Army Spc. Karen Guckert is one example of a brave and honorable soldier
A new blog called Iraq News has brought the name of Karen Guckert to my attention. Karen is just one of many women who stand side-by-side with male troops in Iraq's deadly firing line today. More than 10 American women soldiers have died in Iraq since U.S.-led troops invaded in March. Many others have been wounded.
Spc. Guckert won the U.S. Army Commendation Medal for Valor when she saved two troops injured in a blast in Iraq this past October 1st.
You can see Karen Guckert here--third photo down.
The Iraq News blog also carries an article pointing toward the fact that the U.S. is seeing the wisdom of U.N. involvement in the problem of the Iraqi election process. Shiite leader al-Sistani has called the U.S. on the matter and caused the U.S. to compromise on the plan for a caucus system for Iraqi elections. Mowaffak al-Rubaie, a Shiite Governing Council member, told CNN he "strongly" believes there can be a compromise, such as delaying the handover process and holding direct elections later this year. This may or may not bode well for Bush's political hopes and dreams for a quicker handover, but could also work in his favor if violence is curbed by compromising...making his war look more successful in its results. (Will this be enough, however, to cause America to forget the reckless reasons and lies/exaggerations for attacking Iraq to begin with?)
Internet muse.
Daring, bold, never sold.
My daily weblog of politics, humor, philosophy...and a constant and nagging reminder of the existence of universal love....
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Congratulations to John Kerry and Howard Dean-
Bush- Your bus ticket back to Crawford is waiting!
The Democratic race is not over yet. In another week, we may be seeing an entirely different picture painted by Democrats from the seven states slated to hold their respective primaries.
I would caution men like Paul Begala and James Carville to watch what they say about this field of candidates. Watching them on an after-the-primary CNN interview last night, I was appalled to see them discounting the character of Howard Dean for not mentioning John Kerry's win or name in his N.H. concession-speech. (Yet, they fully admitted Dean had called Kerry to congratulate him at 9:15). Carville said Kerry would likely be the Democratic nominee. This, my friends, did NOT sound "democratic" to me. This race is far from over. If I continue to see my party working in this way, they will soon have one less Democrat to defend them. I was an Independent for much of my "voting life", and I've lately considered going back to where I started.
Bush- Your bus ticket back to Crawford is waiting!
The Democratic race is not over yet. In another week, we may be seeing an entirely different picture painted by Democrats from the seven states slated to hold their respective primaries.
I would caution men like Paul Begala and James Carville to watch what they say about this field of candidates. Watching them on an after-the-primary CNN interview last night, I was appalled to see them discounting the character of Howard Dean for not mentioning John Kerry's win or name in his N.H. concession-speech. (Yet, they fully admitted Dean had called Kerry to congratulate him at 9:15). Carville said Kerry would likely be the Democratic nominee. This, my friends, did NOT sound "democratic" to me. This race is far from over. If I continue to see my party working in this way, they will soon have one less Democrat to defend them. I was an Independent for much of my "voting life", and I've lately considered going back to where I started.
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Guardian UK:
Daniel Ellsberg:
Leak against this war
US and British officials must expose their leaders' lies about Iraq - as I did over Vietnam
"Exposing governmental lies carries a heavy personal risk, even in our democracies. But that risk can be worthwhile when a war's-worth of lives is at stake.-Danial Ellsberg
Daniel Ellsberg:
Leak against this war
US and British officials must expose their leaders' lies about Iraq - as I did over Vietnam
"Exposing governmental lies carries a heavy personal risk, even in our democracies. But that risk can be worthwhile when a war's-worth of lives is at stake.-Danial Ellsberg
Hutton Report:
Rumor has it that Tony Blair to be cleared of "dishonourable conduct"
There was 'no dishonourable or underhanded or duplicitous strategy' by the British government covertly to leak Dr Kelly's name to the media," The Sun has quoted Hutton as saying in the report.
Rumor has it that Tony Blair to be cleared of "dishonourable conduct"
There was 'no dishonourable or underhanded or duplicitous strategy' by the British government covertly to leak Dr Kelly's name to the media," The Sun has quoted Hutton as saying in the report.
'Informed Comment' Updates on Iraq Elections
The Informed Comment blog updates us on the situation in Iraq. Kofi Annan has agreed to send a UN election team into the country. Juan Cole says:
Professor Cole comments that, if the U.S. was to really insist on sticking to its guns, "the Bush administration might well face the prospect of hundreds of thousands of angry Iraqis demonstrating all this summer and into the fall, with the attendant danger of violence breaking out between them and US troops. The US public may not care very much about Iraq, but they certainly won't want to see US troops shoot down innocent civilian protesters because the Bush administration would not allow free and fair elections."
The Informed Comment blog updates us on the situation in Iraq. Kofi Annan has agreed to send a UN election team into the country. Juan Cole says:
"Sistani's success in involving the UN has guaranteed that, whatever the outcome, Iraqi elections will not be merely a US project, but will have substantial input from the world body. Since this input will help bolster their legitimacy in Iraq and the Arab world, I think it can only be a good thing."(Washington Post article here).
Professor Cole comments that, if the U.S. was to really insist on sticking to its guns, "the Bush administration might well face the prospect of hundreds of thousands of angry Iraqis demonstrating all this summer and into the fall, with the attendant danger of violence breaking out between them and US troops. The US public may not care very much about Iraq, but they certainly won't want to see US troops shoot down innocent civilian protesters because the Bush administration would not allow free and fair elections."
Michael Moore comments on the Peter Jennings/"deserter-Bush" Clark-attack
Please go to this link to obtain the e-mail addresses you'll need. You can write a brief letter to the editor of one (or more) of these newspapers, and let them know that they're failing the American public by ignoring this news.
"What is important today is that the international community help the Iraqis."
-Pope John Paul
"I encourage you and your fellow citizens to work at home and abroad for the growth of international cooperation. ... The American people have always cherished the fundamentals values of freedom, justice and equity," (*until you and Bush came along, that is*) the pope told Dick Cheney today. Cheney presented the pope with a dove made of glass. The hypocrisy of that vision..Cheney handing a peace symbol to the Pope.. is nothing less than nauseating. I wonder if the Pope's hand began to disintegrate when Cheney shook it?
When the press heard me use that word "deserter," though, the bells and whistles went off, for this was one of those stories they knew they had ignored -- and now it was rearing its ugly, truthful head on a very public stage. Without a single other word from me other than the d-word, they immediately got so defensive that it looked to many viewers like they—the press—maybe had something to hideMoveOn.org: U.S. Newspapers Silent on Cheney Investigation
-..they have created the brouhaha over Bush's military record, often without telling their audience what the exact charges are. It seems all they want to do is to get Clark or me -- or you -- to shut up. "We have never investigated this and so we want you to apologize for bringing it up!" Ha ha ha.
Well, I'm glad they have gone nuts over it.
-Today, MoveOn.org has put together it's response to this issue, and I would love to reprint it here. It lays out all the facts about Bush and the remaining unanswered questions about where he went for many, many months.... (see link)
Please go to this link to obtain the e-mail addresses you'll need. You can write a brief letter to the editor of one (or more) of these newspapers, and let them know that they're failing the American public by ignoring this news.
"What is important today is that the international community help the Iraqis."
-Pope John Paul
"I encourage you and your fellow citizens to work at home and abroad for the growth of international cooperation. ... The American people have always cherished the fundamentals values of freedom, justice and equity," (*until you and Bush came along, that is*) the pope told Dick Cheney today. Cheney presented the pope with a dove made of glass. The hypocrisy of that vision..Cheney handing a peace symbol to the Pope.. is nothing less than nauseating. I wonder if the Pope's hand began to disintegrate when Cheney shook it?
Monday, January 26, 2004
Democracy Now: Exclusive Interview with Gen. Wesley Clark
General Wesley Clark responds for the first time to in-depth questions about his targeting of civilian infrastructure in Yugoslavia, his bombing of Radio Television Serbia, the use of cluster bombs and depleted uranium, the speeding-up of the cockpit video of a bombing of a passenger train to make it appear as though it was an accident and other decisions he made and orders he gave as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander. These are possibly the toughest questions the good General could face, but I am certain he will be facing them from the Bush administration sooner or later....it's best that these questions be put on the table here and now.
General Wesley Clark responds for the first time to in-depth questions about his targeting of civilian infrastructure in Yugoslavia, his bombing of Radio Television Serbia, the use of cluster bombs and depleted uranium, the speeding-up of the cockpit video of a bombing of a passenger train to make it appear as though it was an accident and other decisions he made and orders he gave as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander. These are possibly the toughest questions the good General could face, but I am certain he will be facing them from the Bush administration sooner or later....it's best that these questions be put on the table here and now.
Iraq War Not "Humanitarian", Human Rights Watch Group Says
This will be debated for years to come by revisionist historians. Saddam Hussein had a heinous human rights record. The United States played a role in Hussein's access to power during the end of the Cold War era. The U.S. will never be able to totally separate themselves from the fact that they supported Hussein at the time he allegedly gassed the Kurds..his own people. Life may eventually improve for Iraqis because of his removal, but in reality, his worst actions occurred long before the war. The report from Human Rights Watch has said there was no ongoing or imminent mass killing in Iraq when the conflict began. Just as the incessant pre-war claims of an "imminent threat" of WMDS has failed to be truthful, Bush and Blair's claims that a presence of a humanitarian "imminent threat" in 2002-Iraq has also fallen flatly false. We've been had, my fellow Americans. When you realize the truth, you will cry bitter tears.
David Kay's Post-Iraq-Assignment Words Should be Scrutinized
David Kay has said the fundamental errors in the prewar intelligence assessments about Iraq were "so grave that he would recommend that the CIA and other organizations overhaul their intelligence collection and analytical efforts."
Let's remember who David Kay is...who David Kay was...and has been.
After all, he was a part of pre-war Iraq inspections himself.
We should compare each of his statements to fellow-weapons-Inspector Scott Ritter's prewar assessments. It seems David Kay wishes to fault intelligence and lead us to believe we should hold the Bush Administration harmless for their part in cherry-picking the worst parts of intelligence to fit their war plans. The fact that, as David Kay avers, Saddam Hussein was (for all intents and purposes) reduced to a sad, delusional fellow with a weak grip on reality only drives home the fact that before the premptive folly we had him surrounded...contained like a late-June lightning bug in a see-through jar.
The 'War on Terror'--What Are We Doing, In Reality?
I found some of the comments in the above-linked article by Abid Ullah Jan to be incredibly astute.
It relates to a recent report by Jeffrey Record, a professor in the Department of Strategy and International Security at the US Air Force’s Air War College.
I have read another article recently which stated that there has been a recent growth of terror in Iraq (as opposed to a diminishing). Iraqi insurgents are joining with al Qaeda increasingly since Hussein was taken out of the picture. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to realize the reason: Saddam Hussein was never the threat to begin with. This is why the war on terror will never succeed...and will never end. We aren't going about it the right way. We shall never win hearts and minds by attacking a faith and, by any weakest inferring, propose it be replaced with Western faith (cloaked in the phrase "way of life").
In the article titled "The US war on a way of life", Abid Ullah Jan claims:
We just can't allow our government to "go there". Going there means entering a world where religion is allowed to arouse hatred, scorn, suspicion, and endless violence between respective "believers". It goes against love and compassion, which is the most basic and common component of most every major religion. Mankind must not allow men to pervert faith to serve a government's purpose. Look at Israel and Palestine...because this is where the United States is headed if we do not change our terror-war philosophy soon.
This will be debated for years to come by revisionist historians. Saddam Hussein had a heinous human rights record. The United States played a role in Hussein's access to power during the end of the Cold War era. The U.S. will never be able to totally separate themselves from the fact that they supported Hussein at the time he allegedly gassed the Kurds..his own people. Life may eventually improve for Iraqis because of his removal, but in reality, his worst actions occurred long before the war. The report from Human Rights Watch has said there was no ongoing or imminent mass killing in Iraq when the conflict began. Just as the incessant pre-war claims of an "imminent threat" of WMDS has failed to be truthful, Bush and Blair's claims that a presence of a humanitarian "imminent threat" in 2002-Iraq has also fallen flatly false. We've been had, my fellow Americans. When you realize the truth, you will cry bitter tears.
David Kay's Post-Iraq-Assignment Words Should be Scrutinized
David Kay has said the fundamental errors in the prewar intelligence assessments about Iraq were "so grave that he would recommend that the CIA and other organizations overhaul their intelligence collection and analytical efforts."
Let's remember who David Kay is...who David Kay was...and has been.
After all, he was a part of pre-war Iraq inspections himself.
