Saturday, September 03, 2005
WINGNUTS DEFEND COULTER
I was hoping there wouldn't be any letters in support of her but I was disappointed. These are from the 9/3/05 edition of the Tucson Daily Star:
Recently, I received a call from a telemarketer trying to sell me a subscription to the Star.
I also recently learned the Star canceled Ann Coulter's column ("Opinion pages get a makeover" Aug. 28).
Gee, why don't I subscribe to the Star? Could it be their liberal bias?
Tom Pyzdek
Tucson
Another disappointing decision by the liberal left-leaning Star on dropping columnist Ann Coulter ("Opinion pages get a makeover" Aug. 28).
The only interesting reading seems to come from the conservative writers: Coulter, Michelle Malkin and William Safire; and on the liberal side, Thomas Friedman.
We assume the Star is considering dropping the boring Molly Ivins, Maureen Dowd, Ellen Goodman and Paul Krugman.
Perhaps these decisions are the reasons we find very few people who think highly of the Star. We are starting to seriously consider canceling our subscription. What Tucson needs is a real newspaper.
Gus Schillizzi
Retired union refrigeration service engineer, Tucson
In response to the Aug. 28 opinion "Opinion pages get a makeover."
Liberals can dish it out, but they can't take it. They whine Ann Coulter is "shrill, bombastic and mean-spirited," but they positively adore Maureen Dowd and Molly Ivins.
Are there any columnists more shrill, more bombastic and more mean-spirited than these two? OK, maybe Paul Krugman, but no problem, right? I mean, all three are bashing Bush, right?
Richard J. Jacobs
Writer, Tucson
The Star bases a decision to remove Ann Coulter's column because several people have read it and thought it was shrill?
Maybe they should read something else and leave reading it to me, someone who enjoys it. Censorship at its worst!
Joe Wypych
Instructional designer, Tucson
Recently, I received a call from a telemarketer trying to sell me a subscription to the Star.
I also recently learned the Star canceled Ann Coulter's column ("Opinion pages get a makeover" Aug. 28).
Gee, why don't I subscribe to the Star? Could it be their liberal bias?
Tom Pyzdek
Tucson
Another disappointing decision by the liberal left-leaning Star on dropping columnist Ann Coulter ("Opinion pages get a makeover" Aug. 28).
The only interesting reading seems to come from the conservative writers: Coulter, Michelle Malkin and William Safire; and on the liberal side, Thomas Friedman.
We assume the Star is considering dropping the boring Molly Ivins, Maureen Dowd, Ellen Goodman and Paul Krugman.
Perhaps these decisions are the reasons we find very few people who think highly of the Star. We are starting to seriously consider canceling our subscription. What Tucson needs is a real newspaper.
Gus Schillizzi
Retired union refrigeration service engineer, Tucson
In response to the Aug. 28 opinion "Opinion pages get a makeover."
Liberals can dish it out, but they can't take it. They whine Ann Coulter is "shrill, bombastic and mean-spirited," but they positively adore Maureen Dowd and Molly Ivins.
Are there any columnists more shrill, more bombastic and more mean-spirited than these two? OK, maybe Paul Krugman, but no problem, right? I mean, all three are bashing Bush, right?
Richard J. Jacobs
Writer, Tucson
The Star bases a decision to remove Ann Coulter's column because several people have read it and thought it was shrill?
Maybe they should read something else and leave reading it to me, someone who enjoys it. Censorship at its worst!
Joe Wypych
Instructional designer, Tucson
Friday, September 02, 2005
IN AMERICA, HATRED NEVER TAKES A VACATION
(Via Atrios)
You probably recall the recent statements by Pat Robertson calling for the assassination of Pres. Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. You might recall that hateful statements Robertson & Falwell made shortly after 9-11 about it being God's judgment because of gays, the ACLU and other "evil" groups.
Well, here's a more recent installment (the title is misleading):
New Orleans Residents: God's Mercy Evident in Katrina's Wake
By Jody Brown and Allie Martin
September 2, 2005
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/9/22005b.asp
(AgapePress) - Rev. Bill Shanks, pastor of New Covenant Fellowship of New Orleans, also sees God's mercy in the aftermath of Katrina -- but in a different way. Shanks says the hurricane has wiped out much of the rampant sin common to the city.
