Here.
We're winning this battle, and we're going to win the war on Social Security. But we can't let up. Here's what MoveOn is doing:
"George W. Bush is going to make Social Security privatization a key part of his State of the Union address this week. After his speech he is going on a cross-country tour to promote his agenda. That’s why, as Americans form their opinions about his plan, we need to make sure they know the facts – privatization means benefit cuts of up to 46%.
Today, we’re releasing a new ad – Working Retirement – which builds off our famous Child’s Pay ad to explain why privatization is a bad idea. The ad footage was shot by Charlie Fisher, who also did Child’s Pay. We’re working to raise $500,000 to run it in key Congressional districts where members of Congress are considering supporting Bush’s plan."
Posted by not sam at February 1, 2005 7:13 PMPosted by: PEREZ at February 9, 2005 8:03 PM
Make your representatives represent you. Tell your Senators to vote NO to Torture Czar Alberto Gonzales. Democrats get nothing by going along with Bush and his cronies on the Hill. The first step to taking back the White House is showing the country the party stands for something, and right now that has to be this: that torture sympathizers should not be in charge of the Justice Department. Go to this page, find your Senators and demand they vote NO on Gonzales.
Then go The Pen, and use their Gonzales page to do it again.
Posted by not sam at February 1, 2005 07:17 PMPosted by: devinevision at February 1, 2005 07:38 PM
Posted by: jh4567 at February 1, 2005 08:46 PM
Go to
http://crisispictures.org
and see what it looked like in f'ing Ramadi."
Tel George to reserv
me a table at the Gitmo
Cafe cuz I HATE FREEDOM long as they got dbl
capps Im cool
ANYWAYS IM not alloud w/in 100 yds of BARBRA
an DIANE never retrns my calls...
TEL GOERGE I HATE FREEDOM AN HES A FREEK DBL
TO HIS BUDY ALBERTO--
Dear Senators Cantwell and Murray
I'm writing to urge you to vote no on Gonzales' appointment. The
Geneva Conventions are not quaint, they are vital. Americans should
fight torture, not condone it, but how can we do that when we
promote people who do condone torture? How can we do that when the
man who is among the most responsible for turning Americans into an
instrument of torture is ready to become the nations top lawyer?
Sincerely,
Carl Ballard
Posted by: Carl Ballard at February 2, 2005 06:11 PMof the real State of the Union.
thanks to petemoon.
Posted by not sam at February 2, 2005 6:34 PMMorally speaking, Americans would never agree to cut or modify programs if they could pay for it because nobody wants to look like they are attacking seniors, childrens, minorities...
But by creating a crisis, the Administration can cut whatever they want and spin it as a plan to save the American people.
Posted by: Tony Chang at February 2, 2005 8:18 PMPosted by: Shelly at February 3, 2005 3:00 AM
Posted by: Rusty at February 3, 2005 7:08 PM
Join House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and other leaders of the House of Representatives to stand up against privatization of social security
Social Security Rally
Cannon Terrace, Capitol Hill
(in front of the Cannon Building at the intersection of Independence
and New Jersey)
Thursday, February 3, 2005
9:00 am
(Please arrive NO LATER than 8:45 a.m. for setup)
This will be the morning after the State of the Union so it is essential that we have many people present to show Democratic unity against privatization.
Posted by not sam at February 2, 2005 8:39 PMBefore you go send a message to your Congressman at http://www.dudewheresmyretirement.com
Posted by: Mike Panetta at February 2, 2005 10:36 PMThat's O.K. tho..it's mobilizing Baby Boomers and
the AARP and the Dems(hearing from their base)
against these freaks..BRING IT ON--
Posted by: kyball at February 4, 2005 4:11 PM
Join House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and other leaders of the House of Representatives to stand up against privatization of social security
Social Security Rally
Cannon Terrace, Capitol Hill
(in front of the Cannon Building at the intersection of Independence
and New Jersey)
Thursday, February 3, 2005
9:00 am
(Please arrive NO LATER than 8:45 a.m. for setup)
This will be the morning after the State of the Union so it is essential that we have many people present to show Democratic unity against privatization.
Posted by not sam at February 2, 2005 8:39 PMBefore you go send a message to your Congressman at http://www.dudewheresmyretirement.com
Posted by: Mike Panetta at February 2, 2005 10:36 PMThat's O.K. tho..it's mobilizing Baby Boomers and
the AARP and the Dems(hearing from their base)
against these freaks..BRING IT ON--
Posted by: kyball at February 4, 2005 4:11 PM
Posted by: texas holdem at February 18, 2005 7:51 AM
Posted by: Keith Best at February 20, 2005 2:56 PM
Posted by: mike at February 21, 2005 9:17 PM
Join House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and other leaders of the House of Representatives to stand up against privatization of social security
Social Security Rally
Cannon Terrace, Capitol Hill
(in front of the Cannon Building at the intersection of Independence
and New Jersey)
Thursday, February 3, 2005
9:00 am
(Please arrive NO LATER than 8:45 a.m. for setup)
This will be the morning after the State of the Union so it is essential that we have many people present to show Democratic unity against privatization.
Posted by not sam at February 2, 2005 8:39 PMBefore you go send a message to your Congressman at http://www.dudewheresmyretirement.com
Posted by: Mike Panetta at February 2, 2005 10:36 PMThat's O.K. tho..it's mobilizing Baby Boomers and
the AARP and the Dems(hearing from their base)
against these freaks..BRING IT ON--
Posted by: kyball at February 4, 2005 4:11 PM
Posted by: texas holdem at February 18, 2005 7:51 AM
Posted by: Keith Best at February 20, 2005 2:56 PM
Posted by: mike at February 21, 2005 9:17 PM
How much will privitization cost you? Find out here.
Posted by not sam at February 17, 2005 4:36 PMWalmart is always hiring old people. "would you like a cart, sonny?"
Posted by: Madmaxi at February 17, 2005 10:02 PMAnd then the enormity of the Social Security issue hit me. If the lunatics in Washington are able to undermine, privatize, steal, destabilize the Social Security system, Medicare, Medicaid, who will take care of the mentally and physically handicapped and disabled and those born with crippling congenital deformities?
What kind of country would this be if the least amongst us, those
who concievably were born into a life of absolute suffering remained
uncared for, unable to obtain health care or a means to survive?
What would this nation look like with an army of disabled of all
ages, races, religions and ethnicities littering it's streets from
coast to coast?
That Bastard in the Whitehouse does not posses the creative capacity
to discuss the concept of Social Security. He is bereft of humanity.
I caught some of your program covering for Randy Rhodes and parts of your other broadcasts this week - You were on fire. You and Janeane are doing great radio.
Keep up the good work.
A Listner
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Posted by: Stephen Duncan at February 18, 2005 8:06 PM
take back the country. It's part of a cooperative effort of blogs
to start Howard Dean's tenure off with some momentum. So give if you
can.
Total as of this posting:
$106781.83.
I think that Dean's ascension is the best event that has occured for Democrats since Kennedy's presidency. I do not think that he will resurrect the Democratic party, but I will contribute some money to him for auld lang syne.
Posted by: Michael the Anti-Colonizer at February 15, 2005 4:11 PMI encourage everyone to do their own research into his dubious credentials, and you can begin with the thumbnail sketch found here:
http://www.counterpunch.org/cp02152005.html
Don't allow yourselves to be fooled by Dean's blustering style. Look beyond the smart power tie and peer into the dark corners of his substance.
Posted by: Dammit at February 15, 2005 8:32 PMPosted by: sr at February 15, 2005 8:42 PM
Posted by: mike at February 21, 2005 9:27 PM
Then write on it (or print a copy of the picuture out from the web and write on it) "From the Citizens of Honduras." Then send it to Mr. Negroponte, c/o The White House, 1600 Pennylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20500
You might also want to send a copy to your Senators along with the message: Don't confirm Negroponte.
Thanks for taking today's action!
This comes courtesy of First Draft (via Atrios).
Read more about Negroponte here (thanks to Star Vox from the blog).
Posted by not sam at February 22, 2005 4:18 PM
http://cryptome.org/negro-eyeball.htm
Media Omissions on Negroponte's Record
To read the media advisory, go to:
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2452
Promoting the 'Ambassador of Torture': Bush Nominates Negroponte for Intel Czar
As President Bush nominates Ambassador John Negroponte, current U.S. ambassador to Iraq, as the first Director of National Intelligence, we look back at Negroponte's bloody history in Central America in the 1980s.
More with Amy Goodman:
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/02/18/157206&mode=thread&tid=25
The Action Alerts that I post on Tuesdays and Fridays at First-Draft are sent to me by well-known Eschaton commenter Hecate. From now on I will give her credit in the Alert itself. Please keep posting them - it all helps.
Posted by: Tena at March 8, 2005 1:21 PMBut in a good way. From Americablog:
"ACTION ALERT: Tell your US Senators to sign the Durbin letter about Gannon."
By Jeff Adams
NorthEastTn.Info
I received a Social Security Statement today and I was very upset to see that the bush administrations decided to use tax payers money to try and promote the privatization of Social Security. The letter is dated January 20, 2005 so you can tell that this was all coordinated with the state of the union to kick off a massive deceptive campaigned to deceive the average American citizen.
Here my take on what the Bush Administration is trying to do:
For the last 20 years real wages for the middle class have been on the decline in the United States, this is what I call the stripping of wealth from the middle class. This large group of people (Rich) are made up of Democrats and Republican and they don't look at time like me and you do, I.e. we look at time as days, months and years when we plan, they look at time as 10, 20, 50 years down the road and they realizes that over the next 2 decades that America will have less money to invest and that wall street will go into a decline because of the continued decline of the wages and living standards in the United States. What the Bush Administrations is doing is creating a funding stream for wall street by realigning the Taxes from Social Security and allowing them to go though Wall Street so the rich can add fee's to them and make up for loss of revenue that will happen over the next 2 or 3 decades.
Anyway here is what the Social Security Administrations Letter Said. please check and see if you got this letter and lets spread the word.
Work to build a Secure Future...
Social Security is the largest source of income for most elderly
Americans today. It is very important to remember that social
security was never intended to be your only source of income when
you retire.Social Security can't do it all. You also will need other
savings, investments, pensions or retirement accounts to make sure
you have enough money to live comfortably when you retire.
( They should tell that to the Corporation who dumped 88,000 pension in the last 4 or 5 years. )
About Social Security's Future...
Social Security is a compact between generations. For more than 60
years, America has kept the promise of security for it's workers and
their families. But now, the Social Security system is facing a
serious future financial problems, and action is needed soon to make
sure that the system is sound when today's younger workers are ready
for retirement. Today there are almost 36 million Americans age 65
or older. Their Social Security retirement benefits are funded by
today's worker and their employers who jointly pay Social Security
taxes - Just as the money that was paid into Social Security was
used to pay benefits to those who retired before them. Unless action
is taken soon to strengthen Social Security, in just 14 years we
will began paying more in benefits than we collect in taxes.Without
Changes, by 2042 the Social Security trust Fund will be exhausted.
By Than, the number of Americans 65 or older is expected to have
doubled. there wont be enough Younger people working to pay all of
the benefits owed to those who are retiring. At that point, there
will be enough money to pay only about 73 cents for each dollar of
scheduled benefits.We will need to resolve there's issues soon to
make sure Social Security continues to provide a foundations of
protections for future generations as it has done in the past.
Welcome to the world of economic Slavery.
Drop by my Blog and post your comments on this.
Jeff Adams
NorthEastTn.Info
NorthEastTn.Info.Blog
Posted by: Jeff Adams at February 23, 2005 7:14 PMAlso, you guys should get a clip of Ron Silver late in the third season of West Wing saying, "You got played, Sam..." It's very "Please... don't... hurt... me..."
Posted by: Ryan at February 24, 2005 3:08 AMDear Diane--
As you know (or should know), Sen.Richard Durbin is circulating a
petition in the Senate,to be presented to Pres.Bush.It concerns the
infiltration of the W.H.Press Corps by an obvious W.House
Propogandist,J.D.Guckert(Jeff Gannon).The
man had no formal journalistic training and had
been writing for ONE WEEK,when he was issued press-passes,under a
phony name. He has ties to Republican operatives.
There is NO WAY in,as Mr.Bush puts it,"a post-9/11 world",that a fake writer with an assumed name, could obtain security clearance and subsequent proximity to the President,w/o the Administration knowing it.
This is an assault upon Journalistic Integrity
and upon the American Public's right to an
open,unfettered,unmanipulated Press.
If you agree with this,you will sign Sen.Durbin's
letter.If not,you will have lost the respect of myself and countless
others.
J.K. / OAKLAND
Posted by: J.K./OAKLAND at February 24, 2005 7:59 AMWrite and ask why the gay male prostitute ring inside the White House is not being investigated. I think it is slightly more important than Spongebob's square pants.
*** warning, writers will have to click the submit button several times -- FOTF scans messages and presents a list of "faqs" based on key words in the message, then asks if the writer really wants to submit the question.
Sample message (please use your own words):
Dear Guardians of our Morals,
I am very concerned that Jeff Gannon/Jim Guckert -- a gay male prostitute and pornography webmaster -- was able to get hundreds of White House press passes while using a fake name.
I would like Focus on the Family to investigate how this happened, if there are other gay male or female prostitutes in the White House, and if steps have been taken to prevent it from happening again.
I would also like to know if President Bush knew that Gannon/Guckert was gay and, if so, why he and Scott McClellan consistently called on Gannon/Guckert to answer questions. Could those be coded messages to the homosexual community?
God save us,
A concerned lamb
Posted by: DubyasNightmare at March 2, 2005 12:22 PM
From Think Progress.
"Influential conservative strategist Frank Luntz has produced a 160-page playbook to advance the right-wing agenda. Think Progress cuts through the spin and gives you the tools you need to fight back. Check here for updates throughout the week.
Luntz's playbook is full of things people should never say if they don't want to undermine the right-wing agenda. Here's how you can be Frank Luntz's worst nightmare."
Posted by not sam at February 24, 2005 11:35 AMgreat article giving an excellent set of areas where the neocons are weak.
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at February 24, 2005 2:04 PMEveryone here will read and study them carefully..
They will pause on moment..
Then scream "Bush is a Nazi!"
Case Closed!
Posted by: s at February 24, 2005 3:08 PM
Posted by: s at February 24, 2005 03:08 PM
--===========================================---
Ha ha ha ha...
See what I mean???
Case Closed!
Posted by: s at February 24, 2005 11:05 PM
Also,I happen to enjoy the presence of the mildly miscreant War
Dog on the Blog.He's a good
example of the inane ineptitude defecated upon Society by Rt. Wing
dolts. I don't understand,tho,why Real People even attempt to argue
with an aging adolescent...
Frank
Luntz:
Pollster, Republican Political Consultant, and president and CEO of
Luntz Research Companies.
His latest release is a 160 page briefing book on how the Republicans should be framing the arguments to selectively deceive the American people and appeal in turn to our best and worst qualities.
http://watchingthewatchers.org/index.php?p=364
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. NEVER SAY Government - INSTEAD SAY: Washington
2. NEVER SAY Privatization/Private Accounts - INSTEAD SAY: Personalization/Personal Accounts
3. NEVER SAY Tax Reform - INSTEAD SAY: Tax Simplification
4. NEVER SAY Inheritance/Estate Tax - INSTEAD SAY: The Death Tax
5. NEVER SAY A Global Economy/Globalization/Capitalism - INSTEAD SAY: Free Market Economy
6. NEVER SAY Outsourcing - INSTEAD SAY: Taxation, Regulation, Litigation Innovation, Education
7. NEVER SAY Undocumented Workers - INSTEAD SAY: Illegal Aliens
8. NEVER SAY Foreign Trade - INSTEAD SAY: International Trade
9. NEVER SAY Drilling for oil - INSTEAD SAY: Exploring for energy
10. NEVER SAY Tort Reform - INSTEAD SAY: Lawsuit Abuse Reform
11. NEVER SAY Trial Lawyer - INSTEAD SAY: Personal Injury Lawyer
12. NEVER SAY Corporate Transparency - INSTEAD SAY: Corporate Accountability
13. NEVER SAY School Choice - INSTEAD SAY: Parental Choice/Equal Opportunity in Education
14. NEVER SAY Health care �Choice� - INSTEAD SAY: �The Right to Choose�
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
see the actual document here... he goes into detail about each one...
Posted by: 13ben at February 27, 2005 11:30 AMNo, that would be your hero and popular junkie Rush Limbaugh who calls people nazis.
We prefer the historically correct and accurate term "fascist."
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/mussolini-fascism.html
Posted by: Cat Chew at March 1, 2005 2:14 AMThe diarist ttagaris at Mydd has the idea to make the "hey hey, ho ho" video into an ad. We think it's a great idea. Details here.
Posted by not sam at February 25, 2005 10:09 AMElection Rigging 101:
The First National Teach-in,
in Honor of the 40th Anniversary of the
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Saturday, February 26th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland CA
Please come early, car pool, or take public transit due to
limited parking.
Bring your lunch; no food will be provided during the brief 45
minute intermission.
Directions & Parking
Program Details
Download Flyer (PDF File)
Please RSVP to Don Goldmacher
Program Overview
I. The Arc Of Justice: We've Been Here Before
Â
DVD excerpt: Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., "Martyrs of the Civil Rights Movement"
Lynn Landes, journalist, "How America Used to Vote"
John Gideon, VotersUnite!, "Analysis of HAVA Misinformation in the Press"
II. Voter Suppression
Â
DVD excerpt: "Columbus Ohio Election Day Footage", by Linda Byrket, http://www.votecobb.org/video/#video5
Bob Fitrakis, Free Press (Columbus, Ohio), "The Taking of Ohio Prior
to Nov. 2"
Emily Levy, Juice for Justice, "Precinct Analysis in Ohio"
Warren Stewart, National Ballot Integrity Project, "Recounting New Mexico"
5 Minute Stretch
III. What Happened In 2004: Exit Polls - Were They Right?
Â
DVD excerpt: Susan Truitt, Ohio attorney
Jonathan Simon, Alliance for Democacy, "Analysis of Exit Polls"
Allyson Washburn, US Countvotes.org, "The Reluctant Republican Responder"
Larry Bensky, KPFA, "The Disappearing Media"
IV. The Age of the Machines
Â
Jim March, Blackboxvoting.org, "How to Hack a Diebold Vote Tabulator"
Wayne Madsen, journalist, "The Privatization of the Vote"
Lunch (45 Minutes)
V. Litigation
Â
Paul Lehto, Washington attorney, "Verifying Democracy 101: Sue First, Ask Questions Later"
Bob Fitrakis, Free Press, "History of Moss v. Bush, the Sanctions, Future Legal Actions"
VI. Legislation
Â
Butch Wing, political director, Rainbow PUSH, "Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s Constitutional Amendment Guaranteeing the Right to Vote"
Bob Kibrick, Verifiedvoting.org, "Pending Federal Legislation for Electoral Reform"
Sharon Cornu, Alameda County Central Labor Council, "Organized Labor and Election Reform"
Medea Benjamin, Code Pink, "A Voters' Bill of Rights"
VII. Action
Â
Walter Riley, community activist, "Organize County by County, Precinct by Precinct"
Lynn Landes, journalist, "A Paper Ballot is the Only Solution"
Alan Dechert, Open Voting Consortium, "Open Source Code Machines"
Kathy Dopp and Allyson Washburn, UScountvotes.org, "Citizen Precinct Analysis"
Judy Bertelsen, Wellstone Voting Rights Task Force, "Keep Kevin
Shelley's Reforms"
Megan Matson, Founder, the MMOB, "Getting Past 'Get Over It: How
to Communicate the Need for
Election Reform"
Open Microphone
Logistics
Map
Location: 2501 Harrison at 27th Street; about 2 blocks from Lake
Merritt near Fairyland. The program will be in the main sanctuary of
the church. Enter through the main doors facing the intersection of
27th and Harrison. (Disabled enter through the rear parking lot).
Other groups will be using other parts of the church.
Parking: Nearby parking is limited. Towards downtown and towards the
Lake, it is mainly two hour meters. Away from downtown and the Lake,
there is unlimited time parking, but not a whole lot of it.
AC Transit: The number 11, 12, 51, 59 and N buses pass within a few
blocks.
BART: Get off at the 19th street station, go up Broadway to 24th,
right on 24th to Harrison, left on Harrison and you are there. It is
about 0.6 miles.
Food: The closest restaurants are three to four blocks away. Bring
your lunch. Food and drink are not allowed in the sanctuary.
Fortunately, the weather forecast is for partly cloudy next weekend
and we will be able to eat on the lawn.
Â
Â
Â
Â
This Teach-In has been organized by the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, http://democraticrenewal.us and the MMOB (Mainstreet Moms Operation Blue), http://www.themmob.com.
Organizing a pro-democracy movement at the grassroots involving local Democratic clubs, Assembly District committees, the MMOB, the Green Party, Code Pink, and every group that is concerned about every citizen voting and every vote being counted.
[Top] [Program Details] [RSVP/More Info]
Â
Â
Just how badly does Joe Lieberman want to be the next Zell Miller and stab the party that gave him a Vice Presidential nomination in the back? We'll find out. Social Security is the defining issue of the day. Whichever party wins this fight is going to be in the driver's seat for the forseeable future. And it's also THE core issue of what being a Democrat means. If you're not economically progressive, you're not a Democrat. All signs point to Joe Lieberman as the dealmaker. This is from the good folks at First Draft:
"Today's action is simple. Contact Senator Joe Lieberman and tell him that if he helps Bush out of the political mess that Bush has created for himself on Social Security, you'll contribute to Joe's primary opposition. You can contact Lieberman at (202) 224-4041."
Posted by not sam at March 1, 2005 5:25 PMFive Demo. senators voted for torture-czar
Gonzales. The most notable were Lieberman and
Nelson of Florida.That was a litmus test for
any Leftist who promotes a stand for civil
rights.True Colors?
The Social Security "issue" is an over-reach
by Right-Wing Weasals.They've already started
to alienate the largest voting-block in the
U.S. (the AARP), who also are beginning to
realize that they were hoodwinked by that massive
give-away to pharmaceutical and ins. cos.--
the Medicare Bill.
Social Security "Reform" is a big fat juicy
softball pitch down the middle of the plate for
the Left. It's a proven success that realizes
the Leftist ideal of a society where the elderly,
and the disabled are cared for.Any "Democrat"
who wants to take the bat out of our hands on
this one needs to be identified and kicked off
the team.--Would you rather deal with someone
who tells you up-front that they oppose you,
or someone who calls you friend,then stabs
you in the back??
Posted by: FalafelKerfuffleX at March 4, 2005 9:47 PM
ACT is back:
On Saturday, March 5, we'll be leading volunteers from New York City to Staten Island, Long Island, and Westchester to knock on doors and to encourage voters to pressure their GOP Representatives to oppose Bush's privatization plans. The trip to each target area will be easy and inexpensive--so we strongly encourage you to come. And if you live in or near those areas already, it'll be even easier!
ACT NY has committed to providing at least 20 volunteers in each of these target areas as part of the In This Together Campaign, a coalition of progressive groups recently formed to address this critical issue. Many of you have told us how anxious you are to get back out in the field--so please RSVP now!
Staten Island: meet at the S.I. Ferry Terminal in Downtown Manhattan or in S.I.
Long Island: meet outside Penn Station or in Massapequa.
Westchester: meet at the Grand Central Info Booth/Clock or in Peekskill.
Posted by not sam at March 2, 2005 12:33 PMAnd the Disabled--they"re using YOUR
money to sit
at home and get fat!They're having steak and
lobster---for BREAKFAST!Delivered,because they're
too lazy to drive--have you ever seen a LEGAL vehicle in a Disabled
Parking Spot??uh-huh,let 'em
eat rice and beans and Top-Ramen!
DON''T waste your time and tax-dollars on these
scoundrels--our Great and Glorious Leader and CEO,
--G.W.Bush wants to use your money wisely...to
liberate Syria ! and Venezuela!maybe even Cuba!!
So DON'T GO on Saturday,stay at home,watch
cartoons,vegetate.Unlike the intolerant Janeane
Garafalo,we like vegetables--especially obedient
ones!!
"Hagel's plan
In a conference call with Nebraska reporters Thursday, Sen. Chuck
Hagel (R-Neb.) announced his intention to unveil a Social Security
reform bill in Nebraska Monday. Hagel has kept a lid on the details,
but sources say that Hagel plans to raise the retirement age to 68
and to allow taxpayers less than 45 years old to divert 4 percent of
their payroll tax to personal savings accounts. Hagel also is
planning to peg the age at which certain future beneficiaries may
begin collecting benefits to life expectancy, a complicated formula.
Hagel is scheduled to appear on CBS's 'Face the Nation,' this
Sunday, sources say, and is expected to discuss his plan. Unveiling
a Social Security reform package is risky for a rumored White
House-hopeful such as Hagel. It will be interesting to see if other
presidential aspirants in the Senate gamble by wading into Social
Security, known as the 'third rail' of American politics.
Hastert's timetable
While Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) was in no apparent
hurry to pass a Social Security overhaul earlier this week, his
counterpart at the other end of the Rotunda appears to be in more of
a hurry. Asked about his own timeline for passing reform
legislation, House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) told reporters
Thursday, 'I think we need to do it as quick as possible.'
Hastert has also declined to give an exact timeline for passage of a
Social Security reform bill, which is no surprise considering
leadership and the White House have yet to settle on a bill. But
most GOP insiders are skeptical that congressional Republicans would
vote on the measure in an election year, especially considering
their early preparations for 2006. The National Republican
Congressional Committee holds its first fundraising dinner March 15.
Grassley's on board
It looked Wednesday, at least to some Iowa reporters, that President
Bush had lost a key ally in his push to privatize Social Security
accounts: Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), who as chairman of the
Finance Committee will play a large role in the debate. The Des
Moines Register reported March 2 that Grassley told Iowa reporters
in a conference call that day that Congress should focus first on
solvency rather than the creation of personal investment accounts,
which the president favors. However, in a clarification released by
his office Thursday, Grassley made no mention of the conference call
and said, 'I support personal accounts.� Grassley set himself
squarely on the president�s side: �Democrat leaders are tearing
down personal accounts rather than taking responsibility for the
future of Social Security.'
Target Byrd
Senate Republicans are signaling that they won�t give the dean of
the Senate, Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.), a free ride if he decides to
seek a ninth term in 2006, as he is expected to do. The National
Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) sent an email this week
slamming Byrd for delivering a pointed speech about the so-called
'nuclear' option to end the Democratic filibuster of judicial
nominees. The release, titled �Robert Byrd flies off the deep
end,� included quotations from Byrd comparing the use of the
nuclear option to Adolph Hitler�s use of constitutional means to
put forward his policies. The email includes a photograph of Byrd
delivering his speech on the Senate floor with a sweeping hand
gesture, and notes that Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) congratulated
Byrd after his remarks. Kennedy issued a recent fundraising appeal
based on the threat of GOP use of the nuclear option, which
Republicans call the �constitutional option.� Asked about the
NRSC statement, Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told The Hill,
'They�re good at attacking people. They�ve attacked me since I
took the job. They�ve attacked everything about me. It�s part of
their game.'"
Posted by: FalafelKerfuffleX at March 4, 2005 9:46 PM
Posted by: MattTaibbi RestInPieces at March 4, 2005 9:52 PM
Chestnuts,Walnuts, or
just lonely 'ol
Right Wing-Nuts lookin desperately for
a screw??
Posted by: Aunti Suzi at March 7, 2005 7:00 PM
Posted by: Sanderson Witcombe at March 7, 2005 9:42 PM
So proclaimed by Atrios:
"Call Senator Santorum's office and ask him why he thinks people who earn tips should work for free. You could also ask if, say, this provision applies to people in the dog grooming industry."
For all the details, go here.
Posted by not sam at March 7, 2005 2:09 PMWhat does a medium Enhance?
What does a medium Retrieve?
What does a medium Restore?
What does a medium Obsolesce?
So, if you're not getting paid, that means you shouldn't need to be hired. And it means you can yell at your boss and come and leave as you please. What could he do? Fire you?
If I need an extra $50, I should just go to the Locke-Ober, push
away the regular waiter, and wait on a table with fat-cats, pocket
the $50 in tips and be on my way.
More recently it was learned that HHS
similarly contracted a media firm to create
“pseudo news” to hype the evils of marijuana. This was followed in
rapid succession by news of Armstrong Williams being paid $240k+ to
hype “No Child Left Behind” as actual news stories; Marie
Gallagher $25k to present “news” articles promoting Bush’s
initiative to “strengthen marriage;” and Mike McManus at least
$4000 to promote the same marriage legislation.
The President has consistently lauded the need for transparency in a free democracy. However, the record seems to portray a deliberate pattern to control, manipulate, distort, obscure, and even lie about critical information necessary for an informed electorate, as well as for their elected representatives to enact and control legislation and perform essential oversight.
The administration has also consistently attempted to discourage or delay requests for information sought under FOIA. They have systematically attempted to classify information not previously considered classified, and even classified reports and data previously released, in an apparent attempt to inhibit Congressional functions of oversight and legislation. Typically this is done under the guise of national security stemming from the War on Terror. More often it appears to reflect the government’s attempt to bury facts which will not support its policies or pronouncements. The testimony of Don North, first director of the Iraqi broadcasting system under the Coalition Provisional Authority, echoes again how the government – through Paul Bremer – systematically managed, censored, and controlled the flow of information in a presumably fledging democracy.
Questioned about the government’s role in the Armstrong Williams, et al payola prank, the President responded: “There needs to be a nice, independent relationship between the White House and the press." Shortly thereafter a reporter asked: “"How are you going to work - you said you're going to reach out to these people - how are you going to work with people who seem to have divorced themselves from reality?"
Now it is learned that reporter, using the name of Jeff Gannon, was granted credentials and daily pass to the White House Press Room for two years, despite the fact he had no known education, training, or experience in journalism. In fact, at the time of his first access to the White House, he and his “news organization” had only existed for 96 hours! Incredibly, he obtained White House clearance after being denied acceptance by both the House and Senate.
This reporter’s real name is James Guckert, representing Talon News, a wholly owned subsidiary of Texas Republicans, which was only created as a website @ March 2003 just hours before Gannon/Guckert obtained entrance to the White House Briefing Room as a journalist. His subsequent articles – posted primarily at Talon News – consisted of reprinting White House talking points. His most noted article asserted during the recent campaign that “…John Kerry…might some day be known as the first gay president.’
Ironically, it appears just prior to his spontaneous eruption as
a journalist, Gannon
was actively engaged as a male escort/gay prostitute with pictures
permeating the Internet. He actively advertised to solicit clients.
Some five or more of his gay oriented websites remained on the
Internet in an inactive status until the day he went into hiding.
Certainly any person is entitled to their own private lifestyle, but
one can not help but wonder why this Administration, so publicly
anti-gay, would grant him access to the Presidential Press Secretary
and even the President! It has been suggested the White House used
the daily pass process in order to avoid having Gannon/Guckert
vetted by the FBI. This again suggests a deliberate attempt to
propagandize news.
"I can't speak to the White House vetting process," Guckert/Gannon
told CNN in the only answer he gave that even bordered on being
substantive. "I suppose that they don't - they aren't interested in
reporters' sexual history either." This would come as a surprise to
the ABC producer/reporter in Iraq who was outed by the infamous Matt
Drudge (because, as Drudge told The Washington Post, "Someone in the
White House communications shop tipped me to it") as being not only
gay, but Canadian.”
Perhaps the most troubling facet of this story lies in the Gannon association with the Valerie Plame scandal. His statements of what he knew and when he knew it appear to be contradictory. So too are his statements as to whether or not he had access to the original classified document naming Valerie Plame as spouse of Wilson. Moreover, it now appears that even the supposed CIA secret memo may have been a false document.
Like the Abu Ghraib – prisoner detainee – scandal, news continues to ooze out slowly but steadily. On 18 February it was reported that Gannon first appeared at a White House press briefing as early as January 03 – months before Talon News was even formed. A major network news reporter has stated Gannon informed him of the US plan to attack Iraq four hours before the President announced the initiative! Again, this was before Talon was even formed. In a recent interview, Former Press Secretary Ari Fleischer stated he had concerns calling on Gannon because he worked for GOPUSA. GOPUSA later established Talon News. Mr Gannon also attended White House Christmas parties for the past two years while claiming he had no association with the White House.
Gannon clearly was involved in GOP politics. CBS reported 20 February that in 2003 he wrote a series of articles claiming the editor of South Dakota’s leading newspaper was a paid member of Senator Daschle’s campaign. These articles spread through right wing blogs, generating email and articles to critically discredit both the paper and the Senator! Gannon continued to use an SD blog site originally owned by a Rove associate as a “dumping ground for opposition research” against Daschle throughout the election cycle. He was also talking about the Dan Rather “forged documents” before they became public knowledge! A more cynical observer might conclude that a blue collar worker / male prostitute from Maryland with no journalistic or political background had been brought on board as a conduit of political propaganda!
This is not an issue about partisan politics, and certainly not an issue – per se – about individual sexual proclivity. It is a matter of the abuse of power attempting to unduly influence or control the media! As Bruce Bartlett, former Reagan and Bush Sr official pointed out, for Gannon to have served in that position two years the White House had to be actively involved in hiding his true identity.
With a few notable exceptions, there appears to be precious little attention or concern expressed within the halls of Congress or the meeting rooms of media! Democracy can not endure without the Free flow of information. Legislators can not responsibly legislate without access to all the pertinent facts. Time and again this administration has withheld information critical for decisions required from Congress. The full cost of the recent Medicare prescription program is but one recent example. The President has consistently omitted the costs of the wars in order to distort budget figures and deficits, as well as to include pet defense projects into later “emergency” authorizations. The Pentagon, CIA, EPA, and Justice have also consistently withheld information critical for proper oversight and budget considerations and engaged in propaganda both at home and abroad. Vital information was also withheld and delayed from the 911 Commission which might well have effected the election.
I believe Congress should demand a Special Prosecutor be named to
investigate what if any Administration involvement there was in the
previously discussed instances of payola and “pseudo news,” as
well as the Jeff Gannon/ James Guckert incident. Specifically:
1 - Who initially approached each of the above-named persons?
2 – Who authorized it? Is there a connection to the White House?
3 – Who provided clearance to Gannon/Guckert to enter White House?
4 – How was he made known to White House? To GOPNEWS?
5 – Has the Administration directly interfered in blocking
legitimate stories or alternate voices which questioned
Administration assertions?
6 - Has the Administration used undue pressure on news outlets to
push stories to mislead or misrepresent various proposals –
including 911
the causes and management of the Iraq War? Was Agent Orange used.
7 – How and why were Federal Agency reports traditionally sent to
Congress withheld or even discontinued?
The President went to great lengths to tell Russian journalists of our transparent society and how comfortable he is with a free press and open society that makes him “accountable.” Sadly, he has a four year history that suggests the opposite. Indeed, his obsession to control information and escape accountability was made transparently conspicuous to the world when his German “Town Hall” meeting had to be cancelled because Germans had the Integrity not to participate in a screened/staged event.
PLEASE – Demand Accountability Now!
---------------
HI All
i really had no thought beyond content when i typed the last three
words. As i looked, i thought - crappola: that's my name. After
reflecting, it srruck me as a catchy acronym for a campaign to
fnally nail ths ship of fools; the
DAN Campaign - DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY NOW
Posted by: ProProleteriat at March 9, 2005 7:20 AM
Posted by: ProProleteriat at March 9, 2005 7:47 AM
Posted by: Which came first, the website or the Congressman? at March 10, 2005 1:13 AM
The funny thing is, some of the morally bankrupt sell-outs on this list actually think they might one day be given the Democratic nomination. Today's action: go here, and then contact these "Democratic" Senators, and tell them that you will never forget the day they chose the predatory Banking Lobby over the American Family.
Posted by not sam at March 9, 2005 06:02 PMI confess
that I thought Biden was Presidential
material last year...oh well.Lieberman,Nelson(Fl)
and Salazar have voted with repubs on almost every
major issue and appt.,so far. They need to take off the masks...
Posted by: Eugene Newman at March 10, 2005 06:58 PM
Posted by: cb at March 11, 2005 12:22 AM
Thank you for your e-mail message. I appreciate having
the benefit of
your views.
This response is an acknowledgement that we received your message
and
will make note of your comments. For more information about the work
I do as a Senator for Delaware,
please visit my web site at
http://biden.senate.gov.
Sincerely,
Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
United States Senator
Posted by: rj at March 14, 2005 01:32 PM
monday (Solar 08)
12.19.12.2.1
12 Imix
4 Cumku
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WHITE SOLAR DOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PULSE in order to LOVE,
REALIZING LOYALTY.
seal the PROCESS of HEART
with the SOLAR tone of INTENTION.
guided by the power of DEATH.....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
9 oc ~~ white solar dog ~~ kin 230/260 ~ north
day 9/13 of white wind power of spirit wavespell 18/20 of 260 day tzolkin
day 2/4 of spectral process harmonic ~ 58/65 ~ "Formulate Free-Will of Liberation"
day 08/28 of solar power of intention moon 9/13 of 365 day solar year
year of the blue crystal storm ~ 8/16 of Tel-ek-ton-on Cycle
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
give thanks...heartlove...in lak'ech...
Ah Yum, Hunab Ku, Evam Maya E Ma Ho!
Ah Yum, Hunab Ku, Evam Maya E Ma Ho!
Ah Yum, Hunab Ku, Evam Maya E Ma Ho!
N�o esque�a-so amor..
Posted by: 13ben at March 15, 2005 02:21 AMPosted by: rj at March 16, 2005 06:44 PM
Please pass this around. California is around the corner:
PRESS! PRESS! PRESS! PRESS! PRESS! PRESS! PRESS!
April 7, 2005
CONTACT INFO:
HANK RAMEY,
Major Organizer
Recall Arnold Movement
Owner, Grassroots-CA-OH-FL
21845 Grand Terrace Rd., #23
Grand Terrace, CA., 92313
TEL.: (909) 872-1826
bighank98@yahoo.com
doeramey@sbcglobal.net
recallarnold@sbcglobal.net
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/hankramey/page4.htm
recallarnold.blogspot.com
Dot, Moderator
Grassroots-CA-OH-FL
wwwdothello@yahoo.com
GRAND TERRACE, Calif.-California liberal progressive activists are
announcing an initiative drive to put the California Honest Voting
Act of 2005 Initiative on the Ballot. They will request California
Attorney General Bill Lockyer’s Office for a “Title and Summary” for
their Initiative.
Hank Ramey, whose prior foray in any initiative was a failed
Initiative in 1990 in Bell Gardens, regarding an Amendment to the
General Plan is planning with a message board and others into
circulating the Honest Voting Act for more likely the June 2006
Ballot.
“We don’t think that we would get on this November’s Ballot”,
Ramey said, “even if any of Arnold’s ((Schwarzenegger) Initiatives
did qualify for the November Ballot. We are OPPOSED to all of
Arnold’s Initiatives, because he favors hospitals, businesses,
far-right educational activists. We believe at Grassroots-CA-OH-FL
(standing for Grassroots-California-Ohio-Florida) that the Democrats
and Greens should recall Arnold, and send a message to the minority
Republican Party that we want progressive changes in California
Government, and we will not have a Governor who curries with the
REAL special interests. Hell, we didn’t like Gov. Gray Davis for
being the Dialing for Dollars Governor!”
The Honest Voting Act of 2005 would ban any new uses of voting
machines, but would require Counties with existing machines to
require a paper trial on the existing machines. Those Counties would
also require poll workers to randomly count at least 10% of the
ballots at least four times during election day.
Most of the reforms were hashed out in the Grassroots-CA-OH-FL Yahoogroup, as well as in the CASE_OH Yahoogroup. “We are trying to avoid the problems Ohio and Florida had in 2000 and 2004,” Ramey said, “If California adopts this Initiative, other States would follow. We are also trying to Initiative campaigns started with similar provisions in Ohio and Florida.”
In Ohio, an initial petition with 100 signatures is needed before
Grassroots-CA-OH-FL could start with similar initiative in Ohio. In
Florida, they need proponents, which is hard to come by.
“Given the urge by Republicans to force us to have electronic voting
by fiat,” Ramey said, “we would need to educate voters to get voting
reform initiatives in all States where the initiative process is
available. Where it’s not available, we will try to get States like
Connecticut, Illinois, Hawaii, and Oklahoma to vote for a
Constitutional Convention, even though Oklahoma has an initiative
process.”
As to Florida, “in light of the Terri Schiavo case,” Ramey explained, “the attempted gutting of the Minimum Wage Initiative, and the wholesale gutting of the Initiative Process, Florida also needs a Constitutional Convention yesterday.”
The supporters of the Honest Voting Act of 2005 would need to
request the “Title and Summary”, which goes on top of each of their
Petitions. Ramey and his Group would need over 600,000 signatures to
get it on the June 2006 Ballot. After the group receives the “Title
and Summary” in a couple of months, Ramey and the group would have
up to five months to get all the necessary signatures.
ADDENDUM
THE HONEST VOTING ACT OF 2005.
First-Section 4 of Article II of the Constitution of California is amended as follows:
CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE II, SECTION 4
SEC. 4. (a) This Section shall be named “The Honest Voting Act of 2005”.
(b) Neither the State of California nor any County shall be allowed to purchase, operate, and authorize the use of any voting in any Federal, State, County, City, or other election by electronic means, but the Legislature shall authorize the use of paper ballots, as of the effective date the amendment of this Section is adopted by the voters. The People find and declare that all computerized touchscreen voting machines can break down, they are very expensive, and they are not easily distributed in an equal manner to all voters. This does not affect Counties that have already purchased, operate, and authorize any voting by electronic machines, but use of those machines shall be subject to subdivisions (c) through (e).
(c) In Counties that already purchased, operate, and authorize any voting by electronic machines, each vote from each of those machines shall contain a receipt of each vote made by the voter.
(d) On election day, there shall be a Precinct Board containing five Members who are in the Registrar of Voter Service defined in Subdivision (i). At least four times a day, a different Member shall count and tally at least 10 percent of the receipts from the electronic machines, but shall not disclose the results of each tally until the receipts and tallies are turned over to the Office of the Registrar of Voters.
(e) The software source code of each electronic machine shall be a public record, and shall not be exempted under Government Code Section 6254 or any other law or statute.
(f) The Legislature shall prohibit improper practices that affect elections and shall provide for the disqualification of electors while mentally incompetent or imprisoned.
(g) All persons shall be allowed to register or re-register to vote up to election day.
(h) Nothing shall prevent the voter from voting by mail, if only the voter or a relative not beyond the third degree of relationships so mails his or her vote to the Registrar of Voters of the County.
(i) All votes shall be hand-counted by registered voters who appointed in the same manner as petit jurors under the supervision of the Registrar of Voters. The master rolls shall be randomly selected from the voter registration rolls, driver's license records, and real estate records for each County. Those called for an election shall be selected in order from a Registrar of Voters service list on paper, and filed by January 1 of the year of selection. Requests for excuses shall be in writing, which would be for (a) illness or injury, (b) financial hardship, (c) on a previously scheduled vacation, and/or (d) a temporary or permanent disability; all to the extent the previous reasons would interfere with Registrar of Voters service. Excused absences shall be granted in writing, stating the name, the excuse, and when was the excuse granted. No employer can terminate for the required performance in doing Registrar of Voters service. No counting of the votes shall be given to persons not selected for Registrar of Voters service or to private corporations.
(j) Each County shall be divided up into precincts of no more than 400 voters each.
(k) No voter shall be mislead by any election official, any
person engaged in Registrar of Voters service, any member of the
precinct board, any member(s) of any political party, or any
supporter or opponent of any candidate or any initiative or
referendum as to when
and/or where he or she can vote, who could vote, and any
qualifications as to voting or voter registration.
(l) No voter shall be denied his or her right to vote on the basis of race, gender, orientation, religion, or previous condition of servitude or incarceration.
(m) Any voter who has previously voted at a previous address, but has moved from a prior address shall be entitled to register to vote and vote at the new precinct. All votes from voters that have moved before election day who refuse to vote at the new precinct will not have their vote counted, unless a provisional ballot is required to be given to the voter to be cast.
(n) Only the members of the precinct board or if none, the chief election officer of the County, may disqualify a voter before he or she may cast a vote, and only then, if required by law, may allow the voter to vote by provisional ballot.
(o) The voter shall not be prevented by way of arrest from voting, nor shall any peace officer shall prevent the voter from going to his or her polling place unless there is a reasonable belief or suspicion that the voter will engage in any illegal activity.
(p) All Counties, and in municipal elections, all cities, shall provide for enough absentee ballots, provisional ballots, paper ballots, and all other election materials at each polling place, provided, that each polling place shall have in excess of 125% of their supplies. If there is a need for a County, city, or a Registrar of Voters needing assistance, other Counties, cities, and Registrar of Voters may assist the County, city, or Registrar of Voters so requesting.
(q) All polling places shall be opened at 7 o'clock ante meridian and shall close at 10 o'clock post meridian, and shall not allow any more voters after that time, unless the voters are already in line at the time of closing. In each polling place in any election, there shall be two precinct boards, one operating between 7 o'clock ante meridian and 2 o'clock post meridian, and the other shall operate between 2 and 10 o'clock post meridian. Persons serving on Registrar of Voters Service shall be divided among both precinct board shifts, and the third group shall be used after hours to hand-count the ballots.
(r) Any violation of this section shall be reviewed by mandamus,
quo warranto, or by way of elections contest and the court of
competent jurisdiction may declare that the person receiving more
elected votes to be the winner, whether any measure is approved or
rejected, or may require another election. If any of the provisions
of this Section is violated, or the election results were obtained
by way of fraud, the costs and attorney’s fees, including the costs
of any recounts, shall be assessed to the County conducting the
election where the provisions of this section was violated or where
the fraud occurred. This section is expressly applied to all
elections for Federal and statewide offices, and for Members of the
Legislature. In any proceedings regarding violations of this
section, any contestants or petitioners shall have a right to secure
all voting records, and all discovery under the Code of Civil
Procedure and California Rules of Court shall be permitted.
Posted by: Best Direct TV at July 4, 2005 06:11 PM
Where? At gopcaughtontape.com, of course.
Current stars:
Charles Boustany (R-LA)
Heather Wilson (R-NM)
Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL)
Rob Simmons (R-CT)
Chris Chocola (R-IN)
John Kline (R-MN)
Jon Porter (R-NV)
Bob Beauprez (R-CO)
Know people in these people's districts? Even if you don't, send
the link around anyway. One of the best tools you can use against
these scumbags is just to shine the light on them.
From a mydd diary by murshedz:
"I imagine most of you already had a chance to read the latest bombshell ethics scandal implicating Tom DeLay this morning in The Washington Post. Based on the latest story, we are expanding the lobbying targets of our phone calls to the Capitol Hill demanding full scale investigation into the latest ethics scandals implicating Tom DeLay. Specifically we are targeting the GOP House Leadership."
Posted by not sam at March 11, 2005 02:36 PMYou can sign up for automatic alerts at their website.
Post how your calls, letters, and e-mails are going on their blog.
Check it out:
Posted by: Star Vox at March 12, 2005 02:26 AMthinks hes above the ethical fray
toms cooking the books
but the rest of the crooks
take his money so what can they say
Posted by: RWiley at March 13, 2005 11:51 AMI would rather deal with a
braggart-criminal
like DeLay,tho,than an insidious conservative
wearing a Liberal's mask like,say,Nicholas
Kristof..
Okay,now that I have cleverly segued onto the
subject of Kristof--he may have stolen or
bought the label of Liberal somewhere,but he
is the worst sort of conservative.He propogates
neo-con-types of misinformation and professes
strategies for the Left straight out of the
K.Rove wish-list.
This Fake Liberal appeals to the weak-link
Excuse-me Democrats with his his push for
Enviros to present their"nuanced" case to this
hostile Admin. politely,with plenty of evidence
in tow..EXCUSE ME,but dozens of top scientists,
nat'l and worldwide have been trying for four+
years now to get through to this Admin. King
George's response? As not sam pointed out,he
has politicized,manipulated,bullied the USFWS,
and ignored concerned scientists from PEER
and WCS. He has also stonewalled or outright
attacked esteemed orgs. like The Sierra Club
or Wilderness Society.
So,what strategy does Mr. Kristof propose for
the stonewalled Enviros? He attacks the more
vocal ones as "alarmist" ,"empty of nuance".
Karl could not have stated it any more
"eloquently"..perhaps Enviros,and Liberals even,
should stand in the back of the room,wait for
Mr. Bush to call on them.Would it be too
offensive for them to raise thir hand,Mr.Kristof?
Maybe they should make an appt. for say,2018
when "Clear Skies " is supposed to kick in.
