Oust Gonzales (But Don't Stop There)

I agree, but I feel that signing the petition is not enough. What more can I do?

re thanks catharine at the blog-

big ver. of above

Any normal, reflective man would recognize that Gonzales ia a liability to the continued functioning of the system of Justice in the nation, and ask that he resign. However, Bush can't do that.

On an inner level, he's incapiable. His world is essentially Nixonian -- it isn't a nice or cooperative, collborative place. It's combattive, confrontational, and threatening. In that world, there are servants (whom he uses, but despises as weak, and cannot fully trust), and there are Enemies.

This is a good reason why Bush seemed to 'come awake' after September 11th -- why he would mention (and apparently, he told quite a few people) that god had chosen him to lead The Nations To Democracy and Righteousness. Suddenly, he was presented with real enemies, terrible assaults, a 'global' threat -- a situation which mirrored his own inner life.

The political world is a theatre where he can get others to do as he says -- to be powerful, feared. His weak personality needs people like Gonzales, who are subservient and will do as he orders. Getting rid of Gonzales would be another blow to his ability to pretend he is the all-powerful but benevolent leader, humbly doing god's will. It's a classic.

On a practical level, if he fires Gonzales or allows him to leave, it's a show of weakness to his enemies. It would embolden them (so he thinks), and next they might go after Cheney, or Rove... or, himself. And all of them have done so many things wrong, or illegal, or unethical, that Gonzales's fall would mean that More Will Be Revealed, and not in the AA sense of that term.

Bush has spent a lifetime trying to escape his self-image -- as weak, a no-account loser, despised and powerless; people like Cheney and Rove understand that about him and have manipulated those weaknesses in his personality for their own ends.

Bush believes with a perfect faith that he has done no wrong. It has all been for good, and is god's purpose and for his glory: This is the ultimate foundation for all Bush has done and continues to do, and abandoning one degree of that belief cannot be allowed. Gonzales must stay, whether he likes it or not.

Cogent analysis, John. Thanks

You know, your cries for impeachment might not be such a joke if you hadn't tried the exact same tactic on every swinging dick that came down the road for the last 6 years.

There was once a shepherd-boy who kept his flock at a little distance from the village. Once he thought he would play a trick on the villagers and have some fun at their expense.

So he ran toward the village crying out, with all his might,--

"Wolf! Wolf! Come and help! The wolves are at my lambs!"

Everyone has heard it all before.

New Documents Confirm Gonzales Lied To Senator About Plan To Install Rove Protege As U.S. Attorney

On Dec. 15, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR) had their second phone conversation regarding the appointment of Karl Rove-protege Tim Griffin as the new U.S. attorney in Arkansas. In April 19 testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Gonzales said that when Pryor objected to Griffin’s appointment, Gonzales promised to find a different candidate:

But I had told Senator Pryor: I wanted Mr. Griffin in for a period of time. Let’s see how he does.

And then in subsequent conversation with Mr. Pryor, I asked him: Can you support Mr. Griffin as the nominee?

And you know, he made it clear to me that he would not support him, by not giving me a yes answer, and so I said: Well, then I cannot recommend him to the White House, because if you don’t support him, I know he will not be confirmed. We’ll look for someone else, and give me names that we ought to consider.

Yet a newly released Feb. 8 e-mail by Assistant Attorney General William Moschella shows that Gonzales made the decision to appoint Griffin “on or about December 15, 2006, after the second of the Attorney General’s telephone conversations with Sen. Pryor”:

Therefore, despite assuring Pryor that he would “look for someone else,” Gonzales went ahead and appointed Griffin anyway. Additionally, four days after the meeting between Gonzales and Pryor, Sampson sent out an e-mail recommending that they “gum this [Griffin’s nomination] to death.” Sampson told the Senate Judiciary Committee that Gonzales did not object to this plan at the time.

Griffin continues to serve indefinitely as an “interim” U.S. attorney, even though the traditional 120-day term limit for interim prosecutors expired on April 20.

UPDATE: Emtywheel at The Next Hurrah points out that Gonzales signed Griffin’s appointment “on December 18 … but it was dated December 15,” the same day as his second conversation with Pryor.

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/22/gonzales-lie-pryor/

White House considers making war czar a “staff job.” The White House Bulletin (sub. req.) reports:

Confirmation hearings for Lute could easily turn into a high-volume, sustained attack on the Administration and the increasingly unpopular war in Iraq. Republicans who might otherwise provide some political cover at those hearings are growing increasingly impatient with the war as well, and the appointment of a ‘czar’ at this point in the war and the Administration’s tenure is widely viewed as too little, too late. Indeed, the confirmation hearings could provide the first public forum for Republicans to express their disillusionment with the war and the President. As a result, there has been some quiet talk about considering making the position a White House staff job that would not require Senate confirmation, though it would likely require Lute to give up his military career.

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/22/white-house-considering-making-war-c...

Ya know it's bad when the Mafia says that the

"Bush Family Gives Organized Crime A Bad Name"

http://tinyurl.com/2ft8ok

it looks like a troll to me.

wolf my ass
new
Submitted by dan on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 14:58.
it looks like a troll to me.

»

Smells like one too!!

I dunno ... Don't go all KOS on us Sam.

So now, I am on this thread again, but I kinda liked the other thread. I guess we should stick to topic here. hmmm...

Well, this sucks. What more can we do collectively. I say make massive calls, which requires Sam making it a priority and getting the word out on his show, a la Howard and American Idol/Sanjaya. We all call at a certain time during the day and flood them with Impeach Gonzo calls. Then they will finally ask him to step down.

Pelosi to Greenland for global warming mission. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is leading a bipartisan delegation to Greenland and Europe next week to tour a glacier and “hold talks with English and European Union leaders on the issue of global warming and what needs to be done, or even can be done, to counter it.”

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0507/Global_warming_tour_Pelosi_d...

They are compromising.

The Dems caved but are saying they are including bench marks.

Big f-ing deal!!

Did everyone here call?

I hope so.

Breaking: No withdrawal timetable in Congressional Dems' Iraq bill.

Late Update: Harry Reid explains why this wasn't a defeat for Dems.

-- Greg Sargent

Is The New York Times giving short shrift to the Edwards campaign?

Our survey shows that in the last three months, Hillary and Obama have each earned mentions in nearly twice as many Times articles as Edwards has.

-- Greg Sargent

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/014264.php

is anyone surprised? Caved my ass.They just did what they are so capable of doing. Count me out.
Vote Green!

WTF?

"We now have the timeline that the Republicans have set" -- oh, dear.

Even if you accept that the Republicans will actually begin bailing on the President in September -- which is a pretty big If -- the political perils for Dems are clear here. If Republicans, eyeing 2008, do end up bailing, they will try to be seen as the ones who finally forced the President's hand -- as the ones who set the timeline, as Reid generously put it. And everyone will forget that it's the Dems who forced the foot-dragging, Bush-shilling, head-in-the-sand Republicans into coming around in the first place.

A vigorous effort will be required to prevent everyone from agreeing to forget this.

****

I'm calling Reid's office and bitching.

Washington
528 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3542 / Fax: 202-224-7327
Toll Free for Nevadans: 1-866-SEN-REID (736-7343) -Restricted to calls originating from area codes 775 and 702

could find the silver lining in a mushroom cloud...

accept it, the dems caved. with public sentiment overwhelmingly for getting out, its not clear why they caved.

what a great idea. look at how successful it was for nader.

once you press '1' to speak to his staff memebers about an issue..

Fucker.

Third time calling.

Given her latest- let the bitch stay in greenland. No Timeline my ass.
Vote Green!

CNN: Dems to give Bush blank check on Iraq
by John Aravosis (DC) · 5/22/2007 02:32:00 PM ET

UPDATE: The latest from the Dems: Sure, this time we caved, but next time boy that President Bush better watch out.
Maryland Democrat [Steny Hoyer] said the next step for his party will be to insist on tougher language in the 2008 military spending bill to be debated this summer.
Uh huh. Whatever.

Sorry, but that's exactly what it is - a blank check. More from CNN. In my view, they blustered and they blinked. Yeah, it's nice that the Dems attached the minimum wage, and I'm happy about that, but that's not really the point is it? We're in a war that is destroying our country. $7.25 an hour isn't going to fix that. It's also not why the Democrats were elected.

More from AP:
Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., co-founder of the liberal Out of Iraq Caucus, said she will vote against the new measure and predicted that many of colleagues will join her.

"Every time we negotiate, it (the bill) becomes weaker," said Woolsey, D-Calif. "This is a Republican bill, so it better be Republican votes that pass it."

Hoyer said the new bill, despite its lack of a timetable on troop withdrawals, is still a victory for Democrats.

"There's not a rubber stamp or blank check here. . . . And we believe the net result here will be a significant change in direction," said Hoyer.
Woolsey's right, no one should vote for this thing. It's a Republican bill, let them pass it. As for this not being a blank check, please. We caved, 100%, to a guy at 28% in the polls. That's pitiful.

http://www.americablog.com/2007/05/cnn-dems-to-give-bush-blank-check-on....

now just on hold ....

fucker.

Sorry kid, but ...

I told him that the Democrats are pathetic. Millions of us fought long and hard to get them the majority this last election based largely on the Iraq issue! And what do the Dems do?! Hand over authority to the Republicans on setting the timetable.

I told him it was all over the internet and progressive talk radio about Reid and the Dems caving and we are all thoroughly disgusted at how pathetic you are.

I even quoted him the MSNBC quote, and TPM's analysis of how lame they are!

He said "Thanks for your comment" after my tirade. And I said, you are going to be getting a lot of them. Your phone lines have been busy, and people are really pissed off and disgusted.

Now I'm calling Pelosi...

(202) 225-4965

I'm on hold now!!!

Americablog
new
Submitted by toniD on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 14:12.

Leona taught him well. Congress is submissive.

her office just transferred me to phone mail.

Left a long tirade with her too.

Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., co-founder of the liberal Out of Iraq Caucus, said she will vote against the new measure and predicted that many of colleagues will join her.

"Every time we negotiate, it (the bill) becomes weaker," said Woolsey, D-Calif. "This is a Republican bill, so it better be Republican votes that pass it."

The only thing is the crossover votes from the repubs on this one. That's the problem! Damn, Damn, Damn!!!

Told him there were alot of pissed off people out here. Do they realize what they've done?

It's moving through the tubes (internets) like crazy right now!

Told him that the Pres is tanking in the polls and the Dems just gave him what he wanted. And in essence, it is a blank check.

September is too late nad Bush is planning a huge escalation.

We're not really happy with the Dems right now and the appeasements aren't working!!

Tell your boss there will be problems!

Got a young voice on the phone
new
Submitted by toniD on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 16:29.

Told him there were alot of pissed off people out here. Do they realize what they've done?

***

Yay!

I'm calling Lynn Woolsey to thank her and see who else I can call regarding this:

Lynn Woolsey

Washington DC Office:
2263 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
Ph.: 202-225-5161
Fax: 202-225-5163

Anyone have a handy list?

Everyone should call their representative. Pronto. Give them a piece of your mind. In your style. Whatever that may be. In your own words.

Just speak out.

(Ho Hum @ 15:54)
what a dumbass

bush & co could be held impeachable for a number of offences

how does this preclude this call for impeachment...

i repeat, what a dumbass

"the system is working"

You can call your members of Congress right now on one of these toll-free numbers, 800-828-0498, 800-459-1887 or 800-614-2803. There are operators on duty 24 hours a day. Just ask to be connected to one of your senators or your house representative and they'll put you through.