The pastor explains that for years he has warned people that unless Christians in New Orleans took a strong stand against such things as local abortion clinics, the yearly Mardi Gras celebrations, and the annual event known as "Southern Decadence" -- an annual six-day "gay pride" event scheduled to be hosted by the city this week -- God's judgment would be felt.
“New Orleans now is abortion free. New Orleans now is Mardi Gras free. New Orleans now is free of Southern Decadence and the sodomites, the witchcraft workers, false religion -- it's free of all of those things now," Shanks says. "God simply, I believe, in His mercy purged all of that stuff out of there -- and now we're going to start over again."
You probably recall the recent statements by Pat Robertson calling for the assassination of Pres. Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. You might recall that hateful statements Robertson & Falwell made shortly after 9-11 about it being God's judgment because of gays, the ACLU and other "evil" groups.
Well, here's a more recent installment (the title is misleading):
New Orleans Residents: God's Mercy Evident in Katrina's Wake
By Jody Brown and Allie Martin
September 2, 2005
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/9/22005b.asp
(AgapePress) - Rev. Bill Shanks, pastor of New Covenant Fellowship of New Orleans, also sees God's mercy in the aftermath of Katrina -- but in a different way. Shanks says the hurricane has wiped out much of the rampant sin common to the city.
The pastor explains that for years he has warned people that unless Christians in New Orleans took a strong stand against such things as local abortion clinics, the yearly Mardi Gras celebrations, and the annual event known as "Southern Decadence" -- an annual six-day "gay pride" event scheduled to be hosted by the city this week -- God's judgment would be felt.
“New Orleans now is abortion free. New Orleans now is Mardi Gras free. New Orleans now is free of Southern Decadence and the sodomites, the witchcraft workers, false religion -- it's free of all of those things now," Shanks says. "God simply, I believe, in His mercy purged all of that stuff out of there -- and now we're going to start over again."
HELP WANTED: FEMA DIRECTOR
Important job qualifications:
1) Must be able to follow and understand news reports
2) Must be able to take appropriate action based on those reports
3) Must not lie about results of actions
See below for a example of lack of qualifications from Sept. 1:
JIM LEHRER: "As fast as we can," what does that mean as we speak right now? Preceding you, we've had numerous people say they walked across the bridge and they got to the other end of the bridge and there was nobody there, nobody to help them. There were supposed to be buses. The buses didn't show up. It is one story after another. So what does "as soon as we can" mean at this stage of the game, Mr. Brown?
MIKE BROWN: Well, let me answer the question two ways: First, with regard to the evacuation of the Superdome and the convention center, we have had an ongoing supply food and water to there. They've had meals every day that they've been there.
Same day:
ZAHN: Sir, you aren't just telling me you just learned that the folks at the Convention Center didn't have food and water until today, are you? You had no idea they were completely cut off?
(CROSSTALK) BROWN: Paula, the federal government did not even know about the Convention Center people until today.
1) Must be able to follow and understand news reports
2) Must be able to take appropriate action based on those reports
3) Must not lie about results of actions
See below for a example of lack of qualifications from Sept. 1:
JIM LEHRER: "As fast as we can," what does that mean as we speak right now? Preceding you, we've had numerous people say they walked across the bridge and they got to the other end of the bridge and there was nobody there, nobody to help them. There were supposed to be buses. The buses didn't show up. It is one story after another. So what does "as soon as we can" mean at this stage of the game, Mr. Brown?
MIKE BROWN: Well, let me answer the question two ways: First, with regard to the evacuation of the Superdome and the convention center, we have had an ongoing supply food and water to there. They've had meals every day that they've been there.
Same day:
ZAHN: Sir, you aren't just telling me you just learned that the folks at the Convention Center didn't have food and water until today, are you? You had no idea they were completely cut off?
(CROSSTALK) BROWN: Paula, the federal government did not even know about the Convention Center people until today.
LIES OR INCOMPETENCE?
Mr. Chertoff seems to be out of the loop (via ThinkProgress):
(Audio here)
Robert Siegel: We are hearing from our reporter, he’s on another line right now, thousands of people at the convention center in New Orleans with no food, zero.