This be-nice,tone-it-down chiding is an old
cons. ploy.They don't want the Left to engage
in the same YELLING AND POUNDING that helped
them gain power.Tom DeLay is boastingly
called The Hammer,not the Tepid Tapper.Kristof
knows this as much as any Paid Propogandist.
He is also aware of the cons. tactic of taking
anecdotal evidence and presenting it as hard,
all-encompassing evidence.Ooo-ooo--they were
wrong about Caribou Herds,those Alarmists,AND
I found an Alarmist book about population
growth!The whole movement is mis-lead and a
failure!(such a failure that even an idiot
like Bush can correctly state that we're
better off today environmentally than 25 to
30 yrs ago.)
Kristof sites the fact that he was an eviron.
groupie(in the days before he sold-out)as
qualification,I suppose,for his article.Yeah,
righjt,big Whoop.75% of the country is
concerned about the environment.With Right-
Wingers it's a matter of Priority.I don't
believe that it's one of N.Kristof's priorities
(as much as $$ ?)
While it is important to go after the big,loud
arrogant rats like "Hammer" DeLay,it's also
essential to shine a light(SUNSHINE-WEEK!)
on their brethren--the smaller,insidious
creatures like Mr.Kristof,who skirt around the
edges of Liberalism...
Read my commentary about conservative blowhards at
www.mark-gelbart.com
Posted by: Mark Gelbart at March 28, 2005 08:24 PMJUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO VOTE ON GANNON RESOLUTION ON WEDNESDAY AT 10 A.M.
BROADCAST LIVE ON THE INTERNET, at http://judiciary.house.gov/
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Tomorrow, March 16, at 10 a.m. the House Judiciary Committee will vote on a House resolution which will direct the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to respond to remaining questions on Gannongate.
Posted by not sam at March 15, 2005 6:17 PMThe House
Judiciary Commitee voting will be broadcast on the internet:
http://blog.dccc.org/mt/archives/002393.html
Internet Broadcast: Wednesday, March 16th, 2005, 10 am
http://judiciary.house.gov/
Contact members of the House Judiciary Committee regarding their vote on whether the House of Representatives will hold the White House accountable regarding this lapse in security. http://judiciary.house.gov/contact.aspx
Individual members' DC and Local Office follows in subsequent posts in comments section. The local contact info will save constituents and anyone concerned with government transparency on this issue long distance charges!
Posted by: Peanut at March 15, 2005 11:50 PMRemind individual members that their respective votes supporting or preventing further investigation of security policies that allowed a self-advertising gay hooker using an assumed name to get past President Bush's security detail will be re-examined during the members' future statements and actions on security, the issue of same-sex marriage, and so=called "moral values".
At issue:
* the administration's practices regarding national security
* the administration's use of propaganda to misrepresent their own agenda and smear critics of the president and his policies
* the administration's use of a self-advertised gay hustler to promote an anti- gay-rights agenda
* the administration's use of a self-advertised gay hustler to mispresent George Bush's promise to promote conservative religious "moral values"
REPUBLICAN MEMBERS PART ONE
Henry J. Hyde (R) Illinois, 6th
2110 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-4561
http://www.house.gov/hyde/
Henry J. Hyde's Addison, IL office
zip code 60101
Phone: (630) 832-5950
Fax: (630) 832-5969
Howard Coble (R) North Carolina, 6th
Phone: (202) 225-3065
Fax: (202) 225-8611
http://coble.house.gov/
Howard Coble's Asheboro Office NC 8am to 5 pm
zip code 27203
Phone: (336) 626-3060
Fax: (336) 629-7819
Email Rebecca Redding rebecca.redding@mail.house.gov
Howard Coble's High Point Office NC 8am to 5 pm
zip code 27262-7723
Phone: (336) 886-5106
Fax: (336) 886-8740
Email Nancy Mazza nancy.mazza@mail.house.gov
Howard Coble's Greensboro Office NC 8am to 5pm
zip code 27408-5100
Phone: (336) 333-5005
Fax: (336) 333-5048
Email Chris Beaman chris.beaman@mail.house.gov
Email Kathy Benfield kathy.benfield@mail.house.gov
Email Amanda Page amanda.martinpage@mail.house.gov
Email Jan Scott jan.scott@mail.house.gov
Howard Coble's Salisbury Office NC 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
zip code 28144-8388
Phone: (704) 645-8082
Fax: (704) 645-0896
Email Terri Welch terri.welch@mail.house.gov
Howard Coble's Graham Office NC 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
zip code 27253-0812
Phone: (336) 229-0159
Fax: (336) 228-7974
Email Janine Osborne janine.osborne@mail.house.gov
Lamar S. Smith (R) Texas, 21st
2231 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-4236
http://lamarsmith.house.gov/
Email contact form:
http://lamarsmith.house.gov/contact.asp
Lamar Smith's Austin District Office 8am - 5pm CST M - F
zip code 78731
512-402-9743
512-402-9867 fax
Sheila Brown, Constituent Services Liaison
Lamar S. Smith San Antonio Office 8am - 5pm CST M - F
zip code 78209
210-821-5024
210-821-5947 fax
Elton Gallegly (R) California, 24th
2427 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-0523
(202) 225-5811
Contact: Tom Pfeifer
(202) 225-5811
Elton Gallegly's Thousand Oaks, CA office
zip code 91361-3018
Phone: (805) 497-2224
Toll Free: (800) 423-0023
FAX: (805) 497-0039
Elton Gallegly's Solvang, CA office
zip code 93463
Phone: (805) 686-2525
FAX: (805) 686-2566
Bob Goodlatte (R) Virginia, 6th
2240 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-5431
(202) 225-9681 fax
Bob Goodlatte's Harrisonburg, VA office
zip code 22801
(540) 432-2391
(540) 432-6593 fax
Bob Goodlatte's Lynchburg, VA office
zip code 24504
(434) 845-8306
(434) 845-8245 fax
Bob Goodlatte's Roanoke, VA office
zip code 24011
(540) 857-2672
(540) 857-2675 fax
Bob Goodlatte's Staunton, VA office
zip code 24401
(540) 885-3861
(540) 885-3930 fax
Steve Chabot (R) Ohio, 1st
129 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-2216
(202) 225-3012 (fax)
Steve Chabot Cincinnati, OH office
zip code 45202
(513) 684-2723
(513) 421-8722 (fax)
Dan Lungren (R) California, 3rd
2448 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-5716
(202) 226-1298 Fax
Email:
http://www.house.gov/lungren/talkto.htm
Dan Lungren's Gold River office
zip code CA 95670
(916) 859-9906
(916) 859-9976 Fax
William (Bill) L. Jenkins (R) Tennessee, 1st
1207 Longworth Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-6356
(202) 225-5714 Fax
William (Bill) Jenkins's Kingsport, TN office
zip code 37662
(423) 247-8161
(423) 247-1834 Fax
Chris Cannon (R) Utah, 3rd
email form at:
http://www.house.gov/cannon/email.htm
Spencer Bachus (R) Alabama, 6th
442 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
202 225-4921
Spencer Bachus's Northport Office
zip code 35476
205 333-9894 phone
205 333-9812 fax
Spencer Bachus's Birmingham Office
zip code 35243
205 969-2296 phone
205 969-3958 fax
Spencer Bachus's Clanton Office
zip code 35046
205 280-0704 phone
205 280-3060 fax
Bob Inglis (R) South Carolina, 4th
Washington, DC Office
330 Cannon House Office Building
phone: 202-225-6030
fax: 202-226-1177
Bob Inglis's Greenville, SC Office
105 N. Spring St.
Suite 111
Greenville, SC 29601
phone: 864-232-1141
fax: 864-233-2160
Bob Inglis's Spartanburg, SC Office
145 N. Church St.
BTC #56
Spartanburg, SC 29306
phone: 864-582-6422
Bob Inglis's Union, SC Office
phone: 864-427-2205
fax: 864-573-9478
John N. Hostettler (R) Indiana, 8th
Washington, DC Office
1214 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
TEL: (202) 225-4636
FAX: (202) 225-3284
Email- John.Hostettler@mail.house.gov
John N. Hostettler's Evansville District Office
zip code 47708
TEL: (812) 465-6484
FAX: (812) 422-4761
TOLL FREE: (800) 321-9830
John N. Hostettler's Covington District Office
zip code 47932
TEL: (765) 793-2161
FAX: (765) 793-2137
John N. Hostettler's Terre Haute District Office
zip code 47807
TEL: (812) 232-0523
FAX: (812) 232-0526
John N. Hostettler's Vincennes District Office
zip code 47591
TEL: (812) 882-0632
FAX: (812) 882-4298
Mark Green (R) Wisconsin, 8th
Washington DC office
1314 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5665
Fax: (202) 225-5729
Mark.Green@mail.house.gov
Mark Green's Green Bay, WI office
zip code 54301
Phone: (920) 437-1954
Fax. (920) 437-1978
Toll Free: (800)773-8579
Mark Green's Appleton, WI office
zip code 54911
Phone: (920) 380-0061
Fax: (920) 380-0051
Toll Free:(800)773-8579
Ric Keller (R) Florida, 8th
419 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2176
Fax: (202) 225-0999
Ric Keller's Orlando, FL Office
605 E. Robinson St., Suite 650
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: (407) 872-1962
Fax: (407) 872-1944
Toll Free: (888) 642-1211
Ric Keller's Eustis, FL Office
zip code 32726
Phone: (888) 642-1211
Fax: (407) 872-1944
Ric Keller's Ocala, FL Office
zip code 34471
Phone: (888) 642-1211
Fax: (407) 872-1944
Darrell E. Issa (R) California, 49th
Washington DC Office:
211 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
phone: 202.225.3906
fax: 202.225.3303
Darrell E. Issa's San Diego County Office
Vista, CA
zip code 92083
phone: 760.599.5000
fax: 760.599.1178
Darrell E. Issa's Temecula, CA Office
phone: 909.693.2447
Jeff Flake (R) Arizona, 6th
Washington DC Office:
424 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-0301
(202) 225-2635 - phone
(202) 226-4386 - fax
jeff.flake@mail.house.gov
Jeff Flake's Mesa, AZ Office
zip code 85204
(480) 833-0092 - phone
(480) 833-6314 - fax
Mike Pence (R) Indiana, 6th
Washington DC Office
426 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-3021 office
(202) 225-3382 fax
email contact form at:
http://www.house.gov/formpence/IMA/contact.htm
Mike Pence's Anderson, IN Office
zip code 46016
(765) 640-2919 office
(765) 640-2922 fax
J. Randy Forbes (R) Virginia, 4th
Washington, DC Office 9am - 6pm, M - F
307 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-6365
Fax: 202-226-1170
J. Randy Forbes Chesapeake, VA Office 9am - 5pm, M - F
zip code 23322
Phone: 757-382-0080
Fax: 757-382-0780
Steve King (R) Iowa, 5th
Washington, D.C. Office
Office of Congressman Steve King
1432 Longworth Office Building
Washington D.C. 20515
(202) 225-4426
Fax: (202) 225-3193
Steve King's Storm Lake, IA Office
zip code 50588
(712) 732-4197
Fax: (712)-732-4217
Steve King's Sioux City, IA Office
zip code 51101
(712) 224 4692
Fax: (712) 224-4693
Steve King's Council, IA Bluffs Office
zip code 51503
(712) 325-1404
Fax: (712) 325-1405
Tom Feeney (R) Florida, 24th
Washington, D.C. Office
323 Cannon House Office Building
Washington DC 20515
phone:(202) 225-2706
fax:(202) 226-6299
Tom Feeney's Orlando, FL Office
zip code 32826
phone:(407) 208-1106
fax:(407) 208-1108
Tom Feeney's Port Orange, FL Office
zip code 32129
phone:(386) 756-9798
fax:(386) 756-9903
Tom Feeney's Titusville, FL Office
zip code 32780
phone:(321) 264-6113
fax:(321) 264-6227
Trent Franks (R) Arizona, 2nd
Washington, DC Office
1237 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-4576
Trent Franks Glendale, AZ Office
zip code 85308
Phone: 623-776-7911
Fax: 623-776-7832
Louie Gohmert (R) Texas, 1st
Washington, DC 20515
508 Cannon House Bldg.
phone: 202-225-3035
fax: 202-225-5866
HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
DEMOCRATS
DEMOCRATS
RANKING MEMBER Hon. John Conyers, Jr. (D) Michigan, 14th
Washington, DC Office
2426 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-5126 Phone
(202) 225-0072 Fax
email contact form:
http://www.house.gov/conyers/letstalk.htm
Hon. John Conyers Southgate, MI Office
zip code 48195
(734) 285-5624 Phone
(734) 285-5943 Fax
Hon. John Conyers' Detroit, MI Office
zip code 48226
(313) 961-5670 Phone
(313) 226-2085 Fax
Howard L. Berman (D) California, 28th
Washington Office
2221 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-4695
email contact form:
http://www.house.gov/berman/contact/
Howard L. Berman's Van Nuys, CA Office
zip code 91411
(818) 994-7200
Rick Boucher (D) Virginia, 9th
Washington, DC Office
2187 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-3861
Ninthnet@mail.house.gov
Jerrold Nadler (D) New York, 8th
Washington, DC Office
2334 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-5635
email contact form
http://www.house.gov/nadler/emailform.shtml
Jerrold Nadler's Brooklyn, NY Office
zip code 11224
Tel. 718-373-3198
Jerrold Nadler's Manhattan, NY Office
zip code 10014
Tel. 212-367-7350
Robert C. Scott (D) Virginia, 3rd
Washington Office:
1201 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-8351 Phone
(202) 225-8354 Fax
Robert C. Scott's Newport News, VA
zip code 23607
(757) 380-1000 Phone
(757) 928-6694 Fax
Robert C. Scott's Richmond, VA Office
zip code 23219-1321
(804) 644-4845 Phone
(804) 648-6026 Fax
Robert C. Scott's Norfolk State University Office
Harrison B. Wilson Administration Building
2nd Floor Conference Room
Thursdays 3:00- 5:00 p.m.
Mel Watt (D) North Carolina, 12th
WASHINGTON Office
2236 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC
20515-3312
Tel. (202) 225-1510
Fax (202) 225-1512
Mel Watt's CHARLOTTE, NC office
1230 W. Morehead St.
zip code 28208-5214
Tel. (704) 344-9950
Fax (704) 344-9971
Mel Watt's GREENSBORO, NC office
zip code 27401-2615
Tel. (336) 275-9950
Fax (336) 379-9951
Zoe Lofgren (D) California, 16th
Washington, D.C. Office
102 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3072
Fax: (202) 225-3336
Zoe Lofgren's San Jose, CA Office
zip code 95112
Phone: (408) 271-8700
Fax: (408) 271-8713
Sheila Jackson Lee (D) Texas, 18th
Washington Office
2435 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-3816
(202) 225-3317 Fax
Sheila Jackson Lee's Houston Office
1919 Smith Street
Suite 1180
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 655-0050
(713) 655-1612 Fax
Sheila Jackson Lee's (Houston) Heights, Texas Office
zip code 77008
(713) 861-4070
Sheila Jackson Lee's Acres, Texas Office
zip code 77091
(713) 691-4882
Maxine Waters (D) California, 35th
Washington DC Office
2344 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
202-225-2201 phone
202-225-7854 fax
contact form:
http://www.house.gov/waters/IMA/issue.htm
Maxine Waters Los Angeles, CA Office
zip code 90003
323-757-8900 phone
323-757-9506 fax
Martin T. Meehan (D) Massachusetts, 5th
Washington, DC Office
2229 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3411
Fax: (202) 226-0771
TTY: (202) 225-1904
Martin T. Meehan's Haverhill, MA District Office
zip code 01830
Phone: (978) 521-1845
Fax: (978) 521-1843
Martin T. Meehan's Lowell, MA District Office
zip code 01852
Phone: (978) 459-0101
Fax: (978) 459-1907
Martin T. Meehan's Lawrence, MA District Office
zip code 01840
Phone: (978) 681-6200
Fax: (978) 682-6070
William D. Delahunt (D) Massachusetts, 10th
Washington Office
2454 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3111
Fax: (202) 225-5658
email: William.Delahunt@mail.house.gov
William D. Delahunt's Hyannis, MA Office
zip code 02601
(508) 771-0666
Toll-Free: (800) 870-2626
Fax: (508) 790-1959
William D. Delahunt's Quincy, MA Office
zip code 02169
(617) 770-3700
Toll-Free: (800) 794-9911
Fax: (617) 770-2984
Robert Wexler (D) Florida, 19th
Washington, D.C. Office
213 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-3001 PHONE
(202) 225-5974 FAX
email contact form:
http://www.house.gov/wexler/contact.htm
Robert Wexler's Palm Beach County (Boca Raton, FL) Office
zip code 33431
(561) 988-6302 PHONE
(561) 988-6423 FAX
Robert Wexler's Broward County (Margate, FL) Office
zip code 33063
(954) 972-6454 PHONE
(954) 974-3191 FAX
Anthony Weiner (D) New York, 9th
Washington, D.C. Address Office
1122 Longworth House Office Building
Washington DC 20515
(202) 225-6616
email: weiner@mail.house.gov
Anthony Weiner's Brooklyn, NY Office
zip code Brooklyn, NY 11235
(718) 743-0441
Anthony Weiner's Kew Gardens, NY Office
zip code Suite 5000
Kew Gardens, NY 11415
(718) 520-9001
Anthony Weiner's Rockaway, NY Office
zip code 11693
(718) 318-9255
Adam Schiff (D) California, 29th
Washington DC Office
326 Cannon HOB
Washington D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4176
Fax: (202) 225-5828
http://schiff.house.gov/HoR/CA29/Contact+Information/Contact+Form.htm
Adam Schiff's Pasadena, CA Office
zip code 91105
Phone: (626) 304-2727
Fax: (626) 304-0572
Linda T.Sánchez (D) California, 39th
1007 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6676
Fax: 202-226-1012
email contact form:
http://www.lindasanchez.house.gov/index.cfm?section=contact
Linda T.Sánchez's Lakewood, CA office
zip code 90712
Phone: 562-429-8499
Fax: 562-938-1948
Adam Smith (D) Washington, 9th
Chris Van Hollen, (D) Maryland, 8th
There are refs in this
article too.Here is the link to page where this was found:
http://groups.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=messageboard.viewThread&entryID=1454432&categoryID=0&IsSticky=0&groupID=100058044&Mytoken=20050318111314
Bless the Beasts and the Children
Photographer for White House child sex ring arrested after Thompson
suicide
Tom Flocco | March 13, 2005
The Justice Department, acting through the FBI and the U.S. Attorney?s Office in Omaha, emerges from the record of the Franklin investigations not so much as a party to the cover-up, but as its coordinator. Rigging grand juries, harassment of witnesses, incitement to perjury and tampering with evidence--federal personnel were seen to apply all of those techniques in the Franklin case. (John W. DeCamp, Esq., The Franklin Cover-up , Second Edition, January 2005)
WASHINGTON -- Photographer Russell E. "Rusty" Nelson was recently arrested two days after journalist Hunter Thompson reportedly committed suicide four weeks ago on February 10, according to two phone interviews with attorney John DeCamp last week.
Nelson was allegedly employed by a former Republican Party activist to take pictures of current or retired U.S. House-Senate members and other prominent government officials engaging in sexual criminality by receiving or committing sodomy and other sex acts on children during the Reagan-Bush 41 administrations.
Hunter Thompson?s death and the news blackout of Rusty Nelson?s simultaneous arrest raise questions that someone may be attempting to limit Nelson?s freedom or threaten him, since according to testimony, both men had allegedly witnessed homosexual prostitution and pedophile criminal acts in a suppressed but far-reaching child sex-ring probe closely linked to Senate and House members--but also former President George H. W. Bush.
[In U.S. District Court testimony, Rusty Nelson told Judge Warren Urbom he took 20,000 to 30,000 pictures, 2-5-1999, p.52]
Pedophile victim Paul Bonacci--kidnapped and forced into sex slavery between the ages of 6 and 17--told U.S. District Court Judge Warren Urbom in sworn testimony [pp.105, 124-126] on February 5, 1999: "Where were the parties?...down in Washington, DC...and that was for sex...There was sex between adult men and other adult men but most of it had to do with young boys and young girls with the older folks...specifically for sex with minors...Also in Washington, DC, there were parties after a party...there were a lot of parties where there would be senators and congressmen who had nothing to do with the sexual stuff. But there were some senators and congressmen who stayed for the [pedophile sex] parties afterwards...on a lot of the trips he took us on he had us, I mean, I met some people that I don't feel comfortable telling their name because I don't want to --- ...Q: Are you scared?...Yes..."
DeCamp, a former Nebraska state senator and decorated Vietnam War vet, told TomFlocco.com "there are tons of pictures still left; law enforcement is currently looking for them," adding, "you can also assume there are senators and congressmen implicated; otherwise this would not be such a big issue." But no federal official has stepped forward to protect Rusty Nelson's life, as Congress would be reluctant to hold hearings or force a federal prosecutor to probe its own members for sex acts with children--still punishable by law.
Sex with minors?
In his testimony before Judge Urbom, Bonacci specifically named
Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) as having participated in the
parties--also telling the judge he had "relationships with him" in
Washington, DC and was flown to Massachusetts for sex in the
basement of Frank's Boston home. [2-5-1999, p. 126]
However, Urbom did not subpoena all the photos and did not ask Bonacci to identify photos of specific senators and congressmen, or reveal their names in court transcripts and depositions we examined; nor did Judge Urbom explain why investigations have never commenced regarding which members of congress had sex with children
The evidence DeCamp presented was so credible and substantial that Urbom awarded Paul Bonacci $1 million for child abuse on February 19, 1999 regarding his lawsuit involving Larry King. This, despite a Nebraska jury having already indicted Bonacci for perjury in 1990, ultimately sending an intentionally damaged, spiritually and physically abused young man to prison for five years--and despite his treatment by King, described in court testimony:
"They put guns up to my head. Had guns put in my mouth...Larry King sent out boys, men, to jump me...he had them pretty well beat the tar out of me from the waist down so nobody would see the marks...I had my fingers broken...I can remember them burning me with hot instruments...placing stuff inside me...almost what I call a cattle prod...But it would be put inside then they'd shock me inside my -- ...Judge Urbom: Anus?...Yes... And they would -- ...Judge: You mean electrically heated?...They would put it in and then push a button and it would shock me...Judge Urbom:..done by Larry King at his direction?...At his direction..."
"I threatened to go to the police in California, thought maybe they would listen whereas in Omaha they were in his pocketbook...he had me hung out of an airplane with a rope by my ankles... If they wanted to get something passed through the legislature, he would put some people that were against it in a compromising position. By using us boys and girls ...Judge Urbom: Was this by your being the sexual partner of that person?...Yes...Judge Urbom: ...Any estimates of how often you participated as the sexual partner of one of these persons that he wanted to get some kind of control over?...There were times when it would be four or five in a night...on probably a couple thousand times...sometimes dozens of times with the same person..." [U.S. District Court testimony, 2-5-1999, pp. 146-151]
Curiously, Paul Bonacci told investigators that the sex ring was based out of Offutt U.S. Air Force Base near Omaha, having been taken there to be abused since he was three years old in 1970. At Offutt, Paul said he was "trained" by tortures, heavy drugging and sexual degradation. [Offutt AFB played a major role immediately following the 9/11 attacks as George W. Bush made the base his post-attack headquarters for a short period.]
So intent upon his physical harm, the government "moved Bonacci to different facilities--despite agreements worked out by DeCamp, purposefully given food to which he was allergic while his weight dropped, and denied a blanket for months...beaten several times in jail and placed with potentially violent people associated with Larry King," according to Decamp.
John DeCamp told us last week that "Larry King was released from prison on April 11, 2001 after serving about five years," adding "he's back in Washington, DC and now involved in this story again." [DeCamp's book also said "King went to prison for embezzlement, conspiracy and making false financial record entries...there was no trial on any other charges, and the evidence of child prostitution and abuse perpetrated by King was never presented in any court." Franklin Cover-up , p. 224]
John DeCamp just released an updated 2005 edition of his original book about the secret White House-linked national child sex-ring entitled The Franklin Cover-up [$12.95 + $4.00 shipping: contact decamplegal@inebraska.com for 2005 edition]. The carefully researched and graphic expose involves convicted [and recently released from prison] GOP operative Lawrence E. "Larry" King Jr. who allegedly hired photographers to capture legislators and high officials in compromising sexual positions with children while he managed the Franklin Federal Credit Union--according to court testimony on 2-5-1999. [Franklin was raided by federal agencies and shut down two days before George H. W. Bush was elected president in 1988.]
Past mysterious deaths, clandestine arrests, court testimony, and credible evidence of FBI and CIA participation in their cover-up also raise questions as to why elderly pedophile priests are removed from their pulpits, prosecuted and imprisoned for sex acts committed 40 years ago and why famous music entertainers are prosecuted for pedophilia; yet elderly pedophile federal legislators may still remain in the U.S. House and Senate--drawing a free pass for past criminal child-sex acts.
Regarding his role in taking blackmail photos of government officials, Rusty Nelson confirmed Bonacci?s testimony to Judge Urbom: "Q: Children on the airplane?...yes. Q: How young?...There was one situation went back to Washington, DC...he had probably 10, 12 years old...Q: Boys, girls?...Both...Q: Who attended the parties?...Prominent business people, very prominent high-ranking officials, politicians. The younger people. What would transpire was they would have a party and then a party after the party...after the party was more of a sex-type deal...That?s what Larry [King] would -- -- Q: These old politicians were having sex with each other?...Or people Larry would bring...some younger people...Did you take pictures of the parties?...I took pictures at some of the parties, yes..." [U.S. District Court testimony, 2-5-1999, pp. 89-91]
After the Secret Service allowed Paul Bonacci to have access to the White House on July 3, 1988, one of DeCamp?s investigators said the young pedophile victim was able to draw a floor-plan of the presidential inside living quarters of the White House--an area not available to the public--lending stong credence to a June 29, 1989 Washington Times front page story, "Homosexual prostitution inquiry ensnares VIPs with Reagan, Bush," when reporters Paul Rodriguez and George Archibald said "Call-boys took midnight tour of White House."
Presidential indiscretions--or criminal acts?
According to a Nebraska state police report, Nebraska Foster Care Review Board letter to the Attorney General, Nebraska Senate?s Franklin committee investigative report, and a 50-page report by Omaha?s Boys Town welfare case officer Mrs. Julie Walters, pedophile victims Nelly and Kimberly Webb detailed a massive child sex, homosexual and pornography operation run out of Nebraska by Larry King--but with close ties directly to the White House.
Mrs. Walter?s Nebraska Dept. of Social Services report (3-25-86) revealed: "[14 year-old] Nelly said at these trip parties hosted by Larry King, she sat naked ?looking pretty and innocent? and guests could engage in any sexual activity they wanted, but penetration was not allowed...Nellysaid she first met V. P. George Bush at the Republican Convention where King sang the national anthem, and saw Bush again at a Washington, DC party Larry hosted...Last year [1985] she met V.P. Bush and saw him at one of the parties Larry gave while on a Washington, DC trip. At some of the parties there are just men (as was the case at the party George Bush attended)...Nelly said she has seen sodomy committed at those parties."
The Walters report continued: "On December 19, 1988, Nelly was contacted and voluntarily came to the FBI offices on December 30, 1988. She was interviewed by [FBI agents] Brady, Tucker and Phillips...in September or October, 1984 when Lisa was 14 she went to Chicago with Larry King and 15-20 boys from Omaha...She indicates she attended a party in Chicago with King and the male youths. She indicated George Bush was present...she sat at a table at the party wearing nothing but a negligee. She stated George Bush saw her on the table. She stated she saw George Bush pay King money and Bush left the party with a nineteen year old black boy named Brent. Lisa said the party Bush attended was in Chicago in September or October 1984. The Chicago Tribune of October 31, 1984 said Bush was in Illinois campaigning for congressional candidates at the end of October."
Bush 41 surfaced again in Lowe's May, 1989 review of reports by Thomas Vlahoulis from the state attorney general's office: "Sorenson told Vlahoulis that both Kimberly and Nelly [Webb] brought up the name of George Bush and indicated that they had both met him..."
In spite of four polygraph tests administered by a Nebraska state trooper who said he was convinced Nelly was telling the truth, a Washington country, Nebraska judge in December, 1990 ignored Julie Walter?s 50-page report, numerous debriefings of the girls by foster care officials and youth workers stating the sisters told the truth--specifically about George Bush Sr., and dismissed all charges against their foster parents Jarrett and Barbara Webb, who Nelly and Kimberly said had allowed them to be abused.
Regarding his role in taking blackmail photos of government officials, recently re-arrested Rusty Nelson confirmed Bonacci?s testimony to Judge Urbom: "Q: Children on the airplane?...yes. Q: How young?...There was one situation went back to Washington, DC he had probably 10, 12 years old...Q: Boys, girls?...Both...Q: Who attended the parties?...Prominent business people, very prominent high-ranking officials, politicians. The younger people. What would transpire was they would have a party and then a party after the party...after the party was more of a sex-type deal...That?s what Larry [King] would -- -- Q: These old politicians were having sex with each other?...Or people Larry would bring...some younger people...Did you take pictures of the parties?...I took pictures at some of the parties, yes..." [U.S. District Court testimony, 2-5-1999, pp. 89-91]
Gosch to Guckert to Gannon?
Cable television news reports have recently linked an alleged male prostitute to the present White House since George W. Bush permitted James Guckert to use an unprecedented Secret Service-approved alias (Jeff Gannon) while having access to the White House for two years as a pool reporter serving the younger Bush--before which Gannon had advertised himself on internet pornography sites as a male "escort" charging $200 an hour. [Gannon is the subject of independent news reports which have referred to him as the former kidnapped Des Moines, Iowa paperboy Johnny Gosch--forced into child sex-slavery.] John DeCamp told this writer "I believe Johnny Gosch and Jeff Gannon are one and the same person--but I am not in a position to know positively."
During a recent phone interview, Noreen Gosch told TomFlocco.com that she is still not sure whether her missing son Johnny is in fact James Gannon, because she has "not seen enough evidence." But having been abducted in 1982, Johnny Gosch would now be about 35-36 years old. Gannon claims to be 47 but his "male4male" website escorts profile lists him as 31 in 2000, which would also make him 35-36 years old today.
George W. Bush has not explained how Guckert/Gannon--who had advertised himself as a male escort--could apparently operate in the White House as a reporter for two years using a Secret Service-approved alias and regularly be called upon by George W. Bush and press secretary Scott McClellan during nationally televised presidential press conferences.
Questions can be raised as to whether Gannon also had access to the White House living quarters as Paul Bonacci and other call-boys did during his father?s administration--as the Washington Times reported. Photos of George W. Bush and Jeff Gannon together indicate that they have a cordial personal relationship.
Noreen Gosch said her son Johnny is living under an assumed name after being abducted on September 5, 1982 while serving his Sunday morning paper route. During a clandestine visit from her son when he was 27 or 28, Mrs. Gosch said Johnny told her he was taken by a highly organized, very corporate global pedophile/pornography ring--linked to the Washington, DC congressional call-boy scandal during the 1980's.
Hunter Thompson directed child murder-sex film?
A controversial author, Hunter Thompson was allegedly linked to Larry King as implicated in Paul Bonacci's testimony in which the pedophile victim revealed that Thompson directed a graphic ?snuff? film [Franklin Cover-up, pp.102-105 & 327] made near Sacramento, California at a location called " Bohemian Grove ."
Bonacci--flown numerous times across state lines for sexual exploitation to Washington, DC and other cities--testified on videotape [5-14-1990] for Nebraska State Police investigator Gary Caradori. Bonacci said that while on a trip to Sacramento, he was forced at gun-point to commit homosexual acts on another boy before he watched other men do the same--after which the boy was shot in the head.
In separate testimony, Decamp said Bonacci told him "Larry King was smiling and laughing the whole time the film was being shown...as the men watched, they passed Nicholas [another victim] and me around as if we were toys, and sexually abused us." [U.S. District Court, 2-5-1999, pp.115-129]
Bonacci?s testimony has been evaluated as credible and well-informed by leading child abuse experts, psychiatrists, psychologists and polygraph tests; and he has also testified that he was forced to lure Johnny Gosch into being kidnapped--considered by many to be the most notorious U.S. child sex-slavery case.
Protecting legislators at the expense of children
John Decamp told TomFlocco.com that Franklin child-abuse witness "Alisha Owen was convicted of lying that as a minor, she had sex with Omaha Chief of Police Robert Wadman. She was placed in solitary confinement for years--the most brutal treatment of a female inmate in Nebraska history for a first-time offense," to which Decamp added, "it was done to keep her silent and away from other inmates, but also as a warning to the other children."
21 year-old Alisha Jahn Owen was sentenced on August 8, 1991 to serve nine to twenty-seven years in prison for telling a grand jury that she was sexually abused as a juvenile by a Nebraska District Court judge, by Omaha's Chief of Police, by the manager of the Franklin Credit Union, and others.
DeCamp said "Alisha witnessed abuse of other children and functioned as an illegal drug courier traveling nationwide for some of Nebraska's wealthiest, most powerful and prominent businessmen." But a local and a federal grand jury indicted the victim-witnesses for perjury--throwing the key young people in prison to cover up child-sex and illegal drugs.
The Nebraska State Senate?s primary Franklin Committee investigator Gary Caradori's March 14, 1990 notes revealed that on the day of the federal agents' raid on Franklin Credit Union, "a large amount of pornographic material was taken out of the credit union, including videos and photographs depicting sexual acts. I was told that if Friedrichs or any of the other people working for the CPA firm contacted by the government [audit] would say anything, they would automatically lose their jobs."
That evidence was never made available to the Nebraska Senate's Franklin Committee, nor was its existence publicly acknowledged by the FBI; and all raid warrants were sealed by United States Magistrate Richard Kopf--the same court official who ordered to have Larry King taken by federal agents to a federal psychiatric facility for "tests," on February 7, 1990 as President George H. W. Bush was coming to Omaha for a fundraising event.
Alisha Owen testified to the Franklin Committee on June 11, 1990 that the FBI attempted to influence federal witness testimony--that her former lawyer Pam Vuchetich had come to see her in the spring: "giving a proposal from the FBI that if I recanted my story then nothing would happen to me; I could get out of prison and no charges would ever be brought against me...they would write letters to the judge asking for my sentence reduction..."
Her parents, Donna and Alvin Owen told the committee about the incident on June 21, 1990: "Q: You testified that your husband was there?...sitting in the living room, I remember...Q: Did she tell you who in the FBI made that deal, made that offer to her?...Mickey Mott...He works closely with Rick Culver and John Pankonon...
Curiously, state policeman Gary Caradori, died July 11, 1990 in a small-plane explosion, one month after FBI officials attempted to coerce a key child witness to recant her testimony--and even though a deputy sheriff first at the crash site said there was child pornography scattered all over the farmer?s field and the farmer said he witnessed the plane exploding in mid-air before crashing to the ground
Johnny Gosch?s mother, Noreen, said "undisclosed sources told her
the FBI immediately arrived with three flatbed trucks [modus
operandi of FBI and Gov. Jeb Bush confiscating 9/11 hijacker
documents at Venice, Florida?s Huffman flight school?], grabbed the
evidence from the sheriff?s hands, cordoned off the field, walked
the field, picked up every piece of evidence, took the plane and all
its parts and put it on the flatbed trucks, and told the peace
officer, ?This is confidential information and don?t ever speak of
it again.? The evidence has never surfaced again in Nebraska?s
Franklin investigation or any other investigation." [ Ted Gunderson
Report , June 28, 2000]
DeCamp's book reveals more clear evidence of witness tampering and possible accessory to murder: On the evening of July 11, 1990, the day her husband crashed to his death, Sandie Caradori received several phone calls from [key Franklin child-abuse witness] Troy Boner. She wrote in her notes: "I am familiar with his voice and can be 100% assured that I did in fact receive telephone calls from him...Troy: Gary wasn't lying. He didn't tell me what to say. What I told him was the truth. (He spoke rapidly, fighting back tears) They made me take it back. They threatened me...You don't understand, they threatened me. They made me take it back. I was so scared..." [pp. 186-187]
In 1990, according to DeCamp, "Troy Boner was going to provide the information in open court, under oath, that would blow the lid off the Franklin case and force a new trial for Alisha Owen...As Troy came into the courthouse, he was immediately ushered into a private room by county judicial authorities...the hearing was delayed for one hour...Troy was in the room with a "Special Attorney" and with other officials from the prosecutor's office-- the very same prosecutorial team Troy was about to testify against."
"... Troy leaned over and whispered to me, "Oh God, forgive me. They guaranteed if I talk here today, they will put me away for twenty years...told me I would be charged with perjury for my original testimony if I opened my mouth today in court...Look what they did to Alisha...Look what they did to my brother." [found dead after playing "Russian Roulette"]
DeCamp's 2005 edition incredibly reveals, " In late 2003 [just before the 2004 election campaign started to heat up], Troy Boner [key abused child witness to national sex-ring] walked into a hospital in New Mexico screaming "they're after me, they're after me because of this book." The book Boner was waving was The Franklin Cover-up . Boner was '... mildly sedated and calmed down...and put in a private room for observation .' "
"When nurses came back to check on him early next morning, Boner was sitting in a chair, bleeding from the mouth and quite dead. Former FBI Los Angeles Bureau Chief Ted Gunderson tried to get autopsy and other information and details that were promised him on Boner's death, but Gunderson and apparently every other entity, were totally shut out of all information. No news stories were published on Boner's death despite his "notoriety" in the Franklin case." (John DeCamp, The Franklin Cover-up ) Another witness was gone.
DeCamp added that the FBI had also confiscated Larry King?s flight manifests from various airline charter companies, thus helping to cover up proof of sexual exploitation of children and interstate transportation of minors across state lines for sexual purposes.
Washington, DC: child sodomy hotbed?
Rusty Nelson?s quick arrest following on the heels of Hunter Thompson?s ?suicide? and alleged assertions that Jeff Gannon could be Johnny Gosch may all have serious criminal implications, as Thompson and Nelson were said to be closely linked to child sexual criminality at the highest levels of government--acts still punishable by law and easily meriting cover-up attempts by powerful forces.
Paul Bonacci, forced to help kidnap Johnny Gosch into sex-slavery, also told Franklin Committee investigators he toured the White House at midnight on July 3, 1988 with Craig Spence--a lobbyist and political operative who arranged male prostitute visits to the White House but who turned up dead himself just three months after the 6-29-89 Washington Times call-boy headline. The police were quick to call a suicide.
Spence had "hinted the tours were arranged by ?top-level? persons, including Donald Gregg, national security advisor to Vice-President Bush," according to the Washington Times [8-9-89], adding, "Spence, according to friends, was also carrying out homosexual blackmail operations for the CIA."
Spence and Gregg were reportedly close friends, as Spence had sponsored a dinner in Gregg?s honor in the spring of 1989 at Washington posh Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown just before the White House prostitution scandal broke at the beginning of the Bush 41 tenure. [ George Bush: The Unauthorized Biography , Webster G. Tarpley & Anton Chaitkin, Chapter 21--Omaha]
A June 30, 1989 Washington Times report said "Rep. Barney Frank, Massachusetts Democrat and a self-proclaimed homosexual who several weeks ago threatened to reveal a list of Republican homosexuals in Congress, said he was ?not surprised? by the revelations."
The Times also said [8-25-1989], "A male prostitute convicted of drug trafficking and sex offenses against a minor used the Chevy Chase Elementary School in late 1987 to run his prostitution operation after the school's principal began buying sex from him."
"The call-boy was allowed to sleep and use phones in the school even after the principal left at 5 p.m., while teachers and the children were still involved in after-school activities such as chorus," said the principal, Gabriel A. Massaro, who also revealed "he had a four-year relationship with the prostitute and provided him with a guidance counselor's office and telephone at the model ?magnet school? even while children were in classes elsewhere in the building."
Also according to the Times, "Massaro acknowledged that he attended a meeting between Davis and his Alexandria probation officer at the Capitol Hill home of Rep. Barney Frank, Massachusetts Democrat, another client whose home the call-boy used to perform sexual services." The paper did not reveal the age or name of the call-boy or whether he serviced Congressman Frank.
A clearly unethical and likely illegal presidential appointment was also linked to the White House child sex-ring: "In August, 1990, Bush appointed Ronald Roskens of Nebraska to head the Agency for International Development (AID). Roskens had been fired the previous year as chancellor of the University of Nebraska, where Larry King was a member of his advisory committee.
[State Police "Franklin" investigator] Gary Caradori?s daily notes for February 19, 1989 record: ?I was informed that Roskens was terminated by the state because of sexual activities reported to the Regents and verified by them. Mr. Roskens was reported to have had young men at his residence for sexual encounters." [ Franklin Cover-up , p.177]
DeCamp added that AID assignments have been used as a "cover" by CIA agents; and in spite of Roskens? sexual background and termination by Nebraska educators and his clear potential for being blackmailed, President Bush appointed him anyway.
Karl: ?Rove?ing DC, approving 'special' WH press passes?
The extent to which White House Senior Domestic Policy Advisor Karl Rove played a part in approving the Gucket/Gannon White House press passes is not known.
However, CBS News spoke of a Rove-Gannon connection , saying "Gannon's aggressively partisan work and the ease with which he got day passes for the White House press room the past two years make it hard to believe that he wasn't at least implicitly sanctioned by the "boy genius."
Following on the heels of Guckert-Gannon, Walter Storch, editor of
the Barnes Review News reported a three weeks ago that "Karl Rove
was seen by one of my people entering a private homosexual orgy at a
five-star Washington hotel over the Mid-Atlantic Leather (MAL)
weekend last year." [2004]
A Barnes reporter told Storch that "Karl greatly enjoyed the supervision of a certain hairy 350-lb. Leather Dominator who had won the Miss Virginia Daddy Bear title at the MAL festivities."
Storch wrote, "Karl used to hang out a JR?s, which is on 17th between P & S streets, before he became so well-known. This is a respectable gay bar for discreet people...," adding, "there is an expensive apartment...over near Dupont Circle that certain powerful senators take turns visiting with their pickups."
"Bush, via Karl Rove, was projected as a moral man who would return a hedonistic America to the simpler virtues of a bygone era. A large part of the American public, unhappy with what they saw as debilitating liberalism, abortion on demand, gay marriage and other forms of moral decay, put Bush back in office," said the Barnes editor.
"Now they have to deal with rampant male whores prancing around the White House in consort with a small army of closet queens, all of whom very obviously have the ear, and the confidence, (and hopefully, that?s all they have) of their ?moral? choice for President," said Storch.
Interestingly, TBRNews.org also counts "one Supreme Court Justice, several governors (all Republican) and at least one very prominent televangelist" among those high officials who are saying one thing and doing another with respect to Storch's closet queen issue.
While American citizens watch, unanswered questions remain as Democrats and Republicans ignore young witnesses with clear and credible evidence--refusing to hold each other's legislators criminally accountable for their unspeakable crimes against children.
Andy Stephenson and Mary Schneider contributed to this report.
Posted by: H. Meyer at March 18, 2005 3:14 PMPosted by: H. Meyer at March 18, 2005 3:35 PM
From Stopbolton.org:
"Think Bolton's the right man for the job of UN Ambassador? Take a look [at this video] and decide for yourself."
For more on Bolton, read this great post by Steven Clemons at The Washington Note.
Posted by not sam at March 28, 2005 10:51 AMloltheinternet.com
ytmnd.com
Needs More Garafalo
Posted by: I Want Jeneane at March 27, 2005 03:36 PM
http://dehydratedlol.ytmnd.com/
Posted by: I Want Jeneane at March 28, 2005
Posted by: I Want Jeneane at March 28, 2005 03:23 PMa cute white mustache like an elf
let him sit with wise men
so he can tell the u n
they can go fuck themselves hisself
Posted by: RWiley at March 29, 2005 08:22 AMPosted by: Robert at April 1, 2005 04:29 PM
A businesswoman describes belligerent behavior by Bolton.
An intelligence analyst's accusations of pressure are further detailed.
Excerpts:
A Texas businesswoman has written to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that John R. Bolton is unfit to serve as U.N. ambassador because he threatened, berated and harassed her in a dispute over an overseas contract.
"His behavior back in 1994 wasn't just unforgivable, it was pathological," wrote Melody Townsel, a businesswoman from Dallas, in a letter to the committee that was made public Saturday by Democrats who opposed Bolton's appointment. "I cannot believe that this man is being seriously considered for any diplomatic position, let alone such a critical posting to the U.N."
But two Republicans on the panel, Sens. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, have voiced concerns about Bolton's character and personal behavior.
The third analyst, Rexon Ryu, was a State Department Middle Eastern proliferation specialist now on temporary assignment working for Hagel. Ryu was transferred from his State Department assignment at Bolton's request.
Hagel's support for Bolton had been seen as assured until the senator learned Friday about the transfer, according to a Hagel aide.
Link to article:
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-bolton17apr17,1,694605.story?coll=la-headlines-politics
Posted by: Star Vox at April 17, 2005 08:41 AMfrom your TV. With this simple device. It costs only nine bucks, which it makes back by saving you so much bullshit.
Posted by not sam at March 28, 2005 11:37 AMloltheinternet.com
ytmnd.com
Needs More Garafalo
Posted by: I Want Jeneane at March 27, 2005 03:36 PM
http://dehydratedlol.ytmnd.com/
Posted by: I Want Jeneane at March 28, 2005
Posted by: Need more Garafalo at March 28, 2005 03:24 PMThat statistic (taken from the Fox Blocker story) just proves what I always thought. That people who watch Fox News aren't really readers. While their audience is being spoonfed propaganda by the TV, the audience of radio shows like Majority Report are reading. That is why we know facts and they know lies. It is also why pro wrestling still has viewership, they share the same audience. While they are watching the Wrestling and Fox News we are engaged in different pursuits.
Posted by: Jason at March 28, 2005 07:58 PMCheck out my website and my commentary on Fox--full of excrement.
www.mark-gelbart.com
Posted by: Mark Gelbart at March 28, 2005 08:19 PMPosted by: Ron McIntosh at March 28, 2005 08:31 PM
Posted by: sexy jeneane at March 29, 2005 02:57 PM
In reality, it's a simple notch filter that filters out a single channel from the cable, but the price is really good...after a quick look through the internet, the cheapest price for a single channel notch filter was over $20. The guy either got a bunch at an auction for cheap, or is taking a loss on each one, or I didn't find the best price in my search.
Posted by: Lance at March 29, 2005 05:17 PMPosted by: Juan Miguel at March 29, 2005 09:01 PM
http://www.nancho.net/911/mariani.html
It's most known for its DEFINITIVE LISTING of almost 100 warnings the W admin received just before 9/11.
=======================================
ELLEN MARIANI, Individually, as )
Personal Representative of the Estate )
of LOUIS NEIL MARIANI, deceased, )
and others similarly situated[1], )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
vs. ) Case No. 03-5273
)
GEORGE W. BUSH[2], President of ) Judge Eduardo C. Robreno
the United States, Officially and )
Individually, ) JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
)
and )
)
RICHARD CHENEY, Vice President of )
The United States, Officially and )
Individually, )
)
and )
)
JOHN ASHCROFT, Attorney General of )
the United States (DOJ), Officially and )
Individually, )
)
and )
)
DONALD H. RUMSFELD, Secretary of )
Defense (DOD), Officially and )
Individually, )
)
and )
)
GEORGE J. TENET, Director, Central )
Intelligence Agency (CIA), Officially and )
Individually, )
)
and )
)
NORMAN Y. MINETA, Secretary, )
Department of Transportation (DOT), )
Officially and Individually, )
)
and )
)
PETER G. PETERSON, Chairman of the )
Board, COUNCIL ON FOREIGN )
RELATIONS (CFR)[3], Officially and )
Individually, )
)
and )
)
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, National )
Security Advisor, to Defendant Bush, )
Officially and Individually, )
)
and )
)
GEORGE H. BUSH[4], Former, )
Director, Central Intelligence Agency, )
(CIA), Vice-President and President of )
the United States of America, Officially, )
and Individually, )
)
and )
)
KENNETH R. FEINBERG, Special Master, )
"September 11 Victim Compensation )
Fund of 2001" Officially and Individually, )
and )
)
Other unnamed past, present, officials, )
representatives, agents, and private )
consultants of THE UNITED STATES )
OF AMERICA, )
)
Posted by: Marion Delgado at March 30, 2005 02:48 AMThe Fox-Blocker is the worst idea I've heard you promote in the
six mos. I've been following yr show.Please stop--it's
embarrasing.This is a form
of censorship,akin to book-burning.
Don't you trust people to control themselves,to have better
judgement? One of the basic tenets of
Liberalism is the FREE AND OPEN EXCHANGE OF IDEAS.
