact that attacking Iran is functionally insane should not preclude the obvious intent of this administration to pursue that very course.
One need remember that Bush considers himself a misunderstood genius whom history will vindicate and Cheney virtually lives in a bubble, surrounded by yes-men and requires that every TV within earshot is turned to FOX news (I"m not making this up ¦ the man literally lives in his own Neocon bubble).
If we don"t take the matches away from these people, and soon, we will find ouselves embroiled in an international disaster of unimaginable proportions. posted 04/26/2008 at 15:19:40
Let"s see now ¦ Fallon, a man described the THE lone voice against taking military action against Iran,suddenly resigns, only to be replaced by General Patraeus, Bush"s yes-man in Iraq.
On the day that Fallon resigns, a fourth carrier group sails from San Diego for the Persian Gulf.
Patraeus deftly fields softballs from McCain and others while testifying before Congress.
Among the questions Patraeus is asked if Iranian actions are killing Americans in Iraq to which he enthusiastically agrees.
Patreaus and Crocker are less forthright in their answers to Boxer and others who want an explanation of Iranian involvement WITHIN the Iraqi government, the very government that we support to the tune of 12 billion dollars a month. Boxer also seems incredulous that the President of Iran is greeted with flowers and kisses while our own President must meet secretly in a desert location.
Patraeus and Crocker simply say that the situation is "complicated".
Complicated indeed.
Petraeus, who was nominated this week to head all U.S. forces in the Middle East, is preparing a briefing to lay out detailed evidence of increased Iranian involvement in Iraq. The briefing will detail, for example, the discovery in Iraq of weapons that were very recently manufactured in Iran.
Anyone see a pattern here? Can there be any doubt where this is heading? posted 04/26/2008 at 14:44:37
On the day that Fallon resigns, a fourth carrier group sails from San Diego for the Persian Gulf.
Patraeus deftly fields softballs from McCain and others while testifying before Congress.
Among the questions Patraeus is asked if Iranian actions are killing Americans in Iraq to which he enthusiastically agrees.
Patreaus and Crocker are less forthright in their answers to Boxer and others who want an explanation of Iranian involvement WITHIN the Iraqi government, the very government that we support to the tune of 12 billion dollars a month. Boxer also seems incredulous that the President of Iran is greeted with flowers and kisses while our own President must meet secretly in a desert location.
Patraeus and Crocker simply say that the situation is "complicated".
Complicated indeed.
Petraeus, who was nominated this week to head all U.S. forces in the Middle East, is preparing a briefing to lay out detailed evidence of increased Iranian involvement in Iraq. The briefing will detail, for example, the discovery in Iraq of weapons that were very recently manufactured in Iran.
Anyone see a pattern here? Can there be any doubt where this is heading? posted 04/26/2008 at 14:44:37
Consumer Confidence Hits 26-Year Low
Looking at our Congress however, one would think the economy is flush with cash.
As we sink into recession and are faced with a growing food crisis, HR 2419, the continuation of the Farm Bill through 2012, will continue to give away billions of dollars to land owners who grow absolutely nothing.
In 2005 alone, when pretax farm profits were at a near-record $72 billion, the federal government handed out more than $25 billion in aid, almost 50 percent more than the amount it pays to families receiving welfare.
The largest annual subsidy, called direct and countercyclical payments, is given to farmers regardless of what crops they grow " or whether they grow anything at all. The Washington Post found that, since 2001, at least $1.3 billion was paid to landowners who had planted nothing since 2000. Among the beneficiaries were homeowners in new developments whose backyards used to be rice fields.
The agricultural lobby, one of the strongest special interests on the hill with 80 million spent on lobbying in 2007 alone, have made the government handouts virtually untouchable in either chamber of Congress.
One is waiting to see if and when the Democratic "leadership" will attempt to sneak the legislation into law before the May 2nd expiration date and if there will be anyone, ANYONE, willing to stand up and speak for the American people. posted 04/26/2008 at 09:53:02
As we sink into recession and are faced with a growing food crisis, HR 2419, the continuation of the Farm Bill through 2012, will continue to give away billions of dollars to land owners who grow absolutely nothing.
In 2005 alone, when pretax farm profits were at a near-record $72 billion, the federal government handed out more than $25 billion in aid, almost 50 percent more than the amount it pays to families receiving welfare.
The largest annual subsidy, called direct and countercyclical payments, is given to farmers regardless of what crops they grow " or whether they grow anything at all. The Washington Post found that, since 2001, at least $1.3 billion was paid to landowners who had planted nothing since 2000. Among the beneficiaries were homeowners in new developments whose backyards used to be rice fields.
The agricultural lobby, one of the strongest special interests on the hill with 80 million spent on lobbying in 2007 alone, have made the government handouts virtually untouchable in either chamber of Congress.
One is waiting to see if and when the Democratic "leadership" will attempt to sneak the legislation into law before the May 2nd expiration date and if there will be anyone, ANYONE, willing to stand up and speak for the American people. posted 04/26/2008 at 09:53:02
Clinton Slams Democratic Activists At Private Fundraiser
The "sickness" in the Democratic party can better be seen in the two six hundred billion dollar spending bills passed in the last few months, the thousands of earmarks, fast tracked trade deals, or the be-partisan support in Congress every time the pork begins to flow.
If you want to see some 'sickness" wait until the Farm bill comes out of committee.
One has to wonder when supporting the working class in this country started being considered the "radical far left". posted 04/19/2008 at 07:55:27
If you want to see some 'sickness" wait until the Farm bill comes out of committee.
One has to wonder when supporting the working class in this country started being considered the "radical far left". posted 04/19/2008 at 07:55:27
Seems every day Hillary points up the differences in the Democratic Party.
There are those who actually believe in change (in the minority) and the
DLC big money K-street supported "leadership" who aren't real progressives
but only play them on TV.
It should be apparent to all of us by now, that changing the Whitehouse is only
a first step; we Democrats need to take a serious look at our own party and
see that our "representatives" actually represent our interests.
Now that Hillary has broken with the grass roots populist movements that have
supported her in the past in favor of big money old style politics, the choice is clear.
These two candidates are NOT on the same page.
No matter what her writers tell her to say; Hillary is certainly NOT the voice of change. posted 04/19/2008 at 07:25:52
There are those who actually believe in change (in the minority) and the
DLC big money K-street supported "leadership" who aren't real progressives
but only play them on TV.
It should be apparent to all of us by now, that changing the Whitehouse is only
a first step; we Democrats need to take a serious look at our own party and
see that our "representatives" actually represent our interests.
Now that Hillary has broken with the grass roots populist movements that have
supported her in the past in favor of big money old style politics, the choice is clear.
These two candidates are NOT on the same page.
No matter what her writers tell her to say; Hillary is certainly NOT the voice of change. posted 04/19/2008 at 07:25:52
Pentagon Institute: Iraq War "A Major Debacle," Outcome "Is In Doubt"
In a Bill Moyer's interview, reporter and bureau chief Leila Fadel, provided a more concise and realistic appraisal of the current situation in Iraq than Crocker and Petraeus did in two days of testifying.... and she's twenty six years old.
Of most interest to those still sounding the praises of the Iraqi democracy would be her take on whom this "democracy" consists of, mostly Iranian supported Shiite extremists, and the spin that the Maliki "government" is fighting the militias when the government is comprised of nothing but militias (in particular those of Al Hakim's Supreme Council, who now basically ARE the police force, as well as the PDK, and every tin plate warlord with his hand out for American cash and weapons), That this rather fragile peace, if one can call it that, is predicated on walling off the factions and paying all sides to stop killing each other.
Also of paramount importance to the success of the "surge" is an agreement with AlSadar, whose hatred for America knows no bounds, to continue his cease fire while we continue directly and through corruption to fill his coffers.
One has to wonder if the Bush bubbleheads would continue to support this war if they had the slightest clue whom we're supporting.
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04182008/watch.html posted 04/19/2008 at 07:37:59
Of most interest to those still sounding the praises of the Iraqi democracy would be her take on whom this "democracy" consists of, mostly Iranian supported Shiite extremists, and the spin that the Maliki "government" is fighting the militias when the government is comprised of nothing but militias (in particular those of Al Hakim's Supreme Council, who now basically ARE the police force, as well as the PDK, and every tin plate warlord with his hand out for American cash and weapons), That this rather fragile peace, if one can call it that, is predicated on walling off the factions and paying all sides to stop killing each other.
Also of paramount importance to the success of the "surge" is an agreement with AlSadar, whose hatred for America knows no bounds, to continue his cease fire while we continue directly and through corruption to fill his coffers.
One has to wonder if the Bush bubbleheads would continue to support this war if they had the slightest clue whom we're supporting.
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04182008/watch.html posted 04/19/2008 at 07:37:59
The ABC Debate: A Shameful Night for the U.S. Media
It did seem at times that Obama was not so much questioned as interrogated.