Chertoff: As I said, I’m telling you we are getting food and water to areas where people are staging. The one about an episode like this is if you talk to someone or you get a rumor or an anecdotal version of something I think it’s dangerous to extrapolate it all over the place.
[Snip]
Robert Siegel: But Mr. Secretary when you say we shouldn’t listen to rumors. These are things coming from reporters who have not only covered many many other hurricanes, they’ve covered wars and refugee camps. These aren’t rumors, they are saying there are thousands of people there.
Chertoff: I would be…I have not heard a report of thousands of people in the convention center who don’t have food and water.
If Chertoff really hasn't heard then we need someone else to head the Department of Homeland Security.
(Audio here)
Robert Siegel: We are hearing from our reporter, he’s on another line right now, thousands of people at the convention center in New Orleans with no food, zero.
Chertoff: As I said, I’m telling you we are getting food and water to areas where people are staging. The one about an episode like this is if you talk to someone or you get a rumor or an anecdotal version of something I think it’s dangerous to extrapolate it all over the place.
[Snip]
Robert Siegel: But Mr. Secretary when you say we shouldn’t listen to rumors. These are things coming from reporters who have not only covered many many other hurricanes, they’ve covered wars and refugee camps. These aren’t rumors, they are saying there are thousands of people there.
Chertoff: I would be…I have not heard a report of thousands of people in the convention center who don’t have food and water.
If Chertoff really hasn't heard then we need someone else to head the Department of Homeland Security.
DAILY STAR READERS REACT TO COULTER DECISION
I thought that The Hive would be out in force protesting the decision to drop Coulter's column and replace her with Tony Snow. So far there hasn't been even one LTE defending her.
TUESDAY
In response to the Aug. 20 opinion "Sheehan, Commander in Grief."
Now that I've calmed down a bit from reading Ann Coulter's personal attack on Cindy Sheehan, I must respond.
This so-called columnist has stooped to a new low. Why even print this drivel? Coulter has made a grieving mother the new target of her vitriolic nonsense and, here's the rub, she gets paid to do it.
I don't suppose she even stopped to think Casey Sheehan died supporting her rights, two of which are freedom of speech and a free press. What a shame.
What a total waste of a young life to die supporting the rights of a fool like Coulter. She is a coward, hiding behind the written word, just like Bush hides behind the walls of his ranch, living his "balanced life."
A. Roy Olson
Veteran and Independent voter, Tucson
WEDNESDAY
As a non-conservative, I'm glad to see the Star dropped the Ann Coulter column.
I disagree, however, with Star readers who found her shrill and bombastic. Neither of those terms applied to her column.
Were I an editor, I would have dropped her columns because they were poorly written and prone to faulty logic. I did find her to be mean-spirited and rather stupid.
Ned Egen
Tucson
FRIDAY
Ann Coulter does not deserve any space in the Star's opinion section. She is an extremist shill out to make a buck, and she cheapens the Star's opinion page.
Please remove her. She is a disgrace. Too bad they missed her foul mouth with the pie-throw at the University of Arizona.
Judy Nostrant
Freelance artist/illustrator, Tucson
TUESDAY
In response to the Aug. 20 opinion "Sheehan, Commander in Grief."
Now that I've calmed down a bit from reading Ann Coulter's personal attack on Cindy Sheehan, I must respond.
This so-called columnist has stooped to a new low. Why even print this drivel? Coulter has made a grieving mother the new target of her vitriolic nonsense and, here's the rub, she gets paid to do it.
I don't suppose she even stopped to think Casey Sheehan died supporting her rights, two of which are freedom of speech and a free press. What a shame.
What a total waste of a young life to die supporting the rights of a fool like Coulter. She is a coward, hiding behind the written word, just like Bush hides behind the walls of his ranch, living his "balanced life."
A. Roy Olson
Veteran and Independent voter, Tucson
WEDNESDAY
As a non-conservative, I'm glad to see the Star dropped the Ann Coulter column.
I disagree, however, with Star readers who found her shrill and bombastic. Neither of those terms applied to her column.
Were I an editor, I would have dropped her columns because they were poorly written and prone to faulty logic. I did find her to be mean-spirited and rather stupid.
Ned Egen
Tucson
FRIDAY
Ann Coulter does not deserve any space in the Star's opinion section. She is an extremist shill out to make a buck, and she cheapens the Star's opinion page.