Far-Right Freaks will hit you over the head with
your Fox-Blocker.
Here's an idea--create an up-front Liberal-bias TV
station and promote it as the antidote to Fox--
Posted by: a at March 30, 2005 12:56 PM
Posted by: Jethro Zappa at March 30, 2005 07:36 PM
And as to knowing what they are saying, I get my stuff from Media matters and Air America and FAIR
It's been proven that people who watch Fox slip in their IQ by 20%, hardly worth the risk ;)
And a is absolutely right.
Posted by: Fancy Pants Elitist at March 30, 2005 09:21 PMPosted by: Belger143 at March 30, 2005 09:44 PM
As a patriotic
service,I am going to risk my sanity and leave Fox News ON (sound
off) and give
people the "skinny" as to what they're saying...people can add 2+2
and reach their own
conclusions--
3/31,12:51a.m.--Terri Schiavo Still alive/5 yr old
calls 9-11/buy a fabric steamer/DANGER from ACLU!/
Terri clings to life/....1:06A.M.--Al Sharpton vs.
Jesse Jackson/MICHAEL JACKSON!/Terri's lawyer/ACLU
LIKES CHILD PORN/Michelle Malkin,Analyst/DANGEROUS
TIMES!/Terri's mother near collapse/ACLU vs.PATRIOTIC MINUTEMEN WHO
GUARD OUR BORDERS/buy
hair-growth tonic......(more manana)--
Posted by: by the way i need garafalo at March 31, 2005 02:16 PM
But this isn't about me! Just think how lovely it would be to install one of those in your health club, local restaurant, or any place else that habitually tunes in to that tripe. Heck, it would probably take them *weeks* to figure out what was wrong, and then only after calling in professional help! ;)
On the other hand, the universal on/off remote that somone developed last year is probably a better investment, because (a) it's quicker, (b) it stealthier, and (c) what ends up on the TV is definitely better!
Posted by: JeffK at March 31, 2005 11:51 PM12:57PM--Pat Boone on Terri/Pope's Health Unstable/BREAKING NEWS-TERRI'S FAMILY TO HOLD CONFERENCE ON HER DEATH/Child-soldiers on the Ivory Coast/buy this book--The End of Faith/Terri's spiritual advisor/Terri's Grieving Brother/PICTURE OF PRETTY 25 YR OLD TERRI/POPE NOT IN A COMA/Prayers For Terri/
7:48PM--Dick Morris,Analyst/Democrats silent about Terri/Afghan Rebels Caught/POPE STILL NOT IN A COMA/pope,not,in,a,comma/(sorry about that last one)/buy Sizzler Steaks/TERRI LIVES ON IN OUR HARTS AND MINDS/Terror Alert--Elevated/
11:05PM--THE RELIGIOUS IMPACT OF TERRI SCHIAVO/Wolfowitz approved
for World Bank/PRESIDENT BUSH REMEMBERS TERRI/buy a new
stove/jghgyffxcrdxftrTERRI!BLAHBLAHOIKHJ7YG..WHerE
aM I,WHU AR YU//(sorry,they wounded me,but just superficially)
12:17AM--POPE RECEIVES LAST RITES/Another Picture Of Pretty Terri,20 yrs old/Labor Unions Misusing Funds?/Terri At 15 yrs old/LIFE AND DEATH LAWS/Another TV Evangelist/......WE REPORT,YOU ..DECIDE..WE REPORT,YOU DECIDE..WE REPORT....WE...DECIDE
Posted by: ProProleteriat at April 1, 2005 07:06 AMPosted by: Robert at April 1, 2005 03:48 PM
Posted by: roboteating at April 4, 2005 01:18 PM
www.starvethefox.com
Posted by: Fogyreef at April 10, 2005 03:36 AMPosted by: frater_volen at April 11, 2005 10:28 PM
Posted by: Tuesday at April 21, 2005 06:31 AM
Posted by: Andrej at April 30, 2005 01:57 AM
Here's what Tom Delay said after over a dozen state and federal courts decided to follow the law in the Terri Schiavo case: "The time will come for the men responsible for this to answer for their behavior."
Given the number of assassination attempts (many successsful) against judges recently, this could easily be interpreted as a death threat. So much so that Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey sent a letter to Delay's office demanding an apology and clarification. Raw Story has the letter. It quotes Federal criminal statute, 18 U.S.C. 115 (a)(1)(B):
"Whoever threatens to assault...or murder, a United States judge...with intent to retaliate against such...judge...on account of the performance of official duties, shall be punished [by up to six years in prison]."
The U.S. Marshals service is charged with protecting judges. Their official mission states:
"The Marshals Service protects more than 2,000 sitting judges and countless other court officials at more than 400 court facilities throughout the nation."
CALL the U. S. Marshals Judicial Protective Services number at 202-307-9500.
Ask whether an investigation of Tom Delay has been opened, and, if it hasn't, why not? Is Tom Delay above the law? If a regular person issued such a threat, the Marshalls would--rightly--act on it. Do we have to wait for a judge to be murdered before taking action against Delay?
Posted by not sam at April 1, 2005 02:12 PMKKKlove to kill blacks byrd and the murderer Ted Kennedy many years ago but we won't talk about reality just liberal bullshit and now the crooked as can ever be hillary wants to run ha ha ha ha ha gotta love the shit as it piles up on the democrat loving europe side and hating america
Posted by: robert at April 1, 2005 04:36 PMPosted by: deana at April 1, 2005 07:52 PM
Posted by: Dr. Paul Armstrong at April 1, 2005 08:28 PM
Temporary lapses in judgement,by
Byrd or Kennedy
or any Left-Winger,no matter how insignificant,no matter how quickly
they're rectified,are ruthlessly advertised,non-stop by the
hypocrites.
Of course,using their logic,our current "President" is a drunk/dope
fiend.
The truth is that Bush's & Kennedy's drinking problems,as well as Byrd's very temporary exploration of the KKK,did'nt actually hurt anybody.
On the other hand,given the weak,cowardly state of our current congress,DeLay is a very real threat of corruption.He has demonstrated no conscience,even after being reprimanded by his own party.He needs to be called at every suspicious move.
Posted by: ProProleteriat at April 2, 2005 07:33 AMPosted by: rj at April 2, 2005 09:27 AM
Where is murder or assault mentioned in this statement?
Oh, thats right, liberals don't understand the definition of 'responsible'.
Posted by: Rush at April 4, 2005 10:00 PMA doubting Thomas DeLay inspecting the wounds of a resurrected Terri Schiavo, done by some maniac who calls himself Skikky the elf. Sick, but funny in its context.
http://www.geocities.com/the_skikky_show/risen.html
Happy Birthday, Air America!
Posted by: Easton R. at April 5, 2005 06:46 PMPosted by: JOHN at April 5, 2005 06:56 PM
For the thick-headed or lame-brained who can't
or don't want to understand what DeLay is
doing---it's called a veiled threat.It was
meant to be taken as an implied message of
violence against judges who buck the Neo-Con
agenda.It was'nt designed to be an explicit
threat for obvious reasons. Comprende?
If any violence results because of this,Tom
DeLay and his cohorts are at least partially
RESPONSIBLE.
--------
--------
Oh yeah? Write a letter about the President using that language to your local newspaper, or just send it to the White House. There's about a 100 percent chance you'll be getting a visit from the Secret Service. They, and the Marshals, are not just there to save the President, or judges (a co-equal branch of government)--their job is to sniff out and prevent attacks before they happen. One of the ways they do that is to use their brains in how they read people's language, something you're clearly incapable of doing. If you think there's no implied threat to Delay's language, or now Cornyn's, then you're quite likely mentally retarded, and you should probably not apply for a job with the Secret Service, or any protective agency.
Posted by: a at April 6, 2005 02:19 PMKKKlove to kill blacks byrd and the murderer
Ted Kennedy many years ago but we won't talk about reality just
liberal bullshit and now the crooked as can ever be hillary wants to
run ha ha ha ha ha gotta love the shit as it piles up on the
democrat loving europe side and hating america
Posted by: robert at April 1, 2005 04:36 PM
How come I get the impression that the only ones who pronounces Byrd's name that way are disgruntled KKK members (including Hannity)? They are fuming at the mouth adn still feel the betrayal that Byrd abandoned them, saw the wrong of his ways, and joined the good forces.
Posted by: Bjorn at April 6, 2005 02:21 PMWell to the bleeding heart liberal, I can understand how they would FEEL 'held responsible' is a veiled threat. Well, after all, responsible is being accountable for you actions and behavior and not blaming it on someone else and that can be a darn near impossible for liberals.
Try again...
"Democratic National Committee spokesman Tony Welch suggested the president should be held responsible for the retracted claim."
"The president is held responsible for the health of the national economy."
"And it concerns me that Hillary is excusing his
behavior when in fact she should be insisting that he be held
responsible for it."
"Third, all states and school districts must be held responsible
for the quality of their teachers"
--President Clinton, State of the Union address
"But this is Bush's war, and he ought to be held responsible for it."
AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! RUN!
Veiled threats everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!
The judiciary has been shredding the
Constitution right under your noses. Recent example, Ginsberg wants
international law to govern us 'should not lead us to abandon the
effort to learn what we can from the experience and good thinking
foreign sources may convey,'
'the U.S. Constitution is a document essentially frozen in time as
of the date of its ratification'
Except when the Constitution is convenient to use for her own
agenda.
I look at the facts objectively and with logic. Following the logic of one poster, all those quotes should be forwarded over the proper authorities as veiled threats for investigation and possible prosecution, or no?
Hard feelings, never... hard logic, always...
Gee,Rush,I hate to disappoint you after all that
hard work defining the word "responsible",but
that's NOT what this is about.
You're right,tho! being responsible IS "being
accountable for your actions,not blaming it
on someone else"...BTW, can you explain that
to
Atty. Gen. Gonzales--he sez he's not responsible
for that torture memo that he SIGNED, 'cuz
it was written by someone else. Oh yeh, and
Bush sez he was'nt responsible at all for 9/11
,or all those job losses,or the disapppearance
of Clinton's huge surplus,replaced by a huge
deficit, OR attacking an unarmed,third-world
(but oil-rich)country which posed NO REAL THREAT
.Since you've obviously done your homework
defining "responsibility",maybe you can explain
it to Bush or Gonzales or...DeLay??
So,here's a tricky one--how about the phrases
1. "The time will come",or 2. "to answer for
their behaviour"..?
1."The time will come"--what time? when?--these
guys are'nt up for election in 2006,they're
appointed for life. Mr. DeLay used a vague
(veiled),unspecified time for the judges to
be "answered" (punished?)
2."answer for their behaviour"-answer to who?
The Judiciary is purposely kept independent.
Theoretically,they answer to the Constitution,
NOT to Tom DeLay. Also,"answer" ,in DeLay's
context,is purposely vague,veiled,used in a
phrase typically associated w/mob-types.
Let's consider the source of this statement--
Sen. Tom DeLay,censured TWICE by the bipartisan
Ethics Commitee,under investigation for tax-
payer paid junkets,lobbyist for Russia,etc.,etc.
So, nice try Rush,keep listening to Air America,
Majority Report,maybe you can learn a new word
EVERY day--
For elected officals, this could mean being not elected next time, but for a Supreme Court Justice, there is nothing anyone can really do, since they are seated for life... so how is he suggesting that they would "answer for" not "saving Terri"??? I think DeLay will be found to be so corrupt. I bet it starts a tumble in Texas that spills over to Florida and then Ohio and DC....
Posted by: Loki at April 8, 2005 05:14 PM"Atty. Gen. Gonzales"
- Not the issue, why even bring it up?
1. The time can never come because they are appointed for life? You might need to brush up on something called 'Checks and Balances', I'll even give you a hint, impeachment.
'Mr. DeLay used a vague (veiled),unspecified time'
Ohhhh, and now its a veiled time frame for
'answering' not a 'veiled threat'?
'Also,"answer" ,in DeLay's context,is purposely vague,veiled,...'
So the word 'answer' used in such a statement is a threat? If you
don't want to convey a threat, then can you say:
'...need to reply for their behavior'
'...need to respond for their behavior'
I wouldn't imagine so, since they are synonyms. I hope no public
officals have ever used thoses phrases before, or they might be in
big trouble.
Uh oh, now we have problems:
'The drug companies need to made to answer for their behavior'
-ICSSP
'students picked up by campus police at Rice University may have to
answer for their behavior'
-edc.org
Plus 194 more 'veiled threats' out there on the Internet, go get 'em tiger.
Possibly to many Hollyweird movies running through your head about mobsters?
'So, nice try Rush,keep listening...'
Who said I was listening?
Posted by: Rush at April 8, 2005 07:25 PM_______________
Damn. Guess you won't be explaining the meaning
of "responsibility" to George or Alberto or
Tom..prob'ly a waste of time.
I enjoy arguing with cons. because it gives me
insight into their inane logic and strategies.
So you've deconstructed a veiled threat to
show that words such as "responsibility" and
"answer", taken separately,out of context are
innocuous. Well..duh.(Here's a similar project--
deconstruct the phrase "make him an offer he
can't refuse"--nope,no threatening words there,
nice innocent phrase.)
Tom DeLay made his now infamous veiled threat
on March 31.After(I assume) consulting with
"turd blossom" Karl Rove for an interpretation,
he finally comes up with something a week+
later.Clarification:Tom was talking about
impeaching juges!Coincidentally,it took you the
same week to come up with that explanation.
Right. So here's what you guys are NOW saying--
REPUBLICAN LEADER DELAY WANTS TO IMPEACH JUDGES
BECAUSE OF THE SCHIAVO CASE. go for it,jokers
*next up,from the eloquent Mr.DeLay--judges
"ignoring the legitimate will of the people"
...huh??
Karl Rove can jump off a freaking bridge for all I care. Once again, I am not a Republican. Hold on, I'll say it one more time, I'm not a Republican!
The Republican party has become what the Democrats were 30 years ago and I don't subscribe to their platform any more.
Delay is making a huge moral issue over this when he did the same thing to his own father and used a "trial lawyer" to get paid for the accident. The hipocracy is hard to stomach.
If you want to talk impeachment forget the judges, go after GWB and his entire corrupt administration. Culture of life? BS!
Posted by: zeke at April 11, 2005 12:28 PMFrom Jerome, at MyDD:
I've signed the list over on Agonist to tell the Members of the National Press Club to invite John Aravosis onto their panel that will be discussing conservative political operative Jeff Gannon/Guckert. The phone numbers and contact information at the National Press Club are: Julie Shue or Rick Dunham. Here are their numbers: 202-662-7500 or 202-662-7501 or email at tglad@press.org and info@npcpress.org.
I think they are scared of having John Aravosis come to the event, because he scares the shit out of Republicans and the status quo in DC that cowers to Republican dominance. How could John be excluded? He, more than anyone on the web, broke this story wide-open.
Posted by not sam at April 3, 2005 11:37 AMThe Mainstream Media "Watchdogs" have gotten fat
and lazy,which results in their resentment of
the new dogs who are'nt afraid to bite into a
story(Bloggers,esp. Liberal ones).The MSM would,
of course,prefer to growl at Janet Jackson"s
breast or Baseball Players' steroid-produced
chests than to attack a REAL story.Phony White-
House shills in the W.H. Press Corps is page 2
stuff with these guys.
Interesting that the reason given for Gannon/Guckert's inclusion
on a panel defining
"reporters" is his NOTORIETY,as opposed to any
credible qualifications.Sounds like standards
befitting the Nat'l Enquirer...
p.s--when is Gannon/Guckert's book coming out??
Posted by: ProProleteriat at April 5, 2005 08:05 AM
Title: Is "Jeff Gannon" really Johnny Gosch? (GOP child sex ring
kidnap victim) (graphic)
Source: bellaciao
URL Source:
http://bellaciao.org/en/article.php3? id_article=5409
Published: Mar 12, 2005
Author: bellaciao
Post Date: 2005-03-12 19:07:43 by joe_the_aroma
8 Comments
I’ve been watching this story percolate since the weekend, and with Thursday’s return of "Jeff Gannon" to the blogosphere with a column entitled "Fear and Loathing in the Press Room" really bringing it all full circle, several questions are begged here.
As the Jeff Gannon story progressed and turned into a Bush White House homosexual prostitution scandal, Internet investigators started asking if there could be a connection to the previous Bush White House homosexual prostitution scandal.
If you recall, the stories of 15-year-old callboys wandering through the White House in the middle of the night was linked to the "Franklin Cover-Up" case exposed by Nebraska State Sen. John DeCamp. In that case, a Republican operative named Larry King was involved with procuring boys and girls from Boys Town in Nebraska and elsewhere and entrapping them in a child sex-slave and espionage ring. King, with an annual salary of under 20K, was throwing sex parties for the powerful in a $5,000-a-month condo in Washingotn, DC; apparently taping the proceedings for blackmail purposes.
One of the victims of this ring was one Paul Bonacci, who testified in court proceedings that he helped kidnap Johnny Gosch into this ring in 1982. It was apparently at 2:29 AM, Sunday, Feb. 20 that the question was first asked -- is "Jeff Gannon" really Johnny Gosch?
By the end of the day, Hunter S. Thompson was reported dead.
Posted by: Crime_waves at April 8, 2005 05:31 PMA new Tom Delay fan site. Give it a look.
Also check out their flow chart of Tom Delay's Web of Corruption.
Posted by not sam at April 6, 2005 05:13 PMCome on Bacardi, you gave $3,000 to the defense fund for that slimy ole dinosaur Tom DeLay?
I always had this youthful image of Bacardi. Young people having a good time at the beach with some rum. I even have bought it a few times in the past.
Oh, Well. I guess I won't be able to shake the image of Tom DeLay from my mind the next time I browse in the likker store. Shudder.
An image of rotten corruption, smelly old socks, fat old boys club having a good time at a bordello.
I'll spread the word. There's probably 30 million liberals in my demographic group. Nothing woudl make me happier than seing you idiots lose, say $15M in revenues for propping p an old crook like this. I will surely do my part and spread the word!
Posted by: Bjorn at April 6, 2005 05:54 PMDamn, I never thought I'd be giving O'Reilly props for anything, but he was all over her. And I had a sudden premonition...
This tears it. Delay is going down. He's road kill. The echo-chamber is deserting him. The Repubs themselves are going to tie him on the altar and tear out his beating hear and throw it to the dogs, and then, of course, claim they've drvien the corruption from their ranks.
And even if the Repubs let him live out his natural lifespan (i.e. 2006), all the Dems have to do is run a populist do-gooder type against him in his home district and they'll kick his ass out of DC, just like they did with "B-1 Bob" Dornan in California.
It's time for the Dems to tear a page from the Newt Gingrich playbook and run on an anti-corruption platform. Anyone who took money from Delay is suspect. Every one of them is a target now. The more money they took the bigger target they are. I hope Howard Dean has enough sense to realize this and use it.
The Right may have taken down Tom Dashcle, but if the Left takes down Tom Delay and his pals, I think the Left wins the exchange.
Posted by: Joe Max at April 7, 2005 04:53 AMO'Reilly said he's going to put a poll up on his website tomorrow asking "his viewers" if they think Delay has gone too far. He assured Delay's lawyer that his viewers are not "the New York Times" and aren't out to "get" Delay just because they disagreee with him. So it's time for us to stand up and be counted! Go to O'Reilly's site and vote! Let it be known that Fox viewers think Tom Delay is corrupt!
Posted by: Joe Max at April 7, 2005 04:58 AMUmmm..yr idea about voting on O'Reilly's poll
sounded gd, but the only poll there was about
the pope.AND Bill wanted money for everything;
free enterprise at it's finest,I guess.Maybe
O'Reilly needs $$ for legal fees...
HEY here's an idea--maybe Tom DeLay can open
a for-profit hotline to pay for his looming
legal fees("hi..I'm Tom DeLay,persecuted Senator,
can I make an obscene proposition to you..?")
"Is it wrong for Tom DeLay to pay his wife & daughter with politically donated funds?"
Although the wording doesn't really convey the spirit of the issue: was it wrong for Delay to pay his family HALF-MILLION BUCKS of politically donated funds?
So go vote anyway!
Here's the court papers: http://ccweb.co.fort-bend.tx.us/results.asp
Posted by: BusyLawyer at April 7, 2005 05:25 PM1)Will he resign under pressure??? Not likely.
2)Is he an embarrassment to the radical right?? Yes.
3)Assuming Delay does not step down, would a long drawn out scandal
weaken the strangle hold the extream right has on the reigns of
power in America? Yes.
4)Has Tom Delay clearly become a liability to the win at any cost
wing of the radical right? Probably.
5)If Tom Delay were to be assassinated by some wack-job-nut-case
would it benefit Democrats? NO. Absolutely not.
6)Would it benefit the radical right if Tom Delay were to be
assassinated by some wack-job-nut-case (particularly if the guy
could be framed up as a “Liberal left-wing wack job)? Almost
certainly. Major embarrassment gone along with one man who knows too
much and would otherwise be under considerable pressure to talk.
7)Would radical right wing extreamists sink to this level??? I hope
not... but there is reason enough to belive they might.
Should Delay be taken into protective custody. Probably... although the Hague may be the only safe place to keep him.
Posted by: Watchful Eye at April 10, 2005 01:43 AMOne more post like that, and I will tilt.
Posted by: Bjorn at April 12, 2005 05:26 PMPosted by: FLS at April 12, 2005 08:13 PM
If you could say something -- in a big way -- to the people of Congressman Tom DeLay's district in Texas, what would it be?
We're looking for a slogan -- something short, something memorable, and something that lets the people of his district know that it's time for him to go.
We're buying billboards in the 22nd Congressional District, and if your slogan is selected, it will be part of Democracy for America's big splash in Tom DeLay's backyard.
Suggest your Tom DeLay slogan here:
http://bsd.democracyforamerica.com/page/s/slogan
Posted by: mondo at April 16, 2005 06:00 AM
From FAIR:
When Rose asked if there could ever be a successful progressive version of Fox News Channel, [new CNN President] Klein thought not. He explained that while Fox was tapping into a brand of "mostly angry white men" conservatism, "a quote/unquote, 'progressive' or liberal network probably couldn't reach the same sort of an audience, because liberals tend to like to sample a lot of opinions. They pride themselves on that. And you know, they don't get too worked up about anything. And they're pretty morally relativistic. And so, you know, they allow for a lot of that stuff."
And then:
CALL JONATHAN KLEIN: at 212-484-5000
Let him know your opinion about whether progressives ever get "worked up." Fill him in on the fact that progressives are not "morally relativistic," but, simply: moral.
Don't hold back.
Posted by not sam at April 13, 2005 05:10 PMPosted by: Dr. Paul Armstrong at April 13, 2005 07:25 PM
I told him that I was upset about his comments to Rose regarding the possibility of progressive TV. I told him his comments regarding moral relativism and about liberals not getting worked up about things, were offensive.
I also mentioned that I found offensive the implications on Blitzer's show that liberals are somehow less moral, or less religious, than conservatives.
Posted by: Dr. Paul Armstrong at April 13, 2005 07:48 PMWhat Mr. Klein just proved to me is that he is more worried about better ratings than informing the public (you know, what "news" is supposed to do). The problem with news today (and this is coming from a high school student) is the apparant lack of news. When I turn on the television, I get people yelling back and forth at each other "you're wrong" "no you're wrong" "no you're wrong" and by the end of the show they have only gotten louder, but haven't brought anything new to the table.
"'progressive' or liberal network probably couldn't reach the same sort of an audience, because liberals tend to like to sample a lot of opinions".... so because liberals try to get the other side of the story, that's bad. I guess that isn't "fair and balanced". Or maybe it isn't interesting enough? I'm sorry, but when I ask for news, I'd like all of it, not one side of it. It helps me to formulate an opinion about the issue (as opposed to taking only what is shoved down my throat by the right). The fact that we don't have every side fairly represented in the media, and the fact that the media only dishes out infotainment is hurting America. And Mr. Klein here is only adding to the problem.
Posted by: Tony at April 13, 2005 08:32 PMLike now, I'm pissed about this estate tax repeal, which, when coupled with the imposition of the Alternative Minimum Tax, creates a wider divide between the classes and places a larger burden on the middle class.
As for Bert, who was on your show yesterday, there is a really easy way for him to avoid getting taxed on his house. He can either leave his entire estate to his spouse, without paying a dime, then she can make her kids Joint Tenants on the deed, so that they become survivors rather than devisees and get the whole shebang, TAX FREE!!!!!
So, sorry Bert, I'm not going to listen to your ridiculous sob story. Not listening. La la la la la la la la!!
Posted by: lbn at April 14, 2005 02:37 PMToday's Religious Rightwing should be called the Modern Western Pharisees.
Posted by: nora at May 1, 2005 09:34 PMI can only think Klein is part of a strategy to put Liberals on the defensive when in reality there is so much phoniness and hypocrisy the Media could expose about the Right it boggles the mind. We've got the Religious Right controlling the Republican Party with pure Pharisaic double-vision. (The Right is clearly opposed to "do-gooder" liberal programs, but willing to take untold taxpayer dollars for faith-based "charities"; are they really not doing any "good", and instead, faith-based charities are just a means to force evangelical preaching/brainwashing on desperate individuals and families?! Is this how they "reason" their receipt of these monies under "doing God's work?!)
Can only think Klein is part of a strategy to put Liberals on the defensive when in reality there is so much phoniness and hypocrisy the Media could expose about the Right it boggles the mind. We've got the Religious Right controlling the Republican Party with pure Pharisaic double-vision. (The Right is clearly opposed to "do-gooder" liberal programs, but willing to take untold taxpayer dollars for faith-based "charities"; are they really not doing and "good" and instead just a means to force evangelical preaching/brainwashing on desperate individuals and families?! Is this how they "reason" their receipt of these monies under "doing God's work?!)
Today's Religious Rightwing should be called the Modern Western Pharisees.
Does Klein expect us to PROVE that it has been the work of Liberals that have made the United States as open a society as it is? Was it not Liberals who forged ahead with abolition, suffrage, civil rights....? History proves Klein wrong. Or proves Klein flunked history (or read only revisionist schoolbooks and never picked up any other clarifying history books in his post high school years!).
The Media is missing the mark, the corporate despots know it, are on the defensive, and comments like this expose their desperate position. The Media-Emperor has no clothes.
Posted by: nora at May 1, 2005 09:59 PMHelp save the filibuster...
From Kos:
We have all 44 Dems and Jeffords. We have McCain and Chafee.
These are the swing votes. We need four of them.
Collins (ME)
Hagel (NE)
Snowe (ME)
Sununu (NH)
Gregg (NH)
Lugar (IN)
Warner (VA)
If you are a constituent (and only if you are a constituent), it's time to make that call.
Update: Call your own senators, even if they're not on the list
above. Some might absolutely be persuadable. These eight are the top
targets, but others (like Stevens) might still vote for sanity.
Go here for the links to the Senators' contacts.
We must organize to push the Dems to start fighting. Can we get something together before the re-education camps begin. It's so hard to organize behind barbedwire.
Posted by: Damon at April 15, 2005 05:32 PMLetter from PFAW President Ralph G. Neas to Senator Bill Frist
Excerpt from letter:
I urge you to repudiate the "Justice Sunday" event at which you are scheduled to speak later this month. The event is being promoted with deeply offensive materials suggesting that the filibuster is being used to target people of faith, and that proponents of the filibuster are forcing individuals to choose between serving in public office and Christian faith.
This is religious McCarthyism. It is dishonest, destructive and despicable.
================================================================
People for the American Way link:
http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oId=18519
Take action:
http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=16842
Posted by: Star Vox at April 15, 2005 08:34 PM===========================================================
The Clergy and Laity Network will sponsor a national prayer vigil on April 24 and is inviting citizens of all faith traditions to protest this unprecedented attack.
The CLN and DriveDemocracy are the coordinators of a national coalition of more than 65 religious organizations. Their national "Breaking the Silence" campaign kicked off April 4 at Riverside Church in NYC and is continuing with a national tour of America.
DriveDemocracy link:
http://www.drivedemocracy.org/blog/
Clergy and Laity Network United for Justice:
Posted by: Star Vox at April 15, 2005 09:08 PMWake up people! To call them Theocrats and Wingnuts and Pulpit Bullies is to use euphemisms. They are wolves in sheep's clothing, they are the emperor who is wearing new clothes, they are the Dark Lords of the Sith.
They and their apocolypto-cult comrades are on a moral crusade from Washington to Damascus, make no bones about it. If Jerusalem were destroyed by Arabs then the prophesies in Revelations could not come true, could they?
Never mind that the verb "to abort" (or its ancient greek counterpart ekbollein) never appear in Biblical texts -- and yes they did have abortion back then. In fact abortion has been practiced longer than written history has been recorded, which was a major factor in the Roe vs. Wade decision. The justices thought -- who are we now, in the 20th century, to outlaw a millenia-old practice that will continue whether it is outlawed or not, and which is only demanded to be outlawed by an extremist religious faction that has invented a belief not proven to have been held by those individuals who wrote their own religious text?
Yes, these apocolypto-cult wacko extremists that are holding this disgusting satellite spectacle are the same ones who are most likely to blame for our most recent imperialistic crusade to protect the Holy Land such that it may remain in tact for when the prophesies in Revelations come true.
If they are conservative, then what exactly are they conserving, when favoring laws against abortion -- especially considering that the oldest societies known to man feature "the tossing out of the male seed" as a common ritual conducted amongst women? Find me a culture that does not have a thousands-of-years-old practice of contraception and purgative drug injestion.
If they are conservative, then what exactly are they conserving, when they spend hundreds of billions of dollars invading a country with a pre-emptive and unprecedented war based on fabricated lies and motivated by the profits of corporations closely tied to the private-sector interests and occupations of the Vice President and President of the United States? WHAT ARE THEY CONSERVING?
What are they conserving when they sacrifice pristine natural areas for the sake of a few dollars? And don't tell me jobs, because I was doing just fine before they allowed terrorists to harm our economy on 9/11 -- before their own inattention to security allowed FRICKING JUMBO JETS to hit the WTC! OOOPS I DIDN'T SEE THAT ONE COMING! ><
Even though on 9/12/94 an airplane came a few meters from hitting the White House itself (it took off on 9/11/94), which combined with the Oklahoma City attacks served as a catalyst for a huge review of security policies. You would think that during that huge (and CONFIDENTIAL) review of policies (a meeting to which no first-ammendment activists were invited), which resulted in Pennsylvania Ave. being blocked off in front of 1600 block except to emergency vehicle traffic (like that's gonna stop an airplane!), you would think that they would have talked about AIRPLANES HITTING BUILDINGS AND HOW WE CAN POSSIBLY STOP THAT FROM HAPPENING! AND PUT SOMETHING IN PLACE TO THAT EFFECT!
Yeah, yeah, I know, we screwed up, Clinton screwed up, everybody screwed up and it happened. However... who has benefited most from this fiasco? Not Osama, certainly, although I'm sure he has plenty of new recruits due to later actions by Bush. No, certainly BUSH and his crew of apocolypto-cult wrong-wing wackos are the ones who benefited most from 9/11. They are the ones whose creepy-ass policies now dominate American politics as a result of a religious fear-base reaction from the general population.
AND I SAY IT'S A CROCK OF SHIT! AND SO SHOULD YOU! Don't let this madness go any farther, PLEASE LORD...
J.S. GILBERT
Posted by: Jon Gilbert at April 18, 2005 05:19 AMWe need to preserve the filibuster because otherwise the right-wing activists will appoint more right-wing Judges like Judge Donald L. Graham, who is an 1992 Bush I appointeee and is out of control. Judge Graham is dangerous!
I found some interesting links which will conclusively prove that
the present system of judicial discipline is a joke. These links
describe a well-known problem that needs to be addressed. There is
no "judicial discipline" with respect to the federal judiciary and
that is a terrible mistake. "Absolute power corrupts." Every other
branch of government is subject to some type of discipline except
federal judges.
Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, who recently appointed a six
member commission to study judicial discipline, knows full well that
complaints of judicial misconduct are routinely dismissed and NEVER
acted on, no matter how bad the alleged and proven misconduct is.
Moreover, complaints [section 372(c)] are kept in total secret.
Additionally, complaints of judicial misconduct lodged through the
appellate process are ignored as well. Judges, or law clerks, give
themselves permission not to publish cases, consequently acts of
misconduct never reach the light of day. There is no effective way
to discipline a rogue federal judge and everybody in the legal
profession is keenly aware of this fact. If you want to see how bad
the current system is, then read the links provided below. If you
don' read anything else,click on this link,
http://mmason.freeshell.org/edmondson. This link will
demonstrate how the right-wing Reagan appointee, Chief Judge J.L.
Edmondson, a 1986 Reagan appointee, attempted to conceal the
activism and misconduct of Judge Donald L. Graham. The links below
will demonstrate every thing that is wrong with the current system.
Congressman Sensebrenner and his committee should look into this
matter.
For really outrageous behavior, read the links below and the
documents referenced by the links. Download the documents and save
them.
These links generally discuss the misconduct of Judge Donald L.
Graham
http://donaldlgraham.blogspot.com
http://secretlaw.com
http://secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/ContemptAbuse.html
These links discuss the efforts of the US Court of Appeal, Eleventh
Circuit to conceal the misconduct.
http://mmason.freeshell.org/trickery/trickery.htm
http://mmason.freeshell.org/refusetodiscuss.html
http://mmason.freeshell.org/inherent/inherent.html
Judge Graham Lies and the Eleventh Circuit lies for him!!
* Lied and intentionally misrepresenting the law. Donald L. Graham did this by telling Mason one version of the law and another version of the law to a different Plaintiff. Graham stated in Mason's lawsuit that he could not state a claim under 42 U.S.C. � 1981 against a state actor while at the very same time he allowed a Plaintiff to state a claim under 42 U.S.C. � 1981 against the very same state actor. In Mason's lawsuit, Case No. 99-14027-CIV-Graham, Graham's Court stated:
"Counts Eight, Nineteen, Twenty-One, Twenty-Three and Twenty-Five deal with �1981 claims. This Court believes that those claims should likewise be dismissed pursuant to the Eleventh Circuit's opinion in Butts v. County of Volusia, 222 F.3d 891(11th Cir. 2000). In Butts, the Eleventh Circuit held that �1983 constituted the exclusive remedy against state actors for violation of rights contained in �1981. The Plaintiff has a valid �1983 count pending concerning his termination of employment. He has two Title VII claims as well as a disparate treatment claim pending. The Plaintiffs response does not give sufficient reason why he is entitled to plead a �1981 claim in light of the Buffs decision. Therefore, this Court is going to recommend to the District Court that Counts Eight, Nineteen, Twenty-One, Twenty-Three and Twenty-Five be dismissed with prejudice." See http://secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/DE-435/de435.pdf
At the very same time, Graham was saying that Mason could not state
a claim against a state actor under �1981, he was allowing the
Plaintiff to state a claim under �1981 against the very same state
actor, Highlands County Board of County Commissioners, in Case No.
00-14094-CIV-Graham, Fa Nina St. Germain v. Highlands County Board
of County Commissioners. See
http://secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/00-14094/de58.pdf
. Fa Nina St. Germain's �1981 was disposed of on the facts, not
the law and not Butts v. County of Volusia, 222 F.3d 891(11th Cir.
2000), in Case No. 00-14094-CIV-Graham. Clearly, Judge Graham either
lied to Mason or Fa Nina St. Germain as he could not have told the
truth to the both of them. See Page 3, Report and Recommendation,
http://secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/DE-435/de435.pdf
,(DE #435). Graham signed this Report and Recommendation. See (DE
#466),
http://secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/DE-466/de466.pdf .
See http://secretlaw.com and
http://geocities.com/mcneilmason.
On May 2004, Judges Carnes and Hull , Case No. 04-11894, were
willing to lie or intentionally misstate the facts in order to cover
for Judge Graham. Proof?
Mason merely asserts that Judge Graham was not impartial because �
(2) would not let Mason file a � 1981 claim, but did let another
plaintiff with similar claims do so... Moreover, a review of
Mason�s complaint and the other plaintiff�s complaint reveal
that their claims are not similar. Mason�s complaint alleges that
county entities and employees violated his First Amendment rights,
which is actually a 42 U.S.C. � 1983 claim. The plaintiff to which
Mason compares himself, however, brought racial and national origin
discrimination and retaliation claims under 42 U.S.C. � 2000e
(Title VII) and � 1981. Both Title VII and � 1981 can be used to
bring race discrimination claims.
See pgs. 2-3, Opinion, Eleventh Circuit Case No. No. 04-11894-B, URL: http://geocities.com/mcneilmason/secret/04-11894/04-11894.pdf. Both Judge Graham and the Eleventh Circuit know that this assertion is false because Mason's complaint specifically alleges racial discrimination and retaliation claims under 42 U.S.C. � 2000e (Title VII) and � 1981. See (DE #321, pps. 1, 2, 11; 63-64, 65, ��1, 2, 3, 85, 459-462, 465-466, 473-474), URL: http://geocities.com/mcneilmason/secret/99-14027/ConsolidatedAmendedComplaint.doc. It is hard to imagine that judges would outright lie when they know the record clearly contradicts their statements. Aren't Judges required under the law to tell the truth? What is the punishment for judges that intentionally lie and misrepresent the truth?
*Usurped legal authority in violation of the First and Tenth
Amendment. Judge Graham issued orders stating that Mason must
request the permission of private for profit attorneys in order to
speak to the government or request Public Records under Florida law.
Judge Donald L. Graham and his magistrate issued the following
orders to an unrepresented Plaintiff in a civil lawsuit. The
Defendants being referred to is the Highlands County Board of County
Commissioners and other governmental agencies. You can't find an
order like this nowhere else in the written United States History.
Plaintiff shall be prohibited from contacting any of the
[Government] Defendants, including their supervisory employees
and/or the individual [Government] Defendants, regarding any matter
related to this case.
Plaintiff shall correspond only with Defendants' [Government]
counsel. See
http://secretlaw.com//NewComplaint/HelpLetters/DE201Orders/de201.pdf
. Order June 19, 2000 (DE #201).
Plaintiff shall correspond only with Defendants' [Government]
counsel including any requests for public records. See
http://secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/DE201Orders/de246.pdf
. Order dated July 25, 2000 (DE #246).
Plaintiff shall be prohibited from contacting any of the named
[Government] Defendants in this case, including their supervisory
employees and/or the individual Defendants, who are parties in other
actions (Fellin, St . Germain, etc .) and are represented by counsel
in those other actions regarding any matter related to those cases
since Plaintiff is not an attorney or the attorney of record for the
plaintiffs in those other cases,. See Order dated July 25, 2000 (DE
#246)http://secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/DE201Orders/de246.pdf
.Judge Graham actually dismissed a lawsuit because he said Mason
talked to the government without the permission of a private for
profit lawfirm. See Court Orders, (Doc. #201), (Doc. 246) . See
http://secretlaw.com and
http://geocities.com/mcneilmason.
* Allowing a motion for a preliminary injunction for to languish in
court for 574 days and not make a ruling. The motion for preliminary
in injunction was initially filed on November 24, 1999. Essentially,
Graham gave himself permission not to rule on a motion for
injunctive relief. Despite repeated requests, Graham refused to
disclose why he wouldn't rule on the motion for a preliminary
injunction. As a side matter, when Mason filed petition for mandamus
(Case No. 01-11305) with the Eleventh Circuit, the Eleventh Circuit
simply stated: "His mandamus petition, however, is frivolous because
he has failed to establish that he is entitled to mandamus relief to
compel the district court to rule on his motion for preliminary
injunction." See
http://Secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/11305/11305.pdf
On May 2004, Judges Carnes and Hull , Case No. 04-11894, were willing to lie or intentionally misstate the facts in order to cover for Judge Graham. Proof?
Mason merely asserts that Judge Graham was not impartial because (1) he allowed many of Mason's motions to languish...As to the alleged languishing, a review of the district court docket sheet shows that the court ruled upon his motions in a timely manner .
See pgs. 2, 3 Case No. 04-11894 Opinion,
http://geocities.com/mcneilmason/secret/04-11894/04-11894.pdf.
How is NEVER ruling on scores of motions and filings ruling "upon
his motions in a timely manner"? This answer is false, dishonest,
absurd, and insulting. Review the docket and see where Graham never
ruled on the motions and filings listed above. See
http://secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/PacerReportsDocketEntries99-14027.html.
* Allowing scores of motions to languish in court for up to 8 months and not taking any action. For a complete listing, see web page languishing motions . See http://secretlaw.com/NewComplaintpLetters/languishingmotions.html
* Concealing Information and Falsely Completing a Civil Justice
Reform Act Report. When Graham completed his Civil Justice Reform
Act Report for March 31, 2001, he shows that he has no motions
pending for more than 6 months. This information is false because
the motion for a preliminary injunction had been pending for more
492 days or about 16.4 months. See Judge Graham's CJRA Report,
http://secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/CivilJusticeReformActReport.pdf.
* Abuse of the Criminal Contempt Procedure. Judge Graham abused the criminal contempt procedure to intimidate Mason and attempt to force Mason to drop an embarrassing lawsuit filed against him. See Grahams Lawsuit, http://secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/GrahamLawsuit.html and Contempt Abuse, http://secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/ContemptAbuse.html .
The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal are masters of artifice, treachery, trickery, and dishonesty. The Eleventh Circuit employed these techniques as a part of an overt conspiracy to conceal Judge Graham's misconduct and abuse of power. Even though all manner of appeals, mandamus, and Section 372(c) complaints have been filed, you will not even see these allegations in the Eleventh Circuit's secret and unpublished "opinions". See the Trickery web page for a listing of these techniques, http://mmason.freeshell.org/trickery/trickery.htm . The Eleventh Circuit's "creativity"in avoiding discussing these serious allegations is only exceeded by its dishonesty.
The Eleventh Circuit absolutely Refuses to Address the Veracity
of the allegations of misconduct
The allegations of misconduct directed at Judge Donald L. Graham
were raised on direct appeal, mandamus, Section 372(c) Complaints,
however, the Eleventh Circuit simply ignored them. Sometimes the
Eleventh Circuit just outright lied when it felt like it. See Briefs
and Opinions below in Case Nos. 01-13664-A, 01-15754, 02-14646A,
04-11894, and 05-10623-I. See the Trickery web page,
http://mmason.freeshell.org/trickery/trickery.htm , for details
of the tricks the Eleventh Circuit uses to crush appeals.
05-10623-I,
http:/secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/05-10623/05-10623.pdf
petition http:/secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/05-10623/PetitionMandamus.swf
01-15754-A, http:/secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/15754/mandamus_denied.pdf
petition, http:/secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/15754/WritOfMandamusAndWritOfProhibition.pdf
01-13664 , http:/secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/01-13664/OrderAffirmingTrialCourt/Opinion-OCR.doc
Initial Brief, http:/secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/01-13664/CorrectedInitialBrief.swf
04-11894, http:/secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/04-11894/04-11894.pdf
Mandamus Petition, http:/secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/04-11894/mandamus.swf
02-14646A , http:/secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/02-14646A/02-14646.pdf
Mandamus Petition , http:/secretlaw.com/NewComplaint/HelpLetters/02-14646A/mandamus.swf
I believe the "so called" nuclear option has become a necessity. Preferably, only for cases involving the Senates role in "advise and consent" of appointees. Democrats have now taken the role of "advise and consent" and created "advise and obstruct". By not allowing a vote, they are not fulfilling their constitutional duties. Once they have been "advised" through hearings, I believe it is their duty to engage in the "consent" and allow a vote. They have set a dangerous precedent by forcing a two thirds vote required for appointees.
It was bad enough when they turned judicial appontments into a popularity contest based on their individual positions, rather than how they apply the law. it has come down to pro-life judges need not apply. I also believe any judges that may have a strong religious upbringing may also be denied. It would be terrible to allow the wisdom of Solomon to somehow guide their thinking.
In conclusion, I would not like to see filibusters eliminated, however we must get good conservative judges, who represent the majority of Americans, back in office. This may be the only way unless the democrats get back to the business of processing judges like it has been done for 200 years.
Posted by: Bruce G. at April 18, 2005 10:48 PMRepublicans already control ALL the branches of our government. The Neo-Cons control the White House and the Congress, so now they are gunning for the Judiciary - at the expense of TRUE Republicans (and Democrats and the U.S. Constitution).
See the details and stats at www.usjudges.net
Todd
Alaska - Sen. Murkowski - 202-224-6665
Arizona - Sen. McCain - 202-224-2235
Arkansas - Sen. Pryor - 202-224-2353
Arkansas - Sen. Lincoln - 202-224-4843
Colorado - Sen. Salazar - 202-224-5852
Connecticut - Sen. Lieberman - 202-224-4041
Florida - Sen. Nelson - 202-224-5274
Indiana - Sen. Lugar -202-224-4814
Indiana - Sen. Bayh - 202-224-5623
Louisiana - Sen. Landrieu - 202-224-5824
Maine - Sen. Collins - 202-224-2523
Maine - Sen. Snowe - 202-224-5344
Nebraska - Sen. Hagel - 202-224-4224
Nebraska - Sen. Nelson - 202-224-6551
Nevada - Sen. Reid - 202-224-3542
New Hampshire - Sen. Sununu - 202-224-2841
North Dakota - Sen. Dorgan - 202-224-2551
North Dakota - Sen. Conrad - 202-224-2043
Ohio - Sen. Dewine - 202-224-2315
Oregon - Sen. Smith - 202-224-3753
Rhode Island - Sen. Chafee - 202-224-2921
In the case of the filibuster, that point is this: that if the Republican party were *truly* so concerned with fairness, and procedual reform, then why have they not proposed to make the changes to the filibuster rules take effect at the *end* of George Bush's term?
My point is this. American democracy was designed to evolve (the alleged pro-Christian, Creationist dogma of our forefathers notwithstanding). Changes in rules, even in standard games, is not taboo, or even necessarily undesireable. But the changing of rules *mid-game* is indisputably unfair.
For example, if a pair of baseball teams playing three Sunday games stand tied before the beginning of the rubber game, and mutually decide that the last team to bat must break any ties or suffer a loss, with no extra innings played, that's fair, so long as the first at bat is determined by, say, a coind toss. Both teams will know what to expect in the final game.
However, if the the first team to bat ties the ballgame in the seventh inning, *then* proposes such a change in rules, where they clearly have an advantage, no amount of debate over how fair or reasonable or equitable such a rule would be in the long run can be justified: they will drastically improve their chances of victory at the expense of their opponents if their propsed rule is adopted.
The same is true of the right. To push for a major change in the rules which the previous president's nominees were forced to suffer, and in time to gain an advantage, is not a support of fairness. It is a brutal, bullying tactic to win at any cost.
I could easily see this same congress, four years from now beneath a liberal president, that the filibuster is a tried-and-true way to assure fairness to the miniorty, as if it was there idea, and it was the left that had just struck down so venerable and equitable a rule.
I wish that this point were being clearly made, and beaten to death by the left in public forums.
Posted by: Dan at May 17, 2005 03:13 AMPosted by: Dan at May 17, 2005 03:19 AM
As I just said this just hit me on the way home but please try to follow my logic and please be kind if I make any mistakes. On the other hand I do want to see if any of this makes sense, so blast away. The way I understand it the GOP leadership is proposing a vote to not so much to change the rules midstream because they are not getting their way (the spoiled brat method of governing), but to declare that the filibuster is in fact unconstitutional. They base this on "by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate" meaning only an up or down vote by the full senate would qualify. Well…
Shouldn’t every member of The Senate remember this little gem:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the
Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and
domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation
or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge
the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me
God. – Senate Oath of Office.
So, what happens if any of the current Senators EVER held up a nomination in committee in any way, including the old blue slips or denying a nominee a vote in committee? Now if the Senator in question agrees on the elimination of the filibuster for any nomination, not just judicial nominations, based on the idea that the filibuster is unconstitutional, that Senator has just admitted that, under their own logic, they have violated their oaths of office. Shouldn’t that mean by extension they are now required to leave the Senate for violating that oath? If they do not is this not an admission instead that this has nothing at all to do with The Constitution and everything to do with a crass partisan power trip by a bunch of spoiled brats?
Just asking.
Fight against the attempt by Frist and his RaptureRight goons to eliminate the role of the judiciary in this country. If you can't make it, pass this along to anybody you know you might be able to.
This ACTION ALERT comes from Mydd:
The Freedom AND Faith rally, will take place at 2:30 Sunday the 24th, at Central Presbyterian Church and the adjacent park, in Louisville, just a few hours before the right-wing Family Research Council telecast begins...
It's co-sponsored by DriveDemocracy, and you can read their announcement of the event here.