We should compare each of his statements to fellow-weapons-Inspector Scott Ritter's prewar assessments. It seems David Kay wishes to fault intelligence and lead us to believe we should hold the Bush Administration harmless for their part in cherry-picking the worst parts of intelligence to fit their war plans. The fact that, as David Kay avers, Saddam Hussein was (for all intents and purposes) reduced to a sad, delusional fellow with a weak grip on reality only drives home the fact that before the premptive folly we had him surrounded...contained like a late-June lightning bug in a see-through jar.
The 'War on Terror'--What Are We Doing, In Reality?
I found some of the comments in the above-linked article by Abid Ullah Jan to be incredibly astute.
It relates to a recent report by Jeffrey Record, a professor in the Department of Strategy and International Security at the US Air Force’s Air War College.
I have read another article recently which stated that there has been a recent growth of terror in Iraq (as opposed to a diminishing). Iraqi insurgents are joining with al Qaeda increasingly since Hussein was taken out of the picture. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to realize the reason: Saddam Hussein was never the threat to begin with. This is why the war on terror will never succeed...and will never end. We aren't going about it the right way. We shall never win hearts and minds by attacking a faith and, by any weakest inferring, propose it be replaced with Western faith (cloaked in the phrase "way of life").
In the article titled "The US war on a way of life", Abid Ullah Jan claims:
Mr. Record supports the concept of “irregular enemy” with the argument that even though “the Taliban and Saddam Hussein regimes were militarily smashed, combat continues, even escalates, in Afghanistan and Iraq.” The reality, however, is that the combat continues simply because the Taliban and Saddam were not the problem.In America, the Religious Right can be fingered as the cause of so much civil division today with all of their insistence upon their God becoming part and parcel of the government. Are the right-wing Bush and his band of Necons delivering the same message..the same divisive and arrogantly smothering "my God will be your God and governor- or else!"-message with our "war on terror"?
The “problem” is Islam for being the only ideologically viable alternative to the repressive despots sitting in the Muslim world and some megalomaniacs ruling the West and initiating wars just because God tells their flag bearer to do so.
We just can't allow our government to "go there". Going there means entering a world where religion is allowed to arouse hatred, scorn, suspicion, and endless violence between respective "believers". It goes against love and compassion, which is the most basic and common component of most every major religion. Mankind must not allow men to pervert faith to serve a government's purpose. Look at Israel and Palestine...because this is where the United States is headed if we do not change our terror-war philosophy soon.
Sunday, January 25, 2004
My letter still rings true.
I wrote this letter to my local newspaper, The Syracuse Post Standard, last summer.
It rings truer than ever now that even David Kay confirms there are no WMDs in Iraq.
I wrote this letter to my local newspaper, The Syracuse Post Standard, last summer.
It rings truer than ever now that even David Kay confirms there are no WMDs in Iraq.
Can I be absolutely honest here?
I hope Howard Dean, John Edwards, and Wesley Clark make 'french toast' out of John Kerry in the
New Hampshire primary this week!
Have you seen the Edwards blog? It's relatively new.
Howard Dean is still the one candidate who has my full confidence and support.
For some reason, I have lately felt that perhaps Senator Edwards could be more easily forgiven for voting 'Yes' on the Iraq Resolution than Kerry.
Why?
Edwards was a junior Senator from North Carolina serving his first term.
Kerry was a seasoned Senator who knew that many of his own constituents were against the Resolution.
Bottom line, I don't trust Kerry's intuition as a leader.
Howard Dean has it all "going on" for him except having the media on his side. The media has been so unfair to Dean that his supporters will never forgive journalists' sharply-pointed foolishness. They treat his coach-like enthusiasm as if he was Nikita Kruschev. They compare the Diane Sawyer/Judy Dean interview with that 1992 Clinton "I'm not some little woman standin' by her man" interview....as if Howard Dean was some bad-boy adulterer-just-been-caught!
Ask yourself....why would the media wish to ruin a "clean" candidate's reputation?
I can't help imagine them....today's marbly-mouthed gossip-quality journalists..not a Murrow among them...hardly a one of them being able to find the guts to think and speak independently in fear of the paymaster...gathering in their little journalist-clatches. One big ego (can you say Joe Klein*?) starts mouthing off about his/her favorite candidate and the "supporting polls" applying to that candidate...and the rest may protest, but eventually cave in..one by one to the ego-buzz. They think to themselves: "If so-and-so says so on his talk-show today, I do not dare broadcast something different or honest, lest they fire me...lest I'm WRONG!"
What do we viewers/readers wind up with?
All we get is the product of lazy, gutless, dependent, gossiping, arrogant, well-paid idiots.
*The Joe Klein reference was just one example of these arogant boobs and the way they play politics in their
corporate-sponsored magazines:
I hope Howard Dean, John Edwards, and Wesley Clark make 'french toast' out of John Kerry in the
New Hampshire primary this week!
Have you seen the Edwards blog? It's relatively new.
Howard Dean is still the one candidate who has my full confidence and support.
For some reason, I have lately felt that perhaps Senator Edwards could be more easily forgiven for voting 'Yes' on the Iraq Resolution than Kerry.
Why?
Edwards was a junior Senator from North Carolina serving his first term.
Kerry was a seasoned Senator who knew that many of his own constituents were against the Resolution.
Bottom line, I don't trust Kerry's intuition as a leader.
Howard Dean has it all "going on" for him except having the media on his side. The media has been so unfair to Dean that his supporters will never forgive journalists' sharply-pointed foolishness. They treat his coach-like enthusiasm as if he was Nikita Kruschev. They compare the Diane Sawyer/Judy Dean interview with that 1992 Clinton "I'm not some little woman standin' by her man" interview....as if Howard Dean was some bad-boy adulterer-just-been-caught!
Ask yourself....why would the media wish to ruin a "clean" candidate's reputation?
I can't help imagine them....today's marbly-mouthed gossip-quality journalists..not a Murrow among them...hardly a one of them being able to find the guts to think and speak independently in fear of the paymaster...gathering in their little journalist-clatches. One big ego (can you say Joe Klein*?) starts mouthing off about his/her favorite candidate and the "supporting polls" applying to that candidate...and the rest may protest, but eventually cave in..one by one to the ego-buzz. They think to themselves: "If so-and-so says so on his talk-show today, I do not dare broadcast something different or honest, lest they fire me...lest I'm WRONG!"
What do we viewers/readers wind up with?
All we get is the product of lazy, gutless, dependent, gossiping, arrogant, well-paid idiots.
*The Joe Klein reference was just one example of these arogant boobs and the way they play politics in their
corporate-sponsored magazines:
"That leaves—in addition to Clark—Senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman as the only plausible foreign policy candidates in the Democratic field."Kerry and Lieberman would be my last choice..and the last choice of many, many Democrats I know in real life.
-Joe Klein
Letter to Cleveland Plain Dealer:
"W" is no Jack Kennedy
by Todd J. Schneider
Todd Schneider of the Free Thinker's Page writes to his local newspaper:
Date: 23 Jan., 2004
To The Editor,
You know, I thought I had seen all the smoke and mirrors that Republican politics had to offer. But our fearless (except for a year or so as a no-show at his post in the Alabama Air National Guard) leader has charted new territory with the Mars project. This has to be Karl Rove's most twisted vote-gathering, corporate political contribution scheme to date. Actually, this is probably only the beginning of an almost daily hoodwinking of the American public into believing that George Bush is some kind of populist, from now 'til November.
Here's how it goes: First, you try to pretend you are John Kennedy; a president with a vision. Even though your intellect and personality fall far short in comparison, you may fool enough of the already distracted public into buying into this charade to collect a few votes. And considering the timetable of this adventure, by the time the public realizes that they have been fleeced (again), you will be long since gone from office, leaving some other chump to do the explaining.
In the meantime, all your friends and relatives in the arms trade will reap billions in federal contracts before America realizes what a swindle the Mars project has been. But no matter! It will be Congress that gets to be the bad guy when they cut the funding for the project seven years down the road. All the while, the political contribution tap will be wide open, allowing all of the project's corporate benefactors to show their appreciation.
But here's the best part for you and your neighbors in your gated community. You have been waiting for the perfect scheme to 'starve the beast', as Grover Norquist puts it - to make all the protective and supportive agencies of the federal government powerless through lack of available funding.
When taken with permanent tax cuts for your pals in the boardroom, and never-ending war, this pie-in-the-sky space project will sound the death-knell for all those 'entitlements' for the great unwashed that you hate so much. Why, how could one of the unwashed be so selfish as to hope for a few meat inspectors, or help for their aged mothers; we're going to Mars!
I tell you, this Mars project has it all. The illusion of 'vision', a never-ending shower of profit for your political contributors, and the final extermination of social programs. It's a dream come true. That is, if you ever intended this project for anything other than showboating anyway!
I mean, remember that AIDS initiative you mockingly proposed while simultaneously slashing our commitment to the Global Fund to Fight Aids? The money was only shuffled, and even then was only ‘protection’ for American drug companies, against the use of foreign ‘generics’ by the Global Fund.
And by the way, should anyone doubt the assertions made above, all one has to do is look back at 30 years of statements made by the fellas that run our nation now. If anyone is willing to face the truth, it will be very clear that this Mars project is nothing more than election year slight-of-hand, and a cruel joke at our expense.
Todd J. Schneider
"W" is no Jack Kennedy
by Todd J. Schneider
Todd Schneider of the Free Thinker's Page writes to his local newspaper:
Date: 23 Jan., 2004
To The Editor,
You know, I thought I had seen all the smoke and mirrors that Republican politics had to offer. But our fearless (except for a year or so as a no-show at his post in the Alabama Air National Guard) leader has charted new territory with the Mars project. This has to be Karl Rove's most twisted vote-gathering, corporate political contribution scheme to date. Actually, this is probably only the beginning of an almost daily hoodwinking of the American public into believing that George Bush is some kind of populist, from now 'til November.
Here's how it goes: First, you try to pretend you are John Kennedy; a president with a vision. Even though your intellect and personality fall far short in comparison, you may fool enough of the already distracted public into buying into this charade to collect a few votes. And considering the timetable of this adventure, by the time the public realizes that they have been fleeced (again), you will be long since gone from office, leaving some other chump to do the explaining.
In the meantime, all your friends and relatives in the arms trade will reap billions in federal contracts before America realizes what a swindle the Mars project has been. But no matter! It will be Congress that gets to be the bad guy when they cut the funding for the project seven years down the road. All the while, the political contribution tap will be wide open, allowing all of the project's corporate benefactors to show their appreciation.
But here's the best part for you and your neighbors in your gated community. You have been waiting for the perfect scheme to 'starve the beast', as Grover Norquist puts it - to make all the protective and supportive agencies of the federal government powerless through lack of available funding.
When taken with permanent tax cuts for your pals in the boardroom, and never-ending war, this pie-in-the-sky space project will sound the death-knell for all those 'entitlements' for the great unwashed that you hate so much. Why, how could one of the unwashed be so selfish as to hope for a few meat inspectors, or help for their aged mothers; we're going to Mars!
I tell you, this Mars project has it all. The illusion of 'vision', a never-ending shower of profit for your political contributors, and the final extermination of social programs. It's a dream come true. That is, if you ever intended this project for anything other than showboating anyway!
I mean, remember that AIDS initiative you mockingly proposed while simultaneously slashing our commitment to the Global Fund to Fight Aids? The money was only shuffled, and even then was only ‘protection’ for American drug companies, against the use of foreign ‘generics’ by the Global Fund.
And by the way, should anyone doubt the assertions made above, all one has to do is look back at 30 years of statements made by the fellas that run our nation now. If anyone is willing to face the truth, it will be very clear that this Mars project is nothing more than election year slight-of-hand, and a cruel joke at our expense.
Todd J. Schneider
A Few Words About A Fine Man:
Jerry's Legacy
"He who has done his best for his own time has lived for all times."
- Johann Christoph Fredrich von Schiller
A man loved by many passed away early this month. "Sgt. Stryker's" Kevin Connors' accounting of the legacy left upon his heart by his friend and mentor Jerry Ringerman ( former JCCSF director ) leaves me wishing I had known him myself. It's a fine reminder that we all have something to cherish about and learn from one another, regardless of our politics.
Jerry's Legacy
"He who has done his best for his own time has lived for all times."
- Johann Christoph Fredrich von Schiller
A man loved by many passed away early this month. "Sgt. Stryker's" Kevin Connors' accounting of the legacy left upon his heart by his friend and mentor Jerry Ringerman ( former JCCSF director ) leaves me wishing I had known him myself. It's a fine reminder that we all have something to cherish about and learn from one another, regardless of our politics.
"....his legacy is broad and rich; some of the better parts of me are just a small bit of it."