Time and again his answers were interrupted, as the "moderators" seemed determined to prove the Republican talking points; the Democrats are going to take away your guns and raise your taxes.
The pundits at ABC apparently didn"t get the memo; the old formulas no longer apply.
Although there is still a small Republican base that have been parroting the same talking points for the past forty years, most of the country have moved on to more important issues.
When their sons are dying in Iraq for a people they frankly couldn"t care less about, when they can no longer afford to put food on their table or gas in their cars, when they see their jobs going overseas while CEOs continue to get richer, when they see our bridges crumbling and our dollar falling, when healthcare is out of reach, then the American people are less likely to buy the Republican spin.
It's become obvious that the pundits don"t understand actual middle class Americans any more than the politicians do.
ABC"s "debate" last night was a display of that same inside-the-beltway thinking that has been so wrong so often in this race.
It was indeed an embarrassing performance, and points up just how much the media has gotten out of touch with America. posted 04/17/2008 at 08:31:54
Time and again his answers were interrupted, as the "moderators" seemed determined to prove the Republican talking points; the Democrats are going to take away your guns and raise your taxes.
The pundits at ABC apparently didn"t get the memo; the old formulas no longer apply.
Although there is still a small Republican base that have been parroting the same talking points for the past forty years, most of the country have moved on to more important issues.
When their sons are dying in Iraq for a people they frankly couldn"t care less about, when they can no longer afford to put food on their table or gas in their cars, when they see their jobs going overseas while CEOs continue to get richer, when they see our bridges crumbling and our dollar falling, when healthcare is out of reach, then the American people are less likely to buy the Republican spin.
It's become obvious that the pundits don"t understand actual middle class Americans any more than the politicians do.
ABC"s "debate" last night was a display of that same inside-the-beltway thinking that has been so wrong so often in this race.
It was indeed an embarrassing performance, and points up just how much the media has gotten out of touch with America. posted 04/17/2008 at 08:31:54
Bill Clinton Suggests Young Voters Too Easily Fooled
The rubes and the elites?
Let"s face it; these people don"t live in the same world as the rest of us.
THEY are not like us; none of them, the market managers or their Washington whores.
They don"t worry about things like the price of milk or what it costs to fill the family car.
They don"t worry about putting their kids through collage.
They don"t worry about things like retirement or healthcare or crime in their gated communities.
What they know about us, the American public, comes from polls conducted by corporate owned media centers. They live in a bubble and pick and choose whom to interact with.
Elitists? They are all elitists, the politicians and the pundits.
What sets Obama apart is his willingness to go beyond the talking points and discuss reality with the American public as if they are adults; we feel a connection to him that goes beyond simple politics.
We believe that HE believes, and beyond all else, we Americans are looking for a leader who actually believes.
And while the "errors" by McCain and Hillary may seem small in the scheme of things, fundamentally the idea that either of them will knowingly distribute misinformation, also known as LIES, goes to the very heart of their relationship with the voter.
As to Bill and Hillary being a "healing" influence in the Party ...
Please! posted 04/16/2008 at 07:40:42
Let"s face it; these people don"t live in the same world as the rest of us.
THEY are not like us; none of them, the market managers or their Washington whores.
They don"t worry about things like the price of milk or what it costs to fill the family car.
They don"t worry about putting their kids through collage.
They don"t worry about things like retirement or healthcare or crime in their gated communities.
What they know about us, the American public, comes from polls conducted by corporate owned media centers. They live in a bubble and pick and choose whom to interact with.
Elitists? They are all elitists, the politicians and the pundits.
What sets Obama apart is his willingness to go beyond the talking points and discuss reality with the American public as if they are adults; we feel a connection to him that goes beyond simple politics.
We believe that HE believes, and beyond all else, we Americans are looking for a leader who actually believes.
And while the "errors" by McCain and Hillary may seem small in the scheme of things, fundamentally the idea that either of them will knowingly distribute misinformation, also known as LIES, goes to the very heart of their relationship with the voter.
As to Bill and Hillary being a "healing" influence in the Party ...
Please! posted 04/16/2008 at 07:40:42
Bill and Hillary are just beside themselves.
They got the big money backing of the DLC, lobbyists galore, have played politics by the book, and Jesus, this Obama guy just keeps pulling ahead.
Last week they caught him in a "misstatement" (involving guns AND religion no less) and they just can"t seem to get any mileage out of it.
American politics are simply not supposed to work like this.
Damn those American kids who just won"t vote like they"re supposed to¦
Damnitall anyway! posted 04/16/2008 at 07:33:04
They got the big money backing of the DLC, lobbyists galore, have played politics by the book, and Jesus, this Obama guy just keeps pulling ahead.
Last week they caught him in a "misstatement" (involving guns AND religion no less) and they just can"t seem to get any mileage out of it.
American politics are simply not supposed to work like this.
Damn those American kids who just won"t vote like they"re supposed to¦
Damnitall anyway! posted 04/16/2008 at 07:33:04
Iraq Army Unit Flees Post Despite US Soldiers' Pleas
Perhaps when we can call them "THE IRAQI FORCES" , when they actually have a loyalty to the "government" above and beyond their loyalty to some sectarian group.
This isn't about a united centralized government fighting radical forces, this is about INFIGHTING amongst various Shiite factions for control. posted 04/16/2008 at 08:28:10
This isn't about a united centralized government fighting radical forces, this is about INFIGHTING amongst various Shiite factions for control. posted 04/16/2008 at 08:28:10
So what"s plan B now? ¦ Oh that"s right we don"t have a plan B.
After five years we still haven"t got it through our heads that the Iraqi government is not going to congeal into a united government with a non-sectarian military force.
Oh well, give them a few more billion dollars and perhaps they"ll rejoin the fight. posted 04/16/2008 at 07:51:24
After five years we still haven"t got it through our heads that the Iraqi government is not going to congeal into a united government with a non-sectarian military force.
Oh well, give them a few more billion dollars and perhaps they"ll rejoin the fight. posted 04/16/2008 at 07:51:24
McCainomics: A Double Dose of the Same Poison
Warren Buffet recently made the comment that there is indeed class warfare, and his class is winning.
"so lets raise taxes and give the government even more of our dollars to waste".
... If you want to see some waste watch the Farm Bill come out of committee this week, or look at the 600 plus billion dollar spending bills passed in the last few months.
THE GOVERNMENT IS RUN BY AND FOR CORPORATIONS, so while you struggle to fill up your gas tank, go ahead and blame it on those tax and spend liberals;
or wake up and smell the coffee. posted 04/16/2008 at 12:14:21
Indeed.
Chris Matthews for one seems to be a regular McCain cheerleader.
Lately he's been constantly making the statement that McCain has a 50 percent chance of becoming President.
Apparently Matthews has been reading some insider poll not available to the rest of us. posted 04/16/2008 at 12:07:46
Chris Matthews for one seems to be a regular McCain cheerleader.
Lately he's been constantly making the statement that McCain has a 50 percent chance of becoming President.
Apparently Matthews has been reading some insider poll not available to the rest of us. posted 04/16/2008 at 12:07:46
Here"s a few choice words about McCain's gas tax proposal in todays Crooks and Liars.
"McCain wants to shave 18 cents off the price of a gallon of gas by temporarily waving federal taxes. It would cost $11 billion a year.
This is a remarkably bad idea.
The federal gasoline tax represents a flat fee of 18.4 cents a gallon nationwide. With gasoline currently averaging $3.39 a gallon, the tax represents a mere 5 percent of today"s pump price. While that"s not trivial, consider that gasoline prices have more than doubled since 2004.
For that matter, federal gas taxes go towards rebuilding and maintaining roads and highways. Cutting the gas tax would mean less investment in infrastructure " a very dangerous approach right now " and fewer jobs."
Like most of the McCain platform, this idea was created by pollsters not so concerned with what will work, but what will play with the American voter. McCain"s economics, as his politics, are for a lost era where the public would buy anything, and genuinely believed that what was good for General Motors WAS good for America.
Times have changed Senator. Time to come out of the bubble and take a long hard look at what remains of our infrastructural economy and start promoting what IS good for America; investment IN America. posted 04/16/2008 at 10:25:47
"McCain wants to shave 18 cents off the price of a gallon of gas by temporarily waving federal taxes. It would cost $11 billion a year.
This is a remarkably bad idea.
The federal gasoline tax represents a flat fee of 18.4 cents a gallon nationwide. With gasoline currently averaging $3.39 a gallon, the tax represents a mere 5 percent of today"s pump price. While that"s not trivial, consider that gasoline prices have more than doubled since 2004.
For that matter, federal gas taxes go towards rebuilding and maintaining roads and highways. Cutting the gas tax would mean less investment in infrastructure " a very dangerous approach right now " and fewer jobs."
Like most of the McCain platform, this idea was created by pollsters not so concerned with what will work, but what will play with the American voter. McCain"s economics, as his politics, are for a lost era where the public would buy anything, and genuinely believed that what was good for General Motors WAS good for America.