Posted by not sam at April 21, 2005 12:37 PMPosted by: Corey Griffith at April 21, 2005 07:18 PM
http://blogs.ardice.com/scottsoperson
Posted by: scottsoperson at April 24, 2005 01:58 PMhttp://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GERhitler.htm
Posted by: scottsoperson at April 24, 2005 02:07 PMPosted by: Justin at April 26, 2005 01:02 PM
Posted by: Justin at April 26, 2005 01:03 PM
Posted by: syssy at April 26, 2005 06:26 PM
I one semester away from graduating college with a history degree so I feel I must comment on your Hitler comment. Hitler was not a socialist. Hitler was a fascist. A fascist has no politcal agenda. They advocate emotionalism and are not rational. A socialist is someone who wants the state to provide some care for the people and provide social saftey nets. They have a plan and an agenda.
So before you compare the President to Hitler please do your reserach so you know what you are talking about.
It makes me sick that you would compare any American President to
a Nazi. Did the President kill 12 million people in death camps? No!
Did the president try to take over the world? No! He simply removed
two of the most evil men of the 21st century from power.
Mr. Bush is doing what Clinton should have done! But Clinton was to busy messing around with women, playing footsy with our enemies and giving away our technology to them. He undermined our security. He bombed worthless sites. He continued to kill our own innocent unborn babies, and gaynizing our culture. What else could he have done wrong?
Mr. Bush is not perfect, but at least he has taken the war on terror to the terrorists own back yard. Sure, some of our young men and women are dying and getting hurt, and many of the innocent Iraqis are also dying and getting hurt. But it’s happening over there, not over here.
It is important for the liberal reader to know and understand that the enemy we are facing and fighting is the worst of any other kind of enemy we have ever encountered in our time. This enemy is everywhere in the world, and they have one goal in mind, and that is to conquer the wold for Islam at whatever the cost.
This enemy will lie, cheat and steal; this enemy will befriend you and become your ally... …although it hates you and what you represent. This enemy will lay dormant for years waiting for the opportunity and the moment to strike, terrorize and kill. This enemy hates the Jew, the Christian, the agnostic and the atheist. All of the herein mentioned are considered infidels. And infidels must submit to Islam or be killed! This enemy has the Quranic commission, and ultimate goal to bring you into the House of Islam or die. Their intention is for the whole world to submit to Islam or perish. Jihad is serious business people; and it’s coming our way! We must put a stop to it, soon!
Islam is NOT the religion of love and peace as portrayed by the media and some imams that appear in radio and television trying to explain what Islam is NOT! Our own President Bush uttered that Islam is a religion of love and peace. Let’s not be fooled by such rhetoric.
You liberals stop working against President Bush and his administration. He knows what he’s doing.. ..and you don’t! You are seriously undermining he’s effort against this common enemy; you’re screwing up royally, and the knowledgeable voters know this.
If you can, please purchase the book entitled "Islam and Terrorism" by Mark A Gabriel, Ph.D. Published by Charisma House. www.charismahouse.com
Posted by: Ezekiel Rodriguez at June 27, 2005 01:25 AMFight against the attempt by Frist and his RaptureRight goons to eliminate the role of the judiciary in this country. If you can't make it, pass this along to anybody you know you might be able to.
This ACTION ALERT comes from Mydd:
The Freedom AND Faith rally, will take place at 2:30 Sunday the 24th, at Central Presbyterian Church and the adjacent park, in Louisville, just a few hours before the right-wing Family Research Council telecast begins...
It's co-sponsored by DriveDemocracy, and you can read their announcement of the event here.
Posted by not sam at April 21, 2005 12:37 PMPosted by: Corey Griffith at April 21, 2005 07:18 PM
http://blogs.ardice.com/scottsoperson
Posted by: scottsoperson at April 24, 2005 01:58 PMhttp://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GERhitler.htm
Posted by: scottsoperson at April 24, 2005 02:07 PMPosted by: Justin at April 26, 2005 01:02 PM
Posted by: Justin at April 26, 2005 01:03 PM
Spread this poster around to let people know how important it is for them to call Congress and support the GOP's effort to end the Estate Tax.
Unless YOU act NOW, almost HALF of the MILLIONS that Paris Hilton and countless other weathly young people have partied so hard for may instead go to pay for schools, police, firefighters, healthcare for children, security for the aged, better roads and safer streets across America through the evil of TAXATION!!!
THOUSANDS of BILLIONAIRES could lose MILLIONS unless YOU ACT NOW!!!!!!
Posted by not sam at May 4, 2005 04:16 PMPosted by: Steve A. at May 4, 2005 06:28 PM
Posted by: Johnny Turk at May 5, 2005 12:51 AM
The CBO estimated that overall charitable giving would decline between 6 and 12 percent, and the decline in charitable bequests would range from 20 to 30 percent, if the estate tax were fully repealed.
"The CBO studies confirm results from independent analysts, and show that estate tax repeal would cause charities to lose between $12 and $24 billion in giving per year," said John Irons, Senior Economic Policy Analyst at OMB Watch, a Washington, D.C.-based government watchdog group.
To read more about the studies, go to:
http://www.faireconomy.org/press/2004/EstateTaxCharitableGiving_pr.html
To learn more about the estate tax, check out:
http://www.responsiblewealth.org/
Posted by: Johnny Turk at May 5, 2005 11:36 AM
As far as why they should pay taxes in the first place, it's because the system that allowed for them to become rich didn't come out of nowhere and isn't free. Things like enforcement of contracts, a court system, a system which stores and guarantees their wealth--that's all gov't financed, and, in the history of the world is relatively recent. Many countries--Russia for instance--don't have similarly effective ones now. If you're in a country without those things, the expenses for those come out of your overhead. Not to mention clean water (it's hard for your workers to work when they're vomiting), safe roads (your workers need to get to work). So the notion of "self-created" wealthy businessmen in this country is utter bullshit. We all helped create and pay for the system that allowed them to get rich, and which doesn't exist in many other countries, and so they should fucking pay some fucking taxes for it. Understand Johnny retard?
Posted by: a at May 5, 2005 12:21 PMPosted by: Johnny Turk at May 5, 2005 04:13 PM
Posted by: a at May 5, 2005 05:27 PM
And a's points are spot on.
Posted by: Johnny's Superego at May 5, 2005 09:31 PMNow, to respond to you. the wealthy in America provide jobs, look at Bill Gates how many thousands of people does he employ? Also to the Paris Hilton point even though her shows suck and she is sleeze look at all of the advertising money she brought in. That money provided people with jobs. It employed writers, cameramen, set designers and so on. The people that got paid then spent the money at Wal-Mart or some other store. That gave Wal-Mart money. Wal-Mart then hired more people who then got paid put thier own money back into the economy. All of the people who recieved pay checks had to pay income taxes. They also had at least five different taxes taken out of thier checks. So the governemnt is actually making more money by leaving the wealthy alone. If you tax the wealthy to death then they won't spend money and you have a problem. Spending money is good! It helps us all and the government should make it easier for money to circulate in the system. They shouldn't be taking large amounts of money out of the system with taxes. This only hurts the system. The government can make enough money to provide services without the death tax.
If you over tax the rich they either won't be rich anymore which would put in a situation like what Russia is dealing with or they won't spend anything. The result is the same. DOOM! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Posted by: Johnny Turk at May 6, 2005 12:22 AMhttp://www.forbes.com/2002/02/28/0228faq.html
Keep up the hard work!
Mike in Boulder
Posted by: Johnny Turk at May 7, 2005 09:20 PM
I don't like this ad because it simplifies the issue, and is far too negative and misleading.
The estate tax is a complex issue. Only estates over $2.5 million will be subjected to gift and estate taxes which begin at 18% and rise to 50%.
The Reps. would like the A.P. to believe that estate and gift taxes are a big burden on every hard-working American - they are not.
The Dems. would like the A.P. to believe that only the very, very wealthy are affected - not true either.
The fact is, that the inheritance does pose a threat to farmers, and also unfairly burdens those who live in places where real estate is out-of-sync with the rest of the nation.
In San Francisco, for example, you will be hard-pressed to find a three bedroom house for less than a $1.5 million. A five bedroom house in Normal, IL costs about $120,000. Because our cost of living is so much higher than other states, residents of NY and CA shoulder a much higher income tax burden than those in less expensive areas. And then when it comes to assessing property upon the death of your parents - you may find your small family farm in CA. valued at $5 mil. - even though you have barely kept afloat over the years. So you must pay the estate tax - but you cannot afford it so you are forced to sell the farm. Then, when you sell the farm, you get to pay capital gains tax - unless you buy a property of the same value in the same county (often), but now you must pay property tax on a $5 mil. property, and you have lost your livelihood by the sale of your family's farm.
We already pay a huge tax burden in CA and NY. Taxation should be ammended to consider cost-of-living. We are not sitting out here on a pile of money, but are actually struggling just to stay afloat in our tiny little apartments *I only speak for myself and people I know, of course!* but it sure ain't cheap out here.
I would rather have a poster about the way gay couples are screwed beyond. No matter what a gay person puts in their will, their significant other will get to pay inheritance taxes which absolutely NO straight married couple EVER pays.
Gay people pay WAY more taxes than their heterosexual counterparts, and for that priviledge they get no representation and a permanenet second-class citizen status. They get to live their entire lives as single tax-payers no matter how long they are with their spouse. If a gay soldier gets killed in Iraq, his spouse will not recieve and of the benefits entitled to him under federal law - no berevement pay, no s.s. benefits, nothing.
That is unfair taxation *illegal* and unequal represenation. In a word, that is f#cked!
Posted by: RiotGirl at May 9, 2005 04:29 PMPosted by: Johnny Turk at May 9, 2005 07:08 PM
http://agitprops.org/estatetax.html
Posted by: agitprops.org at May 9, 2005 08:03 PMAnd as to the Turk's point about the rich creating jobs, that's another Republican red herring.
You talk about the jobs that Bill Gates creates. Do a quick cost-benefit analysis on the ratio of the World's Richest Man's billions to the jobs at Microsoft. Not a good deal.
Now consider the economic effect of raising the minimum wage -- placing millions more dollars into the pockets of people who will actually spend it. (As you know, the wealthy spend far less of their income than the poor live paycheck to paycheck.) That would increase consumer spending across the economy, not just a Jaguar dealerships, and generate a genuine, broad-based economic boost.
Now isn't that a much better idea than borrowing money from your grandkids and sending it to some rich guy's off-shore account hoping that he'll tip you better when you park his car?
C'mon Turk, you gotta admit that.
Posted by: agitprops.org at May 9, 2005 08:27 PMAlso, the most "generous" domestic partnershit benefit program is in CA which grants 15 rights and protections - compare that to the 300 + state rights and protections married heterosexuals enjoy.
Also, what happens if you leave California?
*poof* - no rights and protections.
Also, to the post above - no disrespect - but that is not true. I know of two people who got seriously screwed due to the Estate Tax. One family owned a very large ranch in Olema, CA. They had this farm for two generations. The real estate prices in the Bay Area are unbelievable and when his parents died the ranch was assessed with a very high value due to the land value. They did not make much money from the ranch, in fact it barely paid for itself after expenses but he grew up there, and was devastated when he was faced with selling it. It was his livelihood and he wanted his kids to grow up there too. I heard all about it, because we shot a photoshoot out there, and he went on and on about it. He was trying anyway he could to earn money, but he said he was going to have to sell it anyway. I also know someone else who had a large nursery in Los Angeles, similar story, but they actually didn't end up having to sell but it was a big hardship.
I am not against estate tax per se, I just think that all taxation needs to be re-evaluated to consider factors like cost-of-living. It isn't as cut-and-dry as people seem to think. It isn't just about the extremely wealthy getting a free ride. It should be. It should be fair and porportional. If you live in Normal, IL., an estate of 2.5 million is probably unheard of - it isn't as unimaginable in areas where the median price home is $700,000, not $100,000. That's median. $2.5 mil. is a huge cap, and then there is the generation skipping clause to consider... But still, I think it needs to be re-examined so that everyone pays their fair share. Why should Californians and New Yorkers have to pay such a high tax burden? It would be interesting to see what percentage of Californians and New Yorkers end up paying estate tax in relation to the rest of the nation. It would be interesting to see what percentage of our income goes to taxes when you factor cost-of-living comparisons btwn us and other parts of the nation.
Anyway, the federal gov. has PLENTY of money. They just spend it on military toys they can't wait to unleash on soveriegn nations.
What is the bill now - $18.4 Billion for Iraq alone - now what could we do with that!?
Posted by: riotGirl at May 10, 2005 05:06 PMThe estate tax does NOT "only affect estates of MORE that $3 Million!?"
That is a complete distortion. Where in the tax code does it say that the estate tax exemption begins at more than $3 million!?
Last I checked there is a graduated estate tax exemption plan in effect as signed by Bush (June 2001) which means that currently this year estate tax exemptions begin at $1.5 million, go to $2 million for 2006 through 2008 and eventually reach $3.5 million in 2009. In 2010 the estate tax will be eliminated for one year and will roll back to $1 mil. in 2011.
So is it suddenly 2009!?
Bush's estate tax plan is as whack as every other initiative he has tried to bring to the fore, but so is your poster. I hate it when facts are manipulated for an emotional response. We have more important things to worry about than Bush's estate tax plan anyway.
BUT if you are going to address this issue NOW - address it with today's FACTS, which is, that the estate tax exemption for 2005 is $1.5 million.
You don't believe me? - Here is the link to the IRS website with all the facts you need.
this is directly from the IRS:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98968,00.html
Unified Credit
A credit is an amount that eliminates or reduces tax. The unified credit applies to both the gift tax and the estate tax. You must subtract the unified credit from any gift tax that you owe. Any unified credit you use against your gift tax in one year reduces the amount of credit that you can use against your gift tax in a later year. The total amount used against your gift tax reduces the credit available to use against your estate tax.
In 2001, the unified credit was $220,550, which eliminated taxes on a total of $675,000 (applicable exclusion amount) of taxable gifts and taxable estate. These amounts were increased for gifts made, and for estates of decedents dying, after 2001. The following shows the unified credit and the applicable exclusion amount for the calendar year in which a gift is made or a decedent dies.
For Gift Tax Purposes in years 2002 and 2003 the Unified Credit is $345,800, the Applicable Exclusion Amount is $1,000,000. For Estate Tax Purposes in years 2002 and 2003 the Unified Credit is $345,800 and the Applicable Exclusion Amount is $1,000,000.
For Gift Tax Purposes in years 2004 and 2005 the Unified Credit is $345,800, the Applicable Exclusion Amount is $1,000,000. For Estate Tax Purposes in years 2004 and 2005 the Unified Credit is $555,800 and the Applicable Exclusion Amount is $1,500,000.
For Gift Tax Purposes in years 2006, 2007 and 2008 the Unified Credit is $345,800, the Applicable Exclusion Amount is $1,000,000. For Estate Tax Purposes in years 2006, 2007 and 2008 the Unified Credit is $780,800 and the Applicable Exclusion Amount is $2,000,000.
For Gift Tax Purposes in year 2009 the Unified Credit is $345,800, the Applicable Exclusion Amount is $1,000,000. For Estate Tax Purposes in year 2009 the Unified Credit is $1,455,800 and the Applicable Exclusion Amount is $3,500,000.
Estate Tax
Estate tax may apply to your taxable estate at your death. Your taxable estate is your gross estate less allowable deductions.
Gross Estate
Your gross estate includes the value of all property in which you had an interest at the time of death. Your gross estate also will include the following.
* Life insurance proceeds payable to your estate or, if you owned
the policy, to your heirs.
* The value of certain annuities payable to your estate or your
heirs.
* The value of certain property you transferred within 3 years
before your death.
* Trusts or other interests established by you or others in which
you have certain powers.
Taxable Estate
The allowable deductions used in determining your taxable estate include:
1) Funeral expenses paid out of your estate,
2) Debts you owed at the time of death, and
3) The marital deduction (generally, the value of the property that
passes from your estate to your surviving spouse).
*GAYS DON'T GET THIS PRIVILEDGE, THANK YOU!*
Posted by: OverTaxedGay at May 10, 2005 05:45 PMIf the "majority" wants to deny our basic constitutional rights - right to obtain a marriage license and right to privacy - we should get together an enact a bill that makes us exempt from taxation.
Think about it, we pay into social security but will never be able to pass it on to our spouses upon our death. Our spouses have to pay estate taxes - straights do not. Our spouses get no military benies, or any benies from the state if we are killed in the line of duty (police, fireman, etc...) yet we pay into to all of these systems and live our entire lives as single taxpayers. we put more into the system than we ever get in return. Also, we often do not have children, yet we pay for straight married couples' children through school and other benefits that our families will never get.
the simple fact is, gays and lesbians carry an unfair tax burden.
We should not put up with it anymore. I even read a quote from right-winger James Dobson that argued against gay marriage because of the drain on social security if we were actually given our due benefits.
They know they are screwing us - on taxes, medical insurance, inheritance, retirement benefits - and they want it to stay that way.
Why should they change when they get such a great deal? We should just thank our lucky stars that we can walk the streets without being jailed or beaten, right?
We have made so much progress. We even get to have a parade once a year in our little glbt ghettos. And there are even a few gay characters on TV. And it is even "cool" to have a gay friend or two. We are so lucky.
Posted by: Mark at May 10, 2005 06:17 PMPosted by: Kathryn at May 11, 2005 09:02 PM
However, I would like to point out that the design is TERRIBLE.
If progressives want to make their voices heard, they'd better hire some good graphic designers. No one worth convincing is going to take the time to read this mess.
Posted by: Dyana at May 11, 2005 11:31 PMThe estate tax does not only affect estates over 3 million.
Check out current IRS info. Current estate tax exemption begins at 1.5 mil for 2005.
Posted by: Derik at May 12, 2005 02:47 PMWe support you 100%!!!
:)
Posted by: Sally at May 12, 2005 04:18 PMGays have eqaul protection under the law. You have the right to
free speech, freedom to own property, the right to bear arms, and
all of the other freedoms that we all have. Gays want extra rights.
Does it matter that 95% of the country is oppsoed to this and all
but two states have voted against gay marraige? No. Why is it that
the minority in this country always tries to force thier will on the
majority?
Unamericans.
Posted by: Tom DeLay at May 13, 2005 11:03 AMPosted by: dumjuan at May 13, 2005 03:39 PM
As a gay person I am denied the right to privacy and the right to obtain a marriage license.
These are rights that you enjoy as a straight man or woman.
Because I am denied both of these rights, I am also denied 1,300+ federal and state rights and protections that are afforded straight married couples.
We are not asking for "special rights", just equal rights.
Further, the issue has nothing to do with "beliefs". Private institutions and religions are perfectly able to exclude us. The government is public, and must protect the rights of ALL its citizens. So you can "believe" gays are sick, twisted, whatever - but you cannot legislate based on those beliefs. You cannot selectively grant rights to one group, while excluding another.
That is America. We are not a homogenous society, and that is our strength.
You have the right to privacy and the right to obtain a marriage license. I pay takes, am part of society *like it or not*, and I absoultely deserve the same rights that even convicted felons enjoy in this country.
Posted by: Mark at May 15, 2005 05:03 PMNow, I understand that health insurance and life insurance for homosexual individuals, men especially, is *much* higher than that for heterosexuals - courtesy of your local HMO, or whatever. In any case, this is not an issue as long as you do not divulge to Insurance Company that you are gay. Now, if you are man married to a man, it is not going to be hard for Insurance Company to figure out that you are gay and apply higher premiums - higher than any applied to married women for that matter.
As your employer, I have to pay for the health insurance of all my employees without regard to marital status. I have become fiscally responsible for your pursuit of hapiness, which does not reduce expenses or increase profits but has exactly the opposite effect. So, while you save on your taxes, I have an unholy hike in the cost of my employee benefits - or I have to reduce those benefits for all my employees and become less attractive to job seekers. It would be one thing if the burden were shared amongst all taxpayers, but this is not the case - rather, your tax break becomes, quite directly, my tax hike or worse - my direct loss of profit from inability to compete. I protest.
If we can remove sexual orientation as a factor from ALL legal policy, I will be the best man at your gay wedding. Until then, there is no way in hell I am going to support homosexual marriage, or any other policy that demands particular sectors of the society be solely responsible for the utterly unrelated whim of any person.
Posted by: Justice at May 28, 2005 04:27 AMPosted by: Justice at May 28, 2005 04:31 AM
Posted by: idiot at June 6, 2005 07:44 AM
Posted by: osha compliance at June 22, 2005 01:04 AM
The rich dont want you to belong in their crowd. It's not like the country club is welcoming every shlub who can pony up the initiation fee. You are one of the "Not Our Kind, Dear" folks.
Posted by: Sail at June 28, 2005 08:29 AMwhat she "earns" is hers what you earn is yours
and its nobody's buisnes.
never mind what other people have. take care of yourself. she's one
of the exceptions. most rich prople work very hard and deserve
everything they get.
Spread this poster around to let people know how important it is for them to call Congress and support the GOP's effort to end the Estate Tax.
Unless YOU act NOW, almost HALF of the MILLIONS that Paris Hilton and countless other weathly young people have partied so hard for may instead go to pay for schools, police, firefighters, healthcare for children, security for the aged, better roads and safer streets across America through the evil of TAXATION!!!
THOUSANDS of BILLIONAIRES could lose MILLIONS unless YOU ACT NOW!!!!!!
Posted by not sam at May 4, 2005 04:16 PMPosted by: Steve A. at May 4, 2005 06:28 PM
Posted by: Johnny Turk at May 5, 2005 12:51 AM
The CBO estimated that overall charitable giving would decline between 6 and 12 percent, and the decline in charitable bequests would range from 20 to 30 percent, if the estate tax were fully repealed.
"The CBO studies confirm results from independent analysts, and show that estate tax repeal would cause charities to lose between $12 and $24 billion in giving per year," said John Irons, Senior Economic Policy Analyst at OMB Watch, a Washington, D.C.-based government watchdog group.
To read more about the studies, go to:
http://www.faireconomy.org/press/2004/EstateTaxCharitableGiving_pr.html
To learn more about the estate tax, check out:
http://www.responsiblewealth.org/
Posted by: Johnny Turk at May 5, 2005 11:36 AM
As far as why they should pay taxes in the first place, it's because the system that allowed for them to become rich didn't come out of nowhere and isn't free. Things like enforcement of contracts, a court system, a system which stores and guarantees their wealth--that's all gov't financed, and, in the history of the world is relatively recent. Many countries--Russia for instance--don't have similarly effective ones now. If you're in a country without those things, the expenses for those come out of your overhead. Not to mention clean water (it's hard for your workers to work when they're vomiting), safe roads (your workers need to get to work). So the notion of "self-created" wealthy businessmen in this country is utter bullshit. We all helped create and pay for the system that allowed them to get rich, and which doesn't exist in many other countries, and so they should fucking pay some fucking taxes for it. Understand Johnny retard?
Posted by: a at May 5, 2005 12:21 PMPosted by: Johnny Turk at May 5, 2005 04:13 PM
Posted by: a at May 5, 2005 05:27 PM
And a's points are spot on.
Posted by: Johnny's Superego at May 5, 2005 09:31 PMNow, to respond to you. the wealthy in America provide jobs, look at Bill Gates how many thousands of people does he employ? Also to the Paris Hilton point even though her shows suck and she is sleeze look at all of the advertising money she brought in. That money provided people with jobs. It employed writers, cameramen, set designers and so on. The people that got paid then spent the money at Wal-Mart or some other store. That gave Wal-Mart money. Wal-Mart then hired more people who then got paid put thier own money back into the economy. All of the people who recieved pay checks had to pay income taxes. They also had at least five different taxes taken out of thier checks. So the governemnt is actually making more money by leaving the wealthy alone. If you tax the wealthy to death then they won't spend money and you have a problem. Spending money is good! It helps us all and the government should make it easier for money to circulate in the system. They shouldn't be taking large amounts of money out of the system with taxes. This only hurts the system. The government can make enough money to provide services without the death tax.
If you over tax the rich they either won't be rich anymore which would put in a situation like what Russia is dealing with or they won't spend anything. The result is the same. DOOM! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Posted by: Johnny Turk at May 6, 2005 12:22 AMhttp://www.forbes.com/2002/02/28/0228faq.html
Keep up the hard work!
Mike in Boulder
Posted by: Johnny Turk at May 7, 2005 09:20 PM
I don't like this ad because it simplifies the issue, and is far too negative and misleading.
The estate tax is a complex issue. Only estates over $2.5 million will be subjected to gift and estate taxes which begin at 18% and rise to 50%.
The Reps. would like the A.P. to believe that estate and gift taxes are a big burden on every hard-working American - they are not.
The Dems. would like the A.P. to believe that only the very, very wealthy are affected - not true either.
The fact is, that the inheritance does pose a threat to farmers, and also unfairly burdens those who live in places where real estate is out-of-sync with the rest of the nation.
In San Francisco, for example, you will be hard-pressed to find a three bedroom house for less than a $1.5 million. A five bedroom house in Normal, IL costs about $120,000. Because our cost of living is so much higher than other states, residents of NY and CA shoulder a much higher income tax burden than those in less expensive areas. And then when it comes to assessing property upon the death of your parents - you may find your small family farm in CA. valued at $5 mil. - even though you have barely kept afloat over the years. So you must pay the estate tax - but you cannot afford it so you are forced to sell the farm. Then, when you sell the farm, you get to pay capital gains tax - unless you buy a property of the same value in the same county (often), but now you must pay property tax on a $5 mil. property, and you have lost your livelihood by the sale of your family's farm.
We already pay a huge tax burden in CA and NY. Taxation should be ammended to consider cost-of-living. We are not sitting out here on a pile of money, but are actually struggling just to stay afloat in our tiny little apartments *I only speak for myself and people I know, of course!* but it sure ain't cheap out here.
I would rather have a poster about the way gay couples are screwed beyond. No matter what a gay person puts in their will, their significant other will get to pay inheritance taxes which absolutely NO straight married couple EVER pays.
Gay people pay WAY more taxes than their heterosexual counterparts, and for that priviledge they get no representation and a permanenet second-class citizen status. They get to live their entire lives as single tax-payers no matter how long they are with their spouse. If a gay soldier gets killed in Iraq, his spouse will not recieve and of the benefits entitled to him under federal law - no berevement pay, no s.s. benefits, nothing.
That is unfair taxation *illegal* and unequal represenation. In a word, that is f#cked!
Posted by: RiotGirl at May 9, 2005 04:29 PMPosted by: Johnny Turk at May 9, 2005 07:08 PM
http://agitprops.org/estatetax.html
Posted by: agitprops.org at May 9, 2005 08:03 PMAnd as to the Turk's point about the rich creating jobs, that's another Republican red herring.
You talk about the jobs that Bill Gates creates. Do a quick cost-benefit analysis on the ratio of the World's Richest Man's billions to the jobs at Microsoft. Not a good deal.
Now consider the economic effect of raising the minimum wage -- placing millions more dollars into the pockets of people who will actually spend it. (As you know, the wealthy spend far less of their income than the poor live paycheck to paycheck.) That would increase consumer spending across the economy, not just a Jaguar dealerships, and generate a genuine, broad-based economic boost.
Now isn't that a much better idea than borrowing money from your grandkids and sending it to some rich guy's off-shore account hoping that he'll tip you better when you park his car?
C'mon Turk, you gotta admit that.
Posted by: agitprops.org at May 9, 2005 08:27 PMAlso, the most "generous" domestic partnershit benefit program is in CA which grants 15 rights and protections - compare that to the 300 + state rights and protections married heterosexuals enjoy.
Also, what happens if you leave California?
*poof* - no rights and protections.
Also, to the post above - no disrespect - but that is not true. I know of two people who got seriously screwed due to the Estate Tax. One family owned a very large ranch in Olema, CA. They had this farm for two generations. The real estate prices in the Bay Area are unbelievable and when his parents died the ranch was assessed with a very high value due to the land value. They did not make much money from the ranch, in fact it barely paid for itself after expenses but he grew up there, and was devastated when he was faced with selling it. It was his livelihood and he wanted his kids to grow up there too. I heard all about it, because we shot a photoshoot out there, and he went on and on about it. He was trying anyway he could to earn money, but he said he was going to have to sell it anyway. I also know someone else who had a large nursery in Los Angeles, similar story, but they actually didn't end up having to sell but it was a big hardship.
I am not against estate tax per se, I just think that all taxation needs to be re-evaluated to consider factors like cost-of-living. It isn't as cut-and-dry as people seem to think. It isn't just about the extremely wealthy getting a free ride. It should be. It should be fair and porportional. If you live in Normal, IL., an estate of 2.5 million is probably unheard of - it isn't as unimaginable in areas where the median price home is $700,000, not $100,000. That's median. $2.5 mil. is a huge cap, and then there is the generation skipping clause to consider... But still, I think it needs to be re-examined so that everyone pays their fair share. Why should Californians and New Yorkers have to pay such a high tax burden? It would be interesting to see what percentage of Californians and New Yorkers end up paying estate tax in relation to the rest of the nation. It would be interesting to see what percentage of our income goes to taxes when you factor cost-of-living comparisons btwn us and other parts of the nation.
Anyway, the federal gov. has PLENTY of money. They just spend it on military toys they can't wait to unleash on soveriegn nations.
What is the bill now - $18.4 Billion for Iraq alone - now what could we do with that!?
Posted by: riotGirl at May 10, 2005 05:06 PMThe estate tax does NOT "only affect estates of MORE that $3 Million!?"
That is a complete distortion. Where in the tax code does it say that the estate tax exemption begins at more than $3 million!?
Last I checked there is a graduated estate tax exemption plan in effect as signed by Bush (June 2001) which means that currently this year estate tax exemptions begin at $1.5 million, go to $2 million for 2006 through 2008 and eventually reach $3.5 million in 2009. In 2010 the estate tax will be eliminated for one year and will roll back to $1 mil. in 2011.
So is it suddenly 2009!?
Bush's estate tax plan is as whack as every other initiative he has tried to bring to the fore, but so is your poster. I hate it when facts are manipulated for an emotional response. We have more important things to worry about than Bush's estate tax plan anyway.
BUT if you are going to address this issue NOW - address it with today's FACTS, which is, that the estate tax exemption for 2005 is $1.5 million.
You don't believe me? - Here is the link to the IRS website with all the facts you need.
this is directly from the IRS:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98968,00.html
Unified Credit
A credit is an amount that eliminates or reduces tax. The unified credit applies to both the gift tax and the estate tax. You must subtract the unified credit from any gift tax that you owe. Any unified credit you use against your gift tax in one year reduces the amount of credit that you can use against your gift tax in a later year. The total amount used against your gift tax reduces the credit available to use against your estate tax.
In 2001, the unified credit was $220,550, which eliminated taxes on a total of $675,000 (applicable exclusion amount) of taxable gifts and taxable estate. These amounts were increased for gifts made, and for estates of decedents dying, after 2001. The following shows the unified credit and the applicable exclusion amount for the calendar year in which a gift is made or a decedent dies.
For Gift Tax Purposes in years 2002 and 2003 the Unified Credit is $345,800, the Applicable Exclusion Amount is $1,000,000. For Estate Tax Purposes in years 2002 and 2003 the Unified Credit is $345,800 and the Applicable Exclusion Amount is $1,000,000.
For Gift Tax Purposes in years 2004 and 2005 the Unified Credit is $345,800, the Applicable Exclusion Amount is $1,000,000. For Estate Tax Purposes in years 2004 and 2005 the Unified Credit is $555,800 and the Applicable Exclusion Amount is $1,500,000.
For Gift Tax Purposes in years 2006, 2007 and 2008 the Unified Credit is $345,800, the Applicable Exclusion Amount is $1,000,000. For Estate Tax Purposes in years 2006, 2007 and 2008 the Unified Credit is $780,800 and the Applicable Exclusion Amount is $2,000,000.
For Gift Tax Purposes in year 2009 the Unified Credit is $345,800, the Applicable Exclusion Amount is $1,000,000. For Estate Tax Purposes in year 2009 the Unified Credit is $1,455,800 and the Applicable Exclusion Amount is $3,500,000.
Estate Tax
Estate tax may apply to your taxable estate at your death. Your taxable estate is your gross estate less allowable deductions.
Gross Estate
Your gross estate includes the value of all property in which you had an interest at the time of death. Your gross estate also will include the following.
* Life insurance proceeds payable to your estate or, if you owned
the policy, to your heirs.
* The value of certain annuities payable to your estate or your
heirs.
* The value of certain property you transferred within 3 years
before your death.
* Trusts or other interests established by you or others in which
you have certain powers.
Taxable Estate
The allowable deductions used in determining your taxable estate include:
1) Funeral expenses paid out of your estate,
2) Debts you owed at the time of death, and
3) The marital deduction (generally, the value of the property that
passes from your estate to your surviving spouse).
*GAYS DON'T GET THIS PRIVILEDGE, THANK YOU!*
Posted by: OverTaxedGay at May 10, 2005 05:45 PMIf the "majority" wants to deny our basic constitutional rights - right to obtain a marriage license and right to privacy - we should get together an enact a bill that makes us exempt from taxation.
Think about it, we pay into social security but will never be able to pass it on to our spouses upon our death. Our spouses have to pay estate taxes - straights do not. Our spouses get no military benies, or any benies from the state if we are killed in the line of duty (police, fireman, etc...) yet we pay into to all of these systems and live our entire lives as single taxpayers. we put more into the system than we ever get in return. Also, we often do not have children, yet we pay for straight married couples' children through school and other benefits that our families will never get.
the simple fact is, gays and lesbians carry an unfair tax burden.
We should not put up with it anymore. I even read a quote from right-winger James Dobson that argued against gay marriage because of the drain on social security if we were actually given our due benefits.
They know they are screwing us - on taxes, medical insurance, inheritance, retirement benefits - and they want it to stay that way.
Why should they change when they get such a great deal? We should just thank our lucky stars that we can walk the streets without being jailed or beaten, right?
We have made so much progress. We even get to have a parade once a year in our little glbt ghettos. And there are even a few gay characters on TV. And it is even "cool" to have a gay friend or two. We are so lucky.
Posted by: Mark at May 10, 2005 06:17 PMPosted by: Kathryn at May 11, 2005 09:02 PM
However, I would like to point out that the design is TERRIBLE.
If progressives want to make their voices heard, they'd better hire some good graphic designers. No one worth convincing is going to take the time to read this mess.
Posted by: Dyana at May 11, 2005 11:31 PMThe estate tax does not only affect estates over 3 million.
Check out current IRS info. Current estate tax exemption begins at 1.5 mil for 2005.
Posted by: Derik at May 12, 2005 02:47 PMWe support you 100%!!!
:)
Posted by: Sally at May 12, 2005 04:18 PMGays have eqaul protection under the law. You have the right to
free speech, freedom to own property, the right to bear arms, and
all of the other freedoms that we all have. Gays want extra rights.
Does it matter that 95% of the country is oppsoed to this and all
but two states have voted against gay marraige? No. Why is it that
the minority in this country always tries to force thier will on the
majority?
Unamericans.
Posted by: Tom DeLay at May 13, 2005 11:03 AMPosted by: dumjuan at May 13, 2005 03:39 PM
As a gay person I am denied the right to privacy and the right to obtain a marriage license.
These are rights that you enjoy as a straight man or woman.
Because I am denied both of these rights, I am also denied 1,300+ federal and state rights and protections that are afforded straight married couples.
We are not asking for "special rights", just equal rights.
Further, the issue has nothing to do with "beliefs". Private institutions and religions are perfectly able to exclude us. The government is public, and must protect the rights of ALL its citizens. So you can "believe" gays are sick, twisted, whatever - but you cannot legislate based on those beliefs. You cannot selectively grant rights to one group, while excluding another.
That is America. We are not a homogenous society, and that is our strength.
You have the right to privacy and the right to obtain a marriage license. I pay takes, am part of society *like it or not*, and I absoultely deserve the same rights that even convicted felons enjoy in this country.
Posted by: Mark at May 15, 2005 05:03 PMNow, I understand that health insurance and life insurance for homosexual individuals, men especially, is *much* higher than that for heterosexuals - courtesy of your local HMO, or whatever. In any case, this is not an issue as long as you do not divulge to Insurance Company that you are gay. Now, if you are man married to a man, it is not going to be hard for Insurance Company to figure out that you are gay and apply higher premiums - higher than any applied to married women for that matter.
As your employer, I have to pay for the health insurance of all my employees without regard to marital status. I have become fiscally responsible for your pursuit of hapiness, which does not reduce expenses or increase profits but has exactly the opposite effect. So, while you save on your taxes, I have an unholy hike in the cost of my employee benefits - or I have to reduce those benefits for all my employees and become less attractive to job seekers. It would be one thing if the burden were shared amongst all taxpayers, but this is not the case - rather, your tax break becomes, quite directly, my tax hike or worse - my direct loss of profit from inability to compete. I protest.
If we can remove sexual orientation as a factor from ALL legal policy, I will be the best man at your gay wedding. Until then, there is no way in hell I am going to support homosexual marriage, or any other policy that demands particular sectors of the society be solely responsible for the utterly unrelated whim of any person.
Posted by: Justice at May 28, 2005 04:27 AMPosted by: Justice at May 28, 2005 04:31 AM
Posted by: idiot at June 6, 2005 07:44 AM
Posted by: osha compliance at June 22, 2005 01:04 AM
The rich dont want you to belong in their crowd. It's not like the country club is welcoming every shlub who can pony up the initiation fee. You are one of the "Not Our Kind, Dear" folks.
Posted by: Sail at June 28, 2005 08:29 AMwhat she "earns" is hers what you earn is yours
and its nobody's buisnes.
never mind what other people have. take care of yourself. she's one
of the exceptions. most rich prople work very hard and deserve
everything they get.
How close is your representative to king of all sleaze Tom Delay?
This handy site will tell you.
Find out here.
PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL BACK & LET ME KNOW! I WILL DIE WITHOUT YOU GUYS!!!
BOBI
TULSA, OK
"The crowd dined on filet mignon and salmon and a dessert of red-white-and-blue frosted cake decorated with candy hammers, a reference to the nickname DeLay earned when he was House majority whip."
Does that mean his nickname is the Candy Hammer?
Posted by: swabmenot at May 13, 2005 01:38 PMPosted by: www.dumbassincharge.blogspot.com at May 25, 2005 02:33 AM
This is where you can find the memo
Posted by majority at May 17, 2005 08:30 PMBush and Blair made secret pact for Iraq war
Decision came nine days after 9/11
Ex-ambassador reveals discussion
David Rose
Sunday April 4, 2004
The Observer
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/politics/story/0,6903,1185407,00.html
Posted by: Sherrie at May 18, 2005 10:35 PM
http://sltrib.com/opinion/ci_2738809
The word is getting out. Submit letters to the editor, keep calling your local newspapers. Keep up the pressure on the MSM. :)
GBC
Posted by: Gay Boi Charlie at May 19, 2005 02:32 PMWe're not going to get many chances to make this one stick so let's give it all we got folks.
Send letters to the editor.
Mail it from the NY Times site to everyone you know. Let�s make sure this story is active on their site.
Send the link to your representatives; make sure your congressman and senators know it�s in the Times.
We can force other media to pick this up, post it everywhere, blogs, and/or forums.
Good luck!
Peace!
Posted by: Paxil at May 20, 2005 01:44 AMCarl Rove is smacking somebody around his office!
Ha ha ha
Posted by: Art Deco at May 20, 2005 12:49 PMThe website for the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs has removed testimony from UK MP George Galloway from its website.
Posted by: Art Deco at May 20, 2005 12:58 PMPrint media continue to downplay story
Action Alert (5/20/05)
Following FAIR's call for more mainstream coverage of the "smoking gun memo"--the secret British document containing new evidence that the Bush administration manipulated intelligence to justify its plan to invade Iraq--a steady trickle of news reports have appeared. But that coverage has been downplayed in general and is still completely absent from the nightly news.
ACTION:
Please contact the nightly news programs and ask them to investigate and report on the new evidence that the Bush administration manipulated intelligence to support its plan to invade Iraq.
LINK:
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2520
They are very seriuosly persuing this in many counties
Posted by: Hermon at May 20, 2005 08:56 PMWho broke the blog?
p :)
Posted by: pete Nobel Dime-Store-Psychology Prize Nominated moon at May 20, 2005 10:51 PMthink they spaced posting a post show post?
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at May 20, 2005 10:53 PMhttp://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/l...memoltr5505.pdf
http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/r...potuspr5605.pdf
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/20/politics/20weapons.html
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...1,7966962.story
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/n...on/11691493.htm
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1593607,00.html
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0517/dailyUpdate.html
http://newamericancentury.org/RebuildingAmericasDefenses.pdf
Whatcha's think?
Posted by: josie at May 20, 2005 11:09 PMhttp://www.newamericancentury.org/iraq-042005.pdf
Posted by: josie at May 20, 2005 11:11 PMthanks for the links!
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at May 20, 2005 11:12 PMPosted by: josie at May 20, 2005 11:12 PM
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at May 20, 2005 10:53 PM
==============================================
That would normally be my assupmtion, except, somebody closed the Hour 3 thread, and then failed to open a post-show. Could be incompetence, but, and here's the eerie part, the Air America Place server crashed at exactly the same time!!!
p :)
Posted by: pete Nobel Dime-Store-Psychology Prize Nominated moon at May 20, 2005 11:23 PMhttp://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/5/20/173435/910
From the Newsweek Controversy to the Downing Street Memo by Congressman John Conyers
WHAT: Forum: "Media Bias and the Future of Freedom of the Press"
PANEL: Al Franken, David Brock, Randi Rhodes, Joe Madison, Justin Webb, Senior Washington Correspondent of BBC News, Eric Alterman, Steve Rendall, media watchdog group FAIR, John Aravosis, America Blog, Mark Lloyd, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, Ben Wickler, Producer, Air America Radio
WHEN: Tuesday, May 24, at 1 p.m.
WHERE: 2226 Rayburn House Office Building
about "them' having something up their sleeves
can't be anything to serious. maybe get sam off
his ass and let us admin this blog and get
some serious functionality and
security going, free speech
indeed for sure but i want
accountability!
email reggies etc. i love those periods where it's relatively troll free. the trolls have disgusted a fair amount of peeps over the year. i'd love to shunt the more aggressive trolls to an under the bridge thread.
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at May 20, 2005 11:39 PMthanks for the tip off.
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at May 20, 2005 11:41 PMPosted by: Sunshine Jim at May 20, 2005 11:39 PM
=============================================
The new AAR blogmaster-in-charge on Laura's blog last Sunday said that all the blogs would be moving into his domain, and that format. He can't possibly mean to include MR in that. For that matter, I can't imagine any of the other blogs relinquishing their autonomy!
p :)
Posted by: pete Nobel Dime-Store-Psychology Prize Nominated moon at May 20, 2005 11:43 PMA friend was just asking me if I knew about that, so, I was able to share!!!
p :)
Posted by: pete Nobel Dime-Store-Psychology Prize Nominated moon at May 20, 2005 11:43 PMwhen i read that. this is on Sammers
nickel last i heard, we got some great deals
here in vancouver with linux servers to boot!
may be worth it to have a foreign server
if the neofacists get their wet dream
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at May 20, 2005 11:49 PMyou end up here:
first look i've had behind the curtains!
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at May 21, 2005 12:03 AMPosted by: Sunshine Jim at May 21, 2005 12:03 AM
==============================================
really? It's been doing that ever since they added the pink side-bar.
p :)
Mr Pete "the Wizard" Moon!
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at May 21, 2005 12:22 AMjogging his elbow fer a new thread
if they're havin probs might take few days
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at May 21, 2005 12:24 AMfinally quit raining enough to give the doggers a walk, i no sooner thought that and they both woke up!
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at May 21, 2005 12:26 AMp :)
Posted by: pete Nobel Dime-Store-Psychology Prize Nominated moon at May 21, 2005 12:28 AMPosted by: noah at May 22, 2005 01:29 AM
oct 21 2002 Washington post was pointing out
a few cases that Bush was making that were
false. I guess they hadnt "gotten with the program yet.". Funny,
they were reporting the
war lies then.
hello again from your activist friends at The People's Email Network. we noticed you have a new entry in your right column about the Downing Street memo action. please consider adding our
also to that section. the main index page above is now dedicated to the question of whether Congress should investigate Bush's Iraq War Lies, leading to impeachment if the contents of the Downing Street memo are in fact true as we believe they are. we send your personal message with one click directly to each of your individual members of Congress on this, whereas the Conyer's petition is meant specifically for the president.
thank you again for doing so much to mobilize real effective action.
peace,
The Pen
Posted by: ThePen at June 2, 2005 07:31 PM
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at June 2, 2005 07:35 PM1) The head of MI6 (Richard Dearlove) is extremely unlikely to circulate ultra sensitive memos like that to anyone including the prime minister. Was it filed in a drawer, who got it past MI6 security ?
2) The British government didn't deny it. No investigation has been launched into the leak.
3) The British government could have used a so called 'D notice' to prevent publication in ANY newspaper or magazine which they have numerous times in the past.
"In the UK, a 'D notice" is a censorship notice issued by the
Department of Defence to the media to prohibit the publication of
information on matters alleged to be of national security. The
system dates from 1922."
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0015818.html
4) It was published in a Blair supporting Murdoch newspaper.
That's enough in itself.
5) All the US authorities have to do is deny it. No individual or
organisation is specified as the source.
6) Congress would find it easier to get Elvis as a witness than the head of MI6.
7) All the dodgy pieces of information about Iraq have come from British intelligence, they aren't known for their incompetence.
Posted by: Frank McStay at June 7, 2005 05:19 PMIt only barely slipped out in the 1975 Church Committee hearings on CIA abuses that hundreds of CIA operatives were in the media to steer public opinion and give the White House 'plausible deniability.'
http://www.class.uidaho.edu/mickelsen/Media%20Readings/Berstein%20-%20CIA%20and%20the%20Media.htm
CARL BERNSTEIN: "The history of the CIA�s involvement with the
American press continues to be shrouded by an official policy of
obfuscation and deception . . . .
Among the executives who lent their cooperation to the Agency were William Paley of the Columbia Broadcasting System, Henry Luce of Time Inc., Arthur Hays Sulzberger of the New York Times, Barry Bingham Sr. of the Louisville Courier-Journal and James Copley of the Copley News Service. Other organizations which cooperated with the CIA include the American Broadcasting Company, the National Broadcasting Company, the Associated Press, United Pres International, Reuters, Hearst Newspapers, Scripps-Howard, Newsweek magazine, the Mutual Broadcasting System, the Miami Herald and the old Saturday Evening Post and New York Herald-Tribune.
By far the most valuable of these associations, according to CIA officials, have been with the New York Times, CBS and Time Inc."
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/JFKmockingbird.htm
>snipsnip<
In 1975, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence headed by Frank Church (the Church Committee) focused its attention on the Agency�s use of American news outlets. The CIA went to great lengths to curtail this part of the committee�s investigation, though, and some members of the committee later admitted that the Agency was able to get the upper hand. Colby and his successor, George Bush (CFR, TC), were able to convince the Senate that a full inquiry would cripple their intelligence-gathering capabilities and would unleash a �witch-hunt� on the nation�s reporters, editors and publishers.
�The Agency was extremely clever about it and the committee played right into its hands,� one congressional source told Carl Bernstein. �Church and some of the other members were much more interested in making headlines than in doing serious, tough investigating. The Agency pretended to be giving up a lot whenever it was asked about the flashy stuff � assassinations and secret weapons and James Bond operations. Then, when it came to things they didn�t want to give away, that were much more important to the Agency, Colby in particular called in his chits. And the committee bought it.�
Rex
I think its incredibly important to anticipate the next move of this Junta. They always go on the offensive when they are backed into a corner. Their trump card, the best one they have is War. This makes it highly likely that one of two things will occur over the summer-fall period to create hysteria among the populace and raise mindless but willing 'support' for the bush slash-and-burn agenda of Dominion.
Most likely is the bush-turd staging a 2nd terrorist attack on his own country. The first was so wildly successful for him that Cheney and the rest of the crime gang could literally pull off the linear demolition of the WTC in less than 10 seconds and never even arouse suspscion amongst the corporate conventional media. Simply amazing. Then how bout pulling building 7 and the 9/11 Commission never even addressing it? How is that for the Borg-Government control. Yes their most likely tactic will be to stage another attack. Remember the bush-turd garnered 90% approval ratings the day after at that time even though on the day of the murders he stared off into space for 10 full minutes like a lobotomized chimp after the Andrew Card message and then proceeded to hide at various locations around the country the last of which was the most heavily fortified nuclear bunker in North America. Talk about a coward.