-Kevin Connors about his friend, JerryRingerman
The new Dennis Miller show promises to suck Bush-tail
Miller admits he will not have any real open-minded perspective:
Miller admits he will not have any real open-minded perspective:
Dennis Miller has usually been happy to spray his acerbic wit across the political spectrum, but things will be different on his new CNBC talk program. President Bush is in a mock-free zone.Frankly, it did change all of us. It turned Miller into a frank...as in WIENER.
"I like him," Miller explained. "I'm going to give him a pass. I take care of my friends."
"Nine-11 changed me," he said. "I'm shocked that it didn't change the whole country, frankly."
ABC.com/The Note:
If Kerry were being treated like Dean
*WHY ISN'T HE?*
Other Dean articles
Fineman dissects what he considers to be Dean flaws
Fineman has been a fairly consistent Dean-doubting naysayer all along, so this is par for his course. I can see some of his points, but overall, it's just another case of anti-Dean-disease.
Jodi Wilgoren and Robin Toner provide much more balance in this story.
Dean has conducted quite a public relations offensive to counter the fallout from Iowa, but the impact on New Hampshire's voters is still unclear.
If Kerry were being treated like Dean
*WHY ISN'T HE?*
If Kerry were being treated like Dean was when Dean was the frontrunner (assuming any of you can remember that far back), these things would be monster flaps and areas of aggressive reportage:Did you know? The Edwards press van hit a moose last night.
-- Kerry saying "North Korea" instead of "South Korea" in the debate.
-- Kerry limiting his press availabilities.
-- Kerry "borrowing" aspects of Dean's message.
-- Kerry's record of legislative accomplishments (?).
-- Fritz Hollings using the word "Chinaman" at a Kerry event yesterday and Kerry not denouncing him.
-- Kerry bragging about his campaign finance record in the face of taking presidential PAC money, DSCC record, and Busta Caps.
-- Kerry claiming "endorsements don't matter" and then saying "We got Hollings and Mondale!" and, today, the League of Conservation Voters (and more are coming … ).
-- Kerry's apparently limited release of his tax returns.
-- Kerry showing an unpresidential temper in flipping out at kindly David Wade.
-- Kerry's team putting his traveling press corps at a different hotel than the candidate.
-- Kerry not being attacked at the debate and there being almost no pickup for his Vietnam medals answer.
-- Luis Navarro's quitting after yesterday's hiring of Steve Elmendorf.
-- A million other Kerry controversies that have been chronicled in the Boston papers over the years and clips on which exist in a bulging RNC file.
-- No Mike Isikoff stories (or: are there??).
Other Dean articles
Fineman dissects what he considers to be Dean flaws
Fineman has been a fairly consistent Dean-doubting naysayer all along, so this is par for his course. I can see some of his points, but overall, it's just another case of anti-Dean-disease.
Jodi Wilgoren and Robin Toner provide much more balance in this story.
Dean has conducted quite a public relations offensive to counter the fallout from Iowa, but the impact on New Hampshire's voters is still unclear.
Saturday, January 24, 2004
He can't blame Clinton for this one...so Cheney blames the little wifelying misleading about WMDs and Hussein link to 9-11
Cheney's comments were aired Thursday in an interview with National Public Radio.
You remember that bogus article from Weekly Standard..yes?
One more Cheney beauty
I'm beginning to think Dick Cheney is insane.
Asked on Saturday whether he considered the United States to be an empire, Vice President Dick Cheney had the perfect dodge: Ask my wife.Cheney is still
Cheney's comments were aired Thursday in an interview with National Public Radio.
[Cheney] revived two controversial assertions about the war in Iraq Thursday, declaring there is "overwhelming evidence" that Saddam Hussein had a relationship with Al-Qaida and that two trailers discovered after the war are proof of Iraq's biological weapons programs. "There's overwhelming evidence there was a connection between al-Qaida and the Iraqi government," Cheney said in the interview. "I am very confident that there was an established relationship there."Cheney Cites Discredited Source as Proof of Iraq-al Qaeda Link
You remember that bogus article from Weekly Standard..yes?
One more Cheney beauty
The vice president said the Bush administration believes the deficit, recently forecast to reach $500 billion this year, is manageable.RIGHT. Don't believe David Kay, who says there are no WMDs in Iraq. Don't believe Paul O'Neill who was told by Cheney that "deficits don't matter". Don't believe those empty trailers were devoid of bio-chem traces. Don't believe Dick knew anything about what the little wife was sticking inside that Caesar-wannabe-wacko Chrstmas card. Don't believe what you see...believe in Dick...believe in Dick.
"We think we've got it calibrated right and I wouldn't believe everything I read in Paul O'Neill's book."
I'm beginning to think Dick Cheney is insane.
Syracuse Post Standard:
A Father's Iraq Journal
Part One of an intriguing, informative, and unique series of diary entries from a man named Mike Lopercio is linked above. Native Central New Yorker Mike Lopercio spent a week traveling in Iraq where his son, Tony, has served since the start of the war. The Syracuse Post Standard has run a special series of these entries for the past six days.
Part Three: » Iraqi Women's Lament
Part Four: » Rugged Road to Fallujah
Part Five: » In the Middle of Chaos
Part Six:» Emotional Farewell (to be linked soon)
A Father's Iraq Journal
Part One of an intriguing, informative, and unique series of diary entries from a man named Mike Lopercio is linked above. Native Central New Yorker Mike Lopercio spent a week traveling in Iraq where his son, Tony, has served since the start of the war. The Syracuse Post Standard has run a special series of these entries for the past six days.
"Before I'd arrived, I'd had my doubts-but now I knew. Over the course of one week I actually began to see things through Iraqi eyes. Our country is fighting a delicate diplomatic battle, solely with a brutish military machine. It's not only ineffective, it's counterproductive. I now know that it doesn't matter how many bad guys we catch. The fighting will go on, and our kids will stay here, and continue to die here, until we make the commitment to win the faith and trust of the good guys. That is something we clearly haven't figured out yet.Part Two: » Island of Decadence
- Mike Lopercio
Part Three: » Iraqi Women's Lament
Part Four: » Rugged Road to Fallujah
Part Five: » In the Middle of Chaos
Part Six:» Emotional Farewell (to be linked soon)
HERE'S HOWARD DEAN!-SOUND BYTES/VIDEO! "WE WILL NOT GIVE UP! YEEHA!"
Man, oh, man..I love the man!
Zogby said Dean's fevered, arm-pumping speech after the caucuses on Monday "had no negative impact on young voters at all in New Hampshire."
THE PHONY "DEAN MELTDOWN"
SEE DAVE WINER'S TAKE ON THE DEAN SCREAM.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SOUND BYTE / MP3s HERE:
• AC/DC Remix
• Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train (Dean's Aboard)
• Dancin' Dean
• Funk Mix
• Techno Mix
• Welcome to Dean's Jungle
• Revolutions
• Howard Dean MegaMix
• Extra Mix
• Capital Mix
• We Will Rock You
• Pretty Fly for a Dean Guy(FUN!)
• ElectroDean (VERY DANCEABLE!)
• Immigrant Song (HILARIOUS)
Man, oh, man..I love the man!
Zogby said Dean's fevered, arm-pumping speech after the caucuses on Monday "had no negative impact on young voters at all in New Hampshire."
THE PHONY "DEAN MELTDOWN"
SEE DAVE WINER'S TAKE ON THE DEAN SCREAM.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SOUND BYTE / MP3s HERE:
• AC/DC Remix
• Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train (Dean's Aboard)
• Dancin' Dean
• Funk Mix
• Techno Mix
• Welcome to Dean's Jungle
• Revolutions
• Howard Dean MegaMix
• Extra Mix
• Capital Mix
• We Will Rock You
• Pretty Fly for a Dean Guy(FUN!)
• ElectroDean (VERY DANCEABLE!)
• Immigrant Song (HILARIOUS)
Howard and Judy Dean's neighbors:
Words of Support from those who truly know them
"It is easier to love humanity as a whole than to love one's neighbor."
~ Eric Hoffer ~
In that case, Howard and Judy Dean are exceptional people.
Words of Support from those who truly know them
"It is easier to love humanity as a whole than to love one's neighbor."
~ Eric Hoffer ~
In that case, Howard and Judy Dean are exceptional people.
Why are so many bloggers upset with the New York Times?
In the Salon article "Silence of the blogs", the question is asked: "Why did the New York Times ignore Baghdad blogger announcements and accounts of a big pro-democracy demonstration?"
Overall, the problem with the New York Times and other major print-news outlets is not a case of the tired "liberal media" myth...nor is the mainstream print-media paticularly conservative. (Papers such as N.Y. Post and Washington Times not included in this discussion..they're very right-wing..we know it). It is primarily what Paul Krugman likes to call "the curse of even-handedness"...journalists try so hard to be "balanced" on every story that they wind up skewing anything close to the truth. Opinion and truth are getting to be inseparable bedmates...and the children they produce are the ugliest creatures I think I shall ever lay eyes upon. Ideological incest produces a retarded child of journalistic truth.
Many times, journalists are smug, arrogant, egotistical, condescending toward (or, negligently, not keeping up with the new, modern tradition of) internet bloggers. (*The salon article states that Baghdad bureau chief Susan Sachs and/or her staff are possibly not even aware of Iraq's postwar blogs*).
In some cases, journalists look non-democratic through professional negligence. Today's "big media" is most certainly corporate-agenda-driven. Sometimes it seems today's print journalists are simply not smart or intuitive enough to "score' the ever-evasive truth. That's the scariest thing to imagine. Is the American media truly hiring the best minds? I would think it would be healthy for American democracy to see federally-funded citizen-commissions (people like you and me) on media review, criticism, recommendations for change.
See Instapundit (Glenn Reynolds') take on the matter here.
In the Salon article "Silence of the blogs", the question is asked: "Why did the New York Times ignore Baghdad blogger announcements and accounts of a big pro-democracy demonstration?"
Zeyad, the "gamer of Baghdad"....is famous in the international gaming community for his reports on gamer culture in Iraq. But he was also recently responsible for a furious stir online regarding the way news from Iraq is covered by the Western media....On Dec. 10, 2003, pro-democracy, anti-terrorist demonstrators peacefully flooded the streets of Baghdad. A coalition of Iraqis of many political parties and religious affiliations, tribes and ethnicities, young and old (including many students), demanded an end to attacks on civilians. They also demanded that Arab media stop depicting the Baathist and foreign jihadi culprits as members of some kind of just "resistance." Even the Al Jazeera network estimated them at over 10,000 strong. We know all this, not from reading any significant coverage of the event by the mainstream Western press (There was little to none). Rather I know it because an Iraqi who's been a computer user since childhood went out and reported on it himself. Zeyad's entry was linked to throughout the Web. But the so-called "paper of record," the New York Times, gave the event scarce coverage, and that enraged many leading lights of the blogosphere, especially those on the conservative or liberal hawkish end of the spectrum.After 9-11, Americans woke up to foreign policy and international news. We realized it was far more important than tales of killer sharks and Gary Condit. If there is anything that will unite Americans across party-lines, it is the awakening to the media-problem in this country. Cable news is hopelessly ignorant. I had hoped the print-media was better, but I observe them degrading as well.
Overall, the problem with the New York Times and other major print-news outlets is not a case of the tired "liberal media" myth...nor is the mainstream print-media paticularly conservative. (Papers such as N.Y. Post and Washington Times not included in this discussion..they're very right-wing..we know it). It is primarily what Paul Krugman likes to call "the curse of even-handedness"...journalists try so hard to be "balanced" on every story that they wind up skewing anything close to the truth. Opinion and truth are getting to be inseparable bedmates...and the children they produce are the ugliest creatures I think I shall ever lay eyes upon. Ideological incest produces a retarded child of journalistic truth.
Many times, journalists are smug, arrogant, egotistical, condescending toward (or, negligently, not keeping up with the new, modern tradition of) internet bloggers. (*The salon article states that Baghdad bureau chief Susan Sachs and/or her staff are possibly not even aware of Iraq's postwar blogs*).
In some cases, journalists look non-democratic through professional negligence. Today's "big media" is most certainly corporate-agenda-driven. Sometimes it seems today's print journalists are simply not smart or intuitive enough to "score' the ever-evasive truth. That's the scariest thing to imagine. Is the American media truly hiring the best minds? I would think it would be healthy for American democracy to see federally-funded citizen-commissions (people like you and me) on media review, criticism, recommendations for change.
See Instapundit (Glenn Reynolds') take on the matter here.