I've been calling too! I certainly hope throwing a match into a puddle of gasoline was the Democrats' intention! Now it looks like they'll get their answer.

If adding to the incompetence and sharing the blame for the Iraq debacle is what these marshmallows want then we need to let them have it! ALL OF THEM!

to Bush's Dumbest Utterance

"the system is working"

And you can also ask them to impeach Gonzales while you're at it.

Man! I am pissed!

Submitted by 60th Street on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 16:43.

***

It feels good to give them a piece of your mind ...!

Oh yeah ... !

Dial away!

you still believe that bushie is a goodly man

a sincere man...

the picture you paint is erroneous

~he's a vicious punk~

(fuck your pretty psycho-analysis)

"the system is working"

That number again?

800-614-2803

He was easier to get hold off.

Now Obama!!

Edwards has been telling the Dems to keep sending back the same bill until the money really ran out and Bush will sign what we want.

This is just beyond belief.!!

SAMMER!!

SEPERATE EACH THREAD VIA THE AUSPICES OF A CLEAR LINE

"the system is working"

"the system is working" //

I agree the system is working. No one at all is paying any attention to your foolish antics. Someone always establishes the out-of-bounds line. They do so by radical actions that the majority find unacceptable. You have establish a political position across that line, you too are considered out-of-bounds and no longer politically reliant.

But the system works quite well. That is why the far right and the far left are aways ignored, just as they are today. Doesn't mean you can't act the clown, the system allows for the clowns. They are always on the sidelines not in the action.

Kick Gonzo's hiney out!

Bush is a radical and is not on the sidelines.

That of course does not preclude him from simultaneously being an ass clown.

Laura Flanders free form blog:
http://web.mac.com/maggies_boy/iWeb/Laura%20Flanders%20BlogNation/Welcom...

Sen. Russ Feingold put this diary up at DKos:

I wanted to link to a couple really good posts that I've seen in the past few days about the Democrats' strategy on the Iraq supplemental spending bill. They drive home what a mistake it is to just give up and pass a supplemental that doesn't include language to stop the war:

http://www.dailykos.com/…

http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/…

This situation is a collapse for Democrats. We had a strong start, pushed back against the President's failed policy and held our ground that the supplemental should include binding language to end the war. But now, as Congress gets ready to send the President a bill that does nothing to get our troops out of Iraq, we are just folding our cards. As one person commented under Greg Sargent's great post at TPM cafe, "Send the Congressional Dems over to my place for some poker - I could use a windfall right now."

This is no time to back down.

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that Congress will heed Feingold's suggestion. Reports are out that Democratic leaders are dropping deadlines from the spending bill (although they are leaving in "benchmarks"). I'd say it's time to contact your representatives to let them know that cowing to Bush's demands and ignoring their constituents' desires is not politically expedient for them.

From Crooks & Liars

CATEGORIZE THE OPEN MICS

e.g. one for music videos
(why folk want to put these up is beyond my intellect as a trained psychologist -- i'd have to confer with my eminent colleague, prof. m the ac -- he real smart, him)

another for blog improvements...

(etc)

"the system is working"

The system is working. Although a majority want us to withdraw from Iraq, and have expressed this desire to elected officials, nothing is happening. National interests demand we control Iraq's oil supplies. It is written. Constitution, baby!

dumbass

"the system is working"

Well, at least the Iraqi Government is preparing for an imminent American troop pullout I wish I could say the same for ours.

Just called Durbin

Submitted by toniD on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 16:51.

He was easier to get hold off.

Now Obama!!

Edwards has been telling the Dems to keep sending back the same bill until the money really ran out and Bush will sign what we want.

This is just beyond belief.!!

****

Crazy shit!

"the system is working"

is sarcasm

it's taken from Lawrence O'Donnell's appearance on seder's inaugural sunday show, when he said that the blow torch being applied to gonzo's tummy is proof positive that...

"the system is working"

of course the system isn't working when seder has dipshits like o'donnell on, and allows you here

Now those jackals(Repubs)in the House are trying to Hassel Murtha over that dust-up with a Repub.congressman the other day.God,they love to Waste time.Where were they when Cheney told Sen.Leahy to F--k off!?Demo's cave in to Repubs.and War funding!Typical BS!!Now,I'll have to email their asses all over again!!We need to give these clowns some Backbone!!And no,voteing Green won't help.Not,on a National level yet!The Greens need to get their local shit together,than they can go national.Voting for them nationally,is just a waste of a vote.Look at Nader!!Now,we need to keep trying to stop this sickening War!! :)

What are we describing here? Robbery, Assault? Rape? Were they using harsh language on the lambs, Clarisse?

Oh, sorry; I forgot -- This is how the story goes:

Once, a shepherd boy was trying to warn his village about a threat from a pack of wolves, living right inside the village. The villagers listened.

When night came, the wolves inside the village attacked and killed the lambs -- and, they gave the troll his share, since he had been with them from the beginning. And the troll laughed at how stupid and gullible the villagers were.

800-614-2803

Calling Clinton again for the halibut....

air-ono: Boy, did you miss my point.

And, the psychoanalysis was pretty, wasn't it? Thanks.

//Bush believes with a perfect faith that he has done no wrong.//

(lol)

"the system is working"

got burgers to flip

"the system is working"

Snow Slams Gore’s Book, Suggests It Should Be ‘Reprinted’ Because It Calls Out Bush’s ‘Deception’ »
In his new book The Assault on Reason, Al Gore wrote that Bush’s efforts to connect Iraq to 9/11 were an example of the administration’s willful “deception” of the public:

When the administration is told specifically and repeatedly by the most authoritative sources that there is no linkage, but then in spite of the best evidence continues to make bold and confident assertions to the American people that leave the impression with 70 percent of the country that Saddam Hussein was linked to al-Qaeda and was primarily responsible for the 9/11 attack, this can only be labeled deception. [p.108]

This afternoon, White House press secretary Tony Snow took issue with this passage. “[Bush] has never tried to make” the connection between Iraq and 9/11, Snow said. “And what [Gore] is doing, it’s been tried by a lot of other people, which is to take something the president hasn’t said, expose it as a, quote, lie, and then beat him up for it. … The president’s been straight about the intel.”

Snow attacked Gore’s book, saying, “I don’t know if they’re going to do a reprinting of the book to try to get the facts straight. The fact-checkers may have to take a look at it.” He added, “These are highly complex publishing issues and I can’t be an expert on them.” Watch it:

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/22/snow-on-gore-book/

To justify the war, Bush informed Congress on March 19, 2003 that acting against Iraq was consistent with “continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.”

As ThinkProgress has repeatedly documented, Vice President Cheney cited “evidence” cooked up by Douglas Feith and others to claim it was “pretty well confirmed” that Iraq had contacts with 9/11 hijackers.

More generally, in the lead-up to the war in Iraq, the administration encouraged the false impression that Saddam had a role in 9/11. Bush never stated then, as he does now, that Iraq had “nothing” to do with 9/11. Only after the Iraq war began did Bush candidly acknowledge that Iraq was not operationally linked to 9/11.

Got a 2 fer: Gonzo and Iraq.

Mostly a tirade on Iraq and the weakness of the Dems.

The person answering the phone said that Clinton did express her disapproval at Bush vetoing the last bill, and while she can't comment on the pending legislation she can tell me that Sen Clinton is working with Sen Byrd on some legislation of her own.

Then I threw in Gonzo. I threw around Chuck Schumer's name - thinking she is somewhat competitive with Shumer.

At C&L: This situation is a collapse for Democrats. We had a strong start, pushed back against the President's failed policy and held our ground that the supplemental should include binding language to end the war. But now, as Congress gets ready to send the President a bill that does nothing to get our troops out of Iraq, we are just folding our cards. As one person commented under Greg Sargent's great post at TPM cafe, "Send the Congressional Dems over to my place for some poker - I could use a windfall right now."

Did I mention....?

You can call your members of Congress right now on one of these toll-free numbers, 800-828-0498, 800-459-1887 or 800-614-2803. There are operators on duty 24 hours a day. Just ask to be connected to one of your senators or your house representative and they'll put you through.

In case you missed it....

I just called the Edwards campaign [ (919) 636-3131 ] to tell them what I thought about this and that they should tell the policy people there to have Edwards immediately go public and speak at length about his opposition to this decision. After all, he called for Congress to keep re-sending the initial bill and forcing Bush to repeatedly veto it, so he should be decrying this the loudest. He is the one most likely to ratchet up the pressure on the frontrunners and which could have a domino affect on the rest of Congress if they address it enough in the MSM. This is a perfect time for Edwards to do it and really set himself apart from the wafflers.

Call the people most apt to be in the spotlight and therefore, under the pressure to answer for this: the presidential candidates and any politicians who regularly make the rounds as Sunday bobbleheads like Clinton, Obama, Edwards, Biden, etc.

Read the story, it has a twist to it...

Student Arrested With Homemade Bombs, Three Other Suspects Sought

May 22, 2007 —

Even in death, the Rev. Jerry Falwell rouses the most volatile of emotions.

Authorities arrested a Liberty University student for having several homemade bombs in his car.

The student, 19-year-old Mark Ewell of Amissville, Va., reportedly told authorities that he was making the bombs to stop protesters from disrupting the funeral service. The devices were made of a combination of gasoline and detergent, a law enforcement official told ABC News' Pierre Thomas. They were "slow burn," according to the official, and would not have been very destructive.

Three other suspects are being sought, one of whom is a soldier from Fort Benning, Ga., and another is a high school student. No information was available on the third suspect.

Authorities were alerted to the potential bomb plot by a concerned relative of Ewell.

http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=3201543

Bush believes with a perfect faith that he has done no wrong.

...and he absolutely does. That's how divorced from reality the guy is.

Go well & Flip yer burgers...

http://www.counterpunch.org/kolakowski05222007.html

Retired General: 'War Czar' position proves Cheney has been 'ineffective' David Edwards and Muriel Kane
Published: Tuesday May 22, 2007

In 2003, Major General Paul Eaton was put in charge of training the new Iraqi army and police force. He retired from the military in 2006 and has now done a political ad for VoteVets.org in which he tells President Bush, "I was one of those commanders, and you weren't listening when we warned you of the dangers we'd face invading Iraq."

In this interview with PBS's Tavis Smiley, Easton, now retired, explains that it was because the president has not listened to his commanders that VoteVets embarked on its unprecedented series of television ads. He says the decision to do so was not taken lightly, but the military is not being properly maintained by the current administration and even active duty military personnel are aware of this.

When asked by Smiley about Bush's decision to appoint a "war czar," Eaton says that the appointing of any "czar" by an administration indicates a "last ditch effort." He calls Lt. General Douglas Lute "a wonderful soldier" but says the function is "really the job of the vice president of the United States."

According to Eaton, the hiring of a "war czar" "is a demonstration that this office of the vice president has been ineffective in achieving the coordination necessary in the interagency process to get this administration – to get this cabinet – focused on solving the crisis that we've got right now in Iraq and in Afghanistan."

"The War Czar is a last ditch effort to make responsible government happen in Washington DC," Eaton added.

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Gen._Eaton_War_Czar_job_of_0522.html

Call the Ones in the Spotlight
new
Submitted by 60th Street on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 17:30.

I just called the Edwards campaign [ (919) 636-3131 ]

***

Doing it.