Times have changed Senator. Time to come out of the bubble and take a long hard look at what remains of our infrastructural economy and start promoting what IS good for America; investment IN America. posted 04/16/2008 at 10:25:47
Much of McCain"s economic platform seems to involve simplistic notions with a bow to the Holy Grail of Republican dogma, Reganism; this unwavering insistence that by making the Rich richer, the economy as a whole will be strengthened. The message seems to be designed for blind followers who have little knowledge of economics, or history, and will except a flawed premise on the weight of dogma alone.
Take for instance the McCain healthcare "plan": Reduce taxes so Americans can afford insurance.
Only in Republicana, that mysterious Ayn Rand utopia, could a few hundred dollar tax reduction purchase full medical coverage, but no matter. We are left to believe that allowing the insurance industry to pick and choose participants on "pre-existing" conditions while pocketing 22 percent of the healthcare dollar is indeed the American way. Other systems are branded "socialist" even while employed in such capitalist bastions as Japan and Switzerland.
McCain"s message is old and stale and its result obvious across America; that is the America where one in ten Americans are expected to be on foodstamps by the end of the year. While FOX and Rush continue to preach that all is well in Republicana, at the end of the day being unable to fill the gas tank or put food on the table provides its own argument for change. posted 04/16/2008 at 10:10:16
Take for instance the McCain healthcare "plan": Reduce taxes so Americans can afford insurance.
Only in Republicana, that mysterious Ayn Rand utopia, could a few hundred dollar tax reduction purchase full medical coverage, but no matter. We are left to believe that allowing the insurance industry to pick and choose participants on "pre-existing" conditions while pocketing 22 percent of the healthcare dollar is indeed the American way. Other systems are branded "socialist" even while employed in such capitalist bastions as Japan and Switzerland.
McCain"s message is old and stale and its result obvious across America; that is the America where one in ten Americans are expected to be on foodstamps by the end of the year. While FOX and Rush continue to preach that all is well in Republicana, at the end of the day being unable to fill the gas tank or put food on the table provides its own argument for change. posted 04/16/2008 at 10:10:16
The Power and Responsibility of our Nation's Broadcasters
Nicely put.
We seem to forget that the airways are owned by the American people and are leased to the broadcasting corporations with an understanding that they have a statutory obligation to serve the public good.
When a broadcasting company deliberately broadcasts false information, then it is no longer serving the public good. The FCC has always enforced standards, some would say censorship, over the airways.
It is their mandate as the regulatory body to insure that community airways are being used in the public interest.
How then can the FCC enforce standards for decency, morality, and violence, and not enforce a standard for truth?
When FOX News was sued by two employees who were discharged for refusing to report false information, a finding for the plaintiffs was overturned on appeal. The court basically decided that it was not illegal for FOX to deliberately dispense false information.
One has to wonder how a corporation can abuse the public trust in such a manner and be found to be within their legal rights to do so.
FOX does not own the airwaves, nor does it have a divine right to use them.
Perhaps with an administration more deferential to the public good, we will have an FCC dedicated to protecting a public trust, and not the interests of a few major corporations.
Perhaps in another age, truth might be considered a "standard" as well. posted 04/16/2008 at 08:41:23
We seem to forget that the airways are owned by the American people and are leased to the broadcasting corporations with an understanding that they have a statutory obligation to serve the public good.
When a broadcasting company deliberately broadcasts false information, then it is no longer serving the public good. The FCC has always enforced standards, some would say censorship, over the airways.
It is their mandate as the regulatory body to insure that community airways are being used in the public interest.
How then can the FCC enforce standards for decency, morality, and violence, and not enforce a standard for truth?
When FOX News was sued by two employees who were discharged for refusing to report false information, a finding for the plaintiffs was overturned on appeal. The court basically decided that it was not illegal for FOX to deliberately dispense false information.
One has to wonder how a corporation can abuse the public trust in such a manner and be found to be within their legal rights to do so.
FOX does not own the airwaves, nor does it have a divine right to use them.
Perhaps with an administration more deferential to the public good, we will have an FCC dedicated to protecting a public trust, and not the interests of a few major corporations.
Perhaps in another age, truth might be considered a "standard" as well. posted 04/16/2008 at 08:41:23
Obama Outraises Clinton Among Small Town Pennsylvanians
As opposed to the "populist" HRC whose major financing comes from such small town concerns as
PFIZER INC., AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS PAC,
THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
AFLAC INCORPORATED POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
DUPONT GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND,
HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP INC ADVOCATES FUND,
BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
MICROSOFT CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
WAL-MART STORES INC.,
LOCKHEED MARTIN, and the TIME WARNER POLITICAL ACTION CMTE.
Just to name a few.
Perhaps Obama may garner support from actual movers and shakers but he doesn't have to share the covers with them. posted 04/16/2008 at 09:20:16
PFIZER INC., AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS PAC,
THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
AFLAC INCORPORATED POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
DUPONT GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND,
HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP INC ADVOCATES FUND,
BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
MICROSOFT CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE,
WAL-MART STORES INC.,
LOCKHEED MARTIN, and the TIME WARNER POLITICAL ACTION CMTE.
Just to name a few.
Perhaps Obama may garner support from actual movers and shakers but he doesn't have to share the covers with them. posted 04/16/2008 at 09:20:16
Were it not for the McClintons gaming the system by stoking the public airwaves, the "issue" would have died already. While the political pundits simply cannot get enough of the Obama "mistake" (Chris Matthews has actually stated that he cannot see how Obama can recover) genuine news seems to have been missed entirely.
Some of the stories we"ve missed this week: The revelation that the leaders of our government have been personally involved in war crimes, that the Congress is once again ready to vote on a 300 plus billion dollar Farm Bill (by no means the only example of huge pork barrel misdirection of public funds, but certainly the most egregious and indefensible), or that the director of HUD was not only compliant in the home mortgage crisis, but has been accused of fraud and corruption as well.
But what are these stories compared to the entertainment value of a political race and the daily handicapping by the Washington elite?
One only wonders what this administration and Congress will be up to when the General Election heats up and all out attentions are diverted. posted 04/16/2008 at 09:12:21
Some of the stories we"ve missed this week: The revelation that the leaders of our government have been personally involved in war crimes, that the Congress is once again ready to vote on a 300 plus billion dollar Farm Bill (by no means the only example of huge pork barrel misdirection of public funds, but certainly the most egregious and indefensible), or that the director of HUD was not only compliant in the home mortgage crisis, but has been accused of fraud and corruption as well.
But what are these stories compared to the entertainment value of a political race and the daily handicapping by the Washington elite?
One only wonders what this administration and Congress will be up to when the General Election heats up and all out attentions are diverted. posted 04/16/2008 at 09:12:21
Jon Stewart Mocks Obama "Bitter" Controversy
You have to give Stewart credit on one thing; he was the only "news source" fake or otherwise, who have given any play to the admission that the top people in this administration met in the Oval office to discuss how and when to employ torture. Aside from the fact that all the lies about "a few bad apples" just went out the window, one would think that the fact that our government leaders could (and perhaps should) be tried as war criminals, would generate a story on the evening news or a string on Huffington.
You would think. posted 04/16/2008 at 08:36:44
You would think. posted 04/16/2008 at 08:36:44
Bill Clinton Flashback: "All These Economically Insecure White People...Are Scared To Death"
Wow, Hillary shot Ducks! Did she torture puppies as well?
You know, most people have already made up their minds over who represents the big money side of the Democratic Party and who speaks for the average working American. Pouncing like a vulture on every bit of phrasing may have worked in past elections, but things may be different this time around.
This is what the Clinton"s, and all the pundits, don"t seem to get.
Politics as usual just ain"t sellin this year. posted 04/14/2008 at 09:17:18
You know, most people have already made up their minds over who represents the big money side of the Democratic Party and who speaks for the average working American. Pouncing like a vulture on every bit of phrasing may have worked in past elections, but things may be different this time around.
This is what the Clinton"s, and all the pundits, don"t seem to get.
Politics as usual just ain"t sellin this year. posted 04/14/2008 at 09:17:18
Bushes Pay Taxes on $923,807 Income
...and the rich keep getting richer; so this is a surprise?
Next week, Congress will begin debate on the Farm bill, perhaps the largest collection of government handouts on the planet.
In 2005 alone, the federal government handed out more than $25 billion in aid, almost 50 percent more than the amount it pays to families receiving welfare.
The largest annual subsidy, called direct and countercyclical payments, is given to farmers regardless of what crops they grow " or whether they grow anything at all. The Washington Post found that, since 2001, at least $1.3 billion was paid to landowners who had planted nothing since 2000. Among the beneficiaries were homeowners in new developments whose backyards used to be rice fields.
The Farm and Insurance lobbies are arguably the two most powerful groups on the Hill.
Not only are the current level of expenditures not expected to be curtailed, they are expected to increase.