Letter From Decorated CIA Vets to Dennis Hastert:
"Intelligence officers must never be turned into political punching bags"
Demand for Congress to hold Bush White House accountable
Go here to see the full text of a letter sent by former CIA officers to House Speaker Dennis Hastert and other key House leaders on Tuesday, calling for a congressional inquiry into the Valerie Plame case. (Subscription or one-day pass required)
"Intelligence officers must never be turned into political punching bags"
Demand for Congress to hold Bush White House accountable
Go here to see the full text of a letter sent by former CIA officers to House Speaker Dennis Hastert and other key House leaders on Tuesday, calling for a congressional inquiry into the Valerie Plame case. (Subscription or one-day pass required)
Our fallen troops had no place in Bush's SOTU speech
I still can't get over this fact. I posted about it directly after hearing the speech. Colbert I. King talks about it here in his Washington Post column. The troops put their trust in their Commander-in-Chief. Some gave all. None got a moment of silence or respect last Tuesday in the State-of-the-Union speech watched by millions of Americans. What have we become?
I still can't get over this fact. I posted about it directly after hearing the speech. Colbert I. King talks about it here in his Washington Post column. The troops put their trust in their Commander-in-Chief. Some gave all. None got a moment of silence or respect last Tuesday in the State-of-the-Union speech watched by millions of Americans. What have we become?
"Last Tuesday night was an opportunity for George W. Bush to eulogize the fallen, a chance for him to tell their families what their sacrifices mean to the nation -- a time for the president to help heal broken hearts. That didn't happen....He delivered a line about "sorrow when one is lost," and shared a self-serving recollection of himself landing on the deck of a carrier in the Pacific Ocean and his Thanksgiving Day fly-in to Baghdad. There was also a pledge to supply the troops with all the resources they need to fight and win. But victims of the Iraq war, as well as their moms, dads, spouses, children, neighbors and friends, deserved more than what they got from the president. Instead of a moment of silence for those who have paid the ultimate price, they heard presidential pitches......
Tuesday was the time to tell U.S. families whose sons and daughters are losing their lives and limbs that their brave sacrifices still make sense....Instead, we got a Bush speech laying the groundwork for his quest for reelection.....A president who has been down in the trenches and seen people die would never have gone up to Capitol Hill in the midst of war and delivered the kind of State of the Union speech that the nation heard Tuesday night."
Friday, January 23, 2004
Wesley Clark rightfully criticizes Brit Hume for Debate's GOP agenda
I didn't think Peter Jennings was much better with those 'waste-of-time' Bush deserter/Michael Moore questions.
Since when is Bush not an equal target for criticism in a free country? Does Peter Jennings consider Bush his King?
I thought Hume and Jennings looked like death-warmed-over last night. The bad lighting exposed the worst skin I've seen since the last Michael Jackson-trial clip on CNN. The warts on Hume's face would turn off a toad.
I didn't think Peter Jennings was much better with those 'waste-of-time' Bush deserter/Michael Moore questions.
Since when is Bush not an equal target for criticism in a free country? Does Peter Jennings consider Bush his King?
I thought Hume and Jennings looked like death-warmed-over last night. The bad lighting exposed the worst skin I've seen since the last Michael Jackson-trial clip on CNN. The warts on Hume's face would turn off a toad.
David Kay (on WMDs):
"I don't think they existed"
Scott Ritter may have made a date with a 16-year-old, but hot damn, the man was right all along.
"I don't think they existed"
Scott Ritter may have made a date with a 16-year-old, but hot damn, the man was right all along.
Maureen Dowd has lost it
Letter to Editor: First things first
Judy Dean, in Maureen Dowd's fantasies
Is Dowd promoting the "Stepford-wife" culture? Is this a woman we want representing us American women in the opinion columns of the N.Y. Times? Isn't she promoting more "Stand-by-your-man" than American freedom and progress for women?
Diane Sawyer didn't have a 21st century-attitude toward American women during her interview with Judy Dean last night on Primetime, either. She had a decidedly arrogant and hypocritical attitude toward a woman who would choose to maintain a sane lifestyle and responsible career while her husband was on the road.
(Where was Diane's husband, by the way? Why wasn't she with him? Why wasn't he with her?)
Why do so many women hate Diane Sawyer's hair, by the way? Don't you think she's been looking awfully dragged out lately? Do you think everything's okay with her on the homefront? What's making her look so haggard lately?
At Salon.com, Rebecca Traister writes:
Letter to Editor: First things first
-I appreciate the fact that The Tribune occasionally carries New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd. I usually enjoy her acerbic wit and her ability to hit the nail on the head.Food for thought: Ask yourselves why this "bold career-woman", Maureen Dowd, would put Taliban-like social pressure on a fellow career-woman to "chuck it all"..responsibility to patients, a professional career, and closeness to her son...in order to be turned into a pin-cushion by the likes of people exactly like Maureen Dowd? SHould Judy Dean cover her head with a burka, too?
-However, in "What's Up, Doc" (Jan. 18), she has gone too far in pillorying Dr. Judy Dean for her desire to "to stay focused on her own life, healing the sick." It seems to me, and I am a political animal, that Dr. Dean has her priorities straight. Her first obligation is to her patients.
-I am sure that if Howard Dean becomes the nominee of the Democratic Party, she will make the appropriate appearances, but not before finding another doctor to cover her patients for her. With the current shortages in our health care system, it is refreshing to find a doctor who puts her patients before her personal and family agenda.
-I don't think Laura Bush or any of the other candidates' wives Dowd mentions went through the rigorous training of medical school to put on a white coat and take the Hippocratic Oath. Dr. Judy Dean is putting first things first.
Esther R. Landa
Salt Lake City
Judy Dean, in Maureen Dowd's fantasies
Is Dowd promoting the "Stepford-wife" culture? Is this a woman we want representing us American women in the opinion columns of the N.Y. Times? Isn't she promoting more "Stand-by-your-man" than American freedom and progress for women?
Diane Sawyer didn't have a 21st century-attitude toward American women during her interview with Judy Dean last night on Primetime, either. She had a decidedly arrogant and hypocritical attitude toward a woman who would choose to maintain a sane lifestyle and responsible career while her husband was on the road.
(Where was Diane's husband, by the way? Why wasn't she with him? Why wasn't he with her?)
Why do so many women hate Diane Sawyer's hair, by the way? Don't you think she's been looking awfully dragged out lately? Do you think everything's okay with her on the homefront? What's making her look so haggard lately?
At Salon.com, Rebecca Traister writes:
"Steinberg Dean is toothy; she doesn't seem to use much hair product; her face shows her age. It was both fun and horrifying to imagine her dismay at being set on by a team of eager ABC makeup artists, dying to go where only Noxzema has been before. It was also sad to watch her being forced to look at a photo -- the only photo? -- of Laura Bush in evening wear. Sawyer, who didn't even bother to disguise her doubts, wondered aloud how the doctor might feel about having to dress up or look pretty in public...But when Steinberg Dean opened her mouth to reassure Mrs. Mike Nichols, who was pretending to be confused about that crazy "feminist who uses her maiden name professionally and her married name personally" thing, "I'm Judy Dean," it was clear that Judy was going to be just fine......Journalists like me and Jodi Wilgoren and Maureen Dowd -- people who obviously like attention and are fascinated by power -- cannot fathom why a woman wouldn't be thrilled to be in the center of a political lightning storm. We try to cast her and re-cast her, chew on this mystery meat until we can name her. But that exercise apparently reveals more about us than it does about our subject... As Howard Dean said last night: Who would want to give up her life and career to join a campaign and "get poked at by everybody?" Maybe that sounds appealing to those of us who write about him, and who have forced his partner onto the examining table. But the Judy Dean we saw on TV plainly has more sense."
Thursday, January 22, 2004
"Computer glitch" allows GOP committee to spy on and exploit Democrats--Robert Novak is once again at the center of impropriety
Glitch facilitated GOP access to restricted Democratic communications without a password
Glitch facilitated GOP access to restricted Democratic communications without a password
"The office of Senate Sergeant-at-Arms William Pickle has already launched an investigation into how excerpts from 15 Democratic memos showed up in the pages of the conservative-leaning newspapers and were posted to a website last November.
With the help of forensic computer experts from General Dynamics and the US Secret Service, his office has interviewed about 120 people to date and seized more than half a dozen computers -- including four Judiciary servers, one server from the office of Senate majority leader Bill Frist of Tennessee, and several desktop hard drives.
But the scope of both the intrusions and the likely disclosures is now known to have been far more extensive than the November incident, staffers and others familiar with the investigation say.
...Democrats now claim their private memos formed the basis for a February 2003 column by conservative pundit Robert Novak that revealed plans pushed by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, to filibuster certain judicial nominees. Novak is also at the center of an investigation into who leaked the identity of a CIA agent whose husband contradicted a Bush administration claim about Iraqi nuclear programs.
....."There appears to have been no hacking, no stealing, and no violation of any Senate rule," Miranda said. "Stealing assumes a property right and there is no property right to a government document. . . . These documents are not covered under the Senate disclosure rule because they are not official business and, to the extent they were disclosed, they were disclosed inadvertently by negligent [Democratic] staff."
God is like GOP butter to grease the Christian right:
Bush talks to Right-to-life Group Over Phone from New Mexico
This is not to mock the good intentions of Christians..it is to point out the pandering hypocrisy of WHITE Republican male Representatives of America.
The March for Life Education & Defense Fund, which took place today in Washington, D.C. received a special phonecall from the President.
Let's start at the beginning.
The group's representative Nellie Gray began the rally by claiming that "homegrown terrorism" started with Roe vs. Wade.
(My! What a sweet, unifying, and loving message).
President Bush called and spoke about abstinence education, adoption, faith-based programs, he talked about the Unborn Victims of Violence bill just approved by the Judiary Committee yesterday. He demanded that the Congress approve and sign it into law. He spoke of banning human cloning, he invoked the Declaration of Independence, he said that he hoped for a compassionate society where every child would be born into loving family (uh-how can government handle THAT one?). He spread the word "God" around like butter.
After he spread the word of "God" like butter,the rest of the guest speakers (mostly male Republican representatives) followed suit.
Rep Steve Chabot(R)- spoke to the crowd and talked about pro-choice Americans as perpetrators of slaughter. He ragged on the Clintons and the crowd went wild. He called Bush a friend and the crowd went wild.
He touted the "Born Alive act"..he invoked Tom Daschle's name..the crowd booed loudly, but cheered upon hearing about the day Tom became "minority leader". Chabot invoked Ronald Reagan's name..and got wild cheers.
Chris Smith-(R)-NJ: Within three minutes, he used words such as "terror", "dismember", "mutilate" "decapitate" "holocaust", "destruction", "violence","slaughter", "killed", "expoliting women", "breast cancer", "hurting", "deleterious", "devastation","tragedies", "regret", "big lie,"wounded", "heart-wrenching", "predators","anguish", "dramatic", "agony"..all in less than three minutes.
Rep Todd Tiahrt(R)Kansas-spoke briefly...only to push a Republican candidate named Toomey from his state.
Rep Roscoe Bartlett(R)MD--a very old man who said he's the only MD. representative who's a pro-lifer. He downed the issue of RU 486.
Scott Garrett(R)-NJ--prayed and harped on scripture. Downed cloning. Downed the chosen "lifestyle" of a woman who chooses abortion. Prayed again. He said might and right is on the Republican's side, (really-this is what he said).
Rick Renzi (R )-AZ- he yelled a lot..whew. He said that true sons of America march for life. He ragged on American men..calling them cowards if they don't fight against abortion. He called young men of America "cowardly", "spineless", "soft", "pushers", "pressurers of death", "non-patriotic" (I'm not lying)..he yelled again...and again. Why yell? Sheesh.
Mike Ferguson(R)- NJ- He said that every Democratic Presidential candidate supports a woman's right to choose, so it's important to re-elect Bush.He said that baby turtles are protected..why not humans? He mentioned "Lacy + Conner's Law"(Unborn Violence Act)...crowd cheered. He credited prayer..spreading the God-butter again. The crowd licked the butter enthusiastically.
A woman..whoa!!! I'm shocked..she is Melissa Hart(R)-PA- She talked about being on the bus with her religious parish. More God-butter.
Mike Pence(R)-IN-invoked the name of Martin Luther King whose niece was in the crowd. He said Roe v. Wade is a "lie"..suggested an amendment to the Constitution to end Roe v. Wade. He said 2004 will be a divided election..so be sure to re-elect Bush!
He criticized Clinton... praised Bush. Clinton bad/Bush good. He pointed out the Jefferson memorial...invoked the statement "God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever." (He failed to say the next line, which is: "Commerce between master and slave is despotism." Is a woman chained to unwanted pregnancy not a slave? Is slavery not a sin?)