“And what [Gore] is doing, it’s been tried by a lot of other people, which is to take something the president hasn’t said, expose it as a, quote, lie, and then beat him up for it. … The president’s been straight about the intel.”

he's using ho-hum's logic: because //it’s been tried// before it somehow by magic negates the verifiable deception

the issue isn't //it’s been tried//

the issue is the continued denial of the deception

WHY ISN'T THIS SPLASHED ON THE FRONTPAGES...

continued denial!!
continued denial!!!

(how about repeating the big truth)

"the system is working"

oh, please...

(do you want fries with that, jack)

"the system is working"

They lie alot alike. Same cadence, same eye trail.

did say that on the dawning of the recent emergency government plan.

I totally agree...

and "Stay tuned. I think you'll be hearing something about it from him soon."

a clean bomb?

regarding ousting Gonzo, but it wanted money to back that up. I want to call the DNC and tell them how disgusted I am with them backing down on Iraq, that I won't be giving money until they get a spine.

I called the number:

Mailing Address:
Democratic National Committee
430 S. Capitol St. SE
Washington, DC 20003

Main Phone Number:
202-863-8000

Unfortunately, they close at 5:30pm

isn't gasoline and detergent poor mans napalm?

Here's the link:

http://www.democrats.org/page/s/contactissues

Tell them you worked hard to give them the majority and you are very disappointed and very angry that they are caving into Bush and the Republicans on Iraq!

And you will not be giving another dime until they get with the program - the single most important issue to voters in the last election: Iraq!

Nice Catherine! It looks like Feingold is on it! I just read Toni's post about his post on Kos. I hope the blowback is huge on this!

I hope the blowback is huge on this!

***

Me too!

Hersh: Bush administration arranged support for militants attacking Lebanon
David Edwards and Muriel Kane
Published: Tuesday May 22, 2007

In an interview on CNN International's Your World Today, veteran journalist Seymour Hersh explains that the current violence in Lebanon is the result of an attempt by the Lebanese government to crack down on a militant Sunni group, Fatah al-Islam, that it formerly supported.

Last March, Hersh reported that American policy in the Middle East had shifted to opposing Iran, Syria, and their Shia allies at any cost, even if it meant backing hardline Sunni jihadists.

A key element of this policy shift was an agreement among Vice President Dick Cheney, Deputy National Security Advisor Elliot Abrams, and Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the Saudi national security adviser, whereby the Saudis would covertly fund the Sunni Farah al-Islam in Lebanon as a counterweight to the Shia Hezbollah.

Hersh points out that the current situation is much like that during the conflict in Afghanistan in the 1980's – which gave rise to al Qaeda – with the same people involved in both the US and Saudi Arabia and the "same pattern" of the US using jihadists that the Saudis assure us they can control.

When asked why the administration would be acting in a way that appears to run counter to US interests, Hersh says that, since the Israelis lost to them last summer, "the fear of Hezbollah in Washington, particularly in the White House, is acute."

As a result, Hersh implies, the Bush administration is no longer acting rationally in its policy. "We're in the business of supporting the Sunnis anywhere we can against the Shia. ... "We're in the business of creating ... sectarian violence." And he describes the scheme of funding Fatah al-Islam as "a covert program we joined in with the Saudis as part of a bigger, broader program of doing everything we could to stop the spread of the Shia world, and it just simply -- it bit us in the rear."

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Hersh_Bush_arranged_support_for_militants_...

Here's the DCCC's contact email also!!

http://www.dccc.org/action_center/contact/

By the way, just sent the DNC an email!

Tue May 22, 2007 at 01:28:12 PM PDT
The only people who actually know what’s going on regarding the supplemental appropriations bill on Iraq are insiders and those with a good connection to a few of them. The rest of us can only guess based on what we’re reading from suspect sources. And, because coming up with a supplemental bill is a process until it becomes a product, the situation can change from morning to afternoon, if not hour to hour. What may have been true yesterday, or at noon today, may not be the case at the moment.

Here’s what being said right now by MSNBC:

Con't

Feingold can't support 'toothless benchmarks' Nick Juliano
Published: Tuesday May 22, 2007

One of the Democrats leading anti-war voices accused his party of abandoning its priorities and ignoring the will of the American people in preparing to send the president a bill that would fund the Iraq war without requiring any consequences for a continued lack of progress there.

"I cannot support a bill that contains nothing more than toothless benchmarks and that allows the President to continue what may be the greatest foreign policy blunder in our nation's history," Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisc., said in a statement released Tuesday. "There has been a lot of tough talk from members of Congress about wanting to end this war, but it looks like the desire for political comfort won out over real action."

Feingold sponsored a measure last week that would have begun bringing troops home from Iraq within three months. Only 29 senators supported the withdrawal bill, and Congressional leaders are negotiating with the White House on a measure to provide more than $90 billion to fund the war effort through September.

The White House has said any bill that includes a timetable will be vetoed by the president. Negotiators say the measure is likely to call for benchmarks on progress in Iraq, which could trigger cuts in aid to the country if they are not met, but the president is expected to have the right to waive compliance with the requirements.

The compromise legislation is expected to mirror an amendment introduced last week by Sen. John Warner, R-Va., that would have imposed the same stipulations, as RAW STORY reported last week.

In a diary posted Tuesday on the Democratic community blog Daily Kos, Feingold called the negotiations "a collapse for Democrats." He has vowed not to support a bill that does not include a timetable for withdrawal.

"This is no time to back down," Feingold wrote. "This fight to end the war isn’t something that we can just put off or kick down the road."

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Feingold_cant_support_toothless_benchmarks...

His remarks are moving through the blogosphere!!

As a result, Hersh implies, the Bush administration is no longer acting rationally in its policy. "We're in the business of supporting the Sunnis anywhere we can against the Shia. ... "We're in the business of creating ... sectarian violence."

***

Wow.

Thanks for the post, Toni.

Hersh: Bush administration arranged support for militants attacking Lebanon

Jesus -- our own ass-clowns funded this??

Submitted by toniD on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 18:04.

Here's the DCCC's contact email also!!

http://www.dccc.org/action_center/contact/

By the way, just sent the DNC an email!
***

I emailed the DCCC as well, Toni!

Thanks for that!

Former Rove aide pleads the Fifth on White House contacts with convicted lobbyist Abramoff

Susan Ralston, the former executive assistant to top White House adviser Karl Rove, invoked her rights against self-incrimination while she was being asked to answer questions by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Committee's Chairman, Rep. Henry Waxman, announced in a memo Tuesday. The deposition for which she sat concerned contacts between convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff and Rove, as well as the White House more broadly.

"The subjects this morning that she will be unable to testify to...are the subjects of the relationship between Jack Abramoff and his associates and White House officials, including Ms. Ralston, and the subject of the use by White House officials of political e-mail accounts at the RNC," Ralston's lawyer, Bradford Berenson said, during the May 10 deposition. "She has material, useful information about both of those subjects."

According to Waxman's memo, which was sent to Oversight Committee members, Ralston is seeking immunity from prosecution.

"She is more than willing to provide it to the committee. However, she will, as we have previously discussed, require a grant of immunity before she is comfortable going forward," Berenson also said in the deposition.

A spokeswoman for the Committee would not say whether or not immunity would be granted to the former Rove aide.

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Former_Rove_aide_pleads_Fifth_on_0522.html

and it feels better when others participate as well...

[Take that any way you like, but I was referring to voicing my opinion]

Doc: An $880,000 Lawsuit Between Congressmen
May 21, 2007 | 1:51 PM ET | Permanent Link
Note: This article ran on May 21, and was updated with a response from McDermott, below, on May 22 at 10:45 a.m. ET

A legal battle between two longtime congressmen has cost the winner $880,000, according to the winner's lawyer.

A federal court ruled earlier this month in favor of House GOP leader John Boehner of Ohio against Rep. Jim McDermott, a veteran Democratic member from Washington State. The case is very much inside-the-beltway stuff. As News Desk explained earlier this month, the dispute was over a tape McDermott had obtained of Boehner discussing an ethics ruling with then Speaker Newt Gingrich and several other members of the Republican leadership. Boehner's complaint alleged that McDermott violated federal law when he disclosed the tape of an "illegally intercepted conversation."

The court ruled on May 1 that there was no First Amendment right "to disclose the tape to the media," a victory for Boehner.

In a letter obtained today by U.S. News, Michael Carvin, a lawyer for Boehner, discloses the fees. (Letter: Page One, Page Two.)

"I think we need to move forward with the determination of attorney's fees and costs," Carvin wrote on May 15. "We believe that the fee issue should be capable of prompt resolution."

In a brief interview, Carvin said: "I don't comment on communications between counsel, but obviously we are entitled to the attorneys' fees. That amount would not be uncommon for a case like this."

Mike DeCesare, McDermott's spokesman, said the office was taking a look at the letter regarding the fees. In a statement, when the federal court ruled on May 1, McDermott said: "Legal counsel will continue to review today's decision. It is premature to speculate on a course of action. We have 90 days to decide whether to appeal this important and unfortunate First Amendment ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court."

Update:In response to the letter from Boehner's lawyer, McDermott's office issued this statement:

"The letter sent by Rep. Boehner's attorney was unexpected, unsolicited and premature. This is a very important case, with significant constitutional issues involved, and for the attorney to the plaintiff to act otherwise is impertinent and unwarranted. We are considering an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court and there are over two months remaining before a decision is required."

--Silla Brush

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/blogs/news_blog/070521/doc_an_880000_lawsui...

I hate phones.My old job,long story!I've emailed Hillary,Boxer,Feinstein,dccc.org,CA-Susan Davis,and democrats.org.I'm tracking down Reid next..This is what I wrote.I stole from 60th St.,and somebody else.Sorry,but I was In a big hurry!

This situation is a collapse for Democrats. We had a strong start, pushed back against the President's failed policy and held our ground that the supplemental should include binding language to end the war. But now, as Congress gets ready to send the President a bill that does nothing to get our troops out of Iraq, we are just folding our cards. As one person commented under Greg Sargent's great post at TPM cafe, "Send the Congressional Dems over to my place for some poker - I could use a windfall right now."
Well, at least the Iraqi Government is preparing for an imminent American troop pullout I wish I could say the same for ours.
Where is Your BackBone Democrats?All of US That Voted For You are Very Disappointed!No More Excuse!Get To Work.Keep sending The Bill Back Until Bush Gives In.Not you!Hang in There,and Show Us Some Backbone!!His approval rating is now about 33%.If Not Now When??Wake up!Please.Thank you,Michael.

I would think they'd wait on granting her immunity until they see how cooperative Goodling is tomorrow. I hope she spills it to compensate for the bad news today.

CBS Radio crowing on about how Bush WON!!!! How he showed those Dems whats what...then when I turned on my TV, the top of the news was saying the same thing. Bush is the big bad winner against the PUSSY DEMS!

I am so ashamed. I really am. I have started the emails and I'm getting ready to start the calls.

Gina

I've e-mail just about everyone.Who's Next!

Submitted by MMRules on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 18:31.

***

I dunno... have you covered all of your reps? Have you covered the DNC?

Good letter!

Actually, it's good that we're all consistent with the message anyway, but it's different enough that it counts more than a form letter/email.

I am so ashamed. I really am. I have started the emails and I'm getting ready to start the calls.

Gina

***

It's not over yet, Gina.

Get mad at the Dems! You got them where they are. Remember that.

Don't bother with the news... they're irrelevant.