The one outlay which is not expected to increase, and may indeed be curtailed, is the food stamp program, which is also part of the Farm bill.
However Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has added a provision which will extend Farm subsidies to race horses. Race horses! Really!
Yes, Bush and Cheney should be smiling; They've led a virtual take-over of our government by corporate interests; I'm sure they'll be suitably rewarded. posted 04/12/2008 at 10:18:39
Next week, Congress will begin debate on the Farm bill, perhaps the largest collection of government handouts on the planet.
In 2005 alone, the federal government handed out more than $25 billion in aid, almost 50 percent more than the amount it pays to families receiving welfare.
The largest annual subsidy, called direct and countercyclical payments, is given to farmers regardless of what crops they grow " or whether they grow anything at all. The Washington Post found that, since 2001, at least $1.3 billion was paid to landowners who had planted nothing since 2000. Among the beneficiaries were homeowners in new developments whose backyards used to be rice fields.
The Farm and Insurance lobbies are arguably the two most powerful groups on the Hill.
Not only are the current level of expenditures not expected to be curtailed, they are expected to increase.
The one outlay which is not expected to increase, and may indeed be curtailed, is the food stamp program, which is also part of the Farm bill.
However Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has added a provision which will extend Farm subsidies to race horses. Race horses! Really!
Yes, Bush and Cheney should be smiling; They've led a virtual take-over of our government by corporate interests; I'm sure they'll be suitably rewarded. posted 04/12/2008 at 10:18:39
Obama: No Surprise That Hard-Pressed Pennsylvanians Turn Bitter
Agreed; Obama seems to be the one and only candidate willing to "tell it like it is". However, the Obama camp needs to remember that all too often it's about thirty second sound bites and not actual substance, and be a bit more carefull of what can be taken out of context.
Perhaps they also need to be reminded that both the Clinton and McCain camps are hovering over every word like vultures waiting to inflate the smallest mistake.
Despite the fact that political pundits are squirming in their seats waiting to see if the "error" will get legs (My God, he mentioned RELIGION AND GUNS in the same sentence),
hopefully voters will have gotten the actual message and see these attacks for what they are.
The message here is that people have lost faith in the government and have turned to what they feel they can trust; religion and their own self-protection. This was not a slap at Pennsylvanians, but an indictment of the government that has let them down. posted 04/12/2008 at 10:02:44
Perhaps they also need to be reminded that both the Clinton and McCain camps are hovering over every word like vultures waiting to inflate the smallest mistake.
Despite the fact that political pundits are squirming in their seats waiting to see if the "error" will get legs (My God, he mentioned RELIGION AND GUNS in the same sentence),
hopefully voters will have gotten the actual message and see these attacks for what they are.
The message here is that people have lost faith in the government and have turned to what they feel they can trust; religion and their own self-protection. This was not a slap at Pennsylvanians, but an indictment of the government that has let them down. posted 04/12/2008 at 10:02:44
General Petraeus: "We Haven't Turned Any Corners. We Haven't Seen Any Lights At The End Of The Tunnel"
Some of the most interesting questioning came from Senators regarding our strategy of buying off all sides in the Iraqi quagmire. In testimony last week, General McCaferty made the comment that we "we don"t own these people, we only rent them"; perhaps the most insightful comment made in testimony to Congress.
Barbara Boxer was incredulous over the fact that after all this time and money and effort, at the end of the day the Iranian president is more welcome in Baghdad than our own. Senator Finegold was able to (finally) bring into the discussion that this "government" we support are also Iranian supported extremists, and even some Republicans stopped lobbing softballs and wanted a realistic appraisal of what would constitute success, and when we could stop paying for it.
In fact neither Prataeus or Crocker could even offer a definition of success, let alone handicap the possibility.
So despite Liberman and McCain"s determination to paint a rosy picture of it"s future, it has become more than apparent, on both sides of the aisle, that our current policy in Iraq is flawed beyond belief.
The question is, will our Congress continue to support the war on the next supplemental, or are their "convictions" limited to making speeches? posted 04/09/2008 at 09:08:24
Barbara Boxer was incredulous over the fact that after all this time and money and effort, at the end of the day the Iranian president is more welcome in Baghdad than our own. Senator Finegold was able to (finally) bring into the discussion that this "government" we support are also Iranian supported extremists, and even some Republicans stopped lobbing softballs and wanted a realistic appraisal of what would constitute success, and when we could stop paying for it.
In fact neither Prataeus or Crocker could even offer a definition of success, let alone handicap the possibility.
So despite Liberman and McCain"s determination to paint a rosy picture of it"s future, it has become more than apparent, on both sides of the aisle, that our current policy in Iraq is flawed beyond belief.
The question is, will our Congress continue to support the war on the next supplemental, or are their "convictions" limited to making speeches? posted 04/09/2008 at 09:08:24
Secret US Plan Sets No Time Limit For US Presence In Iraq
A new assessment of U.S. policy in Iraq by the same experts who advised the original Iraq Study Group concludes that political progress is " so slow, halting and superficial" that the United States is no closer to being able to leave Iraq than it was a year ago.
The experts reassembled by the US. Institute of Peace, which convened the Iraq Study Group in 2006, went on to state
"The decentralized fragmented political dynamic in Iraq cannot be reversed".
So I guess one man"s "almost back to normal" is another man"s "irreversible fragmented political dynamic".
Hmmmmm, whom to believe? posted 04/08/2008 at 08:17:06
The experts reassembled by the US. Institute of Peace, which convened the Iraq Study Group in 2006, went on to state
"The decentralized fragmented political dynamic in Iraq cannot be reversed".
So I guess one man"s "almost back to normal" is another man"s "irreversible fragmented political dynamic".
Hmmmmm, whom to believe? posted 04/08/2008 at 08:17:06
Mark Penn Speaks (In Private): Will Still Advise Clintons, Calms Nervous Aides
Amazing how Senator Clinton can act shocked that Penn has been lobbying for the Colombians when the issue has been debated on the blogs for over a year now.
What exactly was Penn selling if not access to the next (at that time) presumptive candidate for US President?
Here"s one more example of HRC trying to have it both ways.
While being the candidate of the big money DLC segment of the Democratic Party, she continues trying to play a populist for the cameras.
Ms. Clinton was pro-NAFTA before it was in her interest to pretend to oppose the exporting of US Jobs and importing of cheap foreign labor. In much the same way, her healthcare plan opposed the insurance stranglehold before she began courting donations from AFLAC, BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD, and AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS PAC. Now she is all for what amounts to government subsidization while touting the fact that everyone will be required to have insurance.
The fact of the matter is that we don"t know where Ms. Clinton stands on any issue.
It all seems to depend on whom she"s talking to at the time. posted 04/08/2008 at 08:03:34
What exactly was Penn selling if not access to the next (at that time) presumptive candidate for US President?
Here"s one more example of HRC trying to have it both ways.
While being the candidate of the big money DLC segment of the Democratic Party, she continues trying to play a populist for the cameras.
Ms. Clinton was pro-NAFTA before it was in her interest to pretend to oppose the exporting of US Jobs and importing of cheap foreign labor. In much the same way, her healthcare plan opposed the insurance stranglehold before she began courting donations from AFLAC, BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD, and AMERICA'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS PAC. Now she is all for what amounts to government subsidization while touting the fact that everyone will be required to have insurance.
The fact of the matter is that we don"t know where Ms. Clinton stands on any issue.
It all seems to depend on whom she"s talking to at the time. posted 04/08/2008 at 08:03:34
Clinton Wants Bush To Boycott Olympic Opening Ceremonies
Yea, like Bush cares about civil rights. posted 04/07/2008 at 16:16:54
Petraeus' Call for a Pause is Really Just "Stay the Course 2.0"
A new assessment of U.S. policy in Iraq by the same experts who advised the original Iraq Study Group concludes that political progress is " so slow, halting and superficial" that the United States is no closer to being able to leave Iraq than it was a year ago.
The experts reassembled by the US. Institute of Peace, which convened the Iraq Study Group in 2006, went on to state
"The decentralized fragmented political dynamic in Iraq cannot be reversed".
So while the Good General is doing his best to rearrange the complicated Iraq pieces to produce "results", sucess can never be achieved by working on a flawed premise; that the Iraqi people will ever reconcile into a united democracy.
Time for a plan B people. After five years of war one would think the obvious should be, well obvious. posted 04/08/2008 at 08:22:24
The experts reassembled by the US. Institute of Peace, which convened the Iraq Study Group in 2006, went on to state
"The decentralized fragmented political dynamic in Iraq cannot be reversed".
So while the Good General is doing his best to rearrange the complicated Iraq pieces to produce "results", sucess can never be achieved by working on a flawed premise; that the Iraqi people will ever reconcile into a united democracy.
Time for a plan B people. After five years of war one would think the obvious should be, well obvious. posted 04/08/2008 at 08:22:24
On Journalism
While they may act sheepish when reminded of the groupthink mentality that lead to the war, little in the world of political punditry has changed.