Please remove her. She is a disgrace. Too bad they missed her foul mouth with the pie-throw at the University of Arizona.
Judy Nostrant
Freelance artist/illustrator, Tucson
Thursday, September 01, 2005
INCOMPETENCE
From Echidne, via Atrios:
BUSH:"I don't think anyone anticipated the breach of the levees."
Read Echidne's post to find out the truth.
BUSH:"I don't think anyone anticipated the breach of the levees."
Read Echidne's post to find out the truth.
HOW THE GOP SUPPORTED CLINTON
I was googling for some GOP remarks about Clinton's military efforts and I found this great post from Crooks & Liars:
"Bombing a sovereign nation for ill-defined reasons with vague objectives undermines the American stature in the world. The international respect and trust for America has diminished every time we casually let the bombs fly."
-Representative Tom Delay (R-TX)
"Once the bombing commenced, I think then Milosevic unleashed his forces, and then that's when the slaughtering and the massive ethnic cleansing really started"
-Senator Don Nickles (R-OK)
"Clinton's bombing campaign has caused all of these problems to explode"
-Representative Tom Delay (R-TX)
"America has no vital interest in whose flag flies over Kosovo's capital, and no right to attack and kill Serb soldiers fighting on their own soil to preserve the territorial integrity of their own country"
-Pat Buchanan (R)
"These international war criminals were led by Gen. Wesley Clark ...who clicked his shiny heels for the commander-in-grief, Bill Clinton."
-Michael Savage
"This has been an unmitigated disaster ... Ask the Chinese embassy. Ask all the people in Belgrade that we've killed. Ask the refugees that we've killed. Ask the people in nursing homes. Ask the people in hospitals."
-Representative Joe Scarborough (R-FL)
"It is a remarkable spectacle to see the Clinton Administration and NATO taking over from the Soviet Union the role of sponsoring "wars of national liberation."
-Representative Helen Chenoweth (R-ID)
"America has no vital interest in whose flag flies over Kosovo's capital, and no right to attack and kill Serb soldiers fighting on their own soil to preserve the territorial integrity of their own country"
-Pat Buchanan (R )
"By the order to launch air strikes against Serbia, NATO and President Clinton have entered uncharted territory in mankind's history. Not even Hitler's grab of the Sudetenland in the 1930s, which eventually led to WW II, ranks as a comparable travesty. For, there are no American interests whatsoever that the NATO bombing will either help, or protect; only needless risks to which it exposes the American soldiers and assets, not to mention the victims on the ground in Serbia."
-Bob Djurdjevic, founder of Truth in Media
"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is."
-Governor George W. Bush (R-TX)
"This is President Clinton's war, and when he falls flat on his face, that's his problem."
-Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN)
"The two powers that have ICBMs that can reach the United States are Russia and China. Here we go in. We're taking on not just Milosevic. We can't just say, 'that little guy, we can whip him.' We have these two other powers that have missiles that can reach us, and we have zero defense thanks to this president."
-Senator James Inhofe (R-OK)
"You can support the troops but not the president"
-Representative Tom Delay (R-TX)
"My job as majority leader is be supportive of our troops, try to have input as decisions are made and to look at those decisions after they're made ... not to march in lock step with everything the president decides to do."
-Senator Trent Lott (R-MS)
"For us to call this a victory and to commend the President of the United States as the Commander in Chief showing great leadership in Operation Allied Force is a farce"
-Representative Tom Delay (R-TX)
"I had doubts about the bombing campaign from the beginning...I didn't think we had done enough in the diplomatic area."
-Senator Trent Lott (R-MS)
"You think Vietnam was bad? Vietnam is nothing next to Kosovo."
-Tony Snow, Fox News 3/24/99
"Well, I just think it's a bad idea. What's going to happen is they're going to be over there for 10, 15, maybe 20 years"
-Joe Scarborough (R-FL)
"I'm on the Senate Intelligence Committee, so you can trust me and believe me when I say we're running out of cruise missles. I can't tell you exactly how many we have left, for security reasons, but we're almost out of cruise missles."