Todd Aiken(R)-MO-He claimed Right-to-life is a "calling" and a "cross to bear". He asked" Tell me.. in one sentence..the basic principle of what America's about?" He answered with the Declaration of Independence statement: "We hold these truths to be self evident...etc. Life' liberty, pursuit of happiness...( ...). He compared terrorists to women who have a right to choose.( He is a miserable and hypocritical louse, in my humble opinion. A poster child for what is wrong with keeping a woman a slave on behalf of the God-butter.)
Jim Ryan (R)KS- He brought his teenage sons (I said sons..not daughters) to talk. One said the GOP I guess a woman made miserable and ruined by being forced to bear a pregnancy to completion will make her very free..very happyis the party of "life"..Democrats are the party of "death". He said America was at cultural war. (How unifying). Another son came up to get younger folks in the audience to register Republican.
Steve King(R)IA--He was determined to overthrow Roe v. Wade. He talked about a homily at church..the crowd went wild. (More spreading of the word "God"... just like butter.) He called Roe v. Wade the "Dred Scott of our time."He said we must not infringe on another's liberty. (HELLO?) He invoked the word SIN. (Geez-where's that in the Constitution?)
Sam Brownback(R)KS-He stated all human life at any stage is "sacred" (which has what to do with law, again?) He asked: "If any of you were researched on as an embryo, how many of you would be alive today?(DUH!!) He said: "PRAY PRAY PRAY!!" (God-butter). He invoked a Jesus-prayer. Invoked the word of SIN again. Last words were: "God Bless America".(Whose America?)
Norm Coleman(r)MN- He said there was "a lot of love there" in the crowd (love for whom?)..the phrase "better angels" was invoked. (Where?) Congress needs the crowd, so he said. He used the quote of Jewish Rambam (He changed the words so Rightwing American Christians might understand)..the original went like this: "A person must constantly view the entire world as if it is half meritorious and half guilty. If the individual performs one sin, he tips the balance for the entire world toward the side of guilt and brings destruction to the world. If he performs one mitzvah, he tips the balance to the side of merit and brings salvation."
He strongly encouraged marches on clinics. Last words: God Bless America. God-butter.
They wrapped up the rally with a resounding rendition of the Lee Greenwood song: "God Bless The USA".
Just like buttah.........God buttah.
I got bored with all these Republican WHITE MALE representatives. As a woman, I was appalled and shocked to understand that even Sam Brownback is a panderer. I was not surprised that so few women would attest. Only ONE woman spoke. They obviously couldn't get any others, or they surely would have. This is very "telling".
You know, it's mostly White Republican men I see speaking at this rally. Where are all the women? Their absence speaks louder than any man using negative words while invoking God like butter and sin like stop-signs at every turn could ever say.
Bush talks to Right-to-life Group Over Phone from New Mexico
This is not to mock the good intentions of Christians..it is to point out the pandering hypocrisy of WHITE Republican male Representatives of America.
The March for Life Education & Defense Fund, which took place today in Washington, D.C. received a special phonecall from the President.
Let's start at the beginning.
The group's representative Nellie Gray began the rally by claiming that "homegrown terrorism" started with Roe vs. Wade.
(My! What a sweet, unifying, and loving message).
President Bush called and spoke about abstinence education, adoption, faith-based programs, he talked about the Unborn Victims of Violence bill just approved by the Judiary Committee yesterday. He demanded that the Congress approve and sign it into law. He spoke of banning human cloning, he invoked the Declaration of Independence, he said that he hoped for a compassionate society where every child would be born into loving family (uh-how can government handle THAT one?). He spread the word "God" around like butter.
After he spread the word of "God" like butter,the rest of the guest speakers (mostly male Republican representatives) followed suit.
Rep Steve Chabot(R)- spoke to the crowd and talked about pro-choice Americans as perpetrators of slaughter. He ragged on the Clintons and the crowd went wild. He called Bush a friend and the crowd went wild.
He touted the "Born Alive act"..he invoked Tom Daschle's name..the crowd booed loudly, but cheered upon hearing about the day Tom became "minority leader". Chabot invoked Ronald Reagan's name..and got wild cheers.
Chris Smith-(R)-NJ: Within three minutes, he used words such as "terror", "dismember", "mutilate" "decapitate" "holocaust", "destruction", "violence","slaughter", "killed", "expoliting women", "breast cancer", "hurting", "deleterious", "devastation","tragedies", "regret", "big lie,"wounded", "heart-wrenching", "predators","anguish", "dramatic", "agony"..all in less than three minutes.
Rep Todd Tiahrt(R)Kansas-spoke briefly...only to push a Republican candidate named Toomey from his state.
Rep Roscoe Bartlett(R)MD--a very old man who said he's the only MD. representative who's a pro-lifer. He downed the issue of RU 486.
Scott Garrett(R)-NJ--prayed and harped on scripture. Downed cloning. Downed the chosen "lifestyle" of a woman who chooses abortion. Prayed again. He said might and right is on the Republican's side, (really-this is what he said).
Rick Renzi (R )-AZ- he yelled a lot..whew. He said that true sons of America march for life. He ragged on American men..calling them cowards if they don't fight against abortion. He called young men of America "cowardly", "spineless", "soft", "pushers", "pressurers of death", "non-patriotic" (I'm not lying)..he yelled again...and again. Why yell? Sheesh.
Mike Ferguson(R)- NJ- He said that every Democratic Presidential candidate supports a woman's right to choose, so it's important to re-elect Bush.He said that baby turtles are protected..why not humans? He mentioned "Lacy + Conner's Law"(Unborn Violence Act)...crowd cheered. He credited prayer..spreading the God-butter again. The crowd licked the butter enthusiastically.
A woman..whoa!!! I'm shocked..she is Melissa Hart(R)-PA- She talked about being on the bus with her religious parish. More God-butter.
Mike Pence(R)-IN-invoked the name of Martin Luther King whose niece was in the crowd. He said Roe v. Wade is a "lie"..suggested an amendment to the Constitution to end Roe v. Wade. He said 2004 will be a divided election..so be sure to re-elect Bush!
He criticized Clinton... praised Bush. Clinton bad/Bush good. He pointed out the Jefferson memorial...invoked the statement "God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever." (He failed to say the next line, which is: "Commerce between master and slave is despotism." Is a woman chained to unwanted pregnancy not a slave? Is slavery not a sin?)
Todd Aiken(R)-MO-He claimed Right-to-life is a "calling" and a "cross to bear". He asked" Tell me.. in one sentence..the basic principle of what America's about?" He answered with the Declaration of Independence statement: "We hold these truths to be self evident...etc. Life' liberty, pursuit of happiness...( ...). He compared terrorists to women who have a right to choose.( He is a miserable and hypocritical louse, in my humble opinion. A poster child for what is wrong with keeping a woman a slave on behalf of the God-butter.)
Jim Ryan (R)KS- He brought his teenage sons (I said sons..not daughters) to talk. One said the GOP I guess a woman made miserable and ruined by being forced to bear a pregnancy to completion will make her very free..very happyis the party of "life"..Democrats are the party of "death". He said America was at cultural war. (How unifying). Another son came up to get younger folks in the audience to register Republican.
Steve King(R)IA--He was determined to overthrow Roe v. Wade. He talked about a homily at church..the crowd went wild. (More spreading of the word "God"... just like butter.) He called Roe v. Wade the "Dred Scott of our time."He said we must not infringe on another's liberty. (HELLO?) He invoked the word SIN. (Geez-where's that in the Constitution?)
Sam Brownback(R)KS-He stated all human life at any stage is "sacred" (which has what to do with law, again?) He asked: "If any of you were researched on as an embryo, how many of you would be alive today?(DUH!!) He said: "PRAY PRAY PRAY!!" (God-butter). He invoked a Jesus-prayer. Invoked the word of SIN again. Last words were: "God Bless America".(Whose America?)
Norm Coleman(r)MN- He said there was "a lot of love there" in the crowd (love for whom?)..the phrase "better angels" was invoked. (Where?) Congress needs the crowd, so he said. He used the quote of Jewish Rambam (He changed the words so Rightwing American Christians might understand)..the original went like this: "A person must constantly view the entire world as if it is half meritorious and half guilty. If the individual performs one sin, he tips the balance for the entire world toward the side of guilt and brings destruction to the world. If he performs one mitzvah, he tips the balance to the side of merit and brings salvation."
He strongly encouraged marches on clinics. Last words: God Bless America. God-butter.
They wrapped up the rally with a resounding rendition of the Lee Greenwood song: "God Bless The USA".
Just like buttah.........God buttah.
I got bored with all these Republican WHITE MALE representatives. As a woman, I was appalled and shocked to understand that even Sam Brownback is a panderer. I was not surprised that so few women would attest. Only ONE woman spoke. They obviously couldn't get any others, or they surely would have. This is very "telling".
You know, it's mostly White Republican men I see speaking at this rally. Where are all the women? Their absence speaks louder than any man using negative words while invoking God like butter and sin like stop-signs at every turn could ever say.
Grover Norquist Melts Down--Invokes Holocaust Images of the AMERICAN LEFT
*Wah! Unfair! Wah! Wah! Leave my Republican friend alone! So sayeth the lobbyist.*
wretch...a greedy slob..not at all American.
If Thomas Jefferson was alive today, he'd either be:
1.scratching madly at the lid of his coffin
or
2.kicking Grover Norquist's a*s.
A top anti-tax activist and White House ally is standing by his comparison of proponents of the estate tax to the perpetrators of the Holocaust, while taking the analogy further and dismissing his critics as "socialists."Look at the utter hypocrisy from these a*swipes:
*Wah! Unfair! Wah! Wah! Leave my Republican friend alone! So sayeth the lobbyist.*
Jack Abramoff, a close friend of Norquist's and a prominent Republican lobbyist, said that Norquist is being unfairly lampooned and argued that it's unreasonable to completely limit discussion of the Holocaust. Asked where he would draw the line between "reasonable" and "unreasonable" Holocaust analogies, Abramoff said it was very much subjective and imprecise."If it's mentioned every time your opponent disagrees with you, that's inappropriate," Abramoff said. "On the other hand, is it reasonable to say no one can ever discuss the evil of Nazis and learn lessons from it in the current political climate? It takes a reasonable balance and that's always going to be subjective."Lampoon Grover Norquist? Bah...hang him out for all to see. He's an anti-community
wretch...a greedy slob..not at all American.
If Thomas Jefferson was alive today, he'd either be:
1.scratching madly at the lid of his coffin
or
2.kicking Grover Norquist's a*s.
Concord Monitor: In New Hampshire, no one Democrat is guaranteed the lead
This is hilarious.
Under the Washington Times headline reading "Republicans train sights on Clark", it says:
*I think the Lieberman attack on General Clark is a cheap political move. I am disappointed that the Senator, who I believe is a good man, has run such a dismal campaign.*
I've been watching CSPAN and I have observed Wesley Clark getting a tremendous response from New Hampshire crowds. It may be the fact that he is laying out a clear state-of-the-union-style agenda (including raising the minimum wage to $7/hr) and at the same time, strongly appealing to the crowds emotionally with personal stories. He stresses a higher standard of leadership in America. I'm trying to get a "feel" for the New Hampshire Democrats...I happen to think Clark will do better than Kerry in the upcoming NH primary. The debates tonight will be very important. I think that any candidate who tries to attack Wes Clark on his stance on the Iraq war will fall flat on their faces when he has a chance to respond. He's ready for them...it's apparent. With all this concentration on candidates remaining positive, Clark is at a distinct advantage. One begins to wonder if Iowa was relevant or not. Obviously, it was relevant to Dick Gephardt...yet I have to say that I'm awfully sorry he had to drop out of the race, for this particular year it seems the race has not yet begun! I hope Dennis Kucinich will have a chance to speak..and speak often in tonight's debate. However, I hope he does not go off frothing-at-the-mouth at Howard Dean...especially after throwing his supporters to Edwards (in who-knows-what deal was made in Iowa last week). Remember, today's revelation that the John Edwards campaign was not an angelic bounty of optimistic positivity will be in the minds of anyone who's been keeping track.
Clark is coming in with a lot of advantages. It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out.
Republicans have lost a lot of ground in New Hampshire
There was a very "telling" article in the Providence Journal Wednesday about the GOP being a "house divided against itself". Link is here (reg. required)
This is hilarious.
Under the Washington Times headline reading "Republicans train sights on Clark", it says:
"....Sen. Joe Lieberman maintains a list of Mr. Clark's various statements and positions on the war. After sending out a press release chronicling six different stances, the Lieberman camp issued a correction, saying: "We screwed up. Clark has taken seven war positions, not six."Who said Senator Lieberman is Republican?! Did I miss something?