The Whitehouse still sets the depth and boundaries of discourse, sometimes beyond the limits of reason, and mainstream media tags dutifully along.
Watching the Gridiron dinner with the press and politicos all yucking it up is enough to turn one"s stomach; like it"s all one big joke and only the insiders get it.
Thank God we have shows like Bill Moyer"s Journal, Now, Frontline, and Countdown; without them we"d have all been left in the dark. posted 04/07/2008 at 14:56:15
The Whitehouse still sets the depth and boundaries of discourse, sometimes beyond the limits of reason, and mainstream media tags dutifully along.
Watching the Gridiron dinner with the press and politicos all yucking it up is enough to turn one"s stomach; like it"s all one big joke and only the insiders get it.
Thank God we have shows like Bill Moyer"s Journal, Now, Frontline, and Countdown; without them we"d have all been left in the dark. posted 04/07/2008 at 14:56:15
McCain: Democrats' Stance on Iraq Flawed
He is still refusing to support the new GI bill, whose main oposition is (go figure) the Whitehouse.
The stated reason that the Whitehouse opposes the bill is because it will make it more appealing for people to leave the military.
i'.m not kidding.
It that just plain sick or what? posted 04/07/2008 at 16:14:13
The stated reason that the Whitehouse opposes the bill is because it will make it more appealing for people to leave the military.
i'.m not kidding.
It that just plain sick or what? posted 04/07/2008 at 16:14:13
Definately right on.
I would like to add however that to a large degree "people power" hinges on people being well informed.
We need to remember that we live in a Republic, not a Democracy.
We don"t all get together at public meetings, write and vote our laws; we elect representatives to do that that for us and we trust that they in turn will serve our interests.
Without a responsible media reporting on the actions of our government it is impossible for the electorate to make informed decisions.
Take that one step further to where we are today; where one party actually has it"s own news agencies presenting its propaganda as fact, while maintaining secrecy over all its dealings, and one can see the danger.
Perhaps the people do not so much get the government they deserve as the government they do not understand.
It was Gobbels that said,
" "If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State." posted 04/07/2008 at 15:41:52
I would like to add however that to a large degree "people power" hinges on people being well informed.
We need to remember that we live in a Republic, not a Democracy.
We don"t all get together at public meetings, write and vote our laws; we elect representatives to do that that for us and we trust that they in turn will serve our interests.
Without a responsible media reporting on the actions of our government it is impossible for the electorate to make informed decisions.
Take that one step further to where we are today; where one party actually has it"s own news agencies presenting its propaganda as fact, while maintaining secrecy over all its dealings, and one can see the danger.
Perhaps the people do not so much get the government they deserve as the government they do not understand.
It was Gobbels that said,
" "If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State." posted 04/07/2008 at 15:41:52
Something approaching normal?
Really?
Just when you think the Republican spin can't get any more outrageous, they always seem to take it up a notch. posted 04/07/2008 at 15:23:29
Really?
Just when you think the Republican spin can't get any more outrageous, they always seem to take it up a notch. posted 04/07/2008 at 15:23:29
The 50 Funniest Jokes Ever (According to One Paper)
How many women with pms does it take to screw in a lightbulb.
One goddammit! posted 04/07/2008 at 16:20:40
One goddammit! posted 04/07/2008 at 16:20:40
Petraeus Testimony Field Manual
I"m sure that good General will be loaded with facts and figures from all around Iraq.
This providence will have had x number of less killings, sectarian violence will be down in sections of City Y. What the General will NOT be mentioning is
1. That the Iraqi government continues to be nothing better than Iranian supported extremist groups, each group with it"s own agenda.
2. That militias continue to grow in strength. The Mahdi Army which had a few hundred members at the start of the war now numbers in the tens of thousands.
3. That the Saudis, besides being the number one supporters of world terror, are also the major source of foreign suicide bombers in Iraq.
Oh and leave us not forget that the General won"t be mentioning anything from the National Intelligence Estimate which the White House refuses to release.
Instead of intelligent questioning concerning specific objectives, what we will be treated to is one more bit of political theatre, with no one daring to question the very premise of our occupation; that the Iraqis will somehow magically congeal into a unified democratic government with an independent nonsecular security force.
After five years of war, you"d think we'd know better. posted 04/05/2008 at 08:52:17
This providence will have had x number of less killings, sectarian violence will be down in sections of City Y. What the General will NOT be mentioning is
1. That the Iraqi government continues to be nothing better than Iranian supported extremist groups, each group with it"s own agenda.
2. That militias continue to grow in strength. The Mahdi Army which had a few hundred members at the start of the war now numbers in the tens of thousands.
3. That the Saudis, besides being the number one supporters of world terror, are also the major source of foreign suicide bombers in Iraq.
Oh and leave us not forget that the General won"t be mentioning anything from the National Intelligence Estimate which the White House refuses to release.
Instead of intelligent questioning concerning specific objectives, what we will be treated to is one more bit of political theatre, with no one daring to question the very premise of our occupation; that the Iraqis will somehow magically congeal into a unified democratic government with an independent nonsecular security force.
After five years of war, you"d think we'd know better. posted 04/05/2008 at 08:52:17
More Than 1,000 Iraqi Soldiers Quit During Basra Fight
The important thing about rehashing the mistakes made in Iraq is this:
We continue to make the same mistakes.
The first mistake is how we treat intelligence.
We, meaning this administration, form an opinion and then accept the intelligence that supports that opinion.
This is how we got started, with a game plan formed in Conservative think tanks , then advanced by the Neocons after 9-11. There is still a residual arrogance and hubris that allows the architects of this war to believe that they, and only they, have the real answers, when in fact they don"t even understand the questions.
Second is the assumption that Iraq can be made into a western style democracy, with a strong unified central government and effective security force.
Time after time after time after time, we provide the Iraqis with the impetus to reconcile and never have a plan for when they don"t. If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, then the architects of this war are certifiable.
It"s time for a plan B.
Go, stay, build-up, redeploy, whatever, but START with a realistic assessment of the situation.
Iraq is not and never will be a unified centralized democracy. Never. Ever.
Once we accept reality perhaps we can begin to actually define realistic goals and achieve some degree of progress. posted 04/04/2008 at 07:58:07
We continue to make the same mistakes.
The first mistake is how we treat intelligence.
We, meaning this administration, form an opinion and then accept the intelligence that supports that opinion.
This is how we got started, with a game plan formed in Conservative think tanks , then advanced by the Neocons after 9-11. There is still a residual arrogance and hubris that allows the architects of this war to believe that they, and only they, have the real answers, when in fact they don"t even understand the questions.
Second is the assumption that Iraq can be made into a western style democracy, with a strong unified central government and effective security force.
Time after time after time after time, we provide the Iraqis with the impetus to reconcile and never have a plan for when they don"t. If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, then the architects of this war are certifiable.
It"s time for a plan B.
Go, stay, build-up, redeploy, whatever, but START with a realistic assessment of the situation.
Iraq is not and never will be a unified centralized democracy. Never. Ever.
Once we accept reality perhaps we can begin to actually define realistic goals and achieve some degree of progress. posted 04/04/2008 at 07:58:07
Would that there were only two "sides" in Iraq.
Recent events have pretty much proved that even when we separate the Sunni's and Shiites, the Shiites will only start fighting amongst themselves.
So which side(s) should we be on? Hey, there's plenty to pick from;
Iranian backed Shiite government, Iranian supported militas, Sunni warlords, Kurds, and even a few Christians left hiding in the hills.
We always side with the Saudis, who are still the number one financial support for world terrorism. We side with groups like the MEK, whom our own State Department classifies a terrorist organization. We side with the Turks when they want to bomb a few Kurds.
Local warlords like Gen. Qais Hamza (The Godfather) Aboud,
and Iraqi politicans like Ahmad (Trust me!) Chalabi.
And we get to "side" with all these people for the low low price of only 12 billion dollars a month.
You know it"s hard to say which "side" we"re on when at the end of the day the terrorists we are fighting are virtually indistinguishable from the ones that we support, but one thing's for certain, we are not and have never been on the "side" of intelligent rational foreign policy in the region. posted 04/04/2008 at 05:50:50
Recent events have pretty much proved that even when we separate the Sunni's and Shiites, the Shiites will only start fighting amongst themselves.
So which side(s) should we be on? Hey, there's plenty to pick from;
Iranian backed Shiite government, Iranian supported militas, Sunni warlords, Kurds, and even a few Christians left hiding in the hills.
We always side with the Saudis, who are still the number one financial support for world terrorism. We side with groups like the MEK, whom our own State Department classifies a terrorist organization. We side with the Turks when they want to bomb a few Kurds.
Local warlords like Gen. Qais Hamza (The Godfather) Aboud,
and Iraqi politicans like Ahmad (Trust me!) Chalabi.