The other most likely tactic which needs to be anticipated is joint air operations against Iran with Israel. They will be labeled as defensive strikes just as the air offensive against Iraq which began a year before the Invasion was described. It will be a full scale War with intent to destabize the Iranian power structure and install a puppet but it will be represented all the while as a limited series of surgical strikes. The press will be embedded and not allowed in to see what is really going on. The main war will be the Information War. There will be Delta force and Special Ops crawling all over Iran but there will be no reporting of it. None whatsoever. See no evil, hear no evil.
So thats about it. Instead of constantly reacting to Rove it is high time that sharp thinkers on the Left anticipate his next moves. Remember he has more policy and strategy power now. He is not concerning himself with Downey Street or Schaivo or the rest, all the stuff the Left is now obsessed with. These are diversionary. He is crafting along with Cheney and others the next forage into the MidEast and, I beleive, the next 'terror' attack on the homefront. Please. It is with 100% certaintly that the 'people' and the 'media' would fall right into line and begin waving flags madly again behind the Texas Turd following a second 9/11 play. It is so obvious as to be inevitable. Remember their main inspiration has always been Hitler. Yes Trotsky too but Hitler was most successful at overthrowning a moderate government seated with intellectuals and a long tradition of Parlimentary discourse. He repeatedly voiced his central propaganda theme for anyone who wished to listen. The Big Lie. Its always the Big Lie which is the one you want to disseminate. It is the one which is most readily consumed by the public. What is a bigger Lie than 9/11, the obvious demolition of 3 huge buildings and the immediate 'discovery' of 19 hijackers supposed identities and their links to 'Al Quaeda'. Then the immediate launching of an undeclared revenge War on Afghanistan. A perfectly executed Big Lie in the grand tradition of Adolph Hitler.
r. thaler
Posted by: robert thaler at June 18, 2005 01:10 PMFrist/Rice 2008!
Posted by: Adair at June 21, 2005 09:49 PMPosted by: Becky at June 21, 2005 10:16 PM
From DavidNYC at Kos:
The battle to preserve the rights of minority political factions - and the public interests those factions represent - is about to be fully joined. Here are the simple steps you need to take to gear up for the fight to save the filibuster:
1. Sign up for text message alerts on your cell phone with People for the American Way. This way, you'll know instantly when we need to take action and what you need to do.
2. Regionalization is becoming increasingly important - elected officials always respond more eagerly to their constituents, and good local media coverage is key. BlogPAC is helping to organize state-by-state efforts, so if you haven't yet signed up there, do so by clicking here. If you have a blog of your own, be sure to input that in the appropriate field. (Non-bloggers should sign up as well.)
3. MoveOn PAC is organizing citizen filibusters - along the lines of the tremendously successful Princeton filibuster - tomorrow at noon. Click on over to their site to find a location near you. If you go, be sure to take a digital camera or a camcorder and post pics or videos online when you get home. Thanks to inflation, pictures are worth even more than 1,000 words these days.
4. When things really, finally go down, everyone needs to be able to contact as many people as fast as possible. We need people to hear our unfiltered message from friends and family and co-workers and neighbors before they hear the sterile and misleading he-said/she-said version on the news. So people need to pull together email addresses for everyone they know before it happens so that our message can immediately spread virally.
We don't know exactly when Frist will try to go nuclear, but people need to plan to drop everything and get in front of a computer. The process of breaking the rules to end the filibuster won't take that much time. We need instant mobilization and widespread distribution. With everyone's help, we can win this in the Senate - and on the local level.
All hands on deck!
Posted by not sam at May 23, 2005 04:20 PMStop the Right Wing's "Nuclear Option"
On Tuesday, Republican Senator Bill Frist, answering the call of the most extreme right-wing elements in America, is poised to pull the "nuclear trigger" on one the most fundamental principles of our cherished democracy: the filibuster, the right of the minority to make its voice heard on the floor of the United States Senate.
Call George Allen, Bill Frist, John McCain, and Chuck Hagel now -- 4 Republican Senators who are thinking about running for President in 2008 -- and tell them to uphold 200+ years of American values. Senator Feinstein and myself are fighting to defeat the right-wing's "nuclear option," but if you live outside California, please call your own Senators as well.
Then submit your completed online call sheet below so we can track the phone calls you've made.
Link to Nuclear Option Call Sheet:
http://ga4.org/pacforachange/filibuster_calls.html?member_key=s3gdsk4f5j8jdj
Posted by: Star Vox at May 23, 2005 06:59 PMConnecting You to the Progressive Community
To read more about the nuclear option and to take action.
Link:
http://www.movingideas.org/content/en/in_the_fight/nuclear_option.htm
Posted by: Star Vox at May 23, 2005 07:13 PMRead the compromise agreement:
http://www.c-span.org/pdf/senatecompromise.pdf
Posted by: Star Vox at May 23, 2005 09:26 PM
Post from TNR:
CENTER FOLDS: So a deal has been struck on the filibuster.
Republicans will allow Democrats to keep the filibuster as long as
Democrats never use it. This way, both sides win (except for the
Democrats).
Once again, the Republicans have shown their skillfulness when it comes to resetting parameters. Until recently, the perception had been that Bush had consistently filled the courts with extreme conservatives, with only a handful of truly batty nominees failing to meet the standards of Democrats. Now, facing the threat of the "nuclear option," Democrats have backed down on these as well. Thanks to the "finest traditions of the Senate" (Robert Byrd's words yesterday), there's a new agreement under which, presumably, only the certifiably insane can possibly be blocked--or, to put it as the senators did, nominees can "only be filibustered under extraordinary circumstances." That way, if Bush's pick for a judgeship finally goes too far even for Republicans--if he nominates, say, an Irish setter who, during confirmation hearings, runs up and bites Orrin Hatch in the leg, then Democrats will be allowed to play the bad guys and employ their filibuster. Otherwise, they'd better hold off, since, if they don't, Republicans might have to take the filibuster away for real.
Of course, if Democrats had been filibustering half of Bush's 200-some nominees instead of only a handful, or if, for example, they had spoken endlessly of "maintaining balance on the courts" and insisted that Bush also nominate some "centrists" and not only "extremists," then a compromise position would have looked very different. But by bracketing the debate between two right-wing extremes--confirm every nominee except for a handful or confirm every nominee through use of the nuclear option--the Republicans had won before they'd even begun.
Meanwhile, skilled negotiators that they are, Republicans have been wise enough not to gloat over their victory. "It has some good news and it has some disappointing news, and it will require careful monitoring," says Bill Frist, admirably feigning disappointment. Meanwhile, Democrats, who must now back down and allow the confirmation of some truly radical judges, don't feel humiliated. In fact, they speak as if they've won. "In a Senate that is increasingly polarized, the bipartisan center held," Joe Lieberman proudly announced. And here's Assistant Democratic Leader Richard Durbin of Illinois: "There is nothing more exhilarating than being shot at and missed."
Exhilarating indeed. Can somone please resurrect the Whigs?
--T.A. Frank
Rob
Posted by: Rob Kapsar at May 25, 2005 04:27 PMThe CAGING OF AMERICA: A WARNING!
http://www.tvnewslies.org/html/the_caging_of_america_.html
Catch Sam Seder on cable...Sam will be subbing for Ron Reagan on MSNBC's Coast-to-Coast this Wednesday at noon.
And regular Majority Report listeners know that Sam has been covering Ohio's "Coingate" scandal, which, as it continues to snowball, threatens to take down most if not all of Ohio's Republican Party.
Today, the Ohio Blade covered some of the Coingate converage:
Readers of DailyKos.com are not only debating the political ramifications of the coin scandal but also finding humor in it. One reader asked why the state was investing its money in rare coins in the first place.Posted by not sam at May 31, 2005 08:19 PM"That defies my imagination," the DailyKos.com reader wrote, joking "at least the state didn’t try to corner the market on Maurice Clarett bobblehead dolls" — poking fun at the former Ohio State University football star.
A link was posted to a phone call made by Sam Seder on Air America Radio to the bureau, inquiring about the state buying his baseball card collection as an investment.
Posted by: Julia at June 8, 2005 12:47 AM
Posted by: Julia at June 8, 2005 12:56 AM
John Conyers has written a letter to President Bush demanding answers about the "serious ramifications for the integrity of the United States Government" regarding the Downing Street Memo. Go to Johnconyers.com, read the letter, and then sign it.
From the site:
"You and I know the White House is just hoping that this matter will fade away, but in a few short weeks, with our steadfastness, the memo has found its way into leading newspapers and White House press briefings. With your help, we can hold this Administration accountable.
Please pass on this important letter to your friends and colleagues, and ask them to sign as well.
Thank you for your help and support.
John Conyers, Jr."
Posted by not sam at June 2, 2005 05:31 PMIf this isn't a silver bullet nothing will suffice but the real thing.
Posted by: God of War at June 2, 2005 08:03 PMPosted by: Kate Anne at June 7, 2005 03:58 AM
Posted by: James (Jimmy) McWhorter at June 7, 2005 01:44 PM
Posted by: David L. Jordan at June 8, 2005 06:07 PM
yep...
Posted by: ¹³ß£N at June 8, 2005 06:36 PMPosted by: ¹³ß£N at June 8, 2005 06:37 PM
The ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee has scheduled hearings on the 2002 minutes between senior British and American officials which asserted that intelligence was "being fixed" to support the case for war in Iraq, RAW STORY has learned.
The hearings, which will be held next Thursday, will bring renewed attention to what is being called the "Downing Street memo," actually official minutes of a secret 2002 meeting.
Conyers' office has revealed that they will introduce new documents that corroborate the Downing Street Memo at the hearings June 16.
LINK:
Posted by: Star Vox at June 10, 2005 08:15 AMJaneane Garofalo and Sam Seder are mentioned on the blog (along with a few other names from Air America Radio).
Check it out!
LINK:
Posted by: Star Vox at June 10, 2005 08:35 AMAmong our handbills is an Action Alert to sign John Conyer's letter to President Bush. The address to our handbills is: http://www.justicefornone.com/handbills/index.htm
Posted by: Dan & Cindy at June 10, 2005 05:13 PMThere is only one explanation. Some of the most powerful Democratic Senators knew that the intelligence against Iraq was weak, knew it was being manipulated, and kept quiet about it. Why would they do that? The Bush people presumably brought in every powerful Democratic senator who was a possible presidential candidate for 2004 and/or spokesperson for the Democrats in that election. That definitely would have included Kerry, Clinton, Biden, Lieberman. They would have been flattered to be wooed by the Republicans, and figured their involvement would allow them to participate in claiming credit for getting rid of Hussein.
Rove is smart enough to figure this is a good way to compromose and corrupt them, which he has done.
Look at Kerry during the election. The only thing he could come out with about Iraq is that he would have sent more troops. Why didn't he scream in outrage that the Bush people had lied to him, and lied to the American public? Because he couldn't claim that they had lied to him, because he knew the truth.
Why do the Democrats stand silent today? Why aren't they all over this Downing Street memo. (I mean the Senators - not the Representatives). Because they are compromised and corrupted, because they knew the truth, and they went along.
Those Democrats need to be outed, and they need to leave politics and leave the Democratic party. Without that, the party cannot take a principled stand on this war.
Mark my words, it will be a Republican who comes along and speaks out against the war, and he will tar all the sitting Democrats for their support. The Republicans don't care if Bush is now damaged - he's done. So Gingrich will come along and promised a fresh outsider's view starting with ending the war. And the Democrats will sit silently.
We need to demand of each Senator: what did they know about Iraq
before the U.S. invaded.
http://www.unlearning.org/library/control.wmv
This video link shows clearly how we all allowed ourselves to be misled. Are there any members of Congress, other than Ron Paul or Cynthia McKinney, who are willing to impeach this president and most members of Congress who voted for this entire charade?
This is only the most recent of lies, allowed to come into existence because we are a culture of liars. To un-peel these lies from your mind, check into my website repeatedly.
Happy Tuesday!
Patrick Mooney
The Institute of Unlearning
This is in no way intended to take away from the downing street memo effort and John Conyers' efforts. But we should also raise 9-11 -- now is the time!
Alex.
Posted by: Alex at June 14, 2005 05:08 PMPosted by: Winston Smith at June 17, 2005 11:06 AM
JUSTIFYING THE SILENCE ON DOWNING STREET MEMOS
One of the features of the newfound media interest in the Downing Street Memo is a profound defensiveness, as reporters scramble to explain why it received so little attention in the U.S. press.
But the most familiar line--the memo wasn't news because it contained no "new" information--only raises troubling questions about what journalists were doing when they should have been reporting on the gulf between official White House pronouncements and actual White House intentions.
The truth is that the Downing Street Memo is a reminder of how poorly the media served the public before the war-- which might explain their reluctance to take it seriously.
LINK:
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2556
Posted by: Star Vox at June 17, 2005 09:01 PMPosted by: mayGod at June 20, 2005 12:35 AM
Posted by: Johnny Turk at June 20, 2005 08:35 PM
Downing Street Memo Originals Destroyed
The so called Downing Street Memo - which was presumed to be authentic when Bush administration critics began touting it last month as evidence the president committed impeachable crimes - is actually a manually recreated copy - with the source of the memo now admitting he retyped the document before destroying the originals.
British reporter Michael Smith, who broke the memo story in the London Times on May 1, revealed to the Associated Press over the weekend that he "he protected the identity of the source he had obtained the documents from by typing copies of them on plain paper and destroying the originals."
Story Continues Below
Smith's admission means there's now no independent way to determine
the accuracy of the Downing Street Memo, i.e., whether he made any
typos or transcription errors that could have changed the memo's
meaning.
The revelation has conjured up memories of the CBS News forged
document scandal last year, where anchorman Dan Rather argued that
damaging records he obtained from President Bush's National Guard
file were essentially accurate, even though they had been faked by
his source.
While British officials hadn't disputed the authenticity of the Downing Street Memo, a senior member of the Blair government who reviewed the Downing Street Memo in light of reporter Smith's admission could say only that its contents "appeared authentic."
That official, however, requested anonymity, refusing to make an on-the-record endorsement of the memo's accuracy.
New questions about the authenticity Downing Street Memo come at a particularly awkward time for Democrats in America. Only last week, House Democrats staged a mock impeachment hearing based on the re-created document.
Former presidential candidate John Kerry announced on June 2 that he intended to confront Congress with the Downing Street Memo, believing at the time that the document's authenticity was beyond reproach.
"I think it's a stunning, unbelievably simple and understandable statement of the truth and a profoundly important document that raises stunning issues here at home," he told a reporter.
Last week, a Kerry aide said his boss was sending a letter to
President Bush demanding that he answer questions about the fake
memo.
__________________
Posted by: SoCalifer at June 22, 2005 05:24 AM
Satan rules this world!
From Job 1:1
�There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job, and
that man was blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away from
evil.�
The possibility is that Job was, living in a time before Abraham,
was the only �upright� man on earth about 1890 B. C. E. OK? And
Satan hated Job!, as the ruler of this world God let him have this
power.
�Job 1:7, �And (YAHWEH) lord (God) said to Satan �From where
do you come?�
Then Satan answered the Lord and said, �From roaming about on the
earth and walking around on it.�
Now in Matthew (N.T) 4 (Jesus� temptation) verse 8, �Again the
Devil took him (Jesus) to a very high mountain, and showed him all
of the kingdom of the world, (then and future times) and their
glory; and he sid to him �
�All these things will I give you, if you fall down and worship
me.�
Jesus� reply was: (verse 10),
�Begone Satan for it is written (Deuteronomy 6:13, Deuteronomy
10:20) you shall fear the lord your God and serve him only!�
Now Jesus worshipped the God of Heaven. But Jesus refused the Devil
� but not George W. Bush � He wants to be � and is the �most
powerful man in the world.� Ruled by the Devil!
War brings death, and the devil loves this world�s bloodshed. But Bush forgets Devil and death have a great price to pay; when they come to collect, how will his power and money save him and all of his cohorts with him? Does he dare open the door to them when they come for him?
I. M. Aman
That's the name of a group in Ohio trying to get election reform on the ballot there. Go to their site here, sign up to volunteer.
You can learn more about the effort in Pounder's Kos diary, or at the Swing State Project.
If we can't get legislators to enact election reform, we can do it ourselves. Plus, as the right wing has shown, ballot measures get the faithful to polls. It's just that ours won't be designed to, you know, ruin the country.
Posted by not sam at June 4, 2005 04:35 PMi liked the lil pop up in the lower
left hand corner of my browser that tipped me off.
whats that proggie or option called?
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at June 4, 2005 07:45 PMhttp://www.policymattersohio.org/
Thank you so much for drawing attention to the rapidly growing clusterf*** that Ohio is becoming. We desperately need your help in exploiting these TRUE MORAL crimes that are being committed. The election fraud, mismanagement of funds, corporate giveaways and tax evasion, public service cuts, school funding cuts.
BTW Jerry Springer is completely missing the boat with these issues. He is at republican ground zero and yet he doesn't use this opportunity! Instead he holds republicans hands and babbles incessantly about irrelevant things or things that everybody already knows. His slogan claims he is progressive and the voice of the middle class, and yet he says NOTHING ABOUT the massive crimes being committed in OHIO. Ugh. I can't even listen to him anymore!
AAR as a whole needs to pay consistent attention to Ohio. It is being used as the HQ for these scum to do their dirty work.
Thanks Sam for calling and mocking Thomas Noe. That was priceless. Pun intended. Keep it up we need you!!!
Posted by: yellosnapdragon at June 7, 2005 01:37 PMPosted by: Mr. Carl Howard at June 8, 2005 08:58 PM
Posted by: Strong King (Reknowned at the Spear) at June 8, 2005 09:21 PM
Posted by: jjoats at June 10, 2005 02:13 PM
Posted by: yellosnapdragon at June 13, 2005 07:33 AM
http://www.unlearning.org/library/control.wmv
Happy Tuesday!
Patrick Mooney
The Institute of Unlearning
Posted by: b at June 21, 2005 04:03 PM
Posted by: Diane at June 21, 2005 10:11 PM
Posted by: whosie at June 23, 2005 09:37 AM
Please change it!!!
Posted by: Marc Ruben at June 24, 2005 03:27 PMPosted by: Jim Swinson at June 27, 2005 04:41 PM
Posted by: Master of None at June 30, 2005 11:22 AM
Yesterday Common Cause officially endorsed the effort to qualify and pass a ballot initiative of three common-sense reforms that will signal the beginning of the end of the culture of systematic political corruption in OHIO.
Together, these three amendments will:
Limit campaign contributions to $2,000 for statewide candidates and $1,000 for legislative candidates, ban corporate contributions and require full disclosure of contributions.
Create a truly Independent Redistricting Commission, preventing politicians from creating their own legislative districts, and from making closed doors redistricting decisions without input from citizens, requiring the creation of competitive legislative and congressional districts.
Establish an independent state elections board, removing partisan politicians from the administration of state elections and allowing Ohioans to vote by mail ensuring easy and equal access to elections.
In the next 17 days, Common Cause will be working with you and with our partners at Reform Ohio Now to gather signatures in key areas throughout the state.
We need volunteers and resources to gather enough signatures and ensure that Ohio voters get to decide if these are the right reforms to solve Ohio's problems.
For more information, go to:
http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=192888
Posted by: Star Vox at July 15, 2005 07:54 PMThe Star Tribuune in Minnesota has one of the toughest editorial boards in the country. They have been early critics of the Bush fiasco.
They recently came out in support of Durbin and his remarks on torture. Despite the fact that Durbin backed down, we should show our love.
The Tribune is under assault by right wing nuts here and here and may be losing some subsrciptions. Know anybody in minnesota? anybody who wants to read a great local minn paper? Want to support truth telling media.
SUBSCRIBE!!!!!!! call (612) 673-4343 or 1 (800) 775-4344 .
No, no one wants to read the
strib, or support it.
Posted by: rick at June 29, 2005 11:56 PM
I'm just one more Nick Coleman editorial away from dropping the subscription anyway.
Posted by: Master of None at June 30, 2005 11:21 AMIn other words, the Strib is "wrong but accurate?"
The various Northern Alliance blogs (Powerline, Fraters, Captain Ed, Shot in the Dark, SCSUScholars) have owned the Strib's ass for years, catching the "tough" editorial board over and over again in errors, slanders, and dozens of "errors of fact". It's gotten to the point where the Strib won't face them; they launch little slanders periodically, and then go back and hide in their offices. They are, in short, pathetic.
Some advice from a former liberal and a former reporter; if you in the Fantasy-Based Community want to hitch your wagon to a newspaper, you could do a LOT better than the Strib.
Posted by: Reader, Writer, Pirate at June 30, 2005 11:36 AMMaybe you should triple up on your own subscription..I hear that there's quite a few extra copies laying around.
Posted by: Swiftee at June 30, 2005 01:59 PMhttp://restraininorder.blogspot.com/2005/06/star-and-sickle-is-accused-of-lying.html
and here
href="http://www.fraterslibertas.com/2005_06_01_archive.html#112008897554738866
and here too!
http://www.shotinthedark.info/archives/005937.html
Maybe you should triple up on your own subscription..I read some where ( http://www.startribune.com/stories/468/5480888.htm )that there's quite a few extra copies laying around.
Posted by: swiftee at June 30, 2005 02:07 PMTough! That's Tough!
Posted by: Janeane Garbonzolo at June 30, 2005 02:48 PMI've also noticed that if you can stand the unsightly ink smudges, the Strib's softness is a very effective alternative to Charmin, and it flushes even easier.
Posted by: chachi at June 30, 2005 03:22 PMit's a freakin newspaper!!!! even if it didn't SUCK i'd never love a newspaper.
Posted by: KC at June 30, 2005 05:14 PMPosted by: MissM at June 30, 2005 08:12 PM
They have let me down at times, with election coverage last fall, for example. Too much on Bush's appearances with his fake audiences, but they probably didn't know what to do with his numerous visits to the state. Lately they seem to be coming out even more strongly as a good newspaper for facts and truth.
Thanks for the good word on the Star Tribune! I doubt the Powerline guys are doing all that much damage due to the fact that they are all basically idiots over there and who even reads their blog anymore? The conservatives even gave up on them, or so I hear.
Minnesota is still a true Blue state, so I doubt that the Strib is losing many subscriptions, but yes by all means subscribe to it! It's worth every penny. Who cares what a few hack bloggers say about it. (And I see they aren't very busy these days since they all seem to be here.)
The Strib's editorials are great; at the very least get it for them. Think of it as the Anti-Powerline. Oh, and SACK's cartoons are classics!
Posted by: Shelly Thomas at July 1, 2005 04:33 AM"ey have let me down at times, with election coverage last fall, for example. Too much on Bush's appearances with his fake audiences,"
Fake? I was there, twice. No mannequins to be seen.
"Thanks for the good word on the Star Tribune! I doubt the Powerline guys are doing all that much damage due to the fact that they are all basically idiots over there and who even reads their blog anymore?"
Only about 100,000 people a day.
" The conservatives even gave up on them, or so I hear."
Was the "conservative" you "heard" "that" from sitting at the bus stop telling it to nobody in particular?
"Minnesota is still a true Blue state, so I doubt that the Strib is losing many subscriptions, but yes by all means subscribe to it! It's worth every penny. Who cares what a few hack bloggers say about it. (And I see they aren't very busy these days since they all seem to be here.)"
That's because this isn't the real thread. For whatever reason, this isn't the live version of the show blog.
Ah, well. Shelly? We're going red in '08, baby! But by that time, you'll have grown up, maybe, and joined the good guys.
Posted by: Velotte at July 1, 2005 08:27 AMThe Red Star is also known for doing push polls and other polls with a such slanted methodology so it's never accurate.
I stopped subscribing four years ago and I'm proud to drive around with a Mr. Yuck Star-Tribune bias bumper sticker.
If you want REAL news, there's always the Pioneer Press who doesn't engage in fraud to pad their subscription numbers and gives both sides of the story (That's probably why the likes of Shelly Thomas hate it!)
Posted by: Piranha at July 1, 2005 01:15 PMPosted by: NightBreed614 at July 1, 2005 03:40 PM
Posted by: Dave at July 1, 2005 04:04 PM
Information can be found at: http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2005/6/30/175730/180
This campaign is being held in conjunction with the Center for Constitutional Rights. There will be a rally in NYC on Monday, July 4th. Details and flag downloads at the link.
Posted by: Man Eegee at July 1, 2005 06:37 PMHey righties, how's that oil busines... um er... I mean the WAR going? Seen any memos lately? And to think, this is just what we know NOW. Can't wait for your shit to unravel quicker than Osama's turban in a windstorm.
Posted by: RatsoRizzo at July 2, 2005 03:29 AMPosted by: Anonymous Coward at July 3, 2005 12:38 AM
May 27, 2005: �This is going to be a heavy-duty series of articles this week. In the first place, I have been told that Fat Karl the Eunuch is trying to spread rumors that I am actually someone else; that I do not exist and that everything I write about is all fiction and left-wing garbage. Fat Karl is losing his grip and if he is not careful, he might soon lose his head.
From two sources, neither of whom know each other and both of whom are well-placed in the system, I have been receiving information that indicates that a coup d'etat against the Bush administration is apparently being seriously contemplated in certain circles.
The first of these is the higher commands of the U.S. military which is disgusted with Bush and his ruination, as they see it, of the discipline and legitimate tasks of the military and the other is a loose confederation of very high level American businessmen who see Bush as a complete and fatal disaster to American business, most especially in the areas of foreign trade.
Bush has harassed the high military command for not being sufficiently servile to him and for not going along with his outrageous and weird ideas. He has insulted, in public, a number of their top officers and now has decided to supply commercial mini-vans to transport the troops in Iraq. A mini-van is about as safe to ride around in as a go-cart but Bush�s friends in the collapsing auto industry have bribed him to demand this change. All that will happen is that more soldiers will die quicker. It is not possible to adequately armor plate a mini van and there is no intention of armor plating them. Bush has also enraged veteran members of the CIA , not because they did not give him adequate intelligence concerning Iraq but because they did. Bush does not want facts. He demands obedience to his whims and because the CIA reports did not favor his propaganda, he hated them and trashed their abilities in public. They retaliated by releasing material that made Bush look like the vicious fool that he is and he cracked down on them, appointing the awful Porter Goss to control them. Goss, acting like a drunk bull in a china shop, has fired very competent personnel and replaced them with obedient, and worse, Republican faggots who will do the Head Queen�s biddings.
http://www.tbrnews.org/Archives/a1616.htm
juicy, possible cool insider
Posted by: ag at July 6, 2005 11:07 PMsadness
Posted by: Sad Nobel Prize Blogger at July 6, 2005 11:58 PMfrickin Nazi's.
Posted by: Sad Nobel Prize Blogger at July 7, 2005 12:00 AMPosted by: ¹³Ъзй at July 7, 2005 12:06 AM
i went and looked Randi's blog. they are
strict over there. I am on 'probation' right now.
serious, thats what they call it. I can't post my own thread or
anything.
THE BLOG'S ON FIRE!
Posted by: Shrieks, the Monk at July 7, 2005 01:11 AMHappy Birthday Fishgrease!
♪-♥-♫-♥-♪-♥-♫-♥-♪-♥-♫
Posted by: #6Vig at July 7, 2005 01:20 AMFor anyone wanting to subscribe to my home town paper online, please go here... http://24hour.startribune.com/login/
Posted by: Willow at July 7, 2005 01:43 AMPosted by: Q.M. ;) at July 7, 2005 02:41 AM
http://www.majorityreportradio.com/weblog/archives/002462.php
Posted by: Q.M. at July 7, 2005 02:43 AMPosted by: credit card debt at July 8, 2005 02:46 PM
Posted by: MDEN at July 8, 2005 08:16 PM
As far as losing subscriptions is concerned, keep in mind that newspapers everywhere are losing readers. No big deal.
Posted by: John D. Sens at July 8, 2005 08:24 PMPosted by: pacific poker at July 8, 2005 11:01 PM
As far as losing subscriptions is concerned, keep in mind that newspapers everywhere are losing readers. No big deal.
Posted by: John D. Sens at July 8, 2005 08:24 PM
Prove it! Blah blah rhetoric, whine. Liberal press wheeze.
I am willing to bet that the strib ran just as
many Monica blow job stories as your average paper.
#
Thanks for sending me to Powerline!
Now I've got to go shower again.
That newspaper has been all over the landscape in recent years. They bought into the admin line & took a long time to challenge the right wing noise that keeps popping up, long after being debunked.
The Star Tribune has gone pretty well right wing in a number of areas, not the least of which is to put a nutcase Powerline columnist aboard in that Kersten woman. (I used to know a Kersten who sounds like her, but unless there was a sex change involved...). Also the concerned editor is quite right wing in his apologies for coverage.
They have added Garrison Keillor, but not in a political spectrum. Still a plus.
So, if people subscribe to support the paper's honesty in coverage, then they'd better be vocal, because they also support the columnists who have a decided right wing agenda & their minions � who blow hard & long.
Which is fine, provided there is an attempt to address inaccuracies in those columnists writing.
Counting references made by one side or another does not address equal time for truth.
Posted by: Pounding at the Gate at July 9, 2005 10:00 AMAt least the strib is a place where both sides have an opportunity to be heard, if those sides have a capacity to listen.
Yes, if you subscribe, you need to be more than a consumer when there are factual errors.
I think they need to take a stand when it comes to op-ed, to be very clear where there are inaccuracies. Or be glaring in that they are not endorsing the writings. They're pretty good on that, I suppose.
You always have the opportunity to disagree, but when there is a
decided agenda forwarded by a columnist, its not as easy to do.
Most of us aren't great writers to respond in kind.
But we can't walk away & cede another forum because we sometimes
disagree. It has a regional flavor & deserves some support, just as
Bush's home town paper did for courageously not endorsing him in
2004.
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I will always read this paper, the op-ed page is pure comedy, the out of touch liberal & DFL (determined to forever loose)voice has me laughting all the way to work.
HFG
Posted by: gallagherhenry at July 12, 2005 12:18 PMAll I can say is Jerry had his head up his chunnel or some other region on charter schools. If Air America radio claims it is supposed to be the accurate alternative then why is Jerry running his mouth saying that charter schools are failing and giving the impression that they are doing lousy? No matter how much you want to stretch what Jerry said as opinion or argue it using grey standards of definition that seem to bog down these types of debates, there is no way you can justify the statements by Jerry Thursday on charter schools. That’s why a retraction should be made. Nothing could be farther from the truth than what Jerry said and no subject is of more pointed importance for kids failing the education system. I know Jerry isn’t a crap artist, but I demand a retraction and apology of this manure spread by Air America. The statements he made are full of fallacies and myths. You can start with the myth that charter schools cost school districts money. They can save money because they educate kids more cheaply based on the low, non-union wages of the teachers they employ and they are especially good at reaching kids where the public school system has already failed.
CNN just ran an article stating how charters in California are doing better than public schools, (substantially). And there are plenty of good sources of information that pretty much indicate the opposite of what Jerry was claiming, that charters are doing worse than public schools, much less failing. The conventional wisdom by almost all organizations assessing this, usually find that charter schools are doing better than public schools and most studies at best only claim slightly different results than this. I include some references below.
If Jerry wants to contribute to better understanding of whether charter schools are a positive force in education and use his celebrity to gain forums to further education and help kids he should stay away from all the talking heads and fierce politics surrounding this issue, especially the statistics both sides use to try to further their case on the issue of charter schools. Frankly there are groups involved in this who have kids as their last priority and they are probably the most deft at using statistics to further their goals. But there are people, teachers and administrators who work in the field that he can talk with to get a better feel for what is going on. Visiting a charter school is one way to get a feel for it. Then his advocacy can be vetted and my guess is that it would surely change. My wife's school is one where he could get a pretty good idea.
Otherwise common sense helps and I think someone who doesn’t have much direct contact with the situation or doesn’t trust statistics will find some of the following telling about charter schools. First, there is no method of teaching, class construction, facility or general teaching gimmick that will ensure success in the classroom. Otherwise everyone would adapt it. It is the quality of the administrators and what they demand from teachers and the quality of teachers that ensures success. So from that perspective it would seem charter schools aren’t especially necessary.
There are however personality differences in students. Different school environments, especially the size of a school, vastly improve the chances of success for at risk kids. It is reasonable that certain kids, who for most intents and purposes have never had a parent, would need a warmer environment. One with a little more parenting by the teachers and an environment where for once they can feel safe in and get personal support rather than the mixed problems, alienation and isolation by numbers and pressures of some of the huge city schools.
But its not just at risk kids or kids looking for a little parenting and support, there are a lot of kids who’s personality needs a smaller school to thrive (or they would prefer). Class size also helps, and its not just from the perspective of individual kid personality, but that it gets physically impossible to teach more than 30 kids at once. So there are definite, tangible reasons and proven success for charter schools and they are demonstrated as an important tool for getting kids a high school degree, especially those at risk for dropping out and never getting a high school education. No sense trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Most kids will fit just fine into the larger public schools and have no need of this.
The other issue I used to agree with Jerry on and argue with my wife. How could it possibly help a school district to have money taken away from it? Well it may seem that any time you are taking money from one school and giving it to another that you are hurting it. One, money isn’t what necessarily determines the success of a school and two these charter kids are supposed to be educated anyway and some in the form of partnership schools will give kids who are already out of the system another chance. Charter schools often cost a school district less per pupil which saves the district money and solves a big problem for them. At least here in Milwaukee.
But the main reason it helps to have charter schools is that it keeps public education systems from being monopolies, not that they can save a district money. We’ve all run into civil servants or workers who know that they can do whatever they want because you can’t go anywhere else. They know that the monopolistic status quo empowers them to continue incompetence and the stagnation can become endless without some catalyst. Charter schools are a good way for there to be balance by keeping administrators looking back over their shoulder. Even if there aren’t higher standards by the nearest competing charter school the unsaid knowledge that someone else is on the block can be enough to raise standards in non-charter schools. Having an alternative is a powerful force for improvement and it gives at least some kids a chance to go somewhere else in the schools that are locked into continued failure by its administrators.
Charter schools also have powerful enemies who keep the negatives in the limelight without regard for the kids. Teacher’s unions appear to hate charters for what is no particular good reason. In Milwaukee they choose not to unionize the charter schools which would be beneficial for both the charter teachers and themselves. The pursuit of power, having monopolistic control is likely the main basis for the venom, even though charters are really not affecting its enemies all that much, if it all.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ran a series on charter schools that was terrible in its journalistic standards. It had the approach that is so prevalent today asking two people to take opposite sides on the issue. If one side decides to lie and the other doesn’t, how have you presented both sides of the story? Which is what happened and what the Republicans harness so well. It becomes propaganda for the other side if one side is good enough at lying which is what a paper is supposed to be investigating. Reporting a story or concept involves a lot of hard work involving researching and investigating facts. Its lacks integrity and is lazy to avoid this necessary research by abrogating this responsibility to guest editorial columnists. It lowers the standard of discourse and makes important information undiscernable.
The columnist implied a lackluster record for charter schools in Milwaukee, saying two huge lies. She talked about how none of the kids were going on to school after graduation and how terrible the graduation rates are. The opinionist mentioned by name in her column one of the schools my wife runs with two other administrators as an example of how even the best charter schools are abject failures. The kids in the school are at risk kids who have already been kicked out or have dropped out of the Milwaukee school system. They often come from severe problem homes, some have been or are in the worst gangs in Milwaukee which has a pretty fair murder rate for a small town, shot at, kicked out of school multiple times, some are LD and likely less than 10% would ever graduate if not for the school.
She compared these kids to the overall graduation statistics of Milwaukee Public schools and then gloats that there is an inferior graduation rate in this school, plus throws in that no one goes on to college or more school, which begs the question how could you compare these kids to the mainstream in the first place? It’s a little disingenuous. Why are there always so many effective and outrageous lies stated in prominent places about charter schools?
The funny thing is that the graduation rate from my wife’s school blows away the public schools. It is at least 20% higher and they have a lot of kids who go on to trade schools, college, junior college, etc.. They graduate anywhere from 70 to 90%. Well if you’re going to lie might as well make it a whopper, which the columnist did. Its been truly inspiring to listen to the stories over the years from my wife, but unfortunately the public doesn't know about the success of charter schools. This is the dismal type of spin and misinformation that is constantly unloaded about charter schools and which Jerry is wholly participating.
Yes there is more danger with charter schools because people who set them up can sometimes get selected who aren’t qualified, have a cowboy or worse, a criminal mentality where they are trying to make huge amounts of money off of kids by paying themselves ridiculous salaries or scamming money from the school akin to church store fronts. Some of these rogue and poorly run charter schools have surfaced in sensational and embarrassing manners like a guy in Milwaukee who was buying cars with kid's tuition money. There are already more than enough bad examples, but they are a product of the selection process which can be controlled with various forms of governance and elimination of some of the politics and certainly they can be regulated closely during their school year to weed out initial scams.
For the most part, many of the mundane studies indicate that charter schools are doing better than public schools, but they aren’t supposed to be a savior only an adjunct and it is worth having a few failures to spark innovation. Most charter schools are run quite well and they can be used to target populations of students that aren’t a good fit for public schools.
Here are two statements about charter schools based on studies that are not so politically motivated and counter references to read if anyone wants a better understanding . Most impartial studies conclude similar things:
1)Charter schools are (mostly) independent public schools of choice accountable for the results of student achievement. They have accomplished a great deal since the first one was opened in Minnesota in 1991, though they confront a number of dilemmas as the charter movement moves toward maturity. This article presents results from "Charter Schools in Action," a two-year research project suported by the Pew Charitable Trusts. It describes the Hudson project, discusses the charter notion and those individuals and groups who start charter schools, and provides an overview of some accomplishments achieved and dilemmas confronted by the charter schoools the authors came to know. The authors conclude that charter schools are a promising and valuable market-based strategy for changing today's education system and may well be the most vibrant force in American education.
2)Does EdSource’s study prove that charter schools are ‘better’ than regular public schools?
No. The study shows that classroom-based charter schools were more likely than either traditional public schools or nonclassroom-based charter schools to meet their 2004 goals for improving student achievement. However, this does not mean that all charters performed better or that charters are best for all students in all circumstances. Student achievement on state standards tests is only one factor that makes a “good school.” Many other elements, including a school’s educational approach, the training and retention of its teachers, and its facilities and resources should be considered when evaluating overall school quality.
Why are charter schools outperforming noncharters?
This study measured performance levels between different types of
charter schools and traditional public schools. It did not attempt
to explain why those differences occur.
There are a number of theories that attempt to explain why charter schools may perform better than traditional public schools. For example, some charter school advocates believe that operating independently of the traditional school district structure and regulations provides them with greater flexibility to implement programs that improve student achievement. Another theory is that differences in performance reflect the increased parental engagement that often follows a student’s enrollment in a charter school. However, these theories were not evaluated in the EdSource report.
What is the difference between a “classroom-based” charter school
and a “nonclassroom-based” charter school?
A classroom-based charter is a school that requires pupils to be on
campus and under the direct supervision of a teacher for at least 80
percent of instructional time. Approximately 70 percent of charter
schools in California are classroom-based. Nonclassroom-based
charter schools, which include independent study programs and home
school support networks, do not meet the 80 percent on-campus
threshold.
What is the difference between a “conversion” charter school and
a “start-up” charter school?
A conversion charter is a school that was once a regular public
school but that now operates independently of its local district.
Start-up charter schools were established as charters from the
beginning.
Why is it difficult to compare charter schools with noncharter
schools?
There are a number of factors contributing to this challenge.
Charter schools are growing at a very rapid rate, so the universe of
schools for comparison is quite different from year to year. Lack of
data is also a significant obstacle. About one-quarter of charter
schools—and more than 40 percent of nonclassroom-based charters—did
not have test scores for enough students to be included this report.
Also, some charters have non-traditional grade structures (such as
2-7 or 9-10) that make comparisons problematic. Finally, direct
comparisons between charters and noncharters can be misleading
because of different student demographics. Generally, charter
schools are less likely to serve Hispanic students, English
learners, or students from low-income families.
What sources were used to measure student performance in this
report?
The primary data source for this report is California’s Academic
Performance Index (API), which incorporates the results of STAR (the
Standardized Testing and Reporting program) and CAHSEE (the
California High School Exit Exam) to measure student performance.
For a further explanation of the components used to calculate the
API, see The Academic Performance Index (API).
How can parents learn more about the performance of a specific
school?
The Ed-Data Partnership Web site—www.ed-data.k12.ca.us—provides
extensive information about every public school in California,
including student performance and staffing information. Information
on both charter and noncharter schools is available.
What have other studies concluded about charter school
performance?
There have been a number of state and national studies that have
attempted to assess charter schools performance. However, each study
evaluated a slightly different dataset, and as a result, reached
slightly different conclusions. A summary of prior research is
included in How Are California’s Charter Schools Performing?
beginning on page 22.
Who is EdSource?
EdSource is an independent, impartial, not-for-profit organization
whose sole mission is to clarify complex education issues and to
promote thoughtful decisions about public school improvement.
EdSource does not advocate or lobby and has developed a solid
reputation as a credible and respected source of K-14 education
information.
The question of the moment on MSNBC is, drum roll please: SHOULD BUSH FIRE KARL ROVE?
Let them know what you think!
Still not out of your system? USA Today gives you another opportunity to weigh in.
Posted by not sam at July 12, 2005 09:22 PM1.202.456.1111
Posted by: steve M at July 12, 2005 09:37 PMHow many deaths did Karl Rove's action cause?
How much of a setback in finding who has been supplying terrorist with weapons that can be used against us did Karl Rove's action cause to damage our national security?
How much a setback in Bush's so-called "war on terror" (whatever that means) in finding who has been receiving weapons to use against us did Karl Rove's action cause to damage our national security?
Posted by: Julian at July 12, 2005 09:55 PMPosted by: ZachsMind at July 12, 2005 09:56 PM
Posted by: IE only? at July 12, 2005 09:57 PM
Posted by: Blanca at July 12, 2005 09:58 PM
Posted by: laura at July 13, 2005 03:35 AM
Posted by: Marc at July 14, 2005 07:57 AM
Who told Rove?
Rove was merely a political advisor, and probably did not have security clearance enough to get this info.
I believe the speculations that there was a working group or committee with a mandate to dig into Joe Wilson. I believe this was team work. I believe that Karl Rove is not the biggest scalp that could get caught in this conspiracy.
Karl just happen to be one of the few guys in the admininstration with no moral compass, and either voluntarily leaked this, or was tasked with doing the leak.
This whole thing reeks of Cheney, with a faint whiff of Bush in the background.
I am looking forward to the press corps taking off the gloves and stop being such pussies. The press should collectively stick to the Rove question, even if the president refuses to answer. And collectively leave the press briefings if th epresident tries evade. Bush has been given a free ride with the press for 6 years now. They don't owe him any more courtesies.
Let's see what stupid jokes the prodigal retard will come up with when they press him this time.
The rooster have roosted and the chicken are coming home to
roost, and this turkey is ready to be basted and roasted. Don't
bother with the trimmings.
Posted by: ron from Milwaukie at July 14, 2005 09:43 PM
Posted by: frodowopaho at July 14, 2005 09:54 PM
Read this: http://www.infowars.com/articles/London_attack/power_responds_terror_drills_new_developments.htm
And
http://www.infowars.com/articles/London_attack/probability_drill_attack_coinciding.htm
And a host of other information that's common knowledge. Washington needs an enema
Posted by: Tim at July 15, 2005 12:42 AM2) So how could Valerie Plame be outed when she wasn't a covert agent? At least there as a crime involved when Clinton was impeached.
3) How does "I heard that too" get translated to anything close to that's true. He could have heard if from his mistress!
Posted by: Don at July 15, 2005 06:59 PMPosted by: Mary at July 15, 2005 09:17 PM
I have often pondered recently how odd it is that I have become nostalgic for Richard Nixon and the CIA of old, thinking of them rather nostalgically as though they were sort of semi-benevolent entities, at least compared to the 43rd. Reich.
Posted by: Karen at July 15, 2005 10:04 PMPosted by: D.Trump at July 17, 2005 12:44 AM
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Posted by: #1 at July 17, 2005 02:22 PM
Posted by: #1 at July 17, 2005 02:45 PM
Posted by: #1 at July 17, 2005 02:51 PM
Posted by: #1 at July 17, 2005 05:11 PM
Posted by: Ed S at July 18, 2005 07:33 PM
1) You are
uneducated/stupid - take your pick.
2) You are brainwashed, and it never occurred to you to think things
through, FOR YOURSELF, rationally.
3) You are immoral.
4) All of the above.
Look into ALL the facts (that means that they are real, truthful, and legitimate - not just one of the shrill comments made on error america, move-on, etc.) and then make an HONEST and RATIONAL decision. If you still believe even 2% of the crap on this web site, then you most definitely qualify for at least #1 above!!!
Seriously, give me a break!!!
Posted by: Dave at July 19, 2005 03:02 PMEat my shorts.
If you want to learn about honesty, take a 5 minute study of your hardy har president, and his plotting helpers. Then come back to us and with a straight face tell me that republicans are honest.
As late as today, I had a discussion with a republican coworker about Rove. He had drunken teh talking point koolaid. He even were in likne with the president and didn't see any issue with the waffling.
He refused to acknoiweldge that Rove had leaked, even though that has been confirmed both by the leakeem Mr Cooper, as well as thje leaker's lawyer.
I won't make a list of everything that is wrong with you and your ilk. You're not worth convincing. You're a sad, regrettable specimen of homo sapiens, out of tune with 90% of this planet.
Suffice to say, eat my shorts. And while you're at it, eat all our shorts.
Posted by: Bjorn at July 20, 2005 01:27 AMYou felt strong enough to respond to me, yet you weren't vulgar or hateful. I'm thinking you are a number 2 from my list above. I like you! There may be hope for you yet. Just try hard to get your information from as many sources as possible, not just the psycho far left, and think about it before you just hop on board with an opinion - you'll be ok. If you ever need some help from a rational person, I'm here for you.
By the way, why would you believe that 90% of the country thinks like you??? Did Janene and Sammy-boy tell you that?
All banter aside, if you could have ANYONE you wanted for President right now (not necessarily a politition even), who would it be and why? I am genuinely interested.
Dave
Posted by: Dave at July 20, 2005 02:22 PMI said 90% of the planet, not 90% of the country.
That's right. 4.5 billion people think Bush is a jackass. Less than 100 million, the republicans, thinks he's a nice guy. 100 million americans alwasy thought Bush was a a fraud.
Now that the truth is coming out, Bush's brain is gonna rot in jail, and Bush's own lies and shortcuts are starting to ensnare him.
Most americans now realize that the emperer had no clothers. Some blowhard republicans still want to believe what they want to believe.
I say, screw them, send them up the river, write them off as a lousy chapter in a long and prud history, and let the responsible and rational people repair what was broken and move forward.
If Ben Franklin was alive today, he'd be on Bush's ass so hard that he'd have resigned of shame a long time ago.
As for presidential candidate, I have none.
I have some criteria,
and those who fill them can step forward and give it a shot:
1)Integrity
2)Aware of and savvy in International affairs.
3)A thinking person
4)A practical person
4)A pragmatic person
5)A person with high moral standards, and who would rather lose an
election than stoop to the level of George W Bush.
6)A person with high moral standards for himself/herself. but high
bar of tolerance for others.
7)A person aware that he is the president for the whole country, not
just the majority du jour, or a few select rich friends.
8)A person who's word can be counted on.
9)A person who has a record of public service,
instead of a record of self-serving greed. A president is a servant
of the people, not a ruler.
You will find that most liberal candidates can fullfill these criteria. You will also find that most conservative candidates would find it harder to meet this criteria than the proverbial camel though the needle's eye.
Posted by: Bjorn at July 20, 2005 04:26 PM
Wow, we can agree on something (I like your list), even though you have some falsehoods in there. Speaking of that, be specific - why do you say, "stoop to the level of George W Bush"?
If you are willing to indulge me, just a few personal questions:
Who did you vote for President?
What general vicinity do you live in?
What is your age and sex?
(I don't want to hit on you - just some background to help my
understanding)
What's your background? Education, etc.
Why don't you seek help?
Seriously, I want to understand why liberal people think the way they do; why they labor under such false pretenses. Why do most liberals worship a man like Clinton, and have such a vitriol for a man like Bush, that has clearly only ever done what he thought was in the country's best interest. If Bush went with the “majority du jour, or a few select rich friends”, why would he withstand the beating the liberal media and left-wing politicians issues out each and every day, and continue on with the path of fighting terror? Why would he do so many things that are deemed to be “politically risky” or “political suicide”? Dont tell me it's for the oil, or to "finish daddy's business" or I will laugh hard and loose respect for you at the same time! President Bush has got guts, and an absolutely dead on moral compass. He is not always perfect, but he does the best he can, and he’s as close as ANY politician could ever hope to get. Mark my words, as time goes on, and the left-wing vitriol gradually fades (generally speaking you guys are filled with a lot of hatred, so it will take a while), President Bush will be regarded VERY highly in history and as one of the best President’s we’ve ever had, for many reasons, and the “beloved” Clinton will be seen for what he was; a joke, and overall skid mark on the office of the President.
