From Crooks & Liars (excerpt):
Statement of September 11th Advocates
Response to "Godless"
We did not choose to become widowed on September 11, 2001. The attack, which tore our families apart and destroyed our former lives, caused us to ask some serious questions regarding the systems that our country has in place to protect its citizens. Through our constant research, we came to learn how the protocols were supposed to have worked. Thus, we asked for an independent commission to investigate the loopholes which obviously existed and allowed us to be so utterly vulnerable to terrorists. Our only motivation ever was to make our Nation safer. Could we learn from this tragedy so that it would not be repeated?
We are forced to respond to Ms. Coulter’s accusations to set the record straight because we have been slandered. Contrary to Ms. Coulter’s statements, there was no joy in watching men that we loved burn alive. There was no happiness in telling our children that their fathers were never coming home again. We adored these men and miss them every day. It is in their honor and memory, that we will once again refocus the Nation’s attention to the real issues at hand: our lack of security, leadership and progress in the five years since 9/11. We are continuously reminded that we are still a nation at risk. Therefore, the following is a partial list of areas still desperately in need of attention and public outcry. We should continuously be holding the feet of our elected officials to the fire to fix these shortcomings.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
HOW THE MEDIA COVERED CA-50
Republican wins bellwether House race
By ROBERT TANNER
AP National Writer
Jun 7, 5:49 AM EDT
A former Republican congressman narrowly beat his Democratic rival early Wednesday for the right to fill the House seat once held by jailed Randy "Duke" Cunningham, a race closely watched as a possible early barometer of next fall's vote.
Republican Brian Bilbray emerged victorious after a costly and contentious special election race against Democrat Francine Busby, a local school board member who ran against Cunningham in 2004.
With 90 percent of precincts reporting, Bilbray had 56,130 votes or 49.5 percent. Busby trailed with 51,292 votes or 45 percent. "I think that we're going back to Washington," Bilbray told cheering supporters.
The race - one of dozens of contests Tuesday in eight states - was viewed by Democrats as an opportunity to capture a solidly Republican district and build momentum on their hopes to capture control of the House.
National Democrats spent nearly $2 million on the race; the GOP spent $4.5 million.
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush recorded telephone messages for Bilbray, while the Democrats' last two presidential candidates - John Kerry and Al Gore - urged supporters to back Busby.
AP gets the basic facts right and doesn't spin for either side.
GOP Candidate Leads in Pivotal House Race
The contest to replace Cunningham may be a sign of how scandals will influence voters this fall.
By Tony Perry and Rone Tempest,
LA Times Staff Writers
June 7, 2006
Bilbray had inched ahead of his Democratic foe, Francine Busby, 55, a school board member in suburban Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Busby had hammered repeatedly on the theme of ending a "culture of corruption" that erupted under President Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress.
The fight for the 50th Congressional District was seen as an early test of whether Democrats could capitalize on Bush's plummeting approval ratings to regain a majority in at least one house of Congress.
Between what the two candidates raised, and what the national parties have spent, the price tag for the race tops $10 million — much of it spent on negative television ads. In recent days, Bilbray received $7,000 from San Diego Chargers owner Alex Spanos and his family, and $5,000 from the New Majority Political Action Committee. Spanos and New Majority are major patrons of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Bilbray also benefited from fundraising efforts by Vice President Dick Cheney. Bilbray said Tuesday night that he had surged in recent days, and lauded First Lady Laura Bush for her campaign help; she made automated phone calls on his behalf. "Laura is great," Bilbray said. If he emerged victorious, Bilbray added, he would vote against amnesty for illegal immigrants and in favor of a constitutional amendment to prohibit gay marriage.
Republicans hold a wide registration lead over Democrats, 44% to 30%, and the district has reliably voted for Republican presidential candidates. In an April 11 preliminary to Tuesday's runoff, Busby, who had lost to Cunningham in 2004, finished first with 44% of the vote. Bilbray, facing a dozen Republicans, was second with 15%.
An early story by the LAT that gives us more facts than the AP story.
Bilbray edges out Busby
Rep. Filner beats Democratic rival in latest rematch
By Philip J. LaVelle and Dani Dodge
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERS
2:12 a.m. June 7, 2006
Republican Brian Bilbray beat Democrat Francine Busby early Wednesday in a close race to replace imprisoned former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham in the 50th Congressional District, a contest seen as a gauge of voter attitudes for the national midterm elections.
This year's race pitted a Democrat against a Republican seen by many in his own party as too liberal on social issues, including abortion rights, which he supports. There were nasty TV attack ads financed by both Republican and Democratic national parties and visits by high-profile party leaders.
Despite a substantial Republican voter-registration advantage – 44 Republican, 30 percent Democrat and 22 percent independent – polls suggested a dead heat.
Busby focused her campaign on ethics and the “culture of corruption” in Washington – a popular theme among Democratic congressional candidates this year.
But immigration become the defining issue, reflecting its standing atop public opinion surveys in California.
Busby supports the U.S. Senate's immigration bill, which calls for a comprehensive approach to immigration, including a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants along with enforcement measures.
Bilbray supports the harder-line House immigration bill, focused exclusively on enforcement, and has said he favors building a fence from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.
The San Diego Union-Tribune lets us know a little more about Bilbray and each candidates stance on immigration.
By ROBERT TANNER
AP National Writer
Jun 7, 5:49 AM EDT
A former Republican congressman narrowly beat his Democratic rival early Wednesday for the right to fill the House seat once held by jailed Randy "Duke" Cunningham, a race closely watched as a possible early barometer of next fall's vote.
Republican Brian Bilbray emerged victorious after a costly and contentious special election race against Democrat Francine Busby, a local school board member who ran against Cunningham in 2004.