And we get to "side" with all these people for the low low price of only 12 billion dollars a month.
You know it"s hard to say which "side" we"re on when at the end of the day the terrorists we are fighting are virtually indistinguishable from the ones that we support, but one thing's for certain, we are not and have never been on the "side" of intelligent rational foreign policy in the region. posted 04/04/2008 at 05:50:50
Who exactly is "THEY"?
The Iranian backed Shiite government?
The Shiite militas?
The Sunni warlords?
The Kurds?
Do we just sell them all a bunch of weapons, step back, and let them duke it out?
We are always talking about they should do this and they should do that;
How about taking a minute and trying to understand who they are and decide just whom we should and shouldn't be supporting. posted 04/04/2008 at 05:34:26
The Iranian backed Shiite government?
The Shiite militas?
The Sunni warlords?
The Kurds?
Do we just sell them all a bunch of weapons, step back, and let them duke it out?
We are always talking about they should do this and they should do that;
How about taking a minute and trying to understand who they are and decide just whom we should and shouldn't be supporting. posted 04/04/2008 at 05:34:26
The biggest mistake here seems to be the oversimplification of the Iraqi people.
They are not one big demographic who all think alike.
This is the kind of thinking that has landed us in this mess in the first place;
expecting the Iraqis to act like a western style democracy when they are anything but.
This is a society where loyalty is first given to the family, clan, sect, militia.
The Iraqi "government" is more an armed standoff than a cohesive unit and the security forces reflect those divisions.
We cannot help the Iraqi people without understanding who and what they are.
They are an extremely divisive society that will not yield to our conception of whom we want them to be. posted 04/04/2008 at 05:30:02
They are not one big demographic who all think alike.
This is the kind of thinking that has landed us in this mess in the first place;
expecting the Iraqis to act like a western style democracy when they are anything but.
This is a society where loyalty is first given to the family, clan, sect, militia.
The Iraqi "government" is more an armed standoff than a cohesive unit and the security forces reflect those divisions.
We cannot help the Iraqi people without understanding who and what they are.
They are an extremely divisive society that will not yield to our conception of whom we want them to be. posted 04/04/2008 at 05:30:02
Quit, did you say quit?
Why they've only redepolyed to a more nonmilitary profile.
Amazing isn't it?
Once again we are presented with the obvious contrast between the administration spin and the reality on the ground in Iraq.
If the defination of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results, then the architects of this war are certifiable.
After five years of war, haven"t they been able to figure out that this is an extremely divisive society that is NOT going to reorganize itself under a united western style democracy?
That for every sect there is a desenting group; in every group a clan, in every clan a dissenting voice;
It is simply not going to be possible to organize and maintain a central independent security force under these conditions.
How is it even possible to find a solution to this quagmire without admitting certain facts on the ground?
How is it even possible to define "victory" without understanding whom and what we are fighting? posted 04/04/2008 at 05:17:46
Why they've only redepolyed to a more nonmilitary profile.
Amazing isn't it?
Once again we are presented with the obvious contrast between the administration spin and the reality on the ground in Iraq.
If the defination of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results, then the architects of this war are certifiable.
After five years of war, haven"t they been able to figure out that this is an extremely divisive society that is NOT going to reorganize itself under a united western style democracy?
That for every sect there is a desenting group; in every group a clan, in every clan a dissenting voice;
It is simply not going to be possible to organize and maintain a central independent security force under these conditions.
How is it even possible to find a solution to this quagmire without admitting certain facts on the ground?
How is it even possible to define "victory" without understanding whom and what we are fighting? posted 04/04/2008 at 05:17:46
Concern Over Country's Direction At Greatest Level Ever Recorded
What's even more bizarre is watching them all yucking it up at the Gridiron dinner,
with all the political pundits acting like it's all a big joke; and only the "insiders" get it.
Frankly it's enough to turn your stomach. posted 04/04/2008 at 06:44:40
with all the political pundits acting like it's all a big joke; and only the "insiders" get it.
Frankly it's enough to turn your stomach. posted 04/04/2008 at 06:44:40
Look, George and Dick live in a bubble. Every time the President makes an appearance it is to a carefully vetted audience (with the exception of one notable ballgame). They live in a bubble and pick and choose whom to relate to. When Cheney travels his advance team has instructions to tune every television to FOX news. They don"t have to worry about interacting with or hearing from, the American public.
There will always be political parasites willing to kiss their feet and tell them what great public servants they are.
Why should they give a shit about their approval ratings?
What have they got to lose? posted 04/04/2008 at 06:03:23
There will always be political parasites willing to kiss their feet and tell them what great public servants they are.
Why should they give a shit about their approval ratings?
What have they got to lose? posted 04/04/2008 at 06:03:23
Hillary Clinton With Jay Leno On Tonight Show: Enters To "Rocky" Theme, Jokes About Sniper Fire
Great post.
HRC does genuinely seem to think that she can have her cake and eat it too;
That she can represent the big money side of the party with a pragmatic approach to K-street, while maintaining a populist image with the public.
Her and Bill must be frankly amazed that after all that work of siding up to Pfizer, and Microsoft, and Lockheed Martin, someone could come along and outspend them by energizing the donations of actual citizens. I mean My God! American politics is not supposed to work like this.
It"s been enlightening to watch the Machiavellian manipulations of a political family intent on regaining the White House regardless of the cost. When Pilosi dared to venture the opinion that Clinton might eventually have to withdraw, she was introduced to the "pull" which can be exerted by the DLC favorite.
In the end Clinton continues to remind us what she actually is; a savvy politician playing a reformer for the cameras. As it becomes more and more obvious that the will of the people means less than her sense of entitlement, Clinton continues to point out the differences in the Democratic Party; those that are true progressives, and those that just play them on TV. posted 04/04/2008 at 06:38:11
HRC does genuinely seem to think that she can have her cake and eat it too;
That she can represent the big money side of the party with a pragmatic approach to K-street, while maintaining a populist image with the public.
Her and Bill must be frankly amazed that after all that work of siding up to Pfizer, and Microsoft, and Lockheed Martin, someone could come along and outspend them by energizing the donations of actual citizens. I mean My God! American politics is not supposed to work like this.
It"s been enlightening to watch the Machiavellian manipulations of a political family intent on regaining the White House regardless of the cost. When Pilosi dared to venture the opinion that Clinton might eventually have to withdraw, she was introduced to the "pull" which can be exerted by the DLC favorite.
In the end Clinton continues to remind us what she actually is; a savvy politician playing a reformer for the cameras. As it becomes more and more obvious that the will of the people means less than her sense of entitlement, Clinton continues to point out the differences in the Democratic Party; those that are true progressives, and those that just play them on TV. posted 04/04/2008 at 06:38:11
And why is this such a big issue?
The worst thing about the Bush regime, even besides the quagmire in Iraq, even besides the damage to our civil rights, even besides having big business turn us upside down and shake the pennies from our pockets,
is the sheer hubris of an administration that has told lie after lie after lie.
We may say the number one issue is the economy, but in the end the number one issue is truth and finding a leader we can actually trust for a change.
If a candidate is ALREADY LIEING TO US, regardless of how small the lie, how can we trust them to pursue our interests if elected?
And that"s why this is a big issue.
The American people are just plain sick of all the politics and lies. posted 04/04/2008 at 06:15:19
The worst thing about the Bush regime, even besides the quagmire in Iraq, even besides the damage to our civil rights, even besides having big business turn us upside down and shake the pennies from our pockets,
is the sheer hubris of an administration that has told lie after lie after lie.
We may say the number one issue is the economy, but in the end the number one issue is truth and finding a leader we can actually trust for a change.
If a candidate is ALREADY LIEING TO US, regardless of how small the lie, how can we trust them to pursue our interests if elected?
And that"s why this is a big issue.
The American people are just plain sick of all the politics and lies. posted 04/04/2008 at 06:15:19
AP: Iraqi Prime Minister Left Politically Battered And Humbled
The fact is that it isn't just about Maliki and the Dawa Party vs. Al-Sadar and the Mahdi Army. That has indeed been the problem with all discussions regarding Iraq: oversimplification. Also very much in the government is Al-Hakim and the (also Iranian influenced) Bandar Brigades. Joe Biden came the closest to reality than any other politician when proposing that Shiites and Sunnis be separated. But as we can see now, in the absence of Sunnis to torture and kill, the Shiites will turn on themselves. The Bandar Brigades will fight the Madhi Army and groups like Ansar Al-Islam, Faylaz Badar, The Ansar Al-Sunnah Army,Kata'ib Al-Zilzal Al-Mujahidah, Kata'ib Salah Al-Din, Kata'ib Al-Mujahidin, Jama'at Al-Tawhid wa Al-Jihad, Jaysh Al-Mahdi, Jund Al-Sham, Tha'r Allah, Mafariz Al-Intiqam (Martyrs Brigades of the Hamas Movement), will continue to fight amongst themselves so long as they aren"t busy killing Americans.