I passed several Gas Stations. The Citgo (Oil from Venesuela) was the cheapest at $3.51.9. The others were $3.55 +. The most was $3.59.9.

This means it's going to be less driving for me and it means that whatever I buy will be more costly.

I don't drive that much as it is. I fill up once a month and my car gets a good 28 miles per gallon and that is city type driving. But it will still hurt.

Tucker just said that Bush was less popular than venerial(sp) desease right now.

"Another one wanting to invoke the Fifth..."
new
Submitted by 60th Street on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 17:33.
I would think they'd wait on granting her immunity until they see how cooperative Goodling is tomorrow. I hope she spills it to compensate for the bad news today.

Read this 60th Street...Monica is being difficult

Thanks....Oh yea,I emailed Boxer,Feinstein,and CA-Susan Davis first!This might help people here too.

Senate Democratic Members/Leaders

I've called Menendez(I'm in NJ) and left a message telling him how I feel and I am going to keep going.

Thanks to you all for posting the numbers...you'd think I'd have them memorized by now.

I know I need to ignore the news...but it's hard!

Gina

LONDON (AFP) - A pair of gay flamingos have adopted an abandoned chick, becoming parents after being together for six years, a British conservation organisation said Monday.

Carlos and Fernando had been desperate to start a family, even chasing other flamingos from their nests to take over their eggs at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) in Slimbridge near Bristol.

But their egg-sitting prowess made them the top choice for taking an unhatched egg under their wings when one of the Greater Flamingo nests was abandoned.

The couple, together for six years, can feed chicks by producing milk in their throats.

"Fernando and Carlos are a same sex couple who have been known to steal other flamingos' eggs by chasing them off their nest because they wanted to rear them themselves," said WWT spokeswoman Jane Waghorn.

"They were rather good at sitting on eggs and hatching them so last week, when a nest was abandoned, it seemed like a good idea to make them surrogate parents."

Gay flamingos are not uncommon, she added.

"If there aren't enough females or they don't hit it off with them, they will pair off with other males," she said.

Kucinich blasts 'minimum wage for maximum blood' report Ron Brynaert
Published: Tuesday May 22, 2007

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) delivered a blistering speech on the House floor today in response to an Associated Press report that "the latest Iraq Supplemental funding plan, incredibly, will tie an increase in the minimum wage to funding the war through October."

Earlier today, Anne Flaherty reported for the AP that "the next war spending bill most likely will fund military operations and not demand a timeline to bring troops home, although it will contain other restrictions on Bush's Iraq policies," including so-called "benchmarks" that the Iraqi government will be expected to reach.

"The Democrats' new bill also was expected to include the first federal minimum wage increase in more than a decade, a top priority for the Democrats who took control of Congress in January," Flaherty continued. "White House officials have said Bush was amenable to accepting an increase in the minimum wage, although they and key GOP lawmakers favor larger tax cuts to accompany the measure."

Kucinich said in response, "If this is true, and I hope it is not, it tells American workers that the only way they will get an increase in wages is to continue to support funding the war which is taking the lives of their sons and daughters."

"First blood for oil," Kucinich continued. "Now a minimum wage for maximum blood. Aren't the American people giving enough blood for this war without having to give more to have a wage increase?"

Kucinich asked, "What's happened to our country? We are losing our moral compass. We're losing our sense of justice. We're losing touch with the difference between right and wrong."

"We do not have to fund this war," the 2008 Democratic presidential candidate added. "We must leave Iraq now. Support our troops and bring them home. HR 1234 is a plan to end the war and stabilize Iraq and give Iraqis control of their oil. We must take a new path. We must take a path of truth and justice."

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Kucinich_blasts_minimum_wage_for_maximum_0...

Check out the real facts on the situation in Zimbabwe and their background, in this article from Brendan Stone.
http://www.raceandhistory.com/Zimbabwe/2007/2205.html

Pinkos!

May 22, 3:32 PM (ET)

By JIM ABRAMS

WASHINGTON (AP) - The House passed legislation Tuesday to combat the criminal use of Internet spyware and scams aimed at stealing personal information from computer users.

Spyware, said bill sponsor Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., "is one of the biggest threats to consumers on the Internet." She and other lawmakers cited estimates that up to 90 percent of computers in this country are infected with some form of spyware.

Spyware is software that secretly collects information about a person or organization and sends it to another entity without the user's consent.

Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., cosponsor of the bill, said it had been written so that it "protects consumers by imposing stiff penalties on the truly bad actors" while protecting legitimate online businesses that are developing new services to keep track of user preferences.

The bill makes it a criminal offense, subject to a prison term of up to five years, to access a computer without authorization to further another federal criminal offense. Obtaining or transmitting personal information with the intent of injuring or defrauding a person or damaging a computer is punishable by up to two years in prison.

The measure approves $10 million a year over the next four years to help the Justice Department fight other computer scams such as "phishing" - the use of fake e-mails or Web sites to trick consumers into providing bank account, credit card or other personal information - and "pharming," where hackers redirect Internet traffic to fake sites in order to steal personal information.

Similar bills have been approved by the House in past sessions of Congress, but have yet to clear the Senate.

http://www.rawstory.com/showoutarticle.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fapnews.myway...

Submitted by Sunshine Jim on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 16:45.

I'm just glad they aren't stealing eggs anymore.

Democrats have a lot of explaining to do after backing down
After weeks of refusing to back down to President Bush on setting a timetable on Iraq, House Democratic leaders face having to explain to their party's rank and file why they've now relented.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070522/ap_on_go_co/us_iraq;_ylt=ArleW7CX7iL...

had no idear what that was about last night!

Maybe they'll (d's) will say, 'shut up about the war...look what we can do...give you a peanut that you've deserved for the last ten years instead...'

THE END....

E Mail addresses.

Speaker.Gov

Senate Democrats

Backlash has already started...
Submitted by toniD on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 18:54.

Democrats have a lot of explaining to do after backing down
After weeks of refusing to back down to President Bush on setting a timetable on Iraq, House Democratic leaders face having to explain to their party's rank and file why they've now relented.

******

Keep it up!

ABC News: Bush Authorizes New Covert Action Against Iran
This evening, ABC’s World News Tonight reported that the “United States has opened a new front in its showdown with Iran.” According to the report, President Bush has directed the CIA to carry out covert operations both inside and outside Iran “aimed directly at weakening the Iranian regime.”

ABC’s investigative correspondent Brian Ross said the CIA’s “non-lethal” program had received “secret presidential approval.” Officials told ABC the CIA plan “takes the place of proposed U.S. military action against Iran, reportedly advocated by Vice President Cheney.” Watch it:

The Blotter has more coverage:

The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the subject, say President Bush has signed a “nonlethal presidential finding” that puts into motion a CIA plan that reportedly includes a coordinated campaign of propaganda, disinformation and manipulation of Iran’s currency and international financial transactions.

[…]

“Vice President Cheney helped to lead the side favoring a military strike,” said former CIA official Riedel, “but I think they have come to the conclusion that a military strike has more downsides than upsides.”

The covert action plan comes as U.S. officials have confirmed Iran had dramatically increased its ability to produce nuclear weapons material, at a pace that experts said would give them the ability to build a nuclear bomb in two years.

Vali Nasr, an Iran expert at the Council on Foreign Relations, said “I think everybody in the region knows that there is a proxy war already afoot with the United States supporting anti-Iranian elements in the region as well as opposition groups within Iran. And this covert action is now being escalated by the new U.S. directive, and that can very quickly lead to Iranian retaliation and a cycle of escalation can follow.”

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/22/abc-iran-covert/

Thanks, Toni! (posted in a comment on your blog, also)

I have had a feeling that this is just another dirty play by another loyal Bushie. Get immunity and then lose your memory.

I have a feeling, though, that this one is too young to pull a Gonzalez and that the Committee members are going to be able to craft their questions to force her to admit something and that being under oath will be added pressure to get her to slip up.

UPDATE III: Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will reportedly oppose the funding bill:

It will split the Democratic caucus in half, with as many as 120 Democrats voting no. Among the nays, I’m told, will be House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who will have negotiated a bill that she thinks is the best option for House Democrats but which she personally can’t support. Most other Democratic leaders are expected to vote in favor. Still, if only 100 Democrats vote yes, the amendment will require at least 118 Republicans in order to pass.

“Some will say no, some will say yes,” the official involved in the negotiations said of rank and file Democrats. “It’s not a perfect bill. Nobody got what they wanted. But it is the beginning of the end of George W. Bush’s policy in Iraq.”

Also, the House leadership is promising “to return to the timelines — and other measures designed to pressure Bush to withdraw from Iraq — in the Defense appropriations bill for the next fiscal year. ‘We’ll be able to write a lot of policy in appropriations that Bush won’t be able to veto,’ says the official.”

http://time-blog.com/swampland/2007/05/iraq_funding_democrats_will_sp.ht...

I was so f---ing angry and depressed after hearing what the f---ing Dems are doing again.
I'm still angry but reading your posts has pushed me to get going with the calls and emails again.
Jeez, I mean how many times have the Dems gotten some scandal or impeachable offense handed to them on a silver platter by the republicans? All they had to do is run with one or two of them and they would be way ahead of where they are now.
They just keep letting this s--t fly. ARRRRGH!
Anyway, thanks...
Doris

democrats.org

and set up alerts.

This tells those organizations what you are interested in hearing about.

Set it up for Iraq if you haven't already.

I followed Toni's story link:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070522/ap_on_go_co/us_iraq;_ylt=ArleW7CX7iL...
»

A columnist at the news website Salon argues that there are deep motivations that stop Americans from wanting President George W. Bush to be impeached for the many crimes he is alleged to have committed.

"There's a deeper reason why the popular impeachment movement has never taken off -- and it has to do not with Bush but with the American people. Bush's warmongering spoke to something deep in our national psyche," argues one of the website's editors, Gary Kamiya, who believes impeachment is justified.

He continues, "To impeach Bush would force us to directly confront our national core of violent self-righteousness -- come to terms with it, understand it and reject it. And we're not ready to do that."

Analogizing the relationship between President Bush and the American people to a failed marriage that is fighting against the inevitability of divorce, Kamiya says that most Americans cannot acknowledge their 'complicity' in the policies of the Bush administration.

"This doesn't mean we support Bush, simply that at some dim, half-conscious level we're too confused -- not least by our own complicity -- to work up the cold, final anger we'd need to go through impeachment," he reasons.

He adds, "The unpleasant truth is that Bush did what a lot of Americans wanted him to. And when it became clear after the fact that Bush had lied about the threat posed by Saddam Hussein, it made no sense for those Americans to turn on him....And if we took revenge on the wrong person, well, better a misplaced revenge than none at all."

But Kamiya also suggests the President is "not home free yet."

"The culture of spin is also the culture of spectacle, and a sudden, theatrical event -- a lurid accusation made by a former official, a colorful revelation of a very specific and memorable Bush lie -- could start the scandal machine going full speed," Kamiya writes. "If everything happens just so, the downfall of the House of Bush could be shocking in its swiftness."

However, at press time, a current online MSNBC poll, with nearly half a million votes already, indicates that 88 percent "believe President Bush's actions justify impeachment."

"Yes, between the secret spying, the deceptions leading to war and more, there is plenty to justify putting him on trial," the vast majority of respondents agreed in the poll, which isn't "scientific."

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=97b_1179799745
Non - offensive war video.

For CNN alerts go to top of www.CNN.com and look for member sign in. Sign in and set email alerta to "Iraq timetable" .

enlightenment arises when perceptions of god and the world cease to exist and the soul discerns the truth...

