cheating on wife and shirking duties = occiasionally having a cigarette

conflate conflate conflate

Sam's attention is the best thing that ever happened to him. It probably boosted his ratings 300%. He's just some hack doing small town radio. Before you know it, he'll have a show on CNN like Glenn Beck.

I think his life was a sad tortured one. He was an odd duck.

Busy morning of work today...need to get out and "get 'r done"...

enjoy your friday!

bbl

***

Get off your asses AND FIGHT!!!

Ahmadinejad calls Obama his "little bitch"

-------------------------------------------------

Says Obama 'made a mistake'

"Do you want to speak with this tone? If that is your stance then what is left to talk about... I hope you avoid interfering in Iran's affairs and express your regret in a way that the Iranian nation is informed of it," he added, according to Reuters.

"I believe all these things because freedom is not America's gift to the world, it is the Almighty God's gift to every man and woman in this world."

George W. Bush

Submitted by Catharine on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 9:19am.
I think his life was a sad tortured one. He was an odd duck.
---------

When Michael Jackson 's Thriller broke all sales records, when the accolades were insurmountable, that's when the negatively from the media started. I remember telling my brother, if I were he, I would get the hell out of Dodge.
He is about to get the N.T. (nigger treatment). They'll destroy him; and they did.

Iranian cleric says "rioters" should be executed

TEHRAN (Reuters) - A hardline Iranian cleric on Friday called for the execution of "rioters," in a sign of the authorities' determination to stamp out opposition to the June 12 presidential election result.

(EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on their ability to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.)

Iran's top legislative body, the Guardian Council, said it had found no major violations in the election, which it called the "healthiest" vote since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The council had already rejected a call for the annulment of the vote by moderate former Prime Minister Mirhossein Mousavi, who has led mass protests since he was declared a distant second in the election behind incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"I want the judiciary to ... punish leading rioters firmly and without showing any mercy to teach everyone a lesson," Ahmad Khatami told worshippers at Tehran University.

Iranian state television said on Thursday eight Basij militiamen were killed by "rioters" during the protests. State media previously said 20 people were killed in the marches.

The Group of Eight foreign ministers, meeting in Italy, said they "deplored" the post-election violence and called on Iran to settle the crisis soon through democratic dialogue and peaceful means.

"The crisis should be settled soon through democratic dialogue and peaceful means on the basis of the rule of law," said a final draft statement by the G8 ministers. "We call on the Iranian government to guarantee that the will of the Iranian people is reflected in the electoral process."

HARSH PUNISHMENT

Iranian authorities have accused Mousavi of being responsible for the bloodshed, while the moderate former prime minister says the government is to blame.

Khatami, a member of the Assembly of Experts, said the judiciary should charge the leading "rioters" as being "mohareb" or one who wages war against God.

"They should be punished ruthlessly and savagely," he said. Under Iran's Islamic law, punishment for people convicted as mohareb is execution.

Mousavi's supporters plan to release thousands of balloons on Friday with the message: "Neda you will always remain in our hearts," in memory of Neda Agha Soltan, the young woman killed last week who has become an icon of the demonstrations.

Khatami said Neda was killed by the rioters themselves for propaganda purposes. "By watching the film, any wise person can understand that rioters killed her," he said.

Britain's Times newspaper quoted Dr. Arash Hejazi, an Iranian who appeared on Internet videos helping Neda, as echoing opposition charges the 26-year-old music student was killed by a government militiaman. Continued...

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE55F54520090626?sp=true

Lebanon's Hariri set to become prime minister 9:06am EDT

BEIRUT (Reuters) - A majority of Lebanon's parliament will nominate U.S.-backed Saad al-Hariri for the post of prime minister, paving the way for his appointment later this week, political sources said on Friday.

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE55P22G20090626

Despite a veto threat from the White House and against the wishes of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Congress yesterday “moved forward with plans to build more Lockheed Martin F-22 fighter jets.”

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/lawmakers-defy-veto-threat-on-f-22-f...

Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi yesterday “issued a rare attack on supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, accusing him of not acting in the interests of the country, and said Iran had suffered a dramatic change for the worse.” The move indicates that Iran’s “political rift is far from over.” “I am not prepared to give up under the pressure of threats or personal interest,” Mousavi said.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iran-mousavi26-2009j...

60 percent: South Carolina residents who believe Gov. Mark Sanford (R) should resign, after he admitted to having an affair with a woman from Argentina. Just 34 percent said he should stay in office, according to a new SurveyUSA poll.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/polltracker/2009/06/most-south-carolinians-s...

Matrix notes that “quality control issues” have temporarily stopped Citigroup from accepting mortgage applications: “In other words, up until this past Tuesday, mortgages applications were still being processed without appraisal and income verification docs.”

http://matrix.millersamuel.com/?p=4867

The House and Senate better set some rules, fast for these big bank/financial corps! Otherwise they will never change.
How about some heavy fines and the return of all the TARP money plus interest right now. Call in the loan and let them fail!

Politico profiles Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus’ “coalition of the willing,” a bipartisan group of Senate moderates on the Senate Finance Committee working to craft a filibuster-proof health care reform bill.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/24247.html

White House officials said yesterday “that biotech drugs (also known as biologics) should only be protected from generics competition for seven years.” The White House, “in a letter to Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., said ’seven years strikes the appropriate balance between innovation and competition.’”

http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Daily-Reports/2009/June/26/Biotech.aspx

We've done nothing to seriously challenge the power structure here.

I think there's clearly the potential for violence against the population in the US by its own government, we've all seen the civil control apparatus put in place in case the rabble actually start doing anything effective here; Patriot Act provisions for dealing with civil unrest, crowd control weapons and the like. It's just a matter of touching the right nerve.

Porn site on his computer -- not a little boy site but a WOMANS. Also did you know that a young boy turning to a young man whom had CANCER, was ANGRY at all NEGATIVE and FALSE media against Michael -- whom he said cared closely and that Michael was wrongly accused. This young man is straight, as the young man said, and Michael was only a very kind saviour to many children, many were with life threatening disease.
Sadly people like to JUST find lies & smut and never RESEARCH on their own, and only go by what the LIEING Media has to say. As I always say -- follow the money, even in the Media, "they" need to SELL themselves CONSTANLY.
JMHO
Enthropy - everything is being used up.

maybe that's what sam is banking on, so he can piggyback on him (and be his permanent thorn in the side)? Why else would he waste his time with this douche? His skills are wasted on this guy and this small-time radio show.

But I can see why sam enjoys this stuff: he's good at it!At picking a bete noir nobody has heard of or care about and going at it relentlessly and obsessively. There were a couple of new york time's journalists at the beginning of sam's aar's career (their names escape me now and am too tired and lazy to google them up) that he kept mocking and savaging; they were liars and warmongers but pretty obscure by most common standards, a man and a woman, do any of you remember this? They pretty much disappeared now, but I do remember sam's savage enjoyment at ridiculing these guys with such fervor and acumen; i wonder if this had a little part in their demise - because, as I said, they're no longer anywhere on the VIP press radar

The US has revealed it is sending weapons and cash to the Somali government to aid its fight against al Shabab.

The US state department said on Thursday it was "concerned" about whether the government of Sharif Ahmed could be overwhelmed by fighters from the group.

Washington was hoping to help "repel the onslaught of extremist forces which are intent on ... spoiling efforts to bring peace and stability to Somalia," Ian Kelly, a state department spokesman, said.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/06/200962520481752248.ht...

Mark Thompson talked about this on Wednesday on MIP. He claimed that this would be Obama's first war. According to Thompson, the Western backed government is despised by most of the country and was installed by Western powers to begin with. Thompson thought Obama's effort would be an expensive disaster.

Glen Ford on Somalia:

Puppet Government of Somalia Invites Everybody to Invade

The so-called government of Somalia, an updated version of the government that was installed by U.S.-supported Ethiopian invaders, is now asking American allies in the region to invade the country, again. After losing all but a small patch of Mogadishu, the capital city, to Islamic nationalist forces, the speaker of the foreign-backed parliament called on “Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Yemen” – anybody! – to save them from what he called “terrorists.” That’s the same line the United States uses to describe opposition forces – although even the New York Times concedes that the “vast majority” of the fighters are Somali.
http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=content/puppet-government-somalia-in...

Bill Press was revolting this am. Michael has barely been dead twelve hours, and Press was asking: "Would Jackson be remembered as a performer or the world's biggest weirdo?" I switched to NPR. It was just too disgusting.

Bulgaria releases Kosovo ex-PM

Bulgaria has released Agim Ceku, the former Kosovo prime minister, who was arrested in the country on Tuesday on a warrant from Serbia, where he is wanted on war crimes charges.

Ceku walked free on Thursday after a prolonged hearing into whether or not Sofia should extend his detention, and has been asked to remain in Bulgaria until July 2, in case the prosecution appeals against his release.

Ceku said: "I have had an opportunity for the first time to see the charges by Serbia and the Interpol arrest warrant. The charges are really ridiculous.

"Serbia has cheated and told lies to Interpol with invented and untrue information."

'Political' decision

Slobodan Homen, a Serbian justice ministry official, said the decision to release Ceku from detention was a "political one".

"Once again, politics overcome international law," Homen told the state-run Tanjug news agency.

Colombia detention

The Serbian indictments were issued in 2002, leading to Ceku's detention in Colombia earlier this year and in Slovenia and Hungary in 2003 and 2004, respectively.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2009/06/2009626132025539253.htm...

Michael Jackson. I was up very soon, but he had another guest so some including me were thanked but released. I did wait awhile before I had the nerve to call. Also, I think Bill wanted the "hype".
I will be putting on list to write an e-mail to BP, this day.
But sadly, I have a rather large list, as usual, and more petitions......and CALL THE HOUSE re Healthcare Vote, that must be this day.

Can't Spell 'Conference'

Speaking under a misspelled banner, right-wingers who want to make English the official language of the U.S. showed no sense of irony.

On Saturday, Pat Buchanan hosted a conference to discuss how Republicans can regain a majority in America. During one discussion, panelists suggested supporting English-only initiatives as a prime way of attracting "working class white Democrats." The discussion ridiculed Judge Sotomayor for the fact that she studied children’s classics to improve her grammar while attending college. The panelists also suggested that, without English as the official language, President Obama would force Americans to speak Spanish.

One salient feature of the event was the banner hanging over the English-only advocates. The word conference was spelled “Conferenece.”

- And That May Help the Peace Process

The old narrative of Israel as the innocent victim is losing its grip on Americans. This is necessary if we are to be even-handed brokers.

The Israel Project hired pollster Stanley Greenberg to test American opinion on the Middle East conflict -- and got a big surprise. In September 2008, 69% of Americans called themselves pro-Israel. Now, it's only 49%. In September, the same 69% wanted the U.S. to side with Israel; now, only 44%.

How to explain this dramatic shift? Greenberg himself suggested the answer years ago when he pointed out that, in politics, "a narrative is the key to everything." Last year the old narrative about the Middle East conflict was still dominant: Israel is an innocent victim, doing only what it must do to defend itself against the Palestinians. Today, that narrative is beginning to lose its grip on Americans.

Well, to be more precise, the first part of the old narrative is eroding. Nearly half the American public seems unsure that Israel is still the good guy in the Middle East showdown. But the popular image of the Palestinians as the violent bad guy is apparently as potent as ever. The number of Americans who say they support Palestine remains unchanged from last September, a mere 7%. And only 5% want the U.S. government to take such a position.

Those numbers reflect the narrative that President Obama recited in Cairo on June 4th. He chided the Israelis for a few things they are doing wrong -- like expanding settlements and blockading Gaza. To the other side, though, his message was far blunter: "Palestinians must abandon violence." Of Israeli violence he said not a word.

I know the system mitigates against swift change - and that's its beauty - but it also seems to be resistant to any change that might benefit the public interest if it can be prevented by massively powerful private interests or ideological campaigns based in cynicism and the pursuit of power.

Watching how this government can do nothing to reform healthcare, nothing to end the wars and occupations that drain the coffers, nothing to tackle entitlements even as the country teeters toward complete insolvency, nothing to reform a broken immigration system ... even after a president is elected with a clear mandate and a Congressional majority in both Houses: well, we know why America is fucked, don't we?

hardly anybody in America even knew who in the hell he was. Probably the greatest musician ever born in this country...the man that moved music ahead about forty years by his very presence, died in relative obscurity in his own country while being revered around the world. America is a county that worships mediocrity.

Hacks like Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson become American icons.

Bird dies alone in the gutter.

I was talking to the pool supervisor and got her to agree to have at least a one day promotion to help the local food pantries. Everyone who brings non-perishable food products to the pool will get in for half off and if they bought a pool pass they would get a free pass to Power Play or or miniature golf.

We're working on the details now and trying to figure out how other departments can have a similar type of program. Or maybe throw together something for needy kids and get the community involved.

I think if people get involved they will see where the needs are and help to correct some problems.

I've still got some more ideas swirling around in my head but will welcome some of your ideas as well.

At the kids' schools they just actively promote bringing in stuff for the food pantries at various times of the year.