*I think the Lieberman attack on General Clark is a cheap political move. I am disappointed that the Senator, who I believe is a good man, has run such a dismal campaign.*
I've been watching CSPAN and I have observed Wesley Clark getting a tremendous response from New Hampshire crowds. It may be the fact that he is laying out a clear state-of-the-union-style agenda (including raising the minimum wage to $7/hr) and at the same time, strongly appealing to the crowds emotionally with personal stories. He stresses a higher standard of leadership in America. I'm trying to get a "feel" for the New Hampshire Democrats...I happen to think Clark will do better than Kerry in the upcoming NH primary. The debates tonight will be very important. I think that any candidate who tries to attack Wes Clark on his stance on the Iraq war will fall flat on their faces when he has a chance to respond. He's ready for them...it's apparent. With all this concentration on candidates remaining positive, Clark is at a distinct advantage. One begins to wonder if Iowa was relevant or not. Obviously, it was relevant to Dick Gephardt...yet I have to say that I'm awfully sorry he had to drop out of the race, for this particular year it seems the race has not yet begun! I hope Dennis Kucinich will have a chance to speak..and speak often in tonight's debate. However, I hope he does not go off frothing-at-the-mouth at Howard Dean...especially after throwing his supporters to Edwards (in who-knows-what deal was made in Iowa last week). Remember, today's revelation that the John Edwards campaign was not an angelic bounty of optimistic positivity will be in the minds of anyone who's been keeping track.
Clark is coming in with a lot of advantages. It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out.
Republicans have lost a lot of ground in New Hampshire
There was a very "telling" article in the Providence Journal Wednesday about the GOP being a "house divided against itself". Link is here (reg. required)
There's no love of taxes in New Hampshire, but even Republicans here regard Washington-style tax cutting with contempt. Last spring, anti-tax activist Grover Norquist pestered New Hampshire state legislators as they debated plans to raise revenue. Dick Green, the Republican chairman of the state Senate Finance Committee, got into a shouting match with Norquist and told him to go back to Washington.New Hampshire has been called a Northern outpost of Sunbelt conservatism. In truth, it is no longer reliably Republican, and not particularly conservative.This fact will bode well for candidates like Howard Dean and Wesley Clark in November.
Now they're looking for WMDs in cubbyholes!
Senator Pat Roberts raises (shady) public fear about Syria (neocons and other assorted insane sorts need to turn up the heat in the Syrian region..it's a re-election campaign season).
And we shall continue to pay through the nose
for Bush's War
*but we won't technically "know about it" until after the November elections.*
The jury is still out,'' Vice President Dick Cheney said on the failure so far to find any weapons of mass destruction since Saddam was toppled last April.Blame Syria
It's going to take some additional considerable period of time to look at all of the cubby holes and...dumps and all the places in Iraq where you might expect to find something like that,'' Cheney told U.S. National Public Radio.
Senator Pat Roberts raises (shady) public fear about Syria (neocons and other assorted insane sorts need to turn up the heat in the Syrian region..it's a re-election campaign season).
Senate Intelligence Committee chairman Pat Roberts said there was some concern Iraqi weapons of mass destruction had gone to Syria, and Washington vowed to carry on searching for such arms in Iraq.*Oh Please! When is the last time you heard Pat Roberts elaborate? OK--maybe once when he melodramatically played the whining victim of the Democrats in the pathetic Intelligence Committee-politics spat last fall designed to halt WMD investigation altogether.)
Roberts, a leading member of President Bush's Republican Party, said in Washington on Wednesday: ``I think that there is some concern that shipments of WMD (weapons of mass destruction) went to Syria.'' He did not elaborate.
And we shall continue to pay through the nose
for Bush's War
*but we won't technically "know about it" until after the November elections.*
U.S. Congress sources and budget analysts said Bush may seek an additional $40 billion or more for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan next year -- on top of the $400 billion military budget he will send to Congress next month.
But Bush was unlikely to send the request to Congress until after the November presidential election to minimize any political damage, the sources said.
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
Gore Vidal on the "United States of Amnesia," 9/11, the 2000 Election and the War in Iraq
"...we have a global empire and nobody knows where anything is, nobody knows any languages, so our statesmen go abroad and people laugh at them, because they are so dumb, or seem to be so dumb."
"....In the U.S., everybody listens to 19th Century Fox TV News. In which a bunch of loons just scream and scream and scream. And with each scream they tell another lie. How are we ever going to have an informed citizenry? Which means then how can we have an informed election?"
At Daily Kos, here are some comments from readers about the Democrats:
*Take the poll while you're there.*
*Take the poll while you're there.*
"My wild guess: I think a Clark-Dean ticket is going to beat a Bush-[fill in the blank] ticket in '04. (It's the economy, stupid!) (Iraq will probably implode this year, but, sad to say, the corporate media has succeeded in making the death, pain, starvation and misery of ragheads unreal to most Americans, just as they are trying with some success to label Dean as "angry" and therefore "not electable." It was John Lennon who said, "Nothing is real." That's the reality and the tragedy of our democracy.)
by PeacePatriot on Thu Jan 22nd, 2004 at 02:03:33 GMT"
DON'T MISS THIS ONE, READERS:
I was sent this link to Michael Moore's comments to Dean supporters. I thought it deserved the largest audience possible. Michael Moore is supporting Clark--but he gets it. I hope I can link on this site. http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?messageDate=2004-01-20
by Razzled on Wed Jan 21st, 2004 at 21:23:05 GMT
"The Beauty of Dean" by Outlandish Josh
"..It wasn't fun there for 24 hours, but I'm seeing the light. That clip that made us all so sick? In context it's a goddamn moment of triumph, and it's already been put to great humerous use in many a remix online. It's outplayed Bush's state of the Union speech. I'm lovin' it..."
The Democratic Campaign in
New Hampshire
Josh Marshall says:
See Josh's interview with George Soros here.
Mr. Soros claims the Bush Doctrine is reminiscent of George Orwell's Animal Farm. He says: "You know, all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others. And this is in contradiction of the values that have made America great."
New Hampshire
Josh Marshall says:
"--My sense of this campaign is that there are really two and a half dynamics at work now here in New Hampshire.
--The big fight is between Clark and Kerry. They’re after the same voters. And their pitch to the voters here is similar. Those voters are moderate-ish Democrats, people for whom the electability pitch is an important one, people who warm, for various reasons, to the candidates’ military credentials. So that’s the big fight.
--Dean is in another category. His main issue is himself. If he can hold on to who he has right now and get back some of the people who’ve left him then he can probably win. And at this point I don’t think he needs to win big. He just needs to win. To show he can take a punch and that Iowa wasn’t a fatal blow. (Remember a number of guys who became president lost Iowa and even came in third.) But I don’t have the sense --- and this is just a gut sense --- that the folks Kerry and Clark will be fighting over are the ones Dean’s after or really can get, at least not for the most part.
--The half dynamic is Edwards, who might slip through to a high showing if Kerry, Clark and Dean bloody each other sufficiently in the next week. I’m going to an Edwards event this evening so maybe then I’ll know more.
See Josh's interview with George Soros here.
Mr. Soros claims the Bush Doctrine is reminiscent of George Orwell's Animal Farm. He says: "You know, all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others. And this is in contradiction of the values that have made America great."
Britain to consider going with Iraqi request for direct elections--expresses hope that UN will send in team
You will observe how important it is for us to entreat the U.N. to help facilitate resolutions to such crises. Kofi Annan is concerned with the safety of any U.N. staff who would head to Iraq. He may reserve judgement on sending any election team until a separate U.N. mission of security experts returns and gives its assessment about whether it's safe to return U.N. staff to Iraq. Bush wants to be re-elected. He' doesn't want you to notice, but he's on his knees..begging 'please'.
At Informed Comment, Professor Cole comments that the 100,000 demonstrators who marched on Bagdhad Monday and the political situation reminds him more and more of Algeria; where mass protests played a similar role in involving the UN.
Excerpt:
You will observe how important it is for us to entreat the U.N. to help facilitate resolutions to such crises. Kofi Annan is concerned with the safety of any U.N. staff who would head to Iraq. He may reserve judgement on sending any election team until a separate U.N. mission of security experts returns and gives its assessment about whether it's safe to return U.N. staff to Iraq. Bush wants to be re-elected. He' doesn't want you to notice, but he's on his knees..begging 'please'.
At Informed Comment, Professor Cole comments that the 100,000 demonstrators who marched on Bagdhad Monday and the political situation reminds him more and more of Algeria; where mass protests played a similar role in involving the UN.
Excerpt:
"..A Shiite official who spoke to al-Sistani said Wednesday that if a proposed team of U.N. experts tells the cleric it isn't possible to organize direct elections by July 1, he would accept the verdict.
The British government, the strongest U.S. coalition partner, meanwhile will consider al-Sistani's call for direct elections if a U.N. team determines they're practical, officials told The Associated Press.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, attending an international forum in Davos, Switzerland, defended the coalition process, but expressed hope that Annan will send a team to assess election prospects.
"A large part of this comes down to ... technical issues," Straw said, noting security problems in parts of Iraq and the lack of voter registration. "This needs to be discussed through."
The comments put more pressure on U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan to sign off on a request by the Bush administration and the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council to send a U.N. election assessment team to Iraq.
U.N. officials were in contact with coalition and Iraqi leaders over the possibility of sending the election team, but no decision had been made, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Wednesday...."
Please see this photo-
These are some of the faces of the children orphaned by the Bam Earthquake in Iran
Here are some facts. Here is something you can do...
These are some of the faces of the children orphaned by the Bam Earthquake in Iran
Here are some facts. Here is something you can do...
Why it would be a stroke of genius to run Clark and Dean together
credit: AP photos
It would shock folks like William Safire, who said today:
"You know that the Dean-Clinton battle for the Democratic soul is at the heart of this primary campaign."
Why battle?
Put 'em together-Dean and Clark- and you've got just about everbody's vote! See how simple?
Dopey Karl Rove would need an instant change of underpants when he got the news that the 'dream team' was coming to stomp all over Dubs.
Dean may be "too old to cry", but William Safire's getting "too old to lie"...he's a rightwing screechmonkey hiding behind his fragile little cloak of intellectualism.
credit: AP photos
It would shock folks like William Safire, who said today:
"You know that the Dean-Clinton battle for the Democratic soul is at the heart of this primary campaign."
Why battle?
Put 'em together-Dean and Clark- and you've got just about everbody's vote! See how simple?
Dopey Karl Rove would need an instant change of underpants when he got the news that the 'dream team' was coming to stomp all over Dubs.
Dean may be "too old to cry", but William Safire's getting "too old to lie"...he's a rightwing screechmonkey hiding behind his fragile little cloak of intellectualism.
Boston Globe:
The new discrimination against the not-particularly religious
This article is actually titled "The new discimination against the nonreligious", but I like my title better.
There are a lot more Americans who are not particularly devout religionists than there are non-religious Americans.
The level at which we individually and privately believe is entirely personal and while it's fine to talk about one's religion if one so desires, it should not be the required benchmark of a just and effective American President, Senator, House Representative, Justice, American actor, plumber, airplane pilot, floor sweeper, or true American friend.
There are dogs that, while born in the same litter, will bite you while others will lick you lovingly.
Curiously, none are religious. Perhaps some were fed properly while the others were starved..perhaps some of the lucky ones received love while the others were abused. Religion had absolutely nothing to do with the decision to bite or to lick.
See how simple this is? Responsibility, empathy, kindness and caring will never be exclusive to those practicing a religion.(Although religion has the corner on guilt-infliction, I must say!).
Witch-hunting should not be tolerated in this day and age.
Matter of fact, it should be pointed out... and scorned.
The new discrimination against the not-particularly religious
This article is actually titled "The new discimination against the nonreligious", but I like my title better.
There are a lot more Americans who are not particularly devout religionists than there are non-religious Americans.
The level at which we individually and privately believe is entirely personal and while it's fine to talk about one's religion if one so desires, it should not be the required benchmark of a just and effective American President, Senator, House Representative, Justice, American actor, plumber, airplane pilot, floor sweeper, or true American friend.
There are dogs that, while born in the same litter, will bite you while others will lick you lovingly.
Curiously, none are religious. Perhaps some were fed properly while the others were starved..perhaps some of the lucky ones received love while the others were abused. Religion had absolutely nothing to do with the decision to bite or to lick.
See how simple this is? Responsibility, empathy, kindness and caring will never be exclusive to those practicing a religion.(Although religion has the corner on guilt-infliction, I must say!).
Witch-hunting should not be tolerated in this day and age.
Matter of fact, it should be pointed out... and scorned.
bone phone
Heh. bone phone.
"I may look weird if I'm talking with the phone pressed between my eyebrows.."
Uh...no....really...ya think so?
Heh. bone phone.
"I may look weird if I'm talking with the phone pressed between my eyebrows.."
Uh...no....really...ya think so?