With 90 percent of precincts reporting, Bilbray had 56,130 votes or 49.5 percent. Busby trailed with 51,292 votes or 45 percent. "I think that we're going back to Washington," Bilbray told cheering supporters.
The race - one of dozens of contests Tuesday in eight states - was viewed by Democrats as an opportunity to capture a solidly Republican district and build momentum on their hopes to capture control of the House.
National Democrats spent nearly $2 million on the race; the GOP spent $4.5 million.
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush recorded telephone messages for Bilbray, while the Democrats' last two presidential candidates - John Kerry and Al Gore - urged supporters to back Busby.
AP gets the basic facts right and doesn't spin for either side.
GOP Candidate Leads in Pivotal House Race
The contest to replace Cunningham may be a sign of how scandals will influence voters this fall.
By Tony Perry and Rone Tempest,
LA Times Staff Writers
June 7, 2006
Bilbray had inched ahead of his Democratic foe, Francine Busby, 55, a school board member in suburban Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Busby had hammered repeatedly on the theme of ending a "culture of corruption" that erupted under President Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress.
The fight for the 50th Congressional District was seen as an early test of whether Democrats could capitalize on Bush's plummeting approval ratings to regain a majority in at least one house of Congress.
Between what the two candidates raised, and what the national parties have spent, the price tag for the race tops $10 million — much of it spent on negative television ads. In recent days, Bilbray received $7,000 from San Diego Chargers owner Alex Spanos and his family, and $5,000 from the New Majority Political Action Committee. Spanos and New Majority are major patrons of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Bilbray also benefited from fundraising efforts by Vice President Dick Cheney. Bilbray said Tuesday night that he had surged in recent days, and lauded First Lady Laura Bush for her campaign help; she made automated phone calls on his behalf. "Laura is great," Bilbray said. If he emerged victorious, Bilbray added, he would vote against amnesty for illegal immigrants and in favor of a constitutional amendment to prohibit gay marriage.
Republicans hold a wide registration lead over Democrats, 44% to 30%, and the district has reliably voted for Republican presidential candidates. In an April 11 preliminary to Tuesday's runoff, Busby, who had lost to Cunningham in 2004, finished first with 44% of the vote. Bilbray, facing a dozen Republicans, was second with 15%.
An early story by the LAT that gives us more facts than the AP story.
Bilbray edges out Busby
Rep. Filner beats Democratic rival in latest rematch
By Philip J. LaVelle and Dani Dodge
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERS
2:12 a.m. June 7, 2006
Republican Brian Bilbray beat Democrat Francine Busby early Wednesday in a close race to replace imprisoned former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham in the 50th Congressional District, a contest seen as a gauge of voter attitudes for the national midterm elections.
This year's race pitted a Democrat against a Republican seen by many in his own party as too liberal on social issues, including abortion rights, which he supports. There were nasty TV attack ads financed by both Republican and Democratic national parties and visits by high-profile party leaders.
Despite a substantial Republican voter-registration advantage – 44 Republican, 30 percent Democrat and 22 percent independent – polls suggested a dead heat.
Busby focused her campaign on ethics and the “culture of corruption” in Washington – a popular theme among Democratic congressional candidates this year.
But immigration become the defining issue, reflecting its standing atop public opinion surveys in California.
Busby supports the U.S. Senate's immigration bill, which calls for a comprehensive approach to immigration, including a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants along with enforcement measures.
Bilbray supports the harder-line House immigration bill, focused exclusively on enforcement, and has said he favors building a fence from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.
The San Diego Union-Tribune lets us know a little more about Bilbray and each candidates stance on immigration.
THE BIG DAWG WINS AGAIN!!!
Results from an online AOL poll:
Who is more likely to sway your vote?
Clinton
71%
Bush
29%
Total Votes: 362,779
Who do you trust more on the campaign trail?
Clinton
70%
Bush
30%
Total Votes: 362,694
Who is more likely to sway your vote?
Clinton
71%
Bush
29%
Total Votes: 362,779
Who do you trust more on the campaign trail?
Clinton
70%
Bush
30%
Total Votes: 362,694
CALIFORNIA - 50TH DISTRICT
As I write this, it looks like the GOP will retain Duke Cunningham's seat for the next 7 months so I'd like to get a head start on providing some context by looking at the past results. Chris Bowers provides more insight into the 50th and tells us why we should be encouraged by the results.
2004
California 50
Cunningham
(Incumbent)
169,025 58%
Busby
105,590 37%
Waayers
6,504 2%
Templin
4,723 2%
Osborne
3,486 1%
2002
California 50
Cunningham
(incumbent)
98,030
64%
Stewart
50,202
33%
Fontanesi
5,130
3%
In 2000, Cunningham was in the 51st district and Bilbray lost his seat in the 49th district to a Democrat. Duke beat his opponent Baraza , 64% to 31%.
In 1998, Duke beat Kripke in the 51st district, 61% to 35%. In the 49th district, Bilbray beat Kehoe, 49% to 47%.
2004
California 50
Cunningham
(Incumbent)
169,025 58%
Busby
105,590 37%
Waayers
6,504 2%
Templin
4,723 2%
Osborne
3,486 1%
2002
California 50
Cunningham
(incumbent)
98,030
64%
Stewart
50,202
33%
Fontanesi
5,130
3%
In 2000, Cunningham was in the 51st district and Bilbray lost his seat in the 49th district to a Democrat. Duke beat his opponent Baraza , 64% to 31%.
In 1998, Duke beat Kripke in the 51st district, 61% to 35%. In the 49th district, Bilbray beat Kehoe, 49% to 47%.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
THE SHAMELESS RADICAL RIGHT
(Via Atrios)
ThinkProgress has the video and transcript of Coulter's appearance on NBC's The Today Show. Here's what the bitch wrote about the 9-11 widows in her new book:
These broads are millionaires, lionized on TV and in articles about them, reveling in their status as celebrities and stalked by grief-arazzies. I have never seen people enjoying their husbands’ death so much.