Maybe you don't even have to give a half off discount next time. It's a great first promotion, but after this you could just ask for specific items that the food pantries need. It seems that when you give people specific food item requests, there are more donations. The specificity makes it easier for people to give. It takes the thinking out of it. You could change it up each week.

Also, connecting charity with the kids makes the parents more interested. It's something they want to teach their kid.

Subject: Tell Pelosi and Reid: Now is the time to repeal DOMA.

Dear Friend,

First John Ensign. Now Mark Sanford. Seems like a lot of politicians who've voted to ban gay marriage have broken their own marriage vows.

And that's why this is exactly the right time to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) - the awful legislation that prevents legally married same-sex couples from accessing federal rights and benefits.

President Obama claims he's in favor of repealing DOMA - he just needs for Congress to send him a bill. Speaker Pelosi and Sen. Reid should give him the opportunity to make good on his word.

I just signed a petition to tell Speaker Pelosi and Sen. Reid to introduce legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. I hope you will, too. Please have a look and take action.

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/repeal_doma/?r_by=4715-1079681-OrQc2...

"I'm better now, I'm O.K."

you could have the kids organize it, and ask for the donations when people come in. The kids organize it at my son's school. That gets them involved, and then the parents have to participate. It also makes the kids feel good. It's like having a lemonade stand, but better, because they are doing something good for someone else. They take pride in what they do then. If the kids are just hanging out at the pool all day anyway, it gives them some structure, and makes them feel productive.

The remaining defendants of the Jena Six case in Louisiana are expected in court to plead guilty.

The pleas for five defendants of the group are expected Friday after a deal was reached. The group got its name because a group of black teens were accused of beating a white schoolmate at Jena High School.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/8578719

We have a summer camp we run also. Alot of those kids are on what we call scholarship programs where their camp is paid for by a charity run by the local YMCA. But I am sure we could get those kids involved too.

I'm thinking that maybe we could have a drive for back packs and school supplies for the needy kids.

And for high school kids I was thinking that we might ask them to donate time in each department of the park district, like four hours a week, that would teach them work ethics and some office tasks for school credits. Our local high school is a mile away.

And I'd like to get the local businesses involved.

Like I said there are many ideas in my head, now I have to sell them to the PD.

a lot of inner city gardens here, Toni,

Kids have been responding really well.

take over a vacant lot, clean, plant.

wa - la

"I'm better now, I'm O.K."

It might be a good idea to get the kids involved. Thanks Rich.

US sending weapons to Somalia
Fighters have taken control of parts of
the capital Mogadishu [EPA]

The US has revealed it is sending weapons and cash to the Somali government to aid its fight against al Shabab.

The US state department said on Thursday it was "concerned" about whether the government of Sharif Ahmed could be overwhelmed by fighters from the group.

Washington was hoping to help "repel the onslaught of extremist forces which are intent on ... spoiling efforts to bring peace and stability to Somalia," Ian Kelly, a state department spokesman, said.

Fighters cut the hands and feet off alleged thieves in Mogadishu and paraded the body parts through the streets of the capital.

In a bid to contain the violence, Ahmed declared a state of emergency on Monday.

Asked if the US was afraid the government might collapse or be overwhelmed by attacks by fighters, Kelly replied: "We are concerned.

"We think that this government ... represents Somalia's best chance for peace, stability and reconciliation," he said.

"In addition to this threat to the government ... this kind of violence is causing real suffering for the Somalian people and it's just prolonging the chaos and preventing the country from getting on stable footing."

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/06/200962520481752248.ht...

"I'm better now, I'm O.K."

Waxman Incorporates A Score Of Amendments Into Final Version Of His Clean Economy Legislation

CongressAfter long negotiations, House leadership has unveiled the final version of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454), to be voted on by the full House today. The bill’s author, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), introduced an amendment in the form of a substitute (H.R. 2998), which incorporates a score of amendments to the legislation. The schedule today includes five votes on the passage of this historic bill, which would national standards for clean energy and global warming pollution, with final vote expected at 5 PM:

1. H. Res. 587: Adoption of the rule to set the terms of debate, officially three hours in total.

2. H.R. 2998: Adoption of the Waxman amendment in the nature of the substitute.

3. H.R. 513: Adoption of J. Randy Forbes (R-VA) substitute, the New Manhattan Project for Energy Independence.

4. Motion to recommit.

5. Final passage.

The final version of the Waxman-Markey act includes a mixed bag of changes. Weakening amendments include Rep. Collin Peterson’s (D-MN) concessions on behalf of Big Ag and Rep. Ed Perlmutter’s (D-CO) restriction of the Building Energy Performance Labeling Program on behalf of the National Association of Realtors. However, most amendments are beneficial, including the Inslee (WA)-Markey (CO) clean-grid legislation, several critical green jobs amendments, and the Titus (NV)-Giffords (AZ)-Heinrich (NM) renewable energy standard for Federal agencies.

Below is a summary of the Waxman amendment, broken down by its the component amendments:

– Waxman (CA): Makes changes to accommodate States that utilize a central purchasing model for its renewable electricity standard, and makes additional changes.

– Inslee (WA) / Markey (CO): Provides FERC with sitting authority for the construction of certain high-priority interstate transmission lines constructed in the Western Interconnection and amends the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors.

– Peterson (MN): Requires the Agriculture Secretary to establish a list of types of domestic agricultural and forestry practices that result in reductions or avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions, exempts the agriculture and forestry sectors from the bill’s emission caps, redefines “biomass,” and grandfathers existing biodiesel plants to exempt them from lifecycle analysis under the RFS.

– Polis (CO): Permits states to convey allowances in a SEED account directly to renewable energy generators.

– Kratovil (MD): Requires the Agriculture Secretary to establish a carbon incentives program to achieve supplemental greenhouse gas emissions reductions on private agricultural and forestland.

– Titus (NV)/ Giffords (AZ)/ Heinrich (NM): Establishes a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) for Federal agencies, and provides Federal agencies with the authority to enter into renewable energy power purchase agreements for up to 20 years.

– Boren (OK)/ Larson (CT)/ Sullivan (OK): Makes natural gas fueled vehicles eligible for clean vehicle incentives, the vehicle integration program, and the manufacturing incentives for alternatively fueled vehicles.

- Cardoza (CA): Limits the cost of a permit for a license for the construction of a solar energy system, and provides that noncompliance with permit cost requirements disqualifies the entity from Community Development Block Grants.

– Halvorson (IL): Authorizes a national education and awareness program for the purpose of informing building, facility, and industrial plant owners and managers and decision makers, government leaders, and industry leaders about the large energy-saving potential of greater use of mechanical insulation and other benefits.

– Hinchey (NY): Amends the definition of a “cluster,” as it applies to Energy Innovation Hub, and ensures that virtual connections qualify when defining a cluster.

– Loebsack (IA): Amends the Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance (REEP) program to provide that funds provided to disaster victims through the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act may qualify as the building owners’ contribution toward the matching requirements of the REEP program, requires the Federal agencies administering assistance to disaster victims through the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act shall provide information to disaster victims on the REEP program, and provides 10 percent of funding under the REEP program for retrofits of public and assisted housing.

– Moore (KS): Creates a Community Building Code Administration Grant program, providing $100 million over five years in competitive, matching grants for local building code enforcement.

– Perlmutter (CO): Limits the Building Energy Performance Labeling Program in sec. 204 of the bill to new construction only.

More here:

http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2009/06/26/waxman-clean-economy/

New North Korea Sanctions Team Formed

By Michael D. Shear
The White House is ramping up its efforts to enforce sanctions against North Korea by forming a new interagency team to coordinate U.S. actions with other nations, senior administration officials said today.

The new team will be led by former ambassador to Bolivia Philip S. Goldberg, who is slated to leave for China in the near future as the U.S seeks concerted action to stop the North Korean regime from developing nuclear weapons.

"There is a broad consensus about the need to have a focused and engaged effort to see that these sanctions are implemented ... and that we're sharing information with each other," one official said, speaking on background.

U.S. officials described the new group as a way to focus the administration more squarely on implementation of the latest sanctions, which were approved by the United Nations in the wake of North Korea's nuclear test last month.

The officials said they are hoping the group -- with representatives from the State Department, the White House, the National Security Agency, Treasury and others -- will help "shine a spotlight" on the actions of the regime.

"We wanted somebody who woke up every morning and thought about nothing but sanctions implementation," one official said. "It's a huge difference when you have somebody who isn't worried about any of the other aspects of this."

The White House also announced a renewed effort to use the authority of the U.N. resolution to take financial actions against the North Korean regime in an effort to choke off the money flowing from small arms trade and other activity.

Treasury officials have issued a public memorandum to private financial institutions reminding them of the global condemnation and other risks of doing business with the North Korean regime. More...

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/06/26/new_north_korea_sanctions...

Publisher's Catalog Features Sanford Book
"Before his little problem came up recently, South Carolina governor Mark Sanford (R) had a book scheduled for publication from Penguin's conservative Sentinel imprint in March of next year," the New York Observer reports.

Within Our Means is billed as "a manifesto about fiscal conservatism -- why the government needs to spend less and fix the deficit ASAP."

"Unfortunately, Sentinel has already shipped the proofs for its spring catalog to the printers, and Mr. Sanford's book -- which was to be one of the conservative imprint's lead titles for the season -- is in there front and center. One supposes it will be serve as a charming collector's item, if nothing else."

http://www.observer.com/2009/media/oops-sentinels-spring-catalog-featuri...

From NBC's Mark Murray
Pegged to the upcoming July 4 holiday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee says it will begin airing radio ads against some targeted House Republicans -- including GOP Reps. Ken Calvert (CA), Charlie Dent (PA), and Lee Terry (NE) -- for voting against the recent war supplemental bill.

The ads will begin July 1 and will run for a week.

Here's a sample of one of the ads: "When George Bush asked, Congressman Terry voted to fully fund our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan," a narrator says. "And last year he said, quote, 'We must give our military every resource it needs.'"

It continues, "Seems like Congressman Terry is playing politics now. Last month Congressman Terry voted AGAINST funding for those same troops... It’s a shame. Call Lee Terry. Ask him why he voted against our troops. Ask him: What changed?"

Republicans who voted against the legislation say they supported the troops, but opposed it because it contained unnecessary spending, like money for the International Monetary Fund.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/06/26/1979448.aspx

Hagan Continues To Be Key Obstacle To Public Option In The Senate
By Brian Beutler - June 26, 2009, 10:03AM

If you want to know why the Senate HELP Committee--the more liberal of the two Senate committees with jurisdiction over health reform--hasn't been able to unveil a public option, you need look no further than freshman Kay Hagan (D-NC).

Her opposition was revealed last week, but now, she's speaking publicly about it.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/washington/story/70817.html

This might not be a huge problem for supporters of the provision, but it becomes one because, with a narrow Democratic majority on the committee and its chairman, Ted Kennedy, in poor health, her vote is crucial to moving the bill forward--something the panel's been working toward for days now without success.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/06/hagan-continues-to-be-key-obs...

Obama and Congress Clash on How to Pay for Health Care
By JACKIE CALMES

WASHINGTON — It has become the trillion-dollar question: can President Obama find that much in spending cuts and tax increases to keep his campaign promise to overhaul the health care system, without adding to already huge deficits? Mr. Obama and the Democrats running Congress are deeply split over the possibilities.

House and Senate leaders do not like his ideas but cannot agree on alternatives. Other proposals that could reduce health care spending would take too long to show savings for purposes of Congress’s budget scorekeeping, and many would require big investments initially, such as for research into cost-effective treatments.

Meanwhile, special interests like insurance companies, employers and even sugar beet and corn growers are on alert to oppose anything that could hurt them.

Adding to the pressure, Republicans are back to attacking Democrats as tax-and-spenders. Yet they have not proposed how to pay for their own, more modest health care proposals. Nor did they offset the cost of creating the Medicare prescription drug benefit six years ago when they controlled Congress and held the White House. Its projected deficits exceed the shortfall for all of Social Security over the next 75 years, according to the program’s 2009 trustees report.

For some time, lawmakers and lobbyists privately assumed Mr. Obama would not hold the fiscal line for a deficit-neutral bill. Instead, he has reinforced it. Legislation “must and will be paid for,” he said in a news conference on Tuesday.

Worries about the economy hardened Mr. Obama’s resolve, administration officials say. “There’s a concern that if Congress were to pass a big health care bill that was heavily deficit-financed, financial markets could react negatively, with higher interest rates that could deepen the recession,” said Robert Greenstein, the executive director of the liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, which supports the administration’s goal of a deficit-neutral health care overhaul.

Even so, each idea to cut spending or raise taxes has political pitfalls. A review of the options — and how dug in the opponents are — shows just how hard it will be for Mr. Obama to reshape the health system. Here are snapshots of major proposals:

¶Limit income-tax deductions for high earners. This is Mr. Obama’s main idea for raising revenue, but Congress is not likely to pass it except in a greatly scaled-down form.

He proposed to collect a projected $267 billion over 10 years by making taxpayers in the top income tax brackets, now 33 percent and 35 percent, deduct their mortgage interest, state and local taxes and charitable donations at the 28 percent income tax rate. Democratic leaders immediately objected that that would hurt charities, universities and other entities dependent on tax-deductible donations, as well as taxpayers in high-tax cities and states, including New York City and other places home to Democratic leaders.