Around the League of Liberals
Clarified ruminates on how she was once "conned" by Alex B. Keaton ;)
Mad Kane has created the first State of the Union interactive crossword puzzle!
Ayn Clouter steps out of the pen to analyze what happened in the hog wallow the other night.
Hammerdown shows us that "mean-Dean" ain't the only game in town! Also see this puppet show pic posted on January 14th ( I like to call it "The Vince and Toot-ie show" )..it's a corker!
See Mahablog's comments about last night's SOTU speech.
Should you get a biology PhD? See the definitive (and hilarious) quiz. It's PZ Myers' Advanced Biology Aptitude Test.
America has such power--such great wealth. Anonymoses asks us to think about who it should serve...and how.
Clarified ruminates on how she was once "conned" by Alex B. Keaton ;)
Mad Kane has created the first State of the Union interactive crossword puzzle!
Ayn Clouter steps out of the pen to analyze what happened in the hog wallow the other night.
Hammerdown shows us that "mean-Dean" ain't the only game in town! Also see this puppet show pic posted on January 14th ( I like to call it "The Vince and Toot-ie show" )..it's a corker!
See Mahablog's comments about last night's SOTU speech.
Should you get a biology PhD? See the definitive (and hilarious) quiz. It's PZ Myers' Advanced Biology Aptitude Test.
America has such power--such great wealth. Anonymoses asks us to think about who it should serve...and how.
This is where Bush will lead us while pandering to the rightwing screechmonkey base
TRAPPED!
TRAPPED!
"The best—perhaps the only--way President Bush can make a meaningful difference is to make it harder for parents to get a divorce. Period. I know this sounds barbaric. Some will answer that you can't force people to stay married anymore than you force to get married in the first place."
Tom Paine.com:
Re: IOWA'S LESSONS by Doug Ireland
Why do we trust politicians more than we'd trust ourselves?
If what writer Doug Ireland says is true, if "the Dean movement has proven more interesting than the candidate", I'd like us all to really meditate upon what all the "interest" was all about to begin with. The movement and Dean are inseparable, you see. They are one and the same. To those in the movement, Dean is "the People". Granted, it seems that a tremendously large group of Americans striving to become active in their own democracy was not the important focus for Iowans last Monday. I am detached enough from my own political favoritism to realize this is true. Other than their willingness to participate in their caucus, Iowans apparently did not trust their fellow American citizens to take part in the eventual effect their own government would have upon their lives. Iowans showed they are not ready to work..and work hard... for their own country. It is apparent that they'd feel more comfortable in leaving their fate in the hands of the Washington establishment. Please do not take me wrong. I'm not saying they're bad, dumb, or lazy people. They are good Americans...average Americans.
But---I ask this:
Why do we trust politicians more than we'd trust ourselves?
The Dean movement, along with their leader Howard Dean, represent those who want to take their country back
I do not agree with Mr. Ireland when he says "Dean was always unworthy of the movement he'd sparked."
I am still very supportive of Governor Dean. If he shows great emotion, he's showing it for this movement...not for himself alone. We are passionate Americans. We want to take our country back.
After Mr. Ireland tells us that he thinks Dean isn't worthy, his article melts into a base attack upon the sanity of Dr. Dean. I lose trust in Mr. Ireland at this point in the article. He becomes quite vicious. I believe, rather than chipping nastily away at the sanity of Governor Dean, Mr. Ireland had best start questioning the "sanity" of the movement itself. Is it sane to want a change in Washington? Is it sane to want to participate in your own governing? If Mr. Ireland can
tell me it's insane to want what the Founding Fathers laid out for us all, then I'll possibly begin to see his point.
Until then...I'm sorry..I just don't see his point.
I really would like to understand....why did Dennis Kucinich betray so many on the left?
When Mr. Ireland says that "Dennis Kucinich, who ran as the "principled" candidate of a "new politics" similarly betrayed those idealists who had given his protest candidacy unexpected millions of dollars when he cut an "old politics" last-minute caucus deal asking his supporters to vote for John Edwards", I'm afraid he does strike an all-too-familiar chord.
Dennis Kucinich, whom I had fully believed was one of the the most principled and decent persons amongst the candidates, has greatly disappointed me. Mr. Ireland quotes a message he received from a Labor pol:
"If Kucinich thinks so little of progressive ideals that he throws his lot behind a pro-war, pro-Patriot Act candidate, then why waste my vote to send a message, when voting for Kucinich no longer sends a message?"
I could not agree more with Doug Ireland's keen observation that (quote) "Kucinich's decision can only be explained as a venting of spleen against Dean for having "stolen" the anti-war constituency the Ohioan imagined was his."
Wesley Clark is coming up and will surprise many
I don't necessarily agree that Kerry will become the strongest 'anti-Dean' Democratic candidate.
Iowa can only teach us the lesson of a primarily-White rural state. One caucus does not the truth make.
New Hampshire will not be the best gauge, either. I think we'll need to get past Super-Tuesday on March 2nd before we can know how all this is to play out in such a different type of Democratic race with so many brilliant candidates from which to choose.
I believe that Wesley Clark will emerge as the strong "anti-Dean" candidate. He outranks Kerry by a busload, he's conducted a war (while Kerry has been a mere grunt), he packs the strength of the left while appealing mightily to the right. I believe firmly, if Dean should not prevail (and I'm surely trusting and hoping he will), that many of his supporters would flock to General Wesley Clark.
I am sticking with Howard Dean, because I believe in the man and the greatness of the movement he has sparked. I can't wait to see Thursday night's debate. Time and truth marches on.
Re: IOWA'S LESSONS by Doug Ireland
Why do we trust politicians more than we'd trust ourselves?
If what writer Doug Ireland says is true, if "the Dean movement has proven more interesting than the candidate", I'd like us all to really meditate upon what all the "interest" was all about to begin with. The movement and Dean are inseparable, you see. They are one and the same. To those in the movement, Dean is "the People". Granted, it seems that a tremendously large group of Americans striving to become active in their own democracy was not the important focus for Iowans last Monday. I am detached enough from my own political favoritism to realize this is true. Other than their willingness to participate in their caucus, Iowans apparently did not trust their fellow American citizens to take part in the eventual effect their own government would have upon their lives. Iowans showed they are not ready to work..and work hard... for their own country. It is apparent that they'd feel more comfortable in leaving their fate in the hands of the Washington establishment. Please do not take me wrong. I'm not saying they're bad, dumb, or lazy people. They are good Americans...average Americans.
But---I ask this:
Why do we trust politicians more than we'd trust ourselves?
The Dean movement, along with their leader Howard Dean, represent those who want to take their country back
I do not agree with Mr. Ireland when he says "Dean was always unworthy of the movement he'd sparked."
I am still very supportive of Governor Dean. If he shows great emotion, he's showing it for this movement...not for himself alone. We are passionate Americans. We want to take our country back.
After Mr. Ireland tells us that he thinks Dean isn't worthy, his article melts into a base attack upon the sanity of Dr. Dean. I lose trust in Mr. Ireland at this point in the article. He becomes quite vicious. I believe, rather than chipping nastily away at the sanity of Governor Dean, Mr. Ireland had best start questioning the "sanity" of the movement itself. Is it sane to want a change in Washington? Is it sane to want to participate in your own governing? If Mr. Ireland can
tell me it's insane to want what the Founding Fathers laid out for us all, then I'll possibly begin to see his point.
Until then...I'm sorry..I just don't see his point.
I really would like to understand....why did Dennis Kucinich betray so many on the left?
When Mr. Ireland says that "Dennis Kucinich, who ran as the "principled" candidate of a "new politics" similarly betrayed those idealists who had given his protest candidacy unexpected millions of dollars when he cut an "old politics" last-minute caucus deal asking his supporters to vote for John Edwards", I'm afraid he does strike an all-too-familiar chord.
Dennis Kucinich, whom I had fully believed was one of the the most principled and decent persons amongst the candidates, has greatly disappointed me. Mr. Ireland quotes a message he received from a Labor pol:
"If Kucinich thinks so little of progressive ideals that he throws his lot behind a pro-war, pro-Patriot Act candidate, then why waste my vote to send a message, when voting for Kucinich no longer sends a message?"
I could not agree more with Doug Ireland's keen observation that (quote) "Kucinich's decision can only be explained as a venting of spleen against Dean for having "stolen" the anti-war constituency the Ohioan imagined was his."
Wesley Clark is coming up and will surprise many
I don't necessarily agree that Kerry will become the strongest 'anti-Dean' Democratic candidate.
Iowa can only teach us the lesson of a primarily-White rural state. One caucus does not the truth make.
New Hampshire will not be the best gauge, either. I think we'll need to get past Super-Tuesday on March 2nd before we can know how all this is to play out in such a different type of Democratic race with so many brilliant candidates from which to choose.
I believe that Wesley Clark will emerge as the strong "anti-Dean" candidate. He outranks Kerry by a busload, he's conducted a war (while Kerry has been a mere grunt), he packs the strength of the left while appealing mightily to the right. I believe firmly, if Dean should not prevail (and I'm surely trusting and hoping he will), that many of his supporters would flock to General Wesley Clark.
I am sticking with Howard Dean, because I believe in the man and the greatness of the movement he has sparked. I can't wait to see Thursday night's debate. Time and truth marches on.
N.Y.Times:
Jack Pritchard* asks:
"How many nuclear weapons does North Korea have to make before this administration gets serious about its policy in East Asia?"
*Pritchard is a visiting fellow of the Brookings Institution
Jack Pritchard* asks:
"How many nuclear weapons does North Korea have to make before this administration gets serious about its policy in East Asia?"
*Pritchard is a visiting fellow of the Brookings Institution
"American intelligence believed that most if not all the rods remained in storage, giving policymakers a false sense that time was on their sideNote: Mr. Pritchard resigned as special envoy for negotiations with North Korea last August.
..the Bush administration has relied on intelligence that dismissed North Korean claims that it restarted its nuclear
program..
Now there are about 8,000 spent fuel rods missing — evidence that work on such a deterrent may have begun. It is just the most recent failure in a string of serious North Korea-related intelligence failures.
American policy in North Korea is hardly better than American intelligence. At best it can be described only as amateurish. At worst, it is a failed attempt to lure American allies down a path that is not designed to resolve the crisis diplomatically but to lead to the failure and ultimate isolation of North Korea in hopes that its government will collapse.
Buzzflash: Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky on Bush's State of the Union Address
"The Emperor has no clothes. President Bush is describing a very different world and a very different America than the one I see and that most people live in."
"American families have experienced job losses, rising health care costs, increased poverty and homelessness. Huge surpluses have become record deficits. And because of his policies, America's standing in the world has greatly diminished, and, as a nation, we are less safe today than we could and should be."
"The President is enthusiastic about a 'strong' economy, and so are his rich friends."
"Iraq is a mess. Who can't see that?"
Bush Came Not to Praise King but ...
"King's philosophies could not be more different from Bush's."
"King's philosophies could not be more different from Bush's."
"....it was on King's birthday last year that this same president, on national television, launched his attack against affirmative action by directing his administration to join the legal case against the University of Michigan's admissions policy. To follow that action by laying a wreath on King's tomb this year represented the height of hypocrisy for many of us in the civil rights community. It was obviously nothing more than a photo opportunity designed to woo black voters to the Republican Party. Coming in an election year, it was a blatant attempt to use King's image for political gain.
And here's the most offensive part: After a brief "official business" visit to the grave site — read: taxpayers foot the bill — Bush rushed off to a $2,000-a-plate fundraiser that same evening, picking up a cool $1.3 million in Atlanta for his reelection campaign..."
Perle and Frum Op-Ed In New York Times
Richard Perle and David Frum are beating their war drums on behalf of their favorite candidate Bush--and the New York Times is more than happy to give them space to do so. In a nutshell, they spread a hopeless message, telling us Saudi Arabia has us literally over a barrel (no pun intended) and there's nothing we can do about it except send our beloved sons and daughters to fight their bloody battles for them. Frum and Perle are telling you, my fine American friends, that you are slaves to the Saudis. I think we should send Dick and Dave over to Iraq, suit them up for war, and let them walk the real streets of Fallujah and Bagdhad. Their hopeless message tells us that Howard Dean's ideas about alternative energy are useless without an accompanying war; that John Edwards' talk of international good will is cowardly; that John Kerry will not drive more Middle Eastern leaders into spiderholes; that Wes Clark is a sucker for the Saudis. My opinion? Get the hook!! Get these two filthy cowards off the stage! Let's elect a leader who is both SANE and INDEPENDENT-THINKING.
While I agree we must prevail on the Saudis to stop financing the extremism that breeds terror, Perle and Frum prove they are clueless as to HOW to do that..besides sending our own men and women to die and alienating the international community by calling the UN an adversary. That's a recipe for an endless war on a gray entity named terrorism.