~~ ~~

And,AAR can't understand why we Might Like Alittle Humor

with Our Daily Politics!After today

I Need a Good Laugh.Jezz!!How about you??

Submitted by davidswanson on Tue, 2007-05-22 21:59. Activism

All times in Eastern Daylight Time, unless otherwise noted.

Wednesday May 23, 2007
UPDATED* BUSH in New London, CT: At 11:15 AM President Bush delivers
the commencement address to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. [The Note,
4/23/07]

Thursday May 24, 2007
NEW* BUSH in Washington, DC: At 1:05 PM THE PRESIDENT participates in a
Photo Opportunity with
recipients of the 2006 President's "E" Award and "E" Star Award for
Export Achievement. [WH Week Ahead]

Sunday May 27, 2007
NEW* BUSH in Washington, DC: At 12:30 pm THE PRESIDENT participates in
the Arrival of Rolling Thunder Leadership. [WH Week Ahead]

Wednesday May 30, 2007
BUSH in Edison, NJ: President George W. Bush will appear at an
afternoon fund raising event for the state Republican party May 30 at
the N.J. Expo Center in Edison. [Campaigns and Elections, 5/14/07]

Tuesday May 22, 2007
FALWELL FUNERAL in Lynchburg, VA: Rev. Jerry Falwell’s funeral will
be held at the Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg. GOP Presidential
candidates are likely to attend. [Fox News, 5/16/07]

BROWNBACK
NEW* BROWNBACK in Washington, DC: At 5 PM Sen. Sam Brownback R-Kans.,
makes remarks at the Set America Free Primary Energy '08 Presidential
Candidate Servies at Union Station. [The Note Sneak Peek, 5/21/07]

GINGRICH
GINGRICH in Council Bluffs, IA: At 12:30 PM Gingrich will attend a
reception with the 5th Iowa district and Nebraska Federation of
Republican Women. [newt.org]

UPDATED* GINGRICH in West Des Moines, IA: At 6:30 PM, Gingrich will
attend a book signing for his new book on Pearl Harbor at Barnes and
Noble in West Des Moines. [newt.org]

GIULIANI
GIULIANI IN Albany, NY: Giuliani will stop in Albany to collect the
endorsements of Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, Assembly Minority
Leader James Tedisco and members of their respective conferences. The
event will not take place at the Capitol, but rather at an airport
hanger named “Million Air Terminal.” [New York Daily News,
5/21/07]

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/22786

Now I'm going to listen to "the Air Americans"

Mark Reilly is by himself?

And everyone from Charlie Rangle to Sanjaya?!

Puhleeeese.

I've listened to two minutes and I'm already bored.

"How Americans can combat high fuel prices" ?

I've been preaching about bio-fuels (esp. BioDiesel) for over 7 years now!

Where've they been?!?

Office of Special Counsel: Doan broke the law. “An Office of Special Counsel report has found that General Services Administration chief Lurita Doan violated the Hatch Act, which bars federal officials from partisan political activity while on the job, sources say.”

The report addresses a Jan. 26 lunch meeting at GSA headquarters attended by Doan and about 40 political appointees, some of whom participated by videoconference. During the meeting, Scott Jennings, the White House deputy director of political affairs, gave a PowerPoint presentation that included slides listing Democratic and Republican seats the White House viewed as vulnerable in 2008, a map of contested Senate seats and other information on 2008 election strategy.

According to meeting participants, Doan asked after the call how GSA could help “our candidates.”

Doan has until June 1 to respond to the OSC report. “After Doan responds, the report will be sent to President Bush with recommendations that could include suspension or termination. The president is not required to comply with the suggestions.”

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/22/office-of-special-counsel-doan-broke...

Time lines
By: John Amato @ 4:05 PM - PDT Meteor Blades has a take on the ….new…compromised spending bill…

Unlike many Kossacks, I sympathize with the Democratic leadership when it comes to Iraq. Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi have difficult situations. You can twist arms, make threats, pressure, cajole and otherwise try to cobble together a majority from Blue Dogs and conservatives like the Nelsons, Pryor, Landrieu and others, but, ultimately, you can’t shout your way to victory

Jane talks about the importance of the vote. The media will report it as a failure of the Democratic Party and there are many that need to be held accountable. TIME is reporting that Nancy Pelosi is not voting for the second amendment of the bill…

The second amendment will, of course, be trickier. It will split the Democratic caucus in half, with as many as 120 Democrats voting no. Among the nays, I'm told, will be House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who will have negotiated a bill that she thinks is the best option for House Democrats but which she personally can't support. Most other Democratic leaders are expected to vote in favor. Still, if only 100 Democrats vote yes, the amendment will require at least 118 Republicans in order to pass…

Obey is giving a presser now. I'll have video soon of it…I knew the Dems didn't have all the votes needed at this time and that's sad. We'll find out who voted where later on. Your thoughts? Michael Tomsky writes: "Cave-in, or smart politics?"

If the celebrated surge hasn't shown results by September, public opinion will harden even more; people will start demanding timelines and Bush will be in a corner.

As indefensible and tragic as the war is, this is the best Democrats can do right now. De-funding would have handed the Republicans a great argument going into next year's election - which is, of course, one in which Democrats have their best shot at winning the White House in a long time. Iraq is Bush's war, and Democrats need to make certain that it stays that way…read on

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/05/22/time-lines/

And all they're doing is one long self-promotion commercial.

>Yawn<

does anybody have a setting or procedure to keep the blog page positioned at the bottom when you do a refresh? same with clicking on the new comments? when i get to the bottom i go back to the top.

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 18:31.
enlightenment arises when perceptions of god and the world cease to exist and the soul discerns the truth...
------------------------------
Discerning truth, in large part, requires discerning the motivation of the source.

Bush declassifies bin Laden intel

By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer
44 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - President Bush, trying to defend his war strategy, declassified intelligence Tuesday asserting that Osama bin Laden ordered a top lieutenant in early 2005 to form a terrorist cell that would conduct attacks outside Iraq — and that the United States should be the top target.

The information mirrored a classified bulletin from the Homeland Security Department in March 2005, reporting that bin Laden had enlisted Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, his senior operative in Iraq, to plan potential strikes in the U.S. The warning was described at the time as credible but not specific and did not prompt the administration to raise its national terror alert level.

Our Pres.is such a cockroach!

Con't

Helter Skelter!

C&L
By: SilentPatriot on Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007 at 2:01 PM - PDT

NBC's Jim Miklaszewski reports on how the Bush administration pays the Pakistani government $1 billion a year to hunt down Osama bin Laden, and demands zero accountability as to how that money is spent.

Con't

I know a woman who has a son attending Southwest Baptist University (which is, in my opinion, a perversion of the term "university").

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/directory/brief/drglance_2502_b...

You can look over the above web site, then decide for yourself if my Christian-activist prejudices are over-skewing my belief that some universities are not as universal as others.

My friend's son is a bright lad notwithstanding his crappy, small town, high schooling which placed him near the top of his class. He is now matriculating within a college-like school that offered him an athletic scholarship. His family has not enough money to send him to a better accredited institution of higher learning.

He is majoring in chemistry with the intent to, elsewhere, attend a medical school. Chemistry is a difficult science to master. Schools known for their chemistry curriculum are First Tier.

Here is the crux of the biscuit: He is also concentrating on "The Integration Of Science And Christian Faith".

On a philosophical level I understand the concept. However, I have reason to believe that this is not a philosophical course study. If it was it would be taught at the graduate level. I believe that it is a faith-based (i.e. superstition-based), indoctrinal twist on empirically-based, scientific facts.

In other words, I suspect that it is Monica Goodling's Regent University J.D. degree wearing different clothing.

In other, other words, it is (I love this metaphor) the Christian camel's nose, once again, poking under the Talibangelist's quasi-scientific tent.

As such, I view it (if I am reading the signs correctly) as a Higher Learning means driven by a Socio/Politico/Theocratic end.

I ask this: How can science be integrated with superstition? The two are on opposite ends of the spectrum. It is as absurd as requiring a music theory scholar to integrate a stanza with steroid therapy. Maybe dada can pull it off? I doubt that a school espousing a prime directive focused on superstition can.

well cb,not too many years ago (think dustin hoffman, the graduate) the word was plastics. now, the word is leeches.

i couldn't agree with you more. science and superstition don't mix, never have, never will.

Submitted by dan on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 20:23.
i couldn't agree with you more. science and superstition don't mix, never have, never will.
----------------------------------------------
I wish they did. I'd be fervently praying for my next tankful of no-lead gasoline.

(I'm still working on the Hi-Test joke...it's out there somewhere...)

Laura on the Radio!!!!!!

Submitted by Nicky Rose on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 21:37.
Laura on the Radio!!!!!!
==================================
Ratings for AAR Eww.0 just shot through the roof!

..or Riley will ramble the whole segment.

here's an oldie but a goodie. you can find it around the internet with various dressings and trappings. It is supposedly the only question asked on a thermodynamics final exam.

"Is hell exothermic or endothermic? Support your answer with proof."

Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law or some variant. One student, however, wrote the following:

"First, We postulate that if souls exist, then they must have some mass. If they do, then a mole of souls can also have a mass. So, at what rate are souls moving into hell and at what rate are souls leaving? I think we can safely assume that once a soul gets to hell, it will not leave.

Therefore, no souls are leaving. As for souls entering hell, let's look at the different religions that exist in the world today. Some of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, then you will go to hell. Since there are more than one of these religions and people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all people and souls go to hell. With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in hell to increase exponentially.

Now, we look at the rate of change in volume in hell. Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in hell to stay the same, the ratio of the mass of souls and volume needs to stay constant. Two options exist:

If hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter hell, then the temperature and pressure in hell will increase until all hell breaks loose.
If hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until hell freezes over.
So which is it? If we accept the quote given to me by Theresa Manyan during Freshman year, "that it will be a cold night in hell before I sleep with you" and take into account the fact that I still have NOT succeeded in having sexual relations with her, then Option 2 cannot be true...Thus, hell is exothermic."

I think that any institution that designates itself a University and not a monastery should not be teaching that fossils are God's little six-day joke intended to throw the unfaithful off track; that Manic-Depression isn't destined to be empirically identified as a brain chemistry/electrical anomaly; that life on distant planets can be explained by the gospel of Luke; that pornography is the source of rape; and that the Gay movement is designed to recruit straight kids into Gay-dom.

But what would I know? I am a mere rationalizer.

http://www.amazon.com/Bridging-Science-Spirit-Perennial-Philosophy/dp/18...

http://www.brucelipton.com/store/biology-of-belief

A groundbreaking work in the field of New Biology. Author Dr. Bruce Lipton is a former medical school professor (University of Wisconsin) and research scientist (Stanford University School of Medicine).His experiments, examining in great detail the molecular mechanisms by which cells process information, have revealed that genes do not in fact control our behavior, instead, genes are turned on and off by influences outside the cell.

These influences include our perceptions and beliefs. He shows that our beliefs, true or false, positive or negative, affect genetic activity and actually alter our genetic code. Dr. Lipton's profoundly hopeful work, being hailed as one of the major breakthroughs in the New Sciences, shows how we can retrain our consciousness to create healthy beliefs, and by doing so create a profoundly positive effect on our bodies and our lives.

Phone in. Laura knows what the hell is going on. Bring your liberal concerns.

I agree.