Mr. Obama has not given up. He counters that a 28 percent itemized deduction rate for top earners would be the same as under President Ronald Reagan. Just 1.4 percent of households would be affected, the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center reported. The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University says charitable giving would decrease 2 percent.

Any compromises would raise less revenue than Mr. Obama proposed. One alternative would exempt charitable contributions from the 28 percent limit. That, however, would provoke governors from high-tax states or Realtors and bankers protective of the mortgage tax break to press for exempting the other categories as well.

Another idea would maintain the 33 percent and 35 percent rates for itemized deductions after the Bush tax cuts for the rich expire in 2011, when the top two income tax rates revert to 36 percent and 39.6 percent. That would leave the current break for deductions unchanged, but prevent it from becoming relatively more generous when income taxes rise for affluent taxpayers. More ...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/business/26cost.html?_r=1&th=&emc=th&p...

Detroit Is Still Detroit

Rep. John Conyers' wife, Monica, a member of the Detroit City Council pleaded guilty this morning to a federal criminal charge of conspiring to commit bribery.

--David Kurtz

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/06/conyers_wife_pleads_gu...

MoveOn To Target Hagan For Opposing The Public Option
By Brian Beutler - June 26, 2009, 1:03PM

Just in from MoveOn: ""Given recent comments showing that Senator Hagan is not supporting the public health insurance option, MoveOn.org will be making clear that our 115,000 members in North Carolina--many of whom volunteered for or donated to her campaign last year--believe the public option is the heart of true health care reform. We'll run ads in North Carolina and D.C. asking that she advocate for the public option and support the President in truly solving the nation's health care crisis."

The group did much the same earlier this week to Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) who has expressed doubts about the feasibility of both the public option and reform in general. The difference--or one of the differences--is that Hagan owes much of her electoral success to grassroots Democrats.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/06/moveon-to-target-hagan-for-op...

sederville - - friday!!

..read all about it

Guatemalan fears a tweet will make him a jailbird
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gTINYO0OePM8KxOxChDIkZ...

Twitter Creator On Iran:
'I Never Intended For Twitter To Be Useful'
http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/twitter_creator_on_iran_i

The Twitter Book - A Sneak Preview
Some good tips in here:
http://www.slideshare.net/oreillymedia/the-twitter-book-a-sneak-preview

Jack Grose and his Metropole Players
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a2JHqD-Cf4

Anger: Managing the amygdala hijack

http://lifeatthebar.wordpress.com/2007/05/11/anger-managing-the-amygdala...

murder someone?

That's what Randi just said. Did I hear it right?

The 2009 hurricane season for the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico looks to be a crapshoot at this early point in the season.

The National Weather Service models indicate a 50% chance of a "normal" season, a 25% chance of an above normal season, and a 25% chance of a below normal season.

The information is here:

http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/hurricane.shtml

Larry is on this year's list of hurricane names in the Atlantic and Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. It falls in the range of the alphabet (#12) where the serious hurricanes tend to cluster.

Larry is one of those names that does not cause me fear or dread, kinda like Tod. Lawrence is even less awe inducing while Lance is slightly more so. There are not a lot of tough-guy names that begin with L. Luigi comes to mind thanks to mobster movies. Next year (2010) the "L" name will be Lisa, which is a lot more frightening than Larry.

Now that I think about it, all of the female names are scary except for Mable...no, scratch that. Mable is scary too. Maybe my perception has some connection with being reared by a mother? (I have a feeling that mhappenow is saying "Exact-a-mundo!")

So, Barack -- so why don't you CHAMPION Single Payer? I mean if you feel you are better than the Iranian leaders at getting people what they want and need....

It might have been around 3AMish.

Submitted by Cat Chew on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 2:56pm.
Anger: Managing the amygdala hijack...
--------
Chewsterina,

From your link: "When one experiences an amygdala hijack, the amygdala overtakes the neocortex (the thinking part of the brain) and there’s little or no ability to rely on intelligence or reasoning."

It causes some people to hit the caps lock key.

(That's my theory and I'm stickin' to it.)

I am sorry. I believe he was one of my Fathers Fav. I never hear how he died and now I say SHAME ON YOU COUNTRY WESTERRN Lovers, to let him slip away.
1. go and have him enter in Country Hall of Fame and find out.
2. find and adourn his gravesite.
3. do a grand memorial celebration.
4. and more...
(from one that is not into country music)
re:
When Charlie Parker died...in the gutter at the age of 34,
Submitted by Noodles Jefferson on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 11:29am.
hardly anybody in America even knew who in the hell he was. Probably the greatest musician ever born in this country...the man that moved music ahead about forty years by his very presence, died in relative obscurity in his own country while being revered around the world. America is a county that worships mediocrity.

Hacks like Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson become American icons.

Bird dies alone in the gutter.
******

/|\Om...Hung)0( Blessings on you path -- whatever it may be "going", Charlie Parker

that ever visited this earth. Country and Western music was one of the things that contributed to his death.

A funny aside....when Buddy Rich was being wheeled into the emergency room, ten minutes before his death, a nurse asked him if he was allergic to anything. Buddy replied...."country and western music."

I must be doing it wrong.

I knew who Charlie Parker is/was.
Submitted by Ms_Anthrope on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 3:44pm.
I am sorry. I believe he was one of my Fathers Fav. I never hear how he died and now I say SHAME ON YOU COUNTRY WESTERRN Lovers, to let him slip away...
--------
I nominate this post Funniest Of 2009 even though six months of the year remain.

Nobody, and I mean not one contender, has any hope of topping it. Parker, Pride...they're all black Charlie's, right? Okay, one is a Charley if you insist on splitting hairs. And one of them is still alive. And one of them was performing in public before the other was born.

But otherwise they're pretty much the same guy.

Country and Western music has nearly snuffed me out a few times already.

Neda's death a provocateur's deed?

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/06/25/iran.ambassador/

[excerpt]

Though the video appeared to show that she had been shot in the chest, Ghadiri said that the bullet was found in her head and that it was not of a type used in Iran.

"These are the methods that terrorists, the CIA and spy agencies employ," he said. "Naturally, they would like to see blood spilled in these demonstrations, so that they can use it against the Islamic Republic of Iran. This is of the common methods that the CIA employs in various countries."

But, he added, "I am not saying that now the CIA has done this. There are different groups. It could be the [work of another] intelligence service; it could be the CIA; it could be the terrorists. Anyway, there are people who employ these types of methods."

[end excerpt]

Personal incomes jumped 1.4 percent in May, the strongest gain in a year, mostly on the back of the 787-billion-dollar stimulus package launched by President Barack Obama in February, the Commerce Department said. - Raw

Let's all just criticize this president, smart people. The next President will be another right wing tool with your help. Thanks a lot.

-Let's all just criticize this president, smart people. The next President will be another right wing tool with your help. Thanks a lot.-

Let me get this straight. Iraqis did this themselves and kept ALL the profits, but now they are getting to keep some and that's an improvement?

http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/world/12333-iraq-opens-fields-exxon-sh...

[excerpt]

Iraq opens fields; Exxon, Shell seek foothold
World
Friday, 26 June 2009 01:59

IRAQ is set to welcome back foreign oil companies into the war-torn nation to develop the world’s third-largest crude reserves three decades after expelling them.

Eight of the world’s top 10 nonstate oil producers, including Exxon Mobil Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell Plc, are vying for the right to help Iraq develop six oilfields and two natural-gas deposits. More than 30 companies in total are bidding for $16 billion worth of technical service contracts for producing fields that will be awarded in Baghdad on June 29 and 30.

“Iraq is the big prize in the region,” said Raja Kiwan, a Dubai-based analyst at consultants PFC Energy. “It is one of the only remaining areas that provide the level of upside for companies who want to access reserves.”

The Opec producer is struggling to increase output and revenue from crude sales after six years of conflict and prior sanctions destroyed the country’s economy and infrastructure.

The government, also running a second bidding round for 11 oil and gas fields, aims to boost production to about 6 million barrels a day by 2015, from 2.4 million barrels in May. Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, produces 8 million barrels a day.

Companies investing in Iraq are looking to take a stake in the long-term potential that the country’s 115 billion barrels of reserves hold after gaining a foothold through the service contracts for operational fields. Iraq may offer foreign companies direct stakes in deposits and allow them to sign production-sharing agreements for future fields, according to Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani.

Iraq will earn 100 times more than the foreign companies it hires to develop the deposits, the minister told parliament in Baghdad on June 23. The deposits being offered in the first licensing round may yield $1.7 trillion in profit for the country, based on an oil price of $50 a barrel, while oil companies seeking service contracts will gain $16 billion over the 20-year life of the contracts, he said.

[end excerpt]

That's a little ridiculous, Fernando.

I hope you are kidding.

You don't have to call me Waylon Jennings
and you don't have to call me Charley Pride.
You don't have to call me Merle...

See. When Bird was in his heyday who were the big Country Stars?

Hank Williams
Ernest Tubbs
...

Hey. Parker was a snob. He did not even like r&b.

Some numbers person, can you explain what this all means?

Are the increases averages? Is there any indication here that only the rich are getting richer or is this across the board for all class levels?

http://www.123jump.com/economy-story/Personal-Income-Rises-1.4-in-May/33...

===

ALSO

http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/06262009_mid_morning.asp

[excerpt]
An hour before the opening bell, personal income levels advanced far more than forecasts in May, helping consumption see its first gain in three months. Income rose by 1.4% in the month, a full percentage point better than expectations, which helped to boost spending by 0.3%, in line with expectations.

However, wages actually declined in the month, as incomes only rose due to social security checks from the stimulus package.

“Government transfer payments and tax cuts are propping up incomes, as the fiscal stimulus package kicks in, and they are preventing more damage to consumer spending,” noted analysts at IHS Global Insight. “In May, one-time payments to Social Security recipients kicked in, accounting for 1.3 percentage points of the 1.4% increase in personal income.”

[end excerpt]

Congress Ignores WH Veto Challenge Over Fighter Jets

Congress is moving forward with plans to fund the construction of additional Lockheed Martin F-22 fighter jets, even though the Obama administration has said the president would veto such a move.

A Senate panel on Thursday approved $1.75 billion to build seven more F-22s and the House of Representatives voted in favor of a Defense Department funding bill that would allocate more funds for the planes, the New York Times reported. Both chambers are also asking for a report from the administration on possibly exporting the planes to Japan and other allies.

On Wednesday, the Obama administration made it clear it opposes the extra funding. The Office of Management and Budget said the funding for more F-22 fighters runs counter to the "collective judgment" of the military's top leaders. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said production of the jets should stop after 187 have been built. Last week, he called the funding boost a "big problem." He said the jet does not fit well into 21st century warfare.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/06/26/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry...

The Pentagon doesn't even want these jets anymore.

The Congress is crazy. They think their states will lose the money to make these jets. They need newer equipment and that will replace these jets. Why give money to something we don't need anymore?

Our national attention span
reaching crisis-level brevity
Farrah Fawcett, David Carradine, and Ed McMahon all just died. Oh, and Michael Jackson. Oh, and the Governor of South Carolina admitted to cheating on his wife. As did Senator John Ensign. And something about Iran?

http://gawker.com/5302932/our-national-attention-span-reaching-crisis+le...

Obama, Merkel pledge
common front on Iran
U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned Iran's post-election crackdown on Friday and expressed a common determination to prevent the Iranian regime from acquiring nuclear weapons.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/26/obama-merkel-pledge-comm...

A different take on the Holocaust
By Jerry Mazza
Online Journal Associate Editor

Jun 26, 2009, 00:26

Excerpt:

Norman Finkelstein is not a wild-eyed Holocaust denier. In fact, his parents were both survivors of the Warsaw Ghetto and the camps, his father from Auschwitz, his mother from Majdanek.

Excerpt:

Finkelstein has accused as well Eli Wiesel and Jewish leaders worldwide, including American Jewish elites, of a vast shakedown of dollars from European countries and corporations, mainly Germany, Switzerland and Poland, in the name of “needy Holocaust survivors” when in fact the monies have gone largely to Holocaust programs, memorials, studies, literature, museums, and, in general “the Jewish community.”

Finkelstein also criticized Wiesel for taking $25,000 plus a limousine for each of his lectures (given with a mystically proprietary pain) on the Holocaust, forgetting, perhaps, the Gypsies had their own German genocide in relatively the same percentage for their number. Wiesel comes off vaguely like America’s self-appointed Sheriff Rudy Giuliani, who made millions in speaking engagements on 9/11, multi-millions on his own various companies post 9/11. This while he pushed first responders to clean up Ground Zero in eight months not the allotted two and a half years, and then walked away when those same first responders became fatally ill and started dying off. I say this to level the religious-political playing field here.

con't
http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_4848.shtml

Off to work.

to reform healthcare, nothing to end the wars and occupations that drain the coffers, nothing to tackle entitlements even as the country teeters toward complete insolvency, nothing to reform a broken immigration system ... even after a president is elected with a clear mandate and a Congressional majority in both Houses: well, we know why America is fucked, don't we?"