This is campaigning for Bush at its best, people. The NeoCons prove they still have Bush in their pocket. I can't wait to vote for any one of these fine Democratic candidates and send these warpigs back into their corner. They've killed enough of our men and women with their fantasy.
At least they mentioned the name Bin Laden in the article. Bush never uttered the name once in the SOTU speech last night....nor did he honor the soldiers who died for him. We need to unload this character and his
go-to-war-traveling show this November.
Richard Perle and David Frum are beating their war drums on behalf of their favorite candidate Bush--and the New York Times is more than happy to give them space to do so. In a nutshell, they spread a hopeless message, telling us Saudi Arabia has us literally over a barrel (no pun intended) and there's nothing we can do about it except send our beloved sons and daughters to fight their bloody battles for them. Frum and Perle are telling you, my fine American friends, that you are slaves to the Saudis. I think we should send Dick and Dave over to Iraq, suit them up for war, and let them walk the real streets of Fallujah and Bagdhad. Their hopeless message tells us that Howard Dean's ideas about alternative energy are useless without an accompanying war; that John Edwards' talk of international good will is cowardly; that John Kerry will not drive more Middle Eastern leaders into spiderholes; that Wes Clark is a sucker for the Saudis. My opinion? Get the hook!! Get these two filthy cowards off the stage! Let's elect a leader who is both SANE and INDEPENDENT-THINKING.
While I agree we must prevail on the Saudis to stop financing the extremism that breeds terror, Perle and Frum prove they are clueless as to HOW to do that..besides sending our own men and women to die and alienating the international community by calling the UN an adversary. That's a recipe for an endless war on a gray entity named terrorism.
This is campaigning for Bush at its best, people. The NeoCons prove they still have Bush in their pocket. I can't wait to vote for any one of these fine Democratic candidates and send these warpigs back into their corner. They've killed enough of our men and women with their fantasy.
At least they mentioned the name Bin Laden in the article. Bush never uttered the name once in the SOTU speech last night....nor did he honor the soldiers who died for him. We need to unload this character and his
go-to-war-traveling show this November.
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
SOTU Speech Shame:
NOT A MENTION NOR ONE MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR
THE 502 TROOPS
NOT A WORD OF THANKS TO
THE WOUNDED
NOT A MENTION OF THE NAME
BIN-LADEN
"Hey you sports dudes- Stop takin' 'em steeroids!!"
NOT A MENTION NOR ONE MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR
THE 502 TROOPS
NOT A WORD OF THANKS TO
THE WOUNDED
NOT A MENTION OF THE NAME
BIN-LADEN
"Hey you sports dudes- Stop takin' 'em steeroids!!"
Let Judy be Judith
I would never want to see Judith as a Judy-doll Stepford wife.
What the hell's wrong with America,anyhow?
Send idiots like Maureen Dowd back to 1950-- when men were men and women were barefoot and pregnant (yet somehow always kept the beehive coif perfect).
Leave her there.
I would never want to see Judith as a Judy-doll Stepford wife.
What the hell's wrong with America,anyhow?
Send idiots like Maureen Dowd back to 1950-- when men were men and women were barefoot and pregnant (yet somehow always kept the beehive coif perfect).
Leave her there.
Israel Planes Attack Hezbollah in Lebanon
While I understand Israel's right to defend herself, what implications will this have for her ally..the U.S.? Did Sharon think before acting...really? We'd best not get bogged down with Syria. We cannot afford it, nor is it an appropriate fight for us to enter. I hope this does not wind up smelling of NeoCon.
Israel rapped in UN probe
While I understand Israel's right to defend herself, what implications will this have for her ally..the U.S.? Did Sharon think before acting...really? We'd best not get bogged down with Syria. We cannot afford it, nor is it an appropriate fight for us to enter. I hope this does not wind up smelling of NeoCon.
Israel rapped in UN probe
BEIRUT: Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said yesterday that a UN investigation had found that an Israeli military bulldozer hit by a Hizbollah rocket attack was in Lebanese territory at the time of the strike.
"The investigation carried out by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) command has shown that the Israeli bulldozer was inside Lebanese territory," Lahoud said in a statement.
"And this constitutes a clear violation of the Blue Line," said Lahoud, referring to the demarcation line marked out by Unifil when Israel ended its 22-year occupation of south Lebanon in May 2000.
Republicans convert for Kerry?
Hmmmmmmm......
The Union Leader, New Hampshire's only statewide daily newspaper, has endorsed Joe Lieberman in the Democratic presidential primary.
HERE'S THE ACTUAL ENDORSEMENT.
One word- UGH.
~~~~~~~
Clinton agrees to be Middle East Envoy?
Did you know this?
~~~~~~~
Paul O'Neill: A Republican Rip Van Winkle
Hmmmmmmm......
"...East Middle School precinct chairwoman Jan Olson said a few Republicans had converted just to participate for the day. "We are really glad you want to be a Democrat," Olson said, "as long as that day is in November," drawing a big laugh. Sturgeon said one site had eight typical Republicans taking part..."I wonder if they were sincere converts. You see, in Iowa, even registered Republicans can switch parties - if only for the day - to participate in the caucus.
The Union Leader, New Hampshire's only statewide daily newspaper, has endorsed Joe Lieberman in the Democratic presidential primary.
HERE'S THE ACTUAL ENDORSEMENT.
One word- UGH.
~~~~~~~
Clinton agrees to be Middle East Envoy?
Did you know this?
"In a question-and-answer period, he [John Kerry] reminded a voter that he had already asked Clinton to be his Middle East envoy—and that Clinton had accepted."
~~~~~~~
Paul O'Neill: A Republican Rip Van Winkle
Think of O'Neill as some centrist Republican Rip Van Winkle, who came back to a GOP White House after 25 years only to find that his pragmatic approach to public problem-solving made him an alien to be ignored or a prop to be used for "cover" by zealots.."
Bruce Reed of the DLC is trying hard to crush Howard Dean by "going negative" on him
Last night on Charlie Rose, I saw Bruce Reed of the DLC ripping away at Howard Dean..attacking his viability, his electability, his style, his campaign...practically everything about the man. At the same time, Reed went on and on about the glory of being positive. What a hypocrite! Kerry attacked Dean in the debates at nearly every turn.
The DLC is lining up a disaster for November if they are falling for the old "must stay positive".
The GOP is going to use that against them...and yet they submit. We are going to need a tiger to stand up against Bush.This playing nicey-nice is not going to make the big cut.
Here's an example (from the bitterly partisan Washington Dispatch) of how the GOP will turn it around to bite a DLC candidate in the nice little a*s:
In today's N.Y. Times column, Paul Krugman writes:
Last night on Charlie Rose, I saw Bruce Reed of the DLC ripping away at Howard Dean..attacking his viability, his electability, his style, his campaign...practically everything about the man. At the same time, Reed went on and on about the glory of being positive. What a hypocrite! Kerry attacked Dean in the debates at nearly every turn.
The DLC is lining up a disaster for November if they are falling for the old "must stay positive".
The GOP is going to use that against them...and yet they submit. We are going to need a tiger to stand up against Bush.This playing nicey-nice is not going to make the big cut.
Here's an example (from the bitterly partisan Washington Dispatch) of how the GOP will turn it around to bite a DLC candidate in the nice little a*s:
"The reason is that the DLC could wind up the real loser in Clark’s latest attempt to go ultra-negative in his attacks against the president and desert any positive tone in his campaign. The DLC bailed on its original candidate, John Edwards once his campaign seemed to stall early on. But Edwards stayed positive in Iowa despite early poll numbers that were in the single digits and is now polling well. Edwards now has an outside shot at winning in Iowa and can spin any close finish in Iowa into a victory as he came from way back to become competitive by staying above the fray. He will then use that in an attempt to bolster his positive campaign as the way to compete against the president. John Edwards has stayed positive while Wesley Clark has come unhinged with his accusations and negativity.Wesley Clark unhinged? Do you see what's going on here? Any candidate coming out against Bush in an assertive and aggressive manner will be categorized as "unhinged...angry" by the Bushies. Will the DLC abandon Wes Clark for a "gentler, kinder" candidate? If there's one thing the Democrats don't need , it's more wimps.
And that leaves the DLC with a dilemma.
Back an ex-General who was so uncontrollable in his last gig as the Supreme Commander of NATO that the Pentagon had to fire him over the phone, or throw everything behind the only positive campaigner in the entire Democratic field, John Edwards."
In today's N.Y. Times column, Paul Krugman writes:
"...some Americans will respond to upbeat messages, no matter how unrealistic. And that may be enough for Mr. Bush, because while he poses as someone above the fray, he is continuing to solidify his base...the lying has already begun, with the Republican National Committee's willful misrepresentation of Wesley Clark's prewar statements. (Why are news organizations letting them get away with this?)"
Trading Votes: This is how it happens in the Iowa Caucus
HERE'S A GREAT ARTICLE ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUS
Springfield News-Sun:
OHIO: One thing's sure, nothing's certain
Zogby: How Arab Americans will vote in Presidential race
"...Five minutes later, after a plea from Lyle Canceco, a 27-year-old political operative from Seattle who came to Iowa to be a precinct captain for Mr. Edwards, Mr. Kucinich's supporters joined the Edwards group.I'll be looking forward to see what New Hampshire, a non-caucus state, has to say. I want to see what happens when you have people going into the booth and deciding as individuals...without changing candidates because their preferred (weaker) candidate told them to go to a particular alternate candidate.
Meanwhile, most of the Gephardt supporters joined Mr. Kerry's supporters...."
HERE'S A GREAT ARTICLE ABOUT THE IOWA CAUCUS
Springfield News-Sun:
OHIO: One thing's sure, nothing's certain
"..If Democrats and Republicans agree on anything, it's this: The winner of Monday's Democratic caucus in Iowa will not have a free ride to the party's presidential nomination."..and I believe that Howard Dean will stand a good chance of winning Ohio.
Zogby: How Arab Americans will vote in Presidential race
"In the 2000 presidential election, Bush won 44.5 per cent of the community's vote. In a poll conducted in July 2003, Bush's support had dropped to 34 per cent, while in this January 2004 poll, his totals have further declined to 28 per cent. ...On the Democratic side, thirty-six per cent of Arab Americans indicated their preference for Dean in the Democratic primary. No other Democrat received a double-digit response. Retired General Wesley Clark received the support of nine per cent of Arab Americans, followed by Senator John Kerry with six per cent.
New Hampshire Primary Trivia:
Two tiny villages in northern New Hampshire -- Dixville Notch and Hart's Location (Population-37) -- will be the first to vote in next Tuesday's primary, as they do in presidential elections. Both have a tradition in which all citizens vote at midnight after which the votes are counted. In Dixville Notch, there are 23 voters: 12 Republicans, 11 independents and no Democrats. The 11 independents are eligible to vote in the Democratic primary.
Wow--Have you seen the Wentworth?
Now I've Heard Everything
Too many cannabinoids-
A guy ODs on Pot?!
"REPEAT AD NAUSEUM" button.
Two tiny villages in northern New Hampshire -- Dixville Notch and Hart's Location (Population-37) -- will be the first to vote in next Tuesday's primary, as they do in presidential elections. Both have a tradition in which all citizens vote at midnight after which the votes are counted. In Dixville Notch, there are 23 voters: 12 Republicans, 11 independents and no Democrats. The 11 independents are eligible to vote in the Democratic primary.
Wow--Have you seen the Wentworth?
Now I've Heard Everything
Too many cannabinoids-
A guy ODs on Pot?!
"A man of 36 is believed to have become the first person in Britain to die directly from cannabis poisoning."Well, there's one rare instance of which the drug czars will grab hold while they push the
"REPEAT AD NAUSEUM" button.
Lawrence Journal-World:
Young Republicans Crash Dean concert--Young Republicans get violent
COMPANION STORY HERE
Something tells me this is only the beginning. These Republican kids are a pretty angry lot.
Young Republicans Crash Dean concert--Young Republicans get violent
"...Weinberg saw dozens of college-age supporters of President George W. Bush crash Saturday night's Dean bash at Drake University, which featured rock singer Joan Jett and comedian Janeane Garafalo.
Weinberg was close to the stage with a video camera and taped some of the Republicans who came in with signs, banners and chanted Bush's name. They grabbed signs from Dean supporters and one of them bumped Jett, Weinberg said. "She said, ‘You can hit me, but don't mess with my guitar,'" Weinberg said. "It was absolutely incredible."
Dean supporters started singing the national anthem to drown out the Bush people, who were finally ushered out by security, Weinberg said..."
COMPANION STORY HERE
Something tells me this is only the beginning. These Republican kids are a pretty angry lot.
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