When you cross a bridge, you do not combine that which is behind you with that which is before you. Both remain as whole and different as they were before your crossing.

It ain't like mixing ingredients for a cake. It's more like crossing a street. The south side remains the south side. It doesn't become the sorta south, sorta north side. You, and your journey, mean nothing to the different locations.

If you mix them up, you won't know where you've been or where you are.

Dancing with the Stars. I know! I never get hooked on this type of show and I couldn't get into Idol. But I used to love to dance and it's fun to see the improvement of these people.

Takes my mind off politics and the mess we are in right now.

Just pointing out the connections that have been made, Crank...

Read some amazon product reviews here.

I didn't get much past the hamster book review.

I was depressed as hell one day, and some well meaning frined said to me. "Cheer up, caveman, things could be worse!" So, sure enough, I cheered up and things got worse.

http://www.airamerica.com/airamericans/node/2

I'm blind....

A co-worker told me there were pictures of Dr. Laura naked on the web when I mentioned her son. I couldn't believe it but it's true. It took a simple google query.

So maybe the outside of the cell turns genes on and off but with mother and son on porn there is proof that it is also genetic.

http://brilliantatbreakfast.blogspot.com/2007/05/and-democrats-cave-agai...

...
I get multiple e-mail blasts every day from an acquaintance who adheres to the "Any Democrat is better than a Republican" doctrine. But is that true? Democrats have rubber-stamped George W. Bush's Supreme Court nominees and turned the court to authoritarianism for the next two generations. They have watched as this president went to war on a lie, turned the Justice Department into an arm of the Republican party, disenfranchised voters, and thrown the Constitution in the garbage. And still they refuse to hold him to account. I'm tired of this "reaching across the aisle" nonsense, because to Republicans, "bipartisanship" means "do it our way." I'm tired of Democrats who capitulate again and again and again and again. From Harry Reid who talks tough and then caves every time, to Mark Green taking over Air America Radio, replacing Sam Seder with "Lionel" and thinking what progressives want to hear is interviews with the likes of David Brooks and Bob the Perennial Loser Shrum, this party just doesn't get it.

And I for one have had it.

I am 52 years old. I do not have children. Let the Republicans and the Democrats who are too concerned with their own fucking careers and their corporate campaign contributions fuck up the whole country beyond repair. I have at most 35 more years in this God-forsaken level of reality. If those with an investment in the future don't care, and those who are PAID to make this government work and keep this president accountable don't care, then why the heck should we?
...

Alice: "Just pointing out the connections that have been made, Crank"
----------------
I have an existential Transit pass. No matter how many different routes I take, there I am.

Alice: "Are you there yet?"
Bait: "Nope. I'm still here."
Alice: "Now cut that out!"

There's one glass in the room...three observers makes three glasses in the room.

I guess...I don't know..I'm just a poor translator of everything I absorb... :)

Alice.

Alice: "There's one glass in the room...three observers makes three glasses in the room."
Bait: "Three interpretations of a glass are in the room, plus one absolute truth. That makes four."
Alice: "Okay. Have it your way; four. Isn't it proof that there is more than meets the eye?"
Bait: "It depends. What color is the room?"
Alice: "Now cut that out!"

Just impale me & get it over with... k... ?

C&LBy: John Amato on Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007 at 7:31 PM - PDT

This is whacked:

A small group of protesters gathered near the funeral services to criticize the man who mobilized Christian evangelicals and made them a major force in American politics — often by playing on social prejudices. And Campbell County authorities arrested a Liberty University student for having several homemade bombs in his car.

Con't

jeff and sophia on NovaM WM

Gore responds. Tony Snow said today of Al Gore’s new book: “I don’t know if they’re going to do a reprinting of the book to try to get the facts straight. The fact-checkers may have to take a look at it.” Gore responded on a blogger conference call: “This book, unlike the President’s State of the Union Address, has been fact-checked.” Taylor Marsh has full audio of the call.

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/22/gore-responds-2/

Forgot to sign in again.........

How was your day?

Did you have a good day today or a bad day today? Well, what kind of day was it? Well, I don't know. How about you? How was your day?

http://www.seinfeldscripts.com/TheEngagement.html

Bait: "Fuchsia."
Alice: "Purple."
Bait: "More lavender than purple."
Alice: "You are proving my point!"
Bait: "Okay. You're right; purple."
Alice: "Now cut that out! If I want you to agree with me, I'll let you know!"

or here for streaming choices

This graf is buried down in an article just out from The Hill (emphasis added) ...

The postponements may be bad news for former Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) and Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.), who had close ties to Abramoff and whose Northern Virginia homes the FBI recently searched. Since the searches, both Doolittle and DeLay have vehemently defended themselves and lashed out at the FBI, demanding that agents “fish or cut bait” in their investigations.
Did Tom DeLay have his house searched? Did I miss that? Does Doolittle have two homes? Is there some editing error here?

-- Josh Marshall

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/citing-ongoing-cooperation-district-...

Sophia 9-11 and how our perceptions are being manipulated. Ties the manipulation into ..

of brain capacity.

.

everyday life.

I use audacity.

We're all gonna die apparently. Gee.... where did I here that before?

Is on Seattle 1090 so I don't record him. I use Nero when I record.

Submitted by Fernando on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 22:03.
... where did I here that before?
-----------------------------------
(Existentialism at its best.)

9-11 mysteries - part 1 demolitions

eye -tv cool

toniD your on dial-up?

The slowest form of DSL.

There are 3 speed to DSL here now. I've got the cheapest

I wonder if he is a shape shifter too?

9-11 mysteries - part 1 demolitions (part 1 of 3) 29:50

a face dancer

uses web tv. I'm going to visit in a few days stay a week, Lives near Yosemite

The Nation:
comment | posted May 22, 2007
Medea Benjamin

To call the US Senate, dial the Congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your senators by name.

Some people get up early to have a leisurely breakfast and read the newspaper before going off to work, while others fly out the door with their coffee cup in hand. Whatever your morning routine, let me suggest a thirty-second addition that could help stop the war in Iraq: Call your two senators and tell them to bring the troops home in 2007.

Con't

I have a totally non-psychological take on this. I think Al is going to stay until the bitter end because he absolutley MUST. He knows all the crappy, illegal, and unconstitutional stuff these criminals have done to us. His job is to look like a moron by not knowing what is going on...(I don't recall....) to cover up for bush. If he goes, there will have to be a confirmation hearing. Do you think bush will get anyone he really wants? If we have a new AG, the fun begins. The great unraveling. They must avoid that at ALL costs. Hey...what do you think about John Bolton for president of the World Bank? I also do not believe bush gives a crap about God. I think he is the anti-christ.

House approves bill to close loophole at heart of Attorney firings scandal Josh Catone
Published: Tuesday May 22, 2007

The US House of Representatives today passed a bill that closes a "loophole" that allowed President Bush to circumvent the Senate confirmation process for federal prosecutors.

The legislation, authored by Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA), passed the House with a vote of 306-114. It has already cleared the Senate (94-2), and it is expected that Bush will sign it into law.

The provision that this legislation will change was inserted into the USA Patriot Act reauthorization last year, and allowed the Attorney General to appoint US Attorneys indefinitely without Senate approval.

It came to light after eight US Attorneys were fired late last year.

"Congress has spoken, and it is clear that we want accountability. Both the House and Senate have passed legislation to ensure that the Senate confirms every U.S. Attorney," Senator Feinstein said in a statement. "Many unanswered questions remain, including who in the Department of Justice put the names of eight U.S. Attorneys on the list for removal. We will continue this investigation until we flesh out who did what, when, and why."

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/House_approves_bill_to_close_loophole_0522...

kinda close to Yosemite too, JB...

The Nation:

BLOG | Posted 05/21/2007 @ 2:37pm

The future of Internet radio is in doubt. Royalty rates for webcasters have been drastically increased by a recent ruling and are due to go into effect on July 15 (retroactive to Jan 1, 2006!). If the increased rates remain unchanged, the majority of webcasters will be bankrupt and immediately forced silent.

Con't

how she asked the question and waited

what is the religion of Pakistan

dueling theories

See you in the AM. Really tired now.

All that calling and emailing wore me out.

Later

Sweet dreams.

Dream of better things...

I just want to say,

Hear here.

sweet dreams...

by the way... I have to admit that I turned on TV (the horror)tonight as well ... all to see the finale!

It's a little embarrassing but you gotta love that Apolo Ohno. He is so damn cute.

Kucinich said in response, "If this is true, and I hope it is not, it tells American workers that the only way they will get an increase in wages is to continue to support funding the war which is taking the lives of their sons and daughters."

"First blood for oil," Kucinich continued. "Now a minimum wage for maximum blood. Aren't the American people giving enough blood for this war without having to give more to have a wage increase?"

Kucinich asked, "What's happened to our country?

*

Uh huh....

Submitted by Alice on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 23:54.

Kucinich said in response, "If this is true, and I hope it is not, it tells American workers that the only way they will get an increase in wages is to continue to support funding the war which is taking the lives of their sons and daughters."

"First blood for oil," Kucinich continued. "Now a minimum wage for maximum blood. Aren't the American people giving enough blood for this war without having to give more to have a wage increase?"

Kucinich asked, "What's happened to our country?

***

It was well said, wasn't it?

Night Tonid.Now no Dancing in your sleep....... :)

Yep...

on NPR on the way to work...

I really wish Sam could say more about more on the radio show....

I did not intentionally make an editorial connection between pakistan and pork

above. I was going for the dueling banjo - dueling theory ...

One of the guests was saying follow the money into pakistan

and we as tax payers fund that and that is "pork" isn't it?

I just hope there is no picture of Mohammad on the video

Watch C-Span
Submitted by davidswanson on Wed, 2007-05-23 01:49. Activism | Congress

http://www.kucinich.us

WASHINGTON DC - WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2007 - At approximately 11:00 a.m. today, Congressman Dennis Kucinich will invoke a rarely used procedure to offer a privileged motion claiming one hour of time to speak on the floor of the House of Representatives about current legislative plans to privatize Iraq's oil. This will be the first time in Congress that there has been a full discussion of the covert efforts to accomplish privatization of Iraq's oil through the supplemental spending bill.

Con't

"Maybe dada can pull it off? I doubt that a school espousing a prime directive focused on superstition can."

---

I can do it, but I'm going to need a microscope, a crucifix, and any book by Alan Watts. Oh, and some LSD.

Kucinich to Speak for Full Hour on House Floor on Iraq Oil Law -
new
Submitted by MMRules on Wed, 05/23/2007 - 00:16.

Watch C-Span
Submitted by davidswanson on Wed, 2007-05-23 01:49. Activism | Congress

http://www.kucinich.us

WASHINGTON DC - WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2007 - At approximately 11:00 a.m. today,

I dunno... maybe Tiffany will win the Gonzo Gone-zo bet...

Tiffany: "On May 24, my mom's birthday. I think she'd be satisfied with that gift alone" (Editor's note: Hear that, President Bush? Do you really want to disappoint Tiffany's mom?)

Submitted by davidswanson on Wed, 2007-05-23 02:20. Activism | Congress | Impeachment
http://www.michigannlg.org

Metro Detroiters to Hold Impeachment Town Hall Discussion

Congressman John Conyers, Jr., is expected to appear

Tuesday, May 29th @ 5 pm

Read More

be able to see the whole Kucinich thing when I get home from work tomorrow...If any one gets it...that would be much appreciated...to see the whole thing...

~

The Integration Of Science And Christian Faith.