Of course we know why. All these damn leftwing liberals criticizing the Obama administration. Dragging us right down into the gutter.

are we dissing Bird?

cause this ol saxmans gloves will come off if thats the case.

its amazing the amount of unbelievable music that was made before we had any tools to record it, and now that we do, we get chickenfoot.

Bird vs. MJ?

hands down Bird.

"I'm better now, I'm O.K."

Bird always seemed to be Kerouacs only other hero.
the reverence and awe in the poems.

"I'm better now, I'm O.K."

I think there are a lot of ways to pressure the President to do the right thing without losing respect. When Bush was in office I was hysterical about it because he was working so hard to destroy our human rights and steal the treasury.

I don't agree with many of Obama's positions but I'm not going to compare him to Ahmadinejad. I'm not going to go hysterical about it.

I disagree with his support of corporations. I disagree with his delays on State Secrets and Don't Ask Don't Tell. I disagree with his vote for telecom immunity. I could go on.

But in no way is he like Bush. He signed equal pay for equal work. He's addressing the disparity between the classes albeit not enough. He is requesting a public option for health care. He is slowly restoring the Bill of Rights.

You can criticize me for my low expectations, but flat out dissatisfaction in his work, and wild comparisons - at least for me is out of bounds.

I am not defending him. I am simply showing a respectful disagreement. Or what? The right is correct and the "loony left is never satisfied". That's the unfair critique of the left and I'm not feeding it.

That's all I'm saying. I haven't seen you get all hysterical, Catharine but I never saw you get as nutty as I was when George was in office. You always show some decorum Catharine.

And yes. That kind of over the top tactic will hurt the left because moderates will balk. And I'm not willing to go there because I don't want to help another right wing tool take the White House. You are free to think otherwise.

I didn't want to vote for Barack for many reasons but I did and I will support him until he starts working against the global security interests. I do believe that helping Pakistan is in the global security interests. Alice thinks we should let things go as they will there. I disagree with that.

Actually, that's kind of how you're coming across.

It's true, Obama's adimistration is nothing like the Bush jr. administration. Bush jr administration just did stuff. None of this requesting. If the Bush administration requested something, that was a nice way of saying it will happen, or else.

I'll get hysterical when I see us hurting ourselves.

America's Best Christian, looks into a phenomenon sweeping the nation --

asking invisible people for all the stuff you're too lazy or cheap to get for yourself !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5QqEmBi8iw&feature=related

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

what is my "real" take on Iran. Being satirical about it is all very amusing, but surely I have deeper, more serious thoughts.

Who but jaded observers sniff at people struggling for political breathing space? States are violent, coercive entities, and I'm sympathetic to those who have the guts to directly confront their rulers, though as repressive tools and mechanisms are refined, rebellion from below seems less and less possible, primarily in larger countries. Anything can conceivably happen, of course, but I just don't see these Iranian dissidents making much of a lasting dent.

But that's my opinion, formed countless miles from the front lines. It has no bearing on what's occurring in Iran. Doesn't affect events one fucking inch. Yet there are numerous Western commentators and bloggers who believe that their opinions are important and vital, that shaking their fists in the direction of Tehran holds some serious meaning. When you see snarky Gawker blubbering about "revolution," you know that the spectacle enjoys mystical status. A feature of American narcissism that gains currency while everything else is devalued.

Wanna show solidarity with Iranian protesters? Take to American streets, clog the system at every opening, demand genuine political power through direct action.

What's that? You can't this week 'cause your plate is full? Understandable. We're all busy. Maybe in August. That's a slow month

http://www.dennisperrin.blogspot.com/

Oh, that Perrin

just got his first play.

dada in a few. live from the clambake.

see how it all comes together?

free fish fry from fabulous femmes?

why, i think so.

headed to amy's, be full later.

"I'm better now, I'm O.K."

on the free cart last week...it's SO funny... :)

thought the ruckus in the downtown square was a
rally for Iran.

it was a huge moonwalking contest.

sounds good, thats you on guitar?
everything sounds good through this compressor.
but super clean recording,
gracias muchacho.

"I'm better now, I'm O.K."

Copy correction--
Amended headline to read:

Who's supporting the war now?

Thank goodness I have a nice dry studio, with no bombs falling on it or anything.

White House Drafts Executive Order to Allow Indefinite Detention of Terror Suspects

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/26/AR200906...

past here or no?

The Stonewall riots were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969 at the Stonewall Inn, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. They are frequently cited as the first instance in American history when gays and lesbians fought back against a government-sponsored system that persecuted homosexuals, and they have become the defining event that marked the start of the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.

The Stonewall Inn, at the time, was owned by the Mafia.[3][4] It catered to an assortment of patrons, but it was known to be popular with the most marginalized people in the gay community: transvestites, effeminate young men, hustlers, and homeless youth.
http://www.alternet.org/rss/breaking_news/64705/gay_rights_movement%3A_4...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_riots

Ya man, recorded in a Barn/Recording studio in South Florida. Good engineer. Thanks!

What compressor? I've heard some excellent mastering plug-ins recently. Make a track sparkle.

Betty's a trip & funny.. :)

I posted one last week & nobody noticed it..

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

Yes, it's pretty clear that in your book, any and all dissent from the President these days is now "hysteria" on everyone else's part.

That's ridiculous hyperbole. Just your attempt at shutting down all conversation because you don't feel like considering it or hearing it. That's really lame.

So what should we now talk about, here? NASCAR?

Author Naomi Klein Calls for Boycott of Israel

"It's an extraordinarily important part of Israel's identity to be able to have the illusion of Western normalcy," the Canadian writer and activist said.

"When that is threatened, when the rock concerts don't come, when the symphonies don't come, when a film you really want to see doesn't play at the Jerusalem film festival . . . then it starts to threaten the very idea of what the Israeli state is."
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/06/26-2

Tonight, we had a good old-fashioned Rush Limbaugh Karaoke contest. It's simple: The Roots play a tune, we put the sweet words of Rush Limbaugh up on the screen, and an audience member sings along.

http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/blogs/2009/06/rush-limbaugh-kara...

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

...

Submitted by smcgee43 on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 9:41pm.
Sederites - -

M. Jackson - my mom & dad brought me 2
see the Jackson 5 when I was a young teenager,
a place called Mill Run Theatre. It was a theatre
in the round. Saw Al Green, Gordon Lightfoot,
& others.

Never really got into Farrah - but RIP.

----------------------
Submitted by toniD on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 10:24pm.

I used to work for Mill Run. It was a plyhouse when it opened and I was hired for opening. At the north end of Golf Mill Shopping Center.

I still have some pictures and some play programs. I was head usherette, hired and scheduled the other ushers and usherettes, my part time job. My full time job was in bookkeeping and the playhouse hired me as the full charge bookkeeper. That was a neat job until they started losing money and turned it into a concert type theatre.

It's now a Kohls store.
----------------------

Submitted by smcgee43 on Thu, 06/25/2009 - 10:41pm.

Yeah - I know. I remember when it
got torn down, thinking of the shows
I saw there. Progress I guess.
I my have photos from those concerts
I saw of the Jackson 5 - I would have
to look for them.

___________________________________

Here is what it looked like May 5, 1984

^ Click image to see 20% Larger^ 501 Pxls Wide

Inside Shots:
19840505_044-12.jpg 70KB 623 Pxls Wide

19840505_044-20.jpg 104KB 636 Pxls wide

on c-span while all the other channels drone on and on and insult us into believing all we should care at this juncture is what drug michael jackson was taking that killed him.... they just can't say well he's dead RIP and leave it at that, they just can't

the nays are winning but i can't tell whether it's just an amendment or the actual bill

just can't tell what's happening in the house

the general feeling is these bastards are up to no good, but maybe i just don't understand

It just seems a bit outrageous to say that criticism from the left is at fault here. The implication is that we should all shut up. I always said there would never be a time to "hold Obama's feet to the fire," because of this exact dynamic between the left and the center.

It's funny; in the same way you blame the left, I blame the center, for being an obstacle to any positive developments.

The left just plans in larger time frames. Thinking in terms of curing the disease, as opposed to releiving some symptoms. We know this is the long fight we're fighting.

And you know, bitching and complaining are the cornerstone of democracy, and the foundation of America.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvH0KQuuFYw

it appears the yeas are winning but by a very small margin

the bastard dems voting no, up to 34 these shitty dems that need to be driven out of town

but wait, i'm not even sure what they're voting on, exactly..... so maybe i should take back some of the foul language here

piece of legislation?

hellooooooo?

anyone here? this is the global warming energy bill we're talking about

(5) For all of you defend-Obama-at-all-cost cheerleaders who are about to descend into my comment section and other online venues to explain how Obama did the right thing because of National Security, I have this question: if you actually want to argue that concealing these photographs is the right thing to do, then you must have been criticizing Obama when, two weeks ago, he announced that he would release them. Otherwise, it's pretty clear that you don't have any actual beliefs other than: "I support what Obama does because it's Obama who does it." So for those arguing today that concealing these photographs is the right thing to do: were you criticizing Obama two weeks ago for announcing he would release these photographs?

Also, the OLC torture memos released several weeks ago surely increased anti-American sentiment. Indeed, those on the Right who objected to the release of those memos cited exactly that argument. How can anyone cheer on Obama's decision today to conceal these photographs while also cheering on his decision to release the OLC memos? Those who have any intellectual coherence would have to oppose both or support both. Those two decisions only have one fact in common: Obama made them. Thus, the only way to cheer on both decisions is to be guided by the modified Nixonian mantra: what Obama does is right because Obama does it.

Also, during the Bush years, were you -- along with Bill Kristol and National Review -- attacking the ACLU and Congressional Democrats for demanding that the Bush administration stop concealing evidence of its torture, on the ground that disclosure of such evidence would harm America's national security? Were you defending Bush then for doing what Obama is doing now?

people are busy getting ready for the weekend

ok

al gore may be happy; but what's gonna happen when it goes to the senate it's anybody's guess

losing by two votes now

FAILED

wtf

:):(

everybody losing it - looks like it passed by a couple of votes (7 to be exact) and everyone is very excited

can't be both :):(:):(:):(:):(

*Click on pic to make it bigger.

**Thanks,Dada..

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

How 'bout guuuns?

Huntin' for Nascar-Lovin', Moon-Pie-Eatin', Bluegrass-Listenin', Shotgun-Totin' Democrats

...Jarding and Saunders have taken their tactics on the road, aspiring to create a whole new army of what might be called Nascar Democrats. They have advised Democrats in several key Congressional and gubernatorial races this fall, from Colorado to New Hampshire to Texas. And now John Edwards, the North Carolina senator whom many view as the party's next great hope, has hired Jarding -- with Saunders in tow -- to run his fledgling presidential campaign, which means their rural strategy is about to go national....
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/15/magazine/15STRATET.html?pagewanted=2

(I'll bet at least one person protesting against Massey Coal-- really protesting against Obama caving into to big coal-- watches cars go around in circle real fast every weekend.)

I will find the DEMS going against and the final vote! grrr!

are most likely the progressive dems who don't think the bill goes far enough, kucinich is probably a no

this sucks

also saying it won't go through in the senate

we'll see

what's happening with franken, anyone knows?

make a spectacle. I simply will refrain.

I'm simply stating that wild criticism is exactly what the right claims. That the left is never satisfied.

I'm not satisfied but I know when to show respect. Act a fool if you want. I just won't comment if that's best for this blog. But it sounds hysterical even to me and I'm far out on the left wing and it turns me off.

In fact if you aren't volunteering to help our country be successful in some way who are you to criticize on this blog with toxic enthusiasm?

I'm making a spectacle of myself?

How so? Because you called everyone hysterical and refused to engage? Yeah. OK. That makes sense.

Hey. I'll let your comments speak for themselves.

Because you apparently don't know me.

"In fact if you aren't volunteering to help our country be successful in some way who are you to criticize on this blog with toxic enthusiasm?"

we're what we are.

i'm willing and able to talk about that.

they're ruining Obama for everybody...

***

Get off your asses AND FIGHT!!!

I was in a coma yesterday & didn't even know M.Jackson died yesterday,until about 15 mins ago..

So how was your week.. ;)

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

how's it hangin'?

It's about a wildcat strike in the UK with a successful outcome for the workers. What do you think of that.

Total workers win

The news is reporting that a deal has been reached between Total management and the workers undertaking wildcat strike action. This actually means that the workers got their jobs back and management caved in after losing 100m euros to the strikes. This is a stunning victory over a management that sought to break the strike movement by sacking hundreds of workers. It should be taken as a model of how unofficial action and widespread solidarity can win elsewhere

http://leninology.blogspot.com/

Kiss the ring.

Michael Jackson, Islam and the Middle East
Professor Cole

In early 2007, his brother Jermaine, a Muslim, announced that Michael would embrace that religion. In November of 2008, just months before his death press reports said that Michael Jackson had formally converted to Islam....