-Senator Inhofe (R-OK )
"I cannot support a failed foreign policy. History teaches us that it is often easier to make war than peace. This administration is just learning that lesson right now. The President began this mission with very vague objectives and lots of unanswered questions. A month later, these questions are still unanswered. There are no clarifiedrules of engagement. There is no timetable. There is no legitimate definition of victory. There is no contingency plan for mission creep. There is no clear funding program. There is no agenda to bolster our overextended military. There is no explanation defining what vital national interests are at stake. There was no strategic plan for war when the President started this thing, and there still is no plan today"
-Representative Tom Delay (R-TX)
"I don't know that Milosevic will ever raise a white flag"
-Senator Don Nickles (R-OK)
"Explain to the mothers and fathers of American servicemen that may come home in body bags why their son or daughter have to give up their life?"
-Sean Hannity, Fox News, 4/6/99
"President Clinton is once again releasing American military might on a foreign country with an ill-defined objective and no exit strategy. He has yet to tell the Congress how much this operation will cost. And he has not informed our nation's armed forces about how long they will be
away from home. These strikes do not make for a sound foreign policy."
-Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA)
"No goal, no objective, not until we have those things and a compelling case is made, then I say, back out of it, because innocent people are going to die for nothing. That's why I'm against it."
-Sean Hannity, Fox News, 4/5/99
"American foreign policy is now one huge big mystery. Simply put, the administration is trying to lead the world with a feel-good foreign policy."
-Representative Tom Delay (R-TX)
"If we are going to commit American troops, we must be certain they have a clear mission, an achievable goal and an exit strategy."
-Karen Hughes, speaking on behalf of presidential candidate George W. Bush
"Bombing a sovereign nation for ill-defined reasons with vague objectives undermines the American stature in the world. The international respect and trust for America has diminished every time we casually let the bombs fly."
-Representative Tom Delay (R-TX)
"Once the bombing commenced, I think then Milosevic unleashed his forces, and then that's when the slaughtering and the massive ethnic cleansing really started"
-Senator Don Nickles (R-OK)
"Clinton's bombing campaign has caused all of these problems to explode"
-Representative Tom Delay (R-TX)
"America has no vital interest in whose flag flies over Kosovo's capital, and no right to attack and kill Serb soldiers fighting on their own soil to preserve the territorial integrity of their own country"
-Pat Buchanan (R)
"These international war criminals were led by Gen. Wesley Clark ...who clicked his shiny heels for the commander-in-grief, Bill Clinton."
-Michael Savage
"This has been an unmitigated disaster ... Ask the Chinese embassy. Ask all the people in Belgrade that we've killed. Ask the refugees that we've killed. Ask the people in nursing homes. Ask the people in hospitals."
-Representative Joe Scarborough (R-FL)
"It is a remarkable spectacle to see the Clinton Administration and NATO taking over from the Soviet Union the role of sponsoring "wars of national liberation."
-Representative Helen Chenoweth (R-ID)
"America has no vital interest in whose flag flies over Kosovo's capital, and no right to attack and kill Serb soldiers fighting on their own soil to preserve the territorial integrity of their own country"
-Pat Buchanan (R )
"By the order to launch air strikes against Serbia, NATO and President Clinton have entered uncharted territory in mankind's history. Not even Hitler's grab of the Sudetenland in the 1930s, which eventually led to WW II, ranks as a comparable travesty. For, there are no American interests whatsoever that the NATO bombing will either help, or protect; only needless risks to which it exposes the American soldiers and assets, not to mention the victims on the ground in Serbia."
-Bob Djurdjevic, founder of Truth in Media
"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is."
-Governor George W. Bush (R-TX)
"This is President Clinton's war, and when he falls flat on his face, that's his problem."
-Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN)
"The two powers that have ICBMs that can reach the United States are Russia and China. Here we go in. We're taking on not just Milosevic. We can't just say, 'that little guy, we can whip him.' We have these two other powers that have missiles that can reach us, and we have zero defense thanks to this president."
-Senator James Inhofe (R-OK)
"You can support the troops but not the president"
-Representative Tom Delay (R-TX)
"My job as majority leader is be supportive of our troops, try to have input as decisions are made and to look at those decisions after they're made ... not to march in lock step with everything the president decides to do."