This is an extremely divisive society. They haven"t reconciled their differences in a thousand years, and they are not going to do so now. Arming all sides in this conflict will never produce a unified Iraq.
After 5 years of war, one would think this simple fact should be painfully obvious. posted 04/01/2008 at 09:29:10
This is an extremely divisive society. They haven"t reconciled their differences in a thousand years, and they are not going to do so now. Arming all sides in this conflict will never produce a unified Iraq.
After 5 years of war, one would think this simple fact should be painfully obvious. posted 04/01/2008 at 09:29:10
Whenever facts on the ground contradict the fairy tale told by this Administration they seem to just seem to move on to a new improved spin.
Where formerly we were supporting a democracy bravely fighting AlQaeda, now we are watching as the Maliki government takes on Iranian supported "extremists".
While it has become obvious that this is a clash for power amongst various Iranian supported clans, made even more obvious by the fact that mediation is occuring IN IRAN, the Bush administration continues to cheer on their great democratic experiment. One has to wonder when the public, and the media, will finally notice that THE ENTIRE IRAQI GOVERNMENT are nothing so much as IRANIAN BACKED MOSLEM EXTREMISTS. Be they the Dawa Party of Maliki or the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq and it"s leader Al-Hakim, this "government" was given to the Iranians ages ago. posted 04/01/2008 at 08:42:38
Where formerly we were supporting a democracy bravely fighting AlQaeda, now we are watching as the Maliki government takes on Iranian supported "extremists".
While it has become obvious that this is a clash for power amongst various Iranian supported clans, made even more obvious by the fact that mediation is occuring IN IRAN, the Bush administration continues to cheer on their great democratic experiment. One has to wonder when the public, and the media, will finally notice that THE ENTIRE IRAQI GOVERNMENT are nothing so much as IRANIAN BACKED MOSLEM EXTREMISTS. Be they the Dawa Party of Maliki or the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq and it"s leader Al-Hakim, this "government" was given to the Iranians ages ago. posted 04/01/2008 at 08:42:38
Bush Readies Mortgage Aid Plan
Let"s face it; these people don"t live in the same world as the rest of us.
Yes, G.W. does a good job of playing a down-home cowboy just up from the ranch, but he is not like us; THEY are not like us; none of them, the market managers or their Washington whores.
Look, they don"t worry about things like the price of milk or what it costs to fill the family car.
They don"t worry about putting their kids through collage.
They don"t worry about things like retirement or healthcare or crime in their gated communities.
What they know about us, the American public, comes from polls conducted by corporate owned media centers. They live in a bubble and pick and choose whom to interact with.
My God, when Dick Cheney travels he requires that every television be turned to Fox News.
Really, I"m not making this up.
Why then should we be surprised that the movers and shakers have forgotten the American middle class?
Every economic decision is made to prop up investment banking and nothing is spent on the American infrastructure. At the end of the day, when the middle class is out of jobs and can no longer consume,
the whole house of cards will collapse.
Shame that our elected representatives are so high up they can no longer see the foundation.
Or perhaps they simply don"t care. posted 03/29/2008 at 10:17:49
Yes, G.W. does a good job of playing a down-home cowboy just up from the ranch, but he is not like us; THEY are not like us; none of them, the market managers or their Washington whores.
Look, they don"t worry about things like the price of milk or what it costs to fill the family car.
They don"t worry about putting their kids through collage.
They don"t worry about things like retirement or healthcare or crime in their gated communities.
What they know about us, the American public, comes from polls conducted by corporate owned media centers. They live in a bubble and pick and choose whom to interact with.
My God, when Dick Cheney travels he requires that every television be turned to Fox News.
Really, I"m not making this up.
Why then should we be surprised that the movers and shakers have forgotten the American middle class?
Every economic decision is made to prop up investment banking and nothing is spent on the American infrastructure. At the end of the day, when the middle class is out of jobs and can no longer consume,
the whole house of cards will collapse.
Shame that our elected representatives are so high up they can no longer see the foundation.
Or perhaps they simply don"t care. posted 03/29/2008 at 10:17:49
Hillary And Bill: We Aren't Going Anywhere
I think Bill Richardson said it best when he stated that the Clintons feel a sense of entitlement to the White House. One thing is for certain, this primary race has pointed out the divisions within the Democratic Party. On one side we have the big money Democratic Leadership Conference, their big money backers and pragmatic "solutions" to K-street influence.
With all that backing, they simply cannot believe they are not leading the race.
Then in this corner we have a candidate who IS leading the race with donations that average around $100.00.
The Clintons must be flabergasted; American politics are not supposed to work like this. posted 03/29/2008 at 10:13:58
With all that backing, they simply cannot believe they are not leading the race.
Then in this corner we have a candidate who IS leading the race with donations that average around $100.00.
The Clintons must be flabergasted; American politics are not supposed to work like this. posted 03/29/2008 at 10:13:58
US Forces Launch Airstrikes in Iraq
For anyone who has any serious interest in our Iraq "adventure" the Frontline 4-hour event, "Bush"s War" should be required viewing. Although the two part series covers much of the same ground as CobraII,
Fiasco, Assassin"s Gate, Armed Madhouse, and dozens of other publications, when presented together, the sheer magnitude of the hubris and idiocy of this administration can still shock and awe.
Of all the issues brought up by the series, perhaps this is the most striking; On the evening of 9-11, while the towers were still smoking, Rumsfeld and Cheney were pushing to include Saddam Hussein into the American response. Where others were mourning the loss of thousands of American lives, these two saw only opportunity to pursue their own agendas.
There should be a special place in Hell for the architects of this war.
The fact that such a large segment of our population is unaware of the well documented underlying currents in this conflict and can go on parroting the White House line, is testament not only to their own stubborn ignorance but the failure of Main Stream Media to actually REPORT the news.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/bushswar/ posted 03/28/2008 at 10:25:02
Fiasco, Assassin"s Gate, Armed Madhouse, and dozens of other publications, when presented together, the sheer magnitude of the hubris and idiocy of this administration can still shock and awe.
Of all the issues brought up by the series, perhaps this is the most striking; On the evening of 9-11, while the towers were still smoking, Rumsfeld and Cheney were pushing to include Saddam Hussein into the American response. Where others were mourning the loss of thousands of American lives, these two saw only opportunity to pursue their own agendas.
There should be a special place in Hell for the architects of this war.
The fact that such a large segment of our population is unaware of the well documented underlying currents in this conflict and can go on parroting the White House line, is testament not only to their own stubborn ignorance but the failure of Main Stream Media to actually REPORT the news.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/bushswar/ posted 03/28/2008 at 10:25:02
Time Magazine Asks: Can Fox News Survive After The Bush Era Ends?
Survive? Expect FOX to thrive in a Democratic administration!
Think about it, if they can manage to maintain an audience while supporting THIS administration,
whose very hallmarks are hubris and stupidity, imagine what they can do if they have "liberals" to attack.
Remember that FOX does not require facts.
As Goebbels famously said "If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it."
It"s a line that should be chiseled over the doors of Newscorp.
Regardless of WHAT the next administration accomplishes, you can bet that FOX will be there to tear down the results and support the Neocon cause through lies and deception. posted 03/28/2008 at 10:39:23
Think about it, if they can manage to maintain an audience while supporting THIS administration,
whose very hallmarks are hubris and stupidity, imagine what they can do if they have "liberals" to attack.
Remember that FOX does not require facts.
As Goebbels famously said "If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it."
It"s a line that should be chiseled over the doors of Newscorp.
Regardless of WHAT the next administration accomplishes, you can bet that FOX will be there to tear down the results and support the Neocon cause through lies and deception. posted 03/28/2008 at 10:39:23
Why the Administration Won't Define Success in Iraq
Define success? They won"t even define the conflict!
From the beginning we, the American public, have heard nothing but fairie tales:
How this "democracy" in Iraq is bravely fighting AlQaeda and Iranian backed militias.
With the attacks in Basra, precious little has been said about our strange relationship with AlSadar;
One moment a wanted terrorist, the next a member of the government.
Lately we"ve had a cease-fire with the cleric while his Mahdi Army has been allowed free access to patrol Shiite sections of Baghdad and given free reign in the South.
God forbid the American public should notice that the Iraqi government consists of nothing BUT Iranian backed Shiite extremists (with a few Kurds spinkled in for good measure).
Define success?
Success will be a steady flow of Iraqi oil profits into the hands of Exxon/Mobile.
Success will be huge profits made by military contractors.
Success will be an armed standoff with only the occasional massive explosion.
But mostly, success will be an uneducated American public steeped in dogma driven terms like "victory" and "freedom"; Success will be an ill informed politic who fail to notice that at the end of the day, the "terrorists" we support are virtually indistinguishable from the ones that we are fighting. posted 03/29/2008 at 11:04:54
From the beginning we, the American public, have heard nothing but fairie tales:
How this "democracy" in Iraq is bravely fighting AlQaeda and Iranian backed militias.