In addition to that vicious smear, Coulter claims that the Left uses people like the widows because they can't be responded to without making the responder seem to doubt the widows authenticity. This complaint is preposterous because most of the attacks by the radical Right on war critics like Sen. Kerry, Max Cleland, Cindy Sheehan, Joe Wilson, John Murtha and the 8 generals who spoke out were aimed at the authenticity of the critics.
ThinkProgress has the video and transcript of Coulter's appearance on NBC's The Today Show. Here's what the bitch wrote about the 9-11 widows in her new book:
These broads are millionaires, lionized on TV and in articles about them, reveling in their status as celebrities and stalked by grief-arazzies. I have never seen people enjoying their husbands’ death so much.
In addition to that vicious smear, Coulter claims that the Left uses people like the widows because they can't be responded to without making the responder seem to doubt the widows authenticity. This complaint is preposterous because most of the attacks by the radical Right on war critics like Sen. Kerry, Max Cleland, Cindy Sheehan, Joe Wilson, John Murtha and the 8 generals who spoke out were aimed at the authenticity of the critics.
RADIO TIDBITS
Slots Bennett the War Whore just lied to his audience by telling them that 15 of the 18 Iraqi provinces are pretty much OK when the truth is just the opposite. Slots said a day or two ago that his son, who recently was graduated from Princeton, is 22 but so far we haven't heard about him enlisting.
LATE NIGHT FLOYD
A poster noted that a particularly obnoxious wingnut reminded him of the tune "Waiting for the Worms." I didn't get the reference but after reading the lyrics, it makes sense.
"Ein, zwei, drei, ha ha!"
Ooooh, you cannot reach me now
Ooooh, no matter how you try
Goodbye, cruel world, it's over
Walk on by.
Sitting in a bunker here behind my wall
Waiting for the worms to come.
In perfect isolation here behind my wall
Waiting for the worms to come.
We're {waiting to succeed} and going to convene outside Brixton
Town Hall where we're going to be...
Waiting to cut out the deadwood.
Waiting to clean up the city.
Waiting to follow the worms.
Waiting to put on a black shirt.
Waiting to weed out the weaklings.
Waiting to smash in their windows
And kick in their doors.
Waiting for the final solution
To strengthen the strain.
Waiting to follow the worms.
Waiting to turn on the showers
And fire the ovens.
Waiting for the queers and the coons
and the reds and the jews.
Waiting to follow the worms.
Would you like to see Britannia
Rule again, my friend?
All you have to do is follow the worms.
Would you like to send our colored cousins
Home again, my friend?
All you need to do is follow the worms.
The Worms will convene outside Brixton Bus Station. We'll be moving along at about 12 o'clock down Stockwell Road {.... ......} {Abbot's Road } {.....} twelve minutes to three we'll be moving along Lambeth Road towards Vauxhall Bridge. Now when we get to the other side of Vauxhall Bridge we're in Westminster {Borough } area. It's quite possible we may encounter some jew boys by the way we go. {... ..}."
"Ein, zwei, drei, ha ha!"
Ooooh, you cannot reach me now
Ooooh, no matter how you try
Goodbye, cruel world, it's over
Walk on by.
Sitting in a bunker here behind my wall
Waiting for the worms to come.
In perfect isolation here behind my wall
Waiting for the worms to come.
We're {waiting to succeed} and going to convene outside Brixton
Town Hall where we're going to be...
Waiting to cut out the deadwood.
Waiting to clean up the city.
Waiting to follow the worms.
Waiting to put on a black shirt.
Waiting to weed out the weaklings.
Waiting to smash in their windows
And kick in their doors.
Waiting for the final solution
To strengthen the strain.
Waiting to follow the worms.
Waiting to turn on the showers
And fire the ovens.
Waiting for the queers and the coons
and the reds and the jews.
Waiting to follow the worms.
Would you like to see Britannia
Rule again, my friend?
All you have to do is follow the worms.
Would you like to send our colored cousins
Home again, my friend?
All you need to do is follow the worms.
The Worms will convene outside Brixton Bus Station. We'll be moving along at about 12 o'clock down Stockwell Road {.... ......} {Abbot's Road } {.....} twelve minutes to three we'll be moving along Lambeth Road towards Vauxhall Bridge. Now when we get to the other side of Vauxhall Bridge we're in Westminster {Borough } area. It's quite possible we may encounter some jew boys by the way we go. {... ..}."
Monday, June 05, 2006
AARGH!! I AM SO SICK OF THIS SHIT!
Time and time again, some Dem will make a stupid verbal blunder and the GOP Noise Machine will run it into the ground. The latest Dem idiot is Francine Busby who is (was?) in a tight race to complete the remainder of "Duke" Cunningham's term in the House. A win here by Busby could help create a script about this being a time for a change that the MSM could run with from now until November but NOOOOOOO, idiot Francine screws up just before the election. Even if she overcomes this, there is simply no excuse for this type of blunder.
The AP gives us the ugly details and I've highlighted the idiot remark:
CARLSBAD, Calif. (June 5) - Republicans seized on Democrat Francine Busby's comments that sounded like encouragement for illegal immigrants to help her campaign as the GOP sought an edge in the final hours of a surprisingly close House race.
Immigration looms large in the runoff election Tuesday in the San Diego-area district some 30 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. Busby's remarks, and her subsequent explanation that she misspoke, has drawn much of the attention in the race's last days.
Speaking to a largely Hispanic audience last Thursday, Busby faced a Spanish-speaking questioner who said he wanted to help her campaign but lacked voting papers. The question was translated into English and she responded, "Everybody can help. You can all help. You don't need papers for voting, you don't need to be a registered voter to help."