Two entirely different languages. First off, without an understanding that Christianity is myth and not a historical reality, there is simply no chance for any headway whatsoever.

And science needs to be of the modern quantum-holistic paradigm variety. Which any serious scientific-thinking mind should be upgraded to anyway. Behavioral science and a billiard-ball machine model of the universe will only get you so far.

As a philosophical exercise, you can get some fireworks out of the attempt. A little healthy mental masturbation never hurt anyone. But I'd think schooling would be a hinderance to any genuine effort. I think you're right about the means and the end on that one, crank. Somehow I doubt christian college has anything I just wrote remotely in mind.

Thanks for finding that out..MMRules..
new
Submitted by Alice on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 21:28.

Np-I just wish Kucinich would get more traction.He's a Smart guy with guts!

This will sound weird..but whatever...my brother once 'said' that from his state, (dead), he would try to come near us & "stuff" would stick to him...I interpreted that stuff as energy (since I can't see it)...He also said (paraphrase) that his thoughts were manifesting instantly..he would think it, & before it seemed like the the thought ended, the thought was manifested. So..the more I ponder Crank, the more I see where maybe I did kind of think that a 'bridge' somehow implied connectivity,(or however you said it with the street analogy..)....

*

and this one works!!!

"In case it hasn’t been said and anyone cares, the Sam Seder on Sunday podcast is finally up. The poor premium guy must be buried.

vernon"

http://download10.rbn.com/airam/airam/download/archive/2007/04/aass05200...

*

*

I don't think of religion as spiritual..maybe religion is a degree of spirituality I'm not sure...

& as far as superstition..I'm leaving that word out all together...t

So..to me...I think that science might be the most physical way we understand or interpret ourselves, & spirituality the least physical way we interpret ourselves...Even though some things in science could be non physical & some things in spirituality are physical...I used to have a good seth quote that said something about the instrument being used to measure oneself is limited in some way..Shit see how poorly I translate..? I'll see if I can find it..

Any instruments made on your plane are like your outer senses, constructed to perceive camouflage patterns. The instruments of the scientists, and the outer senses themselves, are camouflage patterns and cannot, and never will, dissect themselves.

The Early Sessions, Book 1, Session 37 Pg 295

(It only LOOKS like a bible passage...I think of it as 'well-documented.." but it can be a turn off..)....

Just Kidding !! :)

You're so not kidding about smoking. I am.

Cya in the AM!

love ya all

oh come on...
new
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 22:21.
You're so not kidding about smoking. I am.

Been There,Done That.... :)

Goodnite Jimbo!

Just about to curl up under some blankets myself.
Later!

Something else to be pissed at,maybe..

Published: May 23, 2007

The House’s new Democratic majority is flirting with disaster as it guts key provisions of the strict lobbying reform it promised voters last November. Rebellious lawmakers, worried about their own career path, fought their leaders to defeat tighter restrictions on the sleazy, revolving-door culture by which members of Congress move on from an apprenticeship of merely serving the people to real Washington money as insider lobbyists.

Read On

It is unimaginable that the "opposition" party concedes to a two bit thug administration with a %28 approval rating regarding a war that, not only decreases our safety, diminishes our liberty, defames our international (other people on the only planet we have) image, and throws away our soldiers lives and our treasury.

If one of the Democratic "front runners" of the race for the presidency do not immediately call BULLSHIT on this cowardly action.. I am gonna... I am gonna...

Fuck, I dunno... move to Brazil and read Kafka until I puke.

I am close to giving up, and letting the Repugs destroy the planet.

.. that if the Democratic party does not make a stand I am gonna fucking vote my conscience.

THAT will surely scare the hell out of them!

I'm going Independent if these Weak Ass Democratic Congress people,don't Find A BackBone Real Soon!!I'm So Sick of This shit!!They Can't Even Stand Up to Administration That has a Approve Rating of About 28% to 33%,and about 2 to 3 Impeachable Offences!!If Not Now When??Just Plain Pathetic!!

Irishkorean (from kos) is here?

Slummin' it, eh? ; )

I'm one microscopic kog
In his catastrophic plan

Subject: Help stop summer gas price gouging

Hi,

Can you face another summer where a day trip to the lake or the beach costs you an arm and a leg? It's shaping up to be just that if we don't ask Congress to stand up to Big Oil now.

But there is a bill in the House this week that could make gas price gouging a federal crime, so we don't pay more while the oil companies rake in record profits. I signed a petition to urge my representative to pass this bill this week -- can you join me at the link below?

http://pol.moveon.org/stoppricegouging/

Thanks!

Obey Presser on Iraq
By: John Amato on Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007 at 4:56 PM - PDT We'll see who votes on what soon enough…

Pelosi: I'm not likely to vote for something that doesn't have a timetable or a goal accompanying it…

Obey: The practical result of this would be that we would transfer the debate on the Iraqi War from the '07 Supplemental to the the '08 regular defense bill and the '08 supplemental appropriations bill for defense. So we will continue to be pressing the issue and I would predict that in the coming months there would be more and more people coming our way in terms of demanding a change in that Iraqi policy…
Download (1180) | Play (918) Download (581) | Play (545)

Paul Krugman gives us his view: A Hostage Situation

If this were a normal political dispute, Democrats in Congress would clearly hold the upper hand: by a huge margin, Americans say they want a timetable for withdrawal, and by a large margin they also say they trust Congress, not Mr. Bush, to do a better job…

But this isn’t a normal political dispute. Mr. Bush isn’t really trying to win the argument on the merits. He’s just betting that the people outside the barricade care more than he does about the fate of those innocent bystanders…read on

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/05/22/obey-presser-on-iraq/

since the gonzo is gone bet seems to have no end, how about a short term bet:

who will be the first to make monica cry?

Here's the link to the full article:

http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2007/04/paul_krugman_a_...

Krugman said...

As long as a G.O.P.-controlled Congress could be counted on to rubber-stamp the administration’s requests, you could say that this wasn’t a real problem, ... just part of its usual reliance on fiscal smoke and mirrors. But this time Mr. Bush decided to surge additional troops into Iraq after an election in which the public overwhelmingly rejected his war — and then dared Congress to deny him the necessary funds. As I said, it’s an act of hostage-taking.

Actually, it’s even worse than that. According to reports, the final version of the funding bill ... won’t even set a hard deadline for withdrawal..., only an “advisory,” nonbinding date. Yet Mr. Bush plans to veto the bill all the same — and will then accuse Congress of failing to support the troops.

The whole situation brings to mind what Abraham Lincoln said ... in 1860, about secessionists who blamed the critics of slavery for the looming civil war: “A highwayman holds a pistol to my ear, and mutters through his teeth, ‘Stand and deliver, or I shall kill you, and then you will be a murderer!’ ”

I say...

Another problem is the media. We have no outrage for what the president and the admin is doing to the troops. And as long as they show winger parents of these troops saying they are proud for the death of their son or daughter because they fight for our country, this will continue,

It is not wrong to be proud of your son or daughter. What is wrong is that the admin doesn't give a crap about them. They are just rooks on a chess board to the admin.

Goodling Tried To Block Hiring Of ‘Liberal,’ Leading To Internal Justice Investigation
The Washington Post confirmed tonight that former Gonzales counsel Monica Goodling, who will testify tomorrow before the House Judiciary Committee, is under investigation by the Justice Dept. inspector general and the Office of Professional Responsibility because of her effort to block the hiring of a career prosecutor last fall because he was too “liberal.”

Goodling — a 33-year-old graduate of Pat Robertson’s Regent University with six months of prosecutorial experience — tried to thwart an effort by interim U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Taylor to hire Seth Adam Meinero, “a Howard University law school graduate who had worked on civil rights cases at the Environmental Protection Agency and had served as a special assistant prosecutor.”

Goodling stalled the hiring, saying that Meinero was too “liberal” for the nonpolitical position, said according to two sources familiar with the dispute. […]

Taylor complained to Goodling directly, according to two sources who were told about the conversation, saying that a U.S. attorney’s office hires all kinds of people. Taylor also complained to Sampson, who was a friend and eventually gave Taylor the authority to bypass Goodling.

Taylor mentioned the experience to U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg of Alexandria, the sources said. After Rosenberg became Gonzales’s temporary chief of staff following Sampson’s resignation, he asked the department’s inspector general to look into Taylor’s allegations, they added.

Such allegations against Goodling are nothing new. Media accounts have documented how she “moved to block the hiring of prosecutors with résumés that suggested they might be Democrats,” and quizzed “applicants for civil service jobs at Justice Department headquarters with questions that several United States attorneys said were inappropriate, like who was their favorite president and Supreme Court justice. One department official said an applicant was even asked, ‘Have you ever cheated on your wife?‘”

Hiring for such positions based on political affiliation is a violation of federal law.

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/goodling-investigation/

by Chris in Paris · 5/23/2007 03:59:00 AM ET

Heckuva job, Bushie.

Farmers in southern Iraq have started to grow opium poppies in their fields for the first time, sparking fears that Iraq might become a serious drugs producer along the lines of Afghanistan.

Rice farmers along the Euphrates, to the west of the city of Diwaniya, south of Baghdad, have stopped cultivating rice, for which the area is famous, and are instead planting poppies, Iraqi sources familiar with the area have told The Independent.

The shift to opium cultivation is still in its early stages but there is little the Iraqi government can do about it because rival Shia militias and their surrogates in the security forces control Diwaniya and its neighbourhood. There have been bloody clashes between militiamen, police, Iraqi army and US forces in the city over the past two months.

http://www.americablog.com/2007/05/opium-now-being-grown-in-iraq.html

By DEVLIN BARRETT, Associated Press Writer
23 minutes ago

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton prodded the Pentagon Wednesday to plan quickly for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq — a politically loaded contingency that military leaders have avoided discussing.

The Democratic presidential candidate, whose recent statements have made her own position murky on when the bulk of U.S. troops should leave Iraq, urged top military brass in a private meeting and a public letter to detail how they would bring forces home.

The New York senator met privately with Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Peter Pace late Tuesday, and sent a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates urging military leaders to begin such planning if they haven't already.

The move by Clinton follows word from Baghdad that Iraqi military officials are drawing up plans for the possibility of a withdrawal of U.S. forces, and a failure by congressional Democrats failed to muster enough votes for legislation forcing a timed withdrawal.

Clinton now wants the Pentagon to brief lawmakers on their withdrawal contingency plans.

"Congress must be sure that we are prepared to withdraw our forces without any unnecessary danger," Clinton wrote to Gates. "If no such plans exist, please provide an explanation for the decision not to engage in such planning."

The appeal raises the specter of a logistical nightmare should the recent troop increase ordered by President Bush prove unsuccessful: trying to rapidly remove 150,000 troops, along with all the sensitive equipment and military gear that the U.S. does not want to leave behind.

Last week, after voting to advance a bill that would force withdrawal by March 2008, Clinton said she would not commit to supporting that deadline. Hours later, she said she would in fact support that deadline, prompting one Democratic challenger, Sen. Christopher Dodd (news, bio, voting record) of Connecticut, to question what her position actually is.

Clinton voted in 2002 to authorize the Iraq invasion, but became a constant critic of the Bush administration's handling of the war.

That original vote still upsets many anti-war Democrats, who were further infuriated by her long-running opposition to a date certain deadline for withdrawal. She seemed to back off that stance with her recent comments on supporting the March 2008 deadline.