We can only speculate about the attractions for Michael Jackson of Islam, but likely his 2005 trial in which he was acquitted of all charges was implicated in his desire for a change. The court psychiatrist confirmed his psychological innocence, saying he had been arrested at the stage of a 10 year old. Michael Jackson was deeply hurt and humiliated by the experience, and his withdrawal to Bahrain and search for a different tradition of spirituality may well have come out of that abasement.
http://www.juancole.com/

Michael Jackson 'converts to Islam and changes name to Mikaeel'
Michael Jackson has reportedly become a Muslim and changed his name to Mikaeel.
Michael Jackson wore an abaya, a traditional Arab women's veil, in Bahrain
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/3494296/Michael...

I can't get no, a no no no

a Hey hey hey

I was reading Seymour's blog last week about the sympathy strikes by the other unions too. I had no idea it was going to have an affect...seems to have worked...gloriously.

heh - looks like Unionism still has some teeth after all...

Solidarity.

***

Get off your asses AND FIGHT!!!

I'm proud to call myself American.

I'm happy for our form of government. It's not perfect but it's better than all of the others imo.

AND - I for one am happy to say so. Even when George was in office I held out hope that we would come to our senses. Granted, there are problems. But we appear to be working hard to address them. Are we 100% successful, no. Not quick enough for the enormous need. Are we getting shot at, not so much... I'm good with that.

Call me a hieratic. I don't care.

it'd be nice if you would just tell us what a wildcat strike is exactly

that's easy for Mick to say....

I'm with you Catherine.

The heck with "National Security"

America must be punished for the torture of those
people.

A million people are Still Dead from the Vietnam war
and the Americans who voted for Nixion are responsible.

Because of the American People who have voted for
the Right wing Republicans for 30 years, A million people
have been killed or wounded in the last 6 years.

So a million Americans need to be killed before the score
will finaly be even.

America needs to be bombed into submission once and
for all.

The world has had enough with the American Empire
killing millions since the 1840's

Friday, but I (when I have time) must find the time of your "question" for you to understand my answer.
I will try to find now or this eve.
;)

of Obama.

Doesn't he know it's unpatriotic?

didn't recognize him but for his voice; lost weight and changed hairstyle

to maintain our "way of life."

Worker organized. Not with official union approval

That means: international solidarity to fight global corporatism. That's the greatest hurdle.

but you can go on about it if you want.

America has done many awful things to maintain the American way of life. I'm Mexican, the original crime was against Mexico. Our government is much more responsible with it's citizens than Mexico is. Figure it out.

just caught a glimpse of juliet - which is one of my fellini favorites and bong! I was out cold, just very tired and went to bed, to jerk wide awake a few minutes later staring at the ceiling for hours and think about the day's tense going-ons unable to sleep for most of the night; i should have just turned on the tv and lost myself in the movies

gosh... who am I leaving out? Oh just about anyone with a healthy critical mind. All of them have criticized Obama while being some of his biggest supporters.

There really is a place for criticism. That's why this blog was started. Not all criticism is unwarranted or a bad thing. It can actually produce great results.

an American.

I am Happy that More Americans finally woke up
and voted for Obama rather than McCain.

However understanding The voting History of America,
and its Arrogant agressive ways, it's clear that
much of the worlds problems have been caused by
Americas either overt or covert foreign policy.

As long as we view ourselves as the world police,
there will be no Peace.

Bourgeois comfort.

This is class war, make no mistake.

the surprise is that it would work; because if it's not organized it's hard to envision success, i just can't see how

Is it a put on or isn't it.

Very good!

Just doesn't have a pyramid arrangement.

it's just not "officially" organized by the union. They organize themselves.

And I’m proud to be an American where as least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

"Are we getting shot at, not so much..."

These are not particularly high standards.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=468ALQt-wgU

does it ever happen to you? Every kind of food i think about just turns me off and yet i'm hungry

something must be wrong with me: this is the only thing i am craving, and it turns out i don't have it around because i just try not to buy it, ever

what am i gonna do?

can you distinguish between wild comparisons and respectful disagreement?

When Kos deleted everything before 2004. Did you understand?

http://www.core.form-ula.com/2008/04/15/biomimetics-design-by-nature/

I stumbled onto the above site whilst researching something. (Okay, if you must know, I was looking for information about shark skin denticles.)

The site focuses on designs in nature and their application to man-made stuff. In a nutshell, it's about engineering by pilfering the cool ideas from nature.

I have read about most of the ideas over the years but I have never seen them gathered together with excellent photographs and brief descriptions like they are at the link. The photos are worth the trip even if you don't read about what you are seeing.

I know nothing about the web page source and I have not followed any of the links on the page, but I'm thinking that anything related to the above link is all very cool (and engineer-geeky) stuff.

Although I always wish I had done more, I will stack my activism and volunteerism in the political arena and others against yours any day.

You don't know all of what I have done or not done, but you have been around here long enough to read and understand me better than that. So, just cool it, with your broad brush painting of me as "un-American" That's a bunch of fascist Bush-esque crap.

but disaster lies in wait for countries whose officials smoke the same hashish they give out" IFStone

Watch out; lest you start believing your own bs.

you are correct. And we have one of the poorest Presidents ever elected running the joint.

It's a class war and it's up to us to speak. And I'd like to speak without speaking next to a comment that doesn't recognize the difference between Barack Obama and George Bush or Ahmadinejad.

You know what Catherine. This isn't about you. I love what you write. Your work is excellent, I'm sure of it. Hate me. It's ok. I will always admire you.

But unlike you some go incite in ways that I don't think are helpful. You are welcome to ignore my comment. But I'll still admire who you are. This isn't about you really.

But if you think that there aren't unhelpful criticisms on this blog then we do have a ray of sunlight between us.

"can you distinguish between wild comparisons and respectful disagreement?"

Yes. That's my point. You apparently can't.

KOS? The site? Or the man?

You seem to have some issues about respect, Fernando.

prior to the 2004 election.

After that defeat it wasn't helpful. I'm hoping President Obama succeeds. It's our only hope for a non-fascist form of government.

dada - your opinion of me is trivial. But thank you.

Farrah {& Charlie's Angels also} was giving a young girl "hope".
Michael Jackson inspired the World and was giving still a young woman hope.

But Neda is never forgotten, for she now is "The Voice" of this tragedy and a symbol of all those murdered.
Blessings to Neda /|\Om...Hung)0(

chocolate craving at the moment

On some issues he is exactly like Bush.

Are people supposed to pull their punches there because he is left of Bush on other issues? I don't think so.

NO ONE has the right to gauge whether another's dissent is "valid enough" to be voiced. That is bullshit, and you know better.

***

Get off your asses AND FIGHT!!!

there is a difference between Obama and Bush.

I thought on this blog we could operate under that assumption, and have more interesting discussions.

Lately, however, I have discovered that I was apparently wrong.

It's disappointing.

For instance, there is some very important conversation about Obama on FISA, and secrecy that we could be having. But, if we bring up overwhelming evidence, which all of the "left" bloggers that I previously mentioned have cited, that on this score Obama is actually taking a harder tact than Bush, then we must be branded "unpatriotic" for bringing such criticism up.

Motorcycle bomb kills 13, wounds 45 in Baghdad

BAGHDAD — Thirteen people were killed and 45 were wounded when a small parked motorcycle detonated early Friday in a crowd of young men in the Bab al Sheikh neighborhood in downtown Baghdad, Iraqi police said.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/iraq/story/70896.html

Chocolate wins hands down, mire.

Too late!

"your opinion of me is trivial. But thank you."

I know. We're all ultimately still on the same side here. So it is a safe environment to work shit out. Making the tent bigger. Making the pie higher. All that fun stuff.

Even royal subjects at times challenge their rulers.

Surely we can do the same in this, a 'democratic' republic!

proud American if...
in early 2001: when the Florida
recount was halted, and B&$# was
appointed President,
all business and commerce was halted,
and all Company Presidents encouraged
their employees to take a vacation to go
march in the streets to protest the untrue
results.
There should have been a Hundred
million people protesting in 2001.

There should have been an angry mob demanding
Katherine Harris & Jeb Bush be put in handcuffs
and taken away.

Had that occured I would have been very Proud
of America.

Sorry Dada and Catherine, but I think Nando is right. Oh no, I don't think Obama is beyond critique, but that will not help us. What we need to do is neutralized the Right- Wing. It still sets the political agenda for the nation. That's because they control two entities that make it impossible to move forward. That would be the vote, which is privatized and controlled by the Republicans, and the media- whose owners are Republicans.

A few months ago, I listed the names of the largest cable companies. They were, not only own by Republicans, they were serious operatives inside the party. This is the main reason why the disgraced conservatives still have a strong political infrastructure. Last week I posted an article that revealed the entire media conspired against the citizens of this nation, and gave two elections to George W. Bush. They committed treason for their own greed.

Last summer, I worked to get the vote out. The Republicans were taking pictures of voters, their license plates, vans that were bringing voters to the polls, etc., etc. They kept sicking the sheriff on us. We were threatened! We were harassed in every way you can imagine. They actually took a picture of an elderly woman with a walker. There was election fraud in 2008, just like 2004, and 2001. They don't give up!

If we could reform these two entities, then and only then, could we have a rational discussion about, Habeas corpus, ending the war, health care, gay rights, etc.,etc.
But as long as the Republicans control these two institutions, quite frankly, we're phucked.

I agree with your humble post 100%. Not 99%.

This isn't a hard issue. There are ways to do this. But we must maintain imo some sense of decorum.

George Bush was an idiot. Barack Obama is not but his interests aren't all for the people. We should address that.

But he's definitely not Ahmadinejad. He's better than that imo. He doesn't have a 2/3 majority in the Senate. Nor should it take that. When Conservatives vote in blocks we must blame them. And we are right to blame them with wild enthusiasm. They are very wrong.

I don't think Barack is the problem. It's a 50 state problem now without a single figurehead to beat on. Cornyn for example. WTH does a citizen do to stop that crazy from continuing to block good legislation?

Brrriiing. Brrriiing.

Anna: "Hello, this is the Nutella hotline, Anna speaking."

mire: "Gotta have it."

Anna: "Take a deep breath and stay on the line."

mire: "Can't stop myself."

Anna: "Is anyone with you?"

mire: "Only my car keys [coughs several times] and a Google map to the nearest retailer."

Anna: "Okay, listen to me closely. Put the keys down."

mire: [Makes scratchy noises] "You're breaking up."

Anna: "No I'm not. You're making those sounds."

mire: "How could you tell?"

Anna: "Experience. Do you have any crackers in the house?"

mire: "What in god's name are you talking about? I'm having a Nutella crisis here!"

Anna: "Go to the cupboard and get the cracker---[click]."

Anna: "Hello? Hello? Damn."

I missed one of your posts. An important one, where you explain where you're coming from.

Hey, I am glad you're here, and I respect your opinions.

dada is right, I have to say. We are all on the same side.

I've been so put off by the nature of the single pointed address of too many bloggers that beat on BO like he is the problem. We can fix him but it won't be good.

Our better interests are in diverting our energy to attack Yellow Dogs and obstructionists.

If Jimmy were still President, he would go nowhere with this congress.

Submitted by Catharine on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 8:53pm.
-----

I respect yours Catherine, and dada's also.

You're fantabulous!

a major activist & V - and you did!
******
And not for nothing, Fernando
new
Submitted by Catharine on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 8:19pm.
Although I always wish I had done more, I will stack my activism and volunteerism in the political arena and others against yours any day.

******
I do not have problems with Fernando. Fernando can you understand this? For 40 years MOST activists, even probably Catharine, have been doing the SAME OL', SAME OL' M.O. for the past 40 plus years. To paraphrase a quote, "Doing the same thing again and again and EXPECT a different result is a mark of insanity."

I have evolved, in many ways, as the protests continue.

I am writing & more..., so I only *fly* by. I think NOW is time for DOING THINGS A BIT DIFFERENT. CHANGE ones M.O.

******
JMHO

I eat chocolate with no sugar. It's bitter and most would call it awful. I don't care. It's worth it. F'n Aztecs and their temptations...

ok, it's not chocolate...

I lick my finger and stick it in the Hershey Cocoa powder.

You have been warned. Don't drink the chocolate in my house.

... WE THE PEOPLE ... that is The Problem.
No one listened to me when it was just the election. Instead I got OFFICIALLY kicked off Morning Seditionists - I believe I was The One & Only.

It is not the time to again prove DIVIDE & CONQUER.
There are MANT people here that tore me to pieces -- but now is the time TO COMPLAIN about President O, yet overall SUPPORT our President then add why he needs to vote as WE that DID VOTE HIM INTO OFFICE.
{This post is a bit scattered, but I have physical & mental work, to do & I still have to exercise - I have missed so much 4 me, 2 do activisim.}

;)

My friend,
domestically I hope he succeeds as well. I just think his top-down approach is wrong headed.
On the foreign front, however, I'm sorry, I hope he fails. I want us running out of the Middle East with our tails between our legs. That's we how left Vietnam, and apparently, we didn't learn the folly of empire building then once and for all.
It took two world wars to break the back of the British Empire. Hopefully, we will be more fortunate.
I felt the same way during the Regency of George. What if Bush had "succeeded" in Iraq. To begin with, the Dems would still be the minority, and we would be enduring yet another Rethug prez.
More importantly, however, what would success mean. Success for whom. Well, the military-industrial complex, corporate finance and oil industry. Would most Americans be benefiting. I doubt it. Not unless, we were willing to implement the final solution of imperialism: Outright colonization. The solution that led to the creation of this nation in the first place. The solution that led to the dismemberment of your home country.
Yes, I hope, Obama's foreign policy fails. We need to be withdrawing our military apparatus across the globe. It is bleeding our domestic economy white. This, of course, was a main theme of Dr. King speech, "Beyond Vietnam." Dr. King's message tragically was ignored then-- The Vietcong drove us out of Southeast Asia. And his message is still not being heard.
When is this empire obsession going to end. Since the end of WWII how many years are there where we weren't bombing somebody, or toppling the regime of some destitute country? Are there any?
(and now, the young Michael):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSqo17o2a1w

It's easier to change oneself than to change another, the saying goes. Similarly, it seems to me, it is easier to change the party you support than the party you oppose.