As for my questions, I truly would like to know the answers. I
really want to understand. I will even be happy to answer the same
questions if you care to know.
Given your failures to see what's wrong with George W Bush, I think it suffices to say that we disagree about this, and that your memory is very selective.
Go talk woith some republicans instead. I have nothing to say to you. You have no right to pass judgement on honorable persons, if you have no ability to admit any faults of the worst president, ever.
Dialog closed. Consider yourself irrellevant. History has already found Bush lacking. The boat has left the dock, and you my friend, is being left behind. Maybe you're not a child, but you're definitely left behind.
Posted by: Bjorn at July 21, 2005 12:09 PMAll I can do is base my opinion of liberal people on my personal experience. I live and work in a VERY liberal city and am in the minority in this particular area. I know and have known many liberal people over the years. The more “open minded” a liberal claims to be, the more judgmental and critical they are of anyone who doesn’t agree with them. Tolerance and understanding are words they only believe in when it’s convenient, or serves their own selfish purposes. I could go on, but you probably wouldn’t read this much.
99% of every liberal person I know is just like this. And your
self-righteous hypocritical message does nothing to change my
opinions. You are just like all the others and simply personify the
stereotype. You are so arrogant you won’t even talk with me, a
conservative. That’s not very tolerant of you. Not very
understanding. Not very open minded. And between the two of us, your
posts were much more “bigoted” than mine (and most of mine was
tongue-in-cheek). But, then again, it is me, a conservative, trying
to reach out and understand, and you, a liberal, that refuses to
correspond with me. You liberals talk a big talk, and I’m sure there
are a few out there that walk the walk, but the vast majority of you
are just full of crap!
I have been following your thread here and must say
that as a fellow conservative(albeit a moderate leaning one)
I am dissappointed with how you have chosen to represent
conservatives on this board. You began your thread on a liberal site
by insulting every liberal, not the best way to open an intelligent
discusion with folks of differing views. Later you claim an interest
in "understanding the liberal mind", huh, a novel concept indeed,
first lets insult those we wish to understand and then ask for their
help in understanding them, I'm certain that with that established
trust..an honest and open exchange of ideas and opinions and then
commence unhindered by animosity...oh wait.. it cant. Look sure some
of your posts responders didnt have much to stand on, but what did
you expect? Your approach is akin to telling someone that their
mother's a whore and then asking to borrow a dollar.
So look...if you are serious about entering into an intelligent
dicussion about our oposing viewpoints maybe next time make an
honest attempt at it. Insulting somone and then claiming some moral
high ground when those folks you continue insult finally decide you
arent worth the effort is simply a transparent attempt at baiting,
its unproductive and immature. So thanks a bunch dave.. keep up the
good work.
The dirt:
People for the American Way has an extensive file.Posted by not sam at July 19, 2005 09:51 PMLegal Times backgrounder.
Bloomberg News on his potential influence on the court's direction.
Quick key facts from Reuters.
First reactions to the nomination.
1. As a DC appellate judge he presided over United States v. Thomas. In this case he creatively read a statute that dramatically increased prison sentencing for violent crimes to include the "violent crime" of escaping from police custody even if the "violent criminal" walked away without actually causing any violence. His unique interpretation of the statute may have been ahead of its time because the DC Supreme Court failed to make his impressive deductive leaps and overruled his decision.
2. The mans no civil libertarian either. In Hedgepeth v. Wash. Metro. Area Transit Auth. Roberts dismissed a civil rights claim against an officer who arrested 12 year old girl for eating a French fry in a train station which apparently was prohibited by the weirdest statute on earth. The girl was hand cuffed, searched, finger printed and taken to juvenile hall where she was held for 3 hours before being released. Her rather pissed off parents brought the claim under the due process clause because it was standard procedure to give adults citations rather then arrested them. John Roberts , courageously making the world safe for cops who bully little girls over bullshit misdemeanors. I guess maybe I'm being a little unfair to the cop. After all he made great strides towards keeping that girl away from a life of crime by teaching her an important lesson about where it is and isnt appropriate to eat French Fries.
3. OK. I was having a little fun with the first two but this one isnt funny at all. John Roberts, doesn't seem to believe that women deserve legal sovereignty over their bodies. Prior to being appointed to the DC court of appeals, Roberts served as deputy solicitor general for Bush's dad in 1990. While arguing a case for the first Bush administration, Roberts said Roe v. Wade "was wrongly decided and should be overruled." In another case he argued in support of �operation rescue�, a nutball pro-life group which erected barricades around abortion clinics thus preventing women from going in. Roberts denied that the act was sexual discrimination even though only women can get abortions. I'm still trying to figure that one out. Any medical students want to go into business with me in what may soon be the very lucrative back alley abortion industry ? If not you might want to start marching with NARAL. I'm not just talking to the ladies here, pro-choice guys should get on this one too.
- The Aloha Texan
Posted by: AlohaTexan at July 20, 2005 05:49 AMThis activist -- in the worst sense of the word --Supreme Court nomination underscores how important it is to get the word out, if you or your friends can only get Air America via streaming or satellite.
You can bring Air America Radio to your local community, no matter how conservative.
For instance, six concerned citizens of Baton Rouge, deep in rethug territory, were able to get a local station to convert to Air America -- by gathering only 1,000 signatures on a petition.
For the recipe on how it was done -- and how you can easily convince one of your local stations to convert to the fresh air of entertaining truth, go to the link, or the recipe, below:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/7/18/144723/171
RECIPE FOR BRINGING AIR AMERICA RADIO TO YOUR COMMUNITY:
Step one: Check to see if AAR is already broadcasting in your area
by visiting their web page at
http://www.airamericaradio.com/stations . (Even if there is an
affiliate station near you, it may not broadcast to all of your
area.)
Step two: Determine the lowest-rated radio stations in your area by going to http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRRatings/DefaultSearch.aspx?ShowAll=yes, which lists all the radio markets in the country. (The lower the number, the lower the rating--the ratings are actually percentages of the total market in that area.) When you click on a market such as "Cleveland," you can see the ratings for all the stations in that market. (Note: To identify the geographical area for each "radio market," visit this web page http://www.arbitron.com/radio_stations/mktdefs.asp).
Step three: Find the mailing address and other contact information for the lowest rated stations in your area. This could be a handful of stations or a few dozen--its up to you.
Step four: Call up the station managers and express your interest having an AAR affiliate station in your community, and find out who has the authority to change the station's formats. This may be the station manager or some one higher up on the corporate ladder. Be polite. Do not make it into a protest.
Step five: Once the decision makers are identified, ask the decision makers if they are receptive to the idea of switching to AAR and what factors would influence their decision. Try to be helpful to them.
Step six: Based on your conversations with station's corporate decision makers, identify a few stations that seem to have the best chance of becoming an AAR affiliate station. If decision makers do not convey any real interest in switching, you will probably have a very hard time convincing them to switch regardless of what you do.
Step seven: Let the stations know that other people may be writing to them to demonstrate support in your community for progressive radio. (Again, don't turn this into a protest of the existing format. Keep your relationship with the station friendly and helpful.)
Step eight: Determine the number of Kerry voters in your area by checking with your county auditor, secretary of state, etc. This can help you make the case that there are listeners in your area for AAR. Regardless of where you live, there will almost certainly be thousands or even hundreds of thousands of Kerry voters in your local radio market.
Step nine: Organize an effort for people to write letters to the decision-makers of these low-rated stations. An example is below.
Step ten: Print a copy of this article about a Portland station that successfully transitioned to Air America Radio and include it with the letter to each station manager. http://www.portlandtribune.com/archview.cgi?id=26823
Step eleven: Ask other local democratic and progressive groups to help write letters.
Step twelve: Keep in contact with the decision maker for the station. After the letters start coming into his/her office, call her/him and ask what she/he thinks of the support for AAR in the listening area.
Sincerely,
Bryan E. Burke, and Tobe from Spokane
Eastern Washington Voters
P.S. Here is a sample letter.
Dear Station manager,
I am interested in listening to Air America Radio in Spokane, and so are others. Over 143,000 people in Spokane and the surrounding counties voted for John Kerry in 2004. These voters could become KAQQ listeners.
October ratings have positioned KAQQ at number 21. Certainly you have a much better understanding of ratings than myself, but from what I gather I think KAQQ can follow the success of KPOJ in Portland Oregon. KPOJ is a Clear Channel owned station that has recently become an Air America Affiliate. http://www.portlandtribune.com/archview.cgi?id=26823
According to Pete Sculberg, "Since KPOJ switched from oldies music to the new Air America network last March, the progressive format has made the station one of the most listened-to in Portland, and advertisers are following." Mike Dirkx is the operations manager at KPOJ. He is available to discuss the transition his station has made.
My response to your points above:
1. What’s your point? Besides, I suspect you are not leaving out
important language to qualify Roberts statements. But even if you're
not, what's your point???
2. The police followed the law at the time, as silly as it was, and
Roberts upheld the law. I don’t blame the parents for being irate,
but, none the less, the law was upheld, which is what President Bush
has stated was his criteria for a nominee (someone to uphold the
law, not write it from the bench). You just don’t like Roberts
because he’s not another liberal attempting to make law from the
bench!
3. Abortion is a very sensitive subject to everyone. There are only two sets of circumstances under which abortion should EVER be considered:
1) the good health and life of the mother is in serious danger,
2) the pregnancy is caused by rape.
Even under these circumstances it should only be done after receiving counseling regarding the decision, and serious reflection and prayer.
Abortion for any other reason boils down to selfishness and irresponsibility, and is absolutely repugnant and morally reprehensible. But you want open and unlimited abortion for all women I am assuming. Roberts is being nominated for the Supreme Court, not Dictator, not Supreme Ruler, or anything of the like. He can’t just go in and change Roe V. Wade by himself. Besides, even IF he could just walk in and overturn it, it would become a state issue, just as it was pre-Roe V. Wade. I obviously strongly appose self serving & pointless abortion, with exception to the above exceptions I cited. I would be thrilled if the issue were put to a general vote in the 2008 election – even if my side lost that vote. I know that I am in the majority though, so I’m sure that would be much harder for you to honestly say.
Posted by: W=WINNER at July 20, 2005 04:33 PMIs THAT the best you can do? Guy you don't even have a molehill to work with, your entire post was a waste of bandwidth, you ranted about NOTHING!
Posted by: Gonzo at July 20, 2005 05:35 PMGood come back. Ya got me. Now go smoke some more brain cell killing crack.
Posted by: W=WINNER at July 20, 2005 09:04 PMhttp://www.movingideas.org/content/en/supreme_court_action.htm
Planned Parenthood - Take Action on Supreme Court Nominee:
http://www.ppaction.org/campaign/scourt_nominee2a/step1.tcl
Should the Supreme Court Reflect Your Values?
From TrueMajority Action Link:
http://action.truemajority.org/campaign/supremecourt
From People for the American Way -
SaveTheCourt.org:
http://www.savethecourt.org/site/c.mwK0JbNTJrF/b.849267/k.CC39/Home.htm
From MoveOn.org -
Petition to Oppose John Roberts' Supreme Court Nomination:
http://political.moveon.org/roberts/?id=5817-4187021-zuM7wo.F9q1TsIIdCUiqLA&t=1
Alliance for Justice -
Supreme Court Watch Link:
http://www.allianceforjustice.org/
Here's the link
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5599639482&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1
Posted by: Now What at July 20, 2005 11:49 PM1. Call me crazy, but I thought being a competent jurist was kind of what we were shooting for on the whole Supreme Court thing. John�s ability to incorrectly apply a �violent crime� statute to a non-violent crime (and subsequently get overruled) isn�t exactly a shining example of Harvard competence. Instead it displays a stronger alliance to the more authoritative role of the law rather then to the actual facts of the case. I hope that cleared up my point. Good job, though. Remember there are no stupid questions.
2. The police did follow the law at the time, as bat-sh*t crazy as it was, but the police enforced it in an inconsistent and disproportional manner. Adults get citations and kids get bullied. John�s inability to find any constitutional problems about this is very Saclia-esque and therefore I don�t really want him on the court. Remember although its debatable whether liberals legislate from the bench, its well settled that conservatives elect presidents from the bench.
3. Listen, I�ve debated abortion for what seems like a million times and you laying out your personal philosophy on when it is and isn�t acceptable isn�t really going to sway my opinion much. Thankfully the coveted title of �Supreme Ruler� is still up for grabs but John would change the entire direction of the court on that issue if he�s more pro-life then O�Conner. He most certainly is. Regardless, my third criticism was really directed more at my liberal brethren rather than to conservative trolls (the call to march with NARAL might have been a clue) so I�m not really surprised that you didn�t find it all that persuasive.
About your Gonzo�s comment:
Who�s worse - Someone who takes the time to rant pointlessly or
someone who takes the time to reply to a pointless rant? But no,
that�s not the best I can do. I only put in about a half hour of
research. Quite honestly, you aint seen nothing yet :)
- The Aloha Texan
Posted by: C-Terror at July 25, 2005 11:33 PM
Oh you werent impressed by 30 minutes of research? Thats disappointing given the incredibly high value I place on your opinion. I only brought up the 30 minutes of research thing as a display of how little time I devoted to my anti-Roberts rant, not as a call for the accolades of the net community. You might want to try keeping up.
Again I brought up abortion to help motivate "the Majority of lefties" to mobilize against Roberts. I didn't really expect the conservative trolls to think "Roberts is pro-life, lets philabuster his ass !!!" However you obviously are looking for an abortion debate so I'll give you one.
First I don't actually believe abortion should be unregulated. Government regulation is important to ensure the safety of the procedure for the woman. I do, however, believe that abortion should remain a legal option for any woman within the first two trimesters of pregnancy for any reason whether it be health concerns, rape, poverty, or simply not wanting to be a mother.
I always think its weird when guys get all indignant about their genetic material festering inside the mother. Seeing as how neither of us is ever going to get pregnant, I think its arguable whether or not we should even get to vote on abortion issues. Listen, if I get a pro-life girl pregnant I cant terminate that pregnancy no matter how greatly I dont want to be a father. Thats perfectly reasonable since its her body that would have to endure an abortion rather then my own and a woman should never ever ever be forced to have an abortion against her will. I'm willing to accept that unwanted fatherhood could result if I decide to sleep with pro-lifers just as you should accept that your genes might not reach their full potential if you impregnate a pro-choice woman. If you are so concerned about your precious semen and the potential life that it could result in then I would advise you to only sleep with women who share you convictions on this issue.
As for the first or second trimester fetus, their rights are negligible when compared to those of the mother, whos body they need to survive. Aside from the parasitic nature of the fetus, I should also express my unwillingness to grant human rights to an unsentient group of multiplying cells that may become a human in the future.
In closing I'd like to blow your mind by declaring in all honesty that if my mother didn't want me for any reason when she became pregnant then I wish she had an abortion. However this wasnt the case so here I am annoying you now.
- The Aloha Texan
Hey Jenny G. , why ain't the kiddies been reimbursed? Ask George Soros!
Before reading the article, keep in mind that 'forensic' accounting is done by law enforcement.
http://www.nysun.com/article/17921
The comedian Al Franken, Air America Radio's most prominent host, said yesterday that he did not know whether the hundreds of thousands of dollars apparently lent to the radio network by a Bronx social-service organization had indeed been relayed to Air America by Evan Montvel Cohen. Mr. Cohen simultaneously served as director of the liberal network and development director of the nonprofit Gloria Wise Boys & Girls Club.
The Gloria Wise club, which serves 20,000 clients in Co-op City, has gotten millions of dollars a year in government funds. The city's Department of Investigation announced in June the suspension of Gloria Wise's city grants and contracts because of allegations of "inappropriate transactions."
Mr. Franken said he has learned details of the story only in the last week. He said Piquant LLC, current owner and operator of the radio network, found a record of the transfers while conducting a "forensic" investigation into the finances of the previous owner, Progress Media, which was run by Mr. Cohen. That internal probe was conducted before the city agency became involved, Mr. Franken said. Efforts by The New York Sun to reach Mr. Cohen for comment in recent days have been unsuccessful.
A Piquant spokesman said yesterday that Gloria Wise would be compensated regardless of the amount of money it transferred. Mr. Franken said he did not know if money from Gloria Wise had been absorbed by the network and used to finance its operations. He said Piquant's payments to Gloria Wise were scheduled to begin this month but were prevented from going through while the city investigation continued.
A spokesman for the Department of Investigation, Keith Schwam, said that if Air America discovered the transfers before the city probe began, "They neglected to tell anyone at DOI or in the city about it."
Mr. Franken said that around the time of Air America's launch in March 2004, Mr. Cohen said the radio network could survive for three years without making a profit." It turned out to be three weeks," Mr. Franken said. "We were all shocked." Mr. Franken said his most "charitable" interpretation of the Gloria Wise transfers to Air America was that Mr. Cohen had a "dream and tried to keep it going."
Members of the Gloria Wise executive committee described to the Sun transfers from the club to Mr. Cohen and to Air America that totaled $875,000. They said Sunday that one reason Mr. Cohen cited when asking for personal loans was that he needed money for chemotherapy because he suffered from brain cancer.
Mr. Franken said he did not know whether his former colleague had the disease, but he recalled that Mr. Cohen, a native of Guam who is 39, referred repeatedly to it. For example, Mr. Franken said, he'd complain to Mr. Cohen that studio equipment wasn't working, "and he'd say, 'You know, I have brain cancer.'"
"Brain cancer," Mr. Franken said, "seemed to be his answer to everything." Mr. Franken said he didn't know Mr. Cohen's current whereabouts.
Posted by: thetrueantiliberal at August 2, 2005 07:38 PMOnce again, you have not understood or cared to actually read what was written. When a woman, pro-lifer or pro-deather, allows someone to invade her "privacy" in the most obvious way, then why should they be able to revoke all rights of "festering" semen, which is required for her to create a life.
Secondarily, if a woman simply "doesn't want to be a mother," then why doesn't she "choose" to not sleep with a "useless" male, such as you or I? At the very least, she could make that stunning choice to use some sort of birth control(gasp!) before the NEW and IMPROVED RU486 that has began to invade the drug culture (according to Anna Quindlen anyway).
"In closing I'd like to blow your mind by declaring in all
honesty that if my mother didn't want me for any reason when she
became pregnant then I wish she had an abortion."
This quote doesn't blow my mind, it just shows, once again, that
drivel that the "liberals" spout are not only foolish and ignorant,
but they are just scary. If you truly feel this way, you need help,
lots of help. You feel that your life, as of right now should simply
be reduced to a choice. Incredible how facist this seems to me.
Finally, when you stretch yourself to research important issues
like Roberts, first, go to an
OB-GYN office and listen to a "mass of cells" as his or her heart
beats just 3 weeks after conception. This may, but probably not,
change your mind. Secondly, invest $4.95 in a handbook dictionary
and look up "philabuster." (Here's a quick hint, start in "f" not
"ph")
IHS&L
C-Terror
by John R. MacArthur
Excerpt:
So when Feminists For Life (led by Roberts' wife Jane or some other champion of the unborn) brings the lawsuit that sends abortion back to the filthy, price-gouging conditions from which it emerged in 1973, we can anticipate the return of all kinds of unpleasant stories that, until Roe v. Wade, were confined mostly to works of fiction.
The rich, of course, will always find competent abortionists for themselves and their unlucky wives, girlfriends and daughters. But the novels I've been reading lately address the unwanted pregnancy problems of the poor, or at least the unrich, and it's in these narratives that I can foresee the consequences of Justice Roberts' future votes affecting the tangled issues of conception and life.
===============================================
Recommended books for the Roberts' Book Club included in this article
LINK:
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0802-25.htm
Posted by: Star Vox at August 4, 2005 09:24 PMCould anyone possibly give some sort of schedule for Air America in general, and Mike Malloy in specific? I was listening to a replay tonight on the way home at about 1:15 AM (in the unimportant, forgotten CDT), and I was just wondering when he actually gives these vulgar rants. If anyone would let me know, I would truly appreciate it.
C-T
PS: To Aloha, I was at a OB-GYN office yesterday and saw a 3-D ultrasound. It made me cry to think about all those who try to say a child at 20 weeks from concepttion isn't a child... I saw, with that ultrasound the same face of my two-year-old.
Posted by: C-Terror at August 5, 2005 02:56 AMPosted by: Ari Kaufman at August 8, 2005 03:33 PM
Paul Hackett is an Iraq vet running for Congress in Ohio in a special election coming up August 2nd.
Help him out at our ActBlue site here.
Posted by not sam at July 25, 2005 08:11 PMWhat you demostrated today was your inability to actually LISTEN to what he had to say and most of all for your inability to SEE and understand what he had to say and therefore not be able to take constructive criticism. These are all of the things you accuse the Neo Cons and the Bush administration of doing..not listening, not understanding and inability to admit mistakes and take constructive criticism....Grow up!
It would be quite appropriate and much more diplomatic and
sensitive to refer to members of the military not as "soldiers" but
as members of the military serving...if you cannot determine which
branch they are affiliated with.
JG you are showing your own intolerance, your own ego and in the
process your own insecurity when you cannot take an honest and true
piece of constructive criticism. Remember also a member of the
military serving on active duty is forbidden by the military code of
justice from overtly criticising the Commander in Chief.
Do your homework...loosen up and LISTEN. Think before you give a kneejerk reaction...evaluate what was said then give your opinion.
Posted by: kaaona at July 25, 2005 08:27 PMPosted by: Otter at July 25, 2005 08:39 PM
To suggest otherwise is to alienate a lot of people. JG while this may seem inconsequential to you it is "holy writ" to all Marines.
Thanks for the opportunity to square you away.
Paul B.
Posted by: Paul Brennen at July 25, 2005 08:55 PMI could not agree with both of you more!. My family has served in the Navy, the Air Force, the Air Guard and the Army Guard and the Coast Guard. Each of these branches is justly proud of their branch of service and the work that they do. It does not behoove progressives to just sort of lump them all together. Words matter.
Some are adamantly opposed to the military in general...that is their right, however misguided I feel they may be. The argument should not be with the individual military members and their families...the argument needs to be with the CIVILIANS who send them to war, who keep redrawing the rules and who exempt themselves and their "chosen" commanders from legal action against them when they violate the rules of engagement, US treaties governing how prisoners should be treated, US law governing how prisoners should be treated, who send our military to fight without proper equipment, with out a clear plan of action instead of poor assumptions and pipe dreams of emperialism and US force of power, who take advantage of the patriotism, the spirit of our military and turn them into cannon fodder all for the sake of their own lust for power. These same CIVILIANS who lied to us and to Congress about the events leading up to the War in Iraq and who took valuable assets from Afghanistan and sent them to Iraq, who are depleting our treasury for their lust for dollars, power and their egos.
Another thing that really ticks me off is the use of mass numbers
(30-40K) of mercenaries in both
Afganistan and Iraq...who seem to have no rules of engagement, who
cowboy their way around those countries, put our troops in jeopardy
( The Fallujah incident is a prime example...those were not US
military people who were killed, they were mercenaries dressed in
paramilitary uniforms..) The mercenaries come from all over the
world, some from Africa and Peru where they were participants in
very violent violations of human rights, etc. as well as former US
military who are drawn into these corporations who hire them at 3- 4
times their military pay. The mercenaries apparently have no rules
of engagement, nor are the criminally liable for their actions (John
Paul Bremmer made sure of that before he left).
Mercenaries like this put our own troops in jeopardy as the local populace cannot differentiate between mercenaries and our military and thus seek retaliation against any person in what seems to be a US military uniform.
Interestingly enough I have asked these questions of my Senators (2 democrats) and my congressman, a Republican:
1. Why do we have so many mercenaries serving in Afghanistan and
Iraq?
2. What are the rules of engagement for mercenaries serving in these
countries?
3. Who oversees the mercenary operations?
4. What court system applies to mercenaries?
5. What is the average rate of pay for mercenaries?
6. What countries other than our own supply mercenaries?
7. In a situation where mercenaries and our military are at the same
spot at the same time whose command is dominant?
8. How are mercenaries held accountable for their actions?
9. What oversight does Congress have over mercenary operations?
I have received the following answers:
NOTHING, NADA, COMPLETE SILENCE.
Posted by: kaaona at July 25, 2005 11:11 PMI could not agree with both of you more!. My family has served in the Navy, the Air Force, the Air Guard and the Army Guard and the Coast Guard. Each of these branches is justly proud of their branch of service and the work that they do. It does not behoove progressives to just sort of lump them all together. Words matter.
Some are adamantly opposed to the military in general...that is their right, however misguided I feel they may be. The argument should not be with the individual military members and their families...the argument needs to be with the CIVILIANS who send them to war, who keep redrawing the rules and who exempt themselves and their "chosen" commanders from legal action against them when they violate the rules of engagement, US treaties governing how prisoners should be treated, US law governing how prisoners should be treated, who send our military to fight without proper equipment, with out a clear plan of action instead of poor assumptions and pipe dreams of emperialism and US force of power, who take advantage of the patriotism, the spirit of our military and turn them into cannon fodder all for the sake of their own lust for power. These same CIVILIANS who lied to us and to Congress about the events leading up to the War in Iraq and who took valuable assets from Afghanistan and sent them to Iraq, who are depleting our treasury for their lust for dollars, power and their egos.
Another thing that really ticks me off is the use of mass numbers
(30-40K) of mercenaries in both
Afganistan and Iraq...who seem to have no rules of engagement, who
cowboy their way around those countries, put our troops in jeopardy
( The Fallujah incident is a prime example...those were not US
military people who were killed, they were mercenaries dressed in
paramilitary uniforms..) The mercenaries come from all over the
world, some from Africa and Peru where they were participants in
very violent violations of human rights, etc. as well as former US
military who are drawn into these corporations who hire them at 3- 4
times their military pay. The mercenaries apparently have no rules
of engagement, nor are the criminally liable for their actions (John
Paul Bremmer made sure of that before he left).
Mercenaries like this put our own troops in jeopardy as the local populace cannot differentiate between mercenaries and our military and thus seek retaliation against any person in what seems to be a US military uniform.
Interestingly enough I have asked these questions of my Senators (2 democrats) and my congressman, a Republican:
1. Why do we have so many mercenaries serving in Afghanistan and
Iraq?
2. What are the rules of engagement for mercenaries serving in these
countries?
3. Who oversees the mercenary operations?
4. What court system applies to mercenaries?
5. What is the average rate of pay for mercenaries?
6. What countries other than our own supply mercenaries?
7. In a situation where mercenaries and our military are at the same
spot at the same time whose command is dominant?
8. How are mercenaries held accountable for their actions?
9. What oversight does Congress have over mercenary operations?
I have received the following answers:
NOTHING, NADA, COMPLETE SILENCE.
Posted by: kaaona at July 25, 2005 11:14 PMPosted by: Mike at July 26, 2005 10:04 PM
One does not need to have served in the military to understand that the bald faced LIE that democrats are anti-military. The neo-cons constructed the lie and the media just passes it on. In fact it is Democratic Presidents who have built the military in the past, who have won the wars. It is Republicans under Nixon, Reagan, Bush 1 and now Bush 2 who have considered the military their own personal source of war profiteering. It wad Cheney as Defense Secretary who cut back on military funding as a "end of the cold war peace dividend. All of the equipment and funding that the pubbies accuse the dems of defunding were defunded at the request of Dick Cheney. The pillage and rape of our current national guard, reserve and full-time military is a result of Rumsfeld and the rest of the neo-cons in this administration's lack of planning, doing a "war" on the cheap as far as the military is concerned...but really being a bonanza in war profiteering for corporations like Haliburton, arms dealers and the profits the rack up for their stockholders...Barbara Bush has always held tremendous amounts of stock in munitions.
So the military on the ground is given poor equipment, threats to cut their pay, "extended" enlistments, threats to cut their VA benefits and they are supposed to be content with praise for their "patriotism" and "personal sacfifice" while huge corporations, the very wealthy rack in the profits and make absolutely no sacrifice....This turns the meaning of Patriotism on its ear.
Posted by: kaaona at July 27, 2005 08:29 PMPosted by: edie at July 27, 2005 08:58 PM
Posted by: edie buie at July 27, 2005 09:04 PM
Posted by: edie at July 27, 2005 09:06 PM
Posted by: edie at July 27, 2005 09:08 PM
CITIZEN SOLDIER
Takes back a little piece of Ohio!
Major Hackett is a Stand Up Marine, he made me feel proud to be a retired military man... He brought back memories of my service, my ideals, and my reason for spending 20+ years on active duty...
Semper Fi Major!!! Kick those hypocritical Repigs in the butt so hard that they will be walking on their elbows wearing a new fur collar...
Just this old chief's 2 cents
Posted by: Maheanuu Tane at July 28, 2005 11:18 PMI KNEW JEAN SCHMIDT and I'm dishing by maha at Daily Kos:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/7/28/195849/417
Posted by: Cat Chew at July 29, 2005 06:10 PMPosted by: David F at August 1, 2005 09:05 PM
$800,000 rip off of a charity. Whatta go AIR AMERICA
........caring about da chillen.
You folks make Jesse Jackson look like an amateur.
Posted by: Mike at August 2, 2005 07:02 PM
Posted by: monkey at August 2, 2005 08:29 PM
I hope he runs again!
Posted by: Mike at August 7, 2005 05:50 PMCindy Sheehan is a Gold Star mother, whose son Casey was killed last year in Iraq. She's currently camped outside of Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, demanding to speak with the president.
Want to support Cindy? Visit one of the following websites to learn how.Posted by not sam at August 9, 2005 08:16 PM
Jack Hughes (USMC}
Little Falls, NY
Nice song parody comments on the topic of Cindy's visit to Texas:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/8/9/175234/1097
Posted by: Cat Chew at August 9, 2005 11:49 PMOne example, is Peace House. A group claiming to be for peace, but looking more like an anti-semitic group dressed in peace clothes and using her to push their agenda. See blogstadt dot com for more.
Posted by: Elkanah at August 12, 2005 11:00 AMThe while I was on hold, the announcer went on and on about how Bush had enough time for his financial supporters (the fundraiser), but no time for Cindy.
I then waited through a commercial set, and then the show returned. She went on and on again, taking no callers, but repeated the call in phone # several time.
Then another commercial set.
Then the show returned, repeating the call in phone# a few more times....still not one caller taken yet tho.
Then the call screener came back on the line and said "We're sorry, we don't have time for your call today, please try again another day"....time 7:30 pm.
But wait....the show lasts until 10pm! Did I just wait on my cell phone 30 minutes to be told there's not enough time for my call, with 2.5 hours left, huh...
Seems 'The Majority Report' had rather give THEIR time to their supporters (advertisers), but they have NO TIME for LITTLE OLE ME!?!?
Ummmm....ok? You know, the conservative talk show hosts I listen to go out of their WAY to get disenting callers on the air. I guess that's because they have the guts to face someone with an opposing view, and they also want a chance to influence someone to 'their' side.
Why dosn't The Maj Rep want a chance to influence me to 'the left'? I feel sorry for Cindy, I have a mom too...but she does seem to be influenced by the Michael Moore crowd, and members of Cindy's family wrote a letter today saying that they wish she would quit grandstanding and embarassing the family.-signed the grandparents, several aunts, uncles and cousins. 'Cmon!
Posted by: John at August 12, 2005 08:02 PMPosted by: Scottie at August 12, 2005 08:14 PM
Mrs
Sheahan's been outspoken against the war for a while. Unfortunately,
the right has some ammunition to use against her. It seems she's
changed her mind about the first meeting she had with the President.
http://www.thereporter.com/search/ci_2923921
I’ve heard on Air America that the President was disrespectful, even
flippant during this meeting which meshes perfectly with the left’s
(and my) picture of lazy frat boy as President.
I hope Air America will address this.
Unfamilliar with the workings of talk radio
Not everyone gets through. It's not a conspiracy. They have right wing people calling all the time.
Geez, and these people say WE are conspiracy nuts!
By the way, Sheehan has answered that question a many times already. Perhaps you should go find some of her interviews.
Posted by: Meg at August 13, 2005 09:23 PMhttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8925133/
OLBERMANN: Last question. It‘s pure politics. The nature of the media coverage you‘re getting now, the response from other families of soldiers killed in Iraq, all of that, from the perspective of your protest there, in a way, isn‘t it really better if President Bush doesn‘t meet with you?
SHEEHAN: I would think so, yes. I think it‘s great. And if he would come out right now, it would really defuse the momentum, and I don‘t want to give them any hints. And I think that‘s something they‘ve probably already thought about.
But, you know, but we‘re here. We‘re committed. We‘re staying the whole month of August, and then we‘re moving to Washington, D.C. And we‘re going to have a 24-hour vigil on his front lawn to keep the pressure on. The pressure is there. Sixty-two percent of Americans want our troops home. And this is giving them a voice to stand up and be counted and say, You know, we want our country back, and we want our troops home.
OLBERMANN: Cindy Sheehan, thanks much for taking time to join us tonight.
SHEEHAN: You‘re welcome. Thank you.
Posted by: John at August 17, 2005 10:55 AMPosted by: search engine at August 19, 2005 02:33 PM
I got the high honor to play it for the military families and vets at Camp Casey on Friday at noon, during an interfaith prayer vigil. Many of them came running up to me afterwards, and said that it was "their song." It's now been donwloaded over 1,200 times in the past few days.
Several of the family member encouraged me to get it out there to as many people as possible, and I feel an obligation to do so, to honor their request...and because I think it will be meaningful to everyone.
You can download it http://www.ericfolkerth.com/prairiechapelroad.mp3
You can stream it
http://www.ericfolkerth.com/prairiechapelroad.m3u
It's also been used as the soundtrack of a new movie from the "Not in Our Name" folks, and you can see it here:
Low Quality:
http://www.notinourname.net/downloads/prairie-chapel-road-low.wmv
High Quality:
http://www.notinourname.net/downloads/prairie-chapel-road-high.wmv
You can read my own blog entries about my days at Camp Casey: http://www.ericfolkerth.com/B1082610743/index.html
I encourage everyone to tell everyone they know about this song...songs like this can only spread through the amazing connection of blogs and the web.
Thanks for helping to get it out there.
Eric Folkerth
Posted by: Eric Folkerth at August 22, 2005 09:05 AMPosted by: fleshlight at August 23, 2005 10:50 PM
Posted by: Don Turner at August 27, 2005 11:22 AM
Posted by: GPD50 at September 8, 2005 12:47 AM
Actually, we can't offer that, but you can ask Roberts a question here, and it could actually get to him.
If you need a little context for your questions, go here, and read Armando.
And then double-post your questions here.
Posted by not sam at August 10, 2005 02:41 PMPosted by: Dee at August 16, 2005 07:58 PM
Posted by: Ron Phelps at August 16, 2005 08:52 PM
Posted by: search engine at August 19, 2005 02:32 PM
Democrats Have Morals Too! (Yes we do!)
Right and wrong
We think about all that too!
We don't think abortion is fun or cool
but that a woman should have the right to choose
and isn't it better that Gays should marry
Then do every Tom, Dick and Harry
And by the way even some Republicans are gay
(Haven't you noticed?)
And we are all still a part of
the American way!
Posted by: JG Moreno at August 23, 2005 01:07 AM
Posted by: D. at August 23, 2005 08:06 AM
Posted by: fleshlight at August 23, 2005 10:50 PM
Posted by: fleshlight at August 23, 2005 10:50 PM
Posted by: Linda Mac at August 25, 2005 08:39 PM
I posted the following questions:
Are you familiar witht the words "appearance of impropriety?"
CANON 2: A JUDGE SHALL AVOID IMPROPRIETY AND THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY IN ALL OF THE JUDGE'S ACTIVITIES
ABA-CJC Canon 2
follow up:
Can you give an example of an appearance of impropriety?
I posted a second question:
What is the test for appearance of impropriety?
The test for appearance of impropriety is whether the conduct would
create in reasonable minds a perception that the judge's ability to
carry out judicial responsibilities with integrity, impartiality and
competence is impaired.
ABA-CJC Canon 2
http://radio.about.com/cs/radiohistory/ht/complainfcc.htm
THE FCC MUST RECIEVE COMPLAINTS TO CENSURE PAT ROBERTSON, DO YOUR PART!
pat robertson should be extradited to Venezuela for his terrorists threats on Hugo Chaves
How To Complain to the Federal Communications Commission
http://radio.about.com/cs/radiohistory/ht/complainfcc.htm
Posted by: dating at September 4, 2005 12:11 PM
Posted by: globat at September 26, 2005 08:10 PM
From Buzzflash:
Sign this petition, demanding that the eligible children of the extended Bush family, including the twins, serve in George's "noble war for a noble cause" or Bush must bring the sons and daughters of America home now.
"I demand that George W. Bush's daughters, and his eligible nieces and nephews, serve in Iraq to prove their support of Bush's 'noble war for a noble cause.' If the Bush family does not believe in 'sacrificing' for the war and is not willing to put their lives on the line, then Bush must bring the troops of middle class and poor Americans home now."
Read the rest.
Holden at First-Draft has more photos here.
Yes, it's going to be a sacrifice -- particularly hard hit will be the fashion industry and various bars in downtown New York, but war is hell, and the cause is noble.
Posted by not sam at August 30, 2005 11:07 AMIt took courage for you to take an unpopular stand, supporting America in this time when a few vocal naysayers and backstabbers and communists are doing their utmost to undermine America!
Thanks for your courageous stand.
Posted by: Karridine at September 1, 2005 06:59 AMand you're making a valid point..why aren't they signing up to fight like so many other americans?
but all the same..asking people to petition someone elses freedom to choose is ridiculous.
Posted by: christy at September 1, 2005 03:56 PMPosted by: All Hail King George at September 1, 2005 08:15 PM
Posted by: robert Holley at September 1, 2005 08:51 PM
There is just no pleasing people like you. You will not be happy
until we all live in the United States of CLINTON, total devoid of a
military, and living on one large mass community, eating only things
that can be grown in your own back yard, and bicycles for
transportation.
Posted by: berndog at September 1, 2005 07:02 PM
Posted by: Donna at September 1, 2005 07:48 PM
The correct name for this is a "Silver Spoon Tax", not what the Republicans like to call it. The dead can't pay a tax, only the living pay a tax.
Since the Depression this country has belived in progressive taxation, not allowing dynasties to perpetuate themselves at the detriment of the national treasury and job creation.
Posted by: Larry Taylor at September 1, 2005 08:27 PMPosted by: edie at September 1, 2005 09:15 PM
Posted by: John Ganon at September 1, 2005 09:44 PM
(Great job by the way guys - sure you will keep it up and turn it up in light of this recent travesty!)
Posted by: dollbaby at September 2, 2005 03:00 PMIf you can't sense the sarcasm I don't know what to tell you. Think about what you are hearing and believing people! Anyone with a fraction of common sense knows this was simply a storm... a very bad one, a tragic one, but a storm none the less. They have been around since earth was created. They happen every year - even when a democrat is in the white house.
Posted by: Dave at September 2, 2005 03:43 PMAt least some people are acting like humans.
Posted by: Davis at September 2, 2005 07:05 PMPosted by: Cb at September 3, 2005 04:45 AM
When Iraq was destroyed the rebuilding contracts went to American companies such as Kellog Brown and Root and Halliburton taking all that profit out of the hands of Iraqis and giving it to Bush cronies.
New Orleans is going to be rebuilt. ALL of that work should go to local New Orleans people. New Orleans people need work. New Orleans people need thier beloved city to rise again. New Orleans and the rest of us need New Orleans to be the multicultural gumbo at it's full glory again. All the materials where possible should be bought from New Orleans and Louisianna business people, from local sustainable local resources. All supply and subcontract orders should go to the people of Louisianna. If the local ecomony of our beloved New Orleans is going to recover it is going to be because NOLA rebuilds herself...not because contracts go to outside contractors from far away who benefit from thier relationship to the Bush administration. New Orleans without it's residents is a Disneyland for the rich. Instead we need a WPA project making it possible for NOLA residents to rebuild thier own town.
New Orleans is the soul of America. Without it's residents it has no soul.
Save the soul of America... support NOLA residents in moving home and rebuilding thier own beloved hometowm with our help, with our money and support.
Federal monies must be made available to follow through on the subsidence mediation, levee and channel projects. Where large outside contractors are ABSOLUTELY nessesary they MUST hire and TRAIN local residents to do the work and get paid for that work.
Cronyism killed New Orleans, by putting a man with O DISASTER RECOVERY experience in charge of the effort. Localism will save it. The people of NOLA will save it.
STOP IT BEFORE CRONYISM BURIES HER.
Thank you please PASS THIS ON AND CROSS POST!
Sincerely,
go here to sign
http://www.petitiononline.com/tru56ppa/petition.htm
Posted by: online casino gambling at September 13, 2005 05:21 AM
The Red Cross refused to screen blood for AIDS when it mattered most, and is run by the likes of Libby Dole and other reactionaries.
Can't you find ANY other (possibly liberal) charity to promote?
Posted by: Dick Mac at September 13, 2005 06:12 PM
Geppetto, a Republican?
Geppetto made himself a puppet
That lied and lied, and lied and lied
Until his nose did twitch and grow
Historically, we recognize that puppet now
As the marionette---Pinocchio
Republicans made themselves a puppet
That lies and lies, and lies and lies
Until his chin does twitch and grow
Appropriately, we recognize George Bush now
Forever dubbed---Chinocchio
If you will please respond if you use this in any way, so I will surely tape it and enjoy it over and over.
Please keep my identity private,
Copy written by Mark Mangan
Posted by: Mark Mangan at September 19, 2005 03:28 PM
1.) The hurricane that hit New Orleans and Mississippi and Alabama was an astonishing tragedy. The suffering and loss of life and peace of mind of the residents of those areas is acutely horrifying.
2.) George Bush did not cause the hurricane. Hurricanes have been happening for eons. George Bush did not create them or unleash this one.
3.) George Bush did not make this one worse than others. There have been far worse hurricanes than this before George Bush was born.
4.) There is no overwhelming evidence that global warming exists as a man-made phenomenon. There is no clear-cut evidence that global warming even exists. There is no clear evidence that if it does exist it makes hurricanes more powerful or makes them aim at cities with large numbers of poor people. If global warming is a real phenomenon, which it may well be, it started long before George Bush was inaugurated, and would not have been affected at all by the Kyoto treaty, considering that Kyoto does not cover the world's worst polluters -- China, India, and Brazil. In a word, George Bush had zero to do with causing this hurricane. To speculate otherwise is belief in sorcery.
5.) George Bush had nothing to do with the hurricane contingency plans for New Orleans. Those are drawn up by New Orleans and Louisiana. In any event, the plans were perfectly good: mandatory evacuation. It is in no way at all George Bush's fault that about 20 percent of New Orleans neglected to follow the plan. It is not his fault that many persons in New Orleans were too confused to realize how dangerous the hurricane would be. They were certainly warned. It's not George Bush's fault that there were sick people and old people and people without cars in New Orleans. His job description does not include making sure every adult in America has a car, is in good health, has good sense, and is mobile.
6.) George Bush did not cause gangsters to shoot at rescue helicopters taking people from rooftops, did not make gang bangers rape young girls in the Superdome, did not make looters steal hundreds of weapons, in short make New Orleans into a living hell.
7.) George Bush is the least racist President in mind and soul there has ever been and this is shown in his appointments over and over. To say otherwise is scandalously untrue.
8.) George Bush is rushing every bit of help he can to New Orleans and Mississippi and Alabama as soon as he can. He is not a magician. It takes time to organize huge convoys of food and now they are starting to arrive. That they get in at all considering the lawlessness of the city is a miracle of bravery and organization.
9.) There is not the slightest evidence at all that the war in Iraq has diminished the response of the government to the emergency. To say otherwise is pure slander.
10.) If the energy the news media puts into blaming Bush for an Act of God worsened by stupendous incompetence by the New Orleans city authorities and the malevolence of the criminals of the city were directed to helping the morale of the nation, we would all be a lot better off.
11.) New Orleans is a great city with many great people. It will recover and be greater than ever. Sticking pins into an effigy of George Bush that does not resemble him in the slightest will not speed the process by one day.
12.) The entire episode is a dramatic lesson in the breathtaking callousness of government officials at the ground level. Imagine if Hillary Clinton had gotten her way and they were in charge of your health care.
God bless all of those dear people who are suffering so much, and God bless those helping them, starting with George Bush.
Posted by: me at September 20, 2005 09:18 AMPlease check this out. An MP3 exclusive of the amazing band TV on the Radio in response to our fearless leader's hard work during Katrina. Be sure to read the posted lyrics, damaging and powerful.
Posted by: josh at September 21, 2005 09:20 AMMoving Ideas will continue to update this guide with the most up-to-date policy proposals and action related to Hurricane Katrina.
Bookmark this page and come back regularly to find out more about what progressives are thinking and doing to help Katrina victims and improve the response to national emergencies.
LINK:
http://www.movingideas.org/content/en/katrina_policy_action.htm
Posted by: Star Vox at September 21, 2005 08:01 PMDownload Sam's timeline of events here and track the Bush administration's complete and total failure to respond to people in need.
Posted by not sam at September 2, 2005 07:58 PMPosted by: Shari at September 2, 2005 08:19 PM
Posted by: Peach at September 2, 2005 08:23 PM
I was listening to Michael Reagan and all he is discussing with his listners are the loitting and shooting! Michael is not talking about the people who are starving and dying what is Michael's fucking problem. I am so mad as African American male that lives in Los Angeles. I don't understand????
Kevin
Posted by: yron Barber at September 2, 2005 08:42 PM
Posted by: R.w.Crawford at September 2, 2005 09:00 PM
Plus his talking points basically told the victims, it's your fault.
They have no shame. No soul. They;re pod people, best used as gator bait.
Posted by: Cindy Grogan at September 2, 2005 09:07 PMThese swine need bashed early and often.
Comrade Mister Yamamoto
AKA C.C. Slater
http://mryamamoto.50megs.com
Add March 2005 to your timeline. That is when The Allbaugh Company added Halliburton as a client (his other company has KBR).
According to "Facing South," a progressive blog, Allbaugh attempted to lie about not being a lobbyist. But his actual lobbying disclosure form states his company "will educate the congressional and executive branch on defense, DISASTER RELIEF and homeland security issues" (emphasis mine). It's damn chilling.
Amazing timing this guy has -- first he quits as FEMA head two months after George Bush starts the drumbeat for the Iraq war. And starts a consulting firm that helps companies make money there. Now he gets in on the "action" five months before the largest and worst natural disaster on the American shores ... in part created by the planned failure of the U.S. government when responding to disasters. Of which he was one of the architects.
K'ching. It's disgusting.
Impeach the Leech and his parasites.
Posted by: Dale from Chelsea at September 2, 2005 09:40 PMPat Robertson's charity is Operation Blessing. It is the third charity listed on the official FEMA website.
Operating Blessing has had its share of scandal so why is it on a government website????
Posted by: Dale from Chelsea at September 2, 2005 09:42 PMWhy didn't he use the available busses when he had the chance?
Why did he leave the city before the evacuation was complete?
A lot of the deaths are on his shoulders.
Is that a sign of leadership?
Posted by: Senior Airman J. Hughel at September 2, 2005 10:23 PM
Posted by: LuAnn Green at September 2, 2005 11:13 PM
Posted by: denise Hudson at September 3, 2005 01:02 AM
Posted by: Karen Ayres at September 3, 2005 01:54 AM
It was just a few short months ago, that the Republicans and the moral majority uplifted a great outcry about the inhumanity of removing a feeding tube from a brain dead woman named Terri Schaivo, outraged that an American would be denied food and water until she died. How quickly we forget our convictions when a well to do, middle to upper class white woman is not involved. Yet, in New Orleans our government has sat back while Americans starve and dehydrate in the sweltering heat for 5 days. Do I believe that a socioeconomic and racial genocide has been committed? undoubtedly. Is it a crime? I would say it is, in my heart I believe it is. Will it be punished? probably not.
There are many questions to be asked here of President Bush and
his good ole boy network. Do I accept that there was an issue of
miscommunication that hampered relief efforts? No, I have known what
was needed and where it was needed just by watching CNN coverage, as
I am sure most of America has. I don’t want to hear responses from
my political leaders I want answers, I think all Americans tonight
should want, no, demand answers from our government about this
travesty.
Posted by: Sister K at September 3, 2005 02:04 AM
================================================================
Senators Susan Collins and Joseph Lieberman, Chairman and Ranking
Member respectively of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs, announced today that their Committee will
conduct an oversight investigation of the preparation for, and
response to Hurricane Katrina.