Busby's GOP rival, Brian Bilbray, criticized the Democrat, saying she was encouraging possible illegal immigrants to volunteer for the campaign. On Monday, the GOP launched a radio ad that said, "That's right. Francine Busby says you don't need papers to vote."
Busby said repeatedly throughout the weekend that she misspoke. She said she had been trying to encourage underage high school students or people who weren't registered - but are in the country legally - to participate in the political process.
"I had a slip of the tongue and I corrected it immediately," Busby said. "I want to make it unequivocal that I do not support anyone who is here illegally voting or working on campaigns."
The AP gives us the ugly details and I've highlighted the idiot remark:
CARLSBAD, Calif. (June 5) - Republicans seized on Democrat Francine Busby's comments that sounded like encouragement for illegal immigrants to help her campaign as the GOP sought an edge in the final hours of a surprisingly close House race.
Immigration looms large in the runoff election Tuesday in the San Diego-area district some 30 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. Busby's remarks, and her subsequent explanation that she misspoke, has drawn much of the attention in the race's last days.
Speaking to a largely Hispanic audience last Thursday, Busby faced a Spanish-speaking questioner who said he wanted to help her campaign but lacked voting papers. The question was translated into English and she responded, "Everybody can help. You can all help. You don't need papers for voting, you don't need to be a registered voter to help."
Busby's GOP rival, Brian Bilbray, criticized the Democrat, saying she was encouraging possible illegal immigrants to volunteer for the campaign. On Monday, the GOP launched a radio ad that said, "That's right. Francine Busby says you don't need papers to vote."
Busby said repeatedly throughout the weekend that she misspoke. She said she had been trying to encourage underage high school students or people who weren't registered - but are in the country legally - to participate in the political process.
"I had a slip of the tongue and I corrected it immediately," Busby said. "I want to make it unequivocal that I do not support anyone who is here illegally voting or working on campaigns."
colmes LANDS A HARD LEFT HOOK!!!
It's about time he pushes back against Shammity! colmes interviewed Howard Dean helping out in New Orleans 9th Ward and the little bitch wailed "photo op, photo op." From The NewsHounds:
“By the way, it was not a photo op. You know what would have made a photo op for Howard Dean? If he had said ‘Mission Accomplished.’ "
“By the way, it was not a photo op. You know what would have made a photo op for Howard Dean? If he had said ‘Mission Accomplished.’ "
IRAQ VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR
(From theyrereal, a commenter on a SusanG diary at DKos)
In March 2006, the BBC aired a short documentary about American Iraq veterans. The video is currently available here and this quote about 18:17 in was chilling:
"When we first got down there, you could basically kill anyone you want."
In March 2006, the BBC aired a short documentary about American Iraq veterans. The video is currently available here and this quote about 18:17 in was chilling:
"When we first got down there, you could basically kill anyone you want."
PANTY-SNIFFING AT THE NY TIMES
(Via Atrios and Crooks & Liars)
Greg Sargeant at The American Prospect takes Byron Calame, the Times ombudsman, to task for defending the gossip article about Hillary & Bill Clinton that appeared on the front page of the Times. Here I'd like to concentrate on just a few sentences of Calame's lame defense:
Careful editing was evident throughout the article, which was cleared by both Bill Keller, the executive editor, and Jill Abramson, the managing editor for news. If anything, I think the cautious editing occasionally left the story appearing too considerate to the Clintons; I'm actually surprised so little has been heard from their critics about that.
When it comes to deciding whether to report on political figures' private lives, "few cases are as clear as the Clinton marriage," Mr. Keller wrote to me in an e-mail last week. "It would be irresponsible NOT to take a hard look at how these two people relate and operate as a couple." Joseph Sexton, the metro editor, whose reporters are involved in covering the senator from New York, said the story "grew out of a meeting of editors weeks ago aimed at developing lines of reporting for covering Hillary's re-election campaign and potential bid for the presidency."
I'd like to know exactly why Calame thinks it was "too considerate." Is it because they didn't run it by Matt Drudge first? If the rabid Clinton-haters haven't bitched that the article is too nice to the Clintons, isn't that a sign that it isn't?
Keller thinks that the Clinton marriage is "fair game" and suggests that there are other clear cases that are also. Now, I would think that would include the adulterers Newt Gingrich and Rudy Giuliani and I wonder if Mr. Keller thinks so too?
Most disturbing was the remark by Sexton. This seems to show that the Times has decided on a script to follow when covering Hillary and thanks to the Daily Howler, we all know what the script did to Al Gore in the 2000 race and is still doing today.
Greg Sargeant at The American Prospect takes Byron Calame, the Times ombudsman, to task for defending the gossip article about Hillary & Bill Clinton that appeared on the front page of the Times. Here I'd like to concentrate on just a few sentences of Calame's lame defense:
Careful editing was evident throughout the article, which was cleared by both Bill Keller, the executive editor, and Jill Abramson, the managing editor for news. If anything, I think the cautious editing occasionally left the story appearing too considerate to the Clintons; I'm actually surprised so little has been heard from their critics about that.
When it comes to deciding whether to report on political figures' private lives, "few cases are as clear as the Clinton marriage," Mr. Keller wrote to me in an e-mail last week. "It would be irresponsible NOT to take a hard look at how these two people relate and operate as a couple." Joseph Sexton, the metro editor, whose reporters are involved in covering the senator from New York, said the story "grew out of a meeting of editors weeks ago aimed at developing lines of reporting for covering Hillary's re-election campaign and potential bid for the presidency."
I'd like to know exactly why Calame thinks it was "too considerate." Is it because they didn't run it by Matt Drudge first? If the rabid Clinton-haters haven't bitched that the article is too nice to the Clintons, isn't that a sign that it isn't?
Keller thinks that the Clinton marriage is "fair game" and suggests that there are other clear cases that are also. Now, I would think that would include the adulterers Newt Gingrich and Rudy Giuliani and I wonder if Mr. Keller thinks so too?