-Senator Trent Lott (R-MS)
"For us to call this a victory and to commend the President of the United States as the Commander in Chief showing great leadership in Operation Allied Force is a farce"
-Representative Tom Delay (R-TX)
"I had doubts about the bombing campaign from the beginning...I didn't think we had done enough in the diplomatic area."
-Senator Trent Lott (R-MS)
"You think Vietnam was bad? Vietnam is nothing next to Kosovo."
-Tony Snow, Fox News 3/24/99
"Well, I just think it's a bad idea. What's going to happen is they're going to be over there for 10, 15, maybe 20 years"
-Joe Scarborough (R-FL)
"I'm on the Senate Intelligence Committee, so you can trust me and believe me when I say we're running out of cruise missles. I can't tell you exactly how many we have left, for security reasons, but we're almost out of cruise missles."
-Senator Inhofe (R-OK )
"I cannot support a failed foreign policy. History teaches us that it is often easier to make war than peace. This administration is just learning that lesson right now. The President began this mission with very vague objectives and lots of unanswered questions. A month later, these questions are still unanswered. There are no clarifiedrules of engagement. There is no timetable. There is no legitimate definition of victory. There is no contingency plan for mission creep. There is no clear funding program. There is no agenda to bolster our overextended military. There is no explanation defining what vital national interests are at stake. There was no strategic plan for war when the President started this thing, and there still is no plan today"
-Representative Tom Delay (R-TX)
"I don't know that Milosevic will ever raise a white flag"
-Senator Don Nickles (R-OK)
"Explain to the mothers and fathers of American servicemen that may come home in body bags why their son or daughter have to give up their life?"
-Sean Hannity, Fox News, 4/6/99
"President Clinton is once again releasing American military might on a foreign country with an ill-defined objective and no exit strategy. He has yet to tell the Congress how much this operation will cost. And he has not informed our nation's armed forces about how long they will be
away from home. These strikes do not make for a sound foreign policy."
-Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA)
"No goal, no objective, not until we have those things and a compelling case is made, then I say, back out of it, because innocent people are going to die for nothing. That's why I'm against it."
-Sean Hannity, Fox News, 4/5/99
"American foreign policy is now one huge big mystery. Simply put, the administration is trying to lead the world with a feel-good foreign policy."
-Representative Tom Delay (R-TX)
"If we are going to commit American troops, we must be certain they have a clear mission, an achievable goal and an exit strategy."
-Karen Hughes, speaking on behalf of presidential candidate George W. Bush
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
EVEN TONY PERKINS GETS IT!
War Supporters Concerned That 'Theocracy'
Will Be Final Word in Iraq Saga
By Terry M. Neal
washingtonpost.com Staff Writer
Monday, August 29, 2005; 6:30 AM
In an Aug. 18 statement, Tony Perkins, head of the conservative Family Research Council, wrote on that group's Web site: "I have sent a letter to President Bush encouraging the Administration to redouble its efforts to ensure that the Iraq Constitution provides genuine religious freedom for all Iraqi citizens. An Iraqi Constitution that does not protect religious liberty will seriously undermine U.S. efforts in Iraq and the larger Middle East. The sons and daughters of Americans are not risking their lives to establish a theocratic government that denies its citizens the fundamental right of religious freedom." (Here's an updated Perkins memo.)
Reached by phone on Thursday, Perkins said he wanted to make sure that the end result of the U.S. invasion of Iraq would not be the establishment of an Islamic state. And he questioned whether America's sacrifice would be worth it if it is.
Will Be Final Word in Iraq Saga
By Terry M. Neal
washingtonpost.com Staff Writer
Monday, August 29, 2005; 6:30 AM
In an Aug. 18 statement, Tony Perkins, head of the conservative Family Research Council, wrote on that group's Web site: "I have sent a letter to President Bush encouraging the Administration to redouble its efforts to ensure that the Iraq Constitution provides genuine religious freedom for all Iraqi citizens. An Iraqi Constitution that does not protect religious liberty will seriously undermine U.S. efforts in Iraq and the larger Middle East. The sons and daughters of Americans are not risking their lives to establish a theocratic government that denies its citizens the fundamental right of religious freedom." (Here's an updated Perkins memo.)