The initial focus of the oversight investigation will be to ensure that the federal government is doing all it can to help the victims of this terrible tragedy. Senators Collins and Lieberman will hold hearings on the problems with preparedness and response to the hurricane and other natural and man-made disasters once emergency efforts have brought the situation under adequate control.
The Senators have scheduled an initial briefing by DHS officials for Committee Members and Senators from affected states on Wednesday, September 7th. The briefing will be closed to the media, but the Senators will schedule a press availability after the briefing.
LINK TO PRESS RELEASE:
Posted by: Star Vox at September 3, 2005 08:26 AM"We are saddened and horrified by the pain, suffering, and human tragedy caused by the worst natural disaster in American history. Rescuers and relief workers are dealing with 90,000 square miles in the Gulf Coast of flooding and total devastation. Entire communities have been destroyed, families have lost loved ones and been torn apart, and the economy has been brought to its knees.
As the Chairman and Ranking Member of the committee with jurisdiction over FEMA, it is our duty to ensure that the Executive Branch has all the resources and authorities it needs to coordinate and respond to this catastrophe. We will work with FEMA and other agencies to identify what additional support and resources they might need during this terrible time.
It is also our responsibility to investigate the lack of preparedness and inadequate response to this terrible storm. While it is too early to reach conclusions on the response of government to this catastrophe, it is increasingly clear that serious shortcomings in preparedness and response have hampered relief efforts at a critical time.
As President Bush made clear yesterday, the federal government's priorities must be these: first, save lives; second, sustain lives by ensuring the necessary supplies of food, water, shelter, and medical supplies; and third, execute a comprehensive recovery effort.
It is critical that we in the Senate do everything in our power to strengthen the federal government's response, and that we thoroughly examine what appears to be breakdowns in preparedness for and responses to disasters, without interfering with efforts that are currently underway. We intend to demand answers as to how this immense failure occurred, but our immediate focus must and will be on what Congress can do to help the rescue and emergency operations that are ongoing."
LINK:
Posted by: Star Vox at September 3, 2005 08:41 AM
Release Date: August 29, 2005
Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response and head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), today urged all fire and emergency services departments not to respond to counties and states affected by Hurricane Katrina without being requested and lawfully dispatched by state and local authorities under mutual aid agreements and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
?The response to Hurricane Katrina must be well coordinated between federal, state and local officials to most effectively protect life and property,? Brown said. ?We appreciate the willingness and generosity of our Nation?s first responders to deploy during disasters. But such efforts must be coordinated so that fire-rescue efforts are the most effective possible.?
The U.S. Fire Administration, part of FEMA, asks that fire and emergency services organizations remain in contact with their local and state emergency management agency officials for updates on requirements in the affected areas.
?It is critical that fire and emergency departments across the
country remain in their jurisdictions until such time as the
affected states request assistance,? said U.S. Fire Administrator R.
David Paulison. ?State and local mutual aid agreements are in place
as is the Emergency Management Assistance Compact and those
mechanisms will be used to request and task resources needed in the
affected areas.?
Saturday, September 03, 2005
As the National Guard delivered food to the New Orleans convention center yesterday, American Red Cross officials said that federal emergency management authorities would not allow them to do the same.
Other relief agencies say the area is so damaged and dangerous that they doubted they could conduct mass feeding there now.
"The Homeland Security Department has requested and continues to request that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans," said Renita Hosler, spokeswoman for the Red Cross.
Posted by: Nobody at September 3, 2005 09:42 AMNine stockpiles of fire-and-rescue equipment strategically placed around the country to be used in the event of a catastrophe still have not been pressed into service in New Orleans, five days after Hurricane Katrina, CNN has learned.
Responding to a CNN inquiry, Department of Homeland Security spokesman Marc Short said Friday the gear has not been moved because none of the governors in the hurricane-ravaged area has requested it.
A federal official said the department's Office for Domestic Preparedness reminded the Louisiana and Mississippi governors' offices about the stockpiles on Wednesday and Thursday, but neither governor had requested it. (See the mayor blister feds for requiring formal queries for help -- 0:34)
The gear -- including generators, radios, breathing apparatus,
cots and other items -- is stockpiled by DHS in nine locations. The
three closest to New Orleans are College Station, Texas; Columbia,
S.C.; and Clearwater, Fla. The gear is intended to replenish or
sustain up to 150 first responders.
Met by Despair, Not Violence
As they begin to patrol the chaotic city, troops are surprised by what they don't find.
The truck lurched through the streets, past buildings burning unabated and MPs in gun turrets. When they stopped to gear up for their arrival at the New Orleans Convention Center, where more than 15,000 people had been living in squalor since Katrina, these words echoed — for the first time, one would imagine — through the intersection of Poydras Avenue and Carondelet Street: "Lock and load!"
"Sixteen in the clip!" one Guardsman shouted, a common refrain used to indicate that rifles are fully loaded.
But when they arrived, they did not find marauding mobs. They did not come under fire. They found people who had lost everything in the storm and, since then, their dignity.
Posted by: Nobody at September 3, 2005 09:45 AMThat is how the Bushies are going to spin why there was no initial rescue effort - the looters were shooting at the rescuers - to hide their lack or resources and competence.
the REAL news from NO
Quote:It was unclear what had occurred. Police said there had been a
shootout as they forced a reporter and a photographer out of a
passing car at gunpoint, pushing them face first against the wall.
They took away a reporter's notebook and tossed the photographer's
camera on the ground before returning them and telling the pair to
leave.
First Responders
Urged Not To Respond To Hurricane Impact Areas Unless Dispatched By
State, Local Authorities
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18470
Homeland Security won't let Red Cross deliver food
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05246/565143.stm
Firefighting gear stockpile unused
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/09/03/katrina.unusedgear/index.html
Met by Despair, Not Violence
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-troops3sep03,1,3550798.story?coll=la-headlines-nation
the REAL news from NO
http://www.livejournal.com/users/interdictor/42309.html
Only two reported shootings between law enforcement and looters
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/new-orleans-slides-into-anarchy/2005/09/02/1125302713825.html
Posted by: Brad Sumner at September 3, 2005 11:25 AM
National Guard Delay
Likely to Be Examined
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/katrina_national_guard
Several states ready and willing to send National Guard troops to the rescue in hurricane-ravaged New Orleans didn't get the go-ahead until days after the storm struck — a delay nearly certain to be investigated by Congress.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson offered Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco help from his state's National Guard on Sunday, the day before Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana. Blanco accepted, but paperwork needed to get the troops en route didn't come from Washington until late Thursday.
California troops just began arriving in Louisiana on Friday, three days after flood waters devastated New Orleans and chaos broke out.
In fact, when New Orleans' levees gave way to deadly flooding on Tuesday, Louisiana's National Guard had received help from troops in only three other states: Ohio, which had nine people in Louisiana then; Oklahoma, 89; and Texas, 625, figures provided by the National Guard show.
With many states' Guard units depleted by deployments to Iraq, Katrina's aftermath was almost certain from the beginning to require help from faraway states.
Posted by: Nobody at September 3, 2005 02:53 PMPosted by: NABNYC at September 3, 2005 04:24 PM
Why is it Bush's job to get people out of the city and feed the people and not the job of the Mayor or Govenor? Its a state issue! So what he stayed on vacation 1 more day. What could he (1 man) have done in 24 hours that the Mayor or Govenor couldn't or shouldn't have done. Stop blaming Bush for once and use some common fucking sence!
Posted by: Eddy at September 3, 2005 05:13 PMThe main state level response agency is running at reduced complement because of WMD's glorious war. The finger points at your boy, no matter how you try to turn it elsewhere. Some folks call it negligence, but I call it ethnic cleansing. Welcome to the Nazi Party, Death Apologist.
2K5 New Math: NSDP+KKK=GOP
Posted by: Comrade Yamamoto at September 3, 2005 06:54 PMSo thatswhat you think Im doing? You think Im blaming the victims?! This is why I cant stand this fucking joke of a network. Sam Deder has the balls to say I would just assume have all these people die? Fuck him.
Here is the truth that you wont hear on Air America. The truth is that the Govenor has to ASK the president for the National Guards. Its not Bush's fault that this Govenor was too busy to do that. Here is the difference between libs and conservatives. Liberals think on emotion and not logically. Thats why you have big Randi Rhodes telling people to loot whatever they want from food to a TV. Fuck that thats stupid. On the other side you got the mayor who didn't deploy all avaliable buses and didn't deploy them on high enough ground. But will Air America tell you that? No because that would bash the mayor and they would rather have him on as a guest to kiss his ass then tell the truth. So no the finger doesn't point at "my boy" it points at the mayor who has done as little as possible to help out this city.
And hey Mr. Assumption I know how the freeways in New Orleans work. I lived there for 5 years so please dont act like you got all the facts because some dork in a bow tie told them to you.
Posted by: Eddy at September 3, 2005 08:15 PMBecause the Department of Homeland Security made it one.
When DHS was created, FEMA was folded into that agency. And as it says on DHS's own website, DHS assumes PRIMARY responsibility for the coordination of federal, STATE AND LOCAL efforts in the event of a terrorist attack or natural disaster.
It's their responsibility because THEY assumed it. And they have failed.
As I have said all week: A 17-year-old Seniro Patrol Leader from any decent Boy Scout troop in America could have done a better job than FEMA.
I'll join the crowd:
Worst. President. Ever.
Posted by: Bill at September 3, 2005 09:53 PMhttp://gov.louisiana.gov/Disaster%20Relief%20Request.pdf
On SUNDAY.
Posted by: Bill at September 3, 2005 09:56 PM
Hey Eddy, Dumbfuck, Blanco DID ask the Fed Govt to send ALL TYPES of
help on Aug 28th, shithead.
Here's the link from the state's website:
http://www.gov.state.la.us/Disaster%20Relief%20Request.pdf
Of course you republicans don't want anything like facts to interfere with your perverted version of reality. The REAL facts that you won't hear on FOX, is that Bush didn't do a goddam fucking thing, as usual.
Posted by: Sean Oliver at September 3, 2005 10:25 PMNot implying anything here, but they were definitely not from Biloxi...
Posted by: Lou at September 3, 2005 11:44 PMPosted by: Karen at September 4, 2005 12:21 AM
According to FEMA's website the meaning of "disaster relief and emergency assistance" is and I quote:
1. Direct any Federal agency, with or without reimbursement, to utilize its authorities and the resources granted to it under Federal law (including personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, and managerial, technical, and advisory services) in support of State and local assistance efforts.
2. Coordinate all disaster relief assistance (including voluntary assistance) provided by Federal agencies, private organizations, and State and local governments.
3. Provide technical and advisory assistance to affected State
and local governments for--
the performance of essential community services;
issuance of warnings of risks and hazards;
public health and safety information, including dissemination of
such information; provision of health and safety measures; and
management, control, and reduction of immediate threats to public
health and safety; and assist State and local governments in the
distribution of medicine, food, and other consumable supplies, and
emergency assistance.
Besides the letter was written Sunday. The flood didn't get into full effect until Monday night/Tuesday morning. And nowhere in the meaning of "disaster relief and emergency assistance" does it mention the military or National Guard directly. But of course you libs dont want to listen to anything like facts that may actually prove you wrong. Which is why you listen to some faggot like Sam Seder.
Posted by: Eddy at September 4, 2005 01:05 AMNational guard delayed by the whitehouse...
National Guard Delay Likely to Be Examined
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/katrina_national_guard
I'm sorry this is hard for you Eddy...This is hard for all of us
but you need to grow up and face facts
Navy ship nearby underused
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0509040369sep04,1,4144825.story
While federal and state emergency planners scramble to get more military relief to Gulf Coast communities stricken by Hurricane Katrina, a massive naval goodwill station has been cruising offshore, underused and waiting for a larger role in the effort.
The USS Bataan, a 844-foot ship designed to dispatch Marines in amphibious assaults, has helicopters, doctors, hospital beds, food and water. It also can make its own water, up to 100,000 gallons a day. And it just happened to be in the Gulf of Mexico when Katrina came roaring ashore.
The Bataan rode out the storm and then followed it toward shore, awaiting relief orders. Helicopter pilots flying from its deck were some of the first to begin plucking stranded New Orleans residents.
Posted by: Nobody at September 4, 2005 11:27 AMThe most fundamental job of a leader, to consider the health and welfare of every man, woman, and child, within the boundries of the country he leads.
Hell, Eddy, it's the Christian thing to do, remember the great man of faith and compassion that was elected by 48% two years ago? Remember when he took his oath of office? That is when he took on the responsibility of all the people in NO.
It is not feasible for him to personally be down on the ground running the operation, that is why he is supposed to appoint or hire people that are competent enough to do the dirty work.
Pull your head out of the sand, take off those rose colored glasses, and stop thinking so shallow. If our leader can't make sure that the poorest of our citzenry are safe and taken care of in the face of a great disaster, then what do we need him for? To take care of the people of Iraq? Maybe he should be their president!!!
On second thought, they wouldn't want him either.
The people of NO haven't expected too much... just to have the President step up and do his job, and make sure those that work for him do their jobs. Heaven forbid that a government official should actually earn their paycheck.
Gee, Eddy, I have to wonder if you are just a Republican conservative, or are you just one of Bush's elitist good ol boys? Oops, samething!
>Why is it Bush's job to get people out of the city and feed the people ...
Oh my God, are you telling me our president doesn't watch TV or listen to the radio? This jerk is so concerned about "America" that he starts a war based on lies (side note: he and his buddies are making billions of dollars in contracts), cuts his vacation short for Terri Schiavo, but has NO "conservative compassion" left for five days of hideous footage on TV?
>and not the job of the Mayor or Govenor?
The Mayor got people evacuated and into the SuperDome and Convention Centers. Governor Blanco went out of her way to be diplomatic and NOT blame the Feds (you'd think she would be your hero, Eddy!). Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana went before the Senate over 100 times to beg that the Federal funds not be cut.
>Its a state issue!
Right. The state officials could order Amtrak to continue running trains out of N.O. when they suspended service last Sunday. Those officials could order Marines into the area or deploy the Army or Navy's helicopters, ships, troops, etc. to help. Don't blame the president -- he needed to get in another game of golf.
>So what he stayed on vacation 1 more day.
No, it was SEVERAL days that he continued his vacation while people DIED in the Gulf Coast.
>What could he (1 man) have done in 24 hours...
We had to wait days for him to get his photo opps together. Why didn't we see pictures of him on the phone, pissed off and presidential? Because he wasn't doing ANYTHING!! To quote you:
> use some common fucking sence!
And get a dictionary!
---------
(Nobody, I apologize for my rant in the other blog. You are doing
loads of convincing research. Thank you.)
"Federal
Emergency Management Agency issued a report in early 2001 that
identified the three catastrophes most likely to hit the United
States: a terrorist attack on New York, an earthquake in San
Francisco and a hurricane in New Orleans. Bush administration and
the Republican-controlled Congress did what with the warning that
FEMA provided? Here's what: They cut funding for flood and hurricane
projects planned by the New Orleans district of the Army Corps of
Engineers.
According to one published report, the New Orleans district had $147
million to spend on such projects in 2001. In fiscal year 2005,
which ends next month, the district will have had about $82 million,
a drop of about 44 percent. As we reported earlier this week, the
Bush administration proposed further cuts for the district for
fiscal year 2006."
"The Bush administration's policy of turning over wetlands to developers almost certainly also contributed to the heightened level of the storm surge. In 1990, a federal task force began restoring lost wetlands surrounding New Orleans. Every two miles of wetland between the Crescent City and the Gulf reduces a surge by half a foot. Bush had promised "no net loss" of wetlands, a policy launched by his father's administration and bolstered by President Clinton. But he reversed his approach in 2003, unleashing the developers. The Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency then announced they could no longer protect wetlands unless they were somehow related to interstate commerce."
Posted by: waterwings at September 4, 2005 02:42 PMNow if you want facts here they are:
- President Bush declared a state of emergency for Lousiana and Alabama on Saturday before the storm hit.
- It wasn't until Tuesday mourinig that we knew NO was destroyed.
So the real kicker are those who say Bush didn't respond quickly enough. That is what is simply ridiculous. If you don't even know how bad a situation is, how do you know what to respond too? And how to do it? Especially if the situation is fluid, which this one certainly is — in more ways than one.
Besides no matter what was or what wasn't done the people of NO had no idea what to do until some rescue worker told them too. They had no idea what to do and not even Bush could have told the people what to do because they had no way of knowing! You dont know if the rescue was too slow because the people didnt know what to do and where to go. News on Day 1 showed reporters asking people what are they going to do and they all said "we dont know what were supposed to do." This is Bush's fault how?
Posted by: Eddy at September 4, 2005 04:23 PMYes, actually it is. That's what we pay taxes for. When taking the presidential oath of office you swear to defend and uphold the constitution.
Get it through your head once and for all that this country was founded on the very socialist principle of taking care of each other.
Preamble to the constitution
"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, [[establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare]], and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
Among the presidents duties and the one most often cited by the right wing is that of commander in chief. As commander in chief the mission or duties of those he commands becomes his as well. The national guard or the militia as it's called in the constitution is not just meant to fight armies but to fight and defend against disasters both natural and manmade.
Lousiana was undermanned and they didn't have enough guardsman or equipment to do their mission because the president moved them elsewhere (Iraq). Compunding this when requests were made for troops to be sent in from other states the whitehouse didn't allow anyone in until thursday the day of the presidents photo op. FEMA wouldn't even let the red cross in before that or emergency search and resuce units from around the country that had begun volunteering the day of the storm. This was all done under the presidents command or lack thereof.
The only ones allowed in were reporters on the hopes that they would catch lots of looting and violence on video to justify the lack of response.
What is the National Guard's mission?
http://www.arng.army.mil/faq/faq_answer.asp?faq_category_id=8&faq_id=74
National guard delayed by the whitehouse...
National Guard Delay Likely to Be Examined
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/katrina_national_guard
Navy ship nearby underused
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0509040369sep04,1,4144825.story
Here's a good thread covering a lot more of the details of this fiasco.
Pick Apart the White House's Buck-Passing, Part I
http://www.tpmcafe.com/story/2005/9/4/124241/5233
Posted by: Nobody at September 4, 2005 11:14 PM
Sunday before the hurricane hit: Bush declairs New Orleans a state of emergency.
Thursday: Bush sends in the National guard which were stationed away from the New Orleans to avoid being caught in the hurricane themselves.
Funny how you guys missed those. If I didn't know any better I'd say that, that timeline is not impartial :o !!!!
Posted by: Eddy at September 5, 2005 12:10 AM
July 15, 2005, WASHINGTON - Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS),
Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, along
with Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL), Ranking Member of the
House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Management, Integration and
Oversight, sent letters to President George W. Bush, House Speaker,
Dennis Hastert (R-IL), and Chairman Christopher Cox, (R-CA)
referencing the approximately 100 outstanding reports that are
overdue for submission to Congress.
LINK:
http://hsc-democrats.house.gov/HS/Investigations+and+Reports/
========================================================
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY:
MISSED DEADLINES - MISSED OPPORTUNITIES TO SECURE AMERICA
LINK to eight page report (PDF):
Posted by: Star Vox at September 5, 2005 07:47 AMParish President Aaron Broussard breaks down on
Meet The Press
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article10121.htm
The guy who runs this building I’m in, Emergency Management, he’s
responsible for everything. His mother was trapped in St. Bernard
nursing home and every day she called him and said, “Are you coming,
son? Is somebody coming?” and he said, “Yeah, Mama, somebody’s
coming to get you.” Somebody’s coming to get you on Tuesday.
Somebody’s coming to get you on Wednesday. Somebody’s coming to get
you on Thursday. Somebody’s coming to get you on Friday… and she
drowned Friday night. She drowned Friday night! [Sobbing] Nobody’s
coming to get us. Nobody’s coming to get us. The Secretary has
promised. Everybody’s promised. They’ve had press conferences. I’m
sick of the press conferences. For god’s sakes, just shut up and
send us somebody.
Matter of fact all aid was kept out of the city by FEMA until thursday to coincide with Bushies photo op...And then they faked food disbursement centers and faked repairs to the levees so that Bushy would look good on camera...
Homeland Security won't let Red Cross deliver food
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05246/565143.stm
German correspondent shocked about staged Biloxi events
http://www.tagesschau.de/sendungen/0,1196,SPM830_VID4700910_OIT_RESreal120_PLYinternal_NAV,00.html
Christina Adelhardt was in Biloxi the whole day. She said she
couldn't believe what she saw: Rescue teams, teams for searching
bodies and their vehicles showed up, but without being necessary at
all - the area was vacated since days.
She said: I'm shocked about the amount of destruction caused by Katrina. But the choreographed events I've seen here today shocked me the same, if not more.
More details here...
http://www.katrinamistakelist.com/
I told a friend yesterday: If the private sector is superior in all things, where were the convoys of WalMart trucks delivering food and water? Where were the Halliburton helicopters rescuing the trapped? Where were the Citibank hospital ships?
Posted by: Dean Hiser at September 5, 2005 02:42 PMThey have brought about their own undoing. Do not blame the (incompetent) President. It is an article of faith among the Republican faithful.
We lowly creatures cannot criticize Bush until we are absolutely
sure that we have not sinned. I ask; who amongst us has not sinned?
Are not all of us sinners? How dare Cindy Sheehan question our
President? And now we watch as the Republican Conservatives twist
our fears and doubts to their own advantage as they claim that the
people of New Orleans did not do everything they should have to
avoid being harmed. So much for Compassionate Conservatism.
Good question, heres another one. Why did the mayor of the city not use 100+ school buses he had that people could have used to get out of the city instaed of sending them to the super dome? I wonder if anyone has asked him that in any interviews he has done? I haven't heard the interivew on Air America but do you suppose anyone asked him that question? Well I have a feeling they didn't.
Posted by: Eddy at September 5, 2005 02:56 PMit's past time that we let any of these people off the hook.
Sen. Harry Reid
Sen. Dick Durbin
Rep. Nancy Pelosi
Rep. Steny Hoyer
Rep. Bob Menendez
Sen. Ron Wyden
Sen.Gordon Smith (R)
Rep. David Wu
Rep. Greg Walden (R)
Rep. Earl Blumenauer
Rep. Peter DeFazio
Rep. Darlene Hooley
Ladies and Gentlemen of Congress:
I have watched while in the recent past Democratic party politicians have been negligent in their duty to criticize the President when criticism was warranted, or to oppose his policies when those decisions went against the grain of every American value. Until now, the only result of this negligence (some, including myself, would term it cowardice) has been a disastrous economy, deteriorating environment, disappearing civil liberties, and the most fraudulently conceived and ineptly conducted war in this country's history.
Nothing, in other words, that could not be laughed off over a five star dinner between yourselves and your millionaire campaign contributors.
Now, however, it's really not a laughing matter any more. For a week, tens of thousands of my fellow citizens suffered -- and an as yet uncounted number died -- for lack of food and water. In the "Richest Country On Earth". In the nation with the most advanced infrastructure ever constructed. My fellow Americans died because the Ruler of this country did not give a damn, or because he is so unimaginably stupid that he could not consider the leadership of FEMA as anything other than a political patronage job, or simply because he cannot stand the thought of any of his subordinates exceeding him in intellectual prowess: a mental standard, plainly put, approximately equal to that of a brain damaged slug.
Should it not be clear to you by this point, let me put my feelings to you as simply as possible:
I am enraged. I am beyond all endurance. I am very nearly past all reason, and I am closing in rapidly on homicidal fury. I am ashamed for my country, ashamed of my country, and ashamed that I allowed these criminally negligent -- no, not negligent, simply criminal -- subhumans to hijack my country.
And I am not alone.
There are millions like me in this country as I write this, and WE WILL NEVER FORGET. WE WILL NEVER FORGIVE.
Those guilty for this must pay. Every political appointee in FEMA, every political appointee in Homeland Security that supervises FEMA, and every Executive Branch toady who supervises them must be driven from office immediately. All of them, every one, up to and including the head Toad in the White House.
Strip them of office, arrest them for murder, indict and try them, and then send them to Guantanamo for a full dose of everything Alberto Gonzales thinks is legal. While they await their trial dates, they can clear bodies from the flooded streets of New Orleans. Food and water can be arranged by any one of their abused victims presently located in Houston's Astrodome. I'm sure that they'll try to be punctual with the deliveries.
I'm sure that you'll say that you can't do this, or can't do that, or can't do anything. "We're out of power". Maybe you might be able to manage some strongly-worded questions at a Congressional investigation before the predetermined finding of "no fault, no blame" is delivered.
Your silence, your timid criticism, your ineffectual political games while millions in this country lost jobs, lost freedoms, lost the right to have their vote counted, and lost loved ones to an unnecessary war must come to an end. Now. Today. Not a few months before the next election.
Let me say this to you now: I will no longer abide your denial of your responsibilities, on this matter or any other. If every Senate and House Democrat is not in front of the White House by next Friday, screaming for the blood of the guilty, you may find millions of Americans rightfully screaming for your blood as well. You will certainly find me.
To the Republicans addressed by this letter: you might not understand why you are receiving this, so let me make it clear to you. You have reaped the rewards of power by association with this group of criminals, and you stand guilty by association. If you do not denounce these murderers and stand with every other decent human in this country, I can promise you that you will find that we will no longer be distracted by homophobia, abortion, distortions of religion, or the right to own firearms unimagined when the Second Amendment was drafted. You have sown the wind with your politically expedient politics of division and hate, and you will reap the whirlwind. Your sins are those of commission, those of the Democrats are sins of omission. Both are sins, and in this and many, many other cases, crimes as well.
To all of you: count yourselves lucky if your only reckoning comes at the polls. Pray – if you actually believe in a power greater than your own – that you will escape retribution on this earth and beyond. We are a patient people, but the time is coming when we will lose our patience with all of you, Democrat and Republican.
WE WILL REMEMBER NEW ORLEANS.
Very sincerely, and utterly without respect,
William Paul Harris
Portland, Oregon
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/5/134849/2070
The feds were there in 2 hours - 20,000 people were evacuated in 2 days - 100 years later we have advanced technology and communcations and we still have desperate people starving in filth for 5 days at a known location.
Posted by: Kim Britton at September 5, 2005 05:33 PMWhy can't the two major relief agencies seem to get it together so they don't have to further the suffering of these citizens?
Posted by: Karen at September 5, 2005 06:15 PMBtw, as for your #1 "very important thing:" it's not about who declared a state of emergency first. It wasn't the hurricane that caused the majority of deaths.
Remember that half-day after the hurricane passed and it wasn't as bad as they thought? Then THE LEVEES BROKE. The ones that had been underfunded by the FEDERAL government. New Orleans and Louisiana had matched/spent all the money they could (for a city that had 100,000 residents who made under $8,000/year).
As for #2: "Thursday: Bush sends in the National guard," the Guard then keeps the Red Cross, first responders and much other help AWAY from the victims. Where were they getting THOSE orders from??? Their commander in chief, yes?
---------
Dear William Paul Harris in Portland, Oregon:
THANK YOU FOR SENDING THAT AMAZING LETTER. I only hope/wish you will be in DC on 9/24. If so, can I stand next to you???? Can we write unitedforpeace.org and ask that the point of the March on Washington be changed to IMPEACHMENT?
Posted by: Dale from Chelsea at September 6, 2005 03:29 AMPosted by: Brenda Wills at September 6, 2005 05:14 PM
Posted by: James Perlman at September 6, 2005 11:17 PM
Posted by: harry g at September 7, 2005 10:49 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
See, it sounds asinine doesn't it? Get a clue people! Don't let
your ignorant and irrational hatred of the President turn you into a
COMPLETE idiot!
A few truths, for those who have ears and eyes and care to know the truth:
1.) The hurricane that hit New Orleans and Mississippi and Alabama was an astonishing tragedy. The suffering and loss of life and peace of mind of the residents of those areas is acutely horrifying.
2.) George Bush did not cause the hurricane. Hurricanes have been happening for eons. George Bush did not create them or unleash this one.
3.) George Bush did not make this one worse than others. There have been far worse hurricanes than this before George Bush was born.
4.) There is no overwhelming evidence that global warming exists as a man-made phenomenon. There is no clear-cut evidence that global warming even exists. There is no clear evidence that if it does exist it makes hurricanes more powerful or makes them aim at cities with large numbers of poor people. If global warming is a real phenomenon, which it may well be, it started long before George Bush was inaugurated, and would not have been affected at all by the Kyoto treaty, considering that Kyoto does not cover the world's worst polluters -- China, India, and Brazil. In a word, George Bush had zero to do with causing this hurricane. To speculate otherwise is belief in sorcery.
5.) George Bush had nothing to do with the hurricane contingency plans for New Orleans. Those are drawn up by New Orleans and Louisiana. In any event, the plans were perfectly good: mandatory evacuation. It is in no way at all George Bush's fault that about 20 percent of New Orleans neglected to follow the plan. It is not his fault that many persons in New Orleans were too confused to realize how dangerous the hurricane would be. They were certainly warned. It's not George Bush's fault that there were sick people and old people and people without cars in New Orleans. His job description does not include making sure every adult in America has a car, is in good health, has good sense, and is mobile.
6.) George Bush did not cause gangsters to shoot at rescue helicopters taking people from rooftops, did not make gang bangers rape young girls in the Superdome, did not make looters steal hundreds of weapons, in short make New Orleans into a living hell.
7.) George Bush is the least racist President in mind and soul there has ever been and this is shown in his appointments over and over. To say otherwise is scandalously untrue.
8.) George Bush is rushing every bit of help he can to New Orleans and Mississippi and Alabama as soon as he can. He is not a magician. It takes time to organize huge convoys of food and now they are starting to arrive. That they get in at all considering the lawlessness of the city is a miracle of bravery and organization.
9.) There is not the slightest evidence at all that the war in Iraq has diminished the response of the government to the emergency. To say otherwise is pure slander.
10.) If the energy the news media puts into blaming Bush for an Act of God worsened by stupendous incompetence by the New Orleans city authorities and the malevolence of the criminals of the city were directed to helping the morale of the nation, we would all be a lot better off.
11.) New Orleans is a great city with many great people. It will recover and be greater than ever. Sticking pins into an effigy of George Bush that does not resemble him in the slightest will not speed the process by one day.
12.) The entire episode is a dramatic lesson in the breathtaking callousness of government officials at the ground level. Imagine if Hillary Clinton had gotten her way and they were in charge of your health care.
God bless all of those dear people who are suffering so much, and God bless those helping them, starting with George Bush.
Posted by: GPD50 at September 8, 2005 12:35 AMPosted by: DW at September 8, 2005 02:17 AM
The city followed its preexisting disaster plans of ordering a mandatory evacuation and establishing the Superdome as a shelter. From my reading, most experts correctly predicted that some 20% of the city would remain after evacuation for a variety of reasons. In addition, any city wide evacuation in a disaster setting is ripe for a looting crisis so the need for military involvement for security should have been obvious. Again, fault local officials for not screaming for military help more loudly and Federal officials for demonstrating zero sense of anticipation.
It is clear that the precautionary government performance at all levels was poor. New Orleans authorities should have been screaming for Federal help as the storm was bearing down on them, not after. But having a poor performing state and local government is hardly an excuse for the failure of DHS and FEMA who bears primary responsibility for a disaster of this magnatude. (people think of Guiliani's leadership on 9/11... but they forget how poorly his city police and fire departments did in coordinating their responses... his city was not prepared for disaster either). The reason we spend hundreds of millions of tax dollars every year on Federal emergency preparedness is because local authorities lack the ability or the authority to cope with disasters of this scale.
The Brown memo (and observed response) demonstrate that FEMA and DHS leadership (nor the White House) had no sense of the potential disaster in play and took no extraordinary precautions. That is a huge failure of natural disaster planning in and of itself. Ironically, it also put in plain view the bigger failure here -- the ability to respond to a massive disaster with no warning (like a terror attack).
The primary failure of New Orleans, IMO, was in the response after the levees broke in the wee hours late Monday night (or very early Tues am). As soon as the Federal government found out the levees broke, it was then obvious to all that New Orleans would fill up like a soup bowl trapping around 80K Americans. At that moment, it was the equivilent of four World Trade Centers being on the verge of collapse or a WMD event.
So by Tuesday mid day we should have seen the President in full command mode, with major mobilizations of US military and Federal assets racing to New Orleans and full evacuation efforts underway by mid-day. Just as on 9/12/2001 we in Washington and New York saw Humvees on every street corner and massive rescue operations underway ground zero and at the Pentagon, so should we have seen in New Orleans last Tuesday. We did not see the Bush Administration get mobilized to that degree until Thursday or Friday and that delay of 48-72 hours is the problem. In a WMD disaster, reaction in the first 48-72 hours can be the difference between 100 deaths and 100 thousand deaths. Not to mention the possible economic impacts.
So we have some work to do. My guess is that Brown is "fired" and Chertoff takes consequences management a lot more seriously than he did before. This is, by the way, one of the reasons why some folks were unsure about Chertoff's background to be DHS chief. As a lawyer, he lacked the perspective of a Mayor, Governor, or even senior DoD official who all well understand the management challenges of coordinating government response in a crisis. Even on TV this week, he has sounded like a lawyer arguing the Administration's case rather than LEADING the recovery effort. But my guess is he now gets the message.
The harder question to answer is whether the very different politics of New Orleans and the Bush Administration contributed to the slow response. My instinct is that it did -- which is a shame. But that aspect of the blame game is more easily denied so I'll let others make that case.
To Bush administration apologists: your attempts to lay this national disaster at the feet of one mediocre Mayor is pathetic and laughable. Similarly, your ability to differentiate between what happened in Mississippi and New Orleans is pathetic. Its times like these when conservatives that are responsible and serious stand out from those who are blind loyalists (or just idiots). Stand up and take responsibility.
Posted by: kla at September 8, 2005 12:43 PMAgain, most assuredly yes, the local authorities should have done more preemptively on things like attempting to secure the integrity of the telecommunications infrastructure of the city, or at least stockpiling a minimum of food and hygiene supplies and basic medicines at the Superdome or Convention Center (though Nagin did warn residents to bring food to the Superdome, and it is true that many of those who fled to this so-called refuge of last resort, despite the gross deprivations, the unsanitary conditions, the mayhem--might have instead died if they had remained in poor largely minority neighborhoods like the ninth ward instead). And, again, Tierney's 'magic market' quasi-forced evacuation would have saved perhaps thousands of lives--but Nagin was simply not up to this task.
Given this background of so predictable local and state incompetence (this is Louisiana, people!), and given further that everyone knew that New Orlean's precarious position beneath sea level could invite massive disaster in the event of a Category 3, 4 or 5 Hurricane (don't you dare tell me no one thought the levees might be breached)--it was incumbent on the federal government, with its huge resources and reach and authority, to better position itself to respond to the horrific calamity we just witnessed over the past days. We conservatives are supposed to believe that a government's most basic and solemn duty is to safeguard the security of its citizenry, to act as bulwark against anarchy and effective steward of public order and safety. And this solemn compact was most assuredly torn asunder by the government, at least during the first week of this horrific disaster.
Indeed the federal reaction was dismal. Before we dig into that, however, let's posit a few little things up front. Let's all be sure to recall that this was one helluva storm, and that Bush was unlucky in the extreme that it hit on his watch, and that Democrat Underground musings that his energy policies or global warming or such had something to do with it are pure bunk. It was a horrific act of God. Period. Let's also put aside the argument about the budget cuts of levee support & refurb issue. Even if the budget hadn't been cut, the levees might still have broken in the face of this mighty storm (and we'd have to dig back into the 90's too on prior funding decisions to get a full picture on various degrees of culpability on this score). And let's also put aside, for now at least, the whole Iraq meme, that our deployment there meant there were fewer men available to patrol the streets of New Orleans. There were, all told, likely enough national guard available to ensure public safety in the streets of New Orleans--even with our troop/reserve/guard deployments in Iraq--and even with the disaster hitting neighboring states too so that Alabama or Mississippi units weren't available in as large number as if the storm had just hit Louisiana.
So what went wrong? Many things. The President and Homeland Security Secretary (incredibly) claimed that it took people by surprise that the levees were breached (remember, the night before the hurricane hit, we all went to bed thinking a Category 5 was going to slame directly into the city--the type of perfect storm one might fairly fear and anticipate would pierce the levees). And a smart man like Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff appears not to have been seized by the likely gross incapacity of the local authorities to have effectuated a serious evacuation plan or, if the town were gutted or flooded, the need to ensure basic security. Again, contingency planning and pre-positioning of resources appears to have been, alternately, overly sanguine and de mimimis. Meantime, the buffoonish head of FEMA displayed an appalling lack of situational awareness (go read Michelle Malkin who has a succinct round-up of why 'heck of a job Brownie' must go). In a fast-moving crisis situation, speed of response is key. To be effective, one must be apprised, awake, on point, in command. Brown wasn't. His performance was dismal. If the President doesn't fire him, the President disgraces himself by his bovine display of loyalty to a profound mediocrity. It's just that simple. Brownie must go, 'heck of a job' or not!
Meantime, and interestingly given how quickly DoD lawyers were given short shrift on reservations about junking the applicability of the Geneva Conventions to enemy combatants, there were reportedly, according to Newsweek, quite time consuming debates in Washington about legal issues surrounding federalizing the Guard. It appears there was concern that kids might not know how to enforce local laws (as compared to, say, the New Orleans police force!). So inertia and time was wasted on such legal debates--as the most damaging hurricane in the history of the nation led to conditions of anarchy in an important American city.
But there's more. As the Wall Street Journal reports today, there were crossed-signals, bureaucratic confusion galore, and Keystone Kops style ineptitude aplenty. And not only by hapless Mayor Nagin, but also quite often by the Feds. FEMA, particularly. No "firm procedures for directing people and materials," so that trucking companies that were under contract with FEMA to move supplies got orders to move cargo with substantial delays. And when the trucks arrived, as the WSJ reports, no FEMA, or National Guard, or any other personnel there to unload the supplies (Says the owner of the transportation company: "I almost told they guys to leave, but people are wanting the water. The drivers distributed it"). Meantime, a head of a New Orleans hospital relayed to the WSJ that for a "couple of days" he was told to direct patients to "what he understood was a FEMA mass casualty tent at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Causeway Boulevard." But, alas, "A number of them came back and said, 'there's no on there'. No one there. Put differently, the government, at all levels, abandoned its citizens in their moment of most dire need. And when shit hits the fan, even allowing for the intuitive fact that typically first responders at the local level must come to people's aid first, no one serious can say that the response orchestrated by FEMA and Homeland Security was not underwhelming in the extreme (And I am leaving aside, for now, questions about whether it might have been possible to get more helicopters to assist displaced persons so that they could be evacuated, or why problems with radio systems were not better foreseen, or whether all military forces in the area, especially soldiers based at Fort Polk, might not have been more speedily, and in greater number, deployed).
Look, I've already said Brown must go. Homeland Security chief Chertoff, well, he's very bright, I'm sure, but as Glenn has quipped: "lawyers have many virtues, but management skills aren't high on the list". We sure saw that last week. Yes, of course, this was an unprecedented calamity and there is inevitably chaos and disorganization in such situations that result. But the crossed signals, the abject lack of coordination among the local, state and federal authorities--or even just at the federal level itself--they were simply too numberous and worrisome to discount. Remember, we are all living in a brave post 9/11 world. The goverment is supposed to have prepped for such disasters (albeit more terrorist inflicted than by the force of God), for four long years. So, for example, they're surprised that the New Orleans police force simply largely disintegrated? Well, from an administration that didn't even game-plan the prospects of an Iraqi insurgency, I guess that's not surprising. But when a perfect Category 5 (remember, meteorologists though a 5 was going to score a direct hit, the situation might have been even worse!) storm is heading like a bulls-eye to the chronically corrupt and poorly governed Big Easy, is it too much to ask from our supposed best and brightest that they ask: what if the levees break? what if floodwaters render streets uninhabitable? what if looting breaks out? what if mayhem results? disease spreads? cops abandon their beats? I don't feel these questions were seriously analyzed, not by a long shot, by men of Chertoff's caliber who should have.
There are other issues too, of course. The Homeland Security office is clearly not ready for prime time, and subsuming FEMA and myriad other governmental agencies under it may have created a monstrous bureaucracy--monstrous perhaps foremost in that it has proven inefficacious in its first big test. These are very complex issues, and investigations will have to bore into the detail, but Homeland Security and its structure must be high on the list of matters needing follow up post-Katrina. As for FEMA, its response too often evoked disarray. 'Heck of a job' my ass. And so the President seemed removed, especially during the first days, from the reality of the full scale of the disaster (put down that guitar POTUS, and show some dignity in the face of such abject human tragedy!). Tone deaf, and it will take much Roveian and Bartlettian boulot indeed to get back ahead of message on this one (this problem of tone was compounded with his cheap frat-like jocularisms about Trent Lott's porch as well as Barb's Marie Antionette moment, as Sully put it well). As David Brooks has said, people are mad as hell and don't want to take it anymore. They want professionalism and rigor. They want accountability and seriousness. Above all else, they want competence, especially in ensuring basic security in their very own nation (or Iraq, for that matter). It doesn't get more basic than that, folks.
I don't know what this moment heralds. Whether people realize that government matters, mightily sometimes, so that some neo-liberalism a la FDR might be in the offing. I doubt it, as the Democrat party is hobbled by mediocrities up and down its sad ranks too. More likely, if I had to guess, I believe we will see a yearning for professional law and order a la Guiliani, as David Brooks also recently suggested--perhaps married to real national greatness Teddy Roosevelt style independent politics. People that walk the walk, rather than, say, just piffle along with just enough troops to lose in Iraq a la Don Rumsfeld (what I wouldn't do for a McCain-Guiliani ticket!).
Regardless, and returning squarely to Katrina, I really believe Bush must do the following, and quickly:
1) Fire Michael Brown (like, yesterday!);
2) Have an independent blue ribbon commission (no, you don't investigate yourself a la Rummy under such circumstances, at least not if you want to be taken seriously) to analyze what went wrong at each of the local, state and federal level (with particular attention to the role of the Department of Homeland Security as, you know, they are supposed to ensure we don't get hit by some 9/11 on steroids any day now, and confidence is waning big time that they will prove an effective presence at the helm should such an attack occur); and
3) ask Rudy Guiliani to leave the private sector and take up a "Gulf Coast Recovery Tsar" post to spearhead the reconstruction of this region to a new vibrancy, with tens of billions made available (employing as many of the displaced persons as possible in the reconstruction effort, where they can live near their original communities in conditions of dignity and comfort), in a massively ambitious revitilization project that takes place in an expedited time frame over the next 24-36 months.
For starters. Oh, and don't use Katrina as an excuse to pull out
of Iraq, or ignore other foreign policy briefs like North Korea or
Iran. Yep, it's a big job, and you might even have to work after 9
PM here and there to stay on top of it all. It's a big, messy world
out there Mr. President. It's really show time now, and the time for
empty talk is long since past. Real accountability. An independent
investigation. No more empty bromides. We're fed up.
The events that
transpired immediately after the Hurricane Katrina disaster have
revealed, unequivocally, that this country and its most influential
and powerful leaders just don’t get it. It is hard being black in
America: those struggles become even more prominent when you are
black as well as poor. We poor black Americans have goals too. We
want to live the American dream with Life, Liberty and Justice for
“All” with freedoms that go with our constitution. We live and die
pursuing our desires for a piece of the “American Pie” and all that
a free prosperous capitalistic, democratic society represents, such
as, nice, decent, safe housing, transportation, college investment
funds, life insurance, stocks, bonds, vacations and assets that
reflect the hard work, perseverance, dedication and struggles to
overcome those obstacles that hinder our progression. We want our
children to be well educated, respectful and productive citizens. We
bleed red; we love our families, we pay our taxes, we vote, we abide
by the law, and we feel a sense of duty to our country. We are not
animals: we don’t want our families deprived of dignity and respect.
We don’t want to be violated: We don’t want to be dehumanized: We
don’t want our children horrifically victimized: We have feelings,
we want to be heard; we are tired of being ignored, overlooked and
disregarded as unimportant, or of low priority. Why the complacency?
Why the lack of urgency? What a shame when televised illegal
activity performed by some are more news worthy and conversational
than the death, dying, starving, begging, dehydrating and suffering
of the masses. Sure it may be easier to blame the victims; after
all, America wants to believe that those who where forced to live
worst than animals, were a result of their being “uneducated”, “told
to leave” and “should have left when they had the chance”. Wow, does
that include the nursing home patients, hospital patients, and law
enforcement personnel too? If you want America’s poor blacks to “get
a decent job”, “get a good education”, “be law abiding citizens”;
then why does America hinder that progress with discrimination,
alienation and victimization? If you are going to tell an oppressed
and underprivileged group of people what to do; then why don’t you
give them the necessary resources to do them with? After all it was
America’s “most educated” people that knew that this terrible
natural disaster could and would occur. They also knew exactly what
extensive preplanning and precautions would have to be taken in
order to prevent this horrific aftermath. Besides, why did it take
appalled “white voters” (i.e. reporters and journalist) to validify
this devastation? Does seeing many distraught black faces of
mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, children and infants
dying from heat exhaustion, compounded by lack of water, food and
healthcare, in real time, not provoke America’s governing powers to
take immediate action, simply because the faces are not the faces of
“privilege and acceptance”. Therefore, creating tragic complacency
and inadequate responses. It shouldn’t have happened in America, but
unfortunately, for many human beings of color and low economic
status, it did. The question is continually raised, “DOES RACE PLAY
A PART IN THIS TRAGEDY”? A question that can be resolved simply by
watching the television and looking at your watch and seeing just
how many minutes, hours, and “days” elapsed before those who had the
power and resources to effectively react with force and efficacy
after viewing days of begging and pleading for help from poor black
Americans, as well as reporters. Would the same amount of time had
elapsed if the masses were white American mothers, fathers,
grandmothers, grandfathers, children and infants dropping dead in
real time, begging for the American Government to “PLEASE” do
something. “We are going to die here”, “we are going to start eating
each other”, “give me some water”, “HELP US”? Could America have sat
by idly pondering their next move while many “white” Americans, poor
or otherwise, dropped dead without dignity or respect before the
world to watch? Does this country really believe that its more news
worthy and conversational to react more to the crimes of the
criminal elements than deliver timely response and compassion to the
sufferings, simply because these faces of death and suffering do not
reflect the “color” of favoritism and privilege? Shame on a nation
where the illegal acts of a fraction of the masses, is more news
worthy than the death, despair, starvation, begging and hopelessness
of the masses; whether by admission or omission, intentional or
mistakenly, the catastrophic consequences is still the same. It is a
travesty, a crime and downright detestable to consider one group of
people better than another; or less worthy of consideration than
another. Many of us poor black Americans are very intelligent
individuals with all our hopes, dreams and every strand of our being
desirous to overcome what has plagued our people for hundreds of
years now. Hurricane Katrina has unveiled the unspoken, hidden and
overshadowed bigotry, discrimination, hatred, putrid attitudes,
inhibitions, stereotypes, misgivings, and Americas unwillingness to
admit that this country still has race issues that tear at the very
soul of people who live their entire lives trying to dispel what may
not be blatantly visible but is evidently festering in all of poor
black American life undertones. Whether it’d be employment issues,
promotions, housing, financing, or educational biases by admission
or omission, the tragic crime is still the same. Spiritual
oppression and murder leaving scars that fester without real
healing. As soon as we believe that progress is being made and the
scars are getting better, the wounds get reopened, revisited and
more injurious; then we’re left with the frustration of knowing that
our greatest fears have just gotten replayed no matter how hard
America has tried to brain-wash us into believing that things are so
much better for our people, now, since some of us have been
“tremendously lucky” enough to have escaped this pit of despair and
heartbreak. We are not animals; we are not soulless. We are human
beings. We have equal rights to America’s assets and offerings, just
like any body else that lives in this country, especially since no
particular group of Americans can actually claim sole ownership if
they’re not Native Americans. It didn’t originally belong to any of
us; yet some of us have had to pay the ultimate sacrifice in order
for those who have prospered to be as prosperous as they have
become. Does it really take an astronomical act of God and Nature on
such a grand scale for everyone to realize that this nation’s
bigotries are still alive and well? God does not have respect of
persons; however, America sure does show favoritism; consequently,
its disrespect and disregard complicates, denies, deprives and
refutes the black, poor person’s best efforts. I can’t and never
will accept America’s superior attitudes towards the poor black
population whether in my place of employment, where I shop, where I
go to school or where I live. We can’t accept America’s attempt at
making us feel inferior just so America can feel superior, or non
threatened by those who have had to have tremendous resolve,
strength, faith and resilience.