Clinton sided with 28 other senators who lost a procedural vote on the measure offered by Sen. Russ Feingold (news, bio, voting record), D-Wis. The amendment would have cut off money for combat operations after March 2008.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070523/ap_on_go_co/clinton_iraq_2&printer=1...

Gas Price Hikes Have Cost US Drivers $146 Per Car So Far This Year
Reuters | May 22, 2007 10:25 PM

The jump in U.S. gasoline prices this year has so far drained consumers of an extra $20 billion, or about $146 for each passenger car in the country, the Government Accountability Office told Congress on Tuesday.

The national price for regular unleaded gasoline hit a record $3.22 a gallon this week, and is up $1.05 since the beginning of February, according to the Energy Department.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18807181/

mornin toniD, and everyone else.

king george, the man with the reverse midas touch...

gas prices will stay high till the 3rd week of june. it is pure and simple manipulation by the oil companies. it is not supply and demand, it is not free market capitalism, it is manipulation in a monopolistic environment.

why? the companies will make a tremendous profit over memorial day weekend and the couple of weeks after. with the snails pace that congress moves at, they have about three weeks of wiggle room before they lower the prices and say, everythings normal, go about your business citizens.

I am so warn out with politics. There is no light at the end of the tunnel. I have decided to live my life in my own world where I have some modest degree of control. No more news reports. No more fighting the system. I will live for myself and the few people I can help around me. This struggle is going nowhere, I see that now.

well, i guess bush won then, didn't he.

Dems Split As New Spending Package Abandons Iraq Pull-Out Plan
Bloomberg | May 22, 2007 10:19 PM

A decision by Democratic leaders in Congress to drop a troop-withdrawal timeline from Iraq war- funding legislation outraged anti-war Democrats and will force the party to depend on Republican support to pass the measure.

Democratic leaders said that they didn't have the votes to overcome a threatened veto of the troop-withdrawal plan and instead will compel President George W. Bush to report on whether Iraq is reaching benchmarks toward ending the war.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aEOU8nQ6fi_o&refer=h...

US health care
crisis squeezing families
Volunteer firefighter Cindy Holland has no medical insurance, and her husband's health benefits as a full-time paramedic do not extend to family members, so she and their three children go without.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070522/us_nm/usa_health_uninsured_dc;_ylt=A...

You'll probably see many typing errors from me today. My fingers and hands are swollen by arthritis today. Even the meds aren't helping.
I have to slow down.

Iraqi police: Body found
in U.S. uniform
Iraqi police found the body of a man who was wearing what appeared to be a U.S. military uniform and had a tattoo on his left hand floating in the Euphrates River south of Baghdad on Wednesday morning. One Iraqi official said the body was that of an American soldier.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070523/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_body_found;_ylt=...

Kucinich is the man. Bush Administration is a criminal enterprise.

sorry to hear about your arthritis. my better half fights with it to and its a bitch.

just had kucinich on.

Depressed and down-hearted
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 05/23/2007 - 07:10.

Been there! Take a day or two off and watch nonsense things and post music and funny things. It helps.

We all have those days. You'll get back into this again. Have to. Hiding won't change anything. But everyone needs a time out.

I'm in high anticipation mode already.

I don't know what I would do with myself if I actually tried to be productive at work.

I don't see how my making myself miserable stops Bush from doing anything. If I type here or do not type here things end up the same. Nothing has changed in the last six years except I have made my life worse for the worry. I am going to start finding a way to make my short life better. And to do that I must not allow some things into my world. I don't want to die depressed.

Even if it is a front for military spending. A name change alone will go a long way towards making people think about what we are doing.

agreed, although it seems edwards is the only real candidate to step forward and say we need to do something real about it.

as long as healthcare is viewed as a profit center and not a fundamental human need we won't see a real resolution. i think it hits the middle class a lot harder than any other segment because they can afford some of the bill.

its too bad christians fixate on sexuality as a sin when they should be focused on taking care of each other.

Do thinking people really believe that 9/11 conspiracy garbage? Please! If NovaM keeps this nonsense up, they will go out of business. Were you convinced by that filmmaker?

Depressed and down-hearted

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 05/23/2007 - 07:55.
I don't see how my making myself miserable stops Bush from doing anything. If I type here or do not type here things end up the same. Nothing has changed in the last six years except I have made my life worse for the worry. I am going to start finding a way to make my short life better. And to do that I must not allow some things into my world. I don't want to die depressed.

Aren't you lucky to have the choice.

A choice the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur, and Palestine don't have. We aren't just trying to fight for ourselves here. As America goes, so goes the world right now. Until China takes over anyway.

good luck resolving your problems. there's good people here with ideas on how to shift your energies to a happier place.

has been fixated on the towers coming down and how that could have happened. as things have unraveled since the start of the year, i think we're missing the elephant (sic) in the room. how is it that 4 separate teams of hijackers got thru security within a 2 hour span on the same day in different cities?

then throw in little tidbits like finding a hijackers passport on the street in nyc (i might be making this up but i swear i read or heard about this in the aftermath of 911) or how quickly they were able to id the perps and find their abandoned cars.

i think the whole thing stinks from top to bottom.

http://www.zmag.org/parecon/conspiracy.htm

http://www.zmag.org/content/print_article.cfm?itemID=10931&sectionID=1

those were both good reads. guess its time to take my tin foil hat off and listen to the hearings.

House approves bill
to challenge OPEC
Decrying near-record high gasoline prices, the House voted Tuesday to allow the government to sue OPEC over oil production quotas.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070523/ap_on_go_co/congress_energy;_ylt=Aq2...

I wasn't convinced that the official story is BS by some filmaker- Some of us think beyond what some film shows us. I thought about things like, how could guys who trained on little planes fly jumbo jets so well?- especially that guy Hanjour, whose instructors said he could hardly fly a little plane. Why did the BBC report some of the hijackers are still alive? Why didn't the Air Force scramble, when they've been doing it for decades within 10 or fifteen minutes of a plane going a bit off course, or not anwering its radio? (They did it about 60 times in the year before 9/11, like when Payne Stewart's private jet was in trouble). What about the software company Ptech? Why did they say they had no idea something like this could happen, but then the same day the pictures of the hijackers are all over TV? Why are people who should have gotten fired for blocking field officers like Coleen Rowley and Robert Wright now promoted to top, key positions? (Like Mike Feghali). William Rodriguez, the last guy to get made me think too. And what about the put options? The official 911 report tells us there's no point in tracking down the funding sources for the attacks(page 172). Do thinking people really believe that? That's just a few of the things that are wrong with the official story. If you wonder how many people have serious doubts about the official story, try googling "zogby 911 poll."

http://web.mac.com/maggies_boy/iWeb/Laura%20Flanders%20BlogNation/Welcom...

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,136644,00.html

BERLIN - Former U.S. Army Spc. Chris Capp spent a year in Iraq, and decided to take an "other than honorable" discharge rather than be redeployed to Afghanistan for another combat tour.

But instead of quietly going home, Capp joined a group of other disillusioned Iraq veterans to speak out against the war - even though it has ostracized him from his family and friends.

"I have gotten a lot of criticism for this," the Hackettstown, New Jersey native said in Berlin Tuesday as part of the Iraq Veterans Against the War tour around Germany.

"But I'd rather be looked at that than to be redeployed to a war I feel is wrong."

Capp was joined by two other Soldiers and a Marine sergeant at a news conference starting a three-day protest in Germany - supported by the American Voices Abroad peace group.

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_5962712

Oklahoma City - A mentally ill homeless woman died after being arrested outside a shelter and stunned with a Taser while she was on the ground in handcuffs, authorities and witnesses said.

An autopsy was performed on Milisha Thompson, 35, but her cause of death has not been determined pending toxicology tests, police Sgt. Paco Balderrama said Tuesday.

One witness, Edwin Davis, said onlookers began yelling, "You killed her! You killed her!" as Thompson slipped out of consciousness during Saturday's confrontation outside the City Rescue Mission. But Balderrama said Thompson repeatedly kicked and attacked officers, even after being stunned with the Taser.

After she lost consciousness, officers began CPR, and she was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Two officers involved in the incident were placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_5966536

Baghdad - Roadside bombings and gunbattles across Iraq killed nine U.S. servicemen, and U.S. authorities were examining a body found in a river south of Baghdad that Iraqi police believe is one of three U.S. soldiers seized in an ambush nearly two weeks ago, officials said this morning.

U.S. authorities have not determined if the body found in the Euphrates River is one of three missing American soldiers from the May 12 ambush of their patrol near Mahmoudiya, about 20 miles south of Baghdad. Four Americans and one Iraqi soldier were killed in that attack.

The military said seven soldiers and two Marines were killed in separate attacks Tuesday, bringing the U.S. death toll for the month to at least 80. Last month, 104 U.S. troops were killed in Iraq.

U.S. officials have warned that American casualties were likely to increase as troops made more frequent patrols during the 3-month-old U.S.-led security crackdown in Baghdad.

But you must read the comments...

"...The Beginning Of The End Of The President's Policy On Iraq"
NY Times | CARL HULSE | Posted May 23, 2007 09:06 AM

READ MORE: Iraq, U.S. Democratic Party
Congressional Democrats relented Tuesday on their insistence that a war spending measure set a date for withdrawing American combat troops from Iraq. Instead, they moved toward a deal with President Bush that would impose new conditions on the Iraqi government...

...While Democrats were bruised by the veto fight and their decision to back away from the showdown, they believe they are slowly gaining ground. "I view this as the beginning of the end of the president's policy on Iraq," said Representative Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/05/23/the-beginning-of-the-_n_49120.h...

Read the comments!

Is Bush Leading Us to Nuclear War?
By William D. Hartung, Frida Berrigan, In These Times
While the United States demands that other countries end their nuclear programs, the Bush administration is busy planning a new generation of nuclear weapons known as "Complex 2030." Read more »

http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=350512983&url_num=5&u...

U.S. Soldiers in a Sunni neighborhood in west Baghdad “now openly declare pessimism for the mission’s chances, unofficially referring to their splinter of heavily fortified land as ‘the Alamo.’” One U.S. Army captain says Bush’s escalation plan has mobilized the terrorist movement. “I sometimes worry that this period will end up going down here as their surge, not ours.”

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/iraq/la-fg-surge23may23,0,48591....

Will be starting soon. They are entering the committee room now.

It's on c-span 3

http://www.c-span.org/watch/cs_cspan3_wm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS3

Monica Goodling Testimony, Part I
By Christy Hardin Smith @ 7:13 am

http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/05/23/monica-goodling-testimony-part-i/

“Unlike Muslim minorities in many European countries, U.S. Muslims are highly assimilated, close to parity with other Americans in income and overwhelmingly opposed to Islamic extremism, according to the first major, nationwide random survey of Muslims.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/22/AR200705...

Kucinich to Speak for Full Hour on House Floor on Iraq Oil Law -

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/22796

Submitted by MMRules on Tue, 05/22/2007 - 21:16.

Watch C-Span 8 am pacific
Submitted by davidswanson on Wed, 2007-05-23 01:49. Activism | Congress

http://www.kucinich.us

WASHINGTON DC - WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2007 - At approximately 11:00 a.m. today, Congressman Dennis Kucinich will invoke a rarely used procedure to offer a privileged motion claiming one hour of time to speak on the floor of the House of Representatives about current legislative plans to privatize Iraq's oil. This will be the first time in Congress that there has been a full discussion of the covert efforts to accomplish privatization of Iraq's oil through the supplemental spending bill.

hmmmm.....

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