I think the Dems need reforming.

I like what Hartmann suggests -- infiltrate the Dems, locally and nationally. And support the infiltrators to the hilt.

And, if money is power, I don't think the politicians should have unlimited access to money. Their ONLY power should come from us voting them into office.

Campaign reform -- getting corporate/fascist money out of the mix -- is a priority of course, but until that is accomplished, what money does get to them from the left should have strings attached; I'm not sure on how that is done -- maybe "STRINGS ATTACHED ONLY" funding campaigns or something. We've been forking over the contributions without a prayer for too long. (That isn't what the corporations do, that's for sure.)

Meanwhile, how is Obama or any other politician supposed to know they are messing up unless we tell them that we consider they are stepping out of bounds?

Fernando, taking your stipulation all the way to its conclusion would mean we should be fibbing on polls and saying everything is fine, when it isn't fine (like when ANOTHER 60 Pakistani civilians are slaughtered). Sheesh.

So at WHAT point IS it okay to have critical comments? At what point can we stop genuflecting in thanksgiving over the successful defeat of Bush/McCain? During Obama's second term? What are the unseen rules you consider would improve the negative situation you perceive?

“Oh, marital infidelity, you’re just another run of the mill human being whose simple moralizing about the sanctity of marriage is only marred by the complexities of their own life.

Well just another politician with a conservative mind and a liberal penis.”

**
Kinda of says it all, doesn’t it?

http://yomamaforobama.wordpress.com/2009/06/25/the-luv-gov/

"Hello to our friends and fans in domestic surveillance."

the right time is different to different people.

I think all of us would like him to appoint Supreme Court Justices that support people over corporations. Maybe I'm wrong.

I so want to see Sotomajor excel in the Supreme Court of America but I'm concerned too. Will she support the people?

I think this nomination is a watermark for this administration.

I hope he wins the cooperation of those people into a green economy full of mutual self interest on a global scale.

In Mexico the Cartels run the government. What would you like?

;)

Whatever plusses in the house bill are truly "green" will be neutralized or cancelled by those nuke plants and the DEAD ZONES on Earth they create....

It is time Americans changed their lifestyles and use LESS energy. We still have not adapted any of the savings methods that are accepted practice in Europe, have we? It is senseless waste. It is typically American Wastefulness.

My Favorite :)

since you ask....

my rules WOULD be if the could be...

GWB was the eleventh ring of hell on human rights spanning nearly a millennium.

How would I compare Barack Obama's decision to swat a fly?

Is that a zero? Is it a 10 or 11? In ring's of hell rating?

I'm ESL (english as a second language) as shit and I know words matter.

Barack Obama can compare his weight to Ahmadinejad or his Basketball prowess, np. But to compare him for his compassion for the people of his country? That's over the top imo.

Biden Announces White House Advisor on Violence Against Women

Source: ABC News

Vice President Biden announced today that Lynn Rosenthal will be the White House adviser on Violence Against Women, a new position created to work with the president and vice president on domestic violence and sexual assault issues.

Joining Biden for the announcement was Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor and assistant to the president for Intergovernmental Relations and Public Engagement.

Rosenthal most recently served as the executive director of the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence and has focused on domestic violence issues like housing, state and local coordinated community response, federal policy, and survivor-centered advocacy.

-----

He said the Obama administration wants to put this issue higher on the agenda than it has been in recent years, but said that was not a “knock or criticism” of the Bush administration.

Biden said that in announcing this new advisor role "an ambition, desire has come true."

Read more: http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/06/biden-a...

me too. I have his draft Gore poster on my pinball machine right now. But ultimately, both would face the Congress.

at a U2 concert in Edinburgh.
After a longer pause then usual, He starts clapping, very slowly.
After 3 or 4 claps, he says:
"everytime I clap my hands, a child in Africa dies,"

and someone yells from the audience,
"Well why don't you stop fucking doing it, then!"

plan makers at their secret Oligarchy Meetings are a FASCIST enterprise.

But I would like the elected officials of our country to stop nationalizing security/safety. If we all aren't safe and secure in this world, then NONE of us are safe and secure.

Fernando, you write, "Barack Obama can compare his weight to Ahmadinejad or his Basketball prowess, np. But to compare him for his compassion for the people of his country? That's over the top imo."

I don't understand what you are saying here.

But I know that, from my perspective, I want elected officials and a president who value Pakistani, Afghan, Iraqi, Somalian, Sudanese lives, and work so never to waste American military lives for the purpose of corporate/imperialist gain. Because when we have those values, we'll all be better off. And until we have that, it seems to me that it is hypocrisy or hoax that imperialist war mongers care a fig for the people of their own country.

I'm not into team sports. I don't need the "high" of being on a so-called "winning team". I want the whole world to make it, not just the USA; I want diversity, not just American-backed transnational corporate cultural sameness everywhere we look.

;)

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090626/OPINION/906259903/1070?Tit...

[excerpt]

This editorial is from the Boston Globe:

Last week, three insurance executives made starkly clear why President Obama is right to insist on a public-plan option in any health reform package. The three stood before Congress and refused to stop the practice of canceling coverage of sick policyholders for unrelated medical reasons, even in cases where the firms can’t show intentional fraud by the policyholders. The industry should be relieved that all Obama is threatening it with is a rival plan and not a SWAT team.

[end excerpt]

by Gary Leupp

...

In President Obama’s much-anticipated speech to the Muslim world in Cairo June 5, he made a distinction between the Iraq War as “a war of choice” and the Afghanistan War as a war “of necessity” due to the 9-11 attacks.

...

If it’s “necessary,” it may be so because Afghanistan runs between the gas fields of Turkmenistan and the Indian Ocean ports which could carry it to world markets avoiding Iran and Russia. A pipeline deal was signed in 2002 but its provisions can’t be carried out until the country’s stabilized.

...

This isn’t Bush’s war anymore. It’s Obama’s slightly prettified War on Terror, Part II, Af-Pak Theater. And it’s not about 9-11. It has never been, really; that’s just been the rhetoric addressed to the U.S. masses designed to exploit to the max the recollected pain of that one day, and to the world to justify aggression in the name of national security.

It’s really about empire — endless “surges” on behalf of empire justified by urgent appeals for action against existential threats. It’s a farce with ongoing tragic consequences for people in the region, and pain the American people themselves have only begun to feel. So far the combined U.S. death toll for the Iraq and Afghan aggressions is just a little over 5,000. But lately the casualties in Afghanistan are nearly matching those in Iraq.

Those who’ve hoped or thought Obama would be an anti-war president: please watch his deputies Holbrooke and Ross carefully. They’re not so dissimilar from the neocons they’ve replaced and their visions of regime change may spell more ruin for the world.

...

http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/06/obama%E2%80%99s-afghan-surge-and-pakis...

http://thomaspainescorner.wordpress.com/2009/06/25/obamas-fly-private-je...

But I know that, from my perspective, I want elected officials and a president who value Pakistani, Afghan, Iraqi, Somalian, Sudanese lives, and wants never to waste American military lives for the purpose of corporate/imperialist gain. -

The powers blocking progress are in the Senate. That has become clear. If we don't fix the Senate in 2010 then the 2012 will go completely hay wire.

By Bob Drogin
June 21, 2009

Reporting from Lancaster, Pa. -- This historic town, where America's founding fathers plotted during the Revolution and Milton Hershey later crafted his first chocolates, now boasts another distinction.

Some 165 closed-circuit TV cameras soon will provide live, round-the-clock scrutiny of nearly every street, park and other public space used by the 55,000 residents and the town's many tourists. That's more outdoor cameras than are used by many major cities, including San Francisco and Boston.

Unlike anywhere else, cash-strapped Lancaster outsourced its surveillance to a private nonprofit group that hires civilians to tilt, pan and zoom the cameras -- and to call police if they spot suspicious activity. No government agency is directly involved.

Perhaps most surprising, the near-saturation surveillance of a community that saw four murders last year has sparked little public debate about whether the benefits for law enforcement outweigh the loss of privacy.

"Years ago, there's no way we could do this," said Keith Sadler, Lancaster's police chief. "It brings to mind Big Brother, George Orwell and '1984.' It's just funny how Americans have softened on these issues."

"No one talks about it," agreed Scott Martin, a Lancaster County commissioner who wants to expand the program. "Because people feel safer. Those who are law-abiding citizens, they don't have anything to worry about."

A few dozen people attended four community meetings held last spring to discuss what sponsors called "this exciting public safety initiative." But opposition has grown since big red bulbs, which shield the video cameras, began appearing on corner after corner.

con't

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-spycam-city21-2009j...

Ask yourself Alice. Really? The Al Qaeda threat isn't real? Even if it's orchestrated from within, it's not real?

Whew. That's a load off. Now all we have to worry about is N. Korea.....

America hasn't made friends lately. We have enemies, right or wrong. It's a fact of life. We should contribute as Americans to fix that. I agree with that part. Why don't we start by re-powering America and exporting that capability to our oil war advisories?

?

-Why don't we start by re-powering America and exporting that capability to our oil war advisories?-

I don't understand what you mean...

(i'm taking a break from lawn mowing)

i'm a little spooked that mowing the lawn needs three breaks to get er done. i really wonder what the hell is going on with my bod.

oh well, i'm still delighted to be alive.

as for all of the banging and clanging in our blogville today, it seems unfocused and a bit grumpy. still some good thinking emerges.

top down is not going to work, and most USians have enough lard padding them that they still don't feel anything.

i still say 'timing is everything'

i laugh my ass off just about every time i start the lawnmower because it reminds me of one of my favorite stories:

Richard Brautigan's "the revenge of the lawn" a wonderful tongue in cheek story that i treasure. take a break and read it, it's worth it!

http://brautigan.cybernetic-meadows.net/tiki-index.php?page=Revenge+of+t...

resumes.....

If top down doesn't work then why do we keep voting and acting as if it will?

Absurdity.

The dems are allegedly in control of CA too..but those mean reps ruin everything... Oy...I couldn't be any sicker of this...in the meantime, Arnold is holding state workers as hostages and will cut their pay even more if the two sides don't make 24 in cuts to balance the fucked up budget?

Absurdity.

How much are us lard asses going to take of this?

Sorry, but as I've said, Scientology has one good point, HANDLE IT. OR DISCONNECT.

SATURDAY MARCH 21, 2009 09:08 EDT
The virtues of public anger and the need for more

With lightning speed and lockstep unanimity, opinion-making elites jointly embraced and are now delivering the same message about the public rage triggered this week by the AIG bonus scandal: This scandal is insignificant. It's just a distraction. And, most important of all, public anger is unhelpful and must be contained or, failing that, ignored.

This anti-anger consensus among our political elites is exactly wrong. The public rage we're finally seeing is long, long overdue, and appears to be the only force with both the ability and will to impose meaningful checks on continued kleptocratic pillaging and deep-seated corruption in virtually every branch of our establishment institutions. The worst possible thing that could happen now is for this collective rage to subside and for the public to return to its long-standing state of blissful ignorance over what the establishment is actually doing.

It makes perfect sense that those who are satisfied with the prevailing order -- because it rewards them in numerous ways -- are desperate to pacify public fury. Thus we find unanimous decrees that public calm (i.e., quiet) be restored. It's a universal dynamic that elites want to keep the masses in a state of silent, disengaged submission, all the better if the masses stay convinced that the elites have their best interests at heart and their welfare is therefore advanced by allowing elites -- the Experts -- to work in peace on our pressing problems, undisrupted and "undistracted" by the need to placate primitive public sentiments.

While that framework is arguably reasonable where the establishment class is competent, honest, and restrained, what we have had -- and have -- is exactly the opposite: a political class and financial elite that is rotted to the core and running amok. We've had far too little public rage given the magnitude of this rot, not an excess of rage. What has been missing more than anything else is this: fear on the part of the political and financial class of the public which they have been systematically defrauding and destroying.

...

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/03/21/anger/index.html

Concerned is a better word.

dada was correct in terms of America's meddling throughout the world. That is used as a pawn in America Hating all over the world.

In Texas towns we talk about what if Texas was still Mexico. There are pro's and con's but ultimately most Mexicans living legally in America aren't migrating back if you get my drift. I want to live in Mexico, when I'm retired to enjoy the people I know. But I'm also going to live here too because it's really a better form of government as far as I'm concerned.