Most disturbing was the remark by Sexton. This seems to show that the Times has decided on a script to follow when covering Hillary and thanks to the Daily Howler, we all know what the script did to Al Gore in the 2000 race and is still doing today.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
I VISIT A MILBLOGGER
Mudville Gazette played WATB about the press coverage of Haditha and I decided to wade in and fight the lies and breath-taking ignorance of the commenters.
Here are some of the idiotic comments I responded to:
The enemy knows that there will be people like yourself that wants us to lose that will carry the ball for them.
The LA Times wrote an article saying we could not fault William Jefferson for the $900,000 he stole because he grew up poor.
Another was John Kerry's Winter Soldier smear as well as John Kerry's smear in front of Congress in 1971.
the enemy has a picture of John Kerry up in their museum as a tribute to him helping them win the war
I seem to recall that he [FDR] decided to attack Germany, not Japan.
And Germany never attacked us.
the picture was originally put up in the museum dedicated to supporters of Communist North Vietnam.
Or was in the day when lefties spit on the troops.
The North was ready to negotiate in '68 until they read the American newspaper reporrts. You could use an education. Read Giap.
Here are some of the idiotic comments I responded to:
The enemy knows that there will be people like yourself that wants us to lose that will carry the ball for them.
The LA Times wrote an article saying we could not fault William Jefferson for the $900,000 he stole because he grew up poor.
Another was John Kerry's Winter Soldier smear as well as John Kerry's smear in front of Congress in 1971.
the enemy has a picture of John Kerry up in their museum as a tribute to him helping them win the war
I seem to recall that he [FDR] decided to attack Germany, not Japan.
And Germany never attacked us.
the picture was originally put up in the museum dedicated to supporters of Communist North Vietnam.
Or was in the day when lefties spit on the troops.
The North was ready to negotiate in '68 until they read the American newspaper reporrts. You could use an education. Read Giap.
RADIO TIDBITS
Sludge, of all people, decried the unfounded rumors being circulated by the Left, specifically the reports about an imminent Rove indictment and the Madsen report that Laura Bush has moved out of the WH because Fredo is having an affair with Condi Rice.
Sludge claimed that Gore's movie is doing poorly but doesn't mention the fact that it has a very limited rollout. As Atrios notes, it's only in 77 theaters, compared to the several thousand for other higher-grossing movies.
Sludge then slams a hip-hop version of the Scriptures and tries to claim that he really knows what "PHAT" means. Yup, a goofy, pasty white, middle-aged male homosexual is tuned into hip-hop culture.
One caller made an idiotic connection between Gore's movie and Brokeback Mountain. Another fool claimed that if the glaciers melted, the ocean level would not rise even one inch.
Sludge claimed that Gore's movie is doing poorly but doesn't mention the fact that it has a very limited rollout. As Atrios notes, it's only in 77 theaters, compared to the several thousand for other higher-grossing movies.
Sludge then slams a hip-hop version of the Scriptures and tries to claim that he really knows what "PHAT" means. Yup, a goofy, pasty white, middle-aged male homosexual is tuned into hip-hop culture.
One caller made an idiotic connection between Gore's movie and Brokeback Mountain. Another fool claimed that if the glaciers melted, the ocean level would not rise even one inch.
HEAR THAT HISSING SOUND?
It's what's left of the Housing Bubble.
Foreclosures go up sharply here
Trend linked to slowed home sales,
inflation, adjustable rate mortgages
by Joseph Barrios
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Tucson, Arizona Published: 06.04.2006
Foreclosures are increasing in Pima County as the housing market slows, inflation accelerates and creative financing plans mature, experts say.
The number of foreclosure proceedings in Pima County that were initiated by lenders reached 1,199 in the first three months of 2006, a 27 percent increase over the 943 filings in the first quarter of 2005, according to RealtyTrac Inc., a real estate data company based in Irvine, Calif.
Statewide, the increase in foreclosure filings was 6 percent. But the news isn't all bad. While the number of foreclosure proceedings has increased at home, we're still faring better than the nation as a whole. For the United States, the increase between the same periods was 59 percent.
One reason for the increase is the relative difficulty in selling homes, experts said.
Some experts fear the foreclosure numbers may get worse soon because the terms of many adjustable-rate mortgages are about to change. These mortgages typically have a short period — three, five or seven years — at a low, fixed rate before shifting to a free-floating market rate. The fixed periods of thousands of mortgages are about to end, and with interest rates rising, customers' payments may rise dramatically.
Add in the the rising price of gasoline and higher credit-card payments and homeowners may find themselves in a bind, said Dennis Rosen, a Tucson lawyer who deals in foreclosures and also holds a mortgage broker's license.
Foreclosures go up sharply here
Trend linked to slowed home sales,
inflation, adjustable rate mortgages
by Joseph Barrios
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Tucson, Arizona Published: 06.04.2006
Foreclosures are increasing in Pima County as the housing market slows, inflation accelerates and creative financing plans mature, experts say.
The number of foreclosure proceedings in Pima County that were initiated by lenders reached 1,199 in the first three months of 2006, a 27 percent increase over the 943 filings in the first quarter of 2005, according to RealtyTrac Inc., a real estate data company based in Irvine, Calif.
Statewide, the increase in foreclosure filings was 6 percent. But the news isn't all bad. While the number of foreclosure proceedings has increased at home, we're still faring better than the nation as a whole. For the United States, the increase between the same periods was 59 percent.
One reason for the increase is the relative difficulty in selling homes, experts said.
Some experts fear the foreclosure numbers may get worse soon because the terms of many adjustable-rate mortgages are about to change. These mortgages typically have a short period — three, five or seven years — at a low, fixed rate before shifting to a free-floating market rate. The fixed periods of thousands of mortgages are about to end, and with interest rates rising, customers' payments may rise dramatically.