We poor black Americans have been empowered with tremendous resolve,
strength, faith, love and resilience that defies astronomical odds
placed against us since our forced entries into this country
hundreds of years ago, despite the constant battle to persevere.
Needless to say, until many of these unwarranted obstacles have been
leveled to an equal playing field, maybe God will continue to reveal
to us that this country has still got a long, long way to go, and if
America is not ready and willing to get with the program, its always
going to be tragic working against the program.
Jacqueline Bell,
Single Divorced Mother of Seven children, earning less than $18K
Yr., living in a two bedroom house, yet still calling around to
agencies trying to take in a family displaced by the hurricane. I
know that it could be me, and my children. I also know what it’s
like to be suffering from circumstance beyond my control yet being
ignored and overlooked simply because failure is expected of me
strictly due to stereotypes and RACISM.
On the heels of the president's "What, me worry?" response to the death, destruction and dislocation that followed upon Hurricane Katrina comes the news of his mother's Labor Day visit with hurricane evacuees at the Astrodome in Houston.
Commenting on the facilities that have been set up for the evacuees -- cots crammed side-by-side in a huge stadium where the lights never go out and the sound of sobbing children never completely ceases -- former First Lady Barbara Bush concluded that the poor people of New Orleans had lucked out.
"Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this, this is working very well for them," Mrs. Bush told American Public Media's "Marketplace" program, before returning to her multi-million dollar Houston home.
On the tape of the interview, Mrs. Bush chuckles audibly as she observes just how great things are going for families that are separated from loved ones, people who have been forced to abandon their homes and the only community where they have ever lived, and parents who are explaining to children that their pets, their toys and in some cases their friends may be lost forever. Perhaps the former first lady was amusing herself with the notion that evacuees without bread could eat cake.
At the very least, she was expressing a measure of empathy commensurate with that evidenced by her son during his fly-ins for disaster-zone photo opportunities.
On Friday, when even Republican lawmakers were giving the federal government an "F" for its response to the crisis, President Bush heaped praise on embattled Federal Emergency Management Agency chief Michael Brown. As thousands of victims of the hurricane continued to plead for food, water, shelter, medical care and a way out of the nightmare to which federal neglect had consigned them, Brown cheerily announced that "people are getting the help they need."
Barbara Bush's son put his arm around the addled FEMA functionary and declared, "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job."
Like mother, like son.
Even when a hurricane hits, the apple does not fall far from the tree.
Posted by: kla at September 9, 2005 12:59 AMThe first disaster was Hurricane Katrina itself, and what occurred up until the time Katrina passed New Orleans. On the whole, the response of state and local officials was adequate, under the circumstances---an evacuation was ordered, and those who had the means to get out of New Orleans did so, leaving well over 100,000 people stuck in the city. (A few thousand more could probably have been evacuated using school buses, etc.... but that's about it. And the question of where these people ---- the ones without the means to get out of N.O. by themselves ----would have been taken remains unanswered. ) The city also had adequate planning for those who could not get out----shelters were established throughout the city, with the Superdome and Convention Center designated not as "shelters" per se, but places where people who were stuck in the city could safely ride out the storm until it was safe to return to their homes.
Certainly, people died in the "first disaster"....one level was breached/overtopped during the storm, and about 20% of the city was "underwater" by the time the hurricane had passed.
That was a tragedy, but it was a tragedy created by mother nature.
The second disaster began unfolding after Katrina had left N.O., and additional levees were breached, making it impossible the tens of thousands of people who had taken emergency shelter in the Superdome and Convention Center to return to their homes. This disaster --- and the failure to respond to it competently, is wholly and completely a failure of Bush administration officials. Over one hundred thousand people were trapped in New Orleans with no way out, tens of thousands of them in homes that were being rapidly flooded by the waters of Lake Ponchatrain --- and the Federal Government did not immediately dispatch the necessary personnel to avert the disaster that was happening before our eyes as the city filled with water. The federal government made almost no effort to provide food, potable water, and evacuation services to the tens of thousands stranded in the Convention Center and Superdome----instead, the federal government REFUSED TO LET THESE DESPERATE, STARVING, DEHYDRATING PEOPLE WALK OUT OF THE CITY ITSELF.
There would not be this demand for accountability going on right now if New Orleans had only experienced the "first" disaster----indeed, given the devastation of areas east of the city like Gulfport, the death and destruction in New Orleans would not have been the focus of the news coverage.
The questions being raised now are related to the SECOND disaster ---- what happened AFTER Katrina was long gone, local government was in disarray and the Louisiana state government was overwhelmed-----and the FEDERAL government was needed to save these people. The SECOND disaster was an emergency that demanded an immediate response----air lift of food and water and immediate federal evacuation of the remaining residents of the city----and that did not happen.
As a result, it appears that thousands upon thousands of additional american citizens have died. And the blame for these deaths lies squarely in the hands of George W. Bush and the political hacks he appointed to deal with precisely this kind of emergency situation.
Posted by: db at September 9, 2005 01:10 AM************************************************
U.S. Intelligence sources and the Bush Administration have uncovered
the truth behind Hurricane Katrina!
This was actually a TERRORIST ATTACK!!!! PERPETRATED BY THE
OPPRESSIVE REGIME IN VENEZUELA!!
THE EVIL DICTATOR CHAVEZ MASTERMINDED THE ATTACK IN RETALIATION
AGAINST COMMENTS MADE BY U.S. CITIZEN AND CHRISTIAN MINISTER PAT
ROBERTSON.
THE REGIME HAD BEEN DEVELOPING THE SYSTEM OF WMWD (weapons of mass
weather destruction) SINCE IT FORCIBLY TOOK CONTROL OF THE COUNTRY
AND ITS VAST OIL RESOURCES.
IT IS CLEAR WHAT THE OUR COURSE AS A COUNTRY MUST BE!!
What I see is this...We waited to take care of those that could not get out of NO and we were able to get rid of alot of the sick, weak, poor, the blacks. Now we have those that survived despite all our efforts, they must be strong. We will give them jobs paying less than the National Minimum Wage (they will be grateful)They will be poor and homeless, but they will have jobs.
I say lets call it what is really is (corporate slavery) and then offer all the benfits their ancesters recived with it, a roof over their heads, a meal to eat, separate them from their families and crush their spirits. What our slaver ancesters were unable to do, we now have an oppotunity to achieve.
Hell, with so many of the poor displaced from their homes, and in shelters receiving meals and separated from their loved ones with no way to be reunited, we are half way there.
I appologize if this offends anyone but I find myself disgusted and offended with each new day by some moronic thing said or done by the current administration in Washington in an effort to help spin the story so they don't look so bad. All I can say at this point is... God help us all!!!
Posted by: kla at September 9, 2005 01:17 PMWhy have local government at all if the President is directly responsible for everything, which is what most of you are implying. If anyone failed the people affected by this tragedy, it was the local government. Mayor of N.O. should not have been filled as a token position. It’s a real job with real responsibilities. Resolving known issues with the levy should have been a part of Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco’s priorities. Before you bleeding heart liberals go off on that, I’m not saying they should have climbed out there with a cement mixer and some rebar, I’m saying they should have done whatever it took to get the assistance they needed to get the levy’s reinforced, rebuilt, whatever it needed.
Even if you are poor and all else fails, TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELVES! If my family lived in N.O., I would have made DAMN SURE that I found a way to get them out of the way of harm. NO EXCUSES.
Posted by: DW at September 9, 2005 06:35 PMFurthermore, anyone that doesn't believe that socioeconomic and racial prejudice had no hand in what occured, is the idealist! Bet you think racism is dead, huh?
Posted by: kla at September 9, 2005 09:18 PMPosted by: poker party cheat at September 12, 2005 07:54 AM
The simple fact is that the local government
screwed the pooch, many people died and suffered because of it, and
they are trying to cover-up their incompetence by deflecting the
blame.
By the way, racism is not a one way street, so don’t pretend that
bigotry is an evil that only Republicans and white men in general
are susceptible to! Just a little reading material for you, just in
case you didn’t realize the facts of the matter:
“The whole world of the Black man which has slept for the past six
thousand (6,000) years, under the rule of our enemies (White race)…”
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_1926.shtml
Enter below the white man's label from which you wish to unshackle yourself and a true name for our brothers and sisters shall be granted to you (by the way, President Bush’s African name would be “Sheetswa”. Dick Cheney’s would be “Huggy Bear”… hmm, interesting)
http://www.fadetoblack.com/namegenerator/
"The Jews don't like Farrakhan, so they call me Hitler. Well, that's
a good name. Hitler was a very great man. He rose Germany up from
the ashes." - Louis Farrakhan
During his November 1970 "Black Solidarity Day Address," Farrakhan
urges black men to "take this beautiful woman — she's your queen!
She's your jewel. Don't let a white man get near this black woman.
And last but not least, black man, don't let that white man at
anytime in your life give you his white woman! We don't want her!"
Before a City College audience in New York, Farrakhan warns: "The
white man is our mortal enemy, and we cannot accept him. I will
fight to see that vicious beast go down into the late of fire
prepared for him from the beginning, that he never rise again to
give any innocent black man, woman or child the hell that he has
delighted in pouring on us for 400 years."
Previous 3 quotes:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/million/mfm6.htm
White folks was in the cave when we had built empires. . . . We
taught philosophy and astrology and mathematics before Socrates and
them Greek homos ever got around to it." – Al Sharpton
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/020218fa_fact5
Movie director Spike Lee calls (Supreme Court Justice Clarance)
Thomas "a handkerchief-head, chicken-and-biscuit-eating Uncle Tom."
Author June Jordan characterizes him as a "virulent Oreo
phenomenon," a "punk-ass," and an "Uncle Tom calamity."
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=1779
“Kill the white people; we gonna make them hurt; kill the white people; but buy my record first; ha, ha, ha”
“Kill d’White People”; Apache, Apache Ain’t Shit, 1993, Tommy Boy Music, Time Warner, USA.
“Devils fear this brand new shit. . . . I bleed them next time I see them. . . . I pray on these devils. . . . look what it has come to; who you gonna run to when we get to mobbing. . . . filling his body up with lead, yah; cracker in my way; slitting, slit his throat; watch his body shake; watch his body shake; that’s how we do it in the motherfucking [San Francisco] Bay. . . . sitting on the dock of the dirty with my AK”;
“Heat—featuring Jet and Spice 1”; Paris, Unleashed, 1998, Unleashed Records, Whirling Records.
“I kill a devil right now. . . . I say kill whitey all nightey long. . . . I stabbed a fucking Jew with a steeple. . . . I would kill a cracker for nothing, just for the fuck of it. . . . Menace Clan kill a cracker; jack ‘em even quicker. . . . catch that devil slipping; blow his fucking brains out”
“Fuck a Record Deal”; Menace Clan, Da Hood, 1995, Rap-A-Lot Records, Noo Trybe Records, subsidiaries of Thorn EMI; called The EMI Group since 1997, United Kingdom.
“Bust a Glock; devils get shot. . . . when God give the word me herd like the buffalo through the neighborhood; watch me blast. . . . I’m killing more crackers than Bosnia-Herzegovina, each and everyday. . . . don’t bust until you see the whites of his eyes, the whites of his skin. . . . Louis Farrakhan . . . Bloods and CRIPS, and little old me, and we all getting ready for the enemy”
“Enemy”; Ice Cube, Lethal Injection, 1993, Priority Records, Thorn EMI; now called The EMI Group, United Kingdom.
“Waiting for the crackers; smuggle; his mug is in the gutters. . . . so we need your participation in the Caucasian assassination; time is wasting. . . . so who is in association with the nigger retaliation; it needs your total cooperation. . . . a confrontation will be fought by the younger generation; because we got determination; all we need is organization”
“Purse Snatchers”; Onyx, All We Got Iz Us, 1995, Rush Associated Labels Recordings, PolyGram Group Distribution, Philips’ Elecronics, Netherlands.
Sometime, check out this little web site:
http://www.noapologiespress.com/thatbastardsez/Rantings/ranting13.html
Do you need me to go on, ‘cause it wouldn’t be a problem?!?!?
Posted by: DW at September 12, 2005 06:46 PM
No, I think you've made your position very clear...
Conservative Dave, defender of the poor and much maligned republican white man.
Way to go.
...Bush dragging his feet for a week during an emergency, racist or not, is nothing to be proud of, Dave.
Posted by: GPD50 at September 8, 2005 12:35 AM
Ben Stein's apologist manifesto.
Posted by: dada at September 12, 2005 10:22 PMMost libs are so eager to try and pin anything and everything on President Bush that you can you don’t even stop to think if it is even rational or not (are you one of those that believe that President Bush created the hurricane???). And no matter what President Bush may have done the left would criticize him for it. Hey, we all know that you hate the man, and will do anything to try to make everyone else as miserable as you are. You have stated your point, now deal with it on your own. He will only be the President until January of 2009. Save up your creative juices and build your hatred up for the next President, who will also be a Republican by the way!
Hey, when President Bush has to call Blanco and tell her she needs to declare a state of emergency (see he's not suppose to hold her hand like that), you don't have a leg to stand on with your accusations.
Posted by: DW at September 13, 2005 12:41 AMThat's just wishful thinking and nonsense.
It's everyones fault but the presidents, right?
I don't blame W. How could I? He's as empty headed as Reagan with Alzheimers. ...
I think there is enough blame to go around.
Seems alot of people are agreeing with that.
A Majority of the people, in fact.
Posted by: dada at September 13, 2005 04:22 AMPandering to Racists
Agnosticism/Atheism Blog
October 17, 2003
Pandering to Racists
As was reported here recently, some Republican leaders have adopted
a general position that can only be called extremist. It isn't
simply conservative or even very conservative. Instead, it is very
extremist - grouped positions that are far outside the mainstream
political discourse of America. Sometimes, this extremism can even
including pandering to racists - a very unfortunate situation
considering the fact that the vast majority of Republicans are not
at all racist themselves.
Kevin Drum reports on a recent story where Haley Barbour, chairman
of the Republican party from 1993-1997 and currently a candidate for
governor of Mississippi, was photographed at the Black Hawk Barbecue
and Political Rally, a fundraiser held by the Council of
Conservative Citizens, "a bunch of well-known racist neanderthals
based out of Missouri."
No, they aren't simply "very conservative" or "anti-affirmative action." They are racists - consider, for example, an article linked to from the front page of their site: In Defense of Racism. Barbour has tried to say that he didn't know what the CofCC was really like - but considering how often they have been in the news with other Republican politicians have made the mistake of pandering to them, that isn't credible. He'd have to be so stupid to not know about them that that would actually look worse for the GOP. Drum writes:
I am well aware that most Republicans aren't racist and are sick
and tired of hearing from Democrats about the Southern Strategy and
"codewords" and how their party panders to racists. I don't blame
them. But here's the deal: if you want us to stop accusing the GOP
of pandering to racists then stop pandering to racists, dammit. Send
a loud message that a guy who represented your entire party for four
years has no business hanging around with the human effluvia who
make up organizations like the CCC and then pretending he has no
idea what they're all about.
He's right.
I don't feel I really need to get into this contest with you...our
history has spoken for itself and continues to do so. I am aware
there is prejudice in all races, but even Ferrakhan has lightened up
with his rhetoric over the past few years, maybe you should try
reading some of his newer speeches.
Posted by: bob at September 14, 2005 04:08 PM
Interesting little article you posted. Well written too. And I know that it must be true because everything on the internet is, right?!?!? Sarcasm aside, my main point was not based on the racism issue, at least not until you lost that bet about me thinking racism is dead. Anyway, since you brought it up again, I never said that there was no racism in the Republican Party. How could anyone realistically make such a broad claim about ANY large group of people like that? What I did say is that Bush is not racist, and he’s not. By the way, are you implying that there is no racism in the Democratic Party? Don’t force me to make another big list of racist quotes from democrat leaders! That would be easily done too.
Regarding your Loius Farrakhan remark; ironically, he’s not being
so quiet anymore. Did you hear his comments today about the levies?
I swear, he’s unbelievable! If that guy ever gives up the business
of engendering hatred and bigotry, he could have a GREAT career
writing for the National Enquirer!
Posted by: 5 most popular diet pill at September 15, 2005 11:39 AM
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH FOR THIS AMAZING INFO: "Is
anybody aware of the fact that Bush made
Karl Rove the "chief" of the White House Homeland Security Council
on February 8, 2005?"
I got the link (http://www.house.gov/maloney/press/109th/20050208Rove.htm) and am adding it to my timeline, along with some of the newest info (like the Raw Story article that Sam brought to light on-air). It's hard to keep up with these disgusting criminals, isn't it? And I love Carolyn Maloney's short reaction to the news.
If anyone wants the updated timeline (called "The Allbaugh Connection"), email me. Or I'll be handing them out at Morning Sedition tomorrow morning.
Posted by: Dale from Chelsea at September 15, 2005 05:24 PMDO NOT let that page stand ppl!
Posted by: Tony at September 15, 2005 08:27 PM
Check here for updates on this weekend's antiwar march and rally in Washington D.C. and use this space for any ideas, directions, and travel arrangments you might need.
Can't make it to Washington this weekend? Check out this website One Million Reasons, and let your voice be heard.
Posted by not sam at September 21, 2005 07:32 PMPosted by: ¹³Ъзй at September 21, 2005 07:54 PM
Posted by: ¹³Ъзй at September 21, 2005 07:55 PM
Posted by: ¹³Ъзй at September 21, 2005 07:57 PM
was a good suggestion
links and articles, personal contact.
my phone in an emergency 604 864 9649
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at September 21, 2005 08:07 PMPosted by: ¹³Ъзй at September 21, 2005 08:19 PM
Sit Down in DC
Will We Use the Power We Have on September 24?
By MIKE FERNER
...
In each city I saved part of my five minutes to go beyond urging participation in the march and rally on the 24th, and plead for people to consider participating in the civil disobedience planned for the 26th as well. This quote from Howard Zinn was particularly well-received.
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience. Our problem is that people all over the world have obeyed the dictates of leadersand millions have been killed because of this obedienceOur problem is that people are obedient all over the world in the face of poverty and starvation and stupidity, and war, and cruelty. Our problem is that people are obedient while the jails are full of petty thieves(and) the grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem."
Read the full article @ http://www.counterpunch.org/ferner09212005.html
Posted by: AlanSmithee at September 21, 2005 09:12 PMIf you are going down to the march in DC this Saturday and are planning on taking your video camera please go to
LiberalYouth.com
and reply to the post "VIDEOGRAPHERS UNITE". Include your email address so we can get in touch with you and exchange footage and try to get some of it into the Main Stream Media. If nothing else we can get some AUDIO on Air America and post the video on the site for the whole world to see. NO ONE SHOULD IGNORE WHATS GOING ON. HELP OUT.
LIBERALYOUTH.COM
Posted by: Chris at September 21, 2005 09:19 PMbut i can call anywhere in the US
or canada for peeps. contacts, messages etc. for us and frends
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at September 21, 2005 10:46 PMhttp://www.unitedforpeace.org/
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at September 21, 2005 10:47 PMPosted by: marilyn at September 22, 2005 08:49 AM
if you wanna find 13ben...
just look for these signs....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted by: ¹³Ъзй at September 23, 2005 08:23 AMgot some video but more pictures......
was easily 300,000 people.......
Posted by: ¹³Ъзй at September 26, 2005 08:57 AM~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_jason_mi_050926_peaceful_assault_on_.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.freepress.org/departments/display/20/2005/1474
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.redandblack.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/09/26/43375c0c561ad
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted by: ¹³Ъзй at September 26, 2005 09:50 AMPosted by: ¹³Ъзй at September 26, 2005 07:03 PM
from back when Delay was just unethical
Posted by: jjoats at September 29, 2005 11:06 AM
Bush Supporters of the Far Right: Cries
from the Lake of Fire
by Hunter
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/9/29/181822/366
Thu Sep 29th, 2005 at 15:18:21 PDT
At Blogs For Bush, which bills itself as the Whorehouse... er, "White House" of the Blogosphere, the ever effervescent Mark Noonan writes about the DeLay indictment:
>
Mark... may I call you Mark? I feel when someone has shown me the insides of their own rectum, we're pretty much on a first name basis... I have some words for you.
Whitewater. Rush Limbaugh. "Drug Dealer" Bill Clinton. Swift Boats.
Vince Fucking Foster.
Playing with fire, you say? Because the indictments ringing Tom DeLay finally reached up that one, final step from his ring of closest advisers to DeLay himself? Because the SEC has launched a formal investigation into the same behaviors by Bill Frist that put Martha Stewart recently in prison? Because one of the single most visible, highest profile Republican money men has been indicted for fraud, is being investigated for client shakedowns, and has his close business associates being investigated for a mob-connected murder?
What utter cowardice. What pathetic anti-American pedantry. What laughable protestation. The crimes of campaign money laundering, of fraud, of conspiracy, the violation of the laws of the nation, to be answered with stern visions of potential gunfire if Democrats have the audacity to pursue it.
This is the world of the Republican Party, split open like a rotting pumpkin. Crime after crime after crime being investigated, all revolving around the Republican money machine. Every seed connected by the strands of money they share between them. Barely-laundered campaign money passed in the palm of every flabby handshake. Every player in boldface, underlined print in the Rolodex of every other.
And still, this same bottom-tier world of flag-waving supporters still obsessed over an extramarital sex act, but offended to the point of sad, blustering threats at the notion that crimes by gilded and worshipped Republicans are really still crimes.
Your party has set aflame the entire political landscape, and now, once burned, you warn sternly from the branches of a burnt-out tree about "playing with fire". You used the ashes of one of the great liberal cities of America, New York City, as war paint for your own sick, racist dreams. You shudder at a burning flag, yet are willing to snip-and-cut basic tenets of the Constitution as needed or convenient.
And now, you're outraged, not by any of the rest of it, not by anything that has come before, but because a few prominent Republican faces have -- shock of shocks -- been indicted in probes that have spanned years of investigation, and interrogation, and deposition. That, you say, represents the underpinnings of a civil war.
You poor, hollow, blood-painted clowns. Cheering the trials and failures of your country with the same pennants and giant foam hands that you wave at your favorite sports teams. Willing to accept the most outrageous of lies, if they are spoken from your favorite talking heads, and soothe your own notions of America for you, and only for you.
And as for the audacity of Democrats speaking up during this process... the redfaced, flatulent fury with which you declare Republicans off-limits to that which you so gleefully hurl yourself...
Welcome to the world of the politics of personal destruction, you tubthumping, chin-jutting, Bush humping gits. Welcome to the nasty and partisan world that Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin, Hugh Hewitt, Grover Norquist, Newt Gingrich, Tom DeLay, and a legion of insignificant lowest-rung toadies like yourselves nurtured into fruition daily with eager, grubby hands, and now look upon with dull-faced faux horror.
I know you hate me, and anyone else who dares disturb the thin strands of alternate reality in which George W. Bush is an intellectual giant, Saddam really was responsible for 9/11, the economy is getting better by the minute, and we capture the most very important members of al Qaeda on a weekly basis.
But here's some advice. You'd better start hating me more. This is the world you forged and, unfortunately for you, I'm beginning to take a fancy for it. Welcome to the politics of your own party, finally sprouting from the ground on which you planted the seeds and shat upon them.
Step back from the edge? You poor boy, asleep in the back of the car the whole trip, finally waking up and wondering where you're at.
Swift boats. Aluminum tubes. Niger uranium. "Mushroom clouds". Whitewater.
Vince Fucking Foster.
You can't even see the edge from here. You left it behind a hundred miles back.
So don't give me chest-thumping crap about civil wars, if your politicians are indicted. Don't give me visions of a lake of fire, if all those who find you loathsome refuse to suck at your teats of scientific ignorance in the name of religion, racism in the name of freedom, and corruption in the name of the New World Order.
Get used to the world you have created, and the stench your worshipped heroes have unleashed.
::
Posted by: BKLN at September 30, 2005 11:53 AM
Bush Supporters of the Far Right: Cries from the Lake of Fire
by Hunter
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/9/29/181822/366
Thu Sep 29th, 2005 at 15:18:21 PDT
At Blogs For Bush, which bills itself as the Whorehouse... er, "White House" of the Blogosphere, the ever effervescent Mark Noonan writes about the DeLay indictment:
"As our Sister Toldjah noted earlier, the "indictment" of Tom Delay is entirely bogus - from what I've read, Tom Delay didn't know about the perfectly legal transaction he is accused of conspiring to make. We have now left entirely the field of normal political conflict and entered a twilight world where fantasy is presented as fact and the only standard of conduct is "will it work?". This is not the actions of a political Party engaged in seeking a majority - it is the action of a Party determined to destroy its opponents entirely and sieze all power for itself...it is, in short, the stuff from which civil wars are made...
I really do urge our Democrats to step back from the edge - you are sitting in a lake of gasoline and you are playing with fire. We on our side will only put up with so much before we start to pay back with usury what we have received. If you can't defeat Tom Delay in the electoral field, then you will simply have to accept him as Majority Leader of the United States House of Representatives - and you'd better start accepting political reality before things get really bad. "
Posted by: BKLN at September 30, 2005 11:56 AMPosted by: Prowse at October 2, 2005 11:45 AM
How about running on something you believe in, and telling the rest of the country about it?
Posted by: Gloatmaster2004 at October 2, 2005 6:06 PMJeremiah was the living prophet when the first Temple was destroyed. He was known in many lands by many peoples. With the loss of the Temple, Jeremiah had a new message - - replace sacrificial ritual with understanding the Book. One of his proclamations is the Night and Day Covenant. "By night and by day..."[I will never ignore you. No matter how low you go, by night and by day, everyone, everywhere, is OK. None will ever be abandoned. Even the lowest can aspire through redemptive thoughts and deeds]."
Conundrum - - Living by the rules can enable you to succeed at what you do, eventually gaining the power to do whatever you want.
When lead by vanity, you strive to feel good with no thought to how much others are inconvenienced. That's decadence.
When lead by civility, you strive to do the greatest good for the greatest many, knowing you can only be your strongest when everyone is strong.
If according to the Day and Night Covenant, everything is OK, then vanity is just as OK as civility. How then can civility win over vanity to maximize convenience for all?
When enough people seek redemption as a means to offset their vanity, even as they slip into decadence, good trumps bad most of the time. The resulting republic rewards all, particularly the strong who prosper even more by sharing than taking, while even the weakest prosper greatly.
Republics are a simple covenant between its leaders and the lead wherein each conscious being is perceived as being OK by everyone else. Everybody is in one room. Everybody in this one room is OK. Everything is OK except treating others as though they are not OK.
It's fine to think that you are better than others. Think it night & day! That's vanity.
Sharing those thoughts with no one else, ever, that's civility.
The uncomfortable feeling you get when overcoming your biases, that's redemption.
An occasional gaff is OK.
That's hypocrisy, without which human republics are too demanding to
be possible.
Overt and constant disrespect for some because they are
considered as not OK is contradiction.
Contradiction is NOT OK.
Slavery did not work. Though free will is very good at hypocrisy,
the Civil War is tragic proof that free will just can't do
contradiction, at all.
So, you see Susie, America is not easy - - Constantly looking right at the deal, forever turning it on all sides, living in the land of the brave (there is no free without brave).
The payoff is the republic and its four sidekicks - - comfort,
security, justice and equity for all.
csumpress(c)2005
============================================================
"DELAY-BLUNT DOCUMENTS" FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas diverted excess cash raised for the 2000 Republican national political convention to his longtime ally Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., documents reviewed by The Associated Press show.
The series of donations benefitted both politicians' causes - including DeLay's charity, a consulting firm employing DeLay's wife, and the political campaign of Blunt's son.
Examples of key documents showing transactions between the two
are below.
(All are in PDF format).
==========================================================
March 2000: ARMPAC, a political action committee formed by Rep. DeLay, contributes $50,000 to the Rely on Your Own Beliefs (ROYB) Fund, started by Rep. Blunt.
April 2000: Rep. Blunt's ROYB Fund donates $10,000 to the DeLay Foundation, a charity formed by DeLay in 1986 to help abused and neglected children.
Also in April, Rep. Blunt's ROYB Fund pays $40,000 to The Alexander Strategy Group, a consulting firm which not only is run by a former DeLay chief of staff, but which also employ's DeLay's wife, Christine DeLay.
May 2000: DeLay's ARMPAC convention fund contributes $100,000 to Blunt's ROYB fund.
June 2000: Blunt's ROYB Fund contributes $100,000 to the Missouri Republican Party, where Blunt's son, Matt Blunt, is running for secretary of state.
Fall 2000: DeLay's ARMPAC donates $50,000 to the Missouri Republican Party.
Fall 2000: The Missouri Republican Party contributes $50,000 to ARMPAC.
LINK to view documents:
http://wid.ap.org/documents/delay/index.html
Our new series in conjunction with dailykos.com. Every Tuesday in our 3rd hour, Sam and Markos will interview a different Democratic veteran running for Congress.
Check out the Fighting Dems ActBlue site.
Posted by not sam at October 11, 2005 7:07 PMThe new Majority Report blog is in the works. But what should be on it?
What features have worked on other blogs that you'd like on this one?
Which ones don't work?
Tell us which blog features you like and on which blogs we can find them.
Posted by not sam at December 15, 2005 7:06 PMIt's not that hard to set something like that up and it's such a great feature.
I love Mark Maron!
Posted by: Jackrabbit at December 15, 2005 8:00 PMPosted by: SAMMIE FAN at December 15, 2005 8:02 PM
Posted by: SAMMIE FAN at December 15, 2005 8:03 PM
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at December 15, 2005 8:04 PM
Posted by: Wm.e.mcgarry at December 15, 2005 8:07 PM
Welcome back.
Hmmm, looks nice and clean and shinny in here... are you sure we're supposed to be here : þ
Posted by: Manuel in Mexico City at December 15, 2005 8:10 PMPosted by: Aaron at December 15, 2005 8:28 PM
Posted by: GrantEM at December 15, 2005 8:32 PM
Posted by: Rea Turet at December 15, 2005 8:46 PM
Posted by: Rea Turet at December 15, 2005 8:48 PM
Kevin
Posted by: Jax at December 15, 2005 9:03 PM
Posted by: Nihilistic at December 15, 2005 9:07 PM
So glad you're back. Love you. Been watching West Wing - great work. Here's a totally frivolous comment....have the make-up people lighten up on your eyebrows. You're adorable, but your eyebrows are way too heavy. Just one girl's opinion. Keep up the good work, and welcome back.
D-
Posted by: diane richmond at December 15, 2005 9:08 PM& have fran liebowitz once a month!
(janeane was missing the point about the "tobacco-free enironment" antecdote)
Posted by: n69n at December 15, 2005 9:16 PMBEAT POETS HOWL TO BE HEARD !
Posted by: ProProleteriat at December 15, 2005 9:22 PMPosted by: ekorstanje at December 15, 2005 9:38 PM
Posted by: oakland_steve at December 15, 2005 9:58 PM
Posted by: b at December 15, 2005 10:00 PM
Posted by: n69n at December 15, 2005 10:00 PM
Posted by: b at December 15, 2005 10:03 PM
Posted by: Waiting for Cicero at December 15, 2005 10:03 PM
Can you just sign in once with name, email address, etc. and be able to make comments throughout your stay at the blog until you sign off? Does that mean cookies--which may put off people?
Are there blog instructions and rules available to review? (so what happened to "Wanda" can be avoided)
Love your passion, your informed intelligence and your ability to
articulate your ideas and share the information Sam (miss ya during
your absence) and Janeane (glad you're back) and vice versa.
Posted by: LJinOregon at December 15, 2005 10:53 PM
What I'd like to see is a ban on anonymous posting, or if not that an ignore IP feature. Actually the ignore IP thing might be preferable, as some people are nervous about security but still want to participate.
If you use typekey, please fix the issue where it logs us out. That "keep me loggewd in for two weeks" never works. Typekey says it's something on your end.
If you don't use typekey, get some other system that a user can pick an ID and log in if they wish, to clarify real users from nic stealing trolls.
Posted by: Meg at December 16, 2005 1:02 AMJaneane should post her top 10 music songs of the week to share with us, the masses, some of her superior musical taste.
You should also put your bumper music up on this site. A little humor would not hurt as well.
I would like the blog to be open to conspiracy theories and alternative news. It should take a live and let live attitude.
Posted by: Tony at December 16, 2005 4:35 AMCould we maybe have a special section on the blog for overseas listeners where we could chime in?
Posted by: Clark at December 16, 2005 4:52 AMi'd really like a listing (and links to download) the music that you play during the show.
And Janeane's top 10 music of the week would be awesome (or at least top 3)
Love the show, thanks!
Posted by: Temptation's Page at December 16, 2005 9:46 AMAl's is good overall. Randi's is a mess!
Posted by: GayBoiCharlie at December 16, 2005 1:08 PMI like the simple format of this blog: linear is very nice indeed! If I had my way, I wouldn't go for a more complicated format but I want line breaks (I hate scrolling past folks posting lyrics and whatnot, double spaced--it's a literal pain for me) and access to boldface would be nice. I'm not a blogslut but I think I'm easy nonetheless...
I don't know if there's any possibility, the chances seem slim to me, but I am wondering about the concept of parallel blogs: One "anything goes" and the other a more thoughtful political and news intensive thread. There was a candy bar commercial that I liked that put forth the idea that "Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't."
Posted by: Cat Chew at December 16, 2005 1:19 PMPosted by: M at December 16, 2005 1:42 PM
Posted by: Cat Chew at December 16, 2005 1:57 PM
You guys are turning me back on to radio.
A feature that is *really* lacking is a quick way to get different streams to listen to your show. Right now, all we've got is the main America Radio stream, which includes some odd commercials. Is that dem-dating commercial for real or what?
Posted by: Eric Bertrand at December 16, 2005 3:59 PMwould be nice...i'll keep thinking
Posted by: Bart at December 16, 2005 6:24 PMPosted by: Lia at December 16, 2005 7:42 PM
This is a bit off topic, but I was offended yesterday when Janeane was talking about all the repressed homosexuals in the GOP. All she talked about were the men: What about Lynne Cheney? What about Ann Coulter? Bay Buchanan and Karen Hughes? (and yes, I already know these last two fellas are the same shemale).
Posted by: Lissner at December 16, 2005 7:48 PMPosted by: Lissner at December 16, 2005 7:56 PM
Posted by: be_unique at December 16, 2005 8:49 PM
Great going! Glad to have you back Jeneane! How about
Henry Rollins Band "Liar"!
Posted by: Robert Gries at December 16, 2005 9:44 PM
No more Anonymouses!
Plus it'd be cool if certain radio personalities (who shall remain nameless) would post more often.
Posted by: Harold at December 18, 2005 5:15 PMPosted by: Joseph at December 18, 2005 10:43 PM
And a search by subject would be nice.
A way of avoiding the trolls that take up space repeating things (ignore) would also be nice.
Otherwise, I like the blog and the show.
Posted by: toniD at December 19, 2005 12:03 AMPosted by: Wil at December 19, 2005 2:59 AM
Posted by: Wil at December 19, 2005 3:02 AM
Posted by: Bob26003 at December 19, 2005 5:45 AM
Posted by: Bob26003 at December 19, 2005 5:46 AM
Posted by: Tom at December 19, 2005 12:29 PM
Posted by: Marne at December 19, 2005 12:50 PM
of course,
the ability to
contact MRR when
we have bloggie probs!
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at December 19, 2005 1:01 PMMy view only. I would have no control over anyone else's, just the ability to make my blogging experience a bit more pleasant. This would be an acceptable compromise to the Anonymous issue, as one ignore function would render a large majority of trolls completely powerless.
Posted by: Harold at December 19, 2005 2:24 PM1) Manditory login and no Anonymous logins for easier identification of trolls.
2) An archive search feature so that if a topic comes up that you remember had been discussed before, you can review what had been said before.
I like the linear flow of everyones thoughts easily seen in sequence. I don't like Randi's blog because it is divided into topics and threads and I never can figure out which topic or thread to follow.
To a certain extent, trolls are necessary foils. They focus attention on one or another topic. So while banning some trolls is likely necessary, use discretion when banning people.
Other than what I've said above, keep it pretty much like it is. Maybe make it easier to make links. I'm to stupid to figure out how to do it now. And FireFox compatibility is absolutely necessary.
AND NO FLASH! I hate Flash...
Posted by: Ken Warner at December 19, 2005 7:39 PMPosted by: jenise at December 19, 2005 8:03 PM
Also, the Ring of Fire website houses their own audio archives with individual interviews. Something like that would rock here too!
Lastly, I love the idea of Maron sharing the mike with Sam Seder on occasion when Janeane is on acting gigs.
Thanks for all you both do for all of us.
Posted by: Prowse at December 19, 2005 10:31 PM
Posted by: lara at December 20, 2005 9:40 AM
on the last thread which were done so well (#3362)
have just slid to the edge of the memory hole have'nt they?
that's the reason i want room for archives...
Posted by: Sunshine Jim at December 20, 2005 02:03 PM
And definitely a list of the song titles and artists for the bumper music.
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Tarantado at December 20, 2005 4:37 PMPosted by: Jackie at December 20, 2005 6:27 PM
Also, we need an easier way to hyperlink, Having to type out codey-stuff is stupid and unnecessary. At one point we didn't have to go through this.
Bold is wonderful, and so are italics.
Shorter thread lengths (long threads give the dialuppers fits).
Be nice if Josh, Crowley, Sam, and Janeane would occasionally
post. Feedback either on-air or on the blog is what makes this whole
thing work.
Posted by: Cathy in Seattle at December 20, 2005 7:48 PM
When so many anonymi are posting, you can't keep any of them straight.
Easy enough to ignore, it's true, but if you want to post, you should have to have enough brains to come up with a name.
Posted by: Cathy in Seattle at December 20, 2005 7:54 PMMike Malloy's board is a mess.
The reason is Randi's is maintained and the subject headings MAKE SENSE.
I love Mike and would love to use his board, but who can make heads or tails out of what those subject headings mean? They are all opinionated and speculative.
Subject headings need to be very cut and dry and someone needs to administer the site and make sure that comments stay within topic.
Posted by: wg at December 20, 2005 9:20 PMDont let any one blog but the little elite regulars, you know make it their private chatroom.
Any one who doesnt agree with the cliche of the regulars get flogged by sam in the astral realm,since s&m is kinda a east coast thing.(is the astral thing have anything to do with the jokes about jewish people being so cheap?)
Make it just like randi's so you can send emails and beg money from youre bloggers.
Make them register and swear a commitment to hollywood, diversity, and ass kissing.
If they are allowed the privelege of blogging make the person commit to listening to al fraken at least 30 hours a week and promise to vote for him when he runs for senate.
And if they really want to blog they must never talk about
impeachment because this may result in exposing all the democrats
that have gotten away with the same crap as the republicans. Who
needs to vote anyhow we should be happy with the way big
corporations appoint the so called elected officials.NO MORE
BOHEMIAN GROVE CONSPIRACIES!
Sausolito is a wonderful community of honest(HAHAHHAHA)loving
elitist you know brotherly love.
butch boxer is not a carpet bagger from the east coast.
Posted by: PissedTheFuckOff at December 21, 2005 6:59 PM
1/ Springer on the Radio's blog is great; quick and always working. All that's needed for perfection is the edit feature available on Morning Sedition.
2/ Whatever you do, don't get that creeping, crawling blog like Franken's. Snail mail is quicker.
3/ I love your current sign up method. It remembers me when I arrive and that's just great! I hate when it takes so long to login that I've forgotten what you great stuff you said that I wanted to comment on....
4/ I've been visiting AAR shows' blogs for over a year now, and it's been so much fun at my favorites; however, I STILL can't get into Mike Malloy's or Randi Rhodes' blogs! They're like armed camps or something, impossible to penetrate. The Randi blog lost my registration twice, so I just gave up. Malloy's blog denied me registration several times. Just bizarre.
5/ The air of rapid fire liveliness that's already present on your blog is unique! I hope that can be preserved even with indented replies, etc.
6/ Finally, links that consistently work. That would be a great timesaver.
Thanks for taking care of us.
Happy, memorable, meaningful Holy Days to all!
Posted by: nora at December 21, 2005 9:07 PMhttp://www.ringoffireradio.com/forums/index.php
Posted by: rib at December 21, 2005 9:12 PMI've been hooked ever since. I try to catch the show live as much as I can online. I get to listen in the office 'cause it's on here on mornings when the bosses aren't always around yet. Sometimes, I even listen to the other programs.
I'm not usually lucky, though, problem with the connection. So I just wait for the new audio clips and listen to past ones (especially when Janeane blasted Toby Keith and discussed scientology). I don't know if the problem I encounter can really be remedied there but I hope I don't encounter it anymore.
I think it's always good not just to hear one side of the story. So I listen to Majority Report. This show has also made me go back to reading the papers which I intentionally avoided already before. I guess there's no escaping bad news so better know about them than be left clueless.
Posted by: Gi at December 22, 2005 7:57 AMUser must have unique "Master" nic... they can have any number of other identities (non-unique) but ignoring one ignores all. -- Yahoo financial message boards.
The ignore feature pretty much takes care of ALL valid blog complaints without admin intervention. So, whatever trouble it might take to implement is most likely worth it.
Preserves the ability of anyone to post anything thay want while still giving blog readers the ability to filter what they look at. If someone complains about someone else's post when they could put that poster on their ignore list, they don't really have a valid complaint.
Trolls (people with useless posts) tend to go away when people choose not to even see what they're posting, while people with opposite, although valid points of view are rarely ignored.
Posted by: n69n at December 22, 2005 5:34 PM
-#1) MAINTAIN THE SIMPLICITY!!!! the current format is very easy on the eyes....
-make sure to keep the "comments" box on same page as the thread..... it's annoying to have to click an "Add New Comment" link in order to post.....
-keep ability to post anonomously without giving any info... it's a nice statement of censorlessness.....
-have optional "Log On" system where logged on users have extra features
-have an "ignore" list for logged on users including the ability to ignore anons...
-*#*#*#*#*#*#* IN THE IGNORE FEATURE -have a feature that lets a user KNOW how many OTHER USERS have him/her on their IGNORE LIST - this lets trolls know how many people are ignoring them....
-make sure the preview section is same spacing and format as the thread page
-DON'T START BANNING PEOPLE.... allowing the gamut has been the staple of this blog
-and don't change TOO much........
well that's it for now.....
Posted by: 13ben at December 23, 2005 10:00 AMPosted by: Cat Chew at December 23, 2005 7:23 PM
I see way too many comments here and on the other board (WHY are there two?) which could have been handled by email.
For instance, I would like to email Sam and Janeane about a story -- I think they want to talk with Times-Picayune reporter Michael Perlstein who confirmed that the stories in New Orleans about roving gangs and major shoot-outs were BUNK. Now this comment will be on this blog forever, when it should have just been an email.
Also, you might want to consider having two blogs. And explaining whether and where people should be sending real-time comments during the actual broadcast.
Thanks for listening.
Posted by: Dale from Chelsea at December 24, 2005 1:03 PMI think I have a solution.
Maybe if one's "ignore" list was reset when they log off each day... That way if someone is just having a crappy day, or if a regular decides to come and anonymously annoy people for a bit they wouldn't be forever blocked.
Posted by: Meg at December 24, 2005 4:13 PMOf course not, I'm not making demands.
I'm attempting to inform the dialog on this decision.
I'm simply saying that Majority Report has a moral obligation to allow as many options as are logistically (within logistic parameters, such as cost and technology) available.
Whether or not, or to what degree, they respond to that obligation is up to Majority Report.
That doesn't change the relevant facts of individual rights and freedom of choice.
If, for example, as they are designing the blog MRR has the choice either to include or not to include any given function... and there is no logistical impact as a result of that choice, their moral obligation is to allow that function, so as to afford the choice of whether or not to employ that function, up to each individual blogger.
Posted by: Akaka Bill at December 24, 2005 04:14 PM
Posted by: Akaka Bill at December 24, 2005 4:36 PMAnd some new music would be nice. As much as I like Janeane's intelligence, I strongly dislike her musical taste. The 80's and 90's are over with (thank goodness). Even the "alternative" stuff reeked.
And a new picture of Sam and Janeane.
I sure hope the new blog will allow all bloggers to exclude blog harrassers.
Blog harrassers may have the right to post, but they have no right to MY page, just to contribute to the page as a whole.
I should be allowed to turn off Fox News if I so choose and Majority Report does not have the right to FORCE me to watch Fox News.
Fox News does not have the right to FORCE me to watch their news, even if Fox News believes it's in my best interests.
My best interests are up to me, not Majority Reort, not Fox News.
'Course Majority Report may choose to limit choices, but if they do they are shaping their blog audience into the audience those limits promote.
Bloggers who feel their rights are unduly limited or that by posting in the enviornment created by those limits, they are potential victims of malicious posters, may be driven away. In this way, MRR is actively determining who they want to blog here.
That's up to Majority Report. I just think they should be aware that they are meddling in the rights of others by making choices FOR them.
I'm simply saying, if MRR wants to create a new blog that respects their posters, they will not limit choices for bloggers.
If Majority Report wants a healthy blogging experience for their bloggers, they will allow individual bloggers as many blog function options as is logistically feasible.
I hope one of those functions is the ability to exclude harrassers from their blogging pages.
Posted by: Akaka Bill at December 25, 2005 10:07 AMThe harrassment is real.
I should be allowed to protect myself.
Posted by: Akaka Bill at December 25, 2005 02:51 PM
Thanks for a great blog.
Posted by: dada at December 25, 2005 3:43 PMBill Trainor saw privitization, confronted it, and firmly asked it to leave the joint.
Here are the papers that published the letter, and the letter Bill penned:
The Times News, Lehighton, PA, 11/23/04
The Times Tribune (Scranton Times), Scranton PA, 11/24/04
The Morning Call, Allentown, PA, 11/27/04
The Pocono Record, Stroudsburg, PA, 1/2/05
Posted by not sam at January 28, 2005 9:36 PM
“Please dont fall for this so-called Social Security Crisis"We have been told most of our lives that Social Security will not be there when we retire. But the so-called date of exhaustion keeps getting moved back year after year. As of right now, the Congressional Budget office reports that the Social Security system is completely safe and will provide full benefits until the year 2052 without any changes whatsoever. The Social Security Trustees report that it will last until the year 2042 without any changes whatsoever. Both reports are based on worst-case scenarios of a very poor economic growth rate; a growth rate of which social security would be the last thing to worry about, since our stock market would be in truly rough shape. This, in turn, kind of defeats the purpose of investing part of our benefits, huh? How many of us are truly capable of making sound investment choices anyway? Are You? Im not.
Currently, social security taxes are withheld from employee earnings of $87,900 or less annually. If you earn more than this, say, $500,000, you only pay up to the $87,900. Doesnt seem fair, does it? Why not raise that limit just a little bit? Or just start taxing again at around $500,000 annual earnings? This would add tons more revenue, all without raising taxes on anybody.
Think about it for a minute. An administration that believes in privatizing government programs, while cutting corporate regulations, and adding to the national debt, by borrowing and spending, and cutting taxes for the rich, while we are at war. How could something with this many holes in it hold water? The only people that this benefits are on Wall Street, not Main Street. If there is a social security crisis it is because it is under attack by this administration and its corporate buddies and media hacks.
Private Vs. Personal:
Media's Social Security Semantics
TAKE ACTION:
http://www.fair.org/activism/social-security-semantics.html
Posted by: Star Vox at January 29, 2005 11:23 PMEveryone is talking about privatizing Social Security, and how young people are really supporting the idea. What nobody is telling you is that it will be the younger workers who wind up with the bill for funding this risky scheme.
You see, the way it works now is that the Social Security taxes paid today go directly to the people who currently get Social Security checks. Since nobody is going to change the way current and soon-to-be retirees get benefits, younger workers will have to essentially fund two retirement systems – one to keep paying current benefits and at the same time funding our own private accounts.
These "transition" costs will be billions and billions of dollars. And guess who winds up paying for it? Isn't privatization fun??
Posted by: Mike Panetta at February 1, 2005 7:33 PMIf we dismantle social security, employers will no longer have to pay that 6.2% any more. It will really be an across the board reduction in payroll of about 6.2% for all businesses. So it's not just Wall Street that benefits, but all businesses, while individuals are left in the cold.
Posted by: jana at February 2, 2005 7:22 PMHere are the websites:
http://www.journalstar.com/letters
http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/SEC/Opinion
If you make people start paying FICA again after $500,000, you *will* be raising taxes on someone. Raising taxes means making them pay more taxes. If they start paying money for Social Security that they weren't before, then you will be raising their taxes.
Now, I'm not against this, make the people who are earning more pay more. You just can't obfuscate things by claiming to not raise taxes on people, and then making them pay more taxes.
We need to be honest and upfront about these things, otherwise we'll start looking just like them.
Posted by: eris at February 9, 2005 8:03 PM