With the attacks in Basra, precious little has been said about our strange relationship with AlSadar;
One moment a wanted terrorist, the next a member of the government.
Lately we"ve had a cease-fire with the cleric while his Mahdi Army has been allowed free access to patrol Shiite sections of Baghdad and given free reign in the South.
God forbid the American public should notice that the Iraqi government consists of nothing BUT Iranian backed Shiite extremists (with a few Kurds spinkled in for good measure).
Define success?
Success will be a steady flow of Iraqi oil profits into the hands of Exxon/Mobile.
Success will be huge profits made by military contractors.
Success will be an armed standoff with only the occasional massive explosion.
But mostly, success will be an uneducated American public steeped in dogma driven terms like "victory" and "freedom"; Success will be an ill informed politic who fail to notice that at the end of the day, the "terrorists" we support are virtually indistinguishable from the ones that we are fighting. posted 03/29/2008 at 11:04:54
Iraq Government In Emergency Session As Battles Rage
Actually I don't think the thousands demonstrating in Baghdad were crying "uncle" ... nor were the shells landing in the Green Zone filled with surrender notes.
"Now Al-Sadar will sit down at the table of democracy and Iraq will be one step closer to peace".
Yea, that will happen.
In case you've forgotten, Al-Sadar was a MEMBER of this government only a year ago; so how do you think that worked out? Ask some of the Sunnis that were dragged from hospital beds and tortured by the Mahdi Army, or rather ask their families who've fled to Jordon.
If there is ever going to be a resolution in Iraq, it has to start with the "truth" as you put it. And the truth is that there will never be a reconciliation between Al-Sadar and Al-Hakim and the Bandar Brigades, let alone between Al-Sadar and any Sunni or Kurdish group.
If seven years of war should have taught us anything it is that this is a very divisive society; it will NOT re-invent itself by Western standards. Bribing and arming all sides in our so-called "surge" is a temporary Band-Aid on a cauldron that will eventually explode.
Yes, let"s tell the truth. The truth is that this country will never evolve into a democracy.
Never.
Now, let"s work from there. posted 03/28/2008 at 09:54:38
"Now Al-Sadar will sit down at the table of democracy and Iraq will be one step closer to peace".
Yea, that will happen.
In case you've forgotten, Al-Sadar was a MEMBER of this government only a year ago; so how do you think that worked out? Ask some of the Sunnis that were dragged from hospital beds and tortured by the Mahdi Army, or rather ask their families who've fled to Jordon.
If there is ever going to be a resolution in Iraq, it has to start with the "truth" as you put it. And the truth is that there will never be a reconciliation between Al-Sadar and Al-Hakim and the Bandar Brigades, let alone between Al-Sadar and any Sunni or Kurdish group.
If seven years of war should have taught us anything it is that this is a very divisive society; it will NOT re-invent itself by Western standards. Bribing and arming all sides in our so-called "surge" is a temporary Band-Aid on a cauldron that will eventually explode.
Yes, let"s tell the truth. The truth is that this country will never evolve into a democracy.
Never.
Now, let"s work from there. posted 03/28/2008 at 09:54:38
For anyone who has any serious interest in our Iraq "adventure" the Frontline 4-hour event, "Bush"s War" should be required viewing. Although the two part series covers much of the same ground as CobraII,
Fiasco, Assassin"s Gate, Armed Madhouse, and dozens of other publications, when presented together, the sheer magnitude of the hubris and idiocy of this administration can still shock and awe.
Of all the issues brought up by the series, perhaps this is the most striking; On the evening of 9-11, while the towers were still smoking, Rumsfeld and Cheney were pushing to include Saddam Hussein into the American response. Where others were mourning the loss of thousands of American lives, these two saw only opportunity to pursue their own agendas.
There should be a special place in Hell for the architects of this war.
The fact that such a large segment of our population is unaware of the well documented underlying currents in this conflict and can go on parroting the White House line, is testament not only to their own stubborn ignorance but the failure of Main Stream Media to actually REPORT the news.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/bushswar/ posted 03/28/2008 at 09:12:31
Fiasco, Assassin"s Gate, Armed Madhouse, and dozens of other publications, when presented together, the sheer magnitude of the hubris and idiocy of this administration can still shock and awe.
Of all the issues brought up by the series, perhaps this is the most striking; On the evening of 9-11, while the towers were still smoking, Rumsfeld and Cheney were pushing to include Saddam Hussein into the American response. Where others were mourning the loss of thousands of American lives, these two saw only opportunity to pursue their own agendas.
There should be a special place in Hell for the architects of this war.
The fact that such a large segment of our population is unaware of the well documented underlying currents in this conflict and can go on parroting the White House line, is testament not only to their own stubborn ignorance but the failure of Main Stream Media to actually REPORT the news.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/bushswar/ posted 03/28/2008 at 09:12:31
So what does this do to the Republican line that we are in Iraq to fight AlQaeda?
How now to explain our "cease fire" agreement with Al-Sadar, or the fact that we"ve allowed to organization to grow from a few hundred at the start of the war to tens of thousands today.
Oh that"s right, they"ll just blame it on Iran.
McCain is already using AlQaeda and Iran in the same sentence, much in the same manner that Bush used 9-11 and Hussain to get us into this quagmire.
The Bomb bomb bomb Iran man will get his justification for expanding the war, and once again you bubbleheads, who know nothing of the conflict, wil parrot the spin. posted 03/28/2008 at 08:54:16
How now to explain our "cease fire" agreement with Al-Sadar, or the fact that we"ve allowed to organization to grow from a few hundred at the start of the war to tens of thousands today.
Oh that"s right, they"ll just blame it on Iran.
McCain is already using AlQaeda and Iran in the same sentence, much in the same manner that Bush used 9-11 and Hussain to get us into this quagmire.
The Bomb bomb bomb Iran man will get his justification for expanding the war, and once again you bubbleheads, who know nothing of the conflict, wil parrot the spin. posted 03/28/2008 at 08:54:16
Investment Firms Tap Fed for Billions
Agreed.
But perhaps instead of looking at the symptoms we should examine the disease.
We"ve installed a corporate run government enforcing a "this quarter" mentality on the American economy.
Until and unless this government sees itself as a representative of the American people, the economy, the REAL economy, where people work and consume and pay taxes, will continue to slide downhill.
Least we forget,
"Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, " That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
When a long train of abuses and usurpations, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." posted 03/28/2008 at 10:15:57
But perhaps instead of looking at the symptoms we should examine the disease.
We"ve installed a corporate run government enforcing a "this quarter" mentality on the American economy.
Until and unless this government sees itself as a representative of the American people, the economy, the REAL economy, where people work and consume and pay taxes, will continue to slide downhill.
Least we forget,
"Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, " That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
When a long train of abuses and usurpations, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." posted 03/28/2008 at 10:15:57
While chipping away at the American middle class, the globalized corporate giants have failed to notice that the ice on which they stand is becoming increasingly thin.
At the end of the day, consumer spending drives the economy.
Kill the middle class and you kill consumer spending.
Perhaps corporations will eventually wake up, on their own, and note that without investment in the infrastructure of this country, the very foundation of the economy will collapse.
Perhaps.
But perhaps it is better still that our "leaders" begin to take on the responsibility of government; to insure prosperity and opportunity for the American people, to do what is in the interest of the COUNTRY, and not just the money shufflers on Wall Street.
Isn"t it amazing how the right-wing spin machine predicts dire results with "socialized medicine" but have no qualms about socialized bailouts of large corporations?
What could more illuminate the difference between capitalism and a government owned lock stock and barrel than to see our tax dollars being used as a corporate piggy bank.
It"s time to take off the blinders and take a long hard look at our current SYSTEM of government, and understand that what is good for General Motors, may no longer be good for America.
Free enterprise is a far cry from corporate ownership of the government.
It is far past time for the government to represent the governed. posted 03/28/2008 at 09:36:43
At the end of the day, consumer spending drives the economy.
Kill the middle class and you kill consumer spending.
Perhaps corporations will eventually wake up, on their own, and note that without investment in the infrastructure of this country, the very foundation of the economy will collapse.
Perhaps.
But perhaps it is better still that our "leaders" begin to take on the responsibility of government; to insure prosperity and opportunity for the American people, to do what is in the interest of the COUNTRY, and not just the money shufflers on Wall Street.
Isn"t it amazing how the right-wing spin machine predicts dire results with "socialized medicine" but have no qualms about socialized bailouts of large corporations?
What could more illuminate the difference between capitalism and a government owned lock stock and barrel than to see our tax dollars being used as a corporate piggy bank.
It"s time to take off the blinders and take a long hard look at our current SYSTEM of government, and understand that what is good for General Motors, may no longer be good for America.
Free enterprise is a far cry from corporate ownership of the government.
It is far past time for the government to represent the governed. posted 03/28/2008 at 09:36:43
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