Add in the the rising price of gasoline and higher credit-card payments and homeowners may find themselves in a bind, said Dennis Rosen, a Tucson lawyer who deals in foreclosures and also holds a mortgage broker's license.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
3 LETTER WORD FOR "PANDER"
ANSWER: GOP
(Via Atrios)
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Wolf.
Guess what Monday is? Monday is the day President Bush will speak about an issue near and dear to his heart and the hearts of many conservatives. It's also the day before the Senate votes on the very same thing. Is it the war? Deficits? Health insurance? Immigration? Iran? North Korea?
Not even close. No, the president is going to talk about amending the Constitution in order to ban gay marriage. This is something that absolutely, positively has no chance of happening, nada, zippo, none. But that doesn't matter. Mr. Bush will take time to make a speech. The Senate will take time to talk and vote on it, because it's something that matters to the Republican base.
This is pure politics. If has nothing to do with whether or not you believe in gay marriage. It's blatant posturing by Republicans, who are increasingly desperate as the midterm elections approach. There's not a lot else to get people interested in voting on them, based on their record of the last five years.
But if you can appeal to the hatred, bigotry, or discrimination in some people, you might move them to the polls to vote against that big, bad gay married couple that one day might in down the street.
(Via Atrios)
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Wolf.
Guess what Monday is? Monday is the day President Bush will speak about an issue near and dear to his heart and the hearts of many conservatives. It's also the day before the Senate votes on the very same thing. Is it the war? Deficits? Health insurance? Immigration? Iran? North Korea?
Not even close. No, the president is going to talk about amending the Constitution in order to ban gay marriage. This is something that absolutely, positively has no chance of happening, nada, zippo, none. But that doesn't matter. Mr. Bush will take time to make a speech. The Senate will take time to talk and vote on it, because it's something that matters to the Republican base.
This is pure politics. If has nothing to do with whether or not you believe in gay marriage. It's blatant posturing by Republicans, who are increasingly desperate as the midterm elections approach. There's not a lot else to get people interested in voting on them, based on their record of the last five years.
But if you can appeal to the hatred, bigotry, or discrimination in some people, you might move them to the polls to vote against that big, bad gay married couple that one day might in down the street.
MURTHA (& KLINE)
The wingnuts went ballistic on Rep. Murtha's comments about Haditha but were pretty quiet about Rep. John Kline.
From the LA Times:
Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.), a retired Marine colonel, said there was clearly an attempt to cover up the incident by those involved. But he said he did not think the Marine command was slow in investigating.
"There is no question that the Marines involved, those doing the shooting, they were busy in lying about it and covering it up — there is no question about it," Kline said.
From CNN:
"This was a small number of Marines who fired directly on civilians and killed them," said Representative John Kline, a Minnesota Republican and former Marine who was briefed two weeks ago by Marine Corps officials. "This is going to be an ugly story.
Of course, IOKIYAR.
From the LA Times:
Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.), a retired Marine colonel, said there was clearly an attempt to cover up the incident by those involved. But he said he did not think the Marine command was slow in investigating.
"There is no question that the Marines involved, those doing the shooting, they were busy in lying about it and covering it up — there is no question about it," Kline said.
From CNN:
"This was a small number of Marines who fired directly on civilians and killed them," said Representative John Kline, a Minnesota Republican and former Marine who was briefed two weeks ago by Marine Corps officials. "This is going to be an ugly story.
Of course, IOKIYAR.
BEN STEIN
Fats finally put up a link to the Stein article he read on the air today. It appeared in the American Spectator, the wingnut rag that David Brock used to write for before he came to his senses.
Stein begins with this sentence:
Now for a few thoughts about the war in Iraq and historic context.
He's going to later claim that FDR, JFK and LBJ committed greater blunders, so Fredo's mistake is no big deal. As far as JFK and LBJ go, the loss in Vietnam did not lead to a decrease in our national security but the loss in Iraq certainly has. In fact, a military historian not named Hanson has decribed Iraq as the greatest blunder since Biblical times. Although FDR did not live to see the successful conclusion of WW 2, let's take a look at the respective time frames:
Stein's next sentence is designed to make people believe that only those on the Left are critical of the Iraq War:
First, I keep running into men and women of the left who tell me that going into Iraq unprepared and undermanned and under-armed was the worst foreign policy and defense mistake this government has ever made.
This dishonestly ignores all the criticism from the Right but that is typical wingnut thinking, best summarized as "Get Lefty."
Stein begins with this sentence:
Now for a few thoughts about the war in Iraq and historic context.
He's going to later claim that FDR, JFK and LBJ committed greater blunders, so Fredo's mistake is no big deal. As far as JFK and LBJ go, the loss in Vietnam did not lead to a decrease in our national security but the loss in Iraq certainly has. In fact, a military historian not named Hanson has decribed Iraq as the greatest blunder since Biblical times. Although FDR did not live to see the successful conclusion of WW 2, let's take a look at the respective time frames:
WW 2
Begin 12/7/41
End 8/15/45
TOTAL DAYS
1347
WOT
Begin 9/11/01
TO DATE
1726
DIFFERENCE: 379 DAYS
Osama has lived over a year longer than Hitler or Mussolini.Stein's next sentence is designed to make people believe that only those on the Left are critical of the Iraq War:
First, I keep running into men and women of the left who tell me that going into Iraq unprepared and undermanned and under-armed was the worst foreign policy and defense mistake this government has ever made.
This dishonestly ignores all the criticism from the Right but that is typical wingnut thinking, best summarized as "Get Lefty."
Friday, June 02, 2006
RADIO TIDBITS
Fats claimed that the Left hates the military and the "drive-by media" is overdoing the Haditha massacre. Shammity picked up where Fats left off and called Rep. Murtha a coward for not coming on his radio show. Today, a clown from Human Rights Watch returned to Shammity's program and did no better than he did yesterday. I can see him being unaware of how to deal with Shams the first time but there is no excuse for playing Calvin ball with Shams twice.