Reached by phone on Thursday, Perkins said he wanted to make sure that the end result of the U.S. invasion of Iraq would not be the establishment of an Islamic state. And he questioned whether America's sacrifice would be worth it if it is.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
NEWEST HANNITY WHOPPER
I listened to part of Hannity's radio show this afternoon and he mislead his listeners by implying by omission that the Fred Phelps-led demonstrations at soldier's funerals were part of the anti-war Left. Phelps is a rabid anti-gay conservative minister.
Ann Coulter was supposed to come on and whine about her column being dropped from the Arizona Daily Star but I missed that segment.
Ann Coulter was supposed to come on and whine about her column being dropped from the Arizona Daily Star but I missed that segment.
THE CULTURE OF CORRUPTION
Note that one of the offenders was an officer of KPMG. I wonder who vetted his promotions?
8 ex-KPMG execs indicted; firm to pay fine
By ERIN McCLAM Associated Press Writer
Aug 29, 4:30 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) -- Eight former executives of KPMG were indicted Monday as the Big Four accounting firm admitted it had set up fraudulent shelters to help rich clients dodge billions of dollars in taxes.
The firm, mindful of how criminal charges wrecked competitor Arthur Andersen in an Enron-related accounting scandal, avoided an indictment but agreed to pay $456 million in penalties.
The Department of Justice called it the largest criminal tax case ever filed and said the KPMG scam allowed the firm's clients to avoid paying $2.5 billion in taxes.
Among those charged was Jeffrey Stein, who was named deputy chairman of KPMG in April 2002. His lawyer did not immediately return a call for comment.
8 ex-KPMG execs indicted; firm to pay fine
By ERIN McCLAM Associated Press Writer
Aug 29, 4:30 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) -- Eight former executives of KPMG were indicted Monday as the Big Four accounting firm admitted it had set up fraudulent shelters to help rich clients dodge billions of dollars in taxes.
The firm, mindful of how criminal charges wrecked competitor Arthur Andersen in an Enron-related accounting scandal, avoided an indictment but agreed to pay $456 million in penalties.
The Department of Justice called it the largest criminal tax case ever filed and said the KPMG scam allowed the firm's clients to avoid paying $2.5 billion in taxes.
Among those charged was Jeffrey Stein, who was named deputy chairman of KPMG in April 2002. His lawyer did not immediately return a call for comment.
Monday, August 29, 2005
ANOTHER "HEARTS & MINDS" MOMENT
This time in Afghanistan:
Afghan Abuse Punishments Knocked
KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 24, 2005
(AP) Afghanistan's government Wednesday said it was disappointed with the "unexpectedly lenient" sentences U.S. military courts have handed down to American soldiers convicted of abusing two Afghan detainees who later died.
One soldier has been sentenced to two months in prison, another to three months. A third was demoted and given a letter of reprimand and a fine. A fourth was given a reduction in rank and pay.
One of the two was a 22-year-old taxi driver known only as Dilawar. The other was Mullah Habibullah, who was about 30.
An autopsy performed by a medical examiner showed that Dilawar's legs were so damaged by blows that amputation would have been necessary, according to an Army report dated July 6, 2004. Habibullah died of a pulmonary embolism apparently caused by blood clots formed in his legs from the beatings, according to a June 1, 2004, U.S. military report.
Afghan Abuse Punishments Knocked
KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 24, 2005
(AP) Afghanistan's government Wednesday said it was disappointed with the "unexpectedly lenient" sentences U.S. military courts have handed down to American soldiers convicted of abusing two Afghan detainees who later died.
One soldier has been sentenced to two months in prison, another to three months. A third was demoted and given a letter of reprimand and a fine. A fourth was given a reduction in rank and pay.
One of the two was a 22-year-old taxi driver known only as Dilawar. The other was Mullah Habibullah, who was about 30.
An autopsy performed by a medical examiner showed that Dilawar's legs were so damaged by blows that amputation would have been necessary, according to an Army report dated July 6, 2004. Habibullah died of a pulmonary embolism apparently caused by blood clots formed in his legs from the beatings, according to a June 1, 2004, U.S. military report.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
PROPOSED IRAQI CONSTITUTION
You can find the entire text here, courtesy of the BBC. Here are some parts I found interesting:
Article (2):
1st -- Islam is the official religion of the state and is a basic source of legislation:
(a) No law can be passed that contradicts the undisputed rules of Islam.