The America Hating tactics of Al Qaeda should not be the tactics of our own citizens. Peaceful civil disobedience has been the American way. All of a sudden you see it in Iran and it's like nobody recognizes what it is.

grammar or punctuation on their resumes?

is in order.

You've been warned.

a republican...

It's perpetual.

And it's called acceptable in this country.

...sweet or unsweet...

seem petrifying....

Submitted by Fernando on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 10:32pm.
...The powers blocking progress are in the Senate. That has become clear. If we don't fix the Senate...
--------
On the Missouri front, Kit Bond is retiring. Roy Blunt intends to win the primary for the Senate seat.

First, Bond's exit is a good thing.

Second, McCaskill is not likely to lose her Senate seat for a long time.

Third, Blunt is vacating his House seat to run for the Senate. His exit from the House is a good thing.

Fourth, Blunt is not guaranteed the primary win (yet) for the Senate race and certainly is not guaranteed a win in the election.

Blunt's House district is heavily Republican and will probably go to a Republican candidate even if it is a Labrador retriever with mange, but the entire state votes for the Senate candidate. Our boy Roy could easily lose the primary to a number of Republican candidates from elsewhere in the state. He could even more easily lose the main event to a Democrat who can draw votes from Kansas City and St. Louis.

In the end it is possible that a toothless Republican rookie will replace Blunt in the House (I don't think that there is any way in hell that a Democrat could win his district) and Blunt could find himself working on K Street along with his second wife after losing his Senate bid.

Robin Carnahan (D) has an excellent shot at winning Bond's former Senate seat.

Find out about the players at the link below:

http://open.salon.com/blog/1_irritated_mother/2009/02/25/hot_real_estate...

"I agree with you, I want to do it, now make me do it." - Franklin Roosevelt

"We decided to move the center farther to the rigth by starting the whole debate from a far-right position to begin with." - Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay

Tom DeLay was no Franklin Roosevelt on policy, but he understood one of Roosevelt's most important principles: that in order for a movement to be successful, it must bring pressure on presidents, and it must use Congress to administer that pressure. And as my new newspaper column this week shows, it is this principle, so self-evidently true throughout our history, that is now being emulated today by progressives.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/the-make-him-do-it-dynami_b_1...

Farrah Fawcett
June 27, 2009 in Uncategorized

What she says at the very last of this clip…rings true for me as well.

http://akamat.wordpress.com/2009/06/27/farrah-fawcett/

THEY WOULD BE WHITE AND LIVE IN AMERICA LIKE CHRISTIANS AND NOT SOME FRENCHY SURRENDER EATING CHEEZE MONKEY HOMOJEWFAG CHINKITYWOPPERS! HAW! THAT IS WHY YOU JAPPO-CANOOK IMPERIALISTER FAGBAGS ARE SO DUMB AND HAVE MICHAEL J. FOX FOR DINNER TO EAT YOUR PORRIDGE AND HAM THAT YOU CALL BACON AND IS NOT EVEN BACON YOU IDIOT SATAN HARVESTER BUCKET WORMS! YOU MAKE GOD PUKE ON YOU ALL DAY AND NIGHT AND DAY TO TRY TO SPEAK FRENCH MANBUTTLOVE LANGWAGE! EVERY OF THE GOOD AND CHRISTIAN MAN OF LIFE HAS SO MANY HATES ON YOU THAT IT MAKES A SATAN ON THEM IF FOR NOT JESUS TO SAVE THEM AND NOT YOU! HA SOME MORE TIMES IN YOU! THEN YOU LIVE IN SOUP AND HAVE NO TESTICULANS TO FLOAT SO YOU DROWN IN SOUP AND STINK BUNCHES AND CRY AND CRY LITTLE JAPPOFAG CHINKWOP BUTTPIRATE CANIGGERNOOK!

MAPLE SYRUP IS THE BLOOD OF TEERS AND CHRISTIAN BABIES MIXED BY CANADIAN SATANERS! DO NOT EAT SOME OR THE HELLS OF IT GO IN YOU NOT SOME, NO, *ALL ALL ALL* TIMES! EVERY! ONE!

Posted by: Paitrioterer at June 22, 2004 07:06 PM

i had the dog police come by this morning and tell me Jax can't bark his brains out at six in the morning or at midnight.

a warning. a $150 ticket if he does.

the people in the 'apartment building from hell' were complaining...

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."

Theodore Roosevelt

"If top down doesn't work then why do we keep voting and acting as if it will?

Absurdity."

http://www.angelfire.com/creep2/rebuttlickens.org/patrioterer.html

TRUENESS FROM SATANGIRL NUMBER ONE FEMINAZI CATHY SHE WOLF OF THE LIBBIE FAGTOWNERS, THE HELLS MUST BE FREEZED SOME! ONLY JEALOUS FAGGITY FRUITBOXER JEWFAGGARINOS OF SATATNVILLE INCROPORATED WOULD TRY TO BLAME THE MIGHTY BRIGHT AND TIGHTY WHITE CHIRSTIAN MANS THE PATRIOTERER TO BE THE COPYSPAMDYKE OF THE BLOG SO MANY! AND SO! I AM A WORDSNITH AND THE POTE LAURALNET OF MAJORITY PERORT, NOT NO BUTTSEXING SATANSMEGMATOID RUMPSNAKE OF THE DESERT IN THE AMERICA OF LANDING IN FREEDOMS! TO THE CHINKITTYWOPPER SPICBULB VARNISHERS AND NIGRAPHILES AND JUNGLEBUNNYBOUNCERS THAT SAY I AM THE BAD ONE I SAY LOOK IN YOUR OWN SLIMY EYEBALL EVERY! EVERY EVERY! LIKE YOU! SO! KEEP YOUR DAMNN NINE SATAN BUTTPIES ON YOUR SELFS!

YOU SHOULD NOT SAY THINGS IN YOUR HEAD TO YOU AND BELIVE THEM BECAUSE YOU ARE VERY CRAZY AND EVIL AND DUMB FROM THE HELLS TO TRICK YOU!

Posted by: Patrioterer at June 25, 2004 01:50 PM

Yay! He talks like a super hero.

;)

First they said he was writing, then they said he was hiking. Turned out, he was sleeping with a woman from Argentina.

Once again, a foreigner taking a job that Americans won't do.

I miss JIK and MAT both when they're not here.

-EVERY OF THE GOOD AND CHRISTIAN MAN OF LIFE HAS SO MANY HATES ON YOU-

it was hilarious, the animal 'control' guy was a really nice chubby version of Groucho Marx, and Jax was barking his brains out while I was talking to him through the screen door and trying to convince him that Jax REALLY did'nt bark that much.

the lil fart!

Hi Sunshine Jim!

I don't think it's your bod so much as it is the lawn mower.

I don't think it's the physical exertion as much as the lack of oxygen in walking behind and inhaling all that carbon monoxide just when what you really need is oxygen.

Or is your lawnmower a rechargeable? Then my theory goes phhhht.

"CATHY SHE WOLF OF THE LIBBIE FAGTOWNERS!"

i love it!

that is some of the funniest writing ever done here!

we really ought to concentrate on the incredible hypocrisy, humor and irony of our current political quagmire if we want to kick ass.

And of course, it's in the South.

Pastor Ken "dumb redneck phuck" Pagano

By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE
Published: June 25, 2009 LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Ken Pagano, the pastor of the New Bethel Church here, is passionate about gun rights. He shoots regularly at the local firing range, and his sermon two weeks ago was on “God, Guns, Gospel and Geometry.” And on Saturday night, he is inviting his congregation of 150 and others to wear or carry their firearms into the sanctuary to “celebrate our rights as Americans!” as a promotional flier for the “open carry celebration” puts it.

“God and guns were part of the foundation of this country,” Mr. Pagano, 49, said Wednesday in the small brick Assembly of God church, where a large wooden cross hung over the altar and two American flags jutted from side walls. “I don’t see any contradiction in this. Not every Christian denomination is pacifist.”

The bring-your-gun-to-church day, which will include a $1 raffle of a handgun, firearms safety lessons and a picnic, is another sign that the gun culture in the United States is thriving despite, or perhaps because of, President Obama’s election in November.

con't

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/us/26guns.html?_r=4&hpw

...just look how well this blog works.

http://rudepundit.blogspot.com/2009/06/barack-obama-is-not-afraid-of-you...

Barack Obama Is Not Afraid of You and He Will Kick Your Ass:

Disagree how you will with Barack Obama on some pretty serious issues (are we really debating whether or not to release a Gitmo detainee held because we mistook the video of him being tortured by al-Qaeda for him being trained as a suicide bomber?). Wonder who the fuck he's pleasing when it comes to some other issues (dude made some pretty explicit damn promises on the campaign trail when it came to Don't Ask, Don't Tell, among other shit). Accuse him of whatever you like, yell at him about whatever you like, call him a dirty smoker. But the man is trying to be a goddamned alchemist in transforming a vat of shit into a gold bathtub.

We're impatient, yes, yes, we are. The deluded who thought they were getting beautiful Barack to ride in on a giant stallion and slay the big, bad Bush machine are impatient. The realists who knew they were getting a really damn smart, slightly left of center guy in Obama and not an avenging liberal, they're impatient, too.

What the Obama administration has to do is the governing equivalent of having a threesome with hot-looking conjoined female twins attached at the vagina. Before you can even get to the fucking, you gotta separate them, make sure they have functioning pussies, and wait for them to heal. In other words, you gotta get back to "normal" before you can get to "awesome."

Or, in even otherer words, it's gonna take a fuck of a lot of work to get us back to zero, to the way things were before George W. Bush came in and pissed on our beds, raped our dogs, tied us up, set the house on fire, and left without calling 911. And then, once it's back to zero, we can talk about how it gets better. Doesn't make any of us less impatient and it doesn't excuse some of the shit Obama's doing (like continuing to argue the Bush administration side on cases left over from it), but we gotta recognize that the circumstances are: "We're fucked - can we be un-fucked?"

So at his news conference today, we got the Obama we elected, the cool, can't-be-fucked-with man who has answers up his sleeve that will make you wonder how the fuck he did that. To listen to his takedown of whiny ass insurance companies is to think that the man really does want to trick Americans into universal health care. And his exchange with Major Garrett of Fox "news" was a model for anyone going on that network: reject the premise and tell them how and where they can go fuck themselves.

Immediately after, on the CNNMSNBCFox, they were talking about how the man should have shown more anger when condemning the violence in Iran. But that misses the point entirely. By not getting all unhinged and finger wagging and stumblefucking into saying stupid shit like "With us or against us," Obama maintains strength.

We're five months away from the worst presidency in our history, heading in the opposite direction, thank Christ, Allah, whoever, or no one. But objects in the mirror are closer than they appear, motherfuckers. This ain't apologia and it ain't deluded belief. Just like we can yell that Democrats who oppose Obama's policies are forgetting that people who voted for the man knew what they were getting, so can we say to the jittery on the left that, despite the fact that getting fucked over is a very real possibility, we need to remember that we who voted for him also did so on the basis of trusting his judgment.

Time and again today, Obama kept telling us to be patient - that the health care debate was ongoing, that "we don't know yet how this thing is going to play out" in Iran, that we need to see how the first stimulus works out before talking about another one. Or, to put it simply, chill the fuck out.

haha... :)

I heard the the Animal Control in this town was snooping around the senior center....where I also hear that one of those exquisite black faced blue eyed library cats still lives...

sheep would work but all i have handy are squirls, racoons and beavers and they refuse to edge the lawn and they eat the fruit trees.

Sometimes I feel bad about how disgusted I am...then there you are to fuel me up.... ;)

we are so fucked up we ought to open up a whorehouse.

on the other hand congress has allready got that sewn up and probably would'nt like the competition.

Alice, that's one decorum-lacking piece there.

Did you see/hear Democracy Now! last night (Thursday)? Amy Goodman interviewed one of the political prisoners netted by the bizarre Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. Appalling INJUSTICE. Check it out.

It is good that you are pacing yourself. It's an art we all should learn.

thx
Geek Alert (That Means You, Sofra)
new
Submitted by Crank Bait on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 8:18pm.

~`~`~`~`~`~
Jamesbennett

Self government is the answer
new
Submitted by maggiesboy on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 11:41pm.

...just look how well this blog works.
==
Is it just me? Gave me a good laugh
: )
~`~`~`~`~`~
Jamesbennett

What is this? It's written like something out of a celebrity gossip column.

Agreed. I go there when I need a shocker...

Thursday's show and Friday's shows I haven't seen all the way through yet...

A couple of weeks ago I saw a hawk flash by in my peripheral vision. It was headed toward a phoebe nest on the garage/shop outdoor lights.

I turned to see the hawk on the edge of the roof where it overhangs above the nest. It did something with its beak around its feet, so I watched for feathers flying and hoped for the best.

No feathers flew but the hawk did...to a dead snag within twenty-five feet of my house. I was watching through a window.

It messed around with its beak at its feet again, so I ran for the binoculars; again hoping for the best.

When I returned, the hawk was upright with its back to me. After a few minutes it began turning its head from side to side, giving something the eagle eye. Or the hawk eye, as it were.