FUCK KERRY
I stumbled across this in the LA Times:
Emphasizing that a nuclear-armed Iran would be "a very serious threat to the U.S. and our allies," Kerry contended that the most conservative estimates are that Tehran is at least five years away from developing atomic weapons. "There is time for diplomacy to work here," he said, but added that negotiating with Iran is "an uncertain proposition at best."
This is Scoop "Sen. Boeing" Jackson crap. The former USSR was a very serious threat, Iran is just a pot hole.
Emphasizing that a nuclear-armed Iran would be "a very serious threat to the U.S. and our allies," Kerry contended that the most conservative estimates are that Tehran is at least five years away from developing atomic weapons. "There is time for diplomacy to work here," he said, but added that negotiating with Iran is "an uncertain proposition at best."
This is Scoop "Sen. Boeing" Jackson crap. The former USSR was a very serious threat, Iran is just a pot hole.
ANOTHER FUNDIE LIE
This time about abortion. I found this at one of Dobson's sites:
In 1973, two U.S. Supreme Court decisions, Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, radically changed the legal landscape of American abortion law by striking down all then-existing state laws prohibiting abortion. The combined effect of the rulings required abortion to be:
In 1973, two U.S. Supreme Court decisions, Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, radically changed the legal landscape of American abortion law by striking down all then-existing state laws prohibiting abortion. The combined effect of the rulings required abortion to be:
- legal for any woman, regardless of her age;
- legal for any reason through the first six months of pregnancy, and for virtually any reason thereafter.
This is patently false. Here I quote from Roe v. Wade:
(a) For the stage prior to approximately the end of the first trimester, the abortion decision and its effectuation must be left to the medical judgment of the pregnant woman's attending physician. Pp. 163, 164.
(b) For the stage subsequent to approximately the end of the first trimester, the State, in promoting its interest in the health of the mother, may, if it chooses, regulate the abortion procedure in ways that are reasonably related to maternal health. Pp. 163, 164.
(c) For the stage subsequent to viability the State, in promoting its interest in the potentiality of human life, may, if it chooses, regulate, and even proscribe, abortion except where necessary, in appropriate medical judgment, for the preservation of the life or health of the mother. Pp. 163-164; 164-165.
BBC SPECIAL REPORT
CondisNEW SHOES on AOL posted a link to a BBC special report. It seems to have been made in December, 2003 and reminds me of a PBS show I saw in late '74 or early '75. The PBS show did a comparison of the war coverage in America and other countries and showed that the American press by and large wasn't telling us the truth.
The BBC report shows the same thing about Iraq.
The BBC report shows the same thing about Iraq.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
GOD, SODOM, EZEKIEL & THE POOR
I was just listening to a local religious AM station and there was a sound byte from a pastor claiming that the Psalms state that the real sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was neither lust nor abominable actions, but pride, idleness, wealth and not giving to the poor and needy. It wasn't in Psalms, but from the prophet Ezekiel. Here are several translations of the relevant verse.
(All citations from Crosswalk, a great Bible resource)
EZEKIEL 16:49
(New Revised Standard version)
49 This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.
(New American Standard version)
49 "Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, R472 abundant R473 food and careless R474 ease, but she did not help F187 the poor R475 and needy.
(New King James version)
49 Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
(Douay-Rheims version)
49 Behold this was the iniquity of Sodom thy sister, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance, and the idleness of her, and of her daughters: and they did not put forth their hand to the needy, and the poor.
(New International version)
49 "'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.
(New International Reader's version)
49 "Here is the sin your sister Sodom committed. She and her daughters were proud. They ate too much. They were not concerned about others. They did not help those who were poor and in need.
I sometimes quote these verses from Acts of the Apostles
(New Revised Standard version)
4:32
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.
4:34
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold.
4:35
They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
to prove to the fundies that the social welfare state IS Christian and I usually get the reply that the verse refers to personal voluntary donations, not mandates from the state.
The fundies are wrong again about the state not being involved in welfare:
(New Revised Standard Version)
Deuteronomy 26:12
12 When you have finished paying all the tithe of your produce in the third year (which is the year of the tithe), giving it to the Levites, the aliens, the orphans, and the widows, so that they may eat their fill within your towns,
The point of all this is to show that the fundies are not the final source of Biblical interpretation and that they often ignore clear Biblical meanings, especially if those meanings aren't part of the Republican Party Platform. I've picked two issues to illustrate this: homosexuality and welfare and I'm sure there are many more.
(All citations from Crosswalk, a great Bible resource)
EZEKIEL 16:49
(New Revised Standard version)
49 This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.
(New American Standard version)
49 "Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, R472 abundant R473 food and careless R474 ease, but she did not help F187 the poor R475 and needy.
(New King James version)
49 Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
(Douay-Rheims version)
49 Behold this was the iniquity of Sodom thy sister, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance, and the idleness of her, and of her daughters: and they did not put forth their hand to the needy, and the poor.
(New International version)
49 "'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.
(New International Reader's version)
49 "Here is the sin your sister Sodom committed. She and her daughters were proud. They ate too much. They were not concerned about others. They did not help those who were poor and in need.
I sometimes quote these verses from Acts of the Apostles
(New Revised Standard version)
4:32
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.
4:34
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold.
4:35
They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
to prove to the fundies that the social welfare state IS Christian and I usually get the reply that the verse refers to personal voluntary donations, not mandates from the state.
The fundies are wrong again about the state not being involved in welfare:
(New Revised Standard Version)
Deuteronomy 26:12
12 When you have finished paying all the tithe of your produce in the third year (which is the year of the tithe), giving it to the Levites, the aliens, the orphans, and the widows, so that they may eat their fill within your towns,
The point of all this is to show that the fundies are not the final source of Biblical interpretation and that they often ignore clear Biblical meanings, especially if those meanings aren't part of the Republican Party Platform. I've picked two issues to illustrate this: homosexuality and welfare and I'm sure there are many more.
HADITHA - IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE
I will make a round-up of the posts I've made about the indiscriminate killing of Iraqi civilians by U.S. forces but for now let's settle for what the new Iraqi Ambassador to the United States has said. You can see the video clip at Crooks & Liars and here's the relevant part of the transcript:
BLITZER: So what you're suggesting, your cousin was killed in cold blood, is that what you're saying, by United States Marines?
AL-SUMAIDAIE: I believe he was killed intentionally. I believe that he was killed unnecessarily.
BLITZER: So what you're suggesting, your cousin was killed in cold blood, is that what you're saying, by United States Marines?
AL-SUMAIDAIE: I believe he was killed intentionally. I believe that he was killed unnecessarily.
MORE AOL CENSORSHIP
In the last 2-3 days, I have posted 4 threads in AOL's The Immigration Debate message board and all 4 have been removed. I could see losing 1 or 2 because of hardware/software glitches, but 4 shows that AOL is actively censoring these posts. They all amounted to the claim that illegals are this year's WMD.
PEAKING TOO EARLY?
The wingnut hacks have been busy in 2006. So far, they have published 9, soon to be 11, "books":
Horowitz The Professors: The 101 Most Dangerous Academics in America Regnery Publishing, Inc. (February 13, 2006)
Reynolds An Army of Davids : How Markets and Technology Empower Ordinary People to Beat Big Media, Big Government, and Other Goliaths Nelson Current (March 7, 2006)
Sammon Strategery: How George W. Bush Is Defeating Terrorists, Outwitting Democrats, and Confounding the Mainstream Media (Hardcover) Regnery Publishing, Inc. (February 27, 2006)
Barnes Rebel-in-Chief: Inside the Bold and Controversial Presidency of George W. Bush Crown Forum (January 17, 2006)
B. Goldberg 110 People Who Are Screwing Up America: (and Al Franken Is #37) Harper Paperbacks (May 23, 2006)
Ponnuru The Party of Death: The Democrats, the Media, the Courts, and the Disregard for Human Life Regnery Publishing, Inc. (April 24, 2006)
Coulter Godless: The Church of Liberalism Crown Forum (June 6, 2006)
Bennett America: The Last Best Hope (Volume I) : From the Age of Discovery to a World at War Nelson Current (May 23, 2006)
J. Podhoretz Can She Be Stopped? : Hillary Clinton Will Be the Next President of the United States Unless . . . Crown Forum (May 9, 2006)
Savage The Political Zoo Nelson Current (April 18, 2006)
Mark W. Smith Disrobed : The New Battle Plan to Break the Left's Stranglehold on the Courts Crown Forum (June 13, 2006)
Late in 2005, we had a few others:
Malkin Unhinged : Exposing Liberals Gone Wild Regnery Publishing, Inc. (October 24, 2005)
Miniter Disinformation : 22 Media Myths That Undermine the War on Terror Regnery Publishing (October 24, 2005)
O'Beirne Women Who Make the World Worse : and How Their Radical Feminist Assault Is Ruining Our Schools, Families, Military, and Sports Sentinel HC (December 29, 2005)
These haven't done any good for Pres. Fredo's poll numbers so I'm wondering if they have done all this for naught. They can hit the wingnut talk circuit once on the harcover publication and probably once again when their books come out in paperback, but that doesn't seem to be enough to help Fredo or the GOP.
Horowitz The Professors: The 101 Most Dangerous Academics in America Regnery Publishing, Inc. (February 13, 2006)
Reynolds An Army of Davids : How Markets and Technology Empower Ordinary People to Beat Big Media, Big Government, and Other Goliaths Nelson Current (March 7, 2006)
Sammon Strategery: How George W. Bush Is Defeating Terrorists, Outwitting Democrats, and Confounding the Mainstream Media (Hardcover) Regnery Publishing, Inc. (February 27, 2006)
Barnes Rebel-in-Chief: Inside the Bold and Controversial Presidency of George W. Bush Crown Forum (January 17, 2006)
B. Goldberg 110 People Who Are Screwing Up America: (and Al Franken Is #37) Harper Paperbacks (May 23, 2006)
Ponnuru The Party of Death: The Democrats, the Media, the Courts, and the Disregard for Human Life Regnery Publishing, Inc. (April 24, 2006)
Coulter Godless: The Church of Liberalism Crown Forum (June 6, 2006)
Bennett America: The Last Best Hope (Volume I) : From the Age of Discovery to a World at War Nelson Current (May 23, 2006)
J. Podhoretz Can She Be Stopped? : Hillary Clinton Will Be the Next President of the United States Unless . . . Crown Forum (May 9, 2006)
Savage The Political Zoo Nelson Current (April 18, 2006)
Mark W. Smith Disrobed : The New Battle Plan to Break the Left's Stranglehold on the Courts Crown Forum (June 13, 2006)
Late in 2005, we had a few others:
Malkin Unhinged : Exposing Liberals Gone Wild Regnery Publishing, Inc. (October 24, 2005)
Miniter Disinformation : 22 Media Myths That Undermine the War on Terror Regnery Publishing (October 24, 2005)
O'Beirne Women Who Make the World Worse : and How Their Radical Feminist Assault Is Ruining Our Schools, Families, Military, and Sports Sentinel HC (December 29, 2005)
These haven't done any good for Pres. Fredo's poll numbers so I'm wondering if they have done all this for naught. They can hit the wingnut talk circuit once on the harcover publication and probably once again when their books come out in paperback, but that doesn't seem to be enough to help Fredo or the GOP.
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