(b) No law can be passed that contradicts the principles of democracy.
(c) No law can be passed that contradicts the rights and basic freedoms outlined in this constitution.
Article (17):
1st -- Each person has the right to personal privacy as long as it does not violate the rights of others or general morality.
Article (28):
2nd -- Low-income people should be exempted from taxes in a way that guarantees maintaining the minimum level necessary for a living. This shall be regulated by law.
Article (30):
1st -- The state guarantees social and health insurance, the basics for a free and honorable life for the individual and the family -- especially children and women -- and works to protect them from illiteracy, fear and poverty and provides them with housing and the means to rehabilitate and take care of them. This shall be regulated by law.
Article (31):
1st -- Every Iraqi has the right to health services, and the state is in charge of public health and guarantees the means of protection and treatment by building different kinds of hospitals and health institutions.
Article (34):
1st -- Education is a main factor for the progress of society and it is a right guaranteed by the state. It is mandatory in the primary school and the state guarantees fighting illiteracy.
2nd -- Free education is a right for Iraqis in all its stages.
Article (110):
1st -- The federal government will administer oil and gas extracted from current fields in cooperation with the governments of the producing regions and provinces on condition that the revenues will be distributed fairly in a manner compatible with the demographical distribution all over the country. A quota should be defined for a specified time for (affected) regions that were deprived in an unfair way by the former regime or later on, in a way to ensure balanced development in different parts of the country. This should be regulated by law.
Article (2):
1st -- Islam is the official religion of the state and is a basic source of legislation:
(a) No law can be passed that contradicts the undisputed rules of Islam.
(b) No law can be passed that contradicts the principles of democracy.
(c) No law can be passed that contradicts the rights and basic freedoms outlined in this constitution.
Article (17):
1st -- Each person has the right to personal privacy as long as it does not violate the rights of others or general morality.
Article (28):
2nd -- Low-income people should be exempted from taxes in a way that guarantees maintaining the minimum level necessary for a living. This shall be regulated by law.
Article (30):
1st -- The state guarantees social and health insurance, the basics for a free and honorable life for the individual and the family -- especially children and women -- and works to protect them from illiteracy, fear and poverty and provides them with housing and the means to rehabilitate and take care of them. This shall be regulated by law.
Article (31):
1st -- Every Iraqi has the right to health services, and the state is in charge of public health and guarantees the means of protection and treatment by building different kinds of hospitals and health institutions.
Article (34):
1st -- Education is a main factor for the progress of society and it is a right guaranteed by the state. It is mandatory in the primary school and the state guarantees fighting illiteracy.
2nd -- Free education is a right for Iraqis in all its stages.
Article (110):
1st -- The federal government will administer oil and gas extracted from current fields in cooperation with the governments of the producing regions and provinces on condition that the revenues will be distributed fairly in a manner compatible with the demographical distribution all over the country. A quota should be defined for a specified time for (affected) regions that were deprived in an unfair way by the former regime or later on, in a way to ensure balanced development in different parts of the country. This should be regulated by law.
RADIO TIDBITS
I listened to Drudge tonight and he managed to take two swipes at the media over the coverage of Hurricane Katrina. First, he complained that the NY Times didn't have any coverage on the front page but put Iraq there instead. Second, and contradictory to the first claim, he insinuated that Katrina coverage may be media hype, singling out CNN as a prime example.
I'm not sure which edition of the Times Drudge was referring to ( he said the "barndog edition") but the Monday electronic edition edition, as of 1:02 AM Eastern, has Katrina as the lead article. As far Katrina goes, it is only the 4th category 5 hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since 1851. Of course, for Drudge, any chance to attack the "liberal media" is a good chance.
I'm not sure which edition of the Times Drudge was referring to ( he said the "barndog edition") but the Monday electronic edition edition, as of 1:02 AM Eastern, has Katrina as the lead article. As far Katrina goes, it is only the 4th category 5 hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since 1851. Of course, for Drudge, any chance to attack the "liberal media" is a good chance.
OUT OF TOUCH
Here are two AP headlines from my local paper. See if you can spot the contradiction:
Bush hails Iraqi draft constitution
Sunnis reject Iraq's new constitution
Bush hails Iraqi draft constitution
Sunnis reject Iraq's new constitution
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