Then it dropped down into one of the eternal piles of leaves that I replenish after each autumn. It noodled around with its feet, then with its beak, then with its feet. Its feet were too deep into the leaves for me to see exactly what it was doing, even though the bird was huge in my binoculars.

The hawk took flight with a two-foot long garter snake in its beak and passed within a few feet right in front of me.

I thought, "The hawk can knock off for the day now. A two-foot snake must be a pretty good score." This was at 3:30 p.m.

At 4:30 p.m. I started to go outside and thought, "I should look at that snag again before I open the door." Wonder of wonders, the hawk was back on the same branch in the same spot and repeating the same hawk eye motions. Then it dropped into the leaf pile, did the hawk dance again, and flew away with a sixteen to eighteen inch garter snake using the same flight path.

It left me to wonder if the hawk lost the first snake (I saw this happen to a hawk in flight once), or if the hawk knew there were more goodies in the leaf pile when it caught the first snake and decided to gorge itself?

Now I look at that dead branch often. No hawk. But s/he spends a lot of time screeching and patrolling all around my house.

...that would require publicly financed elections. Only then would elected representatives assume the role envisioned by the founders where going to Washington was more of a "crap I guess it's my turn" versus today's "Oh boy I'm going to DC to get rich".

My hope lies in the fact there are still people who realize this and are willing to work for it.

Criticism of the executive is paramount to a workable democracy, but it also requires support not unlike disagreeing and still being respectful.

Is that too much to ask?

Submitted by jbenet on Sat, 06/27/2009 - 12:07am.
thx
--------
Don't mention it.

I want a pair of lizard gloves and socks.

you get the respect you give, just like you get the love that you give...

To quote Michael:

"I'm starting with the man in the mirror...."

owe it to yourself to see if you have some responsibility for that.

Submitted by Catharine on Sat, 06/27/2009 - 12:36am.
...you get the respect you give...
--------
That explains everything! (I thought they didn't like me.)

clever.

[and then people, starting to get the entendre, slowly dawning ... say ... "hey... wait a minute...."]

I was mentioning a situation with a family member to a guru friend of mine [literally a guru]. I rarely like to do this to him because I know I will only show myself to him as not being "above it all" and "detached". But, my annoyance with this family member got the better of me.

Gurudev, being such a kind and very wise person, first complimented my sharp clarity, assessment of human behavior, and honesty and then he very very gently said, "Not everyone appreciates your frankness." I burst out laughing, saying "You think?!" "That is the nicest way you could have possibly put it! I think I catch your drift."

I would have been a
Submitted by Jmach1JP on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 8:44pm.

proud American if...
==
I think jfk is quoted as saying something like...

"My father can steal me an election,
but he can't steal me a landslide."

I see Iran as a mini usa. We elected a fool, then they elected a fool.
We had presidential elections stolen, once, twice and they tried to do it a third time, but there were to many votes to overcome.

Now in Iran, seemly stealing by a landslide is just too obvious.

About criticizing Obama. It's a good thing. Change? Cheney's clown posse is everywhere in government keeping his vision going.

The main news yesterday should have been on the house republicans whining about the rules committee vote that limited debate, why the republicans' castle is made of sand, what the rules committee is and what extraordinary power they have, and maybe throw in some observations on why house floor votes might change in the last moments and the numbers not be reflected in the on-screen tally.[re Submitted by mire on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 7:17pm. "wtf"]
[fade to commercial w/ Hendrix playing in the background.]

I think it's not that the general public doesn't want to see on TV about how our political process works, it is that they will suck up whatever is placed before them. Educated people are dangerous for the power structure.

The breaking Michael Jackson news 'police put a hold' or something on the autopsy results. [hope they didn't screw up the plans to have him stuffed...] It will be a few weeks before the final conclusive results are known. By then this story will have fallen off the radar and we won't hear about it. No, what am I thinking, this isn't politics, this is ENTERTAINMENT and will be the lead story until we know every last detail and then monthly followups rehashing the whole ongoing saga.

The King of Pop is dead. Long Live the Dead King of Pop.

~`~`~`~`~`~
Jamesbennett

The Angel explains that there are two types of men—the slave can never rise, the king can never fall. Should such things seem to take place, it is a sign of some disguise; the essence of the man, if he be in truth a man, is always the same. It is a point of view which never alters really, though each fresh fact brings it more fully into light. I am told of one case which must not deceive me. I must not assume that a man who seems a beggar is one. He may be a King whose pleasure is to disguise himself. He can, of course, resume his crown and sceptre when he tires of his sport, whereas a beggar has not the means to pretend to be a king. The point of this is that I may find it needful to judge the claims of such men as I may meet; and Aiwass here assures me that I shall find it easy to detect sham kings; but warns me against scorning those who do not flaunt their virtue.

"59. Beware therefore! Love all, lest perchance is a King concealed! Say you so? Fool! If he be a King, thou canst not hurt him."
http://www.ashami.com/eidolons/The_Djeridensis_Working

~`~`~`~`~`~
Jamesbennett

that biomimetics article was outstanding.

did you catch the caption of the whale flipper?
"Translating whale power into wind power, biomechanist Frank Fish helped design turbine blades with tubercles (nodules) inspired by the flipper of a humpback whale (above, from a deceased animal)."
Was that before or after they got the sample?
: )

~`~`~`~`~`~
Jamesbennett

but I may just have to post my answer. I just have to go on to other IMPORTANT issues.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR A CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATION
OF THE CASE OF MUMIA ABU-JAMAL

Now that the US Supreme Court has ruled that Mumia will not be granted a new trial or even a hearing on issues related to guilt or innocence, we have decided to launch a campaign to demand that Attorney General Eric Holder and the Justice Department conduct a civil rights investigation. Specifically, we are asking Holder and the Justice Department to assess the suppression of evidence that could have led to Mumia's acquittal, as well as the other egregious examples of prosecutorial and judicial misconduct in the 27- year court process.

The four currently planned components of this campaign are:

1. A letter writing campaign to Eric Holder.

2.A focus on getting the NAACP to actively support this campaign in line with its unfulfilled promise in its 2004 resolution when it "reiterated its support of the international movement for a new and fair trial for Mumia Abu-Jamal." WE WILL BE AT THE HILTON HOTEL IN NYC ON MONDAY, JULY 13 WHEN ERIC HOLDER WILL BE ADDRESSING THE CONVENTION. (list link to flyer).

3. A day of lobbying of congressional representatives to support a civil rights investigation (letters are being sent and calls are being made to them to request appointments) on WEDNESDAY, JULY 22.

4. A press conference is being scheduled for mid-September in Washington, DC. Details will be announced.

Things you can do to help this campaign:

1. Sign the letter to attorney general Eric Holder online or download and mail to the FMAJC address as listed on the letter. (list links)

2. Contact local NAACP chapters, and ask them to join us at the NAACP NATIONAL CONVENTION IN NYC ON MONDAY, JULY 13TH, to call on the organization to actively support this campaign

3. Get your local congressional representative to endorse the campaign, to write his/her own letter or just sign onto the letter we are circulating. Let us know about the congressional representatives you are contacting by e-mailing us at freemumia@freemumia.com or calling us at (212) 330-8029. JOIN US IN LOBBYING DAY ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22ND. We are providing a free bus from NYC, leaving at 5 am and returning by 10 pm. (If you need housing for the night before, let us know by calling or e-mailing to above contacts)

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT: (212)- 330-8029 OR GO TO www.freemumia.com

If I didn't answer anything, feel free to ask me anything.
Not that many wish to have me on "their" side, as posibly you, I just wish to say I read and ALL your posts I agree with your stances. And Tea Cheers
;)

http://americathegiftshop.com

good art and political satire

it took me a while to figure out what it was a picture of.

Now you've done it. You've made me get out the old rhizomatic deleuze guattari pokemon language paper.

...This is not to say, however, that poke-speak is inert or without function. To return to the idea that “Language is made not to be believed, but to be obeyed, and to compel obedience,” again provides insights into the relationship between trainer and pokémon, but this time, reveals a different relationship altogether. By creating a language that consists entirely in repetition and recombination, poke-speak takes on the characteristics of the musical refrain...

http://www.rhizomes.net/issue5/poke/pikachu.html

Pika pika

http://pikachize.eye-of-newt.com/

more than his time and should be released NOW! It is open also on my site. I have certain CODE posts for Mumia, butit now hsmoced to middle of a certain page. Now I have to move.
;) I NEED Music -- itunes u-who...
"The World Is A Vampire..." Watching again WHALE WARS now in background on hi volumne.

what year?

A good year.

http://deepsound.net - Miles Davis and John Coltrane play one of the best renditions of SO WHAT ever captured on film-Live in 1958. Edit : in fact, was in New York, april 2, 1959. Recorded by CBS producer Robert Herridge. Cannonball Adderley had a migrane and was absent from the session. Wynton Kelly played piano--he was the regular band member at this time--but Bill Evans had played on the original recording of "So What" on March 2, 1959. The other musicians seen in the film were part of the Gil Evans Orchestra, who performed selections from "Miles Ahead". Jimmy Cobb on drums.

;)

Cool article, "biomimetics"

The whale fin picture was disturbing, until I read what it was. Then it was still disturbing, but not as much as before. Seeing how natural design principles are being used to solve man-made tech design problems is encouraging. We don't have to re-design everything from scratch. Looking to nature for design ideas encourages us to perhaps think twice about wiping out nature, the new benefactress, if just to continue to learn from her for our own ends.

-SATANGIRL NUMBER ONE FEMINAZI CATHY etc

was a great sax player, wasn't he?
Tenor sax. Bird usually played alto.

Stand tall, SATANGIRL NUMBER ONE FEMINAZI CATHY!

That's the only way this 6-foot satangirl can stand!
;-)

Immortalized by the great Patrioterer!

Snark!

miles and coltrane!

1958 was about the time i discovered jazz, what a treat it's been!

your garden variety troll, and he was going to ban him?

People here, who had caught on to the satire, stopped him and Sam later even had some live call-ins with Patrioterer.

Like to have our crazy boy back here, but he is busy on twitter doing his best to raise awareness for Iran elections and keeping the issue in the trending topics column. Night and day. Darlene's over there posting just about as often on the same topic. Kinda of a dynamic duo.

I just found out what his middle name is/was -- kewl. chuckle.
;)

>>1958 was about the time i discovered jazz, what a treat it's been!

heh heh the year before I was born..
And JIK just called me an old broad night before last.

twittering

Not into twitter, so I don't usually pay attention. Didn't notice Darlene though...

music art pictures articles cosmic communication gestalt giggles and hikoo!

dam tricky, fun and funny lass!

one night during one of your all night blog bull-sessions and telling you all to keep it down, some of us were trying to sleep.

"live hard, die young and have a good looking corpse!"

studs terkel

what's going on in Iran, the two are twittering throughout the day and night. One night around two am I told him I had to go to sleep.. he said he had a few more hours to go. That's dedication!

ok, so "twitter" is the silliest sounding thing ever, but I find it pretty useful as far as getting a constant feed of interesting articles from a variety of sources.

How old is your son now?
I'm sorry, do you have than one child? (I have the world's worst memory)

should always be recognized and honored, it's one of the rarest things on this planet.

sorry for being naive but I thought it was just short little "here's what's on my mind" as opposed to links to articles.

Micheal Moore reports on Obama's broken promise to Gays...

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/

Time has a funny way of marching on!

and i wonder how Dar's kids are doing?

really enjoyed them when i met them.

;)

Is he over there?

right on sister!

Knock On Any Door

long ass day, time fer a snoozer.

love you all, i'm glad you're alive.

We are fb friends, too. One of the other old MRR bloggers posted something on their fb site about Obama not wanting to publish photos and the general opinion was that he should. Then Dar came weighed in reminding us her son was there in Iraq, and if these photos were published it could only go harder on our kids there.

If I didn't know Dar, I might not as been as sympathetic as I suddenly became to the situation. I don't want her son there, and I don't want things to be worse. I DO want the frakkers who got us all in the situation to PAY... but I don't want a hair on her kids head harmed, either.

I don't think Sam should bother with this loser
Submitted by Catharine on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 9:17am.
Sam's attention is the best thing that ever happened to him. It probably boosted his ratings 300%. He's just some hack doing small town radio. Before you know it, he'll have a show on CNN like Glenn Beck.

===========================

I agree, Catharine.

Sunshine Jim. Sleep well.

*

>>Just one Cat, He's 12!
Submitted by Catharine on Sat, 06/27/2009 - 2:59am.

I would have sworn he was still 9. Funny how that goes? My daughters are 25 and 27.. but I don't feel old enough to have accomplished that. John's right - I'm an old broad ;-)

you can't possibly be a mom to a 25 and 27 year old!

I just ACT immature.

sites. This page seems solely focussed on Human issues, not about deaths caused by Humans.
There are many issues. I just wish someone would "show" me how to NOT FLOAT and CHANGE my clothes, so that The Pope can no longer tell lies in 2d life. No hurry, I have been registered there for numerous years -- teehee lol eye-roll - but NO Time to set up shop.
;)

yikes.

So, I am the eastcoaster here right now, and I really should go to bed. I have been on a bad jag the last few weeks where I can't get to sleep until really really early in the morning. I've got to stop this.

